I am sick that I am coming this late to the dance.

Bill, a nice article that ...for once...pulls some punches.

The biggest issue, imho, with the development of both Cooter and Schenn this season has been the man in charge behind the bench. He has ensured Cooter of weak (physically) wingers in both Read and Umbie for the majority of the season.

Schenn, a natural center has been played out of position because frankly....there is no reason. Berube has consistently played Schenn out of position for no reason other than there are no real LW on this team.

I am sick that I am coming this late to the dance.

Bill, a nice article that ...for once...pulls some punches.

The biggest issue, imho, with the development of both Cooter and Schenn this season has been the man in charge behind the bench. He has ensured Cooter of weak (physically) wingers in both Read and Umbie for the majority of the season.

Schenn, a natural center has been played out of position because frankly....there is no reason. Berube has consistently played Schenn out of position for no reason other than there are no real LW on this team.

Mikko Rantanen – The Next Ones: NHL 2015 Draft Prospect Profile

http://thehockeywriters.c...5-draft-prospect-profile/

Thomas Chabot – The Next Ones: NHL 2015 Draft Prospect Profile

http://thehockeywriters.c...5-draft-prospect-profile/

It's not just speed. It's the processing of the play. Certainly familiarity has to do with that. But it just seems like coots is not anticipating out there with jake.

Knuble was a winger who just had to go crash the net. I didn't like knuble and always thought he was an anchor
- Just5

It sometimes takes time to build chemistry and learn each other's habits. Sometimes chemistry doesn't build at all between players. Which is why I said have to see how they play with each other.

Knuble was a very underrated player as a Flyer. Very good player.

Jeremy Roy – The Next Ones: NHL 2015 Draft Prospect Profile

http://thehockeywriters.c...5-draft-prospect-profile/

I am sick that I am coming this late to the dance.

Bill, a nice article that ...for once...pulls some punches.

The biggest issue, imho, with the development of both Cooter and Schenn this season has been the man in charge behind the bench. He has ensured Cooter of weak (physically) wingers in both Read and Umbie for the majority of the season.

Schenn, a natural center has been played out of position because frankly....there is no reason. Berube has consistently played Schenn out of position for no reason other than there are no real LW on this team.
- wbon22

Whatever line combinations Berube would put together, there would be some kind of issue. They just don't have the right mix of forwards. Read and Couturier had been a very successful tandem in seasons past.
Schenn has played both center and wing this season. He has been up and down regardless of which position he has played. There's no evidence that Schenn is a better center then winger. I personally think his skill set is better suited to play the wing.

It sometimes takes time to build chemistry and learn each other's habits. Sometimes chemistry doesn't build at all between players. Which is why I said have to see how they play with each other.

Knuble was a very underrated player as a Flyer. Very good player.
- MJL

dont get me wrong i love Couturier and don't want to give up on him...

but i swear i havent seen the same offensive flashes that he showed in his rookie season since then. Not even talking about chances or goals...just making the subtle, smart offensive play in the zone. It was something that legitimately stood out about his play that year in almost every game.

Can't explain it.

Where is the hate for Couturier in saying that I find neither him nor B Schenn untouchable?

Maybe other people hate on him but contrary to what his ardent supporters on this site thinK i haven't said anything unfair or unwarranted about him this season.
- opeth_pa

Who hates these two?

Now, if I was offered what I believed to be a good player/picks and given a choice of moving either, I'd choose to move BSchenn. That doesn't mean I'm a BSc hater.

I think while waiting for both to realize their potential, at least Coots is a terrific defensive presence, and if doesn't progress and become the 2nd line consistent 30 goal scoring center we hope he'll become, I could drop him in the third center spot and be settled there for years.

If BSc doesn't figure it out, he hasn't as good a skill set to fall back on.

If that makes sense.

Don't know if it's been discussed, but The Yotes have given permission to their goalie coach Sean Burke to talk to other NHL trams. This is a man that turned Bryzgalov into a Vezina contender, and helped Mike Smith win one.

dont get me wrong i love Couturier and don't want to give up on him...

but i swear i havent seen the same offensive flashes that he showed in his rookie season since then. Not even talking about chances or goals...just making the subtle, smart offensive play in the zone. It was something that legitimately stood out about his play that year in almost every game.

Can't explain it.
- Crimsoninja

I agree with that. He clearly lacks confidence offensively, and is thinking and hesitating. It's a catch 22 for the Flyers to this point concerning Couturier. Playing him in a defensive role, and defensive situations, gives the team the best chance to win. However, using him differently, would probably be better for his development.

