That line needs a strength/boards player to be truly effective. Is Laughton that type of player? I haven't seen much of the kid.
- FlyersSteve118

I think Laughton will start on the 4th line. I think he'll be too good to keep down there though.

Couturier is developing into a good board player and Read is pretty crafty along the boards. I don't think they'd be lost without a grinder. A guy like Laughton or Raffl would add more skill and speed to that line.

Thats what Im saying. He's a good 'hockey player'. He's just an idiot. I wish he would just go a month without engaging in any bullpoop. Just ignore everything and play hockey. He would be a much better player if he did that.
- PhillySportsGuy

He has kept his temper under much better control than in the past, but when you poke and prod him at the right time and often enough, he seems to regress.

Yeah I know. He gets so many penalties for being #9 and wearing orange.
- FlyersSteve118

I agree, but he brings a lot of it on himself. Everyone said he had matured while away from the Flyers. It appears the orange and black brings out the worst in him.

I just don't think Berube is much for disciplining guys who take bad penalties. He seems to understand the difficulties of playing agitator.

I thought Rinaldo should have sat earlier this season to clear his mind. It turns out the injury break really seemed to help him.

He's brought it on himself. You don't get a reputation without being a culprit a lot.

I thought Rinaldo got called for a ton of penalties that were unwarranted during his rookie year. At some point, he stopped complaining and refs began to give him more leeway last season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly, there is a reason why the refs watch closely, He takes liberties with players and tries to hurt guys. The Flyers would be very unwise to sign this guy next year. There must be someone in the FA market that could step into his role with less baggage. The thing that really disappointed me was that after he took that penalty, Berube had him out there right away as soon as he came out of the box. He has to staple his butt to the bench after those types of incidents.

He has kept his temper under much better control than in the past, but when you poke and prod him at the right time and often enough, he seems to regress.
- 77rams

And everyone knows this. Players are laughing while they antagonize him. He needs to recognize when he's just being (frank)ed with and back away.

Exactly, there is a reason why the refs watch closely, He takes liberties with players and tries to hurt guys. The Flyers would be very unwise to sign this guy next year. There must be someone in the FA market that could step into his role with less baggage. The thing that really disappointed me was that after he took that penalty, Berube had him out there right away as soon as he came out of the box. He has to staple his butt to the bench after those types of incidents.
- Daceroni

Once the team goes to 3 lines late in the 3rd period, I would like to see them just move Raffl to the third line and not play Downie. Or have Raffl replace Vinny on the 2nd line. Raffl is too good of a two-way player to waste away on the bench for the last 10 minutes of a close game.

Yeah Downie is a very effective player on that line when he tries his hardest to control himself. That headbutt penalty was just an embarrassment yesterday. But the day that he was sick our 3rd line was seriously less effective than when Downie was in the lineup. So he does something right. And Im sure Berube can see it.
- FlyersSteve118

agree with this
the team is better with Downie in the line up

Berube can roll 4 lines with Raffl on the 4th
and he moves Raffl up a lot during the games anyway

I wish Downie could limit his penalties though

agree with this
the team is better with Downie in the line up

Berube can roll 4 lines with Raffl on the 4th
and he moves Raffl up a lot during the games anyway

I wish Downie could limit his penalties though
- Marc D

Imo downie and hartnell are almost identical, when they are producing their shenanigans are tolerated. When they don't produce they're magnified.

I have a feeling morin makes the team next year. He is way too big and strong to be playing against these kids anymore. Heck he is only 10 lbs lighter the prongers playing weight. And I think his frustration playing in juniors is showing through with all the suspensions.

IMO he is physically ready and he isn't going to learn much about playing defense when he has such advantage in juniors.

I have a feeling morin makes the team next year. He is way too big and strong to be playing against these kids anymore. Heck he is only 10 lbs lighter the prongers playing weight. And I think his frustration playing in juniors is showing through with all the suspensions.

IMO he is physically ready and he isn't going to learn much about playing defense when he has such advantage in juniors.
- SchennBros

Physically he may be ready but from a maturity standpoint he needs some seasoning.

I have a feeling morin makes the team next year. He is way too big and strong to be playing against these kids anymore. Heck he is only 10 lbs lighter the prongers playing weight. And I think his frustration playing in juniors is showing through with all the suspensions.

IMO he is physically ready and he isn't going to learn much about playing defense when he has such advantage in juniors.
- SchennBros

He might have some maturing to do. At last check his suspension count was at 4.

