Yes but I think Bill was right about all the heavy D contracts being replaced by cheap but talented players in our farm system. That should give some room for the 3...at least I'm hoping that their $$$$ are not out of control (can't see Hexy doing that though). Think about it though...each D guy being replaced by someone under a million is giving room for a 2.5-3.5 million dollar raise.
- peesinwind

Those young players will be on EL contracts and are limited to what they can get. Their base salary will be under a million, and they can use the bonus cushion to deal with bonuses.

Couts and Schenn looked good together at the end of last season
- PhillySportsGuy

Couturier also was terrific in the World Championships.

Not only was he a plus 13, but wasn't scored on even strength during the entire tournament. He also managed to chip in 7 points in ten games, even subbing for Crosby on the first line when Sid sat out and didn't look out of place.

It's time to see what he's really made of.

Those young players will be on EL contracts and are limited to what they can get. Their base salary will be under a million, and they can use the bonus cushion to deal with bonuses.
- MJL

I really don't get the bonuses and how the play out. Do they count towards the cap? Are teams limited by how much they can deal out in bonuses? Not sure how that plays out in a cap world.

Yes but I think Bill was right about all the heavy D contracts being replaced by cheap but talented players in our farm system. That should give some room for the 3...at least I'm hoping that their $$$$ are not out of control (can't see Hexy doing that though). Think about it though...each D guy being replaced by someone under a million is giving room for a 2.5-3.5 million dollar raise.
- peesinwind

It will come, eventually. That's what Hextall seems to be planning for. Streit, Del Zotto and Schultz all have two years left. Along with MacDonald, there's the bridge.

I really don't get the bonuses and how the play out. Do they count towards the cap? Are teams limited by how much they can deal out in bonuses? Not sure how that plays out in a cap world.
- peesinwind

Yes, it is limited. Teams can push bonuses out to the following years cap, if necessary. Not really a good thing, but a team can use that to remain cap compliant.

Regarding Coots (only player whose jersey I own....yeah slight bias haha), these World Championship videos play in my dreams.....

https://vine.co/v/eZMd1wpWt5I

https://vine.co/v/eZM5meg20dJ

https://vine.co/v/eZM6QaOrjuA

https://vine.co/v/empp1HMDMtA

In fact during WC, Coots scored most of his goals on redirects I believe. Wouldn't it be intriguing to try him out as the net front presence on PP2? They put him towards the top bc of his defensive acumen, but I'm wondering if he'd be better served down low. Probably biggest mistake in terms of PP2 is running it like the first.
- Mononoke

With Gagner around, and then hopefully Konecny in a year or two, they could easily shift Couturier to down low or maybe even in Voracek's slot on PP1 on the 2nd unit. Let Gagner and eventually Konecny QB the 2nd unit along that LW wall like Giroux does, and then Couturier can use his size low like Simmonds or get open looks from either the slot or as the right "point" guy

Simmonds is a RH shot, while Couturier is a LH shot. It would be difficult for Couturier to play in the same spot as Simmonds does, on the PP, as a LH shot. He could play in the spot that Schenn plays on the 2nd unit.

I would definitely love to see Coots with Jake for more than 3 games or whatever. They didn't score but man did they puck dominate. I'm too tired to do anything statistical but all of you know Coots's story. I see him as our 2C; I see a very good playmaker in the making; and I see a guy who doesn't just dominate defensive. He cruises through the NZ with the puck, rarely misses a pass, knows how to cycle, and is damned hard to knock off the puck. His skating issues are totally overblown. Getzlaf isn't fast at all. Coots's issue is foot speed as in moving from a standstill. Then he gets a little statue happy but with, speed, I see no problem. He looked SOOO good in the WC too. Most confident I've ever seen him, independent of his linemates and team.

If Simmer could play LW this would be so much easier.
- Mononoke

yea, it's a shame simmer is stuck on RW. Versatility would really help w/ our LW situation.

Couts could def stand to improve his burst. between yrs 1 and 2 there was a definite improvement, which was essential, but it's still a hindrance in his ability to transition. with his hockey IQ, an improvement there could really be a boon to his O game. the other area for improvement is strength. combined w/ his reach, being stronger on the puck would round out his game in terms of possession/takeaways/generating chances. so i guess we disagree there to some extent.

