Absolutely it is. That line needs a playmaker badly. All 3 players are grinders who work the corners and go to the net. They play well in terms of forechecking and puck pressure. Laughton is a pretty strong player away from the puck. He dosn't have the ability with the puck yet to distribute to Schenn and Simmonds.
- MJL

I would like to see Schenn-Couts-Simmonds again. Start grooming Laughton to play 3rd center with Read where he almost certainly will end up for the next few years.

I agree with everything you typed. I just feel that resigning your own guys for longer than 4 years is foolish. Specifically the younger players. Make them earn it and then pay them if they do and you want to keep them. I am fine with that. You can always flip quality players for assets if you do not feel they are worth what they will get as an FA.

Free agents are a different story because sometimes you have to overpay in terms of dollars and length to land a player in an open bid situation.
- mickel25

There's a point to both sides. It's a gamble and a risk involved. The hypothetical Voracek example shows how it can pay off.

I think he's a good player now, who will get even better. I don't know that he's going to become a play maker or puck carrier though in the future. I think he does have some offensive upside though.
- MJL

I could see him scoring like Richards. Difference will be that he wont have the ice time or the linemates....I.E. Gagne, Knuble, Carter, etc. to match his points.

I would like to see Schenn-Couts-Simmonds again. Start grooming Laughton to play 3rd center with Read where he almost certainly will end up for the next few years.
- GOA88

Wouldn't be a bad idea.

I could see him scoring like Richards. Difference will be that he wont have the ice time or the linemates....I.E. Gagne, Knuble, Carter, etc. to match his points.
- GOA88

I personally don't see Laughton reaching the 70-80 point mark. I think 50 might be more realistic.

There's a point to both sides. It's a gamble and a risk involved. The hypothetical Voracek example shows how it can pay off.
- MJL

Agreed. That is why they pay Hexy the big bucks.

I think he's a good player now, who will get even better. I don't know that he's going to become a play maker or puck carrier though in the future. I think he does have some offensive upside though.
- MJL

I think Laughton and Couturier will end up being very similar players. Both are sound defensively and can score a little.

I personally don't see Laughton reaching the 70-80 point mark. I think 50 might be more realistic.
- MJL

Like I said... He wont be in the same position Richards was. Also Richards hit a peak playing top line minutes with top line wingers. Since then he has been a 40-50 pt guy....which I think reflects his offensive skill more.

This.


x10
- Pecafan Fan

X73

I think Laughton and Couturier will end up being very similar players. Both are sound defensively and can score a little.
- mickel25

I see Couturier as having more of an offensive upside.

Like I said... He wont be in the same position Richards was. Also Richards hit a peak playing top line minutes with top line wingers. Since then he has been a 40-50 pt guy....which I think reflects his offensive skill more.
- GOA88

Good point, Laughton probably won't be a player on a first line or a first unit PP.I'd be happy with good solid 2 way play and scoring in the 45 point range from Laughton. The Flyers are really set up well down the middle in the future.

I see Couturier as having more of an offensive upside.
- MJL

Agreed. Especially they ever put him with a playmaker. Hopefully Laughton's development will allow Couturier to be in more offensive situations.

Good point, Laughton probably won't be a player on a first line or a first unit PP.I'd be happy with good solid 2 way play and scoring in the 45 point range from Laughton. The Flyers are really set up well down the middle in the future.
- MJL

Absolutely. Can only hope for Mike Peca 2.0

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

I think someone yesterday said it is and we don't need to worry because he talks in circles and everything works out.



- J35Bacher

Happy New Year's Eve everyone. Don't be stupid tonight, if you're drinking, don't drive. It's amateur hour and a lot of idiots are going to be out and about.

Second, Florida re-signed center Nick Bjugstad to a 6 year, $4.1mm extension. I have concerns over the impact it will have on Couturier & Brayden Schenn moving forward.

Schenn has 29 G and 64 Pts over the this season and last. Couturier has 22 G and 59 Pts over the same span. Bjugstad has 29 G and 59 Pts.

