Allow me a visual representation...


- wolfhounds

I've seen bigger bumholes

Same.
- Tomahawk

He's already a 40 point center while getting ridiculously hard minutes. There's no reason to think he won't be a 50-55 point center when he finally gets more reasonable minutes and better linemates than Umberger and Read having the worst seasons of their careers.

I'd generally agree with good things come to those who wait, but for guys with some key deficiencies/limitations, it may not end up holding true. That's kind of why you can reasonably expect a Jake/JVR to put it all together down the road, versus a Sam Gagner/Luke Schenn that have skating/smarts issues to pull off the same.

(I'm totally not saying give up on 10/14, btw)
- Tomahawk

The thing with Brayden Schenn is, he's essential been the same player the last three years. 0.55 points per game in 12-13, 0.50 in 13-14 and 0.63 this year. I don't see him being the player many scouts thought he'd be if he tapped out his potential. I think he'll top out as a 25 goal, 30 assist player in his prime years which is a fine top 6 forward but he won't be a star or anything.

As for Couturier, he's on pace for 20 goals and 40+ points while getting less than 40% o-zone starts against the highest competition. I think he'll be a 20+ goal, 55+ point guy in his prime while playing Selke-caliber defense which would be great. I don't think he'll be a 70-80 point player though.

He's already a 40 point center while getting ridiculously hard minutes. There's no reason to think he won't be a 50-55 point center when he finally gets more reasonable minutes and better linemates than Umberger and Read having the worst seasons of their careers.
- Feanor

I think you have seen Couturier being more agressive offensively. He drew a penalty taking on Orpick last night. he has been really good shielding the puck and making plays. I think the best plan is to get him more skilled wingers.

He's already a 40 point center while getting ridiculously hard minutes. There's no reason to think he won't be a 50-55 point center when he finally gets more reasonable minutes and better linemates than Umberger and Read having the worst seasons of their careers.
- Feanor

I think you have seen Couturier being more agressive offensively. He drew a penalty taking on Orpick last night. he has been really good shielding the puck and making plays. I think the best plan is to get him more skilled wingers.

The thing with Brayden Schenn is, he's essential been the same player the last three years. 0.55 points per game in 12-13, 0.50 in 13-14 and 0.63 this year. I don't see him being the player many scouts thought he'd be if he tapped out his potential. I think he'll top out as a 25 goal, 30 assist player in his prime years which is a fine top 6 forward but he won't be a star or anything.

As for Couturier, he's on pace for 20 goals and 40+ points while getting less than 40% o-zone starts against the highest competition. I think he'll be a 20+ goal, 55+ point guy in his prime while playing Selke-caliber defense which would be great. I don't think he'll be a 70-80 point player though.
- NickTheKid87

Agree on both guys,I was expecting more from B Schenn. He is after all playing with 2 of the top point guys in the NHL right now. He just doesn't seem to have that " finishing ability". The high slot one timer that Hatrnell used to bury on the PP... Schenn seems to have missed many of those opportunities

That's where, I personally, would be willing to part with one of our prospect Dmen in favor of a deal for a centerpiece Dman now or within a year or two. The forwards, as under-productive as they have been this season, outside the first line, really aren't in bad shape. Get rid of Vinny and Umby.. you get their cap.. improve that third line.. maybe trade Read for something... and start moving out the Dmen in favor of our prospects as they are ready. But one thing they will lack, is the Weber.. the Suter.. the Pronger... the Neidermeyer.. etc.. I truly think they need a centerpiece Dman to build around. Once you have one in place, and start adding young guys around him (Morin, Hagg, Sanheim, Alt, Ghost).

I know it's easier said than done, but I don't think a massive blowup is necessary, nor do I think Hextall needs to waste the best years of G's and Jake's best years in "patience"... Sure, it would still take 2 years minimum, but I think it's possible. They just need to stop doing crappy stuff and be smart. Hope Hextall can pull through!
- WarriorHockey21

amen

Agree on both guys,I was expecting more from B Schenn. He is after all playing with 2 of the top point guys in the NHL right now. He just doesn't seem to have that " finishing ability". The high slot one timer that Hatrnell used to bury on the PP... Schenn seems to have missed many of those opportunities
- 3flyerkids

Breakdown on Schenn last 3 years"

2012-13
RelQoC: 0.523
OZS: 52.8%
PP: 2:42 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Briere

2013-14
RelQoC: -0.339
OZS: 55.2%
PP: 2:17 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Lecavalier

2014-15
RelQoC: -0.181
OZS: 59.7%
PP: 2:89 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Voracek

He could be scoring more given these numbers but he's not which is why I don't think he'll get that much better. He'll still be a legit top 6 forward though, IMO.

At the midway point, I give Schultz consideration for the Ashbee (him or Streit).

I think we gotta give Hextall at least two seasons to see his prints on this team if he is preaching patience.

Sean Couturier has scored at a clip similar to Brayden Schenn's (slightly lower) through his career yet Couts has faced much more difficult competition and has started around 40% of his shifts in the offensive zone in his career (Schenn over 50%).

