With the right linemates, I think Schenn would surprise people with his ability. This guy was a top 5 pick. He has the natural skill and we see glimpses of it from time to time.
- PhillySportsGuy

He was a pretty darned good playmaker in junior and with ADK... really good at making power moves into scoring areas and then either finishing himself, or dishing to open wingers.

Seen flashes of that up here... I suspect the frequency will increase with experience and confidence.

Absolutely -- if we can upgrade, absolutely. While I've watched him play shifts here and there, I just haven't seen Fidder play enough minutes overall for me to develop an opinion of him, but if he's an upgrade, absolutely.
- AllInForFlyers

Fiddler, at 5'11 198, is smaller than Hall but that and faceoffs (Fiddler is good but not as good as Hall) are the only catagories where Hall would have the edge.

Fiddler is faster, no speed demon, but he has average NHL speed, good enough skills to chip in on a 3rd line now and then, he's good in the corners, an excellent penalty killer and from all accounts I have seen a classy guy and hard worker.

He will routinely put up 7 or 8 goals and around 20 points in a defensive role.

With the right linemates, I think Schenn would surprise people with his ability. This guy was a top 5 pick. He has the natural skill and we see glimpses of it from time to time.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. Pair him with Read and Simmonds for a whole season and I can easily see him hitting 25 goals and 55-60 points next year.

Absolutely -- if we can upgrade, absolutely. While I've watched him play shifts here and there, I just haven't seen Fidder play enough minutes overall for me to develop an opinion of him, but if he's an upgrade, absolutely.
- AllInForFlyers

Do they have the $ to upgrade from without, though? You could easily end up inadvertently upgrading just by throwing Laughton and/or Holmstrom in there.

He was a pretty darned good playmaker in junior and with ADK... really good at making power moves into scoring areas and then either finishing himself, or dishing to open wingers.

Seen flashes of that up here... I suspect the frequency will increase with experience and confidence.
- Tomahawk

I see the same flashes with Couturier too. He has terrific hands. He seems to use his great stick work more for defensive purposes. I think its only a matter of time before these guys begin to figure it out.

If the team could get 80 points from G, 60 from Schenn and 60 from Couturier, that would be amazing. They'd be stacked down the middle.

Yeah, I was obviously knocking Simmonds.

Whether it was Vinnie on the wing or Schenn, that line was less than spectacular. I'd rather see Schenn centering two quality wingers. Would Read and Simmonds be that pair? I'd give it a shot, at least, if they don't bring in a FA LW, or Akeson if he comes into camp and shows he can swing it.
- tangent_man

As others have noted, Schenn & Simmonds were more effective in terms of possession without Lecavalier. I would like to see them with a different running mate, but I also don't want to see Couturier's line stripped of talent, either.

Couturier & Read are very effective together. I'd be interested in Schenn with Giroux and Voracek and maybe Read with Couts and Simmonds as the top 2 lines next year, and Laughton centering Hartnell & Raffl or Akeson, perhaps.

Just spitballing waiting for this guy to get home so I can tell him his Tv is busted

Agreed. Pair him with Read and Simmonds for a whole season and I can easily see him hitting 25 goals and 55-60 points next year.
- BiggE

Equally as important, he could be used in more situations. It would allow Berube to roll the lines and give Couts more offensive situations.

I, truly, believe Read and Couts wore down this season because of the tough minutes they were playing. They played a lot of minutes against tough competition and in the defensive zone.

I equate it to a pitcher pitching 6 innings, but having to work hard to get out of every inning. 100 pitches feels like 125 pitches.

There's a big difference between 19 minutes and 19 hard minutes.

I would love to see read on one of the top two lines next year!

I would love to see read on one of the top two lines next year!
- funmaster18

That would be interesting as well...Read could be a great fit with 28-93

To be fair, Simmonds isn't the greatest 5v5 player. He's good, but he was 5th on the team in ES goals (First overall in goals).
- PhillySportsGuy

But if they find a better compliment of players, Simmonds ES production could see an increase.

I think Read would play well on any line, but I think Giroux and Voracek need a more physical presence on the other wing.
- BiggE

That's a good point.

