Omg. The phillies are so brutal. I dont watch much but that 3b coach is a joke. Anyone see him wave that runner in? Catcher had the ball runner was halfway down the line haaaaa

I'd like to see Couturier, Read, and Voracek. Get a decent LW with some speed to play with Giroux, and put Simmonds on the RW. Play Hartnell with Schenn, and maybe Raffl.
- MJL

I would love to see vanek at LW with G and Simmer but that would take an act of God to unload VL and Hartsy with their NTCs and as is we can't afford vanek. Oh well.

I like Raffl, but I don't want to play him on the top line with Giroux. Claude is a very creative playmaker and at this point Raffl doesn't have enough finish to his game to play a top 6 role.

I think the player that makes the most sense to play with Giroux, and Voracek is Read. He's a proven 20 goal scorer, and he's adds a defensive presence to the top line.
- PLindbergh31

I think Berube views Raffl as a center. Assuming Read can easily flip over to the left side, it is a possibility. I would be surprised if Berube splits up his two best defensive forwards. I believe it will be up to Hextall to evaluate the free agent market and get optimum value for his cap dollars. I do expect them to take a run at Jokinen or Pouliot to help solve their LW issues. Also, let's not forget Akeson, he should at least get an extended look at training camp to finally stick in the top 9. He would be very easy on the cap.

the kings win their 3rd game 7 series, in OT, on the road, after coming back 3 times, are headed to their 2nd final in 3 seasons and they have 74 posts in today's blog.

(frank)ing. joke.
- hammarby31

It is interesting that once Berube took Raffl off the G line, he pretty much played center exclusively. Berube even moved B. Schenn to wing when Raffl was on the 2nd line. I'm not sure how the line combos shake out, but Berube also stated that Raffl could turn into a "big time scorer" in the league. Was he blowing smoke? Possibly, but he seemed to really like him at center.
- ravishingone

Raffl has the ability to skate, and to hound the puck. That's what Berube wants from his centers. He wants them on the puck in all 3 zones. I think Raffl can definitely develop an offensive game. But becoming a big time scorer, I have my doubts.

Raffl has the ability to skate, and to hound the puck. That's what Berube wants from his centers. He wants them on the puck in all 3 zones. I think Raffl can definitely develop an offensive game. But becoming a big time scorer, I have my doubts.
- MJL

However, if B. Schenn is traded (which I'm not advocating) to acquire either a scoring LW or blue line help, elevating Coots to 2nd line and inserting Raffl in a checking line role because of the attributes you outlined could be the play. I believe Berube wants Raffl to have a role in the top 9, which one at this point is anyone's guess.

If only schenn could find some confidence I think these lines would look nice and we don't have to do a thing (except sign schenn)

Schenn-G-Simmer
Hartsy-VL-Jake
Raffl-Couts-Read

Schenn likes to shoot - G likes to pass
VL likes to shoot and might compliment Jake well.

Schenn needs to take a BIG step forward though

I would love to see vanek at LW with G and Simmer but that would take an act of God to unload VL and Hartsy with their NTCs and as is we can't afford vanek. Oh well.
- moylander

Vanek is going to be very expensive. He was pretty awful in the playoffs. Very streaky guy, when he's not scoring he doesn't bring much else to the table. Kind of a one dimensional guy. I don't think Vanek would be a good fit for the Flyers.

Vanek is going to be very expensive. He was pretty awful in the playoffs. Very streaky guy, when he's not scoring he doesn't bring much else to the table. Kind of a one dimensional guy. I don't think Vanek would be a good fit for the Flyers.
- PLindbergh31

I don't want another expensive brand-name player over 30, who can't keep up with the play, is useless if he's not scoring, and doesn't know where the d-zone is.

Vanek is going to be very expensive. He was pretty awful in the playoffs. Very streaky guy, when he's not scoring he doesn't bring much else to the table. Kind of a one dimensional guy. I don't think Vanek would be a good fit for the Flyers.
- PLindbergh31

The kind of cash he's going to command...he's also not a blazing speed guy, he's a guy that finds a spot and buries wristers. I'd rather see a dude with some wheels there.

I'd also advocate, if they're keeping Schenn and if Lecavalier is impossible to move, going with something like :

17-28-40
19-10-93
12-14-24

Far from ideal, but it allows Lecavalier to be a stationary shooter from the RW side of the slot, where he-as well as Schenn-feel most comfortable.

ugh. isnt it beyond laughable thats actually a potential reality?
- stayinthefnnet

TSN says he's had 2 interviews so far with the club...

I don't want another expensive brand-name player over 30, who can't keep up with the play, is useless if he's not scoring, and doesn't know where the d-zone is.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. Flyers need an infusion of players who can skate, defend, and produce some offense. Where to find those players for the budget they have available is the question.

ugh. isnt it beyond laughable thats actually a potential reality?
- stayinthefnnet

Embrace Pierre

The kind of cash he's going to command...he's also not a blazing speed guy, he's a guy that finds a spot and buries wristers. I'd rather see a dude with some wheels there.

