before we run schenn out of town I think we should have him play center, his normal position, and see how he does. If he is better then on wing then you know the problem.

So, this is a prediction and we have no way to validate it. But bookmark it (actually, is there a way to bookmark a post?)

G-Couturier-Laughton will never be the 1-2-3 centers here for more than a half-year experiment. They just won't score enough goals with that trio. Hextall said he wants a dynamic 1-2 punch down the middle. I just don't see that with Couts as number 2.

Again, prediction. We can debate now, but I'll go on the record for future ribbing if I'm wrong.
- TheGreat28

Couturier and Laughton are 21 and 20 right now. Lots of centers don't really find their offensive game till they get older than that. Like our very own Mike Richards.

Hexy needs to build around Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Cooty, Coburn and Mason and purge the rest
- vejim

So. Do you think he is better than Stamkos? Or Crosby? Or Patrick Kane? How bout Toews?
- psuhockey

1. Crosby
2. Toews
3. Stamkos
4. Malkin
5. Tavares
6. Giroux
7. Kopitar
8. Getzlaf
9. Kane
10. Bergeron

I believe they also had Trevor Lewis and Bobby Sanguinetti ranked higher than Giroux but LA and NYR took them, respectively.
- NickTheKid87

G probably would have dropped a bit further if the Flyers didn't grab him @22, too. Some years it's a total crap shoot.

before we run schenn out of town I think we should have him play center, his normal position, and see how he does. If he is better then on wing then you know the problem.
- jmdodgeser4

What is Schenn, some sort of (frank)ing snowflake?

The guy got run on the top line on this team with one of the best passers in the game. Guys would kill for that opportunity.

I think I need a deep breath or an inhaler or something.

Ok it appears i need to edit hextall's to do list... Move fire berube up between 2 and 1
- JoeRussomanno

Well, to be honest...I'm not super impressed. He is constantly tinkering with lines, sometimes playing a guy in 3 or 4 different combinations in a single game. He buries some guys, and ignores the lackluster efforts of others. He doesn't seem to be coaching anyone up.

Too early to make a move yet, but let's see in the 2nd half of the season.

And that is where i am with Schenn. You only get so many chances to make an impression. I would love to see him succeed but I think there are too many games he just doesn't seem engaged. Him and Couturier are supposed to be our building blocks with Giroux. But I feel that Couturier is pushing more and engaging himself. Even when not scoring he is still doing something. If Schenn isn't scoring it seems he really isn't bringing something else.
- J35Bacher

I totally agree. He is their most inconsistent player IMO. If he isn't going to score he needs to be that physical presence along the boards, winning puck battles making him self noticeable when on the ice. I would deal him in a package for D help.

Couturier and Laughton are 21 and 20 right now. Lots of centers don't really find their offensive game till they get older than that. Like our very own Mike Richards.
- Feanor

Richards is still trying to find his offensive game

I agree. He probably should get more time on the top line. I think what was discouraging was that he just didn't seem engaged. I watch Couturier and even if he isn't scoring he is still engaged. Playing physicall. Playing solid d. Killing penalties. I know Schenn has a different skill set but then he needs to be really pushing play offensivlly since he isn't relied on like Couturier is for other parts of the game.
- J35Bacher

I understand you point. And let me clarify my postition, I don't think Schenn is the next coming of Christ, but I do think he has a good skill set. Yes, he does need to be more consisitent. A lot of the issues have to to with him still figuring out how to play wing, how to play against true adults, how to be effective on the boards, ect. I do think he can be an effective player in the NHL, he scored 20 goals as a 22 year old. Not many players have done that.

I think they're doing it because Schenn has real issues at center. Like not being a great passer, or good at faceoffs, and lacking hockey sense.
- Feanor

Vinny's got issues at C too... and Bellemare's not exactly money in the bank as a top-9 player.

I agree more with the stance that it's more a personnel issue (aka the Vinny problem), more than it is about Schenn being better on the wing, or a liability in the middle.

2nd-line, 3rd-line, do those designations even hold any meaning here? Berube's totally BURYING his "2nd-line" in the DZ and sheltering his "3rd-line" from any hard defensive responsibilities.

IMO, it's less a question of usage w/ Schenn, and more a need to put him w/ players that actually can juice the most out of his natural skill set... not pigeonholing/relegating him to a net-front/corner-mucking plug. He's got a terrific shot... they need to find ways to get him more open looks, in a greater variety of shooting areas.
- Tomahawk

Putting him on the first PP in the Hartnell high slot position is a start.

