Nice piece on Morin.

http://mobile.philly.com/...ports/flyers&id=246985661
- SchennBros

great read....look forward to tomorrows follow up....

Re the D for next year:

If Girardi is available, I'd try very hard to sign him. And if they can get him, I don't think I'd do much else. I would rather not move any of our forwards, get an upgrade for Adam Hall on the 4th line, and go with a lineup like this next season:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
VL-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton or Raffl-Couturier-Read
Raffl or Laughton-Malhotra-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Coburn-Girardi
Streit-Grossmann
Gus-Schenn
Lauridsen

Mason
new back up goalie TBD

I think the above is a better team than what they have now and it can be put together without sacrificing any existing youth or draft picks.

Also, after reading Ek's last post, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around Marty Brodeur playing for another team.
- johndewar

Try this on for size... Marty Brodeur being coached by Patrick Roy....

Duh Duh Duuuuuuuuuuuh.

I think the problem is that people are looking to replace guys like Kimmo or Pronger. That doesnt happen.

What needs to happen is that we need a better mix of d-men back at the point.

Say we make a few moves over the next 8 months...
Matty Niskanen is a free agent we are able to sign him
We make a trade with Fla for RFA Dmitry Kulikov

Coburn-Streit
Schenn-Kulikov
Niskanen-Gussy
Grossmann.

That is a younger much more mobile defense and we didnt have to bend ourselves over a barrel and show us the 50 states.
- jak521

Hey, I totally agree with this. The need is to replace Kimmo, Carle and Pronger's puck-moving and two-way play, not necessarily their stature.

I just don't feel that Trevor Daley really addresses those kinds of needs to the point where it's worth giving up significant assets for him. A 4th-round pick? Sure, welcome to the 3rd-pairing Daley. Anything more? No thanks -- as Jsaq said, just go w/ Gus, or somebody twisting in the wind come August like Hainsey/Gilbert.

Also, after reading Ek's last post, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around Marty Brodeur playing for another team.
- johndewar

Yep, I can remember as a kid seeing Orr at the end of his career in a Blackhawks uniform, it was just wrong!

Re the D for next year:

If Girardi is available, I'd try very hard to sign him. And if they can get him, I don't think I'd do much else. I would rather not move any of our forwards, get an upgrade for Adam Hall on the 4th line, and go with a lineup like this next season:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
VL-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton or Raffl-Couturier-Read
Raffl or Laughton-Malhotra-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Coburn-Girardi Streit-Grossmann
Gus-Schenn
Lauridsen

Mason
new back up goalie TBD

I think the above is a better team than what they have now and it can be put together without sacrificing any existing youth or draft picks.
- BiggE

if by chance they don't make playoffs would that line up change?

Re the D for next year:

If Girardi is available, I'd try very hard to sign him. And if they can get him, I don't think I'd do much else. I would rather not move any of our forwards, get an upgrade for Adam Hall on the 4th line, and go with a lineup like this next season:

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
VL-Schenn-Simmonds
Laughton or Raffl-Couturier-Read
Raffl or Laughton-Malhotra-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Coburn-Girardi
Streit-Grossmann
Gus-Schenn
Lauridsen

Mason
new back up goalie TBD

I think the above is a better team than what they have now and it can be put together without sacrificing any existing youth or draft picks.
- BiggE

I don't think that team has enough speed or quality outlet passes that would much improve the team. With Girardi, Schenn, and Grossmann is just over kill on the same defense. Get rid of Grossmann and add another puck mover and its not so bad.

Hey, I totally agree with this. The need is to replace Kimmo, Carle and Pronger's puck-moving and two-way play, not necessarily their stature.

I just don't feel that Trevor Daley really addresses those kinds of needs to the point where it's worth giving up significant assets for him. A 4th-round pick? Sure, welcome to the 3rd-pairing Daley. Anything more? No thanks -- as Jsaq said, just go w/ Gus, or somebody twisting in the wind come August like Hainsey/Gilbert.
- Tomahawk

There are a couple of interesting options they could look into.

Gilbert is quietly having himself a decent season with a poopty team.

Niskanen is finally getting top minutes and is tearing it up.

Dan Girardi would be a huge addition if possible.