I can't see how both Schenn & Couturier sign for less than $4mm each after the Bjugstad deal.
- Jsaquella

I'm not too concerned with those two. What's concerning is what jake is going to command in his new deal if he keeps on this pace. Hes a UFA and a piece this team absolutely can't afford to lose. He'll have Hexy by the balls

I'm not too concerned with those two. What's concerning is what jake is going to command in his new deal if he keeps on this pace. Hes a UFA and a piece this team absolutely can't afford to lose. He'll have Hexy by the balls
- Just5

With the youth movement coming up.... I think we'll be more than able to afford him.

I would like to see Schenn-Couts-Simmonds again. Start grooming Laughton to play 3rd center with Read where he almost certainly will end up for the next few years.
- GOA88

I'd be fine with that. Hell, it's not like they are having great success with the current lines, so what do they have to lose?

I'd be fine with that. Hell, it's not like they are having great success with the current lines, so what do they have to lose?
- BiggE

They have nothing to lose. I wish they would just start actually developing the players they plan to keep by putting them in the situation they want them to be in ultimately, instead of trying to squeak in the playoffs.

4 o'clock USA vs. Canada WJC. Should be quite a tilt.

With the youth movement coming up.... I think we'll be more than able to afford him.
- GOA88

Having just two dmen out of the five current prospects on the team on ELCs in 16-17 instead of LSchenn and Grossmann will create a lot of space.

Happy New Year's Eve everyone. Don't be stupid tonight, if you're drinking, don't drive. It's amateur hour and a lot of idiots are going to be out and about.

Second, Florida re-signed center Nick Bjugstad to a 6 year, $4.1mm extension. I have concerns over the impact it will have on Couturier & Brayden Schenn moving forward.

Schenn has 29 G and 64 Pts over the this season and last. Couturier has 22 G and 59 Pts over the same span. Bjugstad has 29 G and 59 Pts.

I can't see how both Schenn & Couturier sign for less than $4mm each after the Bjugstad deal.
- Jsaquella

Lets say Couturier and Schenn get $4m apiece. Add that to Giroux at $8.275m, Umberger at$4.6m, Lecavalier at $4.5m, Simmonds at $3.975m, Read at $3.625m, Laughton at $0.863m, Rinaldo at $0.850m, Streit at $5.25m, AMac at $5m, Pronger at $4.941m and Mason at $4.1m, that totals about $46m.

$46m for 13 Players is a lot but Pronger will be placed on LTIR obviously. That will leave close to $30m depending on the cap. Voracek needs to be re-sign and there's only two dmen on the roster right now under contract after next year. Ghost, Hagg and Sanheim all make $0.925m and Morin makes $0.894m totaling $3.67m. You'll probably want vet dman or two also. So lets say an addition defense spending of $10m. That brings us to $56m. Voracek gets $7m lets say bringing that up to $63m. That's not bad but if they can get Vinny and Umberger off the books, they will be able to do a lot more.

Flyers current PK at 74% on pace to be the worst in the NHL since at least 97-98, I'm trying to go back further and find team statistics to see when a PK has been this inept. Laughably bad.

They have nothing to lose. I wish they would just start actually developing the players they plan to keep by putting them in the situation they want them to be in ultimately, instead of trying to squeak in the playoffs.
- GOA88

Hear hear.

Lets say Couturier and Schenn get $4m apiece. Add that to Giroux at $8.275m, Umberger at$4.6m, Lecavalier at $4.5m, Simmonds at $3.975m, Read at $3.625m, Laughton at $0.863m, Rinaldo at $0.850m, Streit at $5.25m, AMac at $5m, Pronger at $4.941m and Mason at $4.1m, that totals about $46m.

$46m for 13 Players is a lot but Pronger will be placed on LTIR obviously. That will leave close to $30m depending on the cap. Voracek needs to be re-sign and there's only two dmen on the roster right now under contract after next year. Ghost, Hagg and Sanheim all make $0.925m and Morin makes $0.894m totaling $3.67m. You'll probably want vet dman or two also. So lets say an addition defense spending of $10m. That brings us to $56m. Voracek gets $7m lets say bringing that up to $63m. That's not bad but if they can get Vinny and Umberger off the books, they will be able to do a lot more.
- NickTheKid87

Umberger and Vinny will certainly be gone. Even if its a buy out. I cant see Grossmann, Amac, Schenn staying much longer either. Hexy will work it out. I have faith he isnt a block head.