It's no secret I kinda like the small, speedy, skilled guys...but at this point we really could use a big, physical but fast and skilled LW. Tkachuk would be a perfect fit.
- TheGreat28

Even now, not sure he goes outside top 10 probably even top 5

Oh ok. I really can see Benson trending upwards once he gets his groove, but Julien Gauthier is a big body with hands like stones. The biggest thing that makes me cringe is how often he get gets bodied off the puck by much smaller players
- Glak18

I think he's done well when I've watched him.........Will it translate who knows.......it's why I did say it's subject to change.

They are completely different players in every sense of the word.
- Tfaehner

Are you referring to the Kovy-lite comment?

It's no secret I kinda like the small, speedy, skilled guys...but at this point we really could use a big, physical but fast and skilled LW. Tkachuk would be a perfect fit.
- TheGreat28

This is why I want Streit moved this year. I want then to have the pieces to move up and get the guy that's gonna fit into the top 6 and get things going. A big bodied LW or C with skill is going to go a long way towards helping this team get back on track.

Look on the bright side. If we start out all doom and gloom, we can't possibly be let down. There is nowhere to go from here, but up.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Under promise and over deliver. The hallmark of any good customer service manager.

Well the courturier debate will be over after this year on whether hes a 2c or not. Hes having the 2nd pp catered to him and his linemates strengths. Hes going to see more offensive zone starts with schenn and simmonds on his wings. And he in all circumstances seems to be playing exclusively with guys with offensive skill sets so id expect him to always be paired with a combination of read schenn simmonds gagner.

- Tfaehner

I think it's more about the combo of Couturier and Laughton. They're both still young, so as harsh as I am sometimes on the two, even I'm not saying it's a make or break year. But I think we'll start to get a sense if the two of them can play 2/3 in some order or if they're both really 3's. Will the team score enough 5 on 5?

IF you're Hextall, at what point do you start to think in other directions for long-term planning if the two really seem to struggle to generate offense?

This is why I want Streit moved this year. I want then to have the pieces to move up and get the guy that's gonna fit into the top 6 and get things going. A big bodied LW or C with skill is going to go a long way towards helping this team get back on track.
- hereticpride

If he's healthy and putting up numbers and the Flyers are out of the playoff mix, I can see him going this year, definitely.

This is why I want Streit moved this year. I want then to have the pieces to move up and get the guy that's gonna fit into the top 6 and get things going. A big bodied LW or C with skill is going to go a long way towards helping this team get back on track.
- hereticpride

I'm on board with that.

How are they improving the lineup to make that happen? You can't honestly think this crew can make that happen.
- mayorofangrytown

Yes I can.....I see Couturier and Schenn taking more steps and providing the much needed secondary scoring...along with Raffl up on first line. The only way they get better is from within.
I also see a healthy Matt Read helping improve the PK.
And lastly I think Medvedev is a "legit" top 3 guy .
Optimistic....sure...there is so much parity in the east, and honestly I think Giroux and Vorecek are a couple of horses who can carry this team, with a little bit more help.
As well I think this team gets a boost from 3 on 3.

Even now, not sure he goes outside top 10 probably even top 5
- ob18

True. I'm a little down for this year, but unless there is an injury to Mason, G or Jake, I'm thinking we finish in the 20-25 range. But three picks are up for grabs, so there's that.

True. I'm a little down for this year, but unless there is an injury to Mason, G or Jake, I'm thinking we finish in the 20-25 range. But three picks are up for grabs, so there's that.
- TheGreat28

It won't matter when the Flyers make the playoffs......or at least that's my hope.

It won't matter when the Flyers make the playoffs......or at least that's my hope.
- ob18

Well, here's to hoping your right and I'm wrong

It's no secret I kinda like the small, speedy, skilled guys...but at this point we really could use a big, physical but fast and skilled LW. Tkachuk would be a perfect fit.
- TheGreat28

6 foot 185 isnt exactly a big forward and id argue hes more skill than physical but a lot like konecky he plays big. Puljujarvi would be the big physical power forward at 6'3 200 and his counter part i mentioned earlier is 6'4 210

Buffalo has Lehner. That's going to be an issue. If I were them I'd have grabbed a goalie on waivers.

