I wonder if the Flyers try a short term reclamation project with a guy like Leino or Heatley this summer.

They should be out there, and cheap
- Jsaquella

I hope not. They can't skate anymore.

the path to the cup always seems a bit easier when other teams lose their starting goalies.

- FlyerGuy

Don't tell the Rangers' fans that.

if he thinks he is going to be blown away with like a 5 million dollar a year contract as a youngish RFA, id tell him to (frank)ing kick rocks.

but for say 3 and change if possible, most certainly. im telling you, it was night and day once he had even passable linemates. its not like stempy is corey perry. but my god, taylor pyatt and tanner glass are possession black holes.

you give sutter say jussi jokinen and beau bennett for 82 games, and those numbers will skyrocket.

id say 15 goals, 45 points and stellar defense would be his floor.
- stayinthefnnet

Him and coots are basically the same player

I know Hextall has stated he doesn't " anticipate" any major changes and wants to be patient but would you not be disappointed if there was not an upgrade on defence
( at least a 2 man) going into next year?

I know Hextall has stated he doesn't " anticipate" any major changes and wants to be patient but would you not be disappointed if there was not an upgrade on defence
( at least a 2 man) going into next year?
- 3flyerkids

I think if there is a deal out there he will make it. But I also wouldn't have a problem with them giving one of the kids a shot. Or even rotating them up and down as need occurs.

Him and coots are basically the same player
- Just5

Couts projects as a better player in all facets. I think he's already better in most areas.

Couts projects as a better player in all facets. I think he's already better in most areas.
- PhillySportsGuy

And Couturier is 21 and Sutter is 25 and Couturier is considered the better player.

Couts projects as a better player in all facets. I think he's already better in most areas.
- PhillySportsGuy

[
Counts is a great player and is capable of more production. If B Schen is moved...( as VL may be unmovable) . Would it be worth a shot letting him play 2nd line and having VL on 3rd line C.

And Couturier is 21 and Sutter is 25 and Couturier is considered the better player.
- FlyersSteve118

Sutter scored 21 goals and 40 points when he was 21 back in 09

Sutter was drafted 11 overall

Sutter was the top forward on the best PK in the league this year

Hmmmmm

[quote=3flyerkids]

Couturier is the de facto #2 center. He plays way more than Schenn.

I don't think it's about finding the quintessential #1,#2,#3 combination. It's more about finding a way to balance the lines. Couturier had to face very tough competition and take a lot of defensive zone face-offs.

Against the Rangers, he took 1 offensive zone face-off for every 4 defensive zone face-offs.

If the Flyers can find balance and rely on their 2nd and 4th lines to hold their own, they can use Couts in more offensive situations. This will help his offensive game.

I think the best thing the Flyers can do is sign a 2nd/3rd line, two-way player. It will help balance all 4 lines and give Berube the ability to roll all four lines. Guys will stay fresh throughout the season and our defenseman won't need to be shuffled as much because they'll be getting support on every shift.

It's obvious the defense needs a ton of help. It's just not possible to fix it in one summer. The best course of action is to tweak the forwards and make them as good as possible. This will help the defense more than any free agent will.

Don't tell the Rangers' fans that.
- PhillySportsGuy

At this point I'm just hoping that the Rags get swept in the finals!

Couturier is the de facto #2 center. He plays way more than Schenn.

I don't think it's about finding the quintessential #1,#2,#3 combination. It's more about finding a way to balance the lines. Couturier had to face very tough competition and take a lot of defensive zone face-offs.

Against the Rangers, he took 1 offensive zone face-off for every 4 defensive zone face-offs.

If the Flyers can find balance and rely on their 2nd and 4th lines to hold their own, they can use Couts in more offensive situations. This will help his offensive game.

I think the best thing the Flyers can do is sign a 2nd/3rd line, two-way player. It will help balance all 4 lines and give Berube the ability to roll all four lines. Guys will stay fresh throughout the season and our defenseman won't need to be shuffled as much because they'll be getting support on every shift.

It's obvious the defense needs a ton of help. It's just not possible to fix it in one summer. The best course of action is to tweak the forwards and make them as good as possible. This will help the defense more than any free agent will.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agree 100%

Couturier is the de facto #2 center. He plays way more than Schenn.

I don't think it's about finding the quintessential #1,#2,#3 combination. It's more about finding a way to balance the lines. Couturier had to face very tough competition and take a lot of defensive zone face-offs.

