I know you love Coots, and I don't mean this as a knock on him but if I think the Flyers need a more offensive minded center to put in the #2 spot. Couturier goes to 3. This team doesn't need a Handzus in my eyes.
- flyer_nutter

My answer was more about the urgency rather than the need. The need is there, but I think they need to continue to be patient. Draft and develop with the future in mind. If a move that makes sense presents itself then make it. I dont see it as a must move though.
- MJL

Still didn't answer the question. You're also on record stating Schenn is a LW

The options I see in UFA are Berglund and Hanzal. They will both be grossly overpaid. They are basically the top options it is an awful weak UFA class.

It's interesting I mean how long do you wait for the defensive prospects to shake out before you decide who to pull the trigger on. Really going to wait around for Laberge/Rubstov? They could be multiple years

Still didn't answer the question. You're also on record stating Schenn is a LW
- Just5

I absolutely answered the question. I never said that Schenn is strictly a LW. He can play either side. What Ive said is that I think that Schenn's skillset is better suited to the wing.

Free agency really only has Berglund. He might be nice if they could sign him to a 2-3 year contract or something. He's actually having a down year though, whether that means he'll come cheaper and bounce back or is trending down, I don't know.

With expansion coming, there are a lot of those bottom 6 centers who can't be protected. William Karlsson on CBJ, Calle Jarnkrok on Nashville, Namestnikov on Tampa, Adam Lowry on Winnipeg, Chris Tienery on San Jose could be curious names that are still young and have upside too. Maybe they could do the expansion safe Hagg+2nd/3rd or something for one of them. There are options.

But Berglund, Karlsson, and Jarnkrok might be the best bets. Those are 3C types (or a potential one in Karlsson) who are very much the 2-way, 25-30 point, d-zone start guys that we need.

I absolutely answered the question. I never said that Schenn is strictly a LW. He can play either side. What Ive said is that I think that Schenn's skillset is better suited to the wing.
- MJL

My question was who plays 3C next year?

Still didn't answer the question. You're also on record stating Schenn is a LW
- Just5

And I think it is pretty obvious that Schenn should be a wing.

Free agency really only has Berglund. He might be nice if they could sign him to a 2-3 year contract or something. He's actually having a down year though, whether that means he'll come cheaper and bounce back or is trending down, I don't know.

With expansion coming, there are a lot of those bottom 6 centers who can't be protected. William Karlsson on CBJ, Calle Jarnkrok on Nashville, Namestnikov on Tampa, Adam Lowry on Winnipeg, Chris Tienery on San Jose could be curious names that are still young and have upside too. Maybe they could do the expansion safe Hagg+2nd/3rd or something for one of them. There are options.

But Berglund, Karlsson, and Jarnkrok might be the best bets. Those are 3C types (or a potential one in Karlsson) who are very much the 2-way, 25-30 point, d-zone start guys that we need.
- Mononoke

I'm ok with any of that except maybe Berglund, his terms wont be ideal. But it seems you're in agreement, something needs to be done for next year besides holding your breath for....Cousins? Weal? Fazleev?

I don't see how you go through 2 seasons with a glaring hole like this. People want to bring up GA being a problem. Its being addressed on the back end. Middle 6 centers have plenty to do with GA

My question was who plays 3C next year?
- Just5

Couturier.

Find a more offensively talented 2C. One can dream.

I'm ok with any of that except maybe Berglund, his terms wont be ideal. But it seems you're in agreement, something needs to be done for next year besides holding your breath for....Cousins? Weal? Fazleev?

I don't see how you go through 2 seasons with a glaring hole like this. People want to bring up GA being a problem. Its being addressed on the back end. Middle 6 centers have plenty to do with GA
- Just5

There is no bigger hole than 3C. I have been very vocal about that. If Lindblom and Schenn are potential 3rd line wingers next year (in name only, and maybe not even them), that 3rd line could be supercharged with just a solid 2-way center, like who I named. Berglund is the only free agent I can think of, and I agree that term and $$ could be an issue. I honestly prefer looking at a trade with the names I listed. Karlsson and Jarnkrok stand out to me personally.

There are no other internal options if Cousins is a no-go. There's just no one else for a couple years. They can't go into next year without addressing it and addressing it properly. That means no Boyd Gordons. They need a real answer.

