yeah but then he shouldnt make any comments that Couts needs to do more to be offensive....This coach is green and doesnt know how to push guys buttons...THis team isnt playing for him right now...He trashed hartnell on the way out. There was no need for him to do that. Im sure more than a few guys on the team are pissed off.
- PhillaBully

That was before the season and he sees he doesn't have another responsible center to throw out there like Couturier. Also this playing for your coach thing is overrated. Players need to play. They get a pay check. I could care less if they like or hate Berube. I read where players hated Babcocks ways but they seemed to do fine playing for him

I dont think anyone here will be shocked by a lottery pick this year
- vejim

Considering every team not in the playoffs has a lottery pick, no

Only 4 points out of a wildcard spot

There is still time for them to figure this out, and it starts with a big shift from G to start the game...No Lady Byng night for him!

What is your reasoning for this? I feel he has been one of the few forwards gaining the offensive zone, physicall in on the forcheck, and getting to the net. I think having better forwards with skill would help him
- J35Bacher

My reasoning is based in part on both comments from Couturier and Berube. The player himself has said he has to do a better job, and doesn't exude a ton of confidence in the way he's said it.

And yes, he has been able to gain the zone, but hasn't done much afterwards. Some of that is linemates.

Part of the problem for this whole team is they have too many guys who are good at going to the net, steady but not flashy, can knock in the greasy goals. But they don't have guys that create their own offense, that play well without the puck. It's why they are great on the PP but not in 5 on 5.

That is my big worry with both Laughton and Couturier.

It it possible that's just a result of him mainly playing with G and Voracek last night? I see that Raffl, G, Mac and Voracek were the top four in CF% last night.



Bellemare-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Umberger-Jones-Akeson

If Hextall agrees, call up Laughton to replace Jones as 4C.
- Feanor

Raffl was terrible last night. He had multiple chances and didn't bury them and he was guilty of two penalties one of which the Blackhawks converted.

These lines look better than what they put out last night.

That was before the season and he sees he doesn't have another responsible center to throw out there like Couturier. Also this playing for your coach thing is overrated. Players need to play. They get a pay check. I could care less if they like or hate Berube. I read where players hated Babcocks ways but they seemed to do fine playing for him
- J35Bacher

Players can hate and still play but if they dont respect him thats another story...Also players were lining up to play for detroit and babcock, flyers dont have that luxury. Comparing berube to babcock is like comparing the three stooges to einstein.

Yes, it is, but at the same time, the Flyers have to know that this year was going to be a down year and potential non playoff year. Give Berube the mandate that the future trumps the present.
- Jsaquella

Hey, it's a step in the right direction that they actually are concerned about the future. Do you really think Snider is ok with losing though? Let's face it - they're never gonna pull a Hinkie. I think it is - win now AND don't do anything that hurts tomorrow.

That was before the season and he sees he doesn't have another responsible center to throw out there like Couturier. Also this playing for your coach thing is overrated. Players need to play. They get a pay check. I could care less if they like or hate Berube. I read where players hated Babcocks ways but they seemed to do fine playing for him
- J35Bacher

Bowman, Babcock, Hitch, Keenan... their methods had competence and a purpose behind them. Cheap-shotting a guy on his way out the door is a bit different than benching your best player for a period or dressing down an underachiever in front of everybody to stoke a fire.

Hey, it's a step in the right direction that they actually are concerned about the future. Do you really think Snider is ok with losing though? Let's face it - they're never gonna pull a Hinkie. I think it is - win now AND don't do anything that hurts tomorrow.
- TheGreat28

It's possible to be pissed at the losing and also be realistic and recognize that sometimes a step back is needed to take two steps ahead.

The issue isn't a lack of confidence in Couturier's skills, it's the lack of another line Berube can trust to line up against other team's best players.
- Feanor

See, I think it's a combination. Berube is the kind of guy that makes players earn it. We all know he is biased against the skill guys (see, Akeson, J). I think he the message to Couturier is that you have to do more in the O zone and then you'll earn more OZ starts, etc.

Zero offensive zone starts last night. If you're going to do that you may as well trade couturier while he still has value and then you can go out and sign a good veteran defensive center & not give him any O zone starts
- Jsaquella

It's gotten to the point of ridiculousness now -- if you don't want to play Schenn at center, fine. But if you just want to bury Couturier in the defensive zone, I have no idea how he is going to develop the offensive instincts you need to score in that league.

They don't use him like Kopitar or Toews. They use him like Jarret Stoll and Boyd Gordon

CMON Flyers let's get it going This League NEEDS a Good, Fast, Tough, Flyers Team.


