It looks like if McGinn continues his development we could have a Travis Moen type of winger in a few seasons. The more hard working Canadian kids we can get, the better. He'll fit right in with the Schenns and Simmonds and Hartnell.

It's about time we start getting some useful players out of our picks past the early rounds.
- Coburns_Nose

That would be tremendous. I think he is best served getting top 6 mins in the ahl as well as some pk minutes. I can't wait til the phantoms move to Lehigh valley so I can take my little girl and watch some young kids that have upside

I'm sorry, I just haven't been impressed by McGinn at all last season.

that came out a couple days ago, i think (hope) its been laid to rest.
- Doc_Sarcasm

I'm pretty sure the Flyers aren't 'looking to move' Simmonds. If they traded him, it would more than likely be part of a package for a great player. With the way the Flyers value PFs, I imagine they overvalue Simmonds. I wouldn't be worried about that rumor. It was probably some Canadian writer who started it.

I'm sorry, I just haven't been impressed by McGinn at all last season.
- KGBflyers10

I liked him. Beat the crap out of Newbury. Isn't afraid to go to the net an mix it up. Popped in a few points. Basically a solid bottom-6 role player. If you expect more than that, you'll be let down.

Maybe I have just been looking at this kidi through Orange colored glasses, but always had thought him to have more of an upside in terms of where he was as a prospect. Thanks for setting me straight Bill. I am back down to earth now.
- section32

Yeah, we definitely tend to fall in love with prospects and lose perspective... not too long ago we were all touting Potulny, Greentree, Ruzicka and Nodl as having "top-9 forward potential", and we were all floored when Bartulis survived multiple waiver instances because we couldn't fathom why other teams would pass up free shot at our "potential top-4 dman".

Yeah, we definitely tend to fall in love with prospects and lose perspective... not too long ago we were all touting Potulny, Greentree, Ruzicka and Nodl as having "top-9 forward potential", and we were all floored when Bartulis survived multiple waiver instances because we couldn't fathom why other teams would pass up free shot at our "potential top-4 dman".
- Tomahawk

Nodl. If only that dude could finish.

I liked him. Beat the crap out of Newbury. Isn't afraid to go to the net an mix it up. Popped in a few points. Basically a solid bottom-6 role player. If you expect more than that, you'll be let down.
- jmatchett383

IMO, The Flyers future top 9 is close to set. There will be a few tweaks here and there. Guys like McGinn, Raffl, Straka, Leier, Cousins, Akeson and Noebels will provide the team with good depth in case of injuries. The Flyers don't have much high end skill (or any) int he minors but I expect at least a few of those guys to become regular NHL players.

IMO, The Flyers future top 9 is close to set. There will be a few tweaks here and there. Guys like McGinn, Raffl, Straka, Leier, Cousins, Akeson and Noebels will provide the team with good depth in case of injuries. The Flyers don't have much high end skill (or any) int he minors but I expect at least a few of those guys to become regular NHL players.
- PhillySportsGuy

Given the choice, would you rather have Rosehill, Raffl, or McGinn on the 4th line?
Also, I think Akeson gets traded to a team looking for young cheap top-6 talent (Calgary) because I don't see him fitting in here any time soon.

Nodl. If only that dude could finish.
- jmatchett383

I remember he had one really good stretch while playing with some talented wingers. Then he went back to being Nodl again.

Yeah, we definitely tend to fall in love with prospects and lose perspective... not too long ago we were all touting Potulny, Greentree, Ruzicka and Nodl as having "top-9 forward potential", and we were all floored when Bartulis survived multiple waiver instances because we couldn't fathom why other teams would pass up free shot at our "potential top-4 dman".
- Tomahawk

How dare fans be fans of their team's players!

Hey Butsy made the news!

http://www.dailymail.co.u...ng-Detroit-river-bet.html

Given the choice, would you rather have Rosehill, Raffl, or McGinn on the 4th line?
Also, I think Akeson gets traded to a team looking for young cheap top-6 talent (Calgary) because I don't see him fitting in here any time soon.
- jmatchett383

I need to see Raffl play before I make that decision. I would rather have McGinn than Rosehill, but I would understand if they used Rosehill because of the waiver exempt status of McGinn.

I wouldn't trade Akeson. He's a nice commodity to have if a top 6 forward goes down. It's not like Calgary will give up much for him.

