I think it'd be better to start Laughton in the AHL then. Let him keep the offense going
- ystoil

That seems to be what the Flyers staff thinks to a certain degree. The future will be Giroux, Couturier and Laughton as 1-2-3 as of now with Vinny traded/retired and Schenn as a permanent winger/traded.

BSchenn will most likely play LW on the top line with Giroux and Voracek. Laughton seems destined for the AHL to start the year but could be the 4th line guy. Bellemare may start there though.
- NickTheKid87

I thought Laughton would make the team till it emerged that Berube liked Bellemare as a center. Barring more injuries I think the roster for the Boston game will be:

BSchenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read- Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Bellemare-Rinaldo
Rosehill

MacDonald-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
MDZ-LSchenn
Schultz

Mason
Emery

I thought Laughton would make the team till it emerged that Berube liked Bellemare as a center. Barring more injuries I think the roster for the Boston game will be:

BSchenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read- Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Bellemare-Rinaldo
Rosehill

MacDonald-Coburn
Grossmann-Streit
MDZ-LSchenn
Schultz

Mason
Emery
- Feanor

Yup seems to be what we're looking at barring injury or under-performance from Bellemare or a great preseason from someone else.

If Hexy goes all in like that for a UFA, it has to be for a stud DMan, which don't normally become available. I think it's clear that the D needs to be the focus. I am happy with the tending and the forwards in general.
- Hextall271

The UFA D class isn't especially appealing.

The three most appealing, because of age, are Mike Green of the Caps, Marc Staal of the Rangers and Johnny Boychuk of Boston. Not sure I'd call any of them studs. Green can still be a productive offensive defenseman who is mediocre in his own end on his best days, and Staal and Boychuk are solid, unspectacular two way guys who are fine as second pair anchors.

Paul Martin would be the most attractive, but his age is an issue (33).

I think it'd be better to start Laughton in the AHL then. Let him keep the offense going
- ystoil

I'm on the fence about this.

I think Laughton is going to top out as a defensive center who can chip in offense. So my theory is that having play 4th line center is right in line with developing him for what he is supposed to be. Which is our second shutdown option, who lets Couturier be a more offensive player.

This is why I don't see sending him down to the AHL to be some POSSIBLE offensive powerhouse as all that pressing. I see it even hurting him. Especially if he produces offense at the AHL level then comes to the NHL level and struggles offensively. Gets himself, the team, and the fans frustrated from unreasonable expectations.

Who knows, he could turn out to be a great offensive player wherever he plays. But I see him more as a solid defensive center who kills penalties and plays against the other teams top lines. He is not going to be a defensive center in the AHL. So put him on the 4th line (IF HE EARNS IT) and get him NHL minutes killing penalties and playing good defense.

I'm on the fence about this.

I think Laughton is going to top out as a defensive center who can chip in offense. So my theory is that having play 4th line center is right in line with developing him for what he is supposed to be. Which is our second shutdown option, who lets Couturier be a more offensive player.

This is why I don't see sending him down to the AHL to be some POSSIBLE offensive powerhouse as all that pressing. I see it even hurting him. Especially if he produces offense at the AHL level then comes to the NHL level and struggles offensively. Gets himself, the team, and the fans frustrated from unreasonable expectations.

Who knows, he could turn out to be a great offensive player wherever he plays. But I see him more as a solid defensive center who kills penalties and plays against the other teams top lines. He is not going to be a defensive center in the AHL. So put him on the 4th line (IF HE EARNS IT) and get him NHL minutes killing penalties and playing good defense.
- MBFlyerfan

I think he could be a 20 goal guy, who plays a lot of roles-the primary one being a solid defensive center that can go against top competition and chip in offense.

He's a gritty bastard and a pretty smart player. My main concern would be seeing enough ice time rather than continued offensive production.

Bob Rotruck, PxP guy for the Phantoms says that Kevin Marshall & Cal Heeter might be playing for the Leafs

No players are ever good until they're 5-6 years in. If only that Crosby guy could have been good his first 3-4 years in the league, he could have been one of the greats. Shame he wasn't any good until he was 23/24.
- jmatchett383

That's comparing a normal development path of defenseman, to a generational superstar player.

The Flyers have MacDonald for six more years, Streit for three more years, and Coburn for at least two more years. Those are good, veteran defensemen. How are the Flyers in rebuilding mode if Morin, Ghost, Hagg and Sanheim start filling in the spots around them over the next few seasons?
- Feanor

Do you feel that MacDonald, Streit, Coburn, and any of those prospects in their early NHL years will constitute a defense corps that will make the Flyers a legit Cup contender?

It's being broadcast on TSN4 up here in Canada so I expect you'll be able to get it online.
- Hextall271

Thanks I'll browse around for it.

I think he could be a 20 goal guy, who plays a lot of roles-the primary one being a solid defensive center that can go against top competition and chip in offense.

He's a gritty bastard and a pretty smart player. My main concern would be seeing enough ice time rather than continued offensive production.
- Jsaquella

I also agree with this. If they cant get him 10-12 minutes a night in the NHL, then they should be sending him to the AHL.

