I think we could do very well under the Boston Bruins model. Its kinda set up; Giroux is Krejci, Couturier could be Bergeron, Bryz is Thomas, Simmonds and Schenn will get even stronger as they get older. Luke Schenn is like Boychuk. I'd kinda model them a little.
You could add Timonen as Seidenberg and Hartnell as Lucic. However, the Flyers are missing some major pieces that make the Bruins work. Most importantly, nobody is close to Chara. Seguin is head and shoulders above the current Flyers offensive talent. Couturier has much to learn, especially in faceoffs, before he can be compared to Bergeron. And I won't even approach the difference between Rask and Leighton.
It's just incredibly how incoherent the players are, forwards with defense and linemates. If they were playing good defense but missing offensively, or vice versa, there would be a clear practice strategy. But nothing seems to be good, not PP, certainly not PK, and it's not much better at either end of the rink 5-on-5.
I guess after another loss or two, we'll get a "players only meeting", where ostensibly tough words will be exchanged and bonding will be done. I don't remember times with any squads where such meetings cause a big turnaround. They all need to play up to their talent, plain and simple. They all need to support each other positionally, rather than looking like a peewee soccer team. And they need to find PP and PK game plans that don't smell like Cesar Milan's backyard.
Darn right I'd start Leighton if I were Laviolette (notwithstanding the firing threat hanging over him). The players can step up their game and not float around leaving Bryzgalov out to dry.