Kase scores on a flukey play haha

KASE BABY YEEEEAAAHHHHH

I LOVE THIS LITTLE BALL OF BASTARD!

And I think it is pretty obvious that Schenn should be a wing.
- MBFlyerfan

Really, I kinda wanted to see more of him as a 2nd line center, and go with Coots as a 3rd line center.
That's one thing I'd like to see less of with Hak, all the line changes without much time for any of them to gel. Just cause things don't take off immediately doesn't always mean it won't work. Sometimes giving a line some time to work things out pays off. Not that Hak is the only coach guilty of that, it seems the days of having a set line are more of a thing of the past.

AND the Czechs just scored.

Kase scores on a flukey play haha
- Mononoke

Haha. Hilarious. Tsn talking about the flyers again. What a fluke. Off the ref. Ingram sucks. Harts our man

There is no bigger hole than 3C. I have been very vocal about that. If Lindblom and Schenn are potential 3rd line wingers next year (in name only, and maybe not even them), that 3rd line could be supercharged with just a solid 2-way center, like who I named. Berglund is the only free agent I can think of, and I agree that term and $$ could be an issue. I honestly prefer looking at a trade with the names I listed. Karlsson and Jarnkrok stand out to me personally.

There are no other internal options if Cousins is a no-go. There's just no one else for a couple years. They can't go into next year without addressing it and addressing it properly. That means no Boyd Gordons. They need a real answer.
- Mononoke

I would look at Bonino also but the Pens might find a way to keep him

There is no bigger hole than 3C. I have been very vocal about that. If Lindblom and Schenn are potential 3rd line wingers next year (in name only, and maybe not even them), that 3rd line could be supercharged with just a solid 2-way center, like who I named. Berglund is the only free agent I can think of, and I agree that term and $$ could be an issue. I honestly prefer looking at a trade with the names I listed. Karlsson and Jarnkrok stand out to me personally.

There are no other internal options if Cousins is a no-go. There's just no one else for a couple years. They can't go into next year without addressing it and addressing it properly. That means no Boyd Gordons. They need a real answer.
- Mononoke

I'd also prefer a trade because it gives you an opportunity to get a guy who is 22-25 years old rather than looking at late 20s guys. I'd still be very much interested in a bigger deal for a center who could potentially grow into a top line player. Prospect+Schenn+1st round pick.

That Jarnkrok contract is very appealing too.

My question was who plays 3C next year?
- Just5

Not it wasn't. Below was your question.

"Do you think they need to make a move to add a top 9 center into the mix...before next season starts"

Not it wasn't. Below was your question.

"Do you think they need to make a move to add a top 9 center into the mix...before next season starts"
- MJL

I saw that answer. Now please answer the other question.

Haha. Hilarious. Tsn talking about the flyers again. What a fluke. Off the ref. Ingram sucks. Harts our man
- Hextall271

I'd love nothing more than for Canada to lose without Hart and Myers. They're back end is looking shaky on breakouts minus Myers

I'd also prefer a trade because it gives you an opportunity to get a guy who is 22-25 years old rather than looking at late 20s guys. I'd still be very much interested in a bigger deal for a center who could potentially grow into a top line player. Prospect+Schenn+1st round pick.

That Jarnkrok contract is very appealing too.
- PhillySportsGuy

Nashville has to protect 4 D. Which means they will probably protect Forsberg, Johansen, Smith, Dirty POS, or Wilson. They can't protect Jarnkrok and he's probably already expansion fodder. They might very well like Hagg, who is safe this draft, and a pick for him. Thing about Jarnkrok is he's exactly the type we need. He is loaded out the ass with d-zone starts. He's playing 4C right now, but he has more than that in him with 30 points last year.

William Karlsson is another guy who Columbus will lose or at least won't protect. He's their 3/4C right now. Another young guy with some upside too. He plays with some pretty poopty linemates. He's loaded up with d zone starts, so he fits that mold. Both he and Jarnkrok have solid underlying numbers for the role they play and who they play with. Put either with better players (like VDV-Jarnkrok-PEB!) and we may have a realistic 2-way 3C for several years.

Nashville has to protect 4 D. Which means they will probably protect Forsberg, Johansen, Smith, Dirty POS, or Wilson. They can't protect Jarnkrok and he's probably already expansion fodder. They might very well like Hagg, who is safe this draft, and a pick for him. Thing about Jarnkrok is he's exactly the type we need. He is loaded out the ass with d-zone starts. He's playing 4C right now, but he has more than that in him with 30 points last year.

