Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Should Schenn Play Center or Wing?

Great read as usual Bill! Schenn looked great at certain points, with some of the best hits I'd seen all season long, but at other times looked lost. Do you think he was injured following Asham's crosscheck/punch in the Pittsburgh series?

I think it is a mistake not to move Couturier into the 2nd line center position. The kid has enormous upside potential and his game is very large, even as a teenager. The reality needs to be faced that Schenn may be part of the package that enables the Flyers to deal for an elite Dman.

Like Couturier, he is a natural center and would probably be more valuable as a trading chip rather than playing him in the wrong slot.

If Schenn is traded I would prefer a young promising Dman. If the Flyers can use Schenn to get one of the best dmen this draft then I would be ok with him going.
I would prefer not to trade him. There is a problem with the logjam at center.
Maybe play Briere at wing during the regular season to start and see how playing Giroux, Schenn, Couturier as the centers. The fourth line guy yet to be determined. I think they need a veteran guy there who is money on face offs and can play solid D.

I think it is a mistake not to move Couturier into the 2nd line center position. The kid has enormous upside potential and his game is very large, even as a teenager. The reality needs to be faced that Schenn may be part of the package that enables the Flyers to deal for an elite Dman.

Like Couturier, he is a natural center and would probably be more valuable as a trading chip rather than playing him in the wrong slot.
- spatso

Couturier should be slotted in the 3rd line Center position, not the 2nd. He will see plenty of icetime there. And Schenn's NHL career is far too young to say that playing him on the Wing is playing him in the wrong slot.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Should Schenn Play Center or Wing?
- bmeltzer

Schenn will be a better guy at the dot and more defensively responsible than Briere. He's also better able to take on some of the bigger centers in this conference.

As a veteran and a leader on this team, Briere may get at least another full season at the 2C slot, but Schenn is knocking on the door.

Couturier should be slotted in the 3rd line Center position, not the 2nd. He will see plenty of icetime there. And Schenn's NHL career is far too young to say that playing him on the Wing is playing him in the wrong slot.
- MJL

Players decide team roles based on their play. It will be very hard to keep Couturier off of the 2nd line based on his play, his size and the high end projection of his talent.

I like Schenn he is going to be a very good NHL player. But, Couturier will win scoring championships. This kid is a gifted offensive talent. He can play defense. But he is going to be an offensive superstar. He will win the second line job. Talent always rises to the top. (Do not understand anything I have said as being negative towards Schenn, I just think Couturier is that good.)

Players decide team roles based on their play. It will be very hard to keep Couturier off of the 2nd line based on his play, his size and the high end projection of his talent.

I like Schenn he is going to be a very good NHL player. But, Couturier will win scoring championships. This kid is a gifted offensive talent. He can play defense. But he is going to be an offensive superstar. He will win the second line job. Talent always rises to the top. (Do not understand anything I have said as being negative towards Schenn, I just think Couturier is that good.)
- spatso

Both Couturier and Schenn are very skilled young players. Couturier will not be hurt by a second season in a secondary role(i.e. third line center). Playing 3rd and 4th line for a couple seasons in Calgary didn't kill Doug Gilmour. It won't kill Couturier.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Should Schenn Play Center or Wing?
- bmeltzer

Right now, Schenn will likely play wing. As you pointed out, Briere is more effective at center. Schenn had an up and down year, but if he's plugged in and healthy, there's no reason he can't have a lot of success playing a wing for a season or two until the logjam at center clears a bit.

Not ideal, but it is what they have to deal with up front. Trading Schenn, while he's on an EL deal isn;t a great idea, especially if there's a bonus cushion and his cap hit is a more manageable $900K or so.

Players decide team roles based on their play. It will be very hard to keep Couturier off of the 2nd line based on his play, his size and the high end projection of his talent.