- BruinBlood

Oh great....has it gotten so bad that we're getting sympathizers in here now? Then again, Boston isn't exactly tearing it up either. So misery does love company.

That "game" was painful to watch last night. I really didn't expect much from the Flyers this year, but I did expect them to compete! Snider must be rolling over in his grave n.... err.

See, I think it's a combination. Berube is the kind of guy that makes players earn it. We all know he is biased against the skill guys (see, Akeson, J). I think he the message to Couturier is that you have to do more in the O zone and then you'll earn more OZ starts, etc.
- TheGreat28

If Berube's that dense, then the pink slip he gets will shock only him

It's possible to be pissed at the losing and also be realistic and recognize that sometimes a step back is needed to take two steps ahead.
- Jsaquella

Hey from your lips....

Like I said a few posts ago. Long term this team would be better drafting high enough to get Dylan Strome or one of the other top-10 centers, or a dynamic winger like Daniel Sprong.

I know you want a Bergeron clone for the 2nd line, but I would love to see a G-Strome-Couts down the middle 2 years from now.

Hey from your lips....

Like I said a few posts ago. Long term this team would be better drafting high enough to get Dylan Strome or one of the other top-10 centers, or a dynamic winger like Daniel Sprong.

I know you want a Bergeron clone for the 2nd line, but I would love to see a G-Strome-Couts down the middle 2 years from now.
- TheGreat28

I'd be ecstatic with Strome. Hoo Boy. That kid is a load down the middle

Wow 100 comments in an hour

So the blue jackets want a top 6 winger. Seems like they want to really take a run this year. Can we move Schenn for maybe a prospect and pick. They have Milano, Rychel, Dansk, D'Amingo, Bjorkstrand.

See, I think it's a combination. Berube is the kind of guy that makes players earn it. We all know he is biased against the skill guys (see, Akeson, J). I think he the message to Couturier is that you have to do more in the O zone and then you'll earn more OZ starts, etc.
- TheGreat28

I don't think he's biased against skill guys considering the four of the six players with the most ice time on the team are Giroux, Streit, Voracek, and MDZ.

I think you are being a little easy on Giroux. What exactly has he done at even strength. I don't think they should trade him by any means, but he needs to play better 5 on 5. Right now Voracek is carrying the first line.
- ManCity

I was gonna go on a little tirade about G being overrated, but why bother. He's a great player, but I don't think he's what we expect. Giving him the "C" was a mistake. I'm in favor of the three "A" system. I don't see why there really has to be a captain anyway....as long as you have a few players that take the reigns when things get ugly, that's all I want. Some people can handle the "C" pressure, others can't.

Hey, good write up, but Hornqvist has 8 points in 4 games, not 6

So the blue jackets want a top 6 winger. Seems like they want to really take a run this year. Can we move Schenn for maybe a prospect and pick. They have Milano, Rychel, Dansk, D'Amingo, Bjorkstrand.
- J35Bacher

I'd do it for Rychel and a first

I was gonna go on a little tirade about G being overrated, but why bother. He's a great player, but I don't think he's what we expect. Giving him the "C" was a mistake. I'm in favor of the three "A" system. I don't see why there really has to be a captain anyway....as long as you have a few players that take the reigns when things get ugly, that's all I want. Some people can handle the "C" pressure, others can't.
- Fast_Eddie_1

Yeah, I'm gonna change my name to TheVeryGood28

So the blue jackets want a top 6 winger. Seems like they want to really take a run this year. Can we move Schenn for maybe a prospect and pick. They have Milano, Rychel, Dansk, D'Amingo, Bjorkstrand.
- J35Bacher

I don't think they're in win now mode. More likely coming to terms with the fact Horton may very well never suit up again. They dont have much I see them parting with that interests me tbh.

Daily Akseon rant:

Akeson was second only to Giroux in 5v5 production (per 60 mins) during the playoffs (when he played with linemates that had some modicum of talent) last season.

The fourth line wasn't scored upon and generated more shots before Akeson was benched.

Vandelvelde and Jones made ugly turovers lastnight that resulted in rushes the other way, with Jones's resulting in a goal against.

According to Berube "Akeson needs to Jason Akeson to play a "simple game" and not be so turnover-prone" (Akeson had one turnover all season). So, can we expect a benching for Jones and Vandevelde now that they made more egregious turnovers? Somehow I think they'll avoid the axe of irrational Berube logic.

I don't think he's biased against skill guys considering the four of the six players with the most ice time on the team are Giroux, Streit, Voracek, and MDZ.
- aflyerpower8

1st line and PP time. Clueless on why so much MDZ.