Orangecat

I'm excited for tonight... Also bummed about Mcginn. He's a fun kid to watch. Hoping for a solid showing tonight.

In this case, maybe because the player in question (O'Reilly) doesn't seem to actually have a significantly different skill set than Couturier:

"

Talent Analysis

O'Reilly is a thinking-man's player who has excellent anticipation and knowledge of the game, which enables him to be in the right place at the right time. O'Reilly's proven to be an excellent penalty killer and excels at the defensive aspects of the game. He's an excellent playmaker who has also shown an increasing aptitude for putting the puck in the net.

Criticisms of O'Reilly are a lack of scoring touch and perimeter play at times.

Future

Projects as a top-six forward with size. Now on the roster of the Colorado Avalanche."

Sounds very much like an analysis of Couturier to me. Nobody is untouchable. But Couturier is arguably the Flyers most valuable potential trading piece. If you are going to trade him, you trade him for something the team really needs (trade from area of strength to address area of weakness), for instance, a good puck moving defenseman. Trading him just for for the sake of making a trade, for a player who (based on scouting reports) doesn't project to be as good, is just a waste of an asset.

Completely agree...I wouldn't make a trade for the sake of a trade. And O'Reilly is just an example being the player mentioned in the initial post. My main point is that if we have to potential to improve the team...as you said, no player should be untouchable. Outside of Giroux that is

Are you kidding me? I just don't get this. His role is to be be a shut down center on the team. He is producing higher offensively this year than last year. The biggest thing is that this year he is playing "mike richards" minutes (19 minutes a game) and all game situations. Give the 20 yearl old some time. I mean who would you want to get for him. The two hardest positions to get in hockey are are G, C and D. We have a core of of C to set us up for a long time. The G is panning out better this year. The D needs help. Anyone that has aspirations to win the SC on a abbreviated season is smoking way too much. Let it ride out.

I'd hope he would be producing more with more minutes. Also, you said the hardest positions to get in hockey are C, G and D... you named just about every position. I agree that the kid could be very good in the future. But is his potential really that much greater than a guy like Ryan O'Reilly? If you're trading a young talented player for another young talented player with similar ceilings just different skill sets...Then whats the issue?! Everyone is way too high on this kid for the limited production he has shown. I hope he's a star in the next year or two as much as anyone else. But it's tough for me to pass up on potentially making the team better because of what he could become.

I have to say...I'm not drinking the cool aid on Coots. I think he could turn into a nice player but he should not be untouchable. I see very little jump from the kid out there. If you're losing Coots but adding another young/talented player with a different skill set, why not?

Does G get off his schnide (if so, how many G/A's)?

Impact player of the game?

Can the Flyers pull out a W?

What's you predicted final score?

Bored at work....so fire away!

ugh, with the bobby ryan, why not pay the stud on that team to play on Giroux's wing a lot of the chairman's money and keep all the good young guys, Perry has not accepted an extention, and the flyers have money and the "grace period" contract buyouts...

Perry>Ryan...

Perry has whopping 6 pts right now (1g 5a) to Ryans 11 pts (4g 7a). Now, I dont see many Ducks games so there may be a reason for this. Also, those numbers could very well even out by year end. Ryan, however, is also two years younger.

I don't want to give up our young talent either, but I have a hard time accepting the "we'll get `em next year" mantra so soon. I'm not saying I want the Flyers to make a move like this I'm just trying to put my "GM hat" on to try to come out with ways to improve this team. We all know Holmgren, he's sure to make some sort of splash.

In addition, Ryan is just an example...It doesn't have to be him. But I think it's pretty obvious the help we need is offensive...

Get it?...Offensive.

My only problem with a trade for Bobby Ryan is that it shows the team regrets trading JVR. We would probably have to give up Coots or B. Schenn for Ryan..

So instead of trading JVR when we did, we could have kept him and traded Coots or another young forward for L. Schenn. Then we are pretty much exactly where we would be if we add a forward like Ryan.

First off, thanks for not bringing up "the system." For all the talk of Lavy's "run and gun" system, I can't for the life of me figure out what that is. Right now we're not a good puck pressure team, at least not very often. We don't "attack," our fore-check is not particularly effective - teams often come out on us easy-peasy - and we generally suck in the neutral zone. Anyway, I digress...

I don't necessarily see any concrete evidence that Lavy has "lost the room." The thing that bugs me most is how poor our fundamentals are and have been under his watch. Lousy passing, horrible at faceoffs, poor positional play. You name it. He should maybe be fired for those things.

I agree completely...almost.

To say he has lost the room is completely unfounded...

I agreed that the teams fundamentals are terrible...but I blame that on the architect (Holmgren).

What's that old saying about not being able to polish a turd?... I don't think this team is a turd, however, I think they are a borderline playoff club that needs another stud first line forward to take some heat off of Giroux.

Bobby Ryan.

I'm not sure you got my point. Anaheim would be crazy to take Couturier for Ryan straight up. Period. Couturier is promise, but may still fail. Ryan is proven.

Ahhh....gotcha, couldn't agree more.

I can't believe anyone would compare Couturier to Ryan as they currently stand. Couturier is nothing to Ryan. The question remains do you want a proven 30+ man now or do you want to bet on Couturier's potential in say... A few years?

