I think there's even less of an argument to trade him if they win the lottery. Wouldn't you want to have 3 centers like Giroux, Matthews and Couturier for the next 7 years?
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly. If they won and traded Streit for an additional 1st and got a 2nd for Luke you could run G Matthew Coots down the middle and probably still make a move to shore up the LW spot. All of sudden trading G for futures doesn't make a ton of sense.

V is way better from the story standpoint alone. It'll hold your interest for sure.

I also can't reccomd Fallout 3 enough. I probably logged more hours on that game than any other game from that generation of consoles.
- hereticpride

Nice, thanks. I have read some good things about that one too

Exactly. If they won and traded Streit for an additional 1st and got a 2nd for Luke you could run G Matthew Coots down the middle and probably still make a move to shore up the LW spot. All of sudden trading G for futures doesn't make a ton of sense.
- hereticpride

It still makes sense because at some point, If Matthews turns out to be the player he is rated to be, he's going to have to get paid. You'd have a player while still a good player, that would be past his prime and taking up a large chunk of the cap. Also would have to pay defenseman that hopefully reach their potential. You want the core of your team to grow together as much as possible, and those are the players you want taking up big chunks of the cap, to keep the window open as long as possible.

I think there's even less of an argument to trade him if they win the lottery. Wouldn't you want to have 3 centers like Giroux, Matthews and Couturier for the next 7 years?
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree you could make the argument either way. Actually, there would be three solid strategies, all defensible.

1. Draft Matthews and go with G, Matthews and Couturier down the middle.
2. Trade Giroux and build around Matthews.
3. Trade the #1 to flesh out the current roster.

So for poops and giggles, which one would do and why? What are the pros and cons?

Welcome to hockeybuzz, lol
- BiggE

The really funny thing was that some people actually said at the time it would be stupid to trade Giroux for an unproven talent such as McDavid or Eichel

I agree you could make the argument either way. Actually, there would be three solid strategies, all defensible.

1. Draft Matthews and go with G, Matthews and Couturier down the middle.
2. Trade Giroux and build around Matthews.
3. Trade the #1 to flesh out the current roster.

So for poops and giggles, which one would do and why? What are the pros and cons?
- TheGreat28

4. Keep G, keep Jake, accumulate more 1sts, keep drafting well.

I think there's even less of an argument to trade him if they win the lottery. Wouldn't you want to have 3 centers like Giroux, Matthews and Couturier for the next 7 years?
- PhillySportsGuy

The issue would be whether or not you actually had enough pieces around them. Hypothetically, Konecny could be ready next year and figure Matthews is. The defense will still need to mature:

LW - Giroux - Jake
LW - Matthews - Konecny
Raffl - Couturier - Simmonds/Schenn

I prefer Schenn, but let's say the team goes with Simmonds.

So you trade: Schenn, Laughton, Read. Can you get back a 1st and 2nd line LW for the three?

4. Keep G, keep Jake, accumulate more 1sts, keep drafting well.
- Tomahawk

Shh
no logical plans allowed round here

4. Keep G, keep Jake, accumulate more 1sts, keep drafting well.
- Tomahawk

That's pretty much #3 then

I'll clarify by saying new to me, not necessarily a new release. There are a lot of 360 games I have not played. I can think of the following as games I've played

Halo reach
Halo 4
Red dead redemption (hats off to tangent man I believe for recommending that one a couple years ago)
GTA IV
Assassins creed III
- funmaster18

Yep, that was me. Glad you enjoyed it.

Nice, thanks. I have read some good things about that one too
- funmaster18

Gears of War 1-3 are pretty fun.

Shake up the lines a bit plz to get some jump and the offense going when PEB and Umby get back ....

Laughton - Giroux - Voracek
Gagner - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Umberger - Simmonds
VdV - Bellemare - White

Shake up the lines a bit plz to get some jump and the offense going when PEB and Umby get back ....

Laughton - Giroux - Voracek
Gagner - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Umberger - Simmonds
VdV - Bellemare - White
- Chris48

Umberger
total
(Face-off & TOI totals since 2007-08) 751 178 207 385 -62 304 2361 1170 1191 49.6% 17:40

Umberger
total
(Face-off & TOI totals since 2007-08) 751 178 207 385 -62 304 2361 1170 1191 49.6% 17:40
- Chris48

http://faceoffs.net/player/r.j.-umberger

The really funny thing was that some people actually said at the time it would be stupid to trade Giroux for an unproven talent such as McDavid or Eichel
- TheGreat28

2 years ago? yea there was still time to right the ship, but iceberg was spotted and i stead of avoiding it we went straight into it. now we're strapped to an 8 mill a year contract amongst others while unable to compete for a playoff spot, meanwhile being told to be patient, b/c ya know players don't age or anything. So yea some ppl said that but they also weren't drinking the Koolaid a couple years ago when holmgren went on his little shopping spree. They still aren't sold on hextall who brought back almost an entire failing coaching staff while hiring a guy to lead that bunch who is clearly in over his head. yea keep lolling at my opinions and projections it's funny how they keep comjng to fruition.

