Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Brayden Schenn, Fytin, Quick Hits

Sami Kapanen

Trade em science has proven he stinks and won't get any better

Trade em science has proven he stinks and won't get any better
- Giroux_Is_God

I've been saying since junior that Cody Eakin is better.

I've been saying since junior that Cody Eakin is better.
- BINGO!

I've been saying since the beginning of time that Tanner Glass is better.

I've been saying since the beginning of time that Tanner Glass is better.
- Giroux_Is_God

Well that's stupid.

Well that's stupid.
- BINGO!

And facetious.

If the Flyers trade Schenn, which they won't, it'll be a huge mistake.

And facetious.

If the Flyers trade Schenn, which they won't, it'll be a huge mistake.
- Giroux_Is_God

The further development of BSchenn and Couturier will be big factors in deciding how this season will shape up.

The further development of BSchenn and Couturier will be big factors in deciding how this season will shape up.
- johndewar

It's going to be awfully difficult to both develop B Schenn and Couturier offensively, and appease Lecavalier, imo.

still ticked that Barber was jobbed out of the Calder...guess i need to get a life

The numbers are similar to JVR's production over 3 years with the Flyers. With the organization not exactly deep with forwards that have high offensive potential, paitence is key here.

Both Schenns need to step up thier consistency. There is hope because character doesn't seem to be an issue with either of them.

The further development of BSchenn and Couturier will be big factors in deciding how this season will shape up.
- johndewar

Which is why they'll be a playoff team again and will be making noise in May

Which is why they'll be a playoff team again and will be making noise in May
- Giroux_Is_God

Well, they would, if not for Andrew MacDonald.

It's going to be awfully difficult to both develop B Schenn and Couturier offensively, and appease Lecavalier, imo.
- bradleyc4

Brayden right now, because of his average to below average defensive game and face off ability, is not a great 2nd line C. He could be if he develops those areas.

Is he a better all around 2nd line C right now then Vinnie?
I guess it depends on which VL shows up. Post back injury, B Schenn was better then VL.

If Schenn could win 50+% of faceoffs and become a reliable defender he is the clear choice.

With VL sticking around, I think Berube has little choice but to put BSchenn with G and Jake on the left wing and VL in the pivot.

I think it is going to go like this:

BSchenn/G/Jake

Read/Couts/Raffl (you can call this the "third" line, except they will get a lot of ice so it may as well be the second line).

Umby/VL/Simmonds - there is a decent third line, and Simmer will still get top PP minutes ( call this the "2nd line" if you want, Couts will still end up with more ice)

The further development of BSchenn and Couturier will be big factors in deciding how this season will shape up.
- johndewar

Not just that. They may be factors in deciding how their offense will go for the next several years.

Not the only factors of course, but big cogs in the wheel.

I like Schenn to get 25/27/52 this season, and perhaps crack 30+ goals the following. Let's hope! He's certainly capable if he irons out his streaky play.

Not just that. They may be factors in deciding how their offense will go for the next several years.

Not the only factors of course, but big cogs in the wheel.

I like Schenn to get 25/27/52 this season, and perhaps crack 30+ goals the following. Let's hope! He's certainly capable if he irons out his streaky play.
- Hesh_

best chance of that happening is if he plays with G and Jake on line one, or if he stays at C then Berube breaks up G and Jake and B Schenn gets Jake as his winger.

Brayden right now, because of his average to below average defensive game and face off ability, is not a great 2nd line C. He could be if he develops those areas.

Is he a better all around 2nd line C right now then Vinnie?
I guess it depends on which VL shows up. Post back injury, B Schenn was better then VL.

If Schenn could win 50+% of faceoffs and become a reliable defender he is the clear choice.

With VL sticking around, I think Berube has little choice but to put BSchenn with G and Jake on the left wing and VL in the pivot.

I think it is going to go like this:

BSchenn/G/Jake

Read/Couts/Raffl (you can call this the "third" line, except they will get a lot of ice so it may as well be the second line).

