For the Flyers to get back to playoff contention....Couturier, Read and B. Schenn all have to take that next step....They all get premier minutes and beyond this garbage about D zone face offs have to be better.
Had those guys all improved this year they would be a playoff team despite how horrific their D was....maybe not a legit contender but they would have been a playoff team.....I do take the criticism in stride when it comes to these guy because they are all fairly new to the league and in the case of Couturier and Schenn they are still young...My question is why these guys all seemed to regress this year? Is it Berubes fault at least in part ?....Was it Couturiers Line mates? was it Couturier himself? was it Reads injury? Is Schenn simply overrated?
Make no mistake Berube is a good coach ....but is he the right coach? I personnly think he should be gone....But there are some others that should follow him out the door....without some substantial changes this team will be in the same position next year....a non playoff team hoping to win the draft lottery.

I don't think anybody is saying Couturier can't improve his own game. In fact pretty much every post about his usage also mentions he needs to take better advantage of the chances he does get.

Say he cashes in on 10 of the chances he flubbed or failed to execute. That gives him ten more points. That takes him to 47 points last year. Increase his offensive usage, maybe that gives him another 10 points, simply not being used in such a heavy defense first manner.
- Jsaquella

OK, gun to your head, or worse, we'll move Berube down the shore as your next door neighbor:

If you were planning this team, are you ok with a lineup that has G-Couts-Laughton down the middle? Or are you upgrading the 2nd line while leaving Couts with very good wingers. Let's say at least Read from 2 years ago and if not Schenn, someone comparable or maybe an Aube-Kubel a year or two from now.

The goal is to have a legit chance to win the SC, not just make the playoffs and hope for the best.

I was playing around with a mock draft and it shook out with us taking Barzal and Beauvillier
- aflyerpower8

With what were you doing the mock?

With what were you doing the mock?
- JAKEw1234

My own mind. I probably could have worded that better

OK, gun to your head, or worse, we'll move Berube down the shore as your next door neighbor:

If you were planning this team, are you ok with a lineup that has G-Couts-Laughton down the middle? Or are you upgrading the 2nd line while leaving Couts with very good wingers. Let's say at least Read from 2 years ago and if not Schenn, someone comparable or maybe an Aube-Kubel a year or two from now.

The goal is to have a legit chance to win the SC, not just make the playoffs and hope for the best.
- TheGreat28

For next season, I'm fine with Giroux-Couturier-Laughton as the centers. I like the Schenn as RW experiment and would be extending it to next season. The only issue is where does that leave Simmonds? Maybe go something like this:

12-28-17
24-14-93
52-49-10
18-25-78

Without radical changes, the Flyers aren't winning the Stanley Cup nest year. I think that it's got to be a step by step goal. You improve the defense, these forwards might be solid enough to get you to the playoffs.

I'm fine with Read-Couts-Schenn as a line. Call them whatever - 2nd, 3rd, 1st even.

For me the issue is more about the other line. First and foremost, I want their role to be a dynamic scoring line that takes pressure off of the 1st line.

Other than Simmonds, I really don't like any of the pieces on the current roster for this type of line. Laughton in my mind is not the creative, playmaker we need. He and Cousins are natural centers and I'm not interested in trying to move yet another center to wing. It's been said by Hextall and Berube that the organization views both as centers.

Other than Aube-Kubel, I don't see a lot of top 2 line talent in the organization.

Draft Barzal and trade a Laughton for a Brendan Perlini or comparable player, then in 2 years I'm happy.
- TheGreat28

If they can't make any significant changes, I would like to see Vinny getting on last shot and center simmonds. who is on the left side, IDK. Maybe Akeson? Maybe PEB who could be the responsible defensive forwad on the group and put Laughton on the 4th with white and VdV?

Cooter's multiple 90+ point seasons in juniors say hello
- JFlyers00

Do you know what else says hello? How many players that were high scorers in junior hockey that didn't translate to the NHL.

