Big fan of Kulemin and Comeau -- can play anywhere in the top-9 and contribute physically, defensively and offensively.

Matt Calvert is the guy I really want, but CMB probably ain't giving him up to us.
- Tomahawk

You know, it's funny. We all saw Hextall's quotes about not necessarily prioritizing the wings, and that's fine. Because he's right -- in a capped system, you can't have everything. You just won't have everything.

But my things about LW is this: Hartnell and Read are NHL players, obviously. They produce, do other things besides score points when they're playing well.

And Raffl shows potential and looks like a determined player.

But man. That other slot on LW...we really need somebody. We flat-out need somebody, even if wing isn't a priority. But we need somebody to come in and be a legit NHL player in whichever slot is open, because we are definitely dealing with a short deck there.

Big fan of Kulemin and Comeau -- can play anywhere in the top-9 and contribute physically, defensively and offensively.

Matt Calvert is the guy I really want, but CMB probably ain't giving him up to us.
- Tomahawk

It's a massive stretch to say that either Kulemin or Comeau can play anywhere in the top 9. Neither player is a top line forward.

Danny Briere, Mr Playoffs, will NOT play tonight. Healthy scratch.

Douglas Murray, who lost positioning on the game winning goal, will

You know, it's funny. We all saw Hextall's quotes about not necessarily prioritizing the wings, and that's fine. Because he's right -- in a capped system, you can't have everything. You just won't have everything.

But my things about LW is this: Hartnell and Read are NHL players, obviously. They produce, do other things besides score points when they're playing well.

And Raffl shows potential and looks like a determined player.

But man. That other slot on LW...we really need somebody. We flat-out need somebody, even if wing isn't a priority. But we need somebody to come in and be a legit NHL player in whichever slot is open, because we are definitely dealing with a short deck there.
- AllInForFlyers

They can play B Schenn or Raffle there, and get by. It would be great to add a dynamic LW, but I agree with Hextall. I'm not against shoring up that spot if the assets are available, but not to the detriment of other needs. It's good to hear that Hextall agrees with me, in that Wing is the least important position in Hockey.

Danny Briere, Mr Playoffs, will NOT play tonight. Healthy scratch.

Douglas Murray, who lost positioning on the game winning goal, will
- Jsaquella

Yeah but Daniel Briere is short.

You know, it's funny. We all saw Hextall's quotes about not necessarily prioritizing the wings, and that's fine. Because he's right -- in a capped system, you can't have everything. You just won't have everything.

But my things about LW is this: Hartnell and Read are NHL players, obviously. They produce, do other things besides score points when they're playing well.

And Raffl shows potential and looks like a determined player.

But man. That other slot on LW...we really need somebody. We flat-out need somebody, even if wing isn't a priority. But we need somebody to come in and be a legit NHL player in whichever slot is open, because we are definitely dealing with a short deck there.
- AllInForFlyers

Funny thing is, if the Dan Cleary thing went through, do we even find out what we have in Akeson and Raffl this season? I think the chances of that go down exponentially with a more turn-key vet in the mix on the wing.

Maybe the best course of action is just to stick w/ Akeson/Raffl, and introduce Laughton/Cousins into the equation when they're ready to go.

They can play B Schenn or Raffle there, and get by. It would be great to add a dynamic LW, but I agree with Hextall. I'm not against shoring up that spot if the assets are available, but not to the detriment of other needs. It's good to hear that Hextall agrees with me, in that Wing is the least important position in Hockey.
- MJL

For someone who doesn't like hyperbole, you jumped in feet-first on that -- just because wing might not be as important as another slot doesn't mean you should be bad at the position.

The Blackhawks just might win the Cup. They have a good chance.

Their wingers are Sharp, Hossa, Kane, Saad, Bickell, with Versteeg and Ben Smith playing lesser roles.

Now, maybe they're not as important, and you and Hextall can pat yourself on the backs for agreeing with each other. But until proven otherwise, their wingers are better than ours, and they're still playing and we're not.

That counts for something.

Pk Subban offer sheet 10 years 150m
NTC
NMC
NFC
- Winning

Max contract is 8 yrs I believe sooo

It's a massive stretch to say that either Kulemin or Comeau can play anywhere in the top 9. Neither player is a top line forward.
- MJL

Matt Read can play anywhere in a top-9, but is not somebody that many people would label a top-line caliber player... doesn't mean he can't play there for a spell or succeed there in the right situation.

Ditto Kulemin and Comeau, both of whom have been productive in top-6 roles before.