Breakdown on Schenn last 3 years"

2012-13
RelQoC: 0.523
OZS: 52.8%
PP: 2:42 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Briere

2013-14
RelQoC: -0.339
OZS: 55.2%
PP: 2:17 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Lecavalier

2014-15
RelQoC: -0.181
OZS: 59.7%
PP: 2:89 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Voracek

He could be scoring more given these numbers but he's not which is why I don't think he'll get that much better. He'll still be a legit top 6 forward though, IMO.
- NickTheKid87

theres nothing he does that makes me go "wow look at that!" i mean at least with couturier he'll force a turnover here and there, lately been on a tear scoring wise, laughton i see a kid who is trying albeit a bit to hard at times, but even tho he's not scoring he's making plays creating scoring chances or putting a nice check on someone... with schenn i usually notice him when he gets knocked off the puck and at this stage he's gottabe stronger onit.... not sure what it is now(cause i gotta get offline for abit) but his shooting % was double digits for his first three years... so mebbe he needs a better playmakeron his libe.

Ideally, Coots and BSchenn will break out just after they sign long term deals at discounted rates. I believe they could sign new contracts as early as this July.

theres nothing he does that makes me go "wow look at that!"
- JoeRussomanno

theres nothing he does that makes me go "wow look at that!" i mean at least with couturier he'll force a turnover here and there, lately been on a tear scoring wise, laughton i see a kid who is trying albeit a bit to hard at times, but even tho he's not scoring he's making plays creating scoring chances or putting a nice check on someone... with schenn i usually notice him when he gets knocked off the puck and at this stage he's gottabe stronger onit.... not sure what it is now(cause i gotta get offline for abit) but his shooting % was double digits for his first three years... so mebbe he needs a better playmakeron his libe.
- JoeRussomanno

Schenn can pass but not at a high level like Giroux and Voracek. He's not quite a playmaker, not quite a goal scorer, not quite a power forward. He's kind of a tweener, albeit a good one (unlike Nodl)

Schenn can pass but not at a high level like Giroux and Voracek. He's not quite a playmaker, not quite a goal scorer, not quite a power forward. He's kind of a tweener, albeit a good one (unlike Nodl)
- NickTheKid87

The main problem i see with Schenn is that one timer shot he takes almost every game and majority of the time he whiffs or misses net. He had a good one last night, but Holtby saved it easily. And When i say the one timer shot, the one in the slot that Hartsy would just rip and drill consistently, which got him most of his PP goals. If schenn can work on that shot more and develop it, he will start raking in a lot more goals with guys like G and Jake feeding him the puck.

- Feanor

wow look at that!

Breakdown on Schenn last 3 years"

2012-13
RelQoC: 0.523
OZS: 52.8%
PP: 2:42 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Briere

2013-14
RelQoC: -0.339
OZS: 55.2%
PP: 2:17 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Lecavalier

2014-15
RelQoC: -0.181
OZS: 59.7%
PP: 2:89 TOI per game
Most common linemates: Simmonds, Voracek

He could be scoring more given these numbers but he's not which is why I don't think he'll get that much better. He'll still be a legit top 6 forward though, IMO.
- NickTheKid87

I would also say he is a top 6 and that is all he will be. Ideally if both B Schenn and Couturier can net 22-25 goals I would be happy with that

Schenn can pass but not at a high level like Giroux and Voracek. He's not quite a playmaker, not quite a goal scorer, not quite a power forward. He's kind of a tweener, albeit a good one (unlike Nodl)
- NickTheKid87

He's a solid 2nd line forward, nothing more, nothing less.

The thing with Brayden Schenn is, he's essential been the same player the last three years. 0.55 points per game in 12-13, 0.50 in 13-14 and 0.63 this year. I don't see him being the player many scouts thought he'd be if he tapped out his potential. I think he'll top out as a 25 goal, 30 assist player in his prime years which is a fine top 6 forward but he won't be a star or anything.

As for Couturier, he's on pace for 20 goals and 40+ points while getting less than 40% o-zone starts against the highest competition. I think he'll be a 20+ goal, 55+ point guy in his prime while playing Selke-caliber defense which would be great. I don't think he'll be a 70-80 point player though.
- NickTheKid87

Agree completely. That's two pretty dam good players.

Schenn can pass but not at a high level like Giroux and Voracek. He's not quite a playmaker, not quite a goal scorer, not quite a power forward. He's kind of a tweener, albeit a good one (unlike Nodl)
- NickTheKid87

I think that's the problem most people have w/ him.. is that he doesn't fall into a comfortable, easy-to-identify niche. He's just a good, all-around offensive player.

I said this last night... I believe we'll look back at the end of his career and wonder how he amassed 700-800 pts so quietly.

He's already a 40 point center while getting ridiculously hard minutes. There's no reason to think he won't be a 50-55 point center when he finally gets more reasonable minutes and better linemates than Umberger and Read having the worst seasons of their careers.
- Feanor

Let's hope they ever allow him those two things.

Sean Couturier has scored at a clip similar to Brayden Schenn's (slightly lower) through his career yet Couts has faced much more difficult competition and has started around 40% of his shifts in the offensive zone in his career (Schenn over 50%).
- NickTheKid87

What I want to see happen down the line this season, is a change in Couturier's role. The Flyers are pretty much out of the playoff picture, so when that becomes even clearer that they aren't going to catch up, I want to see Couturier and Laughton basically switched. I'd like to see Couturier playing with Simmonds and Schenn or whoever the other winger will be in more favorable offensive situations. And play Laughton as the checking 3rd line center. I think that will be more in line with their roles in the future, or at least what I hope will be their roles in the future.

- Feanor

He's got hands, that's for sure.

Luke Schenn > Nik Grossmann
- Tomahawk

Not according to most NHL scouts (and that's NOT a knock on Luke BTW).