Injury Report: Couturier out approx. four weeks, LBI (Feb. 5); Nick Cousins recalled

[Phileeguy]

I already canceled my plans to go to the Arizona game on the 27th.

Did you already buy the tickets and re-sell them? If not maybe you can get them cheaper with Couts out now if it was from a friend/off the internet .

 

[Curufinwe]

No, I didn't buy them yet. The prices on StubHub are so cheap I don't buy till right before the game anymore.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Flyers' web site now has both topics(Couturier's injury and Cousins' recall):

FLYERS RECALL NICK COUSINS
The Philadelphia Flyers announced this afternoon that they have recalled center Nick Cousins from their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, according to club GM Ron Hextall.

Cousins leads the Phantoms in scoring with 38 points (12g-26a) in 38 games. His 26 assists also lead the squad, as well as his plus-minus rating of +13. He comes to the Flyers after recording a three-game point streak where he has five points (2g-3a).

This is his second recall of the season, originally being recalled on Nov. 27, and he has appeared in four games for the Flyers from Nov. 27-Dec. 4, going scoreless while averaging 7:51 of ice time.

Cousins recently appeared in his first AHL All-Star Classic, along with teammate Anthony Stolarz, who is also currently with the Flyers.

He will be available in tomorrow’s matinee against the New York Rangers at the Wells Fargo Center (1 p.m. on CSN & 97.5 The Fanatic).

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=805213

 

[Larry44]

Put Cousins and Weal in; leave Gagner and RJ out?

 

[Sombastate]

No, I didn't buy them yet. The prices on StubHub are so cheap I don't buy till right before the game anymore.

I'm still going to that game (assuming i'm back in Vegas around then)

 

[Rebels57]

Voracek-Giroux-Simmonds
Gagner-Raffl-Schenn
Laughton-Cousins-Read
VandeVelde-Bellemare-White

Is probably what I would run with.

I don't think you can trust Laughton/Cousins and Gagner on the same line so I don't think it will be as simple as replacing Coots with one of them and leaving the other lines intact.

Other option would be..

Voracek-Giroux-Simmonds
Read-Laughton-Schenn
VandeVelde-Bellemare-White
Raffl-Cousins-Gagner

 

[Curufinwe]

Put Cousins and Weal in; leave Gagner and RJ out?

I weally doubt we'll see Weal tomorrow.

 

[flyersfan018]

That brings our playoff chances down considerably. Awesome.

 

[YEM]

hexy: first job this offseason->plug the hole at 2C/3C

 

[Laveuglette]

Really sucks, Couturier was totally breaking out offensively. I still think we can make the playoffs. Laughton has to make a big step. He has potential.

 

[Rebels57]

hexy: first job this offseason->plug the hole at 2C/3C

There is no hole at 2C. Couturier is firmly entrenched there.

The 3C situation has to be fixed. Bellemare cannot continue to play that role.

If Laughton or Cousins arent capable, then they need to moved to wing (with one of them moving to 4C when Bellemare's contract expires) and a 3C needs to be signed or acquired.

 

[Curufinwe]

http://www.generalfanager.com/freeagents?expiryyear=2016&position=C&shoots=Both&team=all&UFA=1

Some possible candidates:

Backes
Gaustad
Gordon
Nielsen
Moore
Fiddler
Mike Richards

 

[Rebels57]

Breaking up the Bellemare line might make the most sense in reality.

93-28-17
89-12-10
21-78-24
76-52-25

 

[Rebels57]

http://www.generalfanager.com/freeagents?expiryyear=2016&position=C&shoots=Both&team=all&UFA=1

Shawn Matthias. Done.

 

[Curufinwe]

Matthias isn't playing center for the Leafs, though. Possibly because he's bad at faceoffs.

http://faceoffs.net/player/shawn-matthias

 

[Juicy Pop]

http://www.generalfanager.com/freeagents?expiryyear=2016&position=C&shoots=Both&team=all&UFA=1

Some possible candidates:

Backes
Gaustad
Gordon
Nielsen
Moore
Fiddler
Mike Richards

Backes is likely going to want a similar deal to Kesler, so he's probably out.

 

[Curufinwe]

Nielsen will, too. Shame they're already both in their early 30s.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

He's old, but could possibly be cheap would be Moore.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Auston Matthews.

 

[Prongo]

Auston Matthews.

Love this idea.

Without Couts for a crucial amount of time we might be big time sellers when the deadline approaches.

Next year might be an extremely promising year though given our guys can remain healthy.

 

[Juicy Pop]

Clone Giroux.

 

[Alex91]

Stay the course. No sense trading for anyone. Cousins has had a solid year and a half. Time to see what the future holds with him and Laughton.
V-G-Simmer
Read-Laughton-Schenn
Raffl-Cousins-Ganger/RJ

 

[YEM]

There is no hole at 2C. Couturier is firmly entrenched there.

The 3C situation has to be fixed.

2c/3c=either/or
I see this team as a true contender with Couturier in the 3C slot

 

[Prongo]

Looks like they play 15 games in the next 4 weeks. Without Couts they are 2-5-2.

Could we see a stretch of 3-10-2? Or something close to that? I have been excited to watch them with the emergence of Couts offense and Ghost as well. If they go through a really tough streak it's going to be hard to get excited for the games.

 

[Curufinwe]

3-10-2 would be really bad considering they're 2-6-1 without him so far this season, and six of those games were also without Ghost.