(frank)in Ville Leino

I know what you are getting at, but Lecavalier can't play the LW at all and isn't as effective on RW as at C. But with B. Schenn also better at center and Lecavalier struggling defensively in one-on-one matchups, it creates a real dilemma about where and with whom to play Lecavalier. Berube has all but come and said it directly a couple times -- he dances around it in the most thinly veiled of ways.
- bmeltzer

Lecavalier is going to have to learn to adjust to the left side, if they're going to keep Schenn at center. I don't personally feel that B Schenn is significantly better at Center then at wing. And I think the best move long term if both players are going to stay here, at least for the next 4 years or so, is to play Lecavalier at Center and B Schenn on the wing. Schenn isn't exactly a top defensive center, last night he let Zajac go right by him on the Devils first goal. If they aren't going to do that, and Lecavalier shows that he can't adjust to the left side, then they should think about moving Lecavalier in the off season. The best thing for the Flyers would be getting Lecavalier back to where he was at the beginning of the year.

I know what you are getting at, but Lecavalier can't play the LW at all and isn't as effective on RW as at C. But with B. Schenn also better at center and Lecavalier struggling defensively in one-on-one matchups, it creates a real dilemma about where and with whom to play Lecavalier. Berube has all but come and said it directly a couple times -- he dances around it in the most thinly veiled of ways.

The truth is that the most effective way to maximize Lecavalier offensively would be to move Giroux back to a wing for the first time in years and have Lecavalier center the top line. But that's not going to happen.
- bmeltzer

In the end the PLAYER sometimes has to take responsibilty....cant blame linemates....coaches....vinny needs to look in the mirror, because right now he does more harm then good.

I was thinking last night that this may be the final handful of games we get to watch Timonen play in the NHL.

I'm going to savor them.

For his entire career, he seems to be under appreciated except by maybe a handful of knowledgable fans and writers.

Truly a remarkable player.
The Finnish God of Defense.
- Marc D

Well said. I have a hunch -- and that's all it is -- that he will stretch it out one additional season after talking it out with his family after the season. Again, just a hunch. But he's slowly been backing away from closing the door after this season. This year was absolutely his final Olympics, though.

I was thinking last night that this may be the final handful of games we get to watch Timonen play in the NHL.

I'm going to savor them.

For his entire career, he seems to be under appreciated except by maybe a handful of knowledgable fans and writers.

Truly a remarkable player.
The Finnish God of Defense.
- Marc D

And still at 39 or whatever, a very good defenseman.

I don't think one player is entirely responsible for the struggles of a line. Put Lecavalier on the top line with Giroux like Raffl was, and see what happens.
- MJL

They tried that earlier. It didn't work.

Bill, why in the world is Raffl not playing on the 3rd line instead of Downie?
- CACannon18

And why is Downie still getting pp time?

And still at 39 or whatever, a very good defenseman.
- MJL

I'm all for resigning him should he decide to continue playing. Would just have to be at a discount. Essentially the same D again next year, though. So if theres an upgrade, I think Grossman is then the guy to go.

I like the idea of referees being able to review their some of their own calls with video replay. Could be a happy medium to calls like the one last night, and even though there is no guarantee he would change his mind, at least he could see the play again and from different angles to reevaluate.

I thought for sure the Flyers were going to do some damage with the PP the way they started the game with that 1st chance. And the Devils kept giving the Flyers opportunities, something uncharacteristic...Flyers just couldn't get it done.

Regarding the disallowed goal, I don't even think Brodeur was hit all that hard, and I think the puck was going in regardless. Mason got run into with a lot more force while the Devils were on a PP, right after the Flyers got called for goaltender interference, and of course there was no call... A bit annoying.
- wolfhounds

oh man i saw that interference on mason too. so annoying as it was like ten seconds after the weak call in fatso's favor. and followed on that same kill by a pretty blatant interference on couts. not that it would have changed anything but it sure upped my level of annoyance.

I'm all for resigning him should he decide to continue playing. Would just have to be at a discount. Essentially the same D again next year, though. So if theres an upgrade, I think Grossman is then the guy to go.
- mochoson

Actually, I think L. Schenn may the guy to go. Higher trade value because he's younger and still the bigger "name".

And why is Downie still getting pp time?
- MBFlyerfan

He's a good compliment to the Read/Couturier pairing.

Personally? These are the lines I would like to see.

Read-Giroux-Simmonds
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Lecavlier-Downie
Hartnell-Hall-Vandevelde/McGinn (just no Rosehill)

Actually, I think L. Schenn may the guy to go. Higher trade value because he's younger and still the bigger "name".
- bmeltzer

Even with youth and name, I'm not sure Schenn has THAT much value. I, certainly, don't see him netting a first round pick or good prospect. I see a team willing to part with 2 2nds. I would rather just keep Schenn if thats the case.

