Philadelphia Flyers

[TheRook]

I really hope Philly doesn't turn Couturier into a defensive forward... but it's looking like it's going to be that way.

He has so much offensive upside.

i hope they are not either. They know he is defensively responsible, think i remember a quote of Laviolette responding to a reporter asking why Couturier was out there during the last minute against Boston with "why, he is our best defensive forward."

I hope/think they are allowing him to focus on his defensive game so he doesnt put a lot of pressure on himself this year to be an offensive success. More let that part of the game come to him.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Gagne was very good defensively, but he was also quite important offensively. I see Couturier going down the same path.

[Flyer Fan]

Just saw the Flyers have recalled Harry Zolnierczyk, ...so someone must be dinged, no word on who.

Bobrovsky's supposed to start vs. Ottawa.

Hartnell's supposedly unhappy with his lack of icetime.

[bondon]

Hartnell's supposedly unhappy with his lack of icetime.

So am I along with every other fantasy GM who took him as their multi-cat stud in their pool this year lol.

[TheRook]

Just saw the Flyers have recalled Harry Zolnierczyk, ...so someone must be dinged, no word on who.

Bobrovsky's supposed to start vs. Ottawa.

Hartnell's supposedly unhappy with his lack of icetime.

Before everyone starts screaming that Harry Z is being called up before Schenn its because Harry will play on the 4th line and get 4th line minutes. They would prefer to have Schenn getting more ice time until a spot in the top 9 opens up.

[TheRook]

So am I along with every other fantasy GM who took him as their multi-cat stud in their pool this year lol.

I am curious if the flyers will be looking to trade him (or if he wants a trade, he still has a NTC). That would open a spot for a top 9 spot for Schenn.

[Chili con Carne]

I am curious if the flyers will be looking to trade him (or if he wants a trade, he still has a NTC). That would open a spot for a top 9 spot for Schenn.

This makes sense to me. I am kicking myself for not even recognizing the redundancy of Hartnell and Simmonds leading up to the season.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Hey AW, where'd you find the PK ice time? Great to see Couturier getting that much PK time, but the con is that he saw only 15 seconds of PP time. I noticed Read had over 3 mins of PP time.

Hey Dub, I got it from the game recap from within StatTracker in Yahoo.

[TheRook]

Interesting seeing Schenn called up and Rinaldo and Harry Z sent down. I would have liked to see Shelley sent to the A instead.

I have a feeling a move is on the way and i could see Hartnell being moved. Out of everyone he just doesnt fit the mold of this team anymore.

I think with calling Schenn up he centers the 3rd line and pushes Couturier to wing. That moves Hartnell to the 4th line to play with Talbot and Shelley/Nodl.

I think you see Schenn come in as C and Couturier moved to wing because of hwo Couturier has struggled with face-offs. I think he is currently sitting at around 35% which isnt good enough. You cant put the expectations too high for a rookie, especially in one area that its common for rookie centermen to struggle with but with the versatility he has already shown i think you can move him to wing without hurting his game.

Playmaker, are you hearing about any possible moves coming up? Or anyone else hearing anything?

[TheRook]

the other option is to move Couturier back to 4th line center and move Talbot to wing.

That would make a lineup of

JVR Giroux Jagr
Voracek Briere Simmonds
Hartnell Schenn Read
Talbot Couturier Nodl/Shelley

I wouldnt mind this lineup. I would like to see Couturier off the 4th line but this being his rookie year and him being 18, i dont mind him getting introduced to the league as a role player and slowly working him into situations.

I would like to see the switch on the top two lines with Jagr and Simmonds. With Jagr losing a step in his speed i think he would be more suited to play with Briere and Voracek because of the style they play. All three of those players use more of a cycle or offensive zone hold with the puck. this would allow Jagr to control the puck and the flow and let Briere sneak into openings like he likes to do and is so good at.

I think Jagr and Giroux have great chemistry but part of Giroux and JVR's game is to strike at the opponent with speed and creativity and catch them in odd man situations. No doubt they can play a cycle game but they are so good at the transition game. I think Jagr in a way limits these opportunities because he falls behind in the rushes or has to cheat high on the ice to be involved in the rush. If you put Simmonds in that role, he has the muscle to create space for JVR and Giroux and the speed to keep up with them.

I do however want Giroux and Jagr to play together on the PP. I think that is where you can take advantage of their chemistry together in a protected situation where they can work the offensive zone.

[Flyer Fan]

Lines from today's practice:

JVR - Giroux - Jagr
Read - Briere - Simmonds
Hartnell - Schenn - Voracek
Talbot - Couturier - Nodl

Interesting that Couturier gets pushed to the fourth line.

Schenn gets to audition with what looks on paper to be a nicely balanced and intriguing combination.

Voracek seems to be working his way down the depth chart, ..but it's probably more a case of Simmonds working his way up.

Shelley's eligible to play but looks like he'll be scratched, which is probably good for Nodl's future, ...there's been rumblings on the talk radio of his being either hurt or in disfavor, ...his dressing over Shelley would seem to indicate that neither of those rumours are true.

Bryzgalov to start.

[Bomm Bastic]

Giroux is an animal. So glad I own him!

[dyzfunctioned]

Schenn -3 tonight. Ouch.

[lektrix]

How the hell are they losing 5-1 at home???

[Bomm Bastic]

Schenn -3 tonight. Ouch.

Yeah...that is an ouch. Does the fantasy-tide begin to shift towards Couturier, both short and long term?