Ehh, some guys you can peg just by their past.. I see the lines looking like this to start.

JvR-Grioux-Voracek
Hartnell-Briere-Jagr
Simmonds-Schenn-Nodl/Read
Betts-Talbot- Nodl/Sestito/Shelley/Holmstrom
- jak521

Well yeah, if they were together last year and did good then they have a very good chance to be on the same line again.

High hopes for Schenn I see.

But they weren't close to evenly matched with Boston. They were totally and completely outmatched.
- MBFlyerfan

had the flyers played to the level they were capable of they would have given boston a legitimate series and had a chance to win. they executed poorly and didn't get the effort. pretty good recipe for a sweep.

Well yeah, if they were together last year and did good then they have a very good chance to be on the same line again.

High hopes for Schenn I see.
- kgrpitt

Idk about high hopes. By all accounts, everybody in the know (in the nhl) think he is ready for the NHL. 3rd line is in par with those thoughts.

The thing to remember is that development with a lot of young defenseman, is rarely linear. There are ups and downs in their play. We saw it with Coburn and Meszaros last year. We saw Carle struggle in the playoffs. But on a whole in the big picture, I see Meszaros getting better and better.
- MJL

He is the biggest ?? to me. I could see him take a step back, or 2 forward. Just have a gut feeling.

The thing to remember is that development with a lot of young defenseman, is rarely linear. There are ups and downs in their play. We saw it with Coburn and Meszaros last year. We saw Carle struggle in the playoffs. But on a whole in the big picture, I see Meszaros getting better and better.
- MJL

He certainly could be getting better and better. But I think a lot of folks expect him to take another huge step forward in 2011-12. I'd love to see it, but if he takes even a small step back this season, people will beef.

He is the biggest ?? to me. I could see him take a step back, or 2 forward. Just have a gut feeling.
- jak521

I don't see him being anywhere near the biggest question mark. The biggest question marks in my opinion are Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, And even Jagr and JVR.

He certainly could be getting better and better. But I think a lot of folks expect him to take another huge step forward in 2011-12. I'd love to see it, but if he takes even a small step back this season, people will beef.
- Jsaquella

Of course they will. Although he seemed to have earned fan favorite status. He would make a mistake last year and it would get blamed on someone else. Although I think the way he played overall earned that. I expect more solid play from him.

The thing to remember is that development with a lot of young defenseman, is rarely linear. There are ups and downs in their play. We saw it with Coburn and Meszaros last year. We saw Carle struggle in the playoffs. But on a whole in the big picture, I see Meszaros getting better and better.
- MJL

Oh right, it was you I was talking about Meszaros with

I don't see him being anywhere near the biggest question mark. The biggest question marks in my opinion are Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, And even Jagr and JVR.
- MJL

Im speaking in terms of returning guys. Of the guys who are expected to do such and such. If Pronger takes a while to return and or one of the other guys goes down... Meszy can see himself go from the #5 to the #3. I dont know what to expect in that situation. He proved he was able to pick up his game for the playoffs, but a new season could change everything.

I think JvR is going to have a monster year. The original question was who did i think would have a down year. I thought Meszy.

Im speaking in terms of returning guys. Of the guys who are expected to do such and such. If Pronger takes a while to return and or one of the other guys goes down... Meszy can see himself go from the #5 to the #3. I dont know what to expect in that situation. He proved he was able to pick up his game for the playoffs, but a new season could change everything.

I think JvR is going to have a monster year. The original question was who did i think would have a down year. I thought Meszy.
- jak521

I hope JVR does have a monster year. But I think that's an unrealistic expectation. I see him having a good year, with the normal struggles and inconsistencies of a young player. Meszaros spent a lot of time playing against top players last year. I think he'll be fine, but again, as a young defenseman, there will be some ups and downs, as should be expected.

I don't see him being anywhere near the biggest question mark. The biggest question marks in my opinion are Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, And even Jagr and JVR.
- MJL

I don't know if this is the biggest question mark, but for me I am very interested to see how Giroux and JvR play when they go against the other team's first line and top pair defense the majority of the time.

