I am completely fine with that.

If our forwards group next year was set as this...

Raffl-G-Voracek
Read-Couts-Schenn
??-Laughton-Simmonds
White-PEB-Velveteen Rabbit

... I will be happy.

Add a forward (whether in the draft or UFA) and I think that offense is pretty decent.

Improve the defense and everything should be better than this year.
- jak521

I would look for a winger for Couturier and Schenn. I think Read with Laughton and Simmonds brings speed and two way play to still keep the line productive but also a good defensive line.

Raffl - Grioux - Voracek
???? - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Simmonds
Bellemare - Cousins - White

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe won a round or 2.

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe one a round or 2.
- Jimmygrazz

TeH fUtUrEz or something.

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe one a round or 2.
- Jimmygrazz

Indeed the trade hurt the team, especially in the short term. Maybe in two years things will shake out differently when Umberger is no longer here due to trade or buyout and Hartnell has (possibly) fallen off the face of the earth.

But for now, Columbus emphatically won that trade.

I would look for a winger for Couturier and Schenn. I think Read with Laughton and Simmonds brings speed and two way play to still keep the line productive but also a good defensive line.

Raffl - Grioux - Voracek
???? - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Simmonds
Bellemare - Cousins - White
- J35Bacher

I like that as well.. its gonna be tough to find that player.. I dont think any of the prospects we currently have fit that bill.. Not many great UFA choices either.

Ok then we agree on that.

Do you think he could have been better offensively if he was used differently?
- jak521

Yes, I do. I also think that Couturier's usage and deployment has also contributed to his lack of confidence offensively, but I also agree with Berube that Couturier can't use it as a excuse, and needs to work through that.

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe won a round or 2.
- Jimmygrazz

What's done is done, but yeah: Those 45 points get you more wins, absolutely

I think it would be good enough to make the playoffs, but really that's about it. I see the potential for a lot of inconsistency. I see a whole bunch of guys who have to work really hard to score. The problem with that is they just don't have that talent to still score a couple of goals when the effort is just a little off.

That's been the whole problem with the team this year. All in all, it's marginally better but I wouldn't go with that in terms of roster planning for long term.

Maybe it's just me.
- TheGreat28

The Flyers need to tweak their forward mix. They are too heavy on the grinder, mucker side so to speak. They need to add more skill and quickness and add a little "dangle" to the lineup.

I like that as well.. its gonna be tough to find that player.. I dont think any of the prospects we currently have fit that bill.. Not many great UFA choices either.
- jak521

I know.

But win the lottery and you can slide McDavid there.

It seems a lot of the draft prospects this year seem more ready they most years. I could see where some of them are given real chances to win a job.

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe won a round or 2.
- Jimmygrazz

They wouldn't have even made the playoffs. The PK would still have been terrible.

Does anyone else think that losing Hartnell really messed up this team? I know he took bad penalties and was streaky, but he scored 45 more points than Umberger. Those points win a few games here and there. Not that they would have been a cup contender, but maybe won a round or 2.
- Jimmygrazz

Let's not forget the negative points from Hartnell's PIM. However, I agree in the sense that Hartnell may have been missed for his leadership in the locker room. I lot was said about Timonen, but I believe a good organization should have a guy who pokes fun at himself - it takes the pressure of the rest.

They wouldn't have even made the playoffs. The PK would still have been terrible.
- Feanor

Yeah, and the PP, where Hartsy shines, didn't really miss him at all w/ Simmer and B.Schenn doing perfectly well.

Indeed the trade hurt the team, especially in the short term. Maybe in two years things will shake out differently when Umberger is no longer here due to trade or buyout and Hartnell has (possibly) fallen off the face of the earth.

But for now, Columbus emphatically won that trade.
- MBFlyerfan

Do not forget about our 4th round pick

I could live with Vinny's getting another shot but with a different coach.
That way there are no excuses . He would have a fresh start to prove his value.
RJ on the other hand.. Well him and Berube can rent a charter and sail off into the sunset... And take Luke if they want
- 3flyerkids

I think they tried VLC in nearly every possible spot and line combination.

Would a new coach and new system make that much difference?

I really think he's done.

And the Flyers will be stuck with him more than likely.

I think there is a better chance VLC is back next year then Berube at this point.