Spreading the wealth and putting Jake w/ Couts would not only make teams match up decisions more difficult, it would by necessity, reduce DZS % and finally give Couts an opp to sh*t or get off the pot here as to whether he really can be entrenched in a 2C role. it's the perfect time in his career to establish his place there or 3C.

Yes, it is limited. Teams can push bonuses out to the following years cap, if necessary. Not really a good thing, but a team can use that to remain cap compliant.
- MJL

Have they released what Provo's bonuses are? I only heard that his deal had them. That can make a difference in those ELC benefits towards the cap.

With Gagner around, and then hopefully Konecny in a year or two, they could easily shift Couturier to down low or maybe even in Voracek's slot on PP1 on the 2nd unit. Let Gagner and eventually Konecny QB the 2nd unit along that LW wall like Giroux does, and then Couturier can use his size low like Simmonds or get open looks from either the slot or as the right "point" guy
- Jsaquella

Bingo. What's going to be really interesting moving forwards is in recent years we've never had a crop of D men who could run the PP like we having coming up. Now, we have Streit.....and that's it. Maybe MDZ grows a bit in that role but he's more of an ES dominating player.

Think about it: we have Sanheim and Provorov and Ghost who you just HAVE to believe will be on the PP. Maybe a Friedman down the line becomes a dark horse candidate. It will be interesting to see how our PP will change in a year or two. Obviously with the first, right now, don't fix what isn't broken. But it's possible even that personnel changes in a year or two in terms of who is on the roster

With Gagner around, and then hopefully Konecny in a year or two, they could easily shift Couturier to down low or maybe even in Voracek's slot on PP1 on the 2nd unit. Let Gagner and eventually Konecny QB the 2nd unit along that LW wall like Giroux does, and then Couturier can use his size low like Simmonds or get open looks from either the slot or as the right "point" guy
- Jsaquella

can't help it, i really can't stand gagner on this team. he defines mediocre. I know, i know, it's only one year...that guy's gonna piss hakstol off.

yea, it's a shame simmer is stuck on RW. Versatility would really help w/ our LW situation.

Couts could def stand to improve his burst. between yrs 1 and 2 there was a definite improvement, which was essential, but it's still a hindrance in his ability to transition. with his hockey IQ, an improvement there could really be a boon to his O game. the other area for improvement is strength. combined w/ his reach, being stronger on the puck would round out his game in terms of possession/takeaways/generating chances. so i guess we disagree there to some extent.

Spreading the wealth and putting Jake w/ Couts would not only make teams match up decisions more difficult, it would by necessity, reduce DZS % and finally give Couts an opp to sh*t or get off the pot here as to whether he really can be entrenched in a 2C role. it's the perfect time in his career to establish his place there or 3C.
- isaiah520

Like the last paragraph a lot. Low pressure situation in a season with fairly modest expectations. Let him assume more of a two way role, and ease, not eliminate the burden. if he can't produce, be happy you have a great shutdown guy an elite PK forward. If he can, start grooming Laughton to be more of a shutdown guy and let him be the 3C in a few years.

Bingo. What's going to be really interesting moving forwards is in recent years we've never had a crop of D men who could run the PP like we having coming up. Now, we have Streit.....and that's it. Maybe MDZ grows a bit in that role but he's more of an ES dominating player.

Think about it: we have Sanheim and Provorov and Ghost who you just HAVE to believe will be on the PP. Maybe a Friedman down the line becomes a dark horse candidate. It will be interesting to see how our PP will change in a year or two. Obviously with the first, right now, don't fix what isn't broken. But it's possible even that personnel changes in a year or two in terms of who is on the roster
- Mononoke

The mobility and puck skills the young guys have displayed are impressive. Even the "defensive" guys, like Morin and Willcox have made solid progress. I don't think there's been such a deep group of D prospects since the early 1970's for this team.

can't help it, i really can't stand gagner on this team. he defines mediocre. I know, i know, it's only one year...that guy's gonna piss hakstol off.
- isaiah520

He might, but he's a decent, cheap stopgap.

yea, it's a shame simmer is stuck on RW. Versatility would really help w/ our LW situation.

Couts could def stand to improve his burst. between yrs 1 and 2 there was a definite improvement, which was essential, but it's still a hindrance in his ability to transition. with his hockey IQ, an improvement there could really be a boon to his O game. the other area for improvement is strength. combined w/ his reach, being stronger on the puck would round out his game in terms of possession/takeaways/generating chances. so i guess we disagree there to some extent.

