Didn't Vinny looked 'better' last preseason, too?
- Tomahawk

I don't remember, but Vinny's only contribution is his goal scoring. Umberger has looked night and day better and can be a very effective player without producing points (although he's not absolved of that).

Didn't Vinny looked 'better' last preseason, too?
- Tomahawk

Personally, I'd play Gagner in the top 9, Umberger on the 4th line and VDV on the bench.

I've seen Umberger actually win puck battles in preseason and outskate a few people. Well see if that actually means anything

Personally, I'd play Gagner in the top 9, Umberger on the 4th line and VDV on the bench.

I've seen Umberger actually win puck battles in preseason and outskate a few people. Well see if that actually means anything
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd do the same, at least for the first few games. I like VdV, but he's nothing special.

Personally, I'd play Gagner in the top 9, Umberger on the 4th line and VDV on the bench.
- PhillySportsGuy

You and I can be friends.

I'd do the same, at least for the first few games. I like VdV, but he's nothing special.
- jmatchett383

I think we'll end up seeing several different lineups this year. Everyone will get their chance

Personally, I'd play Gagner in the top 9, Umberger on the 4th line and VDV on the bench.

I've seen Umberger actually win puck battles in preseason and outskate a few people. Well see if that actually means anything
- PhillySportsGuy

He will get his chance. Its only Game 1!

You and I can be friends.
- Tomahawk

*opens arms*

"Dan Cleary‘s time as a Red Wing could soon be over.

Detroit placed the veteran forward on waivers Wednesday afternoon, per TSN"

Just think, we could also have had Dan Cleary on our team, if he didnt "screw" us over.....

Why in God's name you put Schenn and Simmonds together still boggles my mind. I guess when you lack LW depth this is what you have to do.

When I look at the defensive pairings, it all sure fails to excite me in anyway possible. I see a lot of time in our end of the rink throughout the season

"Dan Cleary‘s time as a Red Wing could soon be over.

Detroit placed the veteran forward on waivers Wednesday afternoon, per TSN"

Just think, we could also have had Dan Cleary on our team, if he didnt "screw" us over.....
- Jack-Meoff

Taking a guaranteed contract from Detroit before training camp started in 2013 instead of waiting to see what would happen after the entire preseason had finished with Philly and Pronger was on LTIR was a smart move on his part.

When I look at the defensive pairings, it all sure fails to excite me in anyway possible. I see a lot of time in our end of the rink throughout the season
- Buzzo

Well, Hakstol wants them to learn how to play without the puck. They'll likely get a lot of in-game practice.

When I look at the defensive pairings, it all sure fails to excite me in anyway possible. I see a lot of time in our end of the rink throughout the season
- Buzzo

i feel this way about the entire lineup more or less.

I didnt say I was cheering for them to suck. Quite the opposite. That doesnt change what would be best for them.

I will admit I was being a little harsh...it can be argued that best case scenario is just that Schenn/Coots/Laughton/whoever they call up on D become more complete NHL players regardless of their standings
- YuenglingJagr

I am not really sure that them being a lottery team is the best for them for the reasons I mentioned. I think the best case scenario is actually for the team to have some success for the players that you mention.

Also, nice name.. One of my favorite players and my favorite beer when I'm visiting the US!...

Personally, I'd play Gagner in the top 9, Umberger on the 4th line and VDV on the bench.

I've seen Umberger actually win puck battles in preseason and outskate a few people. Well see if that actually means anything
- PhillySportsGuy

Would do the same. And I thought Gagner was mediocre in preseason...and I'm not talking about defensive "hustle" or anything like that. At evens, he was mediocre on the puck and in the o zone too. Idc if he is a poor d player, which he is, so long as there is effort and/or it being mitigated by good offensive play. He didn't even do much offensively. But the reward is there should he click. The reward is much higher than a VDV or White or Umberger even. The risk? This is a crap team anyway.

Get ready for the uproar, but I am ready to end this Couturier as 2C of the future - experiment.

Would be cool with a Laughton-Couturier-? 3rdline for the future.

This is a crap team anyway.
- Mononoke

Get ready for the uproar, but I am ready to end this Couturier as 2C of the future - experiment.

Would be cool with a Laughton-Couturier-? 3rdline for the future.
- flyer_nutter

Fortunately, for the rest of the Flyers fans, the team, and Couturier himself... no one who actually makes decisions in the Flyers organization gives half a turd what you are or arent ready for.

Get ready for the uproar, but I am ready to end this Couturier as 2C of the future - experiment.

Would be cool with a Laughton-Couturier-? 3rdline for the future.
- flyer_nutter

2C is just a label...but with how much he plays he is the defacto 2C.

- Tomahawk

Bill Meltzer: Post-Practice Roundup: Opening Night Lineup Set
- bmeltzer

While I don't believe in Del Zotto and Manning as a second pair, I overall like the balance of the line up and pairing. What comes into question for me is Sean Couturier's offensive ability between Schenn and Simmonds. Briere was successful between those two because he had speed and make plays. I wouldn't call Couturier a fast skater but what he lacks in skating, he makes up for it by reading the plays degensively. Now I believe Couturier to be an underrated playmaker for this team but not at a Briere level.

"Dan Cleary‘s time as a Red Wing could soon be over.

Detroit placed the veteran forward on waivers Wednesday afternoon, per TSN"

Just think, we could also have had Dan Cleary on our team, if he didnt "screw" us over.....
- Jack-Meoff

Flyers screwed themselves over. Gagne had a decent season with us and prefered Cleary for some reason.

Flyers screwed themselves over. Gagne had a decent season with us and prefered Cleary for some reason.
- SuperSchennBros

Ugh, forgot Gags got caught up in that.

Has anyone done the Flyers 82-game win/loss like all of the "experts" do before the football season where they pick whether each game will be a win or loss to come up with their final season record? Sounds like a BiggE adventure task.
- jmatchett383

35 wins

Fortunately, for the rest of the Flyers fans, the team, and Couturier himself... no one who actually makes decisions in the Flyers organization gives half a turd what you are or arent ready for.
- Doc_Sarcasm

He hasn't played a single regular season game with his new linemates and perhaps slightly different usage. He missed half the pre season. I mean...jeez, how many more opportunities do we have to give this kid?! It's clear he just doesn't cut it.