10 min drive to the practice rink.
- kellyblaise7

Yep, pretty much the same to the Wells Fargo, too.

I left for good in early 2003. Miss the location and Franco's Place

This, however, has to be limited to the small pool of goalies that even GET to the NHL in their early 20s because many don't make to stay until their mid-20s or even late-20s.

See the recent NHL.com article: Only one goaltender leaguewide drafted in the last EIGHT drafts (Braden Holtby) has reached 150 games played in the NHL by this point. That doesn't include someone like Bobrovsky, who was an undrafted rookie free agent but even that speaks to how inexact a science it is scout and develop goalies.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=751852
- bmeltzer

For sure, drafting 18 year old goalies is a total guessing game.

The problem with this is, they really need Morin to be a cornerstone on D. Sanheim is not as physical, and Ghost, well, is Ghost.

I'd consider it with Laughton substituted for Morin.

Don't think the other team would do it though. I think you'd have a better shot of trading up to #3 - 5 from 6-8. I'd do it for Strome or Marner in a heartbeat.
- TheGreat28

Just spit balling to see what it'll take to get the 2nd pick, not moving up in general.

I'm disagreeing with your reasoning. Your correct and I'm meeting you in the middle by si.ply saying it's another Berube move I disagree with. Example, an undiscipline, skillis player like Zac Rinaldo has more rope then Lecavalier. In fact I'll go a little further. If you asked me who has been better this year between Lecavalier and Umberger, Illinois choose Lecavalier every time. Lecavalier has produced more in a part time fourth line role then RJ Umberger has in a full time role on this roster. Umberger couldn't even crack an already bad PK and he's supposed to be a PK regular.
- SuperSchennBros

I hear ya, though, IMO, choosing between Umberger and VLC is like choosing between a swift kick to the nuts or a sharp thumb to the eye.

Wow. I didn't realize the Phantoms have now missed the playoffs 6 consecutive years. I guess that is the result of constantly throwing picks away on rentals.

JFC, Holmgren really did a number on this franchise.

Schenn is definitely more of a power-forward if anything. While he may not fit perfectly into any particular mold, he does know his way around the offensive zone. He knows how to produce points and I'd say he's even a better playmaker than people give him credit for. His biggest issues are his lack of defensive prowess, foot-speed, and just overall inconsistency.

I'm torn as to whether he's a center or a wing. I like him at center because his lack of foot speed seems to hinder his ability to produce offense at wing. However, I also like him at wing because he's a very north-south kind of player and while not horrible defensively, I certainly would not label him a stalwart.

All things considered, I think he fits into either role much better if he can just be more consistent. There are times when he is engaged and playing quite physical and there are times when he's just kind of "floating". I also think he needs to shoot WAY more, as I've noticed he has a pretty heavy shot.

I'm actually starting to think his shot is the key to unlocking some of his potential. If he's at wing, start shooting more on the rush; either pick your spot or shoot for rebounds. If he's at center, wait in the high slot for drop passes and rip it. I really, really like the way he shoots.....he just doesn't do it nearly enough.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving him, but it shouldn't be "for the sake of doing so" (Burmistrov - way beter deal out there than that).
- mochoson

Maybe that's the main thing. If he isn't puttg up points then he seems invisible. Couturier and even raffl seem to still do good things when not scoring. I would like to see a more consistent effort from him to put himself into scoring places.

For sure, drafting 18 year old goalies is a total guessing game.
- BiggE

Yea, just mention Trevor Kidd to Calgary and watch them wince.

Mariano Rivera might be the greatest closer of all-time. He failed as a starter.
- TheGreat28

Related, sort of:

I firmly believe Mo's cutter was the greatest pitch of all time. Every single batter and fan watching knew it was coming every single pitch. And still, he dominated with that pitch for 20 seasons.

Absolutely nuts.

I don't see Coots as anything better than a 3rd line center and I'm OK with that. If they do get a legit 2nd line center, they'll be set down the middle for years.

Coot's feet, and especially his hands, are a little too slow for me to be effective 2nd line pivot.
- 77rams

I completely agree! If you have a shutdown center that can also score 40-50 points, and your 2nd line guy produces more, you're in real good shape. Imagine either of these:

Raffl (or upgrade) - G - Vorachek
LW - Schenn - Marner
Read - Couturier - Simmonds

or

Raffl (or upgrade) - G - Vorachek
LW - Strome - Simmonds
Read - Couturier - RW (or maybe Aube-Kubel)

The second assumes you trade Schenn for a true LW for the 2nd line.

I just think that's better than G - Couts- Laughton down the middle.

Related, sort of:

I firmly believe Mo's cutter was the greatest pitch of all time. Every single batter and fan watching knew it was coming every single pitch. And still, he dominated with that pitch for 20 seasons.

Absolutely nuts.
- Giroux_Is_God

Yeah, no matter what you think of the Yankees (and since they're in the AL, I don't have as strong an opinion against them), he was an absolute beast.

Related, sort of:

I firmly believe Mo's cutter was the greatest pitch of all time. Every single batter and fan watching knew it was coming every single pitch. And still, he dominated with that pitch for 20 seasons.

Absolutely nuts.
- Giroux_Is_God

Very much Carlton's slider in his heyday. You knew it was coming, but you still swung and missed.

Related, sort of:

I firmly believe Mo's cutter was the greatest pitch of all time. Every single batter and fan watching knew it was coming every single pitch. And still, he dominated with that pitch for 20 seasons.