What's done is done, but yeah: Those 45 points get you more wins, absolutely
- AllInForFlyers

See, that's where I don't always look at how many points a guy had and and automatically assume anything about the season. 45 is a lot of points but how many goals were scored when the team was up a few already? Didn't he have a hat trick recently? Did they need all of those goals to win? If someone has a lot of free time they could go back and look to see how many game winners he had or how many games he contributed where his goal or assists really helped them win. You also have to subtract how ever many points Umberger had from that 45 total. No one knows what could have happened; maybe he breaks his leg in the first game because L Schenn can't skate and tripped and Hartnell falls over him.

That being said, we lost a bunch of one goal and OT games so Hartnell very well could have helped but I still think it's helping more to have that cap room available in 2 years, maybe sooner if we buy out Umberger or if Hexy can make some magic happen.

I would look for a winger for Couturier and Schenn. I think Read with Laughton and Simmonds brings speed and two way play to still keep the line productive but also a good defensive line.

Raffl - Grioux - Voracek
???? - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Simmonds
Bellemare - Cousins - White
- J35Bacher

I would much rather find someone for Giroux and Voracek and move Raffl down.

I like Raffl, but I'd prefer him on another line.

I would much rather find someone for Giroux and Voracek and move Raffl down.

I like Raffl, but I'd prefer him on another line.
- johndewar

I think Raffl can be a 30 goal scorer if he plays 70+ games on the first line next season.

I would much rather find someone for Giroux and Voracek and move Raffl down.

I like Raffl, but I'd prefer him on another line.
- johndewar

I think it's far more important to use any assets to improve the lower lines then the top line. Raffl/Giroux/Voracek is a potent top line. Why use what available assets you have to make that line better, when the lower lines are so much weaker? Balance is far more important than getting more top heavy.

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2015/4/13/8406831/fire-him-now


This is actually hilarious
- jak521

That usage diagram was gold.

Yes, I do. I also think that Couturier's usage and deployment has also contributed to his lack of confidence offensively, but I also agree with Berube that Couturier can't use it as a excuse, and needs to work through that.
- MJL

And this is where I argue that he is fighting through it.. and he isnt using it as an excuse. He scored 37 points despite all that against him.

I would much rather find someone for Giroux and Voracek and move Raffl down.

I like Raffl, but I'd prefer him on another line.
- johndewar

I kind of agree.

Everyone including Hexy talks about the need for another playmaker but they have two elite forwards who are more playmakers then finishers although both G and Jake can score goals too.

Raffl isn't a bad fit there and you are going to have some holes in a cap world.

But if they had a LW sniper, even if he wasn't with G and Jake every shift, the coach would have the option of playing the LW sniper with G and Jake when they were behind a goal in the third period.

All that said I would rather fill the need for a top two way Dman over the pure first line LW.

Raffl would be solid on any line IMO but he is not a 'natural' #1 LW.

To me getting a top six LW via trade is something I really want to see this summer.
It would be great if the guy can score in the skills competition as well.

I think it's far more important to use any assets to improve the lower lines then the top line. Raffl/Giroux/Voracek is a potent top line. Why use what available assets you have to make that line better, when the lower lines are so much weaker? Balance is far more important than getting more top heavy.
- MJL

I think moving Raffl down makes the lower lines better, no?

I don't think it's a huge priority or anything, but I'd like to see someone with better offensive instincts up on that line. That's all. It's not an indictment of Raffl or anything.

I think Raffl can be a 30 goal scorer if he plays 70+ games on the first line next season.
- Feanor

I don't disagree.....I'm a big fan of Raffl.....I'm just interested in seeing someone with a bit more offensive inclination up on that line.

I think they tried VLC in nearly every possible spot and line combination.

Would a new coach and new system make that much difference?

I really think he's done.

And the Flyers will be stuck with him more than likely.

I think there is a better chance VLC is back next year then Berube at this point.
- Marc D

I think VLC usage is one of the factors that gets Berube fired, when it's all said and done.

Regardless of what we and Berube think about Vinny, I think Hextall's problem becomes either finding a way to ship Vinny out or find a coach that can get something, anything, out of Vinny.

And this is where I argue that he is fighting through it.. and he isnt using it as an excuse. He scored 37 points despite all that against him.
- jak521

I don't think he is either, but I think there is room for improvement in his offensive game.