Spreading the wealth and putting Jake w/ Couts would not only make teams match up decisions more difficult, it would by necessity, reduce DZS % and finally give Couts an opp to sh*t or get off the pot here as to whether he really can be entrenched in a 2C role. it's the perfect time in his career to establish his place there or 3C.
- isaiah520

Couturier is never going to be a player with a great first step, and a speed burst. He's not that kind of player. I agree with Bob, I think Couturier is very strong on the puck, and will get even stronger as he matures physically. Also that his skating is not a hindrance.

Have they released what Provo's bonuses are? I only heard that his deal had them. That can make a difference in those ELC benefits towards the cap.
- peesinwind

I have not read any contract details. I would wager that he has some bonuses in there.

It's also important to note that Jake and G are arguably the best PP duo in the NHL. Their ES numbers weren't quite as lofty last year. Jake was actually the one helping G more so than vice versa. But Raffl is so damn good possession wise that being entrenched on 1LW will help mitigate some Jake's loss (go look up his Corsi W/WO. Barely any players don't perform better with him than without. Reminds me of Kimmo in a sense his last full year. EVERYONE performed better with him. Literally)

Like the last paragraph a lot. Low pressure situation in a season with fairly modest expectations. Let him assume more of a two way role, and ease, not eliminate the burden. if he can't produce, be happy you have a great shutdown guy an elite PK forward. If he can, start grooming Laughton to be more of a shutdown guy and let him be the 3C in a few years.
- Jsaquella

agreed. by simply doing the right thing, they would not only aid development, but they would help sort out where these younger pieces fit just as they're deciding who they want to keep and pay, and who they want to move on from.

can't help it, i really can't stand gagner on this team. he defines mediocre. I know, i know, it's only one year...that guy's gonna piss hakstol off.
- isaiah520

Gagner is low risk, and he adds some skill to the lineup. I don't have high expectations, but he may help the team generate more offense.

It's also important to note that Jake and G are arguably the best PP duo in the NHL. Their ES numbers weren't quite as lofty last year. Jake was actually the one helping G more so than vice versa. But Raffl is so damn good possession wise that being entrenched on 1LW will help mitigate some Jake's loss (go look up his Corsi W/WO. Barely any players don't perform better with him than without. Reminds me of Kimmo in a sense his last full year. EVERYONE performed better with him. Literally)
- Mononoke

i would rate Jake ahead of G at this point and i don't think that'll change for the duration

No it's not. It's my foolheardy, idealistic attempt to battle in words and logic a person, dare I say a never-sleeping, machine-like entity that refuses to accept either, even when the proof is there.

I should've known. But if anyone else read my posts, maybe they learned something, so that's worth if it was true!

HEY EVERYONE ELSE? WOULD IT BE OK IF I JOIN YOU GUYS NOW? I LEARNED MY LESSON!
- Mononoke

LOL, welcome to the club

I trust Hakstol to explore all his options and weigh them carefully. Everything I've read about him, he strikes me as a man willing to both change and be patient. Rare is the person who can somewhat oxymoronically do both. He may just be that guy. As a college college coach he was forced to craft different teams year to year -- but even for a college coach he's especially known for doing so. I also read he likes to stay patient and not get too rash with line combinations. See what works and then move on. In a year more important for setting up the years to come with this team, I like seeing that type of attitude.

LOL, welcome to the club
- BiggE

Haha, it took hours and my patience being tried until it couldn't be tried anymore, but I got there! Alcohol also played an important role.

summary of last 24 pages pls

I trust Hakstol to explore all his options and weigh them carefully. Everything I've read about him, he strikes me as a man willing to both change and be patient. Rare is the person who can somewhat oxymoronically do both. He may just be that guy. As a college college coach he was forced to craft different teams year to year -- but even for a college coach he's especially known for doing so. I also read he likes to stay patient and not get too rash with line combinations. See what works and then move on. In a year more important for setting up the years to come with this team, I like seeing that type of attitude.
- Mononoke

I think Medvedev is the wild card. He really adds a lot of skill to the back end. If he can adapt to the NA game, and handle play defensively, and bring his puck skills to the lineup, that could really help the Flyers transition game, and he also might be able to help the 2nd PP unit. Hopefully the Flyers can spend less time defending, or they'll miss some of the attributes that Grossmann added to the team.