Umby/VL/Simmonds - there is a decent third line, and Simmer will still get top PP minutes ( call this the "2nd line" if you want, Couts will still end up with more ice)
- Marc D

I agree here. I think it's the best use of assets. Read/Couts/Raffl would go against other top lines. This is the season to get 10 and 14's progression in gear offensively. That is infinitely more important than Lecavalier's ego.

The further development of BSchenn and Couturier will be big factors in deciding how this season will shape up.
- johndewar

A lot is riding on Fat Schenn, MDZ, Raffl, and Akeson taking steps forward, too. And most of all, Mason can't lose any ground whatsoever.

A lot is riding on Fat Schenn, MDZ, Raffl, and Akeson taking steps forward, too. And most of all, Mason can't lose any ground whatsoever.
- Tomahawk

Woohoo top 10 pick!

A lot is riding on Fat Schenn, MDZ, Raffl, and Akeson taking steps forward, too. And most of all, Mason can't lose any ground whatsoever.
- Tomahawk

If Akeson makes the team, who slips to the 4th line?

Brayden right now, because of his average to below average defensive game and face off ability, is not a great 2nd line C. He could be if he develops those areas.

Is he a better all around 2nd line C right now then Vinnie?
I guess it depends on which VL shows up. Post back injury, B Schenn was better then VL.

If Schenn could win 50+% of faceoffs and become a reliable defender he is the clear choice.

With VL sticking around, I think Berube has little choice but to put BSchenn with G and Jake on the left wing and VL in the pivot.

I think it is going to go like this:

BSchenn/G/Jake

Read/Couts/Raffl (you can call this the "third" line, except they will get a lot of ice so it may as well be the second line).

Umby/VL/Simmonds - there is a decent third line, and Simmer will still get top PP minutes ( call this the "2nd line" if you want, Couts will still end up with more ice)
- Marc D

I agree with you. I wouldn't mind seeing Raffl play with VL though. He needs all the help defensively he can get.

Schenn-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmer
Raffl-VL-Umberger
Bellemare-Laughts-Akeson/Rinaldo

That wouldn't be my favorite lineup, but it would appease all players while giving the young guys more offensive opportunities.

I agree with you. I wouldn't mind seeing Raffl play with VL though. He needs all the help defensively he can get.

Schenn-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmer
Raffl-VL-Umberger
Bellemare-Laughts-Akeson/Rinaldo

That wouldn't be my favorite lineup, but it would appease all players while giving the young guys more offensive opportunities.
- PhillySportsGuy

Bill you say he is an average:
Skater
Average at best defender
Below average face-off man
Average play maker

So what is he actually good at? Scoring goals and winning puck battles where he is also inconsistent? What exactly is his potential?

I agree with you. I wouldn't mind seeing Raffl play with VL though. He needs all the help defensively he can get.

Schenn-G-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmer
Raffl-VL-Umberger
Bellemare-Laughts-Akeson/Rinaldo

That wouldn't be my favorite lineup, but it would appease all players while giving the young guys more offensive opportunities.
- PhillySportsGuy

I like that as a fall back but I hope they start pre-season like this...

Schenn-G-Jake
Akeson-VL-Simmer
Read-Couts-Hamburgler
Raffl-Laughts-Bellemare/Rinaldo

I have to agree with Homer. It is easy for a C to play Wing. I do it. I usually take center because as bad as I am at faceoffs I am one of the better ones. Occasionally I'll be placed on the wing and aside from staying near the boards, you do a lot less then a center. A center has to backcheck and defend against the opposing Center which is tiring as unlike Dmen that Center is always moving always trying to lose you. Wingers are covering the Dmen who aren't very mobile unless there is a chance to pinch but at that point you are switching coverage to avoid crossing. Other than the fact you have to be in a different place on the ice I don't feel Wing is anywhere as close to center and that if you can play center you can play wing