For someone who doesn't like hyperbole, you jumped in feet-first on that -- just because wing might not be as important as another slot doesn't mean you should be bad at the position.

The Blackhawks just might win the Cup. They have a good chance.

Their wingers are Sharp, Hossa, Kane, Saad, Bickell, with Versteeg and Ben Smith playing lesser roles.

Now, maybe they're not as important, and you and Hextall can pat yourself on the backs for agreeing with each other. But until proven otherwise, their wingers are better than ours, and they're still playing and we're not.

That counts for something.
- AllInForFlyers

You couldn't have interpreted my post more incorrectly. Stating that Wing is the least important position on the ice, is not the same as saying the position is unimportant.

And is who Chicago has at Wing THE reason why they're playing and we're not?

You couldn't have interpreted my post more incorrectly. Stating that Wing is the least important position on the ice, is not the same as saying the position is unimportant.

And is who Chicago has at Wing THE reason why they're playing and we're not?
- MJL

Does it have to be THE reason if it's A reason?

They had Seabrook suspended for four games, for gosh sakes. And a quick look at their playoff stats shows of their leading scorers in the playoffs, the only center in their top nine scorers is Toews, who is second to Hossa.

Of those Top 9 scorers, five are wingers.

So it could be assumed that their wingers are getting the job done.

Matt Read and can play anywhere in a top-9, but is not somebody that many people would label a top-line caliber player... doesn't mean he can't play there for a spell or succeed there in the right situation.

Ditto Kulemin and Comeau, both of whom have been productive in top-6 roles before.
- Tomahawk

Matt Read is scoring 20+ goals playing in a situation where he hasn't been playing with top offensive players, and playing a lot of Hockey against other teams top lines. Not to mention his PK duties.

Comeau has scored a total of 27 goals in the last 3 Seasons. And he's scored 20+ goals once in his NHL career. Kulemin hasn't put up a good offensive Season in 3 NHL Seasons, and his best point total in the last 3 Seasons is 28 points.

My point stands. Neither are top line players.

Does it have to be THE reason if it's A reason?

They had Seabrook suspended for four games, for gosh sakes. And a quick look at their playoff stats shows of their leading scorers in the playoffs, the only center in their top nine scorers is Toews, who is second to Hossa.

Of those Top 9 scorers, five are wingers.

So it could be assumed that their wingers are getting the job done.
- AllInForFlyers

It's a straw man argument. And it doesn't refute my point.

It's a straw man argument. And it doesn't refute my point.
- MJL

Uh, what? I didn't even know you made a point, let alone a relevant one.

Uh, what? I didn't even know you made a point.
- AllInForFlyers

If I didn't make a point, then why did you reply trying to refute my point?

Neither are top line players.
- MJL

Nobody ever said they were... sheesh.

Nobody ever said they were... sheesh.
- Tomahawk

When you say they can play anywhere in the top 9, that implies they can play on top lines.

If I didn't make a point, then why did you reply trying to refute my point?
- MJL

Because what you said made no sense -- clearly the Flyers' weakness at wing was a factor in their not being able to score in the playoffs. If they had better players, they would have been more productive.

Are you seriously trying to say that Chicago's depth at wing isn't a reason why they are an elite team?

Seriously?

Seriously?
- Giroux_Is_God

sup

Danny Briere, Mr Playoffs, will NOT play tonight. Healthy scratch.

Douglas Murray, who lost positioning on the game winning goal, will
- Jsaquella

Wow
just, wow

Because what you said made no sense -- clearly the Flyers' weakness at wing was a factor in their not being able to score in the playoffs. If they had better players, they would have been more productive.

Are you seriously trying to say that Chicago's depth at wing isn't a reason why they are an elite team?
- AllInForFlyers

Sure it made sense. I remember back to a conversation in the beginning of the season. Where you again stated that the Flyers can't score and won't score until they get better players. What did I say needed to happen? And what did happen?

Clearly, as I'll explain again, stating that Wing is the least important position on the ice, is not the same as saying the position is unimportant. Nor does it state that the Flyers couldn't use a better LW.

But in an effort for full disclosure, what it does mean is that the Flyers should focus first on the area of the team that is most important, before devoting any assets to the Wing. And that position, which is the biggest need, is defense. That is the entire point.


And the situation in Chicago has squat to do with it. Because if we had Keith and Seabrooke on the back end, along with what we have at Center, along with Mason. I'd be right there with you saying let's go out and get some better wingers! But that's not the case is it?

- Tomahawk

- Tomahawk

It's gonna be a looooong (frank)ing off-season.