This season? Gostisbehere, MacDonald, Sanheim and possibly Gudas are all better. Myers may be shortly also.

People claiming that Couturier would be nothing more than a 3rd line center were uninformed considering he was already more than that.
- MJL

I think he meant this past season. I will say that Hagg definitely looked better to start the year and then seemed to wear down as the season went on.

I kept imagining a 4th line of Aube-Kubel - Laughton - Raffl. Cause trouble with their speed and forecheck. Still have skill to create chances. All can kill penalties.

Vorobyev looked calm. He even did some solid work on the PK. Other then the early penalty he never seemed out of position or panicked with the puck.
- J35Bacher

You should really think about expanding on your horizons

I never said that about Couturier, I've always been one of his biggest supporters around here. With Coots, you could see the possession skills and if you focus on his ES production it was always solid. Add in his success as 1C at the Junior level and it really wasn't that much of a stretch to see him putting up quality numbers if paired with offensive wings and also with him being used on the top pp.

Hagg just doesn't have the puck skills to be a top 4 guy in the NHL.
- BiggE

If a team can win the Cup with Ron Hainsey on the top pair, I think they could win with Hagg on the 3rd pair.

MORNING SKATE ROSTER (the players for tonight's game will be among this group)
at Skate Zone: 10 a.m.
Flyers at Islanders, 7 pm ET

FORWARDS (14)
11 - Travis Konecny RW
12 - Michael Raffl RW
15 - Jori Lehtera C
19 - Nolan Patrick C
20 - Taylor Leier LW
36 - Colin McDonald RW
39 - Tyrell Goulbourne LW
44 - Phil Varone C
46 - Mikhail Vorobyev C
48 - Danick Martel LW
52 - Greg Carey LW
54 - Oskar Lindblom LW
62 - Nicolas Aube-Kubel RW
63 - German Rubtsov C

DEFENSEMEN (8)
8 - Robert Hagg
26 - Christian Folin
43 - TJ Brennan
58 - Zach Palmquist
59 - Mark Friedman
60 - Reece Willcox
61 - Philippe Myers
77 - James de Haas

GOALTENDERS (2)
34 - Alex Lyon
41 - Anthony Stolarz

If things go the way i want to see, I have a hard time seeing him or Lehtara in the stating lineup.

Giroux - Couturier - Konecny
JVR - Patrick - Voracek
Lindblom - Vorobyev - Simmonds
Aube-Kubel - Laughton - Raffl

Extras: Weal(maybe traded), Lehtara
Waived: Weise, Leier
- J35Bacher

I would waive Weal and Leier if we had to. They’re cheap players who don’t have loads of nhl experience. I don’t hate having Weise in the press box.

I’m a little concerned that Simmonds might end up on the second unit. JvR in the crease. Couturier in the middle of the umbrella. I think we need to keep Simmonds in his comfortable spot and give him a chance to succeed.

I would waive Weal and Leier if we had to. They’re cheap players who don’t have loads of nhl experience. I don’t hate having Weise in the press box.

I’m a little concerned that Simmonds might end up on the second unit. JvR in the crease. Couturier in the middle of the umbrella. I think we need to keep Simmonds in his comfortable spot and give him a chance to succeed.
- SuperSchennBros

What are you concerned about?

If a team can win the Cup with Ron Hainsey on the top pair, I think they could win with Hagg on the 3rd pair.
- jmatchett383

I think the only concern with regards to that is his "grit" and "physical presents" keeping other options out of the lineup. I do agree that he is good enough to play in the NHL, but he projects as first pair whipping boy.

This season? Gostisbehere, MacDonald, Sanheim and possibly Gudas are all better. Myers may be shortly also.

People claiming that Couturier would be nothing more than a 3rd line center were uninformed considering he was already more than that.
- MJL

I’m not attacking Coots but I’m trying to be objective. Who was better to you all out there, Keith Primeau or Sean Couturier? Primeau was a pretty consistent 50-60 point guy. His career high was 73, twice. I’m happy Couturier reached 76 but it was a large leap. Richards when he hit his stride by his third season went from 80, 70, and two 60 point seasons in the same role as Coots. So who was better?

Really do sound like a sympathizer, don't I.
- VladDrag

It's not a good look.

