New Coach: Flyers D Need To Be More Mobile, Younger

[Jack de la Hoya]

I'm not talking about skill sets. You can't compare a forward's skill set to a defenseman's.

I'm saying that in a bottom pairing role for TB, Gudas has had the relative impact of someone like Bellemarre.

That's because Rinaldo is THAT bad. Hard to imagine Gudas being that bad.

I'm just not seeing the steady, efficient player in Gudas, I guess. Honestly, I think that's a more apt description of L. Schenn--though, again, I get the cap argument.

 

[Curufinwe]

Gudas was a 19 minute a dman on a playoff team just two seasons ago, and had almost as many points that year as Rinaldo has in his entire career of being strictly a 4th line forward. But now they're equivalent.

 

[SolidSnakeUS]

I think Gudas would do well here and can fit into his system. He's much more mobile and capable offensively (and can still crush people) than Schenn or Grossmann.

 

[Jack de la Hoya]

Gudas was a 19 minute a dman on a playoff team just two seasons ago, and had almost as many points that year as Rinaldo has in his entire career of being strictly a 4th line forward. But now they're equivalent.

In terms of style, not production. He isn't a model of discpline, either in terms of positional play or taking penalties. I don't disagree that he's a more effective player than Rinaldo, but like others have said, that's not a high bar.

I think Gudas would do well here and can fit into his system. He's much more mobile and capable offensively (and can still crush people) than Schenn or Grossmann.

Luke Schenn had back to back 22 point seasons. I'm not sure why people think Gudas has more offensive upside.

 

[BleedOrange]

Hextall has a plan he s moving bodies and cap out this summer.

 

[klutch]

If Gudas is the Ryan White of our defense this year. I can be highly satisfied with that.

 

[chupanibre]

I'd just like to see Gudas play a couple of games to be honest. A lot of you guys may be right, he may not be any better than Grossmann but I'd like to judge that based on his on ice performance within our team.

 

[lancer247]

Except Gudas isn't as good as Grossmann.

Like I said, I understand prefering an awful player at a minimal cap hit to a struggling player at a bigger cap hit--but I think expectations re: Gudas are a bit unrealistic. He's basically the defensive version of Zac Rinaldo (EDIT: in the sense that he has a tendency to run around, get himself out of position, and take some undisciplined penalties), without the speed.

Schenn gets too much hate. He's slow, no doubt. But he's not nearly as brutal with the puck as most suggest. I'd like to see him play in a situation in which he has a reasonable chance at success before dumping him.

+1

I would like to see him play out this season then make a decision on what type of contract they want to offer. I think he has enough skill to make up for his lack of speed as he continues to get more experience. I look at how long it took guys like Girardi and Greene (LA) to get where they are.

 

[Prongo]

I would like to see us sign sekera for 4 years 20 million and then trade Streit. Let's face it, he is still productive but his skating isn't as strong as it used to be. If you can get a younger more mobile replacement for him I would sell high right now.

 

[Jtown]

LSchenn can read?

words yes, the play ? no

 

[Flyerfan4life]

I'd just like to see Gudas play a couple of games to be honest. A lot of you guys may be right, he may not be any better than Grossmann but I'd like to judge that based on his on ice performance within our team.

^100% this for sure....

 

[Curufinwe]

I would like to see us sign sekera for 4 years 20 million and then trade Streit. Let's face it, he is still productive but his skating isn't as strong as it used to be. If you can get a younger more mobile replacement for him I would sell high right now.

I think Sekera will get six years.

 

[Prongo]

I think Sekera will get six years.

Would you go six for him personally?

 

[Cootsfanclub]

I can see Sekera getting 6x6. This is an awful free agency class.

 

[sa cyred]

I am alittle confused...

"play in a situation in which he has a reasonable chance at success"

How do we go about creating this? He played the easiest competition on the team while having the 2nd least amount of ice time. I guess you can say that he should play with better forwards, but that will increase his competition.

Schenn is in a bad situation. He isn't the fastest and is just average getting the puck out of the back. In the end, I would easily get rid of Grossmann first, hands down, but I have no excuses to give to Schenn. I wouldnt be upset at all trading him.

 

[Curufinwe]

Would you go six for him personally?

Only if MacDonald is moved as well as one of Schenn and Grossmann.

 

[KrazyKat]

I like Schenn. He's a good bottom pairing D man. Out of all the d man we have is go with something like this.

Schultz-Streit
Del Zotto-Medvedev
Gostisbehere-Schenn


PP

Gostisbehere-Voracek
Del Zotto-Streit

PK
Schultz-Schenn
Del Zotto-Medvedev

As for Forwards...

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek (Proved to be ultimate)
Barzal-Couturier-Schenn (If we draft Barzal, this would be a good young up and coming scoring line)
Read-Laughton-Simmonds (Laughton/Simmonds on the 3rd would give us KILLER depth)
White-Bellemare-VandeVelde (Trustable 4th line)

 

[achdumeingute]

I can see Sekera getting 6x6. This is an awful free agency class.

It's going to be this way every year. Niskanen was the OK guy who got a big deal last year.

Top tier UFAs hit the market at 27, nevermore.

 

[achdumeingute]

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-phi...ers-need-defensive-depth?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

I like this spirt, but the roster just isn't there this year.

 

[daynus]

Werenski will be in strong contention at 7. Is considered best passing dman in the draft.

 

[BernieParent]

L Schenn just has to devote his off-season to getting faster and younger.

 

[CodyTheHuman]

I like Schenn. He's a good bottom pairing D man. Out of all the d man we have is go with something like this.

Schultz-Streit
Del Zotto-Medvedev
Gostisbehere-Schenn


PP

Gostisbehere-Voracek
Del Zotto-Streit

PK
Schultz-Schenn
Del Zotto-Medvedev

As for Forwards...

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek (Proved to be ultimate)
Barzal-Couturier-Schenn (If we draft Barzal, this would be a good young up and coming scoring line)
Read-Laughton-Simmonds (Laughton/Simmonds on the 3rd would give us KILLER depth)
White-Bellemare-VandeVelde (Trustable 4th line)

I'd keep Streit on the 1st unit PP until Ghost proves himself. Also, just let Ghost quarterback the second. MDZ wasn't great on it and would be better suited for ES play, in my opinion.

 

[sharpeye97]

Gudas is a bit of a liability on D and has discipline issues. Hopefully that can be fixed with a fresh start. I wouldn't be against trading him. Maybe Hextall can get a desperate team for D to bite on taking him with a bad contact. He did quite the Blackhawks to overpay quite a bit on Kimmo.

 

[sharpeye97]

I'd keep Streit on the 1st unit PP until Ghost proves himself. Also, just let Ghost quarterback the second. MDZ wasn't great on it and would be better suited for ES play, in my opinion.

I don't start Ghost with the Flyers. Needs a couple more games in the AHL, he only played 5 games last year. I'm not saying he stay there, just let him play a bit and then bring him up. Offensive wise he's ready, just needs to get a feel for competitive games again after that serious of an injury. Preseason is an good start but a lot of games are kids trying to show they're something.

But this all depends on offseason moves. If they move Grossmann and Schenn, like most of us hope for, Ghost may start with the flyers.

Under the radar, I think Hakstol will like Hagg as well. He's a good skater with good size and plays a 2-way game. I'd like to see him get a shot midseason.

 

[sharpeye97]

Werenski will be in strong contention at 7. Is considered best passing dman in the draft.

I'd take Provorov over him, but Werenski is tough to pass up on.