Fiddler, at 5'11 198, is smaller than Hall but that and faceoffs (Fiddler is good but not as good as Hall) are the only catagories where Hall would have the edge.

Fiddler is faster, no speed demon, but he has average NHL speed, good enough skills to chip in on a 3rd line now and then, he's good in the corners, an excellent penalty killer and from all accounts I have seen a classy guy and hard worker.

He will routinely put up 7 or 8 goals and around 20 points in a defensive role.
- BiggE

And his Cap hit is 1.2M higher then Hall's is.

That would be interesting as well...Read could be a great fit with 28-93
- Jsaquella

They tried it this year right before they put raffl on the top line. Red looked awful with those two guys. I just think the top line works best when they have a physically presence to clear up space for them.

And I think they would give the harts schenn simmonds line another chance, because the few games they have been together. They have played amazing at even strength.

I would love to see them sign a guy like pouliot to pay with couts and read. Our third line would dominate.

That would also leave a fourth line of possibly akeson laughton raffl.They could actually put up some solid offense.

Just need to find a top line lw and get rid of vinny. Jokinen? Or make a trade.

What nice teeth you have, my dear
- PhillySportsGuy

that's compliment.

As others have noted, Schenn & Simmonds were more effective in terms of possession without Lecavalier. I would like to see them with a different running mate, but I also don't want to see Couturier's line stripped of talent, either.

Couturier & Read are very effective together. I'd be interested in Schenn with Giroux and Voracek and maybe Read with Couts and Simmonds as the top 2 lines next year, and Laughton centering Hartnell & Raffl or Akeson, perhaps.

Just spitballing waiting for this guy to get home so I can tell him his Tv is busted
- Jsaquella

If everybody returns (except Vinny,) this is probably what I'd try first.

And his Cap hit is 1.2M higher then Hall's is.
- MJL

True, but on his next contract I doubt his cap hit will exceed 1.25 max

that's compliment.
- bodiva88

Another fine example of the decline of the US school system,

What nice teeth you have, my dear
- PhillySportsGuy

Grazie tesoro mio

True, but on his next contract I doubt his cap hit will exceed 1.25 max
- BiggE

It's still too much to pay a 4th line player. And why will he take a pay cut?

They tried it this year right before they put raffl on the top line. Red looked awful with those two guys. I just think the top line works best when they have a physically presence to clear up space for them.

And I think they would give the harts schenn simmonds line another chance, because the few games they have been together. They have played amazing at even strength.

I would love to see them sign a guy like pouliot to pay with couts and read. Our third line would dominate.

That would also leave a fourth line of possibly akeson laughton raffl.They could actually put up some solid offense.

Just need to find a top line lw and get rid of vinny. Jokinen? Or make a trade.
- FlyersSteve118

According to www.leftwinglock.com , Read didn't play a single 5 on 5 shift with Giroux & Voracek this past season.

I wouldn't call Hartnell, Schenn and Simmonds amazing at even strength. They were better without Lecavalier, but were not exactly dominant. It's not a line I'd dismiss at all, though.

Pouliot is interesting, depending on cost. I do think Laughton could come in and be a third line center, which allows them to keep Hall. I'd like to see Akeson fit in somewhere.

It's still too much to pay a 4th line player. And why will he take a pay cut?
- MJL

Is 1.1 millon too much of a cap hit for a 4th line punching bag?

Hartnell is obviously holding both Giroux and Schenn down at the same time.
- Winning

Don't forget Mason and Coburn

apparently patrick maroon is a playoff star, with 7 points in 9 games for the ducks, according to their hb blogger.

discuss.

apparently patrick maroon is a playoff star, with 7 points in 9 games for the ducks, according to their hb blogger.

discuss.
- hammarby31

forgone conclusion that if we get rid of a guy he will be at least 'good' for like another 60 years. chicago scored 2 last night and it was sharp and 'zeus w/ the tallies.....i just have to laugh

forgone conclusion that if we get rid of a guy he will be at least 'good' for like another 60 years. chicago scored 2 last night and it was sharp and 'zeus w/ the tallies.....i just have to laugh
- hogweed

it never really ends, does it?