William Karlsson is another guy who Columbus will lose or at least won't protect. He's their 3/4C right now. Another young guy with some upside too. He plays with some pretty poopty linemates. He's loaded up with d zone starts, so he fits that mold. Both he and Jarnkrok have solid underlying numbers for the role they play and who they play with. Put either with better players (VDV-Jarnkrok-PEB?) and we may have a realistic 2-way 3C for several years.
- Mononoke

Karlsson. I like him

Lindblom-Karlsson-Read

I think Hagg has very very limited trade value however. Like late round pick equivalency. I think CLB would be asking for Morin

I'd also prefer a trade because it gives you an opportunity to get a guy who is 22-25 years old rather than looking at late 20s guys
- PhillySportsGuy

But the question is.....will Hextall do something like this? Love my man to pieces, but the NHL evaluating is a weakness at times (Umberger, AMac, VDV, PEB), and it didn't allay my worries when he came to the conclusion that Boyd Gordon and Dale Weise are what this team actually needed to shore up the bottom 6 (or that VDV-PEB are studs....and I'm still convinced one or both come back). I worry a bit (just a bit) they will address it, but go after some superficial, stereotypical signing/trade that doesn't actually help.

Karlsson. I like him

Lindblom-Karlsson-Read

I think Hagg has very very limited trade value however. Like late round pick equivalency. I think CLB would be asking for Morin
- Just5

They're not asking for Morin for their 24 year old 20+ point 3/4C. That would be beyond laughable and how you piss off another team. This isn't trading Hagg+2nd for Drouin or whatever dumb offers circulated here last year. William Karlsson is nice, but he's far from some top guy. Hagg and a 3rd or something could probably do it. Hagg has actually been better this year btw. Get an expansion safe young d man and a pick for someone you could lose anyway. If the Flyers can acquire a 2nd for someone like Streit, that can be in play too as a trade asset. We have a very good relationship with the Blue Jackets too with all the trades we've done.

Also, unless Schenn or Simmonds died, I imagine they are 3RW. Lindblom---xxxx---Schenn. Read or Weise, whoever is left, can be 4W.

But the question is.....will Hextall do something like this? Love my man to pieces, but the NHL evaluating is a weakness at times (Umberger, AMac, VDV, PEB), and it didn't allay my worries when he came to the conclusion that Boyd Gordon and Dale Weise are what this team actually needed to shore up the bottom 6 (or that VDV-PEB are studs....and I'm still convinced one or both come back). I worry a bit they will address it, but go after some stereotypical signing/trade that doesn't really help. But that face-off% though....
- Mononoke

The Weise signing was a strange one. All of the others have been short term things. I get the feeling he just likes having a ton of guys with NHL experience because he's terrified of having to play a young guy before he deems fit. When Ghost got his first call-up due to injury, it seemed like it took everything for him to finally relent.

Hexy definitely has a good deal of old school in him though. I just hope when the team is ready to win, they'll fill out the roster with better options.

There is no bigger hole than 3C. I have been very vocal about that. If Lindblom and Schenn are potential 3rd line wingers next year (in name only, and maybe not even them), that 3rd line could be supercharged with just a solid 2-way center, like who I named. Berglund is the only free agent I can think of, and I agree that term and $$ could be an issue. I honestly prefer looking at a trade with the names I listed. Karlsson and Jarnkrok stand out to me personally.

There are no other internal options if Cousins is a no-go. There's just no one else for a couple years. They can't go into next year without addressing it and addressing it properly. That means no Boyd Gordons. They need a real answer.
- Mononoke

Laughton is still only 22. I like Zack Smith for a less expensive option if Hexy goes FA, maybe Bonino after his postseason play. While 3C might be a glaring hole it's not nearly as important as a legit #1 dman. 3C is more of a want than a need. I look at the Bruins, Hawks, Pens, and Kings.... All SC champs that have a legit top dman... the Pens lack a 3C, the Hawks couldn't find a legit 2C. We have decent centers but we lack a #1 dman until one of the prospects prove they can handle the role, if any. If I'm Hexy I don't trade a prospect for anything but a top dman. Do like the Hawks and Kings did.... Load up on picks, Keep drafting and developing prospects, once they mature fill in the gaps with value FAs.