For the Flyers to get back to playoff contention....Couturier, Read and B. Schenn all have to take that next step....They all get premier minutes and beyond this garbage about D zone face offs have to be better.
Had those guys all improved this year they would be a playoff team despite how horrific their D was....maybe not a legit contender but they would have been a playoff team.....I do take the criticism in stride when it comes to these guy because they are all fairly new to the league and in the case of Couturier and Schenn they are still young...My question is why these guys all seemed to regress this year? Is it Berubes fault at least in part ?....Was it Couturiers Line mates? was it Couturier himself? was it Reads injury? Is Schenn simply overrated?
Make no mistake Berube is a good coach ....but is he the right coach? I personnly think he should be gone....But there are some others that should follow him out the door....without some substantial changes this team will be in the same position next year....a non playoff team hoping to win the draft lottery.
- landros 2

For the players it had, I think our D actual performed admirably this year. As has been pointed out, the stem of our road record is probably more leadership related. And Schenn isnt overrated at all, no one rates him very highly to begin with, and he just had a career year. Id like to see them let the D prospects work into the NHL and add some cHeap leadership through FAs to try to resolve the road record issue.

If Hextall hasn't shanked Berube by his availability tomorrow, uh oh

My own mind. I probably could have worded that better
- aflyerpower8

Oh, when I did that we got McDavid and Eichel slipped to 27th for us.

No, it's not factual, it's my opinion. Bergeron is capable of scoring in that 70 point range. I think Bergeron is more skilled, and a better skater then Couturier is. I think if Bergeron didn't sacrifice offense for defense, he could be one of the higher scoring players in the league. I don't think Couturier has the same ability as Bergeron. I think if Couturier had an outstanding offensive season, he could maybe get in the 55-60 point range. In my opinion, that's about his max offensive potential.
- MJL

I get what you are saying, but Bergeron hasnt even eclipsed 65 points since 2006.

I think Couts can score 55-65 points in this league. Not in his current role, with his current usage and his current linemates (for the majority of the season), but I think he can add an additional 2 points a month no problem... given the chance. I think he can absolutely be a dominant two way force.. He just needs a little help and a little more seasoning.

For next season, I'm fine with Giroux-Couturier-Laughton as the centers. I like the Schenn as RW experiment and would be extending it to next season. The only issue is where does that leave Simmonds? Maybe go something like this:

12-28-17
24-14-93
52-49-10
18-25-78

Without radical changes, the Flyers aren't winning the Stanley Cup nest year. I think that it's got to be a step by step goal. You improve the defense, these forwards might be solid enough to get you to the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

I think Laughton should play with Simmonds initially. They looked pretty good together this season. That would be the 3rd line in terms of ice time, but they would get easier competition and more OZ starts than the Couturier line, so Simmonds would have plenty of chances to score at 5 on 5. And if BSchenn or Simmonds start to slump or need a change they could easily flip RWs on the 2nd and 3rd.

I would keep Raffl-Giroux-Voracek together unless there's an injury. Their chemistry is proven.

Do you know what else says hello? How many players that were high scorers in junior hockey that didn't translate to the NHL.
- MJL

Max Talbot.

OK, gun to your head, or worse, we'll move Berube down the shore as your next door neighbor:

If you were planning this team, are you ok with a lineup that has G-Couts-Laughton down the middle? Or are you upgrading the 2nd line while leaving Couts with very good wingers. Let's say at least Read from 2 years ago and if not Schenn, someone comparable or maybe an Aube-Kubel a year or two from now.

The goal is to have a legit chance to win the SC, not just make the playoffs and hope for the best.
- TheGreat28

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.

For next season, I'm fine with Giroux-Couturier-Laughton as the centers. I like the Schenn as RW experiment and would be extending it to next season. The only issue is where does that leave Simmonds? Maybe go something like this:

12-28-17
24-14-93
52-49-10
18-25-78

Without radical changes, the Flyers aren't winning the Stanley Cup nest year. I think that it's got to be a step by step goal. You improve the defense, these forwards might be solid enough to get you to the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

OK, for next year I'm ok with something like this. Personally I'm ok with Simmonds on the 1st line but not with Raffl. I'd like either a sniper or a little more skill. I've agreed with you all along that moving Jake to 2nd line might balance the lineup more. If they get a true LW and bump Raffl to the 3rd line, I'm ok with that for next year.

But I was talking more about long term planning. What is your roster for 2-3 years out, and are you ok with a forecasted roster that has G-Couts-Laughton?

http://www.broadstreethoc...4/13/8406831/fire-him-now


This is actually hilarious

Berube's blunt-and somewhat nonsensical-criticisms of players yesterday afternoon sounded like a guy who was getting in his shots before he gets fired.