Okay, so you wouldn't trade for a guy who is a bonafide 30+ goal scorer for a guy who could potentially not come close to that? Look, I don't want to do it either but if the right package were in place...I wouldn't get pissed at Holmgren for it. Honestly, I'd sooner trade B. Schenn or Vorachek. This topic was really to get a better understand of those who consider him 100% off limits. Like JackStraw, to say that the ONLY thing he would consider for Couts is the #1 overall pick. Ridiculous.

If we didn't rid ourselves of JVR and Jagr, maybe Bobby Ryan (and other potential trade targets) wouldn't be brought up. I know it's a short season with limited preparation, but G needs a strong line mate that will help take some attention off of him. JVR for Eldest Schenn looks like a laugh of a trade.

Also, I don't see why Couturier is COMPLETELY off limits in a trade request. I think the kid will be a very good player, but if the return is right he should not be off limits.

My opinions are probably shared by an extreme minority...so let the attacks begin.

@Orangecat

bobby ryan wonders why you're not talking about him...

Very true. Where is Bobby Ryan and why is he not a Flyer yet?

Always ready for the pens!

I am excited for the Flyers, but I hate the NHL...if that makes any sense.

Thanks guys.

Don't kill me if this is an easy one, but my mom bought me this signed photo from a yard sale. #9 flyers, and it looks like Lindros in the back wearing the C. I have always been a Flyers fan but didn't get serious about hockey until I played in high school, so this is before my time. Thanks!

kidnap jonathan quick...?

HAHA sounds good to me!

I'll explain it to you like a 6 y/o... you see little guy, the flyers coach told the team to 'play better'. that was it. he didn't tell them to clean up the crease like I tell you to clean up your toys. he also didn't explain to them that in life patience is a virtue. instead of having your D get tired out by chasing a forecheck all game, you could box out the slot and create turnovers with sticks in lanes and taking the body across the crease.

he didn't teach them how to avoid having their lunch money stolen by Marty. if they had simply, consistently, wrapped pucks high around the glass, he wouldn't have been able to steal their lunch money so much. heck, he might have even given some back. and maybe we would have had a forecheck to speak of.

so you see son, a great lesson in life is being learned yet again. if you continue to do the same thing over and over without producing a different, more positive, result... you will be doomed to repeat your mistakes. change is scary son, but sometimes it's necessary. I just wish Peter thought so too.

hahaha...sorry, but that's some funny stuff. Funny and true.

Debbies are simply attacking the puck carrier during our PP and clogging up lanes, if we move the puck quickly and crisply we can overcome it. Instead we are flubbing passes turning the puck over in the offensive zone as a result of the pressure.

Well said. And at times we're getting way too cute.

Please remove simmonds and hartsy from the pp. Hartnell looks to be (pretty obviously) injured, and simmonds hasnt shown up since the playoffs began.

I by no means think the series is over, but I feel like the team expelled so much energy and aggression against the pens. I looks like their running out of fuel. I personally blame gas prices.

Win Sunday and it's a brand new series.

I welcome him with open arms but he left in more soft goals than Sandusky molested children for those first 45 games.....

Wow.

Two weeks, really?? Have you checked his stats since Jan? Try three months man!

Not looking to argue with guys, but his treatment earlier in the season was that of the typical impatient goon fan that we are made out to be by ESPN.

I think he deserved a bit more of a break and less hate, but thats just me. Now that he's coming around I think its obvious.

Agreed...Sometimes people need to chill a bit. We all look for instant gratification, but some take things to another level.

I got frustrated with the guy too, but the only thing the team could do was continue to put him on the ice (since that contract really hitches us to the Bryz wagon).

My chief concern now...that team in Pittsburgh...

I don't think he stole the game by any stretch, the team played awesome. Bryz absolutely did his job though. I guess this puts him at 'gets the job done' level, but certainly not top tier.

If he can keep this adequate level up though, who knows what can happen April and on.

I don't see how he didn't steal this game. We were out shot 34-23. Granted, the Caps didn't really put on the pressure until the last 6-7 minutes, but I think Bryz made some very good saves. I really felt that the Caps were going to pull off another late comeback win like they did against the Isles the other night. Gotta give him some credit...but also keep perspective. Still gotta take it a game at a time, but I'm glad to see a couple solid outings by the guy recently.

Sorry can't say I agree...Don't like Sestito. Too much goon, too little talent. I hate the Rangers as much as anyone but that hit was dirty and irresponsible. Check out youtube the guy had a couple of dirty hits while with Columbus as well. Come on, who fights Joffery Lupul? I love having a guy to protect our scorers, but I hate dirty players. At least Rinaldo seems to have some talent.

Not a big enough piece to worry about IMO. Although I do like him better than Shelley (since Shelley is irrelevant).

I just feel we have to many goons...Shelley, Sestito and Rinaldo. I'll take Rinaldo and call Harry Z back up.

I know...who needs draft picks.

@AndyS

I can picture JSG for our 1st rounder and send Bob down to the Phantoms

While I don't hate that idea...I would hate not having a pick until the 3rd round.