Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Can Coburn Take on Bigger Offensive Role?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Can Coburn Take on Bigger Offensive Role?
- bmeltzer

yes

I sure hope Coburn can. He's showed in the past.

Bill, in your opinion, what do you think Bourdon's potential is? Do you think he has top 4 defenseman potential in this League?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Can Coburn Take on Bigger Offensive Role?
- bmeltzer

I have few doubts that Coburn can take a more offensive role, just not sure it will be enough. I don't find the Flyers defense to be atrocious, but it is an average group, and if Grossmann or Timonen(or coburn or Schenn for that matter) gets hurt for any significant length of time, they're in deep trouble.

I sure hope Coburn can. He's showed in the past.

Bill, in your opinion, what do you think Bourdon's potential is? Do you think he has top 4 defenseman potential in this League?
- MJL

I know I am not Bill, but I dont think he has top 4, long term potential. I think he would do well in spot duty, and if he shot continues to develop could be a nice secondary option on the point for some PP time, but I dont think he has the mental or physical "quickness" that you need to be a top 4 guy.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Can Coburn Take on Bigger Offensive Role?
- bmeltzer

Well said Bill. I wouldn't mind seeing Coburn join the rush a little more, but I think he's more needed as part of the team's best defensive pairing (against top lines).

I sure hope Coburn can. He's showed in the past.

Bill, in your opinion, what do you think Bourdon's potential is? Do you think he has top 4 defenseman potential in this League?
- MJL

A year ago, I'd have said I doubt it, and I'd be happy if he simply became a serviceable fill-in at the NHL level. But I think he took a big jump in his third pro season before the concussion issues. If he improves at a similar clip next season, yes, I think he can be a top-four. If his continued improvement falls a bit shy of that, he's at least a top 6. He still needs to read-and-react a bit faster, but he came a long way in that area last season compared to where he was before.

I know I am not Bill, but I dont think he has top 4, long term potential. I think he would do well in spot duty, and if he shot continues to develop could be a nice secondary option on the point for some PP time, but I dont think he has the mental or physical "quickness" that you need to be a top 4 guy.
- jak521

I agree. Bourdon isn't likely to reach that level. But you never know.

I have few doubts that Coburn can take a more offensive role, just not sure it will be enough. I don't find the Flyers defense to be atrocious, but it is an average group, and if Grossmann or Timonen(or coburn or Schenn for that matter) gets hurt for any significant length of time, they're in deep trouble.
- Jsaquella

Here is the good news to me...

Two years ago if we were in this boat we would ALL be having a conniption.. the window is closing, blah blah blah.... The way I see this is that it now forces guy to step up and play more responsibly (especially on the team defense front). This will only serve to make them a more complete team when the defense is restored..

I agree. Bourdon isn't likely to reach that level. But you never know.
- MJL

Exactly... crazier things have happened. The one thing I like about him is the edge he plays with. Hes a nasty little sucker. I like his shot to.. nice and clean and gets to the net. If he had continued at the same pace he was on for a whole season he would have been our top scorer from the back end. Its exciting to have hope for some of the d-prospects, considering we all thought we really didnt have much this time last year.

Another good blog, Bill!

Well said Bill. I wouldn't mind seeing Coburn join the rush a little more, but I think he's more needed as part of the team's best defensive pairing (against top lines).
- bradleyc4

I think that line (as long as they remain healthy) could be really effective.. Two big bodies that play a smart physical game..

Here is the good news to me...

Two years ago if we were in this boat we would ALL be having a conniption.. the window is closing, blah blah blah.... The way I see this is that it now forces guy to step up and play more responsibly (especially on the team defense front). This will only serve to make them a more complete team when the defense is restored..
- jak521

I made much the same point on Panaccio's blog a few minutes ago.

