Whose expectations is that? Because everything I've heard the team say, and more importantly, their actions is that he is a 3rd line shutdown center. Yes, they would like him to generate more offense. But they've never called him a 2nd line center. And more importantly, when they talk about Vinnie they talk about the "2nd line".
- TheGreat28

They have said they want more offense from him, and play him more minutes than anyone than Giroux. Yet they bury him with such a heavy defense load it's ridiculous

Step 1: Reverse time, keep healthy Pronger

Step 2: VL, L. Schenn and 3 1sts for Shea Weber (works in NHL 14)

Step 3: Develop miracles, heal Timonen

Step 4: Trade Rinaldo for Jagr (works in NHL 14)

Step 5: Reverse time, undo Hartnell trade

Step 5: Amac for Pulock (works in NHL 14)

Step 6: Win Stanley Cup, going 81-0-1.
- jmatchett383

Email this to Hextall ASAP

It could be worse. We could be Pittsburgh, where the noteworthy local cuisine includes sandwiches topped with french fries, and salads topped with french fries.
- BulliesPhan87

One of the best sandwiches I ever had was a lamb Gyro with fries inside the wrap.

But I put potato chips in my sandwiches too so I am weird.

Step 1: Reverse time, keep healthy Pronger

Step 2: VL, L. Schenn and 3 1sts for Shea Weber (works in NHL 14)

Step 3: Develop miracles, heal Timonen

Step 4: Trade Rinaldo for Jagr (works in NHL 14)

Step 5: Reverse time, undo Hartnell trade

Step 5: Amac for Pulock (works in NHL 14)

Step 6: Win Stanley Cup, going 81-0-1.
- jmatchett383

Shootout loss

Whose expectations is that? Because everything I've heard the team say, and more importantly, their actions is that he is a 3rd line shutdown center. Yes, they would like him to generate more offense. But they've never called him a 2nd line center. And more importantly, when they talk about Vinnie they talk about the "2nd line".
- TheGreat28

Before the season started, they were talking about him producing more and had him projected to play on the 2nd line. Some fans seem to be expecting him to be a scorer like he was in Juniors too. So far he's not getting much of any kind of opportunity to produce offensively, save for on the power play. For his own development, he should be given some more chances in the offensive zone. Laughton currently projects to be a shutdown third line center with less offensive ability which means Couturier slides up to 2nd line eventually. So far they have not given him a legitimate chance in his career to be a point producer, yet many still rail him for not producing points.

I know. I felt guilty one time for ridiculing her for doing it. It was on sale for like $1.50. For her birthday, I'm going to surprise her with 14 of them as a gift.
- PhillySportsGuy

Just make them into an edible arrangement... I'm sure she'd appreciate the effort.

They have said they want more offense from him, and play him more minutes than anyone than Giroux. Yet they bury him with such a heavy defense load it's ridiculous
- Jsaquella

I feel like Bergeron doesn't even go through this because the Bruins have 4 strong lines. (Or had 4 strong lines last year)

Just make them into an edible arrangement... I'm sure she'd appreciate the effort.
- Tomahawk

YES

One of the best sandwiches I ever had was a lamb Gyro with fries inside the wrap.

But I put potato chips in my sandwiches too so I am weird.
- Marc D

As long as you're not deluding yourself by calling it regionally defining cuisine, I will allow this.

Raffl shouldn't be on the top line, but he isn't the problem, not by a long shot.

It's interesting that even with VLC out, Schenn hasn't been moved back to center but rather Bellemare has been moved up to the middle. Not sure what else to read into that other than Schenn isn't getting it done.

Why Couts before Simmonds in the skills competition?
- wolfhounds

Berube said he wants Schenn to stick to the wing and get used to it more so he didn't want to shift him back to center.

IMO, here's where the current Flyers would fit on a championship caliber team's roster:
Giroux: 1st line center
Voracek: 1st line RW
Simmonds: 2nd line RW
Couturier: 3rd line C
Read: 3rd line RW
Raffl: 4th line winger
B. Schenn: 4th line center or winger (there's no way he's playing in the top 6 or the shutdown line of a contender at this point in his career)
Bellemare: 13th forward
Umberger: nowhere
Rinaldo: 14th forward
Akeson: nowhere
Jones: nowhere
VLC: 4th line C and pp specialist.

Coburn: 2/3 dman
AMac: 4/5 dman
Streit: 3rd pair pp specialist
Grossmann: 3rd pair pk specialist
L Schenn: 6/7 dman
MDZ: 7/8 dman
Schultz: Nowhere

Mason: Starting goalie, goaltending is not the problem.
Emery: back up

Lots of holes to fill before this team contends

I feel like Bergeron doesn't even go through this because the Bruins have 4 strong lines. (Or had 4 strong lines last year)
- PhillySportsGuy

Plus they have defenders who can move the puck up the ice.