It's things like his comments about Couturier that leave me feeling he's not suited to be a head coach, at least at this point. He seems to gloss over that Couturier is handed the toughest defensive role in the NHL(in terms of zone starts and level of competition) and continues to not accept that such a workload is going to cut into a guy's production. He compared Couturier to a veteran star like Patrice Bergeron, which is hardly fair, given the age difference, and the fact that Bergeron didn't play as D-heavy a role.

He flat out ignored that Couturier had played with two injured/ineffective wingers for the bulk of the season, too. An assessment like that is like tying a ball and chain to a track star and then blaming him for not winning the race.
- Jsaquella

I'm gonna use Jsaq's well written post and ask Bill, how much do you think this affects Berube's future with the Flyers? Are these comments being taken into serious consideration right now? I'm these are bad.

I get what you are saying, but Bergeron hasnt even eclipsed 65 points since 2006.

I think Couts can score 55-65 points in this league. Not in his current role, with his current usage and his current linemates (for the majority of the season), but I think he can add an additional 2 points a month no problem... given the chance. I think he can absolutely be a dominant two way force.. He just needs a little help and a little more seasoning.
- jak521

I think Couturier has the potential to be one of the better two way players in the NHL. I think he can play Selke level defense, while scoring in the 50 point range. That's a hell of a player.

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 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.

I think Couturier has the potential to be one of the better two way players in the NHL. I think he can play Selke level defense, while scoring in the 50 point range. That's a hell of a player.
- MJL

Ok then we agree on that.

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

I think Laughton should play with Simmonds initially. They looked pretty good together this season. That would be the 3rd line in terms of ice time, but they would get easier competition and more OZ starts than the Couturier line, so Simmonds would have plenty of chances to score at 5 on 5. And if BSchenn or Simmonds start to slump or need a change they could easily flip RWs on the 2nd and 3rd.

I would keep Raffl-Giroux-Voracek together unless there's an injury. Their chemistry is proven.
- Feanor

I'm fine with that as well, I just think splitting Giroux and Voracek gives you more than one potentially dynamic line, and prevents teams from loading up on one line.

Also agree that they can rotate the wings to spark things if there's a drought.

I think Couturier has the potential to be one of the better two way players in the NHL. I think he can play Selke level defense, while scoring in the 50 point range. That's a hell of a player.
- MJL

This would absolutely be my expectation for him.

If Hextall hasn't shanked Berube by his availability tomorrow, uh oh
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think that is going to happen. Not saying Chief will not be fired (because I still tend to think he will be) but I also do not expect Hextall to make an immediate declaration tomorrow. I could be wrong, though.

I don't think it is fair to Berube or to the assistants -- who will clearly also be affected -- to let this drag on. I also think that if the team is waiting to see if a candidate like McLellan, Tippet, Julien, maybe even Hitch again is let go by his current team, that is also unfair to the current coach. Either commit to him or let him go, because other teams won't base their own coach choice for next season or the timing of it on what the Flyers plan are.

Do the exit interviews with Chief and the assistants, think everything over for a day or two and then, hopefully, make a decision by the end of this week. I see no need to drag it out behind that. The last thing I want to see the Flyers do is what the Penguins did last summer.

For next season, I'm fine with Giroux-Couturier-Laughton as the centers. I like the Schenn as RW experiment and would be extending it to next season. The only issue is where does that leave Simmonds? Maybe go something like this:

12-28-17
24-14-93
52-49-10
18-25-78

Without radical changes, the Flyers aren't winning the Stanley Cup nest year. I think that it's got to be a step by step goal. You improve the defense, these forwards might be solid enough to get you to the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

I'm gonna say this all summer. I don't believe Brayden Schenn's success has anything to do with what side he plays on but who he's playing with. He's getting more time playing with the puck then he would with Giroux and Voracek. I don't think you can take Schenn from Couturier and Read. Simmonds isn't really center dependent, although he shouldn't be the guy on any line. I'd see how Simmonds and Laughton work but I'd also consider getting a playmaking center.

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 key is patience. They are not a season away from winning a cup (or even being a real threat to win it). They have lots of good pieces though. Giving Schenn and Couts a real role.. a concrete role.. can also help.

Personally, I think if we can improve the defense even marginally, the team will make the playoffs.