Against the Rangers, he took 1 offensive zone face-off for every 4 defensive zone face-offs.

If the Flyers can find balance and rely on their 2nd and 4th lines to hold their own, they can use Couts in more offensive situations. This will help his offensive game.

I think the best thing the Flyers can do is sign a 2nd/3rd line, two-way player. It will help balance all 4 lines and give Berube the ability to roll all four lines. Guys will stay fresh throughout the season and our defenseman won't need to be shuffled as much because they'll be getting support on every shift.

It's obvious the defense needs a ton of help. It's just not possible to fix it in one summer. The best course of action is to tweak the forwards and make them as good as possible. This will help the defense more than any free agent will.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know he plays more minutes but those are " defensive" minutes. Which is fine because he does it very well. But Couturier has that offensive skill set as well With Laughton coming up I just see a " log jam" at centre though it is a nice thing to have, IMO they are going to have to move something to get something. Like you said " the defence needs tons of help"

At this point I'm just hoping that the Rags get swept in the finals!
- BiggE

theyll run quick or crawford lol

[quote=3flyerkids]

Have to be careful. Besides Laughton there is nothing promising in the farm system as far as forwards go

I would not trade a young frontliner for defense

I would for a youngish offensive piece that fits the lineup better

Sutter scored 21 goals and 40 points when he was 21 back in 09

Sutter was drafted 11 overall

Sutter was the top forward on the best PK in the league this year

Hmmmmm
- Just5

I don't think sutter is a bum but he's not really close to coots.

the path to the cup always seems a bit easier when other teams lose their starting goalies.

- FlyerGuy

Though Montreal shouldn't be complaining, since they didn't have to deal with Ben Bishop in the first round

I hope not. They can't skate anymore.
- Feanor

They really can't -- Heatley still tries, but he just can't skate. Haven't seen Leino enough to get a feel for what the hell happened to him

Couturier is the de facto #2 center. He plays way more than Schenn.

I don't think it's about finding the quintessential #1,#2,#3 combination. It's more about finding a way to balance the lines. Couturier had to face very tough competition and take a lot of defensive zone face-offs.

Against the Rangers, he took 1 offensive zone face-off for every 4 defensive zone face-offs.

If the Flyers can find balance and rely on their 2nd and 4th lines to hold their own, they can use Couts in more offensive situations. This will help his offensive game.

I think the best thing the Flyers can do is sign a 2nd/3rd line, two-way player. It will help balance all 4 lines and give Berube the ability to roll all four lines. Guys will stay fresh throughout the season and our defenseman won't need to be shuffled as much because they'll be getting support on every shift.

It's obvious the defense needs a ton of help. It's just not possible to fix it in one summer. The best course of action is to tweak the forwards and make them as good as possible. This will help the defense more than any free agent will.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yep, that's where I am.

They really can't -- Heatley still tries, but he just can't skate. Haven't seen Leino enough to get a feel for what the hell happened to him
- AllInForFlyers

Injuries mostly I think.

Though Montreal shouldn't be complaining, since they didn't have to deal with Ben Bishop in the first round
- AllInForFlyers

I agree to an extent but bishop wasn't knocked out by the habs, he was out before the playoffs started.

I agree to an extent but bishop wasn't knocked out by the habs, he was out before the playoffs started.
- twotoekenn

Right, and understood; I was more saying that Montreal and its fans certainly weren't complaining about facing a backup goaltender.

I don't think sutter is a bum but he's not really close to coots.
- twotoekenn

I'm not into advanced stats. I'm just saying I think their pretty close. Coots is prob the better player... But prob not by much. I would be happy if he turns into a handzus typ of offensive ability

Anyone else feel the Flyers are phucked next season? I dont feel changes coming. Which is sad.

[quote=3flyerkids]

Laughton can play 4th line center. I'm not concerned with that. He's also played wing before in Juniors and the WJC. Guys like Schenn and Couts played center their entire careers. It's a difficult transition for those types of guys.

Certain centers translate better to wing than others. I don't agree that all centers can play wing, but certain centers can play. Most can adjust eventually like Carter did.

I believe Laughton has the skill set to play wing or center. If the Flyers can sign a 3rd line forward, they can play Laughton with Raffl on the 4th line. That will give him some skill to play with instead of having him center Hall and Rinaldo.