I didn't really wanna get drawn into this, but...

Let's say the Flyers end next season with a center group of Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, and Laughton, and Lecavalier is either gone or playing wing (i.e. not huge changes to the forward groupings). However, they miss the playoffs, but win the McDavid sweeps. Now, Connor McDavid is supposedly as good as Crosby. Would you select a defenseman with that #1 pick simply because you already have a lot of centers? I'm not talking about trading players or picks, simply, would you draft him and keep an overload of centers, or would you pass on an elite player simply because you need defensemen? Again, I am not talking about trading existing players to accomodate them, simply about draft selection.

Actually, a better team would be Pittsburgh who has 2 elite, world-class centers. If they (somehow) won the McDavid sweeps, would it be wise of them to draft a defenseman/goalie first overall?
- jmatchett383

Generational talent isn't the same. If you get to pick the best player in the draft, you pick the best player or trade down.

Walking dead 13 minutes. Screw Olympics.

Walking dead 13 minutes. Screw Olympics.
- Flyersgod

ah. i cant wait until i can get legitimate free time and sit down and on demand a whole block of it.

Yes, but you know what would be even more disappointing? them losing to the US in the finals or knockout rounds
- Yosimar89

To me, losing to Russia would be worse for Canada. Especially if it would result in no medal.

Losing to the US would hurt, but not in the same way.

ah. i cant wait until i can get legitimate free time and sit down and on demand a whole block of it.
- stayinthefnnet

My cable box broke, and I have the cable plugged directly into my TV. The only channels I get crystal clear are Spanish stations like UNIVISION. Pisses me the f off that I have to watch walking dead through a bunch of snow.

My cable box broke, and I have the cable plugged directly into my TV. The only channels I get crystal clear are Spanish stations like UNIVISION. Pisses me the f off that I have to watch walking dead through a bunch of snow.
- Flyersgod

that sucks

that sucks
- stayinthefnnet

It's Florida. Gotta make sure the illegals have something to watch on TV.

yeah. my infatuation with maatta right now goes beyond numbers and assist total. like coots, his awareness and feel for things at his age is ridiculous. niskanen is a decent player, but i wouldnt see him pushing 50 points on a team with lesser firepower.

letang has the physical offensive goods to put up tons of points on his own wherever he plays. id rather he actually reined it in some. hes much more effective overall when he learns to pick his spots
- stayinthefnnet

So we agree!

As a side, its not as if Pitkanen developed into some terrible player. If he was healthy, he'd be the number 1 defenseman on the Flyers and he'd be a top pairing defenseman on a lot of teams.

I know the Pens have high hopes for Maata, but if he became as good as Pitkanen without the injury problems, that'd be just fine for them.

So we agree!

As a side, its not as if Pitkanen developed into some terrible player. If he was healthy, he'd be the number 1 defenseman on the Flyers and he'd be a top pairing defenseman on a lot of teams.

I know the Pens have high hopes for Maata, but if he became as good as Pitkanen without the injury problems, that'd be just fine for them.
- PhillySportsGuy

haha i wasnt aware that our agreement was in contention on any point?

It's Florida. Gotta make sure the illegals have something to watch on TV.
- Flyersgod

well we wouldnt want them to be deprived

To me, losing to Russia would be worse for Canada. Especially if it would result in no medal.

Losing to the US would hurt, but not in the same way.
- PhillySportsGuy

Really? I see it completely different. Canada's got little brother syndrome when it comes to the USA. This is "their" sport, one of the few they're better then the US at that anybody in the US cares about, losing to the US in it would suck way worse than Russia imo. Maybe 30 years ago when Russia were the Beasts of hockey sure but now? not so much.

yeah. my infatuation with maatta right now goes beyond numbers and assist total. like coots, his awareness and feel for things at his age is ridiculous. niskanen is a decent player, but i wouldnt see him pushing 50 points on a team with lesser firepower.

letang has the physical offensive goods to put up tons of points on his own wherever he plays. id rather he actually reined it in some. hes much more effective overall when he learns to pick his spots
- stayinthefnnet

I understand what you're getting at. When I watch Couturier play, I see him making plays that a player his age and experience level shouldn't be making. They have skills that can't be taught. The term most used is Hockey sense. Couturier has a boatload of it.