Yeah, we definitely tend to fall in love with prospects and lose perspective... not too long ago we were all touting Potulny, Greentree, Ruzicka and Nodl as having "top-9 forward potential", and we were all floored when Bartulis survived multiple waiver instances because we couldn't fathom why other teams would pass up free shot at our "potential top-4 dman".
- Tomahawk

I honestly don't recall anyone stating that Bartulis had top 4 potential. Unless it escapes my memory. But I do agree that prospects are overhyped. Recent examples are that we can get rid of Coburn, because Lauridsen is just as good. Or that Akeson is going to be a top 6 Forward based on the handful of games he played as a Flyer.

How dare fans be fans of their team's players!
- Flyskippy

I like how thinking a team might take a gamble on Bartulis on waivers instantly equates to 'delusions' of top 4 potential.

I remember he had one really good stretch while playing with some talented wingers. Then he went back to being Nodl again.
- PhillySportsGuy

He always played well. He was a fantastic skater. He just could never seem to find the back of the net.
But yes, he had one really good offensive outburst and then put on Gino Odjick's hands.

Nodl. If only that dude could finish.
- jmatchett383

Not just his lack of finish. He was a promising role player. He got that concussion that kept him out, and he was never the same after that. Still isn't. He regressed from that point on.

Players like McGinn, who continually push themselves to improve, will often find a spot on NHL rosters because they can energize a team through their effort. The prototype of this sort of player in the Flyers organization is Bob "The Hound" Kelly. McGinn may never be the skater Kelly was, but he can be a similar piece of the Flyers puzzle in the future. Maybe even near future.

Thanks for another thought-provoking blog, Bill. You deliver time and Tye McGinn.
- Flyskippy

If McGinn can do for this team, what Kelly did for them in the 70s, I will be thrilled!

Hey Butsy made the news!

http://www.dailymail.co.u...ng-Detroit-river-bet.html
- jak521

Favorite quote from the article: "'I gotta pay fines and stuff. But I don’t want it to sound like I didn’t make it, because then my buddies are going to say "ha, ha, you didn’t make it"."

I have said many times over the years that one of my favorite aspects of ice hockey is that effort can often close -- or overcome -- the gap between talent levels. It is why I love hockey as a teaching tool: hard work pays dividends.

As to what I did, I have my moments.
- Flyskippy

So true! Bobby Clarke didn't have the natural talent of a Bobby Orr or Guy Lafleur, but what he did have was a work ethic that was 2nd to none and a will to do Whatever it took to win the game.

I need to see Raffl play before I make that decision. I would rather have McGinn than Rosehill, but I would understand if they used Rosehill because of the waiver exempt status of McGinn.

I wouldn't trade Akeson. He's a nice commodity to have if a top 6 forward goes down. It's not like Calgary will give up much for him.
- PhillySportsGuy

If a top 6 Forward goes down, I personally wouldn't recall Akeson to fill that spot. I'd elevate a player already on the Flyers, and play McGinn or Rosehill on the 4th line.

I'm pretty sure the Flyers aren't 'looking to move' Simmonds. If they traded him, it would more than likely be part of a package for a great player. With the way the Flyers value PFs, I imagine they overvalue Simmonds. I wouldn't be worried about that rumor. It was probably some Canadian writer who started it.
- PhillySportsGuy

It definitely has its origins north of the border, and I'm not worried about it.. but I grow weary of rumors that somehow grow legs and run on for a while, like the imbecilic rumor back at the deadline that Adrian Dater was peddling about Luongo being headed to the Flyers which then proceeded to rear its ugly head again around the draft.

I like how thinking a team might take a gamble on Bartulis on waivers instantly equates to 'delusions' of top 4 potential.
- BulliesPhan87

Bartulis is roughly translated to mean "Norris candidate."

Bartulis is roughly translated to mean "Norris candidate."
- Flyskippy

I wonder if, in a year or two, we'll have the same type of posts condescendingly recalling how we overrated McGinn as a first line winger after this season.

I haven't been around for a bit. I just saw on the home page about the Flyers trying to trade Simmonds? Anyone know the scoop? I hope its not true.
- Stinkfitz

If you read the blog, Engels goes on to say that he can't see any way the Flyers are trading Simmonds.

If a top 6 Forward goes down, I personally wouldn't recall Akeson to fill that spot. I'd elevate a player already on the Flyers, and play McGinn or Rosehill on the 4th line.
- MJL

If they lose multiple skill players to injury, Akeson may be the best person to put in. Possibly Straka as well.