That's comparing a normal development path of defenseman, to a generational superstar player.
- MJL

Okay. Is Torrey Krug a better example for what Ghost could be 2-3 years from now? Could Morin be the 06-08 Coburn in 2-3 years? How about Hagg becoming 2009 L Schenn in 2 years? Are those realistic growth patterns?

I also agree with this. If they cant get him 10-12 minutes a night in the NHL, then they should be sending him to the AHL.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, and with decent line mates, if possible...I;d rather he not spend 7 of the 10 minutes a night with Rinaldo

I think he could be a 20 goal guy, who plays a lot of roles-the primary one being a solid defensive center that can go against top competition and chip in offense.

He's a gritty bastard and a pretty smart player. My main concern would be seeing enough ice time rather than continued offensive production.
- Jsaquella

20 goals - 25 assists on average in his prime + shut down defense against top competition would be awesome.

I know, me too... I am a Bears fan so it's even bigger.

Random question. Anyone ever seen a game in Foxboro? I am going in October, and plan to wear my Bears jersey to the game. My buddy who is a Pats fan says I will get killed. I told him I've been to Philly and seen many other team's fans and although they might get yelled at, haven't seen any violence.
- Hextall271

Never been there but I don't think it should be a problem if you allow them to insult you without trying to retaliate. Boston fans are incredibly arrogant but they aren't really the type to physically harm you.

20 goals - 25 assists on average in his prime + shut down defense against top competition would be awesome.
- NickTheKid87

It'd be fantastic if Giroux stays where he is and Couturier can develop into a Bergeron type guy.

Even if Laughton is a 12-15 goal guy who can free some of the defensive load on Couts, it'd be great

Never been there but I don't think it should be a problem if you allow them to insult you without trying to retaliate. Boston fans are incredibly arrogant but they aren't really the type to physically harm you.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, I think my friend is exaggerating. My fiancée and I went to see the Flyers vs Bruins at TD centre a couple years back and we wore our jerseys... some idiots yelled at us and we ignored them.

Yeah, I think my friend is exaggerating. My fiancée and I went to see the Flyers vs Bruins at TD centre a couple years back and we wore our jerseys... some idiots yelled at us and we ignored them.
- Hextall271

I've been to Sox games wearing a phillies shirt. I sat in great seats, but i didnt even get heckled at all. It was mostly fans who just wanted to talk baseball.

With all of the recent championships, they have developed a sense of arrogance that rivals only Yankee fans

Thanks I'll browse around for it.
- ManCity

I think I heard somebody say it'd be on the NHL Network

I've been to Sox games wearing a phillies shirt. I sat in great seats, but i didnt even get heckled at all. It was mostly fans who just wanted to talk baseball.

With all of the recent championships, they have developed a sense of arrogance that rivals only Yankee fans
- PhillySportsGuy

Most trouble I ever got into was when I wore my Hextall jersey to the Bell centre in 98. My grandmother was at the game and wore Lindros. Some idiot said to nan, Lindros sucks, to which she replied.. you suck! Then someone spit on my Hextall jersey without me seeing it, first opportunity, I went to their fan gear store and wiped it off with a Habs jersey on the rack and no one saw me. (frank) em..

Do you feel that MacDonald, Streit, Coburn, and any of those prospects in their early NHL years will constitute a defense corps that will make the Flyers a legit Cup contender?
- MJL

I think a 2016-17 lineup of:

MacDonald (30) - Coburn (31)
Morin (21) - Ghost (23)
Hagg (21) - Streit (38)

is better than what we have now, and would not be a rebuild. The chances of getting a real stud dman in here as a FA or via a trade are tiny.

Do you feel that MacDonald, Streit, Coburn, and any of those prospects in their early NHL years will constitute a defense corps that will make the Flyers a legit Cup contender?
- MJL

Kind of seems like more of a middle tier, than strictly cup contender or rebuilding caliber. What's the alternative, though? We could keep Luke Schenn back there (and let's assume he does find consistency), but that doesn't really bump the quality up to cup contender levels either.

Most trouble I ever got into was when I wore my Hextall jersey to the Bell centre in 98. My grandmother was at the game and wore Lindros. Some idiot said to nan, Lindros sucks, to which she replied.. you suck! Then someone spit on my Hextall jersey without me seeing it, first opportunity, I went to their fan gear store and wiped it off with a Habs jersey on the rack and no one saw me. (frank) em..
- Hextall271

Lol. The key in opposing places is to get in nice with the people around you. Carve out a little safe base for yourself. Most fans are friendly and willing to just talk sports if you show you come in peace

Lol. The key in opposing places is to get in nice with the people around you. Carve out a little safe base for yourself. Most fans are friendly and willing to just talk sports if you show you come in peace
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, I generally try to approach it like that. When you add booze it can be unpredictable though.

Line combos are interesting... I would have thought Berube would use the starters together to start working on chemistry and keep the guys trying to make the team together but I guess going up against other NHL players it is best to have some NHL players play with the Rookies.