My biggest fear in Philly is Steve Mason. If he's injured, maybe only Carolina is worse.

Carolina can tank out with a Staal trade or two. They're already bad with them.

I don't see where Toronto and New Jersey are going to get offense... at all.

There's a real stew of a mess at the bottom of the East.

Buffalo
Toronto
Philly
New Jersey
Carolina
- mayorofangrytown

Carolina actually wasn't bad when they had both Staals in the lineup. Certainly not playoff worthy, but I wouldn't be surprised if they finished ahead of the Flyers.

Who in the Metro did they leapfrog to make that happen?

They have to be at least the 5th-best team in the division -- I'm not sure I can see that.
- Tomahawk

I just see a ton of parity....I would have Rangers, Caps, TBay and probably Montreal ahead of the Flyers....I have them in the mix with Isles, Pens and Columbus ....just my opinion....I think the 3-3 OT is huge for this team, because they never seem to win a shoot out.

6 foot 185 isnt exactly a big forward and id argue hes more skill than physical but a lot like konecky he plays big. Puljujarvi would be the big physical power forward at 6'3 200 and his counter part i mentioned earlier is 6'4 210
- Tfaehner

You're totally right. I think I was confusing him with Laine. Is that who you're talking about? I missed the earlier post.

I like Puljujarvi. I was watching some video of him a few weeks back. Last season he was 16 for most of the year and still fared well.

I think you're right.

It would be funny if he has a really solid 2C season (40 ESP and 10 PPP) but the Flyers win the lottery and he's back down to 3C next year behind Matthews.
- Feanor

I'd love to have that "problem"

I just see a ton of parity....I would have Rangers, Caps, TBay and probably Montreal ahead of the Flyers....I have them in the mix with Isles, Pens and Columbus ....just my opinion....I think the 3-3 OT is huge for this team, because they never seem to win a shoot out.
- landros 2

I may be in the minority on this, but I think the Pens are going to be a train wreck by the end of the season. They may start out quickly (and I think they will), but I don't see them finishing any stronger than they have the last three years.

If Phil Kessel is the answer, what was the question?

I may be in the minority on this, but I think the Pens are going to be a train wreck by the end of the season. They may start out quickly (and I think they will), but I don't see them finishing any stronger than they have the last three years.

If Phil Kessel is the answer, what was the question?
- Doc_Sarcasm

How do we out score everyone in the regular season and still lose in the first round?

I may be in the minority on this, but I think the Pens are going to be a train wreck by the end of the season. They may start out quickly (and I think they will), but I don't see them finishing any stronger than they have the last three years.

If Phil Kessel is the answer, what was the question?
- Doc_Sarcasm

It better be a different Phil Kessel then the last 40 games he played foe the Leafs or you may be right....there D blows and it's not like they have forwards committed to their own end.

I just see a ton of parity....I would have Rangers, Caps, TBay and probably Montreal ahead of the Flyers....I have them in the mix with Isles, Pens and Columbus ....just my opinion....I think the 3-3 OT is huge for this team, because they never seem to win a shoot out.
- landros 2

I have the following:

Lightning
Caps
Rangers
Canadiens
Pens
Islanders
Blue Jackets
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
Bruins
Sabres
Flyers
Devils
Leafs
Hurricanes

I have the following:

Lightning
Caps
Rangers
Canadiens
Pens
Islanders
Blue Jackets
Red Wings
Panthers
Sens
Bruins
Sabres
Flyers
Devils
Leafs
Hurricanes
- TheGreat28

As my coach always used to tell us...."that's why we play the games".... I think the Flyers are better then that.

And yet, I can usually quote. It's one of those sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't things. Hard to pin down.
- bodiva88

It seems if you make a post, you can then quote...otherwise, it usually doesn't work.

Not buying the Devils being better than the Flyers. They don't have anything approaching Giroux or Voracek, their defense is similar to the Flyers(no real number one, several young guys with questions) and the goaltending is a wash, IMO.

was schultz talking about fans in edmonton obsessing corsi or the oilers staff ?