- Jsaquella

Though I agree I'd like to see what Coots could do with a winger like Jake at his side.

We do need to see if he has the capability to be an effective 2nd line center. It ain't happening now with what he currently has to work with.

I lik this!

Or at least 3 lines with these pairings:

Giroux - Simmonds
Couturier - Voracek
Schenn - Read

Let the opposition figure out which of the top 2 combos to shadow.

Or mayber Vandevelde manning the 3rd checking line, and giving Couturier more freedom with Jake?
- puckhead17

I'd like to see Laughton assume more defensive responsibility, to free up Couturier a bit more. It just opens it up more.

Though I agree I'd like to see what Coots could do with a winger like Jake at his side.

We do need to see if he has the capability to be an effective 2nd line center. It ain't happening now with what he currently has to work with.
- 77rams

And current usage, which is really not conducive to growing his offense.

And current usage, which is really not conducive to growing his offense.
- Jsaquella

Absolutely.

I'd like to see Laughton assume more defensive responsibility, to free up Couturier a bit more. It just opens it up more.
- Jsaquella

Yes, That's a good idea, I like Vandevelde's speed, size, & checking ability.
I still think Couturier scoring 40 points, (while shadowing the oppositions star center), is 2nd line material.
Briere was suspect defensively, while scoring 60, 65 points, (playoffs excluded of course).
I'm a little surprised that Berube hasn't changed things up.
G, & Jake getting no space to move.
Simmonds is being wasted on short minute lines.
Couturier can't produce with a struggling Read, & "begging to be bought out RJ".
Makes me wonder where Berube's creativity as a coach is, or his ability to adjust?

You're hinting that Berube hasn't broken up G and Jake because Jake wouldn't be as good or as effective? Jake's body of work is that of an improving player, and he's 25.
- wolfhounds

Brayden Schenn is 23 and some are growing impatient with his development. I wouldn't trade Schenn for Evander Kane. Brayden Schenn right now is a very good, young second liner who can play both center and wing, while filling in nicely on a first line. I believe in time he'll break out but Schenn will still need help.

Yes, I believe Voracek would be less effective without Giroux.

Give him BSchenn and Simmonds as wingers and close to 50% ES OZ starts and the Flyers would have a productive second line.

Right now he's getting 39% ES OZ starts and Read and Umberger having career worst seasons as his wingers.
- Feanor

Absolutely.

Brayden Schenn is 23 and some are growing impatient with his development. I wouldn't trade Schenn for Evander Kane. Brayden Schenn right now is a very good, young second liner who can play both enter and wing, while filling in nicely on a first line. I believe in time he'll break out but Schenn will still need help.

Yes, I believe Voracek would be less effective without Giroux.
- SuperSchennBros

Interesting, sure. But for who?

Probably for the bubble teams they face because the Flyers will be playing for their jobs rather than for a PO spot.

I don't see this team as currently constructed as nothing more than a bubble team at best for years to come unless they can move out some suffocating contracts and bring in some talented younger forwards - whether that be through trades or picks.
- 77rams

Season ends in two months. Within the next two months it isn't outside of the realm of possibility that these bubble teams to begin to slump. I think we can definitely pass Florida.

Season ends in two months. Within the next two months it isn't outside of the realm of possibility that these bubble teams to begin to slump. I think we can definitely pass Florida.
- SuperSchennBros

We have a less than 4% chance of making the playoffs last time I checked.

Give him BSchenn and Simmonds as wingers and close to 50% ES OZ starts and the Flyers would have a productive second line.

Right now he's getting 39% ES OZ starts and Read and Umberger having career worst seasons as his wingers.
- Feanor

Schenn and Simmonds are not effective 5 on 5 when playing together. They just aren't. Their games are too similar. Berube and Hextall said as much earlier in the year. But I also checked production by line combination a few weeks ago. I looked at total points for the pair with Vinnie, Laughton, Couturier, Bellemare, and even some shifts with G. I think the lines combined have something like 18 or 20 points. And several of those seemed to be goals scored just after a PP expired.

We have a less than 4% chance of making the playoffs last time I checked.
- mochoson

Yeah it's a slim chance for sure, but I'd rather have the team trying to win games and make the playoffs despite there being basically no chance, then just lose most of their games. When I look at all the teams currently in the playoff picture I'd have to say the one team I could see going on a tailspin is Washington so if the Flyers do have any hopes of making it in getting the 2 points today is crucial.

We have a less than 4% chance of making the playoffs last time I checked.
- mochoson

SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE

I honestly believe that Couturier can be that center. I think they absolutely need to add a catalyst for the 2nd line to play with Simmonds. A good puck carrying, playmaking LW, along with Couturier and Simmonds, could form that 2nd option for them. Getting a bona fide top pairing defenseman is the biggest challenge that faces this team. The cap issues can be dealt with.
- MJL

I think it's much easier getting a playmaking center for the 2nd line vs. finding a playmaking natural LW these days. There really seems to be a drought of LW, and especially young and upcoming LWs. Sometime take a look at LW on NHL rosters, 2015 draft prospects and hockeysfuture top prospects. Tons of centers and a lot of pure RW, but not as much on the left.

And yeah, I know you can move players around. But lots of guys are just more comfortable on one side or the other. For some reason it seems to be that LW is a premium right now.

We have a less than 4% chance of making the playoffs last time I checked.
- mochoson

If you took the time to read a page back, I've already said I don't believe we'll make it. With said, we've seen teams guaranteed to make it fall out of the race. The Toronto Maple Leafs had a historic collapse after holding a spot for most of their season last year.

If you took the time to read a page back, I've already said I don't believe we'll make it. With said, we've seen teams guaranteed to make it fall out of the race. The Toronto Maple Leafs had a historic collapse after holding a spot for most of their season last year.
- SuperSchennBros

Very true but it is the Leafs so that really isn't a surprise

The Flyers will probably remain a bubble team for awhile, IMO.

