FWIW my draft board for the flyers first pick is as follows:
1. Mcdavid
2. Eichel
3. Marner
4. Provorov
5. Strome
6. Hannifan
7. Barzal
8. Zacha
- JFlyers00

I'm fine with your top 7, though I have Strome, Marner then Provorov. I'm still deciding on 8. Zacha, Werenski, and a few others are in the mix.

Hire Briere as the forwards coach. He can teach offense to this group and is respected!
- Phigment

Playing skill and coaching don't translate. You need to know how to teach along with knowledge of the game. It is the same Reason Gretzky failed as coach.

Ummm Rantanen
- ob18

This times 7 infinities.

Ummm Rantanen
- ob18

Yes, I was missing him. Rantanen is definitely 8.

Yes, I was missing him. Rantanen is definitely 8.
- TheGreat28

I don't have a top 10 but it wouldn't be tough to put one out.

Playing skill and coaching don't translate. You need to know how to teach along with knowledge of the game. It is the same Reason Gretzky failed as coach.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

He only failed as a coach because his team wasn't constructed with the smartest hockey minds to ever play. That was Gretzky's best asset, that he just knew what was going to happen 3 steps before everyone else did. Kind of hard to teach that.

Briere would probably make a great PP coach.

I personally happen to agree with your ratings of the players. But you know I've been a huge Strome, Marner and Barzal fan from the beginning. But the reality is that there are many other knowledgeable analysts and scouts that have differing opinions, especially in that second group.

The other problem for me is that you just don't see straight prospect for prospect trades. Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong with some examples. But teams fall in love with their top prospects. Yes, they'll trade for a vet. But in terms of trading prospect for prospect, it's the devil that you know.

Do you think the Jets would trade Ehlers straight up for Schenn (even if Schenn were a little further developed)?

Arizona could use a center to play with Duclair and Domi. The Flyers really need a LW. Would they trade Perlini for Schenn or Laughton?

You look at a JVR for Schenn trade as an example. But really, both players had fallen out of favor with their teams. Do you think either club would have traded the player had that not been the case?
- TheGreat28

I don't see an issue trading prospects or young players for vets, so long as you're not dealing a 23 or 24 year old kid for a 34 year old veteran. You build up a deep and strong system, and then you can trade roster pieces to fill needs or use the kids in the system to do so.

I also don't see an issue if Couturier ends up behind others as the 3C, so long as they're not burying him to the extent that he's been buried to this point of his career.

If the Flyers feel Crouse or Rantanen is a better prospect than Barzal or another center, then that's who they should take, an I'm fine with that if it's what happens, because I've watched them play too and they are also good prospects. Just because I like Barzal or Provorov better, I won't be pissed off if they took Rantanen, Crouse or Werenski with their top pick.

I don't see an issue trading prospects or young players for vets, so long as you're not dealing a 23 or 24 year old kid for a 34 year old veteran. You build up a deep and strong system, and then you can trade roster pieces to fill needs or use the kids in the system to do so.

I also don't see an issue if Couturier ends up behind others as the 3C, so long as they're not burying him to the extent that he's been buried to this point of his career.

If the Flyers feel Crouse or Rantanen is a better prospect than Barzal or another center, then that's who they should take, an I'm fine with that if it's what happens, because I've watched them play too and they are also good prospects. Just because I like Barzal or Provorov better, I won't be pissed off if they took Rantanen, Crouse or Werenski with their top pick.
- Jsaquella

Bid on Crouse game warn socks (for charity)

http://maxsold.maxsold.com/auction/521

Bid on Crouse game warn socks (for charity)

http://maxsold.maxsold.com/auction/521
- ob18

- Jsaquella

That a no?

FWIW my draft board for the flyers first pick is as follows:
1. Mcdavid
2. Eichel
3. Marner
4. Provorov
5. Strome
6. Hannifan
7. Barzal
8. Zacha
- JFlyers00

If Hanifin drops to us ill cry. Guarenteed top 4 guy with potential to be more. Very similar to Karl Alzner

Bid on Crouse game warn socks (for charity)

http://maxsold.maxsold.com/auction/521
- ob18

Can they create odors on their own, or do they depend on other clothing to generate the odor?

I don't have a top 10 but it wouldn't be tough to put one out.
- ob18

I've been waiting

I'm leaning towards Rantanen, Zacha and Werenski as 8-10. Zacha does worry me though. I think he might be the highest risk/reward guy in the group. It's impressive that he's doing fairly well given it's his first year in NA though. But still would like a little more production.

I wonder why Kyle Connor gets no love here?

