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- jmatchett383

I'd rather have Barzal or Provorov, myself, but I like him, too

Crouse could probably step in, because he's a good two way player and wouldn't necessarily be a weakness on a checking line. Some guys have trouble going from CHL top liner to NHL third liner, but I think he could do it and be solid at it.

I discussed my feelings on Crouse pretty in depth yesterday. I think he could be a very good player if used with guys like Giroux, but wouldn't necessarily elevate the play of guys like Schenn or Couturier.

I don't pass up a Barzal or Provorov for him.
- Jsaquella

I agree, I was just pointing him out as being the most NHL ready after the top 2.

I'd rather have Barzal or Provorov, myself, but I like him, too
- Jsaquella

1. He's Finnish
2. He's big
3. He's produced well as an 18-year-old in a men's league on a bad team
4. His last name is really fun to say.
5. Did I mention he's Finnish?

Like I said, Braydon Schenn reminds me of Sam Gagner. A good player, but nothing special. Not good enough to be a legit 2C, not a natural winger, not a bottom-6 guy. He doesn't seem to have a fit.
- jmatchett383

Matt Stajan

That I would agree with, but it's not what you said. You said he was untouchable. Sorry if I misunderstood.
- BiggE

i guess, untouchable isn't the right wording. core player to build with is more like it.

i guess, untouchable isn't the right wording. core player to build with is more like it.
- flyerscup2011

No one, not even Giroux/Simmonds/Voracek, is untouchable on this team.

i guess, untouchable isn't the right wording. core player to build with is more like it.
- flyerscup2011

For sure!

No one, not even Giroux/Simmonds/Voracek, is untouchable on this team.
- jmatchett383

I would be open to trading any player on this roster as well. gotta treat players like girlfriends and not wives.

Patrice Bergeron. An ideal 2nd line center in this league. Had 2 70 point seasons when he was 20 and 21 and since then is averaging a 60 pt season per 82 games.

Really like Coots' game but a Bergeron he is not nor will ever be. We have an excellent 3C for years to come though.
- Just5

Exactly! Everyone needs to lower their expectations of Coots offense; most importantly Ron Hextall. The kid is an elite shut down forward. He still has value but we have to stop pretending he will ever produce like Brindamour.

I would be open to trading any player on this roster as well. gotta treat players like girlfriends and not wives.
- flyerscup2011

You must have been a real hit with the ladies.

"Look here baby, let's you and me make some sex happen, and keep it up until I can throw you out on the street when a better piece comes along. I'll call you in a week or so, just don't bring your personal problems with you."

Gawd -- I hate the cap for making me think this way and care so much about player salaries -- but one must also consider the bang that earned for the buck.

It would be fiscally irresponsible to unload B. Schenn at 2.5m/season and/or Couturier at 1.75m/season and try to replace with Free Agents or players of higher cap hits with only marginally superior offensive production.

In short, I hate the salary cap.

No one, not even Giroux/Simmonds/Voracek, is untouchable on this team.
- jmatchett383

if the Flyers win Mickey D than I would consider moving G for a top D man

You must have been a real hit with the ladies.

"Look here baby, let's you and me make some sex happen, and keep it up until I can throw you out on the street when a better piece comes along. I'll call you in a week or so, just don't bring your personal problems with you."
- jmatchett383

when i was single i had to beg for it tbh

Gawd -- I hate the cap for making me think this way and care so much about player salaries -- but one must also consider the bang that earned for the buck.

It would be fiscally irresponsible to unload B. Schenn at 2.5m/season and/or Couturier at 1.75m/season and try to replace with Free Agents or players of higher cap hits with only marginally superior offensive production.

In short, I hate the salary cap.
- Moose_15

But if you unload B. Schenn for (possible) a first-round pick or as a way to upgrade your first-round pick, then you're possibly getting a player who could be better, cheaper, and younger (although likely a few years away).

