I see them as a solid playoff team. Barring any major injuries of course.
- MJL

I see them making the playoffs, but I don't think it's a slam dunk. The division is a bit mediocre. I'm hoping Couts and Schenn take the next step and develop into strong #2 centers.

And Talbot was showing signs of decline and his PK game and defensive game were in serious funks. And the emergence of Raffl made Talbot available to try and get some more offense.
- MJL

After he broke his leg during that lock out season he really lost a step in his skating.

2 more years. Not to mention that guy was a penguin deep down. Good riddance.
- Just5

If you take away the start the Flyers had last year, they were in easily. I think Schenn, Couturier, and Raffl are all going to be better. And they have MacDonald for the full year.
- MJL

That's true. The eastern conference does blow. It got even more lopsided this offseason. I expect the devils to be better. That's about it .

I see them making the playoffs, but I don't think it's a slam dunk. The division is a bit mediocre. I'm hoping Couts and Schenn take the next step and develop into strong #2 centers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah we are pretty much putting our success on our two young guys taking the next step by not doing anything in FA.

Unless Couts and Schenn make some significant strides, I think they'll be fighting for a spot. I think it will be close
- PhillySportsGuy

They're both young guys who have made strides every year so far, I don't see why they wouldn't continue to get a lot better.

Yeah we are pretty much putting our success on our two young guys taking the next step by not doing anything in FA.
- FlyersSteve118

Yup. Not upset about FA though. Half these deals will look awful midway through the season. I just don't like our defense. Whats their plan for the top pairing? Coburn-???

DP

They're both young guys who have made strides every year so far, I don't see why they wouldn't continue to get a lot better.
- JAKEw1234

I agree. I see more upside with Couts. Not just because of his defense, but because he has excellent hands, good vision and a strong feel for the game. He uses these things so well on defense and I think it's only a matter of time before it translates to offense.

He needs more opportunity too. Less defensive zone starts, allow him to see a little lesser competition and give him some PP time

Yup. Not upset about FA though. Half these deals will look awful midway through the season. I just don't like our defense. Whats their plan for the top pairing? Coburn-???
- PhillySportsGuy

Streit maybe?

I agree. I see more upside with Couts. Not just because of his defense, but because he has excellent hands, good vision and a strong feel for the game. He uses these things so well on defense and I think it's only a matter of time before it translates to offense.

He needs more opportunity too. Less defensive zone starts, allow him to see a little lesser competition and give him some PP time
- PhillySportsGuy

Didn't he get some PP time at the point last year?

2 more years. Not to mention that guy was a penguin deep down. Good riddance.
- Just5

he was. bless his heart

Streit maybe?
- JAKEw1234

Yup. Not upset about FA though. Half these deals will look awful midway through the season. I just don't like our defense. Whats their plan for the top pairing? Coburn-???
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. I guess they are going to share the hard minutes and roll 3 lines of 2A 2B 2C?

Hexy said Timonen wasn't going to be playing the top line hard minutes anymore. So...

Coburn Streit?
Grossmann Kimmo
Schenn MacD

I dunno. Streit played some decent minutes and did it pretty well at the end of the season last year.

Got to give Hextall some time. His predecessor left a pile of poop in his lap.
- PLindbergh31

Give it a couple years, then we can start reaping the benefits of these long term deal cap hits from Vinny, Grossman, L Schenn, etc.

Hopefully Hexy threw away Holmers notes he left behind.

Didn't he get some PP time at the point last year?
- JAKEw1234

Not much. Experimented with him on the point for the Phantoms though.

I think most of his PP minutes came as he jumped on the ice during the final 10-20 seconds of the PP. Berube used him on every first shift after a failed PP.

I agree. I see more upside with Couts. Not just because of his defense, but because he has excellent hands, good vision and a strong feel for the game. He uses these things so well on defense and I think it's only a matter of time before it translates to offense.

He needs more opportunity too. Less defensive zone starts, allow him to see a little lesser competition and give him some PP time
- PhillySportsGuy

I feel like Couts will absolutely explode in the points column when they untie his skates and allow him to actually play some scoring minutes.

I agree. I guess they are going to share the hard minutes and roll 3 lines of 2A 2B 2C?

Hexy said Timonen wasn't going to be playing the top line hard minutes anymore. So...

Coburn Streit?
Grossmann Kimmo
Schenn MacD

I dunno. Streit played some decent minutes and did it pretty well at the end of the season last year.
- FlyersSteve118

I think Schenn-MacD would be your 2nd pairing there

I agree. I guess they are going to share the hard minutes and roll 3 lines of 2A 2B 2C?

Hexy said Timonen wasn't going to be playing the top line hard minutes anymore. So...

Coburn Streit?
Grossmann Kimmo
Schenn MacD

I dunno. Streit played some decent minutes and did it pretty well at the end of the season last year.
- FlyersSteve118

I have a feeling they'll try Amac or Streit on the top pair and have it fail. Timonen will, inevitably, move back there because they'll have no other choice.

I think Schenn-MacD would be your 2nd pairing there
- JAKEw1234

They are all "second pairings".

They are all "second pairings".
- FlyersSteve118

Lol. So true

They are all "second pairings".
- FlyersSteve118

Truth

They are all "second pairings".
- FlyersSteve118

I have a feeling they'll try Amac or Streit on the top pair and have it fail. Timonen will, inevitably, move back there because they'll have no other choice.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know they will. Streit has never played those kind of minutes in his career. MacD has and didn't do so well. But, playing with Coburn relieves some of the pressure. I dunno.

At least if we suck its a solid draft.

- PhillySportsGuy

would you take one year of erhoff for read