Also, I really like Svechnikov with lightning pick. I'd look into whatever to trade up and get him.

Bill,

Do you agree, partially agree, or disagree with Berube's comments on Couturier? I personally think there is some merit to the comments. Some of Cout's problems are self-inflicted, meaning he sees himself as excelling in that role and falls back into defensive habits too easily.

I'm wondering if some of Berube's comments were a public challenge to Couturier as much as an explanation to the media.
- TheGreat28

I think the zpone start and deployment issues are real, but I have the same take as you do on what Berube is saying.

Bergeron
18:00/game, 1:45 PK, 2:20 PP. 55 POints, 14 on PP
Cout
18:23/game, 2:20 PK, 1:34 PP, 37 points, 6 PP

bergeron, for most of the season plays with Marchand and Kreji/Smith

I would argue that Cout isn't actually that far off. Given the same PP time and linemates that can score, his totals would, I think, be comparable.

Can they create odors on their own, or do they depend on other clothing to generate the odor?
- jmatchett383

Ok, that was pretty good too

Let's apply Berube logic to Berube:

Good coaches get their teams in the playoffs. Period. The players aren't an excuse. Injuries aren't an excuse -- battle through it.
- Feanor

Absolutely. Coaching is a results oriented business. The above is why Berube is probably going to be fired.

I've been waiting

I'm leaning towards Rantanen, Zacha and Werenski as 8-10. Zacha does worry me though. I think he might be the highest risk/reward guy in the group. It's impressive that he's doing fairly well given it's his first year in NA though. But still would like a little more production.

I wonder why Kyle Connor gets no love here?

Also, I really like Svechnikov with lightning pick. I'd look into whatever to trade up and get him.
- TheGreat28

It's probably because nobody has ever seen Connor & it's hard to get a real good opinion. I am not sold Svechnikov will make it past mid round 1.

And I've said I won't do anything until after the draft lottery so we know for sure when they'll be picking.

Bergeron
18:00/game, 1:45 PK, 2:20 PP. 55 POints, 14 on PP
Cout
18:23/game, 2:20 PK, 1:34 PP, 37 points, 6 PP

bergeron, for most of the season plays with Marchand and Kreji/Smith

I would argue that Cout isn't actually that far off. Given the same PP time and linemates that can score, his totals would, I think, be comparable.
- nails

Coots probably gets more dzone starts and might marginally play against tougher competition

So much of this goes back to the loss of Pronger. He was slated to wear the C (which he did for about 20 games), and to fill that gap, the Flyers went with Giroux over Briere, Hartnell, or Timonen. The Flyers got by early (before Pronger's concussion) because Jagr stepped in and filled the role with the previously mentioned Briere, Hartnell, and Timonen backing him up.

They are all gone now, and Giroux was thrust into the role, and he's not suited for it. I think Lecavalier was brought in for leadership, but the mismanagement in the front office has rendered him a non-factor. I see Simmonds as more of a leader, and Voracek has made strides.

Leadership aside, the 5 on 5 was simply abysmal. If the Flyers can't handle a team at even strength, then they can't hope to succeed in the playoffs.

Hopefully they will get rid of Berube and trade off Lecavalier and the Schenn brothers for that much-desired leadership and some useful picks.

Their is 100% nothing wrong at all with saying he is a really solid shut down 3 line center that can contribute 30-35 points. Every team would be lucky to have a player like that just like I think we are. Im not sure where this belief started that he was going to be a consistent 50-60 point player got started.

To this point in their careers since they are essentially the same when it comes to age and games played neither Couturier or Schenn have been able to deliver as a second line center.

It's probably because nobody has ever seen Connor & it's hard to get a real good opinion. I am not sold Svechnikov will make it past mid round 1.

And I've said I won't do anything until after the draft lottery so we know for sure when they'll be picking.
- ob18

Would you trade the tampa pick and chicago's 2nd to move up to get Svechnikov or a falling Kylington?

Many are taking Berube's comments out of context in my opinion. Berube hasn't stated that he expects Couturier to score at the same level that Bergeron does, or has.

It's probably because nobody has ever seen Connor & it's hard to get a real good opinion. I am not sold Svechnikov will make it past mid round 1.

And I've said I won't do anything until after the draft lottery so we know for sure when they'll be picking.
- ob18

Good point on Connor. Agree on Svech - won't make it past 18.

Button has Zacha ranked 30th. I mean, his performance issues notwithstanding, that's kind of low.

And yes, I said it like that on purpose

Would you trade the tampa pick and chicago's 2nd to move up to get Svechnikov or a falling Kylington?
- JAKEw1234

No, I sit tight and use them.