Would you really call them our 2nd line at this point? On paper I would certainly think that 10-49-17 has more offensive firepower than 18-14-24. Schenn is obviously better than Umberger in the offensive zone. I would say 49/14 are a wash in the offensive zone and give the edge to Cooters in the defensive zone. I'd take Simmonds over Read in the offensive zone and vice versa in the defensive zone.

I understand we want to give Couturier the opportunity to flourish offensively, but someone has to be taking defensive zone draws. Do you really want to take offensive zone time away from G/Voracek? You certainly don't want our 4th line taking the majority of D zone draws. As it stands right now - 18-14-24 is better served for D zone starts than 10-49-17.

If you want Laughton taking more D zone draws, swap Schenn back to the first line and put Raffl on Laughton's LW. Then you all can start arguing on how Laughton isn't producing and is becoming a product of his usage.
- kcm57

I would move Umberger to the 4th line and move PEB up. My point is that they should use a little more balance on the defensive zone faceoffs. Couts ratio is one of the lowest in the league among all non-4th liners.

I feel the team should supply more balance and just see how things play out. Use this season as more a developmental season. Schenn and Simmonds could use some practice on defense as well. Schenn was a good two way player in Juniors. He should be able to supply more defense than he has.

Never mind
- PhillySportsGuy

He has 3.5 seasons left on the deal though. How do they expect to resolve this?
- PhillySportsGuy

Buyout I guess, or trade if they can find a taker and he's willing to go to that team

I would move Umberger to the 4th line and move PEB up. My point is that they should use a little more balance on the defensive zone faceoffs. Couts ratio is one of the lowest in the league among all non-4th liners.

I feel the team should supply more balance and just see how things play out. Use this season as more a developmental season. Schenn and Simmonds could use some practice on defense as well. Schenn was a good two way player in Juniors. He should be able to supply more defense than he has.
- PhillySportsGuy

I definitely agree with you that Umberger shouldn't be seeing even remotely the same ice time as PEB. PEB with Coots and Read has the potential to be a relatively quick line that can apply some consistant offensive pressure and be stellar in the defensive zone. I'd just really worry about 36-76-18

I agree with Schenn as well - You certainly don't want to hide him from D zone draws. I just think with how he's starting to turn a corner that he's better served on offense. While you do want balance down the line up - you also want to be able to effectively maximize each player's/line's strengths.

Mutual willingness to terminate the contract, I think. I don't think Umberger or VLC are willing to forfeit millions of dollars.
- BulliesPhan87

What if they were offered perhaps one year of FREE comcast subscriptions?

I definitely agree with you that Umberger shouldn't be seeing even remotely the same ice time as PEB. PEB with Coots and Read has the potential to be a relatively quick line that can apply some consistant offensive pressure and be stellar in the defensive zone. I'd just really worry about 36-76-18

I agree with Schenn as well - You certainly don't want to hide him from D zone draws. I just think with how he's starting to turn a corner that he's better served on offense. While you do want balance down the line up - you also want to be able to effectively maximize each player's/line's strengths.
- kcm57

I'm not saying berube should drastically reduce Couts dzone starts. He's their most effective defensive forward. I just think throwing him a few more opportunities per game would go a long way. He scored yesterday off of an offensive zone start.

- Jsaquella

I really tried this time. I really did

What if they were offered perhaps one year of FREE comcast subscriptions?
- Trainfellow

We are prepared to offer you all the free coffee you want in any of our stores throughout North America plus...

I'LL TAKE IT !

Never mind
- PhillySportsGuy

Feel free to join our club

Is Vinny actually hurt or do we call BS?

I would move Umberger to the 4th line and move PEB up. My point is that they should use a little more balance on the defensive zone faceoffs. Couts ratio is one of the lowest in the league among all non-4th liners.

I feel the team should supply more balance and just see how things play out. Use this season as more a developmental season. Schenn and Simmonds could use some practice on defense as well. Schenn was a good two way player in Juniors. He should be able to supply more defense than he has.
- PhillySportsGuy

They should. Laughton and Schenn were very good two way players in juniors and there's no reason the Flyers shouldn't be able to more even distribute the defensive zone lifting to help benefit Couturier's offensive game.

Nobody is saying to shift the entire burden that Giroux and Couturier carry to Laughton and/or Schenn, but to distribute the load more evenly.

Right now, Giroux and Couturier are starting far more often in the D-zone than others.

Name OZ NZ DZ
Giroux 169 126 199
Couturier 77 125 139
Schenn 133 117 87
Laughton 35 43 26
Bellemare 69 83 87

Giorux has the most zone starts, by far, but his disparity in OZ and DZ is only 30-and that's largely because he's their best face off guy.

Couturier has 62 more D-zone starts than O-zone starts. Schenn has 46 more O-Zone starts, Laughton 9 more.

I'd like to see the number more balanced in terms of splitting the zone starts, as well.