Don't know if it's been discussed, but The Yotes have given permission to their goalie coach Sean Burke to talk to other NHL trams. This is a man that turned Bryzgalov into a Vezina contender, and helped Mike Smith win one.
- JAKEw1234

I think he has higher aspirations, then being a goalie coach.

I think he has higher aspirations, then being a goalie coach.
- MJL

Is he trying to be an assistant coach then?

Is he trying to be an assistant coach then?
- JAKEw1234

Not sure, but I think he wants to move into the front office, but I could be wrong.


http://www.foxsports.com/...s-with-other-teams-032315

Is he trying to be an assistant coach then?
- JAKEw1234

He can be goaltender coach and Junior Vice President under Homer.

Don't know if it's been discussed, but The Yotes have given permission to their goalie coach Sean Burke to talk to other NHL trams. This is a man that turned Bryzgalov into a Vezina contender, and helped Mike Smith win one.
- JAKEw1234

it has been. briefly. there has also been talk of hextall being interested in burke. just rumor.

Brown is an inconsistent scorer, but he doesn't disappear like Schenn sometimes can.
- Jsaquella

That's a little tough to say consider Schenn is 23 and Brown is 30. For all the complaining about Schenn this season, what Brown has done as Captain and a top six forward is unacceptable.

Not sure, but I think he wants to move into the front office, but I could be wrong.


http://www.foxsports.com/...s-with-other-teams-032315
- MJL

And Hextall has an assistant GM opening

What I think the issue is, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the feeling that you are defining him as a player based on this season. I think that would be a terrible viewpoint to base trading Couturier on, from a player management standpoint.
- MJL

No I am not.
I think Couturiers most overall productive season was his rookie year.
That year he had 27 points but was a +18.
Since then he has gone 15 points and -8, 39 points and +1 then 30 and +1 this year so far.

You would only move him for a number 1 dman and think it would be harder to replace his production then it would Simmonds.

I would move either Couturier or Schenn for a 1 or 2 dman or a legit offensive threat.

In the end it would be best for the Flyers if Couturier and Schenn actually produce next season and we can all stop having these types of discussions.

And Hextall has an assistant GM opening
- ob18

I may apply

No I am not.
I think Couturiers most overall productive season was his rookie year.
That year he had 27 points but was a +18.
Since then he has gone 15 points and -8, 39 points and +1 then 30 and +1 this year so far.


- opeth_pa

Okay then, still the same issue. Defining a player that is 22 based on past seasons, and ignoring the potential for future growth?

You would only move him for a number 1 dman and think it would be harder to replace his production then it would Simmonds.


- opeth_pa

Yes, I would only trade Couturier for a top defenseman. Your statement about the current level of production, doesn't take into account the future. I think when all is said and done, I think Couturier is going to be the better, and more valuable player. That's not a knock on Simmonds.

In the end it would be best for the Flyers if Couturier and Schenn actually produce next season and we can all stop having these types of discussions.
- opeth_pa

It sure would. In the end, a player isn't defined when he is 22. There is a future, and potential has to be looked at and judged. Unfortunately, it's not an exact science.

I may apply
- Crimsoninja

What makes you qualified ?

posted this last night but then i had to bail.

would you trade the flyers first rounder, assuming it fell between 9 and 12, for TJ Brodie from calgary?

Okay then, still the same issue. Defining a player that is 22 based on past seasons, and ignoring the potential for future growth?
- MJL

Nope, just like I wont define B Schenn at 23 and less games played than Couturier.

Yes, I would only trade Couturier for a top defenseman. Your statement about the current level of production, doesn't take into account the future. I think when all is said and done, I think Couturier is going to be the better, and more valuable player. That's not a knock on Simmonds.
- MJL

Fair enough.
I would take Simmonds and his proven level of performance, physical play and leadership over Couturier or B Schenn and that does take into account the future.
I see both Couturier and B Schenn as being borderline 2 but really solid 3 line players. I see Simmonds as already having proven he is more than that and I expect him to break 30 goals next season after coming very close the last 2.

It sure would. In the end, a player isn't defined when he is 22. There is a future, and potential has to be looked at and judged. Unfortunately, it's not an exact science.
- MJL

Agreed..22 and 23 is too young to say either player is anything but inconsistent.

One thing about b schenn that really bothers me. His stick is always up around his waste when he's skating around out there. More than any other forward on the team. That bothers me. I know he's not a great defensive forward but come on have your stick on the ice