I'd be more willing to shift Voracek than Read. His dynamic puck abilities seem to be a great fit for a line with Schenn. He can do things Simmonds simply can't do in terms of carrying the puck.

Also, Read and Couturier have a sort of sixth sense with each other, especially on the PK
It'll be interesting to see what is out there in UFA or trade to make changes up front.
- Jsaquella

Let's play the game then! I usually don't do this, but hey. Why not.

Hartnell-G- Akeson? Raffl? hmmmmmmm
Simmonds-Schenn-Voracek
Read-Coots-Akeson? Raffl?
Rinaldo-Vinny? Laughton?-Hall

This is why people think the Flyers need a "sniper". By no means do I think that's a priority, but- in a way- they do. Not because they need goal scoring, but more because of the mix of players up front.

Jesus they need to dump Vinny. I do, however, think he deserves another look. I think it'd be good to move him at the deadline, just in case he decides to not destroy his back/face and actually comes back and plays most of the year like he did in November.

Unless, of course, Hextall has a plan and needs cap space.

This offseason is going to be interesting. Lots of possibilities.

I know. It's so (frank)ed up what they do with their prospects. They have a huge need at first base and they have a top prospect who plays first base. Singleton (formally a Phillies prospect) is ready to be called up. They just don't want to start his entry level deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

Seems they have really taken the "Money" part of "Moneyball" to heart.

We might see Laughton and ghost with phantoms all year. Nice article on prohockeytalk about how sutter has thought the ahl time for the young kids has been critical in their development. If that's what it takes and if Hexy really pushes for this philosophy I'm on board.

Meanwhile theres leaks from flyers execs about how schenn and coots were bored with their time on the phantoms.

Something needs to change. The deep pipeline approach of Chicago and LAK are the example
- Just5

I got to meet Briere and I asked him about Schenn and Couts last offseason. He said they developed bad habits in the AHL and they carried over to the NHL. He said they coasted in the AHL because they played so many minutes and couldn't go all out on every shift. When they got to the NHL they were still in coast mode.

- Tomahawk

Seems they have really taken the "Money" part of "Moneyball" to heart.
- Jsaquella

And the "ball" part doesn't matter.

We might see Laughton and ghost with phantoms all year. Nice article on prohockeytalk about how sutter has thought the ahl time for the young kids has been critical in their development. If that's what it takes and if Hexy really pushes for this philosophy I'm on board.

Meanwhile theres leaks from flyers execs about how schenn and coots were bored with their time on the phantoms.

Something needs to change. The deep pipeline approach of Chicago and LAK are the example
- Just5

We might see that. But I think that Laughton, unless he's terrible in camp, or in pre season, is likely on the team to start the season. Barring any cap maneuvering that has to take place. Ghostibehere, we'll see. Could spend a couple of years in the AHL. Or could make the team out of camp. We'll see. I think he's going to need some time to mature, and adjust to the Pro game.

I got to meet Briere and I asked him about Schenn and Couts last offseason. He said they developed bad habits in the AHL and they carried over to the NHL. He said they coasted in the AHL because they played so many minutes and couldn't go all out on every shift. When they got to the NHL they were still in coast mode.
- PhillySportsGuy

Thank you terry Murray

Let's play the game then! I usually don't do this, but hey. Why not.

Hartnell-G- Akeson? Raffl? hmmmmmmm
Simmonds-Schenn-Voracek
Read-Coots-Akeson? Raffl?
Rinaldo-Vinny-Hall

This is why people think the Flyers need a "sniper". By no means do I think that's a priority, but- in a way- they do. Not because they need goal scoring, but more because of the mix of players up front.

Jesus they need to dump Vinny. I do, however, think he deserves another look. I think it'd be good to move him at the deadline, just in case he decides to not destroy his back/face and actually comes back and plays most of the year like he did in November.

Unless, of course, Hextall has a plan and needs cap space.

This offseason is going to be interesting. Lots of possibilities.
- Giroux_Is_God

I'd probably go with Simmonds on Giroux's wing, if I'm dropping Voracek to Schenn's line.

One of the Kings' philosophies has been building strong pairs of forwards and then having the third member of the line be flexible. I'd rather see Lecavalier gone, just because they need the cap room

I know. It's so (frank)ed up what they do with their prospects. They have a huge need at first base and they have a top prospect who plays first base. Singleton (formally a Phillies prospect) is ready to be called up. They just don't want to start his entry level deal.
- PhillySportsGuy

How is Singleton developing down there? Haven't heard of him much.

That situation was tough. It was obvious he was going to be dealt, because he wouldn't have played ever behind Howard, since Raptor knows he's not going anywhere aka no one wants that contract.

Shame they couldn't get a player better than Pence for him. Another beauty by Ruin Tomorrow Jr.