Absolutely nuts.
- Giroux_Is_God

The only time he didn't dominate was in game 7 of the 2001 World Series with a one run lead. Highest leverage situation of his career, and he spit the bit.

Seravalli's take on 5 days that sank the Flyers season.

http://www.philly.com/phi...that_sank_the_Flyers.html

I don't agree with them all, but some good points were made.
- Jsaquella

He actually incorrectly states that Couturier lost that face off in the Boston game that lead to the tying goal.

Giroux lost that defensive zone face off while Couturier turned the puck over in OT which lead to the game winning goal.

Simply put neither of those things were good for that game.

Just spit balling to see what it'll take to get the 2nd pick, not moving up in general.
- 77rams

Understood. I think the team that trades him would want established, young players that still have tremendous upside vs. draft picks. Eichel is as close to a guarantee as you can get with a draft pick. You only give that up for a lock.

It would probably take Couturier, Simmonds and our first #1. And that might not be enough.

Yep, pretty much the same to the Wells Fargo, too.

I left for good in early 2003. Miss the location and Franco's Place
- Jsaquella

A new Franco's just popped up around the corner from me. Taxes drive you out?

Did you grow up and go to school in Haddon Twp though? Just curious because I have a little one and another on the way.

Ok, back to Flyers hockey after this, I swear...

I hear ya, though, IMO, choosing between Umberger and VLC is like choosing between a swift kick to the nuts or a sharp thumb to the eye.
- BiggE

Exactly but the Coach is choosing lesser players.

For what it is worth...which is not a lot....I think Berube is a nice guy. I have met him and had more than one conversation with him both as a player, an assistant coach and since becoming head coach. He was approachable, sincere and open to hearing observations. He may have thought I was a complete idiot, but he didn't say as much.

That said, I think that to a degree, Berube has thrown his hands up with this collection of players. It is a flawed group that does not fit together well and is missing key ingredients. His Keep It Simple Stupid system and relying on backside pressure and being on the right side of the puck in all three zones should work with any group of players but it wont work with players who are being played out of position or above their level.

I think his input lead to the Hartnell trade and that has proven to have been a bad trade. It also has lead to Voracek's season and that is a clear positive. It is a mixed bag. Berube may be the perfect coach for a team/organization that is rebuilding from the ground up and needs a calm, firm hand. I don't know that with the holes in the roster and development here and that he really is the answer.

I don't see Coots as anything better than a 3rd line center and I'm OK with that. If they do get a legit 2nd line center, they'll be set down the middle for years.

Coot's feet, and especially his hands, are a little too slow for me to be effective 2nd line pivot.
- 77rams

Yeah but he's 22... This is only his 4th nhl season... Colin Wilson on the preds was really breaking out before an injury sidelined him, but this is Wilson's 6th nhl season and he's just finally getting it.. I've mentioned nick foligno before as well... dudes 27 and finally had a break out season during his 8th season. for all we know coots goes on an absolute tear next season and puts up 60 pts. We don't know. We can only hope he pans out to be a solid player offensively and defensively.

A new Franco's just popped up around the corner from me. Taxes drive you out?

Did you grow up and go to school in Haddon Twp though? Just curious because I have a little one and another on the way.

Ok, back to Flyers hockey after this, I swear...
- kellyblaise7

Nah, I grew up there, stayed thru high school, left for the military and returned. My wife was living down in Cape May, and I was able to find a good job here, so I left. I lived down the street from Edison school, and most of my family still lives in and around Twp.

Nice place to live, I only moved because the wife had a house here and her job has residency requirements.

Very much Carlton's slider in his heyday. You knew it was coming, but you still swung and missed.
- BiggE

But that's the thing though. Lefty could still come at you with a simple 4 seamer. It's the possibility.

Mo threw the cutter 95% of the time probably. Quite litrilly, you didn't even need to guess what was coming as the hitter

Yeah but he's 22... This is only his 4th nhl season... Colin Wilson on the preds was really breaking out before an injury sidelined him, but this is Wilson's 6th nhl season and he's just finally getting it.. I've mentioned nick foligno before as well... dudes 27 and finally had a break out season during his 8th season. for all we know coots goes on an absolute tear next season and puts up 60 pts. We don't know. We can only hope he pans out to be a solid player offensively and defensively.
- benjichronic

In the same way you can't judge Mason in W and L. I think the same goes to Couturier. When watching I do see a skill set as a 2nd line two way center.

But that's the thing though. Lefty could still come at you with a simple 4 seamer. It's the possibility.

Mo threw the cutter 95% of the time probably. Quite litrilly, you didn't even need to guess what was coming as the hitter
- Giroux_Is_God

Randy Johnson Slider was nasty.

The only time he didn't dominate was in game 7 of the 2001 World Series with a one run lead. Highest leverage situation of his career, and he spit the bit.
- PLindbergh31

You'd make a great therapist

Randy Johnson Slider was nasty.
- J35Bacher

Absolutely. Mr. Snappy.

Kershaw's curveball too.

Johan Santana's change.

Schilling's splitter.

But those pitchers all had 4+ pitches to throw.

Mo had 1. He threw 1 pitch.

Nah, I grew up there, stayed thru high school, left for the military and returned. My wife was living down in Cape May, and I was able to find a good job here, so I left. I lived down the street from Edison school, and most of my family still lives in and around Twp.

Nice place to live, I only moved because the wife had a house here and her job has residency requirements.
- Jsaquella

Cool, I moved over from Philly, so I always ask about the schools. Thanks!