I have a feeling morin makes the team next year. He is way too big and strong to be playing against these kids anymore. Heck he is only 10 lbs lighter the prongers playing weight. And I think his frustration playing in juniors is showing through with all the suspensions.

IMO he is physically ready and he isn't going to learn much about playing defense when he has such advantage in juniors.
- SchennBros

I think the Flyers need to be patient with this kid. He should play in the AHL for a year or two first.

agree with this
the team is better with Downie in the line up

Berube can roll 4 lines with Raffl on the 4th
and he moves Raffl up a lot during the games anyway

I wish Downie could limit his penalties though
- Marc D

I agree as well. Downie is a necessary evil. Most players of his ilk, tend to ride a thin line of legal, illegal play and if playing well should draw as many penalties as takes. I like Raffl, but I don't think he strikes fear into opposing players or gets under there skin. Besides drawing penalties, other players take runs at "Downie" type players and get out of position, etc.. Opening scoring chances.

He might have some maturing to do. At last check his suspension count was at 4.
- PLindbergh31

I think that has a lot to do with being such a big MAN playing against tiny 16 yo. What would be better. Sending him back to the situation that caused the frustration or having NHL vets helping him through it.

Imo downie and hartnell are almost identical, when they are producing their shenanigans are tolerated. When they don't produce they're magnified.
- twotoekenn

good point

I get a feeling they won't re sign Downie
Not sure they can afford him next year, depends on what they do with the D

I think that has a lot to do with being such a big MAN playing against tiny 16 yo. What would be better. Sending him back to the situation that caused the frustration or having NHL vets helping him through it.
- SchennBros

Will he be old enough to play in the AHL next year?
That would be ideal. Better then rushing him if he is not ready.

I think that has a lot to do with being such a big MAN playing against tiny 16 yo. What would be better. Sending him back to the situation that caused the frustration or having NHL vets helping him through it.
- SchennBros

Not sure. I think rushing him to the NHL where he will surely struggle could be very detrimental. Could hurt his confidence etc. I don't think Morin will play any games at the NHL level next year.

good point

I get a feeling they won't re sign Downie
Not sure they can afford him next year, depends on what they do with the D
- Marc D

Unless Downie does something that blows us all away in the next few weeks, I just don't see him here next here and I'm one of those people that really thought his return would work out.

Not sure. I think rushing him to the NHL where he will surely struggle could be very detrimental. Could hurt his confidence etc. I don't think Morin will play any games at the NHL level next year.
- PLindbergh31

You have Alt, Lauridsen, or even Guss to get more of a shot.

They should be in line before rushing Morin.

Unless Downie does something that blows us all away in the next few weeks, I just don't see him here next here and I'm one of those people that really thought his return would work out.
- johndewar

And if he does than he will get 1.5mil max out of the contract and will walk away cuz some team out there is going to renew him for 2.5mil for whatever crazy reason.

You have Alt, Lauridsen, or even Guss to get more of a shot.

They should be in line before rushing Morin.
- flyer_nutter

Yup. I think Morin is probably 2 years away at the very least. I can see the Flyers playing him before he's ready though.

Saw Ek's most recent article, and it got me thinking: is acquiring the first overall pick a realistic option for the Flyers?

You obviously start with this years 1st and Scott Laughton, but how much more do you have to add to that? I think I'd trade just about every prospect we have with the exception of Ghostbear.

Losing Scott Laughton would suck, but we already do have a ton of centers that could be here for the long haul. We would obviously take Ekblad 1st overall.

Thoughts? Is it possible? Seems like a very Flyers-esque move with the draft being in Philly.

I think that has a lot to do with being such a big MAN playing against tiny 16 yo. What would be better. Sending him back to the situation that caused the frustration or having NHL vets helping him through it.
- SchennBros

This team was a complete mess the first 6 weeks of the season.

I'm not sure that would have been good for Laughton's development, either.

He is where he needs to be right now and he turns 20 in May of this year, so he's probably going to be a Phantom next year unless he steals a job in camp.

I think the Flyers need to be patient with this kid. He should play in the AHL for a year or two first.
- FlyersSteve118

Without question. He's definitely a few years off from our blue-line IMO.

Laughton will be an NHL player next season. Hopefully Kulemin will sign here to play on the 3rd line and Downie will be sent packing.