I still think Hextall will make an addition to this team before pucks drops opening night. i just don't see B. Schenn playing LW.... But he may have too if VL is here.
- 3flyerkids

I think they prefer him at C, I think he can play either and be effective, if given the right linemates. I don't think he was as effective as he could be with Simmonds, I'd rather see him with Voracek or Giroux, be it as a C or a LW

I just think if VL is retained he should play 2nd or 3 rd line. That is the only way we get max numbers from him.
- 3flyerkids

If that is best for the team. My goal is to be as competitive as possible, not to max out Vinny.

The two may go hand in hand, but if Vinny's scoring twenty goals and playing poor two way hockey, and a kid like Schenn or Couturier is stuck in a lesser role, then it's not as good for the team, IMO

Assuming VL is with the club come October, and I'm starting to think that will be the case, I don't think that the Flyers will be signing anyone else except maybe Hall if he will sign for the same 600k he played for last year. So, with that in mind, I would like to see them try the following line combos:

Schenn-G-Simmonds
Raffl-VL-Jake
Umberger-Couturier-Read
Bellemare-Laughton or Hall-Hall or Alderson or Rinaldo

I'd consider a bit more than that, he made $1.8mm last season, IIRC.
- Jsaquella

I'm not sure that it would work cap wise unless they can move Vinnie

I think they prefer him at C, I think he can play either and be effective, if given the right linemates. I don't think he was as effective as he could be with Simmonds, I'd rather see him with Voracek or Giroux, be it as a C or a LW
- Jsaquella

Yes if VL stays with this team I believe you have to him at centre and give the younger and tougher player like B Schenn a chance to play with G and Jake.
I don't believe G and Jake should be separated and maybe as Schenn matures he will continue to add some more grit while putting up decent numbers playing with G

I'm not sure that it would work cap wise unless they can move Vinnie
- BiggE

They can max out Pronger's LTIR by adding another $1.88mm before the season starts. It's not ideal, but it's a way to max out his exemption and get the full relief

This!

I also agree with the poster above that Hartnell added grit in a place of need- on the 1st line. G and Vcheckwith Schenn is fine with me. Even better would be:
Read-G-Simmer
Akeson-Schenn-Vchech
RJ-Coots-Raffle (wishful thinking Hayes)
Bellemare-Vinny-Winnik/Raffle
Rinaldo

Note I don't see this happening due to the org liking pairings not represented here.
I know OB wants and think Laughton but I think he his held in the AHL on Hexys principles alone. Not saying it is right but Hexy might be a stubborn SOB.
- coffee junkie

I think people are really overrating Akeson. His lack of both speed and size makes me doubt that he will ever be more than a fill in type of player.

Yes if VL stays with this team I believe you have to him at centre and give the younger and tougher player like B Schenn a chance to play with G and Jake.
I don't believe G and Jake should be separated and maybe as Schenn matures he will continue to add some more grit while putting up decent numbers playing with G
- 3flyerkids

I strongly believe in splitting Giroux and Voracek, at least to try an get better play on more lines. I think it would benefit the team more

They can max out Pronger's LTIR by adding another $1.88mm before the season starts. It's not ideal, but it's a way to max out his exemption and get the full relief
- Jsaquella

Yeah, its not ideal, but if thats what they need to do, so be it

I strongly believe in splitting Giroux and Voracek, at least to try an get better play on more lines. I think it would benefit the team more
- Jsaquella

Agree 100%, especially if they are keeping VL. Voracek would be the perfect winger to play with Vinnie.

I strongly believe in splitting Giroux and Voracek, at least to try an get better play on more lines. I think it would benefit the team more
- Jsaquella

I just think they have worked very well together over the last 2 years and there is no need to break up a good thing!
I guess they could try it and always go back, but G has already lost one player so he would be starting with 2 new wingers if Jake is not playing on his RW

I just think they have worked very well together over the last 2 years and there is no need to break up a good thing!
I guess they could try it and always go back, but G has already lost one player so he would be starting with 2 new wingers if Jake is not playing on his RW
- 3flyerkids

I think Giroux is talented enough to succeed without Jake on his line. I'd like to see a line of Schenn-G-Simmonds and, of course, you can always change things up if it's not working.

I'd consider a bit more than that, he made $1.8mm last season, IIRC.
- Jsaquella

How much can this team really afford to play a fourth liner though? I think we are already paying a bit more then I wanted for our 7th Dman Shultz

How much can this team really afford to play a fourth liner though? I think we are already paying a bit more then I wanted for our 7th Dman Shultz
- coffee junkie

The key would be in maxing out Prongers LTIR. Id prefer him at $1mm or less

If that is best for the team. My goal is to be as competitive as possible, not to max out Vinny.

The two may go hand in hand, but if Vinny's scoring twenty goals and playing poor two way hockey, and a kid like Schenn or Couturier is stuck in a lesser role, then it's not as good for the team, IMO
- Jsaquella

Agreed, VL can play fourth line and like it if that is what is best for the team. No need to "raise his value" while hurting the team. This is a bubble squad, every point counts big time.

