I actually really like playing with 7 dmen and I think it's a great way to better utilize our average depth while masking our lack of top end talent. Flyers dmen TOI last game:

Coburn-------21:14
Streit---------20:39
MacDonald---20:11
Del Zotto-----19:02
Schenn-------16:20
Grossmann---15:52
Schultz--------15:14

It lets everyone keep their minutes down.
- JAKEw1234

It works pretty well for the D but the forwards were gassed.

This is not exactly relevant but it was bizarre. I think Couts and Simmonds were stuck on the ice for nearly half the OT on one shift.

I also kinda like it, expect that it means the pairs can't get used to playing with each other regularly cause they keep changing. And I think it would be especially tough for guys like Streit and MacDonald who were switching from the left side to the right side on a shift to shift basis.
- Feanor

If it was a long term thing, I think an established group of 3 Dmen could be penciled out and those 3 would all become accustomed to playing with each other just as a pair becomes accustomed to each other.

It works pretty well for the D but the forwards were gassed.

This is not exactly relevant but it was bizarre. I think Couts and Simmonds were stuck on the ice for nearly half the OT on one shift.
- Marc D

It is terrible for this group.

They are a team that routinely chase play. Defense is already a position where there is much less skating. Having one less forward (and the potential of losing another like last game) can be crippling to a team.

No complaints.
- Tomahawk

the Titanic deck chairs have been properly arranged

I agree with you. Minimize the suckage. Have VL center Umberger and Rinaldo and play them 5 minutes. They could be called the Rindenburg line.
- PLindbergh31

Why, is Poop line taken?

So everyone roll this around their head.....

JVR was traded for a player who has been surpassed on the depth chart by Nick Schultz.

Let that sink in.

Why, is Poop line taken?
- BiggE

Rindenburg a play on Rinaldo, and Umberger.... And it's a total disaster like the Hindenburg.

So everyone roll this around their head.....

JVR was traded for a player who has been surpassed on the depth chart by Nick Schultz.

Let that sink in.
- PLindbergh31

Are you trying to ruin my day?

So everyone roll this around their head.....

JVR was traded for a player who has been surpassed on the depth chart by Nick Schultz.

Let that sink in.
- PLindbergh31

hindsight is 20 20

Rindenburg a play on Rinaldo, and Umberger.... And it's a total disaster like the Hindenburg.
- PLindbergh31

Actually having them all spontaneously blow up would be a good thing!

Actually having them all spontaneously blow up would be a good thing!
- BiggE

It works pretty well for the D but the forwards were gassed.

This is not exactly relevant but it was bizarre. I think Couts and Simmonds were stuck on the ice for nearly half the OT on one shift.
- Marc D

I don't think it has to be that way. If it's done right then no one should really have to pick up more than a minute or a minute and a half of ice time because of that.

So everyone roll this around their head.....

JVR was traded for a player who has been surpassed on the depth chart by Nick Schultz.

Let that sink in.
- PLindbergh31

Fire Holmgren

It is terrible for this group.

They are a team that routinely chase play. Defense is already a position where there is much less skating. Having one less forward (and the potential of losing another like last game) can be crippling to a team.
- jak521

When you factor in the contributions of Umberger and VLC, they're already playing with 10 forwards at best

Are you trying to ruin my day?
- BiggE

Well,
Think about this...

Detroit gets last change tonight.
They can match Nyquist, Tatar, Zetterberg etc against VLC and Umby anytime they want. Should be fun. Have enough Macallan?

So everyone roll this around their head.....

JVR was traded for a player who has been surpassed on the depth chart by Nick Schultz.

Let that sink in.
- PLindbergh31

It works pretty well for the D but the forwards were gassed.

This is not exactly relevant but it was bizarre. I think Couts and Simmonds were stuck on the ice for nearly half the OT on one shift.
- Marc D

MacDonald had a shift of 2:52 in the 2nd period when the forwards kept blowing chances to get the puck deep.

So is VL.
- PLindbergh31

His contract is a bit more favorable.

His contract is a bit more favorable.
- PhillySportsGuy

Isn't his contract longer than Umbergers?

Well,
Think about this...

Detroit gets last change tonight.
They can match Nyquist, Tatar, Zetterberg etc against VLC and Umby anytime they want. Should be fun. Have enough Macallan?
- Marc D

One reason why they're 2-6-1 on the road so far.

Well,
Think about this...

Detroit gets last change tonight.
They can match Nyquist, Tatar, Zetterberg etc against VLC and Umby anytime they want. Should be fun. Have enough Macallan?
- Marc D

The scotch will flow tonight!

Raffl back is huge. I can't wait to see the Raffl/Laughton/Simmonds line. These guys should be able to generate chances.

As far as the defense goes, my current thoughts are:

1-Coburn- Keep him, I still think he is their #1 defensemen, even as poorly as he has played since returning from the injury
2-Del Zotto- Keep him not only for this year but beyond. He and Streit are the only ones to provide consistent offense from the back end.
3-Streit- The only real veteran presence on defense who has some skill. He is key on the PP.
4-McDonald- He's steady and can eat some minutes. He's worth keeping around, basically because he does contribute and there is no way they could move his salary.
5-Grossman- He's needed because he's physical imposing like no one else on defense.
6-Schultz- He's exceeded expectations, but the bar was really low.
7-Schenn- Such a disappointment. He struggles to be a positive contributor on the team. This should be a reminder that trading for need usually makes for a bad deal.

The scotch will flow tonight!
- BiggE

I am going to choose between the Macallan 18 and my Chivas Regal 18 .

The scotch will flow tonight!
- BiggE

The scotch will flow tonight!
- BiggE

as the band plays and the ship slowly sinks