I got to meet Briere and I asked him about Schenn and Couts last offseason. He said they developed bad habits in the AHL and they carried over to the NHL. He said they coasted in the AHL because they played so many minutes and couldn't go all out on every shift. When they got to the NHL they were still in coast mode.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's a bad situation. If Murray fostered that, then I'd have concerns with him remaining as the AHL coach. He doesn't have a rep for letting guys coast, though.

I'd probably go with Simmonds on Giroux's wing, if I'm dropping Voracek to Schenn's line.

One of the Kings' philosophies has been building strong pairs of forwards and then having the third member of the line be flexible. I'd rather see Lecavalier gone, just because they need the cap room
- Jsaquella

You think Hartnell and Simmonds would be ok on the same line though?

I'd probably go with Simmonds on Giroux's wing, if I'm dropping Voracek to Schenn's line.

One of the Kings' philosophies has been building strong pairs of forwards and then having the third member of the line be flexible. I'd rather see Lecavalier gone, just because they need the cap room
- Jsaquella

Entire lineup is still missing true goal scorers, it's a lot of players who have a pass first mindset.

I got to meet Briere and I asked him about Schenn and Couts last offseason. He said they developed bad habits in the AHL and they carried over to the NHL. He said they coasted in the AHL because they played so many minutes and couldn't go all out on every shift. When they got to the NHL they were still in coast mode.
- PhillySportsGuy

This is really (frank)ing cool that he told you that

Thank you terry Murray
- Just5

I think it had more to do with the lack of overall talent on the Phantoms. Schenn and Couturier were the only guys who could contribute any offense.

I understand how a player would get bored in that circumstance. They were NHL players playing in the AHL. It's different than a guy playing in the AHL and trying to get called up.

Couts and Schenn knew they were on the Flyers once the lockout ended.

You think Hartnell and Simmonds would be ok on the same line though?
- Giroux_Is_God

It works on the PP. I'd definitely prefer seeing Raffl or a new face there, and maybe drop Hartnell to the Schenn line or even with Couturier & Read...which admittedly isn't ideal

How is Singleton developing down there? Haven't heard of him much.

That situation was tough. It was obvious he was going to be dealt, because he wouldn't have played ever behind Howard, since Raptor knows he's not going anywhere aka no one wants that contract.

Shame they couldn't get a player better than Pence for him. Another beauty by Ruin Tomorrow Jr.
- Giroux_Is_God

Singleton and Cosart both look like promising players. Ed Wade's last trade was a good one for the Astros.

Entire lineup is still missing true goal scorers, it's a lot of players who have a pass first mindset.
- ob18

True, but it's really hard to predict what a first time GM will do, especially given the circumstances Hextall has inherited.

Limited cap room, huge hole to fill on defense, difficult to move contracts that may well be impossible to move.

That's a bad situation. If Murray fostered that, then I'd have concerns with him remaining as the AHL coach. He doesn't have a rep for letting guys coast, though.
- Jsaquella

I think it was more about being bored. I think they would have been better off playing in an international league.

I watched some of those games and they looked really uninterested.

Entire lineup is still missing true goal scorers, it's a lot of players who have a pass first mindset.
- ob18

I dont disagree and the odd thing is how they lead the league in 20 goal scorers or whatever the stat was.

Can the Ducks sell high on a guy who was healthy scratched and shipped to the AHL late in the season?

Vatanen is intriguing to me, though...very much so...looked very good in the games I had seen him play.
- Jsaquella

The Ducks can't sell him, which is a very good thing. I don't know the waiver system very well, but he is a RFA, and the Ducks have close to 7 other d-men who could play in the NHL. I look at Vatanen as a better option taking a risk on then Rundblad last year.

If Hexy can poach him without giving up any assets currently on the NHL level, I'm all for it.

I think it was more about being bored. I think they would have been better off playing in an international league.

I watched some of those games and they looked really uninterested.
- PhillySportsGuy

Still concerning. I like Murray, think he's a good coach. I admittedly watched, maybe a handful, of their AHL games

This is really (frank)ing cool that he told you that
- Giroux_Is_God

He said that both of them are going to be really good though.

The Ducks can't sell him, which is a very good thing. I don't know the waiver system very well, but he is a RFA, and the Ducks have close to 7 other d-men who could play in the NHL. I look at Vatanen as a better option taking a risk on then Rundblad last year.

If Hexy can poach him without giving up any assets currently on the NHL level, I'm all for it.
- ravishingone

They can trade his rights, like the Kings did with Bernier last summer. Of course, they may well prefer trading Sbisa, who has struggled to solidify a spot.

Still concerning. I like Murray, think he's a good coach. I admittedly watched, maybe a handful, of their AHL games
- Jsaquella

He's a big name. I never understood why they got rid of the guy before him. I forget his name. I remember that previous coach getting a lot out of a team with very little talent.

He's a big name. I never understood why they got rid of the guy before him. I forget his name. I remember that previous coach getting a lot out of a team with very little talent.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, not sure why they let Joe Paterson go...another of those mid-1980's Flyers.