I just think they have worked very well together over the last 2 years and there is no need to break up a good thing!
I guess they could try it and always go back, but G has already lost one player so he would be starting with 2 new wingers if Jake is not playing on his RW
- 3flyerkids

My issue is the old, all your eggs in one basket. The Rangers beat the crap out of Giroux & Voracek,and no other line stepped up to score. I think that Giroux between Simmonds & Schenn or Read, followed by Jake with Schenn and/or Couturier and Read is two lines thst can bring it at 5 on 5 and eliminate the issue, or at least mitigate them

The key would be in maxing out Prongers LTIR. Id prefer him at $1mm or less
- Jsaquella

I get that, if that is the route they need to go and every passing day they don't trade VL it appears more so then get rid of Rinaldo and sign both Winnik and Mueller for 1m each.

Schenn-G-V
Mueller-Coots-Simmer
RJ-Vinny-Read
Belle-Raffle-Winnik

Side note: I agree Akeson isn't on this team if we add but if not he seems to have a chance and needs to play top 6 or nothing at all.

My issue is the old, all your eggs in one basket. The Rangers beat the crap out of Giroux & Voracek,and no other line stepped up to score. I think that Giroux between Simmonds & Schenn or Read, followed by Jake with Schenn and/or Couturier and Read is two lines thst can bring it at 5 on 5 and eliminate the issue, or at least mitigate them
- Jsaquella

Exactly

One of the things that made a team like Edmonton so dangerous in the 80s was that you had Gretzky and Kurri on one line and Messier and Anderson on another. It's the same reason the Pens rarely used Mario and Jagr on the same line.

Now before anyone starts jumping up and down, I'm not comparing the current Flyers to either of those teams. I'm just trying to make the point that it's a lot harder to shut down 2 very good lines than it is to shut down one great one.

I get that, if that is the route they need to go and every passing day they don't trade VL it appears more so then get rid of Rinaldo and sign not Winnik and Mueller for 1m each.

Schenn-G-V
Mueller-Coots-Simmer
RJ-Vinny-Read
Belle-Raffle-Winnik

Side note: I agree Akeson isn't on this team if we add but if not he seems to have a chance and needs to play top 6 or nothing at all.
- coffee junkie

Yup, Akeson is not a guy that is going to fit well on a 3rd or 4th line. Sadly though, his lack of speed and size will most like relegate him to being an injury fill in. While he is talented, I don't think he is talented enough to overcome his deficiencies.

Agreed, VL can play fourth line and like it if that is what is best for the team. No need to "raise his value" while hurting the team. This is a bubble squad, every point counts big time.
- coffee junkie

If B Schenn ends up playing wing. Then Couturier can play 2nd and Vinny play 3rd
His contract becomes more frustrating if he is playing 4th line. He will not get 20 plus goals if he plays 4th line and that would be a waste.

My issue is the old, all your eggs in one basket. The Rangers beat the crap out of Giroux & Voracek,and no other line stepped up to score. I think that Giroux between Simmonds & Schenn or Read, followed by Jake with Schenn and/or Couturier and Read is two lines thst can bring it at 5 on 5 and eliminate the issue, or at least mitigate them
- Jsaquella

Coots, Simmonds, Read would be a nice 2nd line
With VL, RJ, and Raffl/Akeson on 3rd

The first line did take a beating against the Rangers but like many have said on this board, I think guys like Couturier and B Schenn must put up better offensive numbers this year to provide the much needed balance

If B Schenn ends up playing wing. Then Couturier can play 2nd and Vinny play 3rd
His contract becomes more frustrating if he is playing 4th line. He will not get 20 plus goals if he plays 4th line and that would be a waste.
- 3flyerkids

Once the players are on the ice salaries don't matter. You can't play a guy cause he is being paid well. Play them where and when they best help the team. Any coach that does otherwise and there are some are bullocks. Also, in my imaginary world of gumdrops and unicorns the fourth line plays 12 ish minutes not the current 7:45 they did last year. You know, like actual hockey players. Vinny could also continue to play 1st PP giving him a healthy 15 per night (he played 15:11 last year).

Remove Rinaldo & add Laughton
- ob18

Love it, but feel Hexy is leaning the other way. I just hope he gives the kids a FAIR look.

Love it, but feel Hexy is leaning the other way. I just hope he gives the kids a FAIR look.
- coffee junkie

I think Hexy is going to give all of the kids a chance. I just think that his philosophy is that a young player needs to earn a spot, rather than have one handed to him. Don't forget, Hextall came into camp in 1986 and clearly outplayed Bob Froese, thus earning himself the #1 goalie spot. It wasn't just handed to him.

In the old days, the Devils picked and grew players for the system and with certain star players added or grown it worked well. Lamoriello was a frugal genius who got away with murder in certain league dealings as well

I am wondering if the method here is similar at least in the sense the UFA signee players like Bellemare and Raffl are presumably/proved to be solid 2 way players, with a little bit of punch and good basic/skating skills and defensively responsible.

Could we be heading towards a system with players selected for it rather than the vague "Best Player Available" drafting and UFA signining ?

I think the Flyers in the past have played salaries rather than actual performance in some instances, though with time its become muddy