Then there are a few guys that could be had in a trade. Kulikov is a favorite of mine. I really think he could be a hell of a player. Brings a good skill set with him.

MDZ is a RFA as is Ryan Ellis. Its pretty obvious that Nashville needs offense.. they could be potential partners assuming we didnt completely crush our relationship.

great read....look forward to tomorrows follow up....
- landros 2

Is morin eligible to play in the ahl after his jr season is over?

Is morin eligible to play in the ahl after his jr season is over?
- twotoekenn

I believe so, as Carter (and maybe Richards) did it in 03/04.

I believe so, as Carter (and maybe Richards) did it in 03/04.
- jmatchett383

I remember seeing carter play with the phantoms in 03-04. Wasn't sure if the age rule would preclude him from playing.

There are a couple of interesting options they could look into.

Gilbert is quietly having himself a decent season with a poopty team.

Niskanen is finally getting top minutes and is tearing it up.

Dan Girardi would be a huge addition if possible.

Then there are a few guys that could be had in a trade. Kulikov is a favorite of mine. I really think he could be a hell of a player. Brings a good skill set with him.

MDZ is a RFA as is Ryan Ellis. Its pretty obvious that Nashville needs offense.. they could be potential partners assuming we didnt completely crush our relationship.
- jak521

MDZ would be nice, as would Raphael Diaz. Both could be solid top-4 guys with continued improvement. They would definitely address puck-moving and provide some offensive pop at a reasonable price.

Girardi and Niskanen are going to be priced out of the realm of feasibility, I'm afraid.

MDZ would be nice, as would Raphael Diaz. Both could be solid top-4 guys with continued improvement. They would definitely address puck-moving and provide some offensive pop at a reasonable price.

Girardi and Niskanen are going to be priced out of the realm of feasibility, I'm afraid.
- Tomahawk

Diaz top 4?

Is morin eligible to play in the ahl after his jr season is over?
- twotoekenn

No. He has to be either 20 by December 31 of the season, or have finished 4 years of junior. I don't think he hits either requirement for 2014.

No. He has to be either 20 by December 31 of the season, or have finished 4 years of junior. I don't think he hits either requirement for 2014.
- Tomahawk

Thanks, so its nhl or back to jr next season. I'd like to see him get a few games to start the year and then go back to the q.

Diaz top 4?
- PhillySportsGuy

He certainly has the all-around game and tools.

No. He has to be either 20 by December 31 of the season, or have finished 4 years of junior. I don't think he hits either requirement for 2014.
- Tomahawk

Did they change the rules after 03/04? Carter's a New Year's baby, so he didn't turn 20 until 01/01/05, and only had 3 years of junior undert him.

Thanks, so its nhl or back to jr next season. I'd like to see him get a few games to start the year and then go back to the q.
- twotoekenn

In the unlikely event that Rimouski's season ends before the Phantoms' does, he could sign an ATO and get some pro experience as soon as this spring, I believe.

In the unlikely event that Rimouski's season ends before the Phantoms' does, he could sign an ATO and get some pro experience as soon as this spring, I believe.
- Tomahawk

Yeah thats what I meant, a few games at the end of season or playoffs.

Did they change the rules after 03/04? Carter's a New Year's baby, so he didn't turn 20 until 01/01/05, and only had 3 years of junior undert him.
- jmatchett383

Carter was only eligible b/c his CHL was over... he was then free to sign an Amateur Try-out.

MDZ would be nice, as would Raphael Diaz. Both could be solid top-4 guys with continued improvement. They would definitely address puck-moving and provide some offensive pop at a reasonable price.

Girardi and Niskanen are going to be priced out of the realm of feasibility, I'm afraid.
- Tomahawk

I think that is drastically overrating Diaz.

Yeah thats what I meant, a few games at the end of season or playoffs.
- twotoekenn

Shoot, just re-read your post, lol. Sorry!

Shoot, just re-read your post, lol. Sorry!
- Tomahawk

It's what I meant also (tryout). No biggie.

Shoot, just re-read your post, lol. Sorry!
- Tomahawk

No prob bob. You answered kindly and respectful.

I think that is drastically overrating Diaz.
- MJL

His numbers in Switzerland look eerily similar to Streit's at the same age. And he had a terrific start to the lockout season before he had that concussion. Therrien never gave him a chance to get back on track after that.