He will excel there I believe.

2nd move would be to have him centering Jake Voracek but we won't see that this year.

I liked his line a lot last night but Bellemare gives up a lot of size vs the Ducks. Even so that was a good game for BSchenn.

He was much more engaged and won a few board battles.
It's a start.

I totally agree. He is their most inconsistent player IMO. If he isn't going to score he needs to be that physical presence along the boards, winning puck battles making him self noticeable when on the ice. I would deal him in a package for D help.
- 3flyerkids

Schenn for all of the defenses.

I wonder who Hexy has up his sleeves if he fires Berube?

I wonder who Hexy has up his sleeves if he fires Berube?
- vejim

Sandy McCarthy

Well, to be honest...I'm not super impressed. He is constantly tinkering with lines, sometimes playing a guy in 3 or 4 different combinations in a single game. He buries some guys, and ignores the lackluster efforts of others. He doesn't seem to be coaching anyone up.

Too early to make a move yet, but let's see in the 2nd half of the season.
- TheGreat28

So tortorella or Babcock?

I understand you point. And let me clarify my postition, I don't think Schenn is the next coming of Christ, but I do think he has a good skill set. Yes, he does need to be more consisitent. A lot of the issues have to to with him still figuring out how to play wing, how to play against true adults, how to be effective on the boards, ect. I do think he can be an effective player in the NHL, he scored 20 goals as a 22 year old. Not many players have done that.
- VladDrag

200+ NHL games at this point.

Can you clarify what his skill set actually consists of?

Putting him on the first PP in the Hartnell high slot position is a start.

He will excel there I believe.

2nd move would be to have him centering Jake Voracek but we won't see that this year.

I liked his line a lot last night but Bellemare gives up a lot of size vs the Ducks. Even so that was a good game for BSchenn.

He was much more engaged and won a few board battles.
It's a start.
- Marc D

Maybe putting him on that top PP unit will help him find some chemistry with G and Jake, and he'll get another shot on the top line.

I wonder who Hexy has up his sleeves if he fires Berube?
- vejim

I think Hexy knows this team is a poop sandwich and frankly, it doesn't matter (yet) who the coach is when you have a roster full of misfit toys.

G probably would have dropped a bit further if the Flyers didn't grab him @22, too. Some years it's a total crap shoot.
- Tomahawk

If it's true that Lewis and Sanguinetti were ranked ahead of Giroux by the Flyers, then we got even more lucky. Giroux has always had talent but getting a player of his caliber at 22nd overall is rare. Crosby, Stamkos, Tavares, Kane and Ovechkin were all taken first, Malkin 2nd, Toews 3rd, Kopitar 11th. Getzlaf and Perry were taken 19th and 28th respectively and Bergeron was selected 45th but these guys, especially Bergeron, are exceptions, not the rule.

Vinny's got issues at C too... and Bellemare's not exactly money in the bank as a top-9 player.

I agree more with the stance that it's more a personnel issue (aka the Vinny problem), more than it is about Schenn being better on the wing, or a liability in the middle.
- Tomahawk

Well that's sad... Let's not try and do what's best for the team so we can stroke the ego of a guy who won a cup in another town.

Putting him on the first PP in the Hartnell high slot position is a start.

He will excel there I believe.

2nd move would be to have him centering Jake Voracek but we won't see that this year.

I liked his line a lot last night but Bellemare gives up a lot of size vs the Ducks. Even so that was a good game for BSchenn.

He was much more engaged and won a few board battles.
It's a start.
- Marc D

Would love to see Simmer w/ G and Jake w/ Schenn.

So tortorella or Babcock?
- JoeRussomanno

God, not Torts. Although maybe this team does need a screamer.

Richards is still trying to find his offensive game
- TheGreat28

He did average 70 points over the four seasons of his prime, though. Age 22-26.

I understand you point. And let me clarify my postition, I don't think Schenn is the next coming of Christ, but I do think he has a good skill set. Yes, he does need to be more consisitent. A lot of the issues have to to with him still figuring out how to play wing, how to play against true adults, how to be effective on the boards, ect. I do think he can be an effective player in the NHL, he scored 20 goals as a 22 year old. Not many players have done that.
- VladDrag

I can agree with that. But effort isn't something you need to adjust to. Sometimes he just doesn't bring it. And I feel it is more times then not. I am not nieve and know it is still early. But I can't keep watching the lack of effort. For as much we pick on Rinaldo you never watch a game and question the effort.