Who would you rather see out there for 8 mins a night? Needs to be a penalty killer.. I’ll give you 10 secs. Give me a name.

Also remember how bad our kill was last yr..
- Joe Nardone

No it doesnt have to be a PK guy. The legend of Nate being a good pk is severely overblown.

Flyers have guys that can play on the pk who I would rather have then Nate. Yes I remember how bad it was last year. Many seem to think last year was an anomaly. They added 2 guys on the backend who should help.

Stop with the 8 minutes a night. That is 8 minutes that you can play someone better, possibly more than 8 minutes. Then you can limit the minutes of your top players to keep them more fresh. There is a trickle down effect. I also think Nate will play more than 8 minutes sadly.

Read Bill's post. It's right there in the first paragraph.
-Letterkenny

I did read his post, since I don't live in the Philly area I don't think I can stream it via NBCSP+, so I was wondering if there other options for out-of-market views?

I’ve never seen Scott Laughton play consistently at third line center. When we have seen him in that spot, it’s been next to JvR and I don’t think I’ve ever seen much production or chemistry between the two players. I’m with you, I think the fourth line is fine for him. I do like Laughton better as a winger.
- SuperSchennBros

Totally agree, he is at his best when he is at wing, he can attack more. I don't want him at center on any line. The team has like 6 legit centers, he is not one of them.

Oh no the Flyers better figure out the 4th line dilemma or this season is down the toilet before it begins....

I ended up buying ESPN+, the Flyers pre-season game is streaming there tonight and for only $70 I get every out of market game, that a good value compared to the NHL.tv last year. Go Flyers!

I always see people overrating Laughton. On a true contending team he is the perfect 4th line center. That's really all he is. Hayes is really a perfect third line center and Coots is a perfect second line center. Now they just need to go out and steal someone's first line center!!

I ended up buying ESPN+, the Flyers pre-season game is streaming there tonight and for only $70 I get every out of market game, that a good value compared to the NHL.tv last year. Go Flyers!
- jd250

Thank you for this. I’m out of market as well and was going to ask if ESPN+ had pre season but thought there was no chance. Hoping this ESPN move works out for the league, they need to commit to it tho. Just worried we will still be treated like the red headed step child.

I ended up buying ESPN+, the Flyers pre-season game is streaming there tonight and for only $70 I get every out of market game, that a good value compared to the NHL.tv last year. Go Flyers!
- jd250

not sure if they still are, but they were doing a package of disney+, espn+, and hulu for like 12 bucks a month or something like that.

We disagree. He wasn't signed on the first day of free agency to not be in the lineup. We shall see if AV will sit him once he has a healthy lineup. Still would rather see someone else instead of Nate. If that doesn't work you can always insert Nate.

IMO the initial plan was Frost in AHL and NAK in the press box. Injuries have changed that scenario probably.
- hello it's me 2050

Honestly, if guys like Frost can’t beat out a 37 year old Nate Thompson or a Brassard…then he doesn’t belong in the NHL yet. Same for York. If he can’t out perform guys like Braun and Yandle…then he belongs in the “A”. Yes these guys are probably earmarked for different rolls but it’s not like they are being blocked….these guys are all near the end and played their best hockey a decade or so ago.

Honestly, if guys like Frost can’t beat out a 37 year old Nate Thompson or a Brassard…then he doesn’t belong in the NHL yet. Same for York. If he can’t out perform guys like Braun and Yandle…then he belongs in the “A”. Yes these guys are probably earmarked for different rolls but it’s not like they are being blocked….these guys are all near the end and played their best hockey a decade or so ago.
- landros 2

It has nothing to do with beating out these guys. The decision was made when they went out and signed Yandle, Brassard, Thompson.

I always see people overrating Laughton. On a true contending team he is the perfect 4th line center. That's really all he is. Hayes is really a perfect third line center and Coots is a perfect second line center. Now they just need to go out and steal someone's first line center!!
- Phillywhiteout

I kind of feel this way too. I'm optimistic about the D but, I'm just not feeling it on offense for this team. To me Giroux might be their best center...and he's playing wing.

Honestly, if guys like Frost can’t beat out a 37 year old Nate Thompson or a Brassard…then he doesn’t belong in the NHL yet. Same for York. If he can’t out perform guys like Braun and Yandle…then he belongs in the “A”. Yes these guys are probably earmarked for different rolls but it’s not like they are being blocked….these guys are all near the end and played their best hockey a decade or so ago.
- landros 2

Agree 100%. The thing is imo there was no need to sign Nate. You let what you have in house battle it out. If they show they cant handle it then you adjust and go get your 4th line vet. They are always available 24/7 is all I am saying. By signing Nate you are not giving those in house guys a true look. Not putting them with other guys who will be in the lineup to see what they can do. Then if you are hell bent on that 4th line vet there were better options than Nate. AV wanted Nate imo so here we are.

