Agreed. But I think he could be a 20-25 goal scorer with 50-60 points.

Even this season, they gave him Simmonds and that was over after two games. The usage didn't change a bit. I was hoping Laughton would stick and take some of that burden. I think that the Giroux line could take a bit of that too.
- Jsaquella

VLC gums up the works too since he can't play wing

Agreed. But I think he could be a 20-25 goal scorer with 50-60 points.

Even this season, they gave him Simmonds and that was over after two games. The usage didn't change a bit. I was hoping Laughton would stick and take some of that burden. I think that the Giroux line could take a bit of that too.
- Jsaquella

The sudden line switch up does seem silly. Also feels like a step back.

One thing's for certain: Sportsnet's production values have increased significantly now that they have the Canadian broadcast contract

A few years ago, it looked like their broadcasts were being generated in the Stone Age

if youre putting simmonds on the line with coots, you need to change the usage rates, if only because i think that is a poor use of simmonds. i want simmonds as close to the opposing net as much as possible, and having him out there starting in his own zone (coots or not) just doesnt seem smart to me.
- stayinthefnnet

It's awful usage of Simmonds. I get that Couturier is a nice crutch for a coach to lean on, but you keep that kid buried like that he's never going to reach his full potential.

Simmonds is showing improvement in his all around game, as well. He seems more at ease carrying the puck and creating plays away from the net than he has in the past.

VLC gums up the works too since he can't play wing
- JoeRussomanno

That and Berube's insistence that Vinny get a larger role in the offense. When he played line Yahtzee, it was an immediate reunion of the line with Schenn, Vinny and Simmonds, which was awful at ES last year.

The sudden line switch up does seem silly. Also feels like a step back.
- SuperSchennBros

Also feeds the Brayden Schenn rumors. Kid got 5 periods with the top line. That's not a real shot. Makes people question how much they value him as an organization

That said, since the NJ game, Schenn's game has gotten better. He's a lot more active and making things happen.

It's awful usage of Simmonds. I get that Couturier is a nice crutch for a coach to lean on, but you keep that kid buried like that he's never going to reach his full potential.

Simmonds is showing improvement in his all around game, as well. He seems more at ease carrying the puck and creating plays away from the net than he has in the past.
- Jsaquella

I was bummed out Wayne Simmonds didn't register at least one point in that Dallas free for all. He looks determined for a career season.

It's awful usage of Simmonds. I get that Couturier is a nice crutch for a coach to lean on, but you keep that kid buried like that he's never going to reach his full potential.

Simmonds is showing improvement in his all around game, as well. He seems more at ease carrying the puck and creating plays away from the net than he has in the past.
- Jsaquella

yeah. i dont think the 200 foot game will ever cause simmonds to be confused for kopitar, but he doesnt seem as out of place. he is a good example of showing that even with a lack of speed and defensive acumen, sheer effort can still go a long way.

and then you have his strengths. ugh. i covet him badly.

Also feeds the Brayden Schenn rumors. Kid got 5 periods with the top line. That's not a real shot. Makes people question how much they value him as an organization

That said, since the NJ game, Schenn's game has gotten better. He's a lot more active and making things happen.
- Jsaquella

I'm glad someone said this before I did. Schenn I felt was very good against Dallas and Anaheim.

I feel pretty comfortable saying this: The floodgates are open

That and Berube's insistence that Vinny get a larger role in the offense. When he played line Yahtzee, it was an immediate reunion of the line with Schenn, Vinny and Simmonds, which was awful at ES last year.
- Jsaquella

I swear some of the logic that is applied by the coaching and upper management at times is frustrating to say the least.

yeah. i dont think the 200 foot game will ever cause simmonds to be confused for kopitar, but he doesnt seem as out of place. he is a good example of showing that even with a lack of speed and defensive acumen, sheer effort can still go a long way.

and then you have his strengths. ugh. i covet him badly.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, he busts his ass and he makes things happen out there. He's a lot of fun to watch. If he can reduce his streakiness-in production, not in effort or level of play-he could be a monster.