He would hate this but I think his best role right now is a fourth line center and power play specialist. Speaking of puck rotations on the power play, the only two that the second unit ever have any success with are the ones of clearing out the right side for a Lecavalier shot (with Schenn going to the net) or Lecavalier rotating the puck to Streit to pull the trigger. The second unit does not work the ice nearly as well as the first, even when they do get a little more with which to work.
- bmeltzer

$4.5 mil/year for a fourth line center is tough to swallow

Actually, I think L. Schenn may the guy to go. Higher trade value because he's younger and still the bigger "name".
- bmeltzer

If they really don't think Luke Schenn is worth keeping around, I would consider trading Brayden Schenn with him.

Trading them together would allow them to already be a little more comfortable in new surroundings on top of being more than enough to bring the Flyers a difference maker on defense.

I would immediately be calling the Coyotes and asking for Brandon Gormley, Connor Murphy and a high draft pick. You might even be able to squeeze a roster player out of them too for salary purposes. Something like this.

Well said. I have a hunch -- and that's all it is -- that he will stretch it out one additional season after talking it out with his family after the season. Again, just a hunch. But he's slowly been backing away from closing the door after this season. This year was absolutely his final Olympics, though.
- bmeltzer

I hope that your hunch is right.
That would be great.

oh man i saw that interference on mason too. so annoying as it was like ten seconds after the weak call in fatso's favor. and followed on that same kill by a pretty blatant interference on couts. not that it would have changed anything but it sure upped my level of annoyance.
- -davies-

Yup. Once you call a fairly weak goaltender interference, any contact with a goalie should likely result in a penalty. You, Mr Ref, set the standard. The fact that Mason got run into with quite a bit more force not very long after Brodeur flopped and got a call makes the non-call all the more annoying.

Even with youth and name, I'm not sure Schenn has THAT much value. I, certainly, don't see him netting a first round pick or good prospect. I see a team willing to part with 2 2nds. I would rather just keep Schenn if thats the case.
- PhillySportsGuy

This is generally how I feel. We already lost the trade through which we acquired him. The chances of us recouping value by trading him again is likely non-existant. I would rather just keep him around.

I hope that your hunch is right.
That would be great.
- Marc D

I know. Even if he does a half season, I would be happy. It would really help bridge the gap. The young dmen will not be ready next season. Possibly Alt and Lauridson make a case, but thats it.

Kimmo is such a good player. People who think he's overpaid at $6M are off their rocker.

And why is Downie still getting pp time?
- MBFlyerfan

I've been wondering that for a while now...

They tried that earlier. It didn't work.
- PhillySportsGuy

It was tried for a few games.

This is generally how I feel. We already lost the trade through which we acquired him. The chances of us recouping value by trading him again is likely non-existant. I would rather just keep him around.
- mochoson

The trade is in the past though. Its over and done with. It can't prevent you from making further moves.

I just feel he has more potential than he's shown this year. I still hold out hope he'll regain last year's form. He's played much better since being paired with Mac.

If we're doing salary dumps on defense, I would put Grossmann ahead of him unless someone is willing to part with a decent return for Schenn.

It was tried for a few games.
- MJL

And it was a disaster. Face it, Vinny is not a top 9 player on THIS team. They've tried him everywhere. Nothing has worked.

Frustrating way to lose. Flyers really need to figure out that 2nd line. Berube can't shield them for an entire game. At some point, they need to just man up and play against top lines. Couts and Giroux can't play the entire game.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree with Bill, at even strength, I would put VL on the 4th line and go with:
Hartnell-G-Voracek
Raffl-Schenn-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Hall-VL-Rinaldo

I know it's a bitter pill to swallow considering they just signed him to a 5 year deal, but he just is not working out on the wing and I don't see another option that's any better at this point.

I agree with Bill, at even strength, I would put VL on the 4th line and go with:
Hartnell-G-Voracek
Raffl-Schenn-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Downie
Hall-VL-Rinaldo

I know it's a bitter pill to swallow considering they just signed him to a 5 year deal, but he just is not working out on the wing and I don't see another option that's any better at this point.
- BiggE

I agree with these lines. Raffl adds the necessary speed and defensive play that line would need.

They can always just write it off and say he's injured so they'll use him mainly as a 'PP specialist'. Then try like hell to move him this offseason.

And it was a disaster. Face it, Vinny is not a top 9 player on THIS team. They've tried him everywhere. Nothing has worked.
- PhillySportsGuy

I disagree. Lecavalier was scoring at a 33 goal pace when he was playing center before he suffered the back injury. And he was playing very well.