The average age of the forwards, including Briere and Fedotenko, is 25 years old. The average age of the defense, including Timonen is 26. This is a young team, with a wide open window

A year ago, I'd have said I doubt it, and I'd be happy if he simply became a serviceable fill-in at the NHL level. But I think he took a big jump in his third pro season before the concussion issues. If he improves at a similar clip next season, yes, I think he can be a top-four. If his continued improvement falls a bit shy of that, he's at least a top 6. He still needs to read-and-react a bit faster, but he came a long way in that area last season compared to where he was before.
- bmeltzer

I hear you, but I think he has to make as big of a leap to get to top 4 status, as he did to get where he is now. I think he's more likely to be a solid top 6. I like his aggressiveness.

Here is the good news to me...

Two years ago if we were in this boat we would ALL be having a conniption.. the window is closing, blah blah blah.... The way I see this is that it now forces guy to step up and play more responsibly (especially on the team defense front). This will only serve to make them a more complete team when the defense is restored..
- jak521

With injuries and player's lost, comes opportunity for other players to see what they can do.

Exactly... crazier things have happened. The one thing I like about him is the edge he plays with. Hes a nasty little sucker. I like his shot to.. nice and clean and gets to the net. If he had continued at the same pace he was on for a whole season he would have been our top scorer from the back end. Its exciting to have hope for some of the d-prospects, considering we all thought we really didnt have much this time last year.
- jak521

As long as MAB is back 100% from injury. There's no reason for me to believe he can't see PP time. I'm with bill in that I saw tremendous growth last year. Many times he made nifty Carle-like puck moving plays, I had to be sure it was him.

I love coburn, but his shot is so inconsistent. One timer non existent, that he is a detriment to the pp. teams will just play off him and beg him to shoot. Someone will get a face full of puck

With injuries and player's lost, comes opportunity for other players to see what they can do.
- MJL

I believe it was Confucius who said, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

Great analysis yet again, Bill. Hopefully Coburn will become a legitimate top 2 defenseman. I still can't believe we got him for Alexei Zhitnik.

I agree. Bourdon isn't likely to reach that level. But you never know.
- MJL

Mesz = Wally Pip
Bourdon = Lou Gehrig

I think that line (as long as they remain healthy) could be really effective.. Two big bodies that play a smart physical game..
- jak521

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kimmo and Coburn matched up either. Depends on the health of both Timonen and Grossman.

As long as MAB is back 100% from injury. There's no reason for me to believe he can't see PP time. I'm with bill in that I saw tremendous growth last year. Many times he made nifty Carle-like puck moving plays, I had to be sure it was him.

I love coburn, but his shot is so inconsistent. One timer non existent, that he is a detriment to the pp. teams will just play off him and beg him to shoot. Someone will get a face full of puck
- Just5

Coburn's one timer is not non existant. He was taken out of an offensive role. He was developing a nice one timer before that. I believe that Coburn has a far better chance of being productive on the PP then Bourdon does. I want Bourdon to concentrate on just being a good solid defender. And Bourdon has a long way to go to be compared to Carle in the puck moving department.

Bouwmeester would add some much needed offense on the blue line and plays 25 minutes a night.

I love this blog .
Coburn has a hard heavy shot, but in the last couple of years he seems to miss high a lot. The forwards in front of the net will have to stay awake or get beaned.

MAB showed he has some pretty good hockey sense last season, I think mentally he made the biggest jump. Can he take the next leap forward to a top 4 guy? I think he can but he would need to improve in a lot of areas including his skating. But who knows, he is young and defense can take to their late twenties to get there. Last season was an encouraging one for Mab and Gusty.[/img]

Coburn's one timer is not non existant. He was taken out of an offensive role. He was developing a nice one timer before that. I believe that Coburn has a far better chance of being productive on the PP then Bourdon does. I want Bourdon to concentrate on just being a good solid defender. And Bourdon has a long way to go to be compared to Carle in the puck moving department.
- MJL

If coburn is running a PP. he will be tanked by seasons end. Give MAB a shot at it

Face full of puck