I like Schenn he is going to be a very good NHL player. But, Couturier will win scoring championships. This kid is a gifted offensive talent. He can play defense. But he is going to be an offensive superstar. He will win the second line job. Talent always rises to the top. (Do not understand anything I have said as being negative towards Schenn, I just think Couturier is that good.)
- spatso

I think your really drastically over selling Couturier's potential. He isn't going to be a player that will contend for the scoring title. He's far more likely to be a 60-70 point 2 way player in the NHL. If Briere plays Center, then he will be the 2nd line Center on a scoring line. Couturier with his two way skill is ideal for that 3rd line Center spot.

Regarding Briere - Let's take a look at his playoff numbers for the last 2 years. Yes, he scores alot of goals but he's on the ice for 2x as many against.

2011 playoffs - Scored 5 even strength goals but was a -7 for the playoffs meaning that he was on the ice for 12 goals against.

2012 playoffs - Scored 7 even strength goals but was a -6 for the playoffs meaning that he was on the ice for 13 goals against.

Add in the fact that he's a known defensive liability does that mean that his playoff scoring prowess really mean that much? Is it really that great that you've scored 12 (even strength) playoff goals the last 2 years if your line has given up 25 goals?

I'm trying to make the case that for every goal Danny scores in the playoffs, his line gives up 2. He's a great clutch goal scorer but he can also be the reason you need that clutch goal.

The team should be transitioning away from relying on Briere.

Right now, Schenn will likely play wing. As you pointed out, Briere is more effective at center. Schenn had an up and down year, but if he's plugged in and healthy, there's no reason he can't have a lot of success playing a wing for a season or two until the logjam at center clears a bit.

Not ideal, but it is what they have to deal with up front. Trading Schenn, while he's on an EL deal isn;t a great idea, especially if there's a bonus cushion and his cap hit is a more manageable $900K or so.
- Jsaquella

I think Briere has a grace period as the #2 center.. but if he starts the season quietly.. Id move Schenn (assuming he is style a Flyer) to the #2 center slot.

This whole off season is going to unfold like a day-time soap. Rumors swirling, yet nothing happening. People in love triangles backstabbing each other. Butsy sitting on his couch, drinking, and yelling at TSN updates in borderline understandable Canadian talk.

But seriously, I think there are going to be a ton of changes through out the league this year. Teams will see make overs, stars will be moved, and the Blue Jackets will win the west , and from June 23rd forward we will have a fun exciting summer.

I like Schenn better at center, but as my HB friend says its early yet in his career.

I think Briere has a grace period as the #2 center.. but if he starts the season quietly.. Id move Schenn (assuming he is style a Flyer) to the #2 center slot.

This whole off season is going to unfold like a day-time soap. Rumors swirling, yet nothing happening. People in love triangles backstabbing each other. Butsy sitting on his couch, drinking, and yelling at TSN updates in borderline understandable Canadian talk.

But seriously, I think there are going to be a ton of changes through out the league this year. Teams will see make overs, stars will be moved, and the Blue Jackets will win the west , and from June 23rd forward we will have a fun exciting summer.
- jak521

anything has to be better than the shot-blockingfest that is the NHL playoffs...the new trap has emerged. they need wider ice...

oh and frank torts and the rangers and lundqvist's lucky horse shoe


just wanted to add that

I think schenn will emerge as a center eventually, but he could be the piece required to get a young stud dman...

anything has to be better than the shot-blockingfest that is the NHL playoffs...the new trap has emerged. they need wider ice...
- isaiah520

Its nauseating to watch.. Its like watching the Pirates play the Royals.

I think schenn will emerge as a center eventually, but he could be the piece required to get a young stud dman...
- isaiah520

I want Seabrook. JvR for Seabrook. Now.

anything has to be better than the shot-blockingfest that is the NHL playoffs...the new trap has emerged. they need wider ice...
- isaiah520

I actually didn't know there was hockey on last night. Never bothered to turn it on either...