I'd also advocate, if they're keeping Schenn and if Lecavalier is impossible to move, going with something like :

17-28-40
19-10-93
12-14-24

Far from ideal, but it allows Lecavalier to be a stationary shooter from the RW side of the slot, where he-as well as Schenn-feel most comfortable.
- Jsaquella

If there are no takers for Lecavalier, certainly not a bad idea to try him with Giroux. He just looked so completely out of sorts playing on the wing last year.

I'm not totally giving up on him, perhaps the back injury really slowed him down. Before that injury he was playing pretty well. Although he had a pretty poor season, he still managed to pot 20.

Just curious, what is the value of Torey Krug in the restricted free agent market? Very good offensive numbers, Bruins have a lot of guys signed and still supposedly want Iginla back. I have to think he would want a decent raise.

If there are no takers for Lecavalier, certainly not a bad idea to try him with Giroux. He just looked so completely out of sorts playing on the wing last year.

I'm not totally giving up on him, perhaps the back injury really slowed him down. Before that injury he was playing pretty well. Although he had a pretty poor season, he still managed to pot 20.
- PLindbergh31

I'd trade him for a bag of pucks if I could give his salary away.

He scored twenty and looked good at times. But he's been a bad two way player for the last two seasons, and his possession stats are scary. It's not that he can't be useful, but I don't know if he can be useful if Hextall and Berube bring in a more "Kings" style system, where possession and skating are the two biggest priorities.

But, I'm thinking with Giroux doing the setting up and Simmonds grinding, maybe Vinny can sort of become like Brett Hull was when he was with Dallas & Detroit-just a guy that finds seams and fires away.

Embrace Pierre
- ob18

I'm not sure how Pierre would do. TV Pierre would suck. Radio analyst Pierre might be a capable guy. If he's learned that being the smartest guy in the room means showing it by actions, rather than telling everyone that you are, it could work.

What games have you been watching??? I understand you hate the Rangers but post as a hockey fan not a bitter Flyer fan bro.
- Graves#9

games 1 and 2 of first round series: rangers 12 powerplays, flyers 4. which includes a too many men (term used loosely) call in the last 3 min of game 2....pretty sure we win w/ 12 powerplays in the first 2 games.....we know you want to think it's all talent but post as a hockey fan not a delusional crank

Just curious, what is the value of Torey Krug in the restricted free agent market? Very good offensive numbers, Bruins have a lot of guys signed and still supposedly want Iginla back. I have to think he would want a decent raise.
- ravishingone

He's interesting, and the Bruins face a bit of a cap crunch. He could be a poach target.

I'd trade him for a bag of pucks if I could give his salary away.

He scored twenty and looked good at times. But he's been a bad two way player for the last two seasons, and his possession stats are scary. It's not that he can't be useful, but I don't know if he can be useful if Hextall and Berube bring in a more "Kings" style system, where possession and skating are the two biggest priorities.

But, I'm thinking with Giroux doing the setting up and Simmonds grinding, maybe Vinny can sort of become like Brett Hull was when he was with Dallas & Detroit-just a guy that finds seams and fires away.
- Jsaquella

For sure. Seems like every time he's on the ice the opposition has a glorious scoring chance.
Would love to be able to move VL and Grossmann. I don't think it happens though. I don't think Hextall is going to make a lot of major moves year one. He's kind of hamstrung with what he can do.

He's interesting, and the Bruins face a bit of a cap crunch. He could be a poach target.
- Jsaquella

Plus, Smith is a RFA, also. I read a rumor where they were supposedly shopping Marchand, which I don't understand. I despise that guy, but I would be thrilled to have him on the Flyers (I know it won't happen).

I'm not sure how Pierre would do. TV Pierre would suck. Radio analyst Pierre might be a capable guy. If he's learned that being the smartest guy in the room means showing it by actions, rather than telling everyone that you are, it could work.
- Jsaquella

Removing Pierre from between the glass during the playoffs, coupled with the fact he could make turn the Penguins into a mess is a win-win for everyone.

For sure. Seems like every time he's on the ice the opposition has a glorious scoring chance.
Would love to be able to move VL and Grossmann. I don't think it happens though. I don't think Hextall is going to make a lot of major moves year one. He's kind of hamstrung with what he can do.
- PLindbergh31

It'll be interesting and I am going to try to be patient. He's got a good team now, but it's got flaws. Hard to fix flaws.

Plus, Smith is a RFA, also. I read a rumor where they were supposedly shopping Marchand, which I don't understand. I despise that guy, but I would be thrilled to have him on the Flyers (I know it won't happen).
- ravishingone

Yeah, he's definitely a Hate him when he's on the other side, love him when he's your guy kind of bastard

Omg. The phillies are so brutal. I dont watch much but that 3b coach is a joke. Anyone see him wave that runner in? Catcher had the ball runner was halfway down the line haaaaa
- Just5

They are completely unwatchable. The Mets have beaten them from pillar to post the last few season. The (frank)ing Mets who are the punchlines of baseball.