This gives us, like, 10 natural centers, 5 guys suited to playing RW, and no real good options at LW.

My math may be off, but not by much.
- johndewar

According to Brayden Schenn himself, I suppose he feels more comfortable on the right side, even though he's brand new at it. Based on where and how he scored the game winner and what he was able to do against Detroit, I feel what side he's on has nothing to do with how he's playing. Schenn had success and chemistry with Couturier and Read earlier this season. Read and Schenn were on opposite sides. I think it has more to do with having a chance to handle the puck more and show off his skill sets. This is kind of hard to do when your on the ice with Giroux and Voracek while they're playing catch with one another. Hartnell and Raffl play best away from the puck and are mostly opportunists, which isn't Schenn's game.

Not to mention the constant injuries with that team.

They really need to move Malkin for a haul to get the assets needed to right the ship. I certainly won't complain if they keep fooling themselves though.
- hereticpride

I don't think I'd trade Malkin. Having two centers who can dominate a game is such a luxury. When Letang, Malkin and Crosby are healthy, they are definitely worth $25M. The team has just done a horendous job building around them.

If you have two hart trophy winners, a Norris caliber defenseman and a Top 10 starting goalie and you can't build a team around them for $40M that can easily make the playoffs, you should be fired.

Sometimes people over think in the shootout. I think you saw a lot of that from G this year. I have no doubt he will be better next year.
- jak521

good point it did seemed to get into his head a bit. Look at the last attempt or was it 2 attempts ago where he just blasted it from in close.

How bout that Rinaldo pass
- Just5

And that laser off the bar.

Logically speaking I want the best shot at McDavid and the best pick possible but the fan in me watching the games can't help but root for the players to do well and win.
- nastyflyergirl

Yupper, that's the conflict. Sunday was the 1st time in a long time I got really fired up about a goal, actually yelled at the tv when White scored after that crap with Kunitz and Jake. That was fun, and I was like Oh yeah, that's what it's like to be excited by a game, I'd forgotten.

I just don't consider either of those guys to be all that better than Schenn or Raffl. Sure, Raffl is far from proven but right now you're getting too good of a bang for you buck with him. And if we're moving Schenn for another LW then I'm with MJL on this one. It needs to be a playmaker.
- hereticpride

I think this is as short sited as it gets, especially during a season where we've all wanted Lecavalier, Umberger, Rinaldo and Vandevelde off the roster by any means nessassary. I still believe it's possible to get at least 3 of 4, if not all of them off the roster. This is four spots. The problem is, fans eyes become much bigger then their stomachs. Laughton and Cousins don't look like playmakers to me but they're young, hand them a job. Getting a little bigger and tougher is as needed as a playmaker on the roster.

Re: Giroux shootouts. I think its the wrists.
- hereticpride

He had wrist surgery in the 2012 offseason, and then went 2/3 in shootouts.

He had finger surgery in the 2013 offseason, and then went 5/11 in shootouts.

He patted a cop's butt in the 2014 offseason, and then went 1/12 in shootouts.

According to Brayden Schenn himself, I suppose he feels more comfortable on the right side, even though he's brand new at it. Based on where and how he scored the game winner and what he was able to do against Detroit, I feel what side he's on has nothing to do with how he's playing. Schenn had success and chemistry with Couturier and Read earlier this season. Read and Schenn were on opposite sides. I think it has more to do with having a chance to handle the puck more and show off his skill sets. This is kind of hard to do when your on the ice with Giroux and Voracek while they're playing catch with one another. Hartnell and Raffl play best away from the puck and are mostly opportunists, which isn't Schenn's game.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree with you there. Raffl really is a nice fit with them. Curious to see how he does with them for a full season. Also going to be curious to see where Simmonds fits in. Does Laughton make the team as the 3rd line center. Would like to see White back. I would sign VV as a depth guy who can be sent down if one of the kids like Cousins shows he is ready for a full time NHL job. what they do with the defense...have to think 1-2 will go. I think we are in for a very entertaining off season

be really nice to see Leier, Laughton and Cousins rounding out the bottom 6 in some capacity
- nastyflyergirl

I honestly think Laughton could be gone in favor of White/Bellemare given howve those guys have played. And if they draft one of these Centers I think Coots becomes the future 3rd C in a year or two... In which case what the hell do you do with Laughton?

Idk, Laughton has zero experience on the wing but maybe they can transition him to LW. That said, if all Laughton amounts to for us is a 3rd line LW I will be mightly disappointed.

I agree with you there. Raffl really is a nice fit with them. Curious to see how he does with them for a full season. Also going to be curious to see where Simmonds fits in. Does Laughton make the team as the 3rd line center. Would like to see White back. I would sign VV as a depth guy who can be sent down if one of the kids like Cousins shows he is ready for a full time NHL job. what they do with the defense...have to think 1-2 will go. I think we are in for a very entertaining off season
- nastyflyergirl

It's gotta be more entertaining than the season we're just finishing.

It's mind boggling how hit or miss this team has been. Great at home, terrible on the road. Great against top teams, terrible against bottom feeders. It doesn't make any sense!
- funmaster18

Recorded the game, and fell asleep going through the 1st period, but watching the crisp passing on line rushes last night, it took me back to the first 2/3 of the season when they were missing outlet passes by 5 feet.