Before the season started, they were talking about him producing more and had him projected to play on the 2nd line. Some fans seem to be expecting him to be a scorer like he was in Juniors too. So far he's not getting much of any kind of opportunity to produce offensively, save for on the power play. For his own development, he should be given some more chances in the offensive zone. Laughton currently projects to be a shutdown third line center with less offensive ability which means Couturier slides up to 2nd line eventually. So far they have not given him a legitimate chance in his career to be a point producer, yet many still rail him for not producing points.
- NickTheKid87

Couts just doesnt create anything when the puck is on his stick.... How many games should we lose trying to accomodate him?

I know. I felt guilty one time for ridiculing her for doing it. It was on sale for like $1.50. For her birthday, I'm going to surprise her with 14 of them as a gift.
- PhillySportsGuy

Are we really talking draft in October?
- JoeRussomanno

eh same thing as last year. there was talk of the draft all throughout October into Nov

Plus they have defenders who can move the puck up the ice.
- NickTheKid87

I think I've heard about those...

Couts just doesnt create anything when the puck is on his stick.... How many games should we lose trying to accomodate him?
- GOA88

1. There's no reason to believe this will be a mistake and 2. who cares if the lose some games. The team is average at best right now and it would be in the team's best interest to develop their young players in a way that may have them reach their full potential.

IMO, here's where the current Flyers would fit on a championship caliber team's roster:
Giroux: 1st line center
Voracek: 1st line RW
Simmonds: 2nd line RW
Couturier: 3rd line C
Read: 3rd line RW
Raffl: 4th line winger
B. Schenn: 4th line center or winger (there's no way he's playing in the top 6 or the shutdown line of a contender at this point in his career)
Bellemare: 13th forward
Umberger: nowhere
Rinaldo: 14th forward
Akeson: nowhere
Jones: nowhere
VLC: 4th line C and pp specialist.

Coburn: 2/3 dman
AMac: 4/5 dman
Streit: 3rd pair pp specialist
Grossmann: 3rd pair pk specialist
L Schenn: 6/7 dman
MDZ: 7/8 dman
Schultz: Nowhere

Mason: Starting goalie, goaltending is not the problem.
Emery: back up

Lots of holes to fill before this team contends
- BiggE

How dare you call AMac a 4/5 defenseman. That's basically saying he's 3rd pair, and he's not, he's a very good 2nd pair defender. Or are you saying the Flyers just like to sign bad players? AMac for Mayor!

They have said they want more offense from him, and play him more minutes than anyone than Giroux. Yet they bury him with such a heavy defense load it's ridiculous
- Jsaquella

In the future (hopefully) they will have a line with Laughton at C to share the heavy D assignments with Couts.

The coach doesn't have many options other then #14 right now.

I would like to see him get more O zone starts. It seems they are trying to run the 2nd PP with Couts quarterbacking it from the half wall so that is something to get him more looks on offense.

Is this a joke post? Giroux is the highest scoring player in the league this decade.

He also beat 1st overall Crosby and 2nd overall Malkin in a playoff series.
- Feanor

I wanted to stop reading the thread when I read the post you are commenting on.

On what planet is Claude Giroux the (frank)ing problem with this team? He had two assists last night on three goals scored and was the only scorer in the shootout -- what the (frank) else do people want him to do? Seriously? What the (frank) else.do people want him to do?

I think I've heard about those...
- aflyerpower8

Big Foot, El Chupacabra, Loch Ness Monster, Pucking Moving Defensemen. Urban legends, all.

1. There's no reason to believe this will be a mistake and 2. who cares if the lose some games. The team is average at best right now and it would be in the team's best interest to develop their young players in a way that may have them reach their full potential.
- NickTheKid87

In my eyes the only player that can help Couts is Voracek. Simmonds didnt work out.... Now you have Giroux playing with who? Simmonds and Giroux dont seem to have chemistry other than on the PP. IDK. Maybe try it out. Im open to it.

Plus they have defenders who can move the puck up the ice.
- NickTheKid87

including the most intimidating creature on Earth

Big Foot, El Chupacabra, Loch Ness Monster, Pucking Moving Defensemen. Urban legends, all.
- NickTheKid87

I knew it sounded too good to be true

They have said they want more offense from him, and play him more minutes than anyone than Giroux. Yet they bury him with such a heavy defense load it's ridiculous
- Jsaquella

Yes, but are they playing him more minutes because of Berube's coaching style? I mean, Berube values preventing goals and particularly shutting down the other team's 1st line. The Flyers have very obvious scoring problems 5-5. So that makes preventing 5-5 goals more important. Then try to score a goal or two on the PP to win it.