Frost is a diff case as he hasn't played much hockey in the last 18 months.

I always see people overrating Laughton. On a true contending team he is the perfect 4th line center. That's really all he is. Hayes is really a perfect third line center and Coots is a perfect second line center. Now they just need to go out and steal someone's first line center!!
- Phillywhiteout

Or we just need to steal a 1st, 2nd and 3rd line center. We really just have 4 4th line plugs at C don't you know?

Agree 100%. The thing is imo there was no need to sign Nate. You let what you have in house battle it out. If they show they cant handle it then you adjust and go get your 4th line vet. They are always available 24/7 is all I am saying. By signing Nate you are not giving those in house guys a true look. Not putting them with other guys who will be in the lineup to see what they can do. Then if you are hell bent on that 4th line vet there were better options than Nate. AV wanted Nate imo so here we are.

Frost is a diff case as he hasn't played much hockey in the last 18 months.
- hello it's me 2050

Yes, and frost shouldn't be in competition for a 4c role..imo. That would be tanner, german, cates, sandin, and allison. (might be missing someone.) And now a few of those guys are injured. (for the 4th line, maybe not 4c)

Not upset about signing brassard and he is better of the two imo. Didn't understand Nate on day 1 of free agency. If we were looking at the playing ability and pk, i would've gone after Bellemare.

Read Bill's post. It's right there in the first paragraph.
- Letterkenney

Not everyone lives in the Philly area

Totally agree, he is at his best when he is at wing, he can attack more. I don't want him at center on any line. The team has like 6 legit centers, he is not one of them.
- WhiskeyMan

That is just simply not true. While I would agree that he is better at wing than at center, he is still an effective center. He should be centering the 3rd line and not Brassard.

Couturier has 252P in 276 games the last four seasons with 197 at ES, but he's not a 1C.

I always see people overrating Laughton. On a true contending team he is the perfect 4th line center. That's really all he is. Hayes is really a perfect third line center and Coots is a perfect second line center. Now they just need to go out and steal someone's first line center!!
- Phillywhiteout

Again, not the case. Laughton is an effective two way player who scores at a high rate at 5 on 5 play. He absolutely belongs in the top 9.
Labeling Couturier as a 2nd line center when he's a legitimate first line center in this league doesn't do you any favors.

Yes, and frost shouldn't be in competition for a 4c role..imo. That would be tanner, german, cates, sandin, and allison. (might be missing someone.) And now a few of those guys are injured. (for the 4th line, maybe not 4c)

Not upset about signing brassard and he is better of the two imo. Didn't understand Nate on day 1 of free agency. If we were looking at the playing ability and pk, i would've gone after Bellemare.
- Peter Richards

I know what Nate can do. Maybe one of those 3 or Bunny can do better. Do not think they will get that chance.

Yes, and frost shouldn't be in competition for a 4c role..imo. That would be tanner, german, cates, sandin, and allison. (might be missing someone.) And now a few of those guys are injured. (for the 4th line, maybe not 4c)


- Peter Richards

Allison is a winger, not a center.

Couturier has 252P in 276 games the last four seasons with 197 at ES, but he's not a 1C.
- Feanor

He's a 4th line plug just like Bergeron in Boston. I mean, it's not like they've won the Selke or anything.

Further, it isn't ALL about points but Coots contributes a lot of them while being a boss on D.

I know what Nate can do. Maybe one of those 3 or Bunny can do better. Do not think they will get that chance.
- hello it's me 2050

German is awful, Bunny sucked last year, not sure about the other.

Again, not the case. Laughton is an effective two way player who scores at a high rate at 5 on 5 play. He absolutely belongs in the top 9.
Labeling Couturier as a 2nd line center when he's a legitimate first line center in this league doesn't do you any favors.
- MJL

Define "High Rate" please, he has scored over 30 points once since 2017. He is a third liner at best, maybe if he kept his ass out of the penalty box he would maybe get more points.

Allison is a winger, not a center.
- MJL

niether is sandin. There are others that can center the 4th line over Nate. He's currently slotted on the wing with Scott as the 4c. and i mentioned that in my post.

I kind of feel this way too. I'm optimistic about the D but, I'm just not feeling it on offense for this team. To me Giroux might be their best center...and he's playing wing.
- Dkos

The projected goal scoring takes a hit with the reported injuries, but so far, it should still be very good. Even last season, the Flyers offense was not at their best for long stretches and still finished in the middle. Their goals against was last. The defense looks better on paper, but it is where I still have the bigger questions. With a new defenseman on each pair, it’s going to be a whole new look. Can’t wait to watch…even if it is just preseason.