Shake up the lines a bit plz to get some jump and the offense going when PEB and Umby get back ....

Laughton - Giroux - Voracek
Gagner - Couturier - Schenn
Read - Umberger - Simmonds
VdV - Bellemare - White
- Chris48

I don't want to see Laughton facing the same issue that B Schenn has in his time as a Flyers. Moved from center to LW, back to center, to RW, back to center, etc. As well as moved around from line to line. I think Laughton is a center, and he should remain at center. He's making strides as a player, why change his position?

I don't want to see Laughton facing the same issue that B Schenn has in his time as a Flyers. Moved from center to LW, back to center, to RW, back to center, etc. As well as moved around from line to line. I think Laughton is a center, and he should remain at center. He's making strides as a player, why change his position?
- MJL

To try and get the 1st line going for one.
Shake up the roster to get some kind of reaction and also I think Laughton has been of the better players on the team in terms competitiveness, giving him more minutes on the 1st line is also a reason.
Laughton FO% is at 39%

2 years ago? yea there was still time to right the ship, but iceberg was spotted and i stead of avoiding it we went straight into it. now we're strapped to an 8 mill a year contract amongst others while unable to compete for a playoff spot, meanwhile being told to be patient, b/c ya know players don't age or anything. So yea some ppl said that but they also weren't drinking the Koolaid a couple years ago when holmgren went on his little shopping spree. They still aten't sold on hextall who brought back almost an entire failing coaching staff while hiring a guy who to lead that bunch who is clearly in over his head. yea keep lolling at my opinions and projections it's funny how they keep comjng to fruition.
- JoeRussomanno

I think it's clear that the issue isn't coaching. The issue is player related, both in terms of talent deficiencies, mix issues, and some kind of flu that stops this team from playing with urgency. It was the right move to remove Berube, because change was needed, but as I stated numerous times, Berube was not the problem last year, and Hakstol and his staff is not the issue now. The head coach is not in over his head, he has a roster deficient of top defenseman, and a one line offensive team in which a top offensive player has 5 points and 0 goals in 16 games.
You may be correct in identifying the obvious symptoms, but I think your opinions and projections are off base in looking at the causes.

To try and get the 1st line going for one.
Shake up the roster to get some kind of reaction and also I think Laughton has been of the better players on the team in terms competitiveness, giving him more minutes on the 1st line is also a reason.
Laughton FO% is at 39%
- Chris48

I also think as many on the forum here and Bill as well, think that Schenn on Coots off wing was showing chemistry and a balance of 2 way and scoring chances, not to mention more ice time for Schenner.

Nothing is working lately, why not try, that's all i'm saying

To try and get the 1st line going for one.
Shake up the roster to get some kind of reaction and also I think Laughton has been of the better players on the team in terms competitiveness, giving him more minutes on the 1st line is also a reason.
Laughton FO% is at 39%
- Chris48

I don't see Scott Laughton getting Jake Voracek out of his slump. Only Jake Voracek can do that. Laughton is basically a rookie, faceoff success will come in time. Won't happen if he stops taking faceoffs.

I don't see Scott Laughton getting Jake Voracek out of his slump. Only Jake Voracek can do that. Laughton is basically a rookie, faceoff success will come in time. Won't happen if he stops taking faceoffs.
- MJL

Your content with him being the 4th line center ?

I don't see Scott Laughton getting Jake Voracek out of his slump. Only Jake Voracek can do that. Laughton is basically a rookie, faceoff success will come in time. Won't happen if he stops taking faceoffs.
- MJL

I didn't mention anything specific about Jake getting going since Laughton is on the line, the entire lineup would change, chemistry sometimes comes out of nowhere, who knows.

1-9

Try some things, that's my point

Your content with him being the 4th line center ?
- Chris48

He's averaging 11:13 per game at ES, which ranks 9th on the team and is within a minute or so of the ES icetime of Simmonds, Schenn, Gagner, and Raffl. He's getting plenty of icetime.

I didn't mention anything specific about Jake getting going since Laughton is on the line, the entire lineup would change, chemistry sometimes comes out of nowhere, who knows.

1-9

Try some things, that's my point
- Chris48

I understand trying some things. I place the development of Laughton as a player, as a higher priority than trying to improve the current team. When and if Voracek gets going, that's what will improve the top line.

I agree you could make the argument either way. Actually, there would be three solid strategies, all defensible.

1. Draft Matthews and go with G, Matthews and Couturier down the middle.
2. Trade Giroux and build around Matthews.
3. Trade the #1 to flesh out the current roster.

So for poops and giggles, which one would do and why? What are the pros and cons?
- TheGreat28

I would do 1.

Pros:
Potential for the best group of centers in the NHL
Contracts and ages staggered so as Giroux leaves his prime, Matthews will be entering it and Couturier will be in it. Giroux's contract will expire when Matthews reaches ufa
Gives the team tremendous depth
Gives the team great versatility.
Allows the team to focus more on building the defense (development, trades, drafting)

Cons: None