MacDonald was exposed and overmatched on the Isles, but let's be honest about a couple of other things going on there: Their team, as a whole, is not as good as the Flyers. Travis Hamonic is the only other NHL defender on that team who numerous other teams would want, and their goaltending was flat-out horrific.

The Flyers play a sound system, have a goaltender who,has done nothing but play well since arriving in Philadelphia, and Braydon Coburn is easily the best partner MacDonald will have had.

That doesn't mean all of his weaknesses can be hidden, but I honestly don't think they will all show up this season, as well.
- AllInForFlyers

I think the loss of Timonen will be felt. Even as a declining player, he was still dam good. How badly it's felt is going to depend on how well the defenseman play obviously, in conjunction with how the Flyers play as a team. Best way to make up for a defense corps that is missing a top player, is to play an improved team game.

I think the loss of Timonen will be felt. Even as a declining player, he was still dam good. How badly it's felt is going to depend on how well the defenseman play obviously, in conjunction with how the Flyers play as a team. Best way to make up for a defense corps that is missing a top player, is to play an improved team game.
- MJL

I do agree with that; Timonen will be missed, but the team could offset some of his lost presence by being more diligent defensively -- and I think they will.

I think Michael Raffl, for instance, will be a more confident player, and better in the system. I think RJ Umberger is a smart hockey player who will stick with the system, and if Jason Akeson sticks, his sample size thus far is that he will compete and can create offense from within the system.

A line of Read-Couturier-Simmonds could be really, really good. They really could be a dynamic, two-way line.

The defense just has to hold its own -- don't turn over pucks, clear the zone when they should, support their partner. If they do that, I see no reason why this team won't win their fair share of games, and then some.

Holy crap, Berube's been reading my posts!

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare/Rinaldo

Well, technically, it was Just5's post originally, but I liked his line combos and stole them
- Jsaquella

I think the first two lines are great. The third line could be a little shaky depending on Akeson's performance. I'd prefer not to have Rinaldo on any of the lines, but Raffl, Laughton and Bellemare I think would be a potentially good fourth line.

I think the first two lines are great. The third line could be a little shaky depending on Akeson's performance. I'd prefer not to have Rinaldo on any of the lines, but Raffl, Laughton and Bellemare I think would be a potentially good fourth line.
- ManCity

Rinaldo's making the opening night roster unless he gets injured, you can book that.

I think the first two lines are great. The third line could be a little shaky depending on Akeson's performance. I'd prefer not to have Rinaldo on any of the lines, but Raffl, Laughton and Bellemare I think would be a potentially good fourth line.
- ManCity

Still having one question mark among the forwards is really not a bad situation. Even if Akeson doesn't pan out or can't play a regular NHL role they can slide Raffl up and plug-in Rinaldo or maybe call up Alderson

Rinaldo's making the opening night roster unless he gets injured, you can book that.
- jmatchett383

Yup. No doubt about it. Instead of making him earn a spot on the roster, and a contract both were handed to him coming off a dreadful season. Doesn't make any sense.

Still having one question mark among the forwards is really not a bad situation. Even if Akeson doesn't pan out or can't play a regular NHL role they can slide Raffl up and plug-in Rinaldo or maybe call up Alderson
- Jsaquella

They have lots of options in the bottom 6, IMO.

And it's funny how Alderson's name has surpassed Nick Cousins in the "he could get called up sooner rather than later" discussions.

They have lots of options in the bottom 6, IMO.

And it's funny how Alderson's name has surpassed Nick Cousins in the "he could get called up sooner rather than later" discussions.
- johndewar

Alderson, by most accounts, seems more NHL ready. He's also a lot bigger, which is a need for the 4th line

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Rookie Camp Finalized, Projected Lines, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Did I read that Berube wants to go

MacDonald-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
Del Zotto-Schenn

It's interesting but I think two players like Coburn and MacDonald who are so many similarities, you'd think it would be best to keep them apart. The Grossmann and Streit pair I don't like even a little bit.

Alderson, by most accounts, seems more NHL ready. He's also a lot bigger, which is a need for the 4th line
- Jsaquella

The bar for undrafted bangers/grinders is quite a bit lower, too.

Cousins, if he's to be an Andrew Shaw type, has a lot more stuff to master before they'll consider him ready.

The bar for undrafted bangers/grinders is quite a bit lower, too.

Cousins, if he's to be an Andrew Shaw type, has a lot more stuff to master before they'll consider him ready.
- Tomahawk

True. Cousins will need to show the kind of play he did later in the season last year, because he started off so rough

Those top lines are fantastic, but I question where the offense is coming from on that third line. Akeson is a heck of a playmaker and should be given a chance but I doubt Vinny or Umberger are going to help him out much although they provide leadership and solid defensive play. Raffl, Rinaldo and Bellemore could be a heck of a fourth line.

