Berube has other options who can take on some of the defensive burden that Couturier has to carry, he just refuses to spread the load. It's as simple as that. There's no reason other than coaching decisions that see Couturier getting so much of the burden.

Even if guys like Bellemare and Umberger are not exactly suited to be shut down guys, part of the reason they were acquired-both implied and stated-was that they are good two way players.

The line designation poop is just getting old.
- Jsaquella

It's a good thing we snatched up Berube when we did otherwise he'd probably be coaching in Winnepeg.

Because the rest of the team is doing so well 5 on 5.. Not saying him being gone is our problem (obviously) but who on this team are you confident in winning a draw when you need it?
- Trainfellow

Couturier and Giroux.

It's a good thing we snatched up Berube when we did otherwise he'd probably be coaching in Winnepeg.
- mayorofangrytown

Nah, they snagged Pal Maurice.

Nah, they snagged Pal Maurice.
- Jsaquella

He makes them cry in the room. Chief just makes the guys laugh.

Berube has other options who can take on some of the defensive burden that Couturier has to carry, he just refuses to spread the load. It's as simple as that. There's no reason other than coaching decisions that see Couturier getting so much of the burden.

Even if guys like Bellemare and Umberger are not exactly suited to be shut down guys, part of the reason they were acquired-both implied and stated-was that they are good two way players.

The line designation poop is just getting old.
- Jsaquella

He does not have any other legitimate options. He does not have a shut down top defensive pairing. And all of his lines but one, are suspect defensively. The team has been a mess overall defensively as a team. And the Coach gets criticized for using his one legitimate elite defensive player, is a defensive role.
What's getting old is the bogus criticism directed at a Coach who has little other option but to use Couturier the way he is.

Nah.

The Arcade Comedy Theater in downtown Pittsburgh is sold out so they decided the next best thing...
- 77rams

Is this the MOAT Float's next destination?
- PhillySportsGuy

All the way out Packer Ave to the Philadium.

He makes them cry in the room. Chief just makes the guys laugh.
- Tomahawk

Maybe he's telling them to play poopty defense. I know he tells the media one thing and does another, so maybe he is telling them to be undisciplined and to blow coverages.

it's a bold strategy

He makes them cry in the room. Chief just makes the guys laugh.
- Tomahawk

Tonight's gonna be really challenging. Hope the boys found some energy, because getting strafed tonight won't do anybody any favors who wants to be part of the solution

Nah, they snagged Pal Maurice.
- Jsaquella

But you know they wanted Chief. That's why we had to make the move before he was gone and we had to hire Dave Brown.

oooh or Riley Cote.

Tonight's gonna be really challenging. Hope the boys found some energy, because getting strafed tonight won't do anybody any favors who wants to be part of the solution
- AllInForFlyers

They're going to be fired up tonight. First it's the Penguins, and even during last year's poor start they had fire and were "up" for the Pens.

Second, if they have any pride or chance to turn things around, they'll be pissed off about last night. It's good that they're right back at it.

Maybe he's telling them to play poopty defense. I know he tells the media one thing and does another, so maybe he is telling them to be undisciplined and to blow coverages.

it's a bold strategy
- Jsaquella

Man, there's not enough beer to get me through these games.

Maybe he's telling them to play poopty defense. I know he tells the media one thing and does another, so maybe he is telling them to be undisciplined and to blow coverages.

it's a bold strategy
- Jsaquella

Man, there's not enough beer to get me through these games.
- mayorofangrytown

Sure there is. You just have to be less picky and drink Natty Ice

They're going to be fired up tonight. First it's the Penguins, and even during last year's poor start they had fire and were "up" for the Pens.

Second, if they have any pride or chance to turn things around, they'll be pissed off about last night. It's good that they're right back at it.
- Jsaquella

Do you seriously see any team wide fight in this squad. You could turn a bag full of them inside out and shake it once and only a handful of guys would be hanging on and two of them would be goaltenders.

He does not have any other legitimate options. He does not have a shut down top defensive pairing. And all of his lines but one, are suspect defensively. The team has been a mess overall defensively as a team. And the Coach gets criticized for using his one legitimate elite defensive player, is a defensive role.
What's getting old is the bogus criticism directed at a Coach who has little other option but to use Couturier the way he is.
- MJL

It's not old if it's a valid concern -- and it is a valid concern. Berube has two jobs: winning hockey games and fully developing the young players on this roster. He has to find ways to do both.

It's garbage that just because Couturier plays the best defense of,the forwards at 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old, he doesn't get the opportunity to grow his total game just because older players can't win a (frank)ing faceoff or figure out how to kill a penalty.

The Flyers need Couturier to be more than he is. That is beyond debate. And if he can't get there because the coach can't see how to get him there, then maybe another coach can and would.

Sure there is. You just have to be less picky and drink Natty Ice
- Jsaquella

Keystone light's camouflage cans... for when you're drinking and driving and need the cans to disappear along the road side.

Do you seriously see any team wide fight in this squad. You could turn a bag full of them inside out and shake it once and only a handful of guys would be hanging on and two of them would be goaltenders.
- mayorofangrytown

That's the biggest problem right now with this team.

It's not old if it's a valid concern -- and it is a valid concern. Berube has two jobs: winning hockey games and fully developing the young players on this roster. He has to find ways to do both.

It's garbage that just because Couturier plays the best defense of,the forwards at 18, 19, 20 and 21 years old, he doesn't get the opportunity to grow his total game just because older players can't win a (frank)ing faceoff or figure out how to kill a penalty.

The Flyers need Couturier to be more than he is. That is beyond debate. And if he can't get there because the coach can't see how to get him there, then maybe another coach can and would.
- AllInForFlyers

I question your "beyond debate" statement.

I also question why it didn't make the HB server crash.

Keystone light's camouflage cans... for when you're drinking and driving and need the cans to disappear along the road side.
- mayorofangrytown

If you're pounding Keystone Lights I need to get off the MoAT FLoAT.

I question your "beyond debate" statement.

I also question why it didn't make the HB server crash.
- mayorofangrytown

If there is anything repeatedly proven on HB it is that nothing is ever "beyond debate."


It didn't make the server crash because the server has an enormous capacity to absorb BS.

I question your "beyond debate" statement.

I also question why it didn't make the HB server crash.
- mayorofangrytown

Ha! Just tired of hearing how the Flyers have done right by giving Couturier some of the pooptiest responsibilities I have ever seen a top 10 pick get.

well, we can't do any worse than we did last night.
- FlyerGuy

Are you sure?

If you're pounding Keystone Lights I need to get off the MoAT FLoAT.
- Jsaquella

I only buy those for the in-laws. There's a separate fridge for the real beer.

#Pens have won six straight games with ref Wes McCauley working: http://t.co/stGl0WJ6Nx #PIT #Penguins #PHI #Flyers