They should. Laughton and Schenn were very good two way players in juniors and there's no reason the Flyers shouldn't be able to more even distribute the defensive zone lifting to help benefit Couturier's offensive game.

Nobody is saying to shift the entire burden that Giroux and Couturier carry to Laughton and/or Schenn, but to distribute the load more evenly.

Right now, Giroux and Couturier are starting far more often in the D-zone than others.

Name OZ NZ DZ
Giroux 169 126 199
Couturier 77 125 139
Schenn 133 117 87
Laughton 35 43 26
Bellemare 69 83 87

Giorux has the most zone starts, by far, but his disparity in OZ and DZ is only 30-and that's largely because he's their best face off guy.

Couturier has 62 more D-zone starts than O-zone starts. Schenn has 46 more O-Zone starts, Laughton 9 more.

I'd like to see the number more balanced in terms of splitting the zone starts, as well.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. Berube has taken it to the extreme. He treats Couts like he's Blair Betts

Exactly. Berube has taken it to the extreme. He treats Couts like he's Blair Betts
- PhillySportsGuy

Yet another reason that I want a new coach after this season

Yet another reason that I want a new coach after this season
- BiggE

I want one now. I don't think this team needs an experienced guy either. They need a patient guy who is more transparent

Kings blog has a sobering look at Mike Richards and where he is right now as a player

Would you really call them our 2nd line at this point? On paper I would certainly think that 10-49-17 has more offensive firepower than 18-14-24. Schenn is obviously better than Umberger in the offensive zone. I would say 49/14 are a wash in the offensive zone and give the edge to Cooters in the defensive zone. I'd take Simmonds over Read in the offensive zone and vice versa in the defensive zone.

I understand we want to give Couturier the opportunity to flourish offensively, but someone has to be taking defensive zone draws. Do you really want to take offensive zone time away from G/Voracek? You certainly don't want our 4th line taking the majority of D zone draws. As it stands right now - 18-14-24 is better served for D zone starts than 10-49-17.

If you want Laughton taking more D zone draws, swap Schenn back to the first line and put Raffl on Laughton's LW. Then you all can start arguing on how Laughton isn't producing and is becoming a product of his usage.
- kcm57

Laughton already isn't producing. 12 games, 1 even strength point.

Yet another reason that I want a new coach after this season
- BiggE

What amazes me is that I haven't seen a single poster complain/point out that Berube was placed into his position by firing a coach that could be in the running for an award right now taking Nashville's adequate roster to the top five in the NHL power rankings this week. Why has no one written, "only in Philly!" And then re-hashed the Richards/Carter/Williams/Sharp/Kane cups, Carcillo goal last POs, Bob, ect...? I'm disappointed in your self loathing and self depreciation Philadelphia!

- aightwebang17

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Laughton already isn't producing. 12 games, 1 even strength point.
- Feanor

Busted bustering busty bust

What amazes me is that I haven't seen a single poster complain/point out that Berube was placed into his position by firing a coach that could be in the running for an award right now taking Nashville's adequate roster to the top five in the NHL power rankings this week. Why has no one written, "only in Philly!" And then re-hashed the Richards/Carter/Williams/Sharp/Kane cups, Carcillo goal last POs, Bob, ect...? I'm disappointed in your self loathing and self depreciation Philadelphia!
- coffee junkie

Coaches have a shelf life, it was time for Lavi to go in Philly.

Kings blog has a sobering look at Mike Richards and where he is right now as a player
- AllInForFlyers

He's got two Cups, a boatload of money, lives in Manhattan Beach, and probably has a turnstile on his bedroom door frame with hot chicks that go in and out of there.

Not to mention he's had a very good career. Just sayin.

Coaches have a shelf life, it was time for Lavi to go in Philly.
- BiggE

Yes but your thoughts are rational, I expected a beat writer to cover it or one of the sky is falling posters here. Disappointed.

Yes but your thoughts are rational, I expected a beat writer to cover it or one of the sky is falling posters here. Disappointed.
- coffee junkie

Laughton already isn't producing. 12 games, 1 even strength point.
- Feanor

Yeah but his line has been generating a lot of chances since he's moved up the line up. He's made Simmonds look better at 5v5 and Schenn has continued to look good playing on his wing. He did spend the first 3 or 4 games on the fourth line where we can't expect him to produce. The offensive zone pressure and the chances are there - goals will eventually come. I don't think either line performs as well if you swap Couturier and Laughton.

He's got two Cups, a boatload of money, lives in Manhattan Beach, and probably has a turnstile on his bedroom door frame with hot chicks that go in and out of there.

Not to mention he's had a very good career. Just sayin.
- PLindbergh31

All true; not knocking what he's done. But at the same time, just like with the Flyers' own Lecavalier/Umberger situation, what you were before isn't what you are now, and it's fair to look at what's to come