Did I read that Berube wants to go

MacDonald-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
Del Zotto-Schenn

It's interesting but I think two players like Coburn and MacDonald who are so many similarities, you'd think it would be best to keep them apart. The Grossmann and Streit pair I don't like even a little bit.
- SuperSchennBros

Now, I don't love Nick Grossmann, but that was the pairing for a playoff team last season. Streit was no worse than the second-best defenseman on the team, from start to finish -- of all the pairings I worry about, that isn't one, for the main reason that unless Grossmann's mobility is severely diminished, I have a pretty good idea what they're gonna do on each of their shifts.

Del Zotto-Schenn is the one keeping me up late -- have no effing clue what those guys are gonna play like. Want to believe good things, but yeah, I will be honest and admit that pairing could get worked.

Alderson, by most accounts, seems more NHL ready. He's also a lot bigger, which is a need for the 4th line
- Jsaquella

Be nice if he could relegate Rinaldo to the 13th forward -- maybe a couple of mindless penalties by Rinaldo in the preseason gets us there

Be nice if he could relegate Rinaldo to the 13th forward -- maybe a couple of mindless penalties by Rinaldo in the preseason gets us there
- AllInForFlyers

He will be suspended 10 games for a head shot in the second preseason game.

Now, I don't love Nick Grossmann, but that was the pairing for a playoff team last season. Streit was no worse than the second-best defenseman on the team, from start to finish -- of all the pairings I worry about, that isn't one, for the main reason that unless Grossmann's mobility is severely diminished, I have a pretty good idea what they're gonna do on each of their shifts.

Del Zotto-Schenn is the one keeping me up late -- have no effing clue what those guys are gonna play like. Want to believe good things, but yeah, I will be honest and admit that pairing could get worked.
- AllInForFlyers

I have to go in the complete and total opposite direction as yourself. I like Grossmann a lot, he isn't my concern for the pair that features him and Streit. It's how different the two players are. Complete and total opposites. Grossmann is big, Streit is small. Grossmann is defensive, Streit is offensive. I don't want one guy having to constantly make up for the other's shortcomings. Whatever one can do, the other cannot in a big way.

Schenn and Del Zotto are interesting to me because they're a third pair, young, which leaves room for them to grow together. I'll be really cheering for Del Zotto to get his game back and become apart of this team's future.

I have to go in the complete and total opposite direction as yourself. I like Grossmann a lot, he isn't my concern for the pair that features him and Streit. It's how different the two players are. Complete and total opposites. Grossmann is big, Streit is small. Grossmann is defensive, Streit is offensive. I don't want one guy having to constantly make up for the other's shortcomings. Whatever one can do, the other cannot in a big way.

Schenn and Del Zotto are interesting to me because they're a third pair, young, which leaves room for them to grow together. I'll be really cheering for Del Zotto to get his game back and become apart of this team's future.
- SuperSchennBros

I truly believe we are going to get that "22 minute a night on the third best defensive team in hockey" Del Zotto.

Confidence is a fickle thing. And reading about what happened to him under AV, I fully understand how it went down. A new coach showed little confidence in him after a slow start and held him as the scapegoat for all the team's defensive problems. Its like being coached by a Flyers fan.


We all know Del Zotto can play. Its not like he is an old guy trying to regain some old glory. He is a young guy, with plus skill, who has something to prove. He is going to be good, you watch.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...rs-in-leafs-organization/

The Laffs, hahahahhahaha

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/12/leiweke-calls-out-just-terrible-character-of-certain-players-in-leafs-organization/

The Laffs, hahahahhahaha
- KINGKENZO

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/12/leiweke-calls-out-just-terrible-character-of-certain-players-in-leafs-organization/

The Laffs, hahahahhahaha
- KINGKENZO

JvR always causing problems. What a cancer.

JvR always causing problems. What a cancer.
- Giroux_Is_God

I thought Kessel was the cancer?

I thought Kessel was the cancer?
- MBFlyerfan

Wouldn't doubt it. I'm just goofin around.

Honestly, my first thought was Kadri. He seems like an overfilled burlap sack of Richards

Those top lines are fantastic, but I question where the offense is coming from on that third line. Akeson is a heck of a playmaker and should be given a chance but I doubt Vinny or Umberger are going to help him out much although they provide leadership and solid defensive play. Raffl, Rinaldo and Bellemore could be a heck of a fourth line.
- Slipperypickle

If Giroux can do 85+ points, Schenn 55+, Voracek 65+, Simmonds 60+, Read 45+, Couturier 45+, Lecavalier 40+, Umberger 35+, Raffl or Akeson 30+ then the offense will be there. The problem I see is having this forward mix be effective in other ways especially team defense and physicality.

Wouldn't doubt it. I'm just goofin around.

Honestly, my first thought was Kadri. He seems like an overfilled burlap sack of Richards
- Giroux_Is_God

Common guys, it's this clown: