Yep. If our forwards have banner years and Mason plays as well or better than last season, we could be ok. Otherwise, i see a healthy Isles team surpassing us.
- Hextall271

Short of The Penguins, I don't think any team in the Metro can go into this season knowing full-well where they stand. To me, it's wide-open and every team but 1 has some major "ifs" to their game plan.

Maybe the Blue Jackets too although I don't know how this Johansen nonsense will affect the team.
- NickTheKid87

I think they're poised for the #2 spot as well as any team.

Not a bad prospect pool at all. Certainly an improvement over a few years ago. Amazing what can happen when picks aren't dealt away like Dunkin Donuts gift cards.

Have the Flyers jumped up in the overall NHL prospect rankings? I know they were towards the bottom of the league not long ago.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely agree. Last ranking on Hockey's Future was 22. That was in the Spring though, and excludes Sanheim and the progress that Ghost and Morin have made. The thing that will hurt them in the rankings would be not having a more skilled forward. Aube-Kubel after another year could be that guy. They won't have seen Sanheim as much as we have this summer either. He should climb after another year in the minors.

I don't really believe the Flyers are trying to move Grossmann or Schenn to make move for Morin.

I do believe, however, they'd move one of Grossmann or Schenn because it's likely they can replace what either of them do at a cheaper salary. I'm guessing if the organization had their druthers, they'd move Luke Schenn to whomever would take him. Just a gut feel based on rumors before the season started last year questioning Schenn and the fact that Berube benched him early.

I don't really believe the Flyers are trying to move Grossmann or Schenn to make move for Morin.

I do believe, however, they'd move one of Grossmann or Schenn, however, because it's likely they can replace what either of them do at a cheaper salary. I'm guessing if the organization had their druthers, they'd move Luke Schenn to whomever would take him. Just a gut feel based on rumors before the season started last year questioning Schenn and the fact that Berube benched him early.
- johndewar

What would the in-season drop-in replacement for them be?

I think they're poised for the #2 spot as well as any team.
- jmatchett383

Yeah it's pretty much 1. Penguins T2. Rangers, Flyers, Capitals, Blue Jackets, Islanders 7. Canes 8. Devils

How comes know one wants to give Rinaldo and the 4th line some credit for their play last night? We are great at bashing Rinaldo. Thought he played a solid game last night again.
- J35Bacher

No question. He's played solidly all pre season. Let's hope it carries over when the games count.

With the exception of the first goal, they were solid last night.
- MJL

I simply disagree.. Both were beat wide on several occasions, both were on the ice for both goals, and didnt look anything like a top pairing. Still pre-season, but I hope that pair can get things going again.


Grossmann and Streit looked good though.. I also thought MDZ had a pretty decent game.

Third line shutdown center who can play in the top 6 occasionally. Maybe 20 goals, 30 assists as the average offensive year in his prime. Maybe a Jarret Stoll type but with better goal scoring ability.
- NickTheKid87

Agree with the shut down center part. Still not sure if he adds that much offense though. A lot of it will depend upon his linemates. But I have him around 15-18 goals and 20-25 assists.

Oh, and playing for Edmonton

Agree with the shut down center part. Still not sure if he adds that much offense though. A lot of it will depend upon his linemates. But I have him around 15-18 goals and 20-25 assists.

Oh, and playing for Edmonton
- TheGreat28

I think he might touch 20 goals three of four times but I agree it has a lot to do with linemates. He won't get many favorable zone starts and such.

I don't really believe the Flyers are trying to move Grossmann or Schenn to make move for Morin.

I do believe, however, they'd move one of Grossmann or Schenn because it's likely they can replace what either of them do at a cheaper salary. I'm guessing if the organization had their druthers, they'd move Luke Schenn to whomever would take him. Just a gut feel based on rumors before the season started last year questioning Schenn and the fact that Berube benched him early.
- johndewar

Who are they going to get to replace them at a cheaper salary? And if that is poosible, why didn't they do that during the off season? Why are they waiting until now?

They got a backup goalie in Halak to be their starter.
- jmatchett383

He's got the 9th-best even-strength SV% amongst starting goalies over the past 3 seasons... ahead of Quick, Schneider, Luongo, Rinne, Price, etc.

What would the in-season drop-in replacement for them be?
- jmatchett383

No clue.

Maybe they take someone from the Phantoms or there is some other rock to overturn we hadn't thought of?

I base my opinion more on the notion that I don't think the organization cares for Luke Schenn very much based on previous rumors and having benched him in the past.

Who are they going to get to replace them at a cheaper salary? And if that is poosible, why didn't they do that during the off season? Why are they waiting until now?
- MJL

Don't know.

Maybe the market is different between the offseason and now?

I think he might touch 20 goals three of four times but I agree it has a lot to do with linemates. He won't get many favorable zone starts and such.
- NickTheKid87

The big thing for me is - what does Couturier do offensively this year? If he can't be your #2 center, then in all seriousness I would look to move Laughton for a top 6 winger. I wouldn't trade him for the sake of trading him, so it would have to be someone of equal pedigree, but a more offensive guy.

If Couturier excels and can be that dynamic #2 that could take the pressure off of G, then I keep Laughton and he's my 3rd line guy next year.

I simply disagree.. Both were beat wide on several occasions, both were on the ice for both goals, and didnt look anything like a top pairing. Still pre-season, but I hope that pair can get things going again.
- jak521

Yeah, they've been getting beat wide all preseason. They've been letting guys cut across the crease with impunity, too.

I hope 5-47 isn't this year's 10-40-17 for Berube.

Grossmann and Streit looked good though.. I also thought MDZ had a pretty decent game.
- jak521

I was the most impressed w/ Schenn. Steady eddy in his own zone, had a couple of decent looks on net, and made some really nice outlets, including an aerial stretch pass that hit tape.

I simply disagree.. Both were beat wide on several occasions, both were on the ice for both goals, and didnt look anything like a top pairing. Still pre-season, but I hope that pair can get things going again.


Grossmann and Streit looked good though.. I also thought MDZ had a pretty decent game.
- jak521

I disagree. You stated earlier that the Flyers were very strong at 5 on 5 last night. Well guess what two defenseman were on the ice the most in last night's game? And matched up for a lot of it against the Ovechkin lne?How can that be then? I don't think they were perfect and there were a few plays that they can be better at, most notably the first goal. Bottom line is the Flyers gave up 2 goals in the game, and were the better overall team. Lack of offensive finish cost them the game, not the top defense pair. The Fehr goal was simply a lucky bounce for them. But overall Coburn and MacDonald played a solid game.

No clue.

Maybe they take someone from the Phantoms or there is some other rock to overturn we hadn't thought of?

I base my opinion more on the notion that I don't think the organization cares for Luke Schenn very much based on previous rumors and having benched him in the past.
- johndewar

They'd be so soft if they trade Schenn or Grossmann this year. Only way it works is if we take back another physical, older vet on a 1 year deal as part of the trade, or pick up someone who's been dumped.

This year you'd take a hit defensively, but it would give you cap flexibility going into next year.

But...

The problem is not really with Schenn's or Grossmann's contracts. It's Streit's and A Mac's.

The big thing for me is - what does Couturier do offensively this year? If he can't be your #2 center, then in all seriousness I would look to move Laughton for a top 6 winger. I wouldn't trade him for the sake of trading him, so it would have to be someone of equal pedigree, but a more offensive guy.

If Couturier excels and can be that dynamic #2 that could take the pressure off of G, then I keep Laughton and he's my 3rd line guy next year.
- TheGreat28

There is definitely a lot of moving parts. If Couturier can't get the offense going, we might end up with two 3rd line shut down centers (which isn't a bad problem) so one would be expendable in that case depending on other things of course.

No clue.

Maybe they take someone from the Phantoms or there is some other rock to overturn we hadn't thought of?

I base my opinion more on the notion that I don't think the organization cares for Luke Schenn very much based on previous rumors and having benched him in the past.
- johndewar

I think the opinion should be more based on who they could replace the player with at this point. And if they didn't care for Luke Schenn, they probably could've easily traded him during the off season.

I think the opinion should be more based on who they could replace the player with at this point. And if they didn't care for Luke Schenn, they probably could've easily traded him during the off season.
- MJL

Not so sure about that last part.

Don't know.

Maybe the market is different between the offseason and now?
- johndewar

Do you think a trade for a defenseman is more likely now, or in the off season. Knowing that available defenseman are at a premium at any time.

Not so sure about that last part.
- johndewar

Why are you not sure? He has a reasonable cap hit, and is still a fairly young player. Trust me, Luke Schenn would generate interest around the League.

Do you think a trade for a defenseman is more likely now, or in the off season. Knowing that available defenseman are at a premium at any time.
- MJL

You can off load them during the trade deadline and get even more....Amac and grossman are both tradeable...i think luke is here for the long haul. Personally i think a schenn coburn pairing is more effective than a amac/coburn....those guys together are too soft.

Not so sure about that last part.
- johndewar

Might somebody want him under the right circumstances? Probably.

Would it be easy? Uh, no. Nashville tried to trade MDZ's rights for months, no takers.