Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Cousins, Alumni and More

Bill, wasn't Backlund's debut game against Pittsburgh? I may be wrong, but I thought it was an afternoon game against them.

I like the fact that there is actual competition among younger players like Laughton and Cousins for NHL spots. The Flyers need more of this sort of thing.

Who would Cousins bump out of 3rd/4th line roles, or does he project higher in the lineup if he makes it?

Wonder if Cousins would see ice time before Vinny? Probably not, huh?

I think Cousin's ceiling is as a 3rd liner.

Possible silver lining to Hartnell Umberger trade:

It possibly opens up another protection slot when an expansion draft occurs.

Who would Cousins bump out of 3rd/4th line roles, or does he project higher in the lineup if he makes it?
- wolfhounds

Hopefully Umberger.. But we know that won't happen $$$
I would take the more energetic coat effective guy that could " potentially" put up similar numbers

Wonder if Cousins would see ice time before Vinny? Probably not, huh?
- MatveiDmitrii

There may be a couple guys in a local beer league ahead of Vinny on the depth chart.

I think Cousins should spend another full season in the AHL barring a rash of injuries.

I think Cousins should spend another full season in the AHL barring a rash of injuries.
- Feanor

That is what will most likely happen.

I was not all that impressed with Cousins in his limited look with the Flyers. I'd much rather have Laughton with the big club than Cousins.

Even though his 14-15 season wasn't as good, I think Leier might get called up before Cousins since we have so guys on the team who can play center already. These are the top 8 guys ordered by faceoffs taken last season.

Giroux - 1,878
Couturier - 1,330
Gagner - 771
Bellemare - 761
Laughton - 283
Lecavalier - 191
BSchenn - 184
White - 123

Quoting Feanor: I think Cousins should spend another full season in the AHL barring a rash of injuries.

It certainly wouldn't hurt him. In my ideal world Vinny would sit this year and walk away on his own accord opening a spot for Laughton. RJ plays well enough. In 2016-2017 Cousins then takes RJs place by waiving or buying him out. Leier is 2016-2017 or 2017-2018. A third line of: Leier-Laughton-Cousins in 2-3 years.

Even though his 14-15 season wasn't as good, I think Leier might get called up before Cousins since we have so guys on the team who can play center already. These are the top 8 guys ordered by faceoffs taken last season.

Giroux - 1,878
Couturier - 1,330
Gagner - 771
Bellemare - 761
Laughton - 283
Lecavalier - 191
BSchenn - 184
White - 123
- Feanor

The idea of Sam Gagner coming here and being a winger has been thrown around a lot. I've made a bold prediction that from here forward Sam Gagner will have a Danny Briere, and I'm going to include him working his way back to center.

The idea of Sam Gagner coming here and being a winger has been thrown around a lot. I've made a bold prediction that from here forward Sam Gagner will have a Danny Briere, and I'm going to include him working his way back to center.

It's definitely possible. Who would his wings be ya think? Simmonds and read? or schenn?

It certainly wouldn't hurt him. In my ideal world Vinny would sit this year and walk away on his own accord opening a spot for Laughton. RJ plays well enough. In 2016-2017 Cousins then takes RJs place by waiving or buying him out. Leier is 2016-2017 or 2017-2018. A third line of: Leier-Laughton-Cousins in 2-3 years.
- coffee junkie

Personally, I thought RJ Umberger who played every night prior to his injury was worse than Vincent Lecavalier. If buying Umberger out is a 1.66 cap hit the first 2 seasons or, while the last 2 years is a small hit against the cap, I would have considered that option. If possible, I'd like to see both guys sit all season and move forward with the youth on this squad.

It's definitely possible. Who would his wings be ya think? Simmonds and read? or schenn?
- benjichronic

Oh geez, I don't know. Our mix of forwards really does look like challenge to balance out.

Personally, I thought RJ Umberger who played every night prior to his injury was worse than Vincent Lecavalier. If buying Umberger out is a 1.66 cap hit the first 2 seasons or, while the last 2 years is a small hit against the cap, I would have considered that option. If possible, I'd like to see both guys sit all season and move forward with the youth on this squad.
- SuperSchennBros

This I agree with

The idea of Sam Gagner coming here and being a winger has been thrown around a lot. I've made a bold prediction that from here forward Sam Gagner will have a Danny Briere, and I'm going to include him working his way back to center.
- SuperSchennBros

Bold. You believe Gagner is going to produce like Briere did by putting up 20 to 30 goals? That would be pretty sweet.

It's definitely possible. Who would his wings be ya think? Simmonds and read? or schenn?
- benjichronic

While it's intriguing offensively, a line consisting of Gagner, Schenn and Simmonds would be a defensive nightmare.

Bold. You believe Gagner is going to produce like Briere did by putting up 20 to 30 goals? That would be pretty sweet.
- wolfhounds

Well, in his only OHL year, as a 17-year-old, he did put up over 100 points. He was then thrown to the wolves and a 18-year-old in Edmonton and, well...yeah. So he definitely has the tools.

Personally, I thought RJ Umberger who played every night prior to his injury was worse than Vincent Lecavalier. If buying Umberger out is a 1.66 cap hit the first 2 seasons or, while the last 2 years is a small hit against the cap, I would have considered that option. If possible, I'd like to see both guys sit all season and move forward with the youth on this squad.
- SuperSchennBros

but this will be the surgically improved RJ

While it's intriguing offensively, a line consisting of Gagner, Schenn and Simmonds would be a defensive nightmare.
- BiggE

Anyone know what kind of skater Gagner is?

Personally, I thought RJ Umberger who played every night prior to his injury was worse than Vincent Lecavalier. If buying Umberger out is a 1.66 cap hit the first 2 seasons or, while the last 2 years is a small hit against the cap, I would have considered that option. If possible, I'd like to see both guys sit all season and move forward with the youth on this squad.
- SuperSchennBros

Umberger's buyout after last season would have been:
15-16 1.6 million
16-17 1.6 million
17-18 1.5 million
18-19 1.5 million

Since, they can get him under the cap this upcoming season and they are nowhere near being a contender, they are better off waiting until June of 2016 to buy him out. The cap hit would then be:
16-17 1.6 million
17-18 1.5 million

Also, if he has any kind of bounce back season, you may be able to trade him next offseason, retain some money, and only have part of his salary on your cap for just 16-17.