Losing Couturier is rough too. It's such a huge drop-off and he does so much for the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

No, you're right -- it could have been a more interesting series with the Caps if he was healthy and they do need him over 82 games to make it

Pens are playing well, with grit, structure and pace. I can acknowledge that. Looking good right now, with Kessel as the, what, fourth-best player on the team, which is about right
- AllInForFlyers

kessel looks as though he is ready to vomit after every shift. the narratives about him being a lazy floater are tired and simply false.

Losing Couturier is rough too. It's such a huge drop-off and he does so much for the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

Answer me this: is this a photo of Scott Laughton or Sean Couturier? I bet you can't tell the difference.

kessel looks as though he is ready to vomit after every shift. the narratives about him being a lazy floater are tired and simply false.
- stayinthefnnet

He's like a lot of skilled forwards -- he can't be the best player on your team, and his flaws become outsized

Never was he as good or bad as Toronto people said. You can win with him, just can't build around him

He probably should have had three tonight

He's like a lot of skilled forwards -- he can't be the best player on your team, and his flaws become outsized

Never was he as good or bad as Toronto people said. You can win with him, just can't build around him
- AllInForFlyers

i think that is a fair statement. not that the million retained is huge, but it takes him from a guy in his 7 millions to a 6 mill player. and he gets so much extra value out of hagelin at even strength. that line has been the savior.

crosby has had a decent playoff run. not all time worthy, but solid B, B plus throughout. points just havent always been there. malkin, for a number of reasons, has been very rough. its all the "third" line.

Simmons run in Philadelphia will make Tim Duncan's run in San Antonio look pathetic. Lead pipe, Connecticut, chimp, rip your face off lock.
- PLindbergh31

omg, i'm going to be at this for days.

i think that is a fair statement. not that the million retained is huge, but it takes him from a guy in his 7 millions to a 6 mill player. and he gets so much extra value out of hagelin at even strength. that line has been the savior.

crosby has had a decent playoff run. not all time worthy, but solid B, B plus throughout. points just havent always been there. malkin, for a number of reasons, has been very rough. its all the "third" line.
- stayinthefnnet

The theft of Daley, to me, was the turning point of the season. Daley isn't without flaws, but only a blind man couldn't see that deal was going to unlock something scary

Hagelin for Perron was icing on the cake

Oh, wait? Jon Cooper is a d-bag toward Jonathan Drouin? Color me shocked

this is a beat down

Losing Couturier is rough too. It's such a huge drop-off and he does so much for the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

yea it's hard to replace a guy that can't score for poop

Oh, wait? Jon Cooper is a d-bag toward Jonathan Drouin? Color me shocked
- AllInForFlyers

Explain please

MO BUCKETS!

Explain please
- Mononoke

kid has been lethal this series. threat every time he has the puck. he had one iffy turnover. immediately riding pine/fourth line role with checkers again.

dumb in my opinion.

kid has been lethal this series. threat every time he has the puck. he had one iffy turnover. immediately riding pine/fourth line role with checkers again.

dumb in my opinion.
- stayinthefnnet

But I was told that Cooper treated him with the utmost fairness....

It is not hard to see why he was pissed off. Nothing worse than being held to a different standard by your coach.

The theft of Daley, to me, was the turning point of the season. Daley isn't without flaws, but only a blind man couldn't see that deal was going to unlock something scary

Hagelin for Perron was icing on the cake
- AllInForFlyers

daley is definitely as you say. not perfect by any means. but he fits the mold of this team. scuderi was such a negative where just yeah. that trade was boggling.

perron for hagelin was a risk for sure, just because 4 mil is not cheap especially with term for a guy that is really an objectively good third liner. his fit right now is more important than his talent level.

kessel with malkin didnt work because they both need the puck and it was just a ton of offsides as kessel just wants to constantly streak in. hagelin is a speedy, linear player who doesnt need the puck and plays good defense. fits perfect with kessel.

in a way, hes like the golden retriever that grabs the leash and guilts kessel into getting off the couch and into the offensive zone

But I was told that Cooper treated him with the utmost fairness....

It is not hard to see why he was pissed off. Nothing worse than being held to a different standard by your coach.
- Mononoke

its just stupid old fashioned GRIT way of thinking.

dont get me wrong, the TB hardnosed guys like boyle and pacquette are playing well. but 1. they routinely take the safe plays, so they are less likely to turn the puck over. and even if they do, its not like there is repercussion.

drouin has been making plays and chances nearly every time he has the puck. while i dont necessarily like guys just not showing up, its downright foolish what they do with him. if a team could have plucked him at a reduced rate it would have been a steal.

But I was told that Cooper treated him with the utmost fairness....

It is not hard to see why he was pissed off. Nothing worse than being held to a different standard by your coach.
- Mononoke

no no no the kid has earned nothing! no one should trade for him!

no no no the kid has earned nothing! no one should trade for him!
- 2Real

he would be (frank)ing nasty on the flyers.

But I was told that Cooper treated him with the utmost fairness....

It is not hard to see why he was pissed off. Nothing worse than being held to a different standard by your coach.
- Mononoke

Sorry, proceed...

he would be (frank)ing nasty on the flyers.
- stayinthefnnet

yup people need to realize that

kessel looks as though he is ready to vomit after every shift. the narratives about him being a lazy floater are tired and simply false.
- stayinthefnnet

he gets my vote for the conn smythe right now

no joke either

kessel has been awesome

kid has been lethal this series. threat every time he has the puck. he had one iffy turnover. immediately riding pine/fourth line role with checkers again.

dumb in my opinion.
- stayinthefnnet

and it was a nice initial stop by vaseline...rebound potted. poop happens.

(frank) him.

Sorry, proceed...


- mayorofangrytown

I am Team Drouin

and it was a nice initial stop by vaseline...rebound potted. poop happens.

(frank) him.
- hammarby31

vasi was a stud again. it takes forever to break him. pens brought the deluge tonight and it just felt like it was never gonna break open.

thank god for coburns many appearances.

yup people need to realize that
- 2Real

i dont know why they would have a hard time seeing that in theory. its just all about the realistic cost. i think the time for them to move him has passed, now that they dont know whats up with stamkos. i dont think they can afford to lose both.

i think he would be worth a pretty big haul from the flyers end. id still be interested from hexys end. he's exactly what they need up front.