I think he meant this past season. I will say that Hagg definitely looked better to start the year and then seemed to wear down as the season went on.
- jmatchett383

It really doesn't matter what season. Hagg was never 2nd rated in any area among the Flyers defenseman. Not even close.

hopefully they can move weal for a 6th or something. they need to start thinning the heard so to speak imo

maybe a team looking for Ahl depth will trade you futures for a guy like fazleev or even maybe get a pick for a Martel or knight.

With them at 48 contracts I believe I still find a way to sign the dman. its worth the risk.

Biggest upside is Misha gets experience at NHL level at 3C and can slot down to 4C when Frost is ready.....win win
- juiced

misha. jesus christ

hopefully they can move weal for a 6th or something. they need to start thinning the heard so to speak imo

maybe a team looking for Ahl depth will trade you futures for a guy like fazleev or even maybe get a pick for a Martel or knight.

With them at 48 contracts I believe I still find a way to sign the dman. its worth the risk.
- rinaldo

a 6th lol, I'll hang on to the guy for injury purposes rather than get a 6th.

misha. jesus christ
- rinaldo

I don't think Vorobyev would slide into a 4th line center role ever. If or when Frost makes the team and Vorobyev shows to be a solid top 9 player, i think they would make it work. Could always slide someone to wing.

I don't think Vorobyev would slide into a 4th line center role ever. If or when Frost makes the team and Vorobyev shows to be a solid top 9 player, i think they would make it work. Could always slide someone to wing.
- J35Bacher

I am not talking about his skill or talent. I like him and always have.

I am cracking up at people calling him Misha.

I don't think Vorobyev would slide into a 4th line center role ever. If or when Frost makes the team and Vorobyev shows to be a solid top 9 player, i think they would make it work. Could always slide someone to wing.
- J35Bacher

Why would he not be able to play 4th line? Seems to have a 200 foot game and strong on his stick, decent size.

If a team can win the Cup with Ron Hainsey on the top pair, I think they could win with Hagg on the 3rd pair.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. He's fine on the 3rd pair if needed.

Why would he not be able to play 4th line? Seems to have a 200 foot game and strong on his stick, decent size.
- ClaudeFather

Not saying he cant. I just don't see it. I think his skills translate to playing with guys in the top 9. I know you want 4 lines you can roll but there will always be a difference in minutes from top line to other lines.

I know the give and go was nice on the Vorobyev goal, but the play by Provorov to get the puck up the ice through the NZ had me all hot and bothered.

Not saying he cant. I just don't see it. I think his skills translate to playing with guys in the top 9. I know you want 4 lines you can roll but there will always be a difference in minutes from top line to other lines.
- J35Bacher

I question whether Vorobyev will be able to score enough to play a top 9 role at the NHL level. I think he has the hockey sense and positional checking game to play on a 4th line eventually in the NHL.

I know the give and go was nice on the Vorobyev goal, but the play by Provorov to get the puck up the ice through the NZ had me all hot and bothered.
- YuenglingJagr

Both Gostisbehere and Provorov looked to be in form in transitioning the puck out of the defensive zone. Granted against inferior competition.

I know the give and go was nice on the Vorobyev goal, but the play by Provorov to get the puck up the ice through the NZ had me all hot and bothered.
- YuenglingJagr

The whole transition was great. With guys like Provorov, Myers, Gostisbehere and Sanheim I hope to see more of that in the future.

I'm really anxious to see Vorobyev later in the pre-season when the rosters are closer to the NHL quality rosters. would love to see the kid make it.

Not saying he cant. I just don't see it. I think his skills translate to playing with guys in the top 9. I know you want 4 lines you can roll but there will always be a difference in minutes from top line to other lines.
- J35Bacher

I want as much talent as possible in the lineup. If their 4 best centers next season are Coots, Patrick, Frost and Vorobyev than you roll with those 4. Vorobyev will get plenty of ice time in that type of lineup. Figure 9 mins or so at ES on the 4th line. another minute or 2 of ES time moving up to line 3 when you are protecting a lead and probably another 1-1.5 minutes on the PK. All in all, he'd still likely play 11-13 minutes a night and the team would better down the middle.

Not saying he cant. I just don't see it. I think his skills translate to playing with guys in the top 9. I know you want 4 lines you can roll but there will always be a difference in minutes from top line to other lines.
- J35Bacher

I see what you're saying, looking like we finally might have some depth on these bottom lines this year or next year. No more Weise and Lehtera talk, discussing who needs more ice will be quite the treat. Lets hope these discussions will be this year.