I want Seabrook. JvR for Seabrook. Now.
- jak521

considering the hawks have needed a #2 center forever, I doubt that gets it done. I think seabrooke is a great #2 guy. prob fit very well w/ a speed guy like coburn.

Its nauseating to watch.. Its like watching the Pirates play the Royals.
- jak521

paint drying...

I think your really over selling Couturier's potential. He isn't going to be a player that will contend for the scoring title. He's far more likely to be a 60-70 point 2 way player in the NHL. If Briere plays Center, then he will be the 2nd line Center on a scoring line. Couturier with his two way skill is ideal for that 3rd line Center spot.
- MJL

I watched Giroux play in the Q, he was spectacular and great fun to watch. But, Giroux was never the dominant player or physical presence that Couturier was even though he put up better numbers.

People need to look closely at Couturier's draft year. The previous year he had won the scoring championship, he was the consensus #1 pick for his draft class. But he came back to play on a really bad team, he had slugs for line mates, he developed mono, he was also absent to play with Team Canada at the WJC. Yet, he still had the highest ppg ratio of any player in major CHL play. It is just bizarre that he dropped the way he did in the draft. When people think in terms of keeping this kid as a third line or fourth line skater they do not appreciate the high end of his talent. In terms of comparisons I would put him on the same development curve as Tavares. With these kind of talents you need to play them, you especially need to challenge their skill sets.

As I said before, this kind of stuff tends to get decided on the ice. I expect for Couturier to win the 2nd line center coming out of training camp and over the early season. Time will tell, I believe in the kid.

I watched Giroux play in the Q, he was spectacular and great fun to watch. But, Giroux was never the dominant player or physical presence that Couturier was even though he put up better numbers.

People need to look closely at Couturier's draft year. The previous year he had won the scoring championship, he was the consensus #1 pick for his draft class. But he came back to play on a really bad team, he had slugs for line mates, he developed mono, he was also absent to play with Team Canada at the WJC. Yet, he still had the highest ppg ratio of any player in major CHL play. It is just bizarre that he dropped the way he did in the draft. When people think in terms of keeping this kid as a third line or fourth line skater they do not appreciate the high end of his talent. In terms of comparisons I would put him on the same development curve as Tavares. With these kind of talents you need to play them, you especially need to challenge their skill sets.

As I said before, this kind of stuff tends to get decided on the ice. I expect for Couturier to win the 2nd line center coming out of training camp and over the early season. Time will tell, I believe in the kid.
- spatso

It would be awesome to watch....nice analysis

anything has to be better than the shot-blockingfest that is the NHL playoffs...the new trap has emerged. they need wider ice...
- isaiah520

they need to do something, it's just ridiculous. make the net bigger if they have too, idk. Rangers literally pack 3 guys + a goalie into the crease, I'd rather try to score on the laughing clown on the last hole of miniature golf course with a ping pong ball.

Regarding Briere - Let's take a look at his playoff numbers for the last 2 years. Yes, he scores alot of goals but he's on the ice for 2x as many against.

2011 playoffs - Scored 5 even strength goals but was a -7 for the playoffs meaning that he was on the ice for 12 goals against.

2012 playoffs - Scored 7 even strength goals but was a -6 for the playoffs meaning that he was on the ice for 13 goals against.

Add in the fact that he's a known defensive liability does that mean that his playoff scoring prowess really mean that much? Is it really that great that you've scored 12 (even strength) playoff goals the last 2 years if your line has given up 25 goals?

I'm trying to make the case that for every goal Danny scores in the playoffs, his line gives up 2. He's a great clutch goal scorer but he can also be the reason you need that clutch goal.

The team should be transitioning away from relying on Briere.
- Flyers_01

No they shouldn't be transistiong from relying on Briere. You have to look deeper and see which of those goals can be attributed to Briere, and a mistake he made. And which aren't. There's no question that Briere is not a good defensive player. You have to look at the overall picture. The Flyers got blown out against Boston last year.