I would stick with Couts. His situation reminds me a bit of JVR in that he shows flashes and creates scoring chances. He's just not finishing them or finding offensive consistency. I still think he'll develop into a good #2 center. His trajectory from last season looked good. I think with better coaching, more balanced usage and better linemates, he'll look a lot better. Read is also shooting 5% this year after shooting 15% in his first three years. There's no doubt that's hurt Couts assist numbers.

Patrice Bergeron. An ideal 2nd line center in this league. Had 2 70 point seasons when he was 20 and 21 and since then is averaging a 60 pt season per 82 games.

Really like Coots' game but a Bergeron he is not nor will ever be. We have an excellent 3C for years to come though.
- Just5

The reality is that Bergeron is a #1 center in this league. He puts up 1st line center numbers. It may be in the lower end of the spectrum, but top line center numbers. If you have a Bergeron as your 2nd center, you're doing pretty darn good.

But if you unload B. Schenn for (possible) a first-round pick or as a way to upgrade your first-round pick, then you're possibly getting a player who could be better, cheaper, and younger (although likely a few years away).
- jmatchett383

And whom does one sign to fill that second line role vacated by a cost-effective B. Schenn then, and at what cost in AAV? Because we're then looking at the same issues -- lack of secondary scoring if you choose to fill the void internally -- or overpaying in the FA market for minimal production benefits.

Gawd -- I hate the cap for making me think this way and care so much about player salaries -- but one must also consider the bang that earned for the buck.

It would be fiscally irresponsible to unload B. Schenn at 2.5m/season and/or Couturier at 1.75m/season and try to replace with Free Agents or players of higher cap hits with only marginally superior offensive production.

In short, I hate the salary cap.
- Moose_15

I like the salary cap.

I hate the way the Flyers manage it

I would stick with Couts. His situation reminds me a bit of JVR in that he shows flashes and creates scoring chances. He's just not finishing them or finding offensive consistency. I still think he'll develop into a good #2 center. His trajectory from last season looked good. I think with better coaching, more balanced usage and better linemates, he'll look a lot better. Read is also shooting 5% this year after shooting 15% in his first three years. There's no doubt that's hurt Couts assist numbers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Funny -- I've been telling the scouts the same things about my game for years.

#StillDraftEligible

Exactly! Everyone needs to lower their expectations of Coots offense; most importantly Ron Hextall. The kid is an elite shut down forward. He still has value but we have to stop pretending he will ever produce like Brindamour.

- redcoat75

What expectations for Couturier are reasonable in your opinion?

And whom does one sign to fill that second line role vacated by a cost-effective B. Schenn then, and at what cost in AAV? Because we're then looking at the same issues -- lack of secondary scoring if you choose to fill the void internally -- or overpaying in the FA market for minimal production benefits.
- Moose_15

Well, in the short term, you can try to:
a) trade for one
b) see if one of Laughton/Couturier can fill the hole
c) sign a UFA

Or, if you believe that you won't be a contender for 2-3 years, you can try the draft and develop method.

I like the salary cap.

I hate the way the Flyers manage it
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm just glad we have the salary cap so that the big market teams like the Flyers, Rangers, and Maple Leafs can stop buying all of the Cups that should go to teams like New Jersey, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Colorado.

if the Flyers win Mickey D than I would consider moving G for a top D man
- vejim

Maybe in 4 years. That wouldn't ever happen any sooner.

I'm just glad we have the salary cap so that the big market teams like the Flyers, Rangers, and Maple Leafs can stop buying all of the Cups that should go to teams like New Jersey, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Colorado.
- jmatchett383

I really don't think cap management is that hard. The Flyers have somehow managed to pay around $20M for next to no production.

Some small market teams pay twice that for playoff rosters.

Maybe in 4 years. That wouldn't ever happen any sooner.
- hereticpride

Exactly. McDavid is as sure as any prospect can be (well, maybe Lemieux/Gretzky were more so), but until you see what he does, you don't trade your top-10 scoring superstar and team captain.