Really? I see it completely different. Canada's got little brother syndrome when it comes to the USA. This is "their" sport, one of the few they're better then the US at that anybody in the US cares about, losing to the US in it would suck way worse than Russia imo. Maybe 30 years ago when Russia were the Beasts of hockey sure but now? not so much.
- Yosimar89

I guess. I can't get into the mind of a Canadian. I don't have any ill will towards Canada. If they took Giroux, I would be rooting for them after the US.

By the way, has anyone noticed the Russian players appearing to give more effort in these games than the Stanley Cup Playoffs? I saw Ovechkin back checking hard

To me, losing to Russia would be worse for Canada. Especially if it would result in no medal.

Losing to the US would hurt, but not in the same way.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm loving it that looking at the brackets, there's a good chance that Canada and the US will meet in the Semis. Should be epic.

I understand what you're getting at. When I watch Couturier play, I see him making plays that a player his age and experience level shouldn't be making. They have skills that can't be taught. The term most used is Hockey sense. Couturier has a boatload of it.
- MJL

I think Maata has more offensive instincts than Couturier and vice versa. Couturier, by every measure, is one of the best penalty killing forwards in all of hockey at age 21.

I understand what you're getting at. When I watch Couturier play, I see him making plays that a player his age and experience level shouldn't be making. They have skills that can't be taught. The term most used is Hockey sense. Couturier has a boatload of it.
- MJL

exactly. and thats something that i dont necessarily think playing with malkin or crosby would grant him. he just has it.

I'm loving it that looking at the brackets, there's a good chance that Canada and the US will meet in the Semis. Should be epic.
- MJL

Canada can't look past Switzerland. They're tough.

I think Maata has more offensive instincts than Couturier and vice versa. Couturier, by every measure, is one of the best penalty killing forwards in all of hockey at age 21.
- PhillySportsGuy

hell yeah. i dont think he will ever pot 30 with regularity, but couturier is a stud

exactly. and thats something that i dont necessarily think playing with malkin or crosby would grant him. he just has it.
- stayinthefnnet

Im sure they help him, but his numbers and overall play is eye-popping for a defenseman his age. Malkin and Crosby are great, but they can't make an average 20 year old this good.

hell yeah. i dont think he will ever pot 30 with regularity, but couturier is a stud
- stayinthefnnet

Hes on pace for about 40 points this season. I think he'll be around 60 points throughout his career. He's more of a passer and less of a goal scorer.

Hes on pace for about 40 points this season. I think he'll be around 60 points throughout his career. He's more of a passer and less of a goal scorer.
- PhillySportsGuy

60 points while being an absolute wizard in your own end is one hell of a player. i wonder if 60 points will be regularly obtainable playing what right now projects to be consistently third line minutes (as well as with other third line players)

60 points while being an absolute wizard in your own end is one hell of a player. i wonder if 60 points will be regularly obtainable playing what right now projects to be consistently third line minutes (as well as with other third line players)
- stayinthefnnet

Couturier is 2nd overall in minutes played among Flyers forwards. Only Giroux plays more. That is for both TOI per game and ES icetime.

Couturier is 2nd overall in minutes played among Flyers forwards. Only Giroux plays more. That is for both TOI per game and ES icetime.
- MJL

damn i wasnt aware he was given that much time.

Couturier is 2nd overall in minutes played among Flyers forwards. Only Giroux plays more. That is for both TOI per game and ES icetime.
- MJL

wouldnt the plan be for either schenn or vinny to take over the second line center duties, and with it the corresponding ice time?

Once Thorton put the puck on his stick, the shot still had to be made. Unless you're saying they were all empty net goals and gimme tap ins.
- MJL

It's Thornton