To me, they are a bonafide top-pairing defenseman and a stabilizing second-line center away from being a much better club than a lot of people seem to think. Unfortunately, those things are not all that easy to obtain.

They need to do some reshaping around the cap, but that is also easier said than done.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Most of us have weighed in as to whether Couturier could be that 2nd line center, or if the team would be better off in the long run with a 2nd line guy who isn't currently on the roster, and having Couturier in the 3rd center slot. The whole defensive zone starts has been debated ad nauseam, and either way there is some merit to it.

What is your personal opinion? Based on what you have seen, if you were Hextall/Berube would you plan your roster with Couturier in the 2nd or 3rd line center spot?

Yeah it's a slim chance for sure, but I'd rather have the team trying to win games and make the playoffs despite there being basically no chance, then just lose most of their games. When I look at all the teams currently in the playoff picture I'd have to say the one team I could see going on a tailspin is Washington so if the Flyers do have any hopes of making it in getting the 2 points today is crucial.
- FreshFlyer

They should definitely be trying to win games. IMO, teams that tank are scum. People pay their hard earned money to watch teams compete, not watch one team compete and one team come in and lackadaisically stamp the time clock.

But I'm also all for moving guys like Coburn, Grossman, Coliacavo if possible, etc. Make moves that make sense, not "moves for the sake of making moves". I would definitely like to see us get value for guys we know wont be here long term. Also allows us to give a guy like Brandon Manning an extended look, or let a guy like Cousins or Straka get some games in with the big club to end the year.

But playoffs are out of the question. There's simply too many independent variables; the Flyers haven't controlled their own fate for awhile now.

Schenn and Simmonds are not effective 5 on 5 when playing together. They just aren't. Their games are too similar. Berube and Hextall said as much earlier in the year. But I also checked production by line combination a few weeks ago. I looked at total points for the pair with Vinnie, Laughton, Couturier, Bellemare, and even some shifts with G. I think the lines combined have something like 18 or 20 points. And several of those seemed to be goals scored just after a PP expired.
- TheGreat28

As I pointed out I don't believe Voracek would be as effective with Giroux if the pair were split. When looking at Simmonds, how effective has Simmonds played with linemates such as Michael Raffl, Scott Laughton, Zac Rinaldo, Petr Straka and Ryan White. Wasn't Simmonds more effective with players like Brayden Schenn, Vincent Lecavalier and/or Danny Briere in terms of offense in years past?

i haven't been looking at the standings this season as it's too depressing... what the hell is going on with boston ?

i haven't been looking at the standings this season as it's too depressing... what the hell is going on with boston ?
- -davies-

Lack of Chara is disturbing.

Yeah it's a slim chance for sure, but I'd rather have the team trying to win games and make the playoffs despite there being basically no chance, then just lose most of their games. When I look at all the teams currently in the playoff picture I'd have to say the one team I could see going on a tailspin is Washington so if the Flyers do have any hopes of making it in getting the 2 points today is crucial.
- FreshFlyer

I want them to go down swinging, but they have a 3.2% chance according to whichever oddsmaker Carchidi uses.

Right now, they are 11 points out of the last wild card spot, currently held by Boston. The other wild card is New York. The Flyers are 12 points behind them. They're 14 points behind the Caps for the third divisional spot. That's a lot of ground to make up, especially with three point games.

There's also the games in hand factor. The Flyers have played 52 games. They have 1 game in hand on the Caps, but are tied in games played with Boston and the Isles(who have a 15 point cushion on them). In the cases of the Florida and the Rangers, they actually have played fewer games than the Flyers(50 games each).

Even looking at recent trends, the Flyers would need other teams to have really drop off. Looking at the last ten games for each of the closest teams, they're all comparable to what the Flyers have done, outside of Florida who is in a bit of a tailspin.

Caps 4-4-2 10 points
Rangers 6-4 12 points
Bruins 7-2-1 15 points
Florida 3-6-1 7 points
Flyers 6-3-1 13 points
Devils 6-2-2 NJ 13 points & is one point behind the Flyers.

They should definitely be trying to win games. IMO, teams that tank are scum. People pay their hard earned money to watch teams compete, not watch one team compete and one team come in and lackadaisically stamp the time clock.

But I'm also all for moving guys like Coburn, Grossman, Coliacavo if possible, etc. Make moves that make sense, not "moves for the sake of making moves". I would definitely like to see us get value for guys we know wont be here long term. Also allows us to give a guy like Brandon Manning an extended look, or let a guy like Cousins or Straka get some games in with the big club to end the year.

But playoffs are out of the question. There's simply too many independent variables; the Flyers haven't controlled their own fate for awhile now.
- mochoson

Yeah I definitely agree with you there, tough to build a winning culture when losing is promoted ex. Edmonton.

And yeah if the Flyers can get value for some of the D-men I'd be thrilled, you aren't winning with most of these guys so might as well get something for them and see what some of the younger guys can do. I'd love to see Hagg get a couple games with the big club this season.

Even looking at recent trends, the Flyers would need other teams to have really drop off. Looking at the last ten games for each of the closest teams, they're all comparable to what the Flyers have done, outside of Florida who is in a bit of a tailspin.

Caps 4-4-2 10 points
Rangers 6-4 12 points
Bruins 7-2-1 15 points
Florida 3-6-1 7 points
Flyers 6-3-1 13 points
Devils 6-2-2 NJ 13 points & is one point behind the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

Like I said, to many outside variables. No shot.

i haven't been looking at the standings this season as it's too depressing... what the hell is going on with boston ?
- -davies-

Boston struggled for awhile. They missed Chara and others. But they have been red hot lately.