It's just absurd that Laughton can't move up to a higher league to further his development. Is he too young? Could he have started with the Phantoms this season?
- jstross

too young for the AHL and do you really want him on the flyers with this mess?

I clearly gave an opinion.
- MJL

Was the 06-07 a bad team? Or just filled with over the hill veterans with promising young players?

Was the 06-07 a bad team? Or just filled with over the hill veterans with promising young players?
- Just5

They finished last overall.

what good teams go like 2-15
- 2Real

well teams that are trying to find themselves, build confidence, clearly no bad ones.

They finished last overall.
- MJL

so is being the best loser good?

Final/SO

Sault Ste. Marie - 4
Oshawa - 5

Laughton 2 goals (1 shorthanded)m - 1st star of the game.

They finished last overall.
- MJL

Is that a bad team?

Is that a bad team?
- Just5

Obviously!

When I said mental, I was not referring to not having the right mental makeup to win. I was referring to how the team as a whole is lacking confidence, and is pressing. I think that is affecting this team as a whole.
- MJL

What's the difference? How is having a lack of confidence, that is causing you to play poorly, any different than not having the mental makeup to win? If the team, as a whole, is lacking confidence it is because Holmgren didn't find the right players for his team. Maybe the Flyers aren't doing their homework on their players? Do they do the Wonderlic test in the NHL? I'm sure they do some kind of testing to determine players personality traits. They Flyers always seem to have a team full of quiet, introverted guys. Maybe a team full of introverts doesn't have what it takes to win?

too young for the AHL and do you really want him on the flyers with this mess?
- 2Real

I just think is silly that he's old enough for the NHL, but not old enough to play with the Phantoms?

I would approach it the way Penn State approaches wrestling. Best players play. If he was a top 12 forward then he should be on the team playing. In fact he might have really helped Couts develop offensively with Laughton on the 3rd line with Read. Then the 4th line gets a huge upgrade with Talbot.

Final/SO

Sault Ste. Marie - 4
Oshawa - 5

Laughton 2 goals (1 shorthanded)m - 1st star of the game.
- ob18

i bet he has a ton of confidence right now....i hope he and giroux are skyping as i write this

What's the difference? How is having a lack of confidence, that is causing you to play poorly, any different than not having the mental makeup to win? If the team, as a whole, is lacking confidence it is because Holmgren didn't find the right players for his team. Maybe the Flyers aren't doing their homework on their players? Do they do the Wonderlic test in the NHL? I'm sure they do some kind of testing to determine players personality traits. They Flyers always seem to have a team full of quiet, introverted guys. Maybe a team full of introverts doesn't have what it takes to win?
- Dkos

It's different in my view because not having the mental makeup to win, is a flaw that seems permanent. Where a lack of confidence can be overcome and repaired. I think the lack of confidence and the mental state that the team as a whole is in, has come from the situation under Laviolette. The players knew that they couldn't play the style of play that Laviolette wanted them to, and when you don't believe in something, you aren't going to be very good at it. That has led to a deep dysfunction that is team wide. Lots of bad habits were formed.

i bet he has a ton of confidence right now....i hope he and giroux are skyping as i write this
- hogweed

ummm okay.

i bet he has a ton of confidence right now....i hope he and giroux are skyping as i write this
- hogweed

haaaaaaaaaaaa

Was the 06-07 a bad team? Or just filled with over the hill veterans with promising young players?
- Just5

One of the worst teams of the decade. But being that bad paid off in spades. The ultimate prize of Luke Schenn is well worth it!

One of the worst teams of the decade. But being that bad paid off in spades. The ultimate prize of Luke Schenn is well worth it!
- PLindbergh31

What a player, hell of a player, never seems to play with much confidence.....just wait til that comes around

It's different in my view because not having the mental makeup to win, is a flaw that seems permanent. Where a lack of confidence can be overcome and repaired. I think the lack of confidence and the mental state that the team as a whole is in, has come from the situation under Laviolette. The players knew that they couldn't play the style of play that Laviolette wanted them to, and when you don't believe in something, you aren't going to be very good at it. That has led to a deep dysfunction that is team wide. Lots of bad habits were formed.
- MJL

Do you think that Pronger would have quietly lost confidence in himself because the coach was forcing his team to play a style they couldn't play? I think the coach and the management would have heard from Pronger. He would have demanded changes.This isn't Pee Wee hockey. These are professional players. I think that they have poor leadership on the Flyers. Flyers management prefers soldiers and not leaders.

What a player, hell of a player, never seems to play with much confidence.....just wait til that comes around
- Just5

He will move up to the second pairing by Thanksgiving.

Do you think that Pronger would have quietly lost confidence in himself because the coach was forcing his team to play a style they couldn't play? I think the coach and the management would have heard from Pronger. He would have demanded changes.This isn't Pee Wee hockey. These are professional players. I think that they have poor leadership on the Flyers. Flyers management prefers soldiers and not leaders.
- Dkos

Pronger is not the normal player. These kinds of things have happened with teams throughout the history of sports. I agree with you in a lot of ways because they certainly are lacking leadership on the ice right now. Other then Mason, no player has raised his game in an effort to try and carry or inspire the team. Flyers management has brought in good leaders such as Pronger, Timonen, and Briere in the past. So I can't agree that they prefer soldiers and not leaders.

4 more days until the new season starts.

Does Mez still sit or someone else?

Pronger is not the normal player. These kinds of things have happened with teams throughout the history of sports. I agree with you in a lot of ways because they certainly are lacking leadership on the ice right now. Other then Mason, no player has raised his game in an effort to try and carry or inspire the team. Flyers management has brought in good leaders such as Pronger, Timonen, and Briere in the past. So I can't agree that they prefer soldiers and not leaders.
- MJL

I thought we were talking about this years team? Where is the leadership on this team? You say the team is not playing because they lost confidence after playing for a coach who forced them into the wrong system. I think they aren't playing well because it's a poorly constructed team.

And Laughton just did a toe drag snap wrist shot for another goal.
- ob18

This equates to the NHL how? I would support the NHL in the next CBA that they fix the junior AHL rule. Limit the number of underage players but what's more important?
The minor leagues or the players?

Rosehill is the 13th forward, and shouldn't be playing every game in my opinion. I definitely prefer that Laughon had stayed with the Flyers. And played with any combination of Hall, Rinaldo, Raffle, McGinn. Once the Flyers have a full compliment of players. It's clear to me that Laughton is too good for the League he's playing in. He's dominating younger less mature players.
- MJL

Laughton needs to be playing in the AHL. I think that the NHL really needs to look at that. There are ways to protect the minor leagues and player development. The current agreement doesn't seem to be working.

This equates to the NHL how? I would support the NHL in the next CBA that they fix the junior AHL rule. Limit the number of underage players but what's more important?
The minor leagues or the players?
- bird_dog

The Junior Leagues don't want to lose all their big draws.

what ... no trades yet?

I'm so disappointed.