I'm glad someone said this before I did. Schenn I felt was very good against Dallas and Anaheim.
- SuperSchennBros

Berube was right about him keeping his feet moving. Maybe he doesn't get the wake up call if he didn't get dropped off the top line. I'd have liked to see him get more time there.

yeah. i dont think the 200 foot game will ever cause simmonds to be confused for kopitar, but he doesnt seem as out of place. he is a good example of showing that even with a lack of speed and defensive acumen, sheer effort can still go a long way.

and then you have his strengths. ugh. i covet him badly.
- stayinthefnnet

while simmer doesn't have high top end speed he has very underrated accelaration.

And wrong. Schenn has 45 points in 40 games with the Phantoms. Also had 7 points in 7 games with Manchester, while with LA.
- Jsaquella

That I was off by a few points in his AHL totals hardly changes the point that he was not average in the AHL, now does it?

while simmer doesn't have high top end speed he has very underrated accelaration.
- moylander

and he is always moving. good things happen in hockey when you keep the skates going, and crash the net.

Laughton should absolutely be here now. No argument there. I'm guessing they'd rather have him learning in the AHL than getting buried up here if/when Berube gets scrambly
- Jsaquella

I seriously doubt that the Flyers brass considers that their NHL head coach might get "scrambly" as part of the equation of where to assign Laughton. That's a fan invention.

The sudden line switch up does seem silly. Also feels like a step back.
- SuperSchennBros

It's not really silly. With the Flyers right now a mess in defensive coverage in parts of games, the best deployment of players that gives the Flyers the best chance to win, is to use Couturier in a high amount of D zone starts.

That and Berube's insistence that Vinny get a larger role in the offense. When he played line Yahtzee, it was an immediate reunion of the line with Schenn, Vinny and Simmonds, which was awful at ES last year.
- Jsaquella

It's a smart move by a Coach to get a player with Lecavalier's offensive ability a larger role in the offense. That line last year played with an injured and less then 100% Lecavalier playing out of position. I'd have no problem with trying that line again, and see what happens. Lecavalier healthy and playing well, along with Schenn becoming better at LW, and it could be a strong line.

Taylor Hall makes it 2-1 on a penalty shot.

has crosby's halloween costume been discussed in here yet?

It's a smart move by a Coach to get a player with Lecavalier's offensive ability a larger role in the offense. That line last year played with an injured and less then 100% Lecavalier playing out of position. I'd have no problem with trying that line again, and see what happens. Lecavalier healthy and playing well, along with Schenn becoming better at LW, and it could be a strong line.
- MJL

All valid points but Lecavalier, Simmonds and Schenn regardless of what forward position they play are below average defensively. I agree the line could only improve if Lecavalier and Schenn are not flip flopped between the two of them at center. The line was more then capable of creating offense last season, even with their shortcomings but I still worry about the trio because they are without a playmaker.

has crosby's halloween costume been discussed in here yet?
- Crimsoninja

I'm surprised this might be discussed before what sexuality he might be. It was big news when Gretzky got married. So far I've already seen Sid turn down a married proposal in Calgary and he's never spotted on dates. Until this costume business I assumed he was a robot built to strictly only play hockey.

All valid points but Lecavalier, Simmonds and Schenn regardless of what forward position they play are below average defensively. I agree the line could only improve if Lecavalier and Schenn are not flip flopped between the two of them at center. The line was more then capable of creating offense last season, even with their shortcomings but I still worry about the trio because they are without a playmaker.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree, that line really lacks a playmaker. Both Simmonds and Schenn are players that go to the net, and work the corners. And Lecavalier is a shooter. But regardless of how the lines are formed, there is going to be some issues on paper. I'd personally prefer Schenn to be reunited on the top line. But I also don't have a problem giving that line a shot when Lecavalier returns.

I'm surprised this might be discussed before what sexuality he might be. It was big news when Gretzky got married. So far I've already seen Sid turn down a married proposal in Calgary and he's never spotted on dates. Until this costume business I assumed he was a robot built to strictly only play hockey.
- SuperSchennBros

so him being Rocky was talked about in here? just checking