I don't know if this is the biggest question mark, but for me I am very interested to see how Giroux and JvR play when they go against the other team's first line and top pair defense the majority of the time.
- Marc D

It's a huge change for both of those players. They are no longer just 2 of the top offensive players. They are 2 players that are expected to carry the team offensively. Giroux has developed into a very good playmaker, but who is he setting up now?

I don't know if this is the biggest question mark, but for me I am very interested to see how Giroux and JvR play when they go against the other team's first line and top pair defense the majority of the time.
- Marc D

Giroux did that already last year.

I think my biggest concern isn't so much individual play by certain players with expectations. I more so think about special teams, starting with the PK. Richards was a beast on the PK. A two way player on the penalty kill. I'd like to know who gets paired up when we're a man down.

Betts-Nodl
Giroux-Talbot
Schenn-Simmonds

??

Is it maybe time to get JvR to learn how to work the PK?

I hope JVR does have a monster year. But I think that's an unrealistic expectation. I see him having a good year, with the normal struggles and inconsistencies of a young player. Meszaros spent a lot of time playing against top players last year. I think he'll be fine, but again, as a young defenseman, there will be some ups and downs, as should be expected.
- MJL

Let me clarify. By monster... i expect him to have a break out year. I see him putting up 30 goals 35 assists.

He started last season off pretty slow. Over the last 68 games of the year (including playoffs) he scored 28 goals.... next closest was Jeff Carter with 27 (over his last 68 games), despite JvR getting the least amount of ice time among top 9 forwards....

I think my biggest concern isn't so much individual play by certain players with expectations. I more so think about special teams, starting with the PK. Richards was a beast on the PK. A two way player on the penalty kill. I'd like to know who gets paired up when we're a man down.

Betts-Nodl
Giroux-Talbot
Schenn-Simmonds

??

Is it maybe time to get JvR to learn how to work the PK?
- Schenn2shine

I think Jvr would be fine on the PK, but not nearly as good as Richie.

I also think they are gonna work him hard at the point of the PP.

Nodl, Giroux, Talbot, Betts are all plenty good at killing penalties. Add Holmstrom in there as well... if he makes the team.

I think Jvr would be fine on the PK, but not nearly as good as Richie.

I also think they are gonna work him hard at the point of the PP.

Nodl, Giroux, Talbot, Betts are all plenty good at killing penalties. Add Holmstrom in there as well... if he makes the team.
- jak521

I wouldn't use JvR on the point of the Power Play (Even though I'm aware that he has been used there) and I'm not at all comparing JvR to Richards on the PK.

Through an entire season I think you need more then just four forwards who can work the PK. What happens if anyone of these guys take a penalty or two of these guys get hurt.

I wouldn't use JvR on the point of the Power Play (Even though I'm aware that he has been used there) and I'm not at all comparing JvR to Richards on the PK.

Through an entire season I think you need more then just four forwards who can work the PK. What happens if anyone of these guys take a penalty or two of these guys get hurt.
- Schenn2shine

I think Simmonds and (to a lesser extent) Schenn will also get time. You can also incorporate JvR as well.

Giroux-Talbot
Betts-Nodl
Jvr-Simmonds-Schenn-Holmstrom

Has Simmonds played on the PK very much?

I think Simmonds and (to a lesser extent) Schenn will also get time. You can also incorporate JvR as well.

Giroux-Talbot
Betts-Nodl
Jvr-Simmonds-Schenn-Holmstrom
- jak521

I agree, although I'm not 100% sure that Holmstrom makes the team. I feel Holmstrom will be one of the first call-ups if he's needed.

Has Simmonds played on the PK very much?
- Marc D

I could swear I saw him play on the PK next to Handzus in LA but I can't confirm this forsure.

Has Simmonds played on the PK very much?
- Marc D

averaged a lusty five seconds/game on the pk last year.

averaged a lusty five seconds/game on the pk last year.
- OrangeBlack27

Im outta here... what number are you so i know to head hunt the right person

averaged a lusty five seconds/game on the pk last year.
- OrangeBlack27

Well that's more time then Briere had on PK.

Im outta here... what number are you so i know to head hunt the right person
- jak521

Banker's hours????