I like Schultz as the #7 they way Hal Gill was the #7. He'll travel and practice with the team, but he won't play unless a player gets injured and there is no time for a call-up. He'll play low minutes for 1 game until a recall arrives, or if there are games at the end of the season that don't impact you much, he can take up some minutes.
- jmatchett383

I agree. I just think any callup will receive very sheltered minutes, which will push others into an even tougher role.

Hayes to the Rangers.
- KGBflyers10

of course

To be fair, Schultz is probably the best #7 they've had in a long time. He can play both sides, he's smart/safe/dependable, and he's ironically one of the better skaters in the D group. Definitely a step up from Gill, Parent and Lilja.
- Tomahawk

Well that's nice to know. I was beginning to worry.

Hayes to the Rangers.
- KGBflyers10

Of course it's the (frank)in Rangers. I thought it wasn't possible that the raging forest fire that is my hatred of that (frank)in franchise could grow bigger.

But it did.

(frank) the Rangers.

Of course it's the (frank)in Rangers. I thought it wasn't possible that the raging forest fire that is my hatred of that (frank)in franchise could grow bigger.

But it did.

(frank) the Rangers.
- Giroux_Is_God

If he was so interested in PT, I don't understand why he chose the Rangers. He'll need to beat out some pretty good forwards to crack their top 6.

of course
- Tomahawk

It's cool. He'll go goalless for the first five games, then get benched for Tanner Glass. Because he oozes grit.

If the Flyers start slow coming out of the gate, how long does it take before Hextall starts making big moves with a long term result in perspective?
- spatso

Hextall will not panic in my opinion.

Hayes to the Rangers.
- KGBflyers10

Link?

If he was so interested in PT, I don't understand why he chose the Rangers. He'll need to beat out some pretty good forwards to crack their top 6.
- PhillySportsGuy

Cracking the top-9 might be tough, but there's a plum spot on the 2nd-PP unit that's probably his to lose.

Link?
- Trainfellow

The hockey-centered corners of the internets are kind of exploding with it right about now.

Link?
- Trainfellow

I guess this is a source?

Sioux_Per_Man ‏@Sioux_per_man 9m

Reports starting to surface that Kevin Hayes will sign with Rangers today. #kevinhayes #LetsGoRangers thanks to @THEKREIDER

Link?
- Trainfellow

John Buccigross @Buccigross · 2m
Driving to Dublin. Playing 36 at Country Louth tomorrow. Have played 108 holes so far and reported Irish Kevin Hayes signed with Rangers

Cracking the top-9 might be tough, but there's a plum spot on the 2nd-PP unit that's probably his to lose.
- Tomahawk

He just wanted the glamour of NYC. I think Kreider may have had a hand in things too.

The internets also have a story (which I totally missed up til now) about the Incomparable Mr. Hayes being suspended from the BC team for taking a drunken dump in a dorm stairwell way back in 2013.



I'm way Leight, but still amused.

lol they can have their free third/fourth liner

I agree with the earlier comments about the forwards being responsible in their own end as well. Our D is not fast, nor great. However, they are not paper thin either. If our forwards don't help them out, then it will be a long season. During too many games last season, I noticed the forwards watching the puck, or not sticking with their man, and letting the D handle their man. It may mean sacrificing some offense, but if we could cut down on the goals against, then that may help us win some more games. It maybe boring to watch, but I freak out when the goalies start jumping around trying to make the perfect saves. The big issues after the forwards playing some D are going to be able to clear the puck, and to clear the crease. If you don't give the goalies a good line of sight, then you can't wonder why some pucks go into the net. I think that is where the loss of Pronger hurts us. Also, Pronger was a leader; he was a locker room presence, he made players afraid to get in the crease, etc.. Right now, I question if we have that presence, and who will step up to make the crease a scary place to be. Giving guys extra minutes, seems to stress them out. I would try to even out the D minutes, and move folks around as an as needed basis.
Two examples of this were Coby, and Streit. Once the coach tried to give them more minutes, but they just couldn't handle the pressure or endurance.
Some thoughts. Thanks.

lol they can have their free third/fourth liner
- PhillaBully

He'll be a 3rd or 4th liner because the Rangers are pretty stacked at forward.

It's cool. He'll go goalless for the first five games, then get benched for Tanner Glass. Because he oozes grit.
- bradleyc4

Somebody check on Crims, make sure he's OK after the Hayes news

He'll be a 3rd or 4th liner because the Rangers are pretty stacked at forward.
- PhillySportsGuy

best line off of twitter so far,

"With the signing of Kevin Hayes, the Rangers now have a roster that is more right-wing heavy than Fox News."


...and that will be my political comment for the month.

Agreed. If the Flyers as a whole can play good 5-on-5 defensive hockey, they'll be fine. Maybe not a SCF contender, but they'll be able to play with anyone. If the forwards leave the defense to fend for themselves, we will have some major issues.

Solution: Starting 6 of:

Morin - Hagg
Ghost - Alt
Sanheim - Lauridsen
- jmatchett383

Am I the only one who doesn't include or even considering Lauridsen apart of the Flyers future or much of an option? When he played for us, I call that "Desperation" and a lack of options in a lost season. Luke Schenn is still young and I'm hoping Luke is thought of as an important piece like Voracek or Simmonds. By the time the young names mentioned are able to make the big club, Schenn will be a vet who should be responsible defensively and be apart of most important key defensive area of the game. You need that guy with experience who has somewhat come along within the organization.

I agree with the earlier comments about the forwards being responsible in their own end as well. Our D is not fast, nor great. However, they are not paper thin either. If our forwards don't help them out, then it will be a long season. During too many games last season, I noticed the forwards watching the puck, or not sticking with their man, and letting the D handle their man. It may mean sacrificing some offense, but if we could cut down on the goals against, then that may help us win some more games.
- OrangeAndBlack1

I'm pretty sure this falls under the 'discipline' factor that Hextall spoke of when he took the GM position. I can only hope that the team falls in line during camp and works in 5-man units throughout the year.

The drawback is, if they don't, it's gonna be a looong season.

Hate fuel. Hayes is now officially a bratty little punk. Anybody but the Rangers and I may have rooted for him. Except maybe Pitt or NJ

Our D is not fast
- OrangeAndBlack1

Odd thing is, w/ Kimmo and Mez out, and AMac + Schultz + MDZ in, their speed as a whole actually improved a lot over the past few months.

Of course, losing everything else Kimmo could do will probably offset that, but that's the silver lining.

I hope Hayes turns into a 30 goal scoring power winger, so 3 years from now Holmgren can come down from upstairs and trade Luke Schenn for him!