Imagine what could have been...

I honestly think Laughton could be gone in favor of White/Bellemare given howve those guys have played. And if they draft one of these Centers I think Coots becomes the future 3rd C in a year or two... In which case what the hell do you do with Laughton?

Idk, Laughton has zero experience on the wing but maybe they can transition him to LW. That said, if all Laughton amounts to for us is a 3rd line LW I will be mightly disappointed.
- hereticpride

there is no way I would move Laughton in favor of either of those guys. Now if you are moving Laughton for a young wing or in a package for a young dman I would get that.

I think this is as short sited as it gets, especially during a season where we've all wanted Lecavalier, Umberger, Rinaldo and Vandevelde off the roster by any means nessassary. I still believe it's possible to get at least 3 of 4, if not all of them off the roster. This is four spots. The problem is, fans eyes become much bigger then their stomachs. Laughton and Cousins don't look like playmakers to me but they're young, hand them a job. Getting a little bigger and tougher is as needed as a playmaker on the roster.
- SuperSchennBros

I think it's less about finding specific things like speed or size and more about just finding more talent. They need players who drive possession. Whether those guys are big, small, fast or slow doesn't really matter. Can they make the players around them better? That's really all that matters.

Flyers have three players who consistently do that and they're all on the top line

How bout that Rinaldo pass
- Just5

there is no way I would move Laughton in favor of either of those guys. Now if you are moving Laughton for a young wing or in a package for a young dman I would get that.
- nastyflyergirl

This^... I still, personally, think Laughton is better than people give him credit for. He hasn't even had the chance to really prove himself yet, and people are ready to just throw him in the garbage can. When he's been given a chance, he's shown speed and strength on and off the puck. I still want to see him given a real shot to make the team before giving up on him...

- Scoob

This^... I still, personally, think Laughton is better than people give him credit for. He hasn't even had the chance to really prove himself yet, and people are ready to just throw him in the garbage can. When he's been given a chance, he's shown speed and strength on and off the puck. I still want to see him given a real shot to make the team before giving up on him...
- WarriorHockey21

Agreed. I believe he'll be a good middle six player like Read was before this season. He's good in all three zones and has some offensive pop. I'd like to see them give him some NHL linemates for an extended look

This^... I still, personally, think Laughton is better than people give him credit for. He hasn't even had the chance to really prove himself yet, and people are ready to just throw him in the garbage can. When he's been given a chance, he's shown speed and strength on and off the puck. I still want to see him given a real shot to make the team before giving up on him...
- WarriorHockey21

Its not really about his skill though. I wasn't knocking him. But if they draft Barzal or Zacha and in two years you're looking at G Barzal Coots down the middle then is Laughton really needed? I'm sure he will be none too pleased to be playing 4th line minutes 5 years out of the draft...

Thats why I almost want to target a D man with the 1st pick and move Laughton+ to get Zacha. It puts the team in a greater position to succeed.

Thank you.

I will be giving my state of the team address at years end. I plan on seeing all of you in attendance
- PhillySportsGuy

Will there be an open bar? That will guarantee perfect attendance!

Its not really about his skill though. I wasn't knocking him. But if they draft Barzal or Zacha and in two years you're looking at G Barzal Coots down the middle then is Laughton really needed? I'm sure he will be none too pleased to be playing 4th line minutes 5 years out of the draft...

Thats why I almost want to traget a D man with the 1st pick and move Laughton+ to get Zacha. It puts the team in a greater position to succeed.
- hereticpride

You can't predict five years out like that. Five years ago we were worried about having too many centers with Richards, G, Carter and Briere.

Maybe Zacha becomes a winger in the NHL or Laughton becomes a winger or Couts or G get traded. Maybe G regresses over the next few years and the team moves him to wing.

Will there be an open bar? That will guarantee perfect attendance!
- BiggE

If by open you mean on your tab, then yes

Thank you.

I will be giving my state of the team address at years end. I plan on seeing all of you in attendance
- PhillySportsGuy

I'll probably be skipping this one

Report: OHL's Erie Otters file for bankruptcy

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/740542

Its not really about his skill though. I wasn't knocking him. But if they draft Barzal or Zacha and in two years you're looking at G Barzal Coots down the middle then is Laughton really needed? I'm sure he will be none too pleased to be playing 4th line minutes 5 years out of the draft....
- hereticpride

I wasn't speaking really to what you said. I knew what you were getting at. But the board usually gets chocked full of Laughten criticism when his name get's brought up. Or maybe not so much "criticism", as just selling him short and writing him off already.

Thats why I almost want to target a D man with the 1st pick and move Laughton+ to get Zacha. It puts the team in a greater position to succeed

Now that I wouldn't be necessarily opposed to. If you can bring back needed pieces in a deal(not necessarily Zacha), I say do it. Like I said, I was merely speaking in regards to those who just basically say he's a bust, or will never be worth anything as a player. But if they can include him in a deal for needed pieces that will help improve the team (since I know, the Flyers are center-heavy at the moment), by all means they need to do it.

I'll probably be skipping this one
- ob18

There will be a raffl with the winner receiving a minor midget jersey.

Comes only in extra small. JSaq will wear it for the evening to stretch it out.