Hextall said that the rookies would have to steal a job from the veterans. They'd have to outplay a veteran to the point where it's impossible to not have them on the roster. I think Coburn, AMac, Schenn, and Streit are locks for the top-6. Morin, Hagg, Alt, and Ghost would have to outplay Grossmann and MDZ by a wide margin, all-around, to make the opening night lineup.
- jmatchett383

I don't know if the pre-season would be enough to evaluate some of the young guys. These guys are going to hit a wall with AHL play. Alt is almost to the point, sink or swim. I think some of these guys need to see ice time (considerable) at the NHL level to fully develop. Although, they may not be able to "beat" a Grossmann or MDZ today. But, may excel them by year-end. So, what to do..

I was at last night's game. It was so boring, we left after the 7th.

I would suggest to start drinking early!
- BiggE

Well, my little lady has an adorable Phillies outfit that won't fit her past this season, she hasn't been to a game yet, and a buddy of mine is going tonight, so we wanted to meet up. So if we could grab a pair of tix for under $40, I was gonna see about heading down tonight.

Happy belated Bithday Bill.
Your passion for writing seems to be a great match for our passion in reading your blogs. I, and I am sure many others here, look forward to reading your work first thing every morning. We are truly blessed to have you doing the Flyers blog. Much appreciation and thanks for your work.

I like the lines.
I could see Raffl end in the top 9, and Laughton centering the 4th at some point this season. I would be ecstatic if VL and Umby show some chemistry and two way ability to become a viable line.

Holy crap, Berube's been reading my posts!

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare/Rinaldo

Well, technically, it was Just5's post originally, but I liked his line combos and stole them
- Jsaquella

that really could be a hell of a top line. in fact, i like all of these lines.

Maybe the Flyers have finally gotten some good fortune and have found a 2nd round gem in Aube-Kubel? Still too early to really tell, but let's hope so.

Like the pre season lines. Have to give Akeson a really good look.
- MJL

imagine that. a good player being found in the 2nd round. maybe hextall will stop the madness of giving 2nd rounders away like they were methadone at the clinic.

Happy leight birthday Bill
- wilsonecho91

ftfy

I don't know if the pre-season would be enough to evaluate some of the young guys. These guys are going to hit a wall with AHL play. Alt is almost to the point, sink or swim. I think some of these guys need to see ice time (considerable) at the NHL level to fully develop. Although, they may not be able to "beat" a Grossmann or MDZ today. But, may excel them by year-end. So, what to do..
- leon neon

They'll have to do what Couturier and Pyorala do; stand out to a point where you cannot, in good conscience, send them down. Remember, Couturier was destined for at least another junior year. Since he couldn't play in the AHL, but was too good to not have in the pro ranks, he forced their hand to keep him. Guys like Alt/Hagg/Ghost don't have that same luxury as they're already bound for the AHL so there's no need for a rash decision. Right now, Morin's the only real candidate to push someone out.

Well, my little lady has an adorable Phillies outfit that won't fit her past this season, she hasn't been to a game yet, and a buddy of mine is going tonight, so we wanted to meet up. So if we could grab a pair of tix for under $40, I was gonna see about heading down tonight.
- jmatchett383

You can probably get tix right from the Phils, I doubt it's anywhere near sold out. The place was half empty last night.

Holy crap, Berube's been reading my posts!

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Akeson
Raffl-Laughton-Bellemare/Rinaldo

Well, technically, it was Just5's post originally, but I liked his line combos and stole them
- Jsaquella

Those are the forward lines of a 95-100 point team, my friends.

It's not hate. He's being used in a spot that he isn't suited for. Coburn is solid, but he's more likely a complimentary player on a top pairing. Coburn being the # 1, with MacDonald the # 2 is very worrisome. But it is what it is. The lack of that complete # 1 stud, has a trickle down effect on the rest of the defense core.
- PLindbergh31

They could be above average on defense if they compensated for the lack of a "true" number 1 dman by having a deep and complementary defensive core. Unfortunately they don't unless Del Zotto and Schenn step up and Berube utilizes them all a little better. That still doesn't help some of the redundancies though.

Those are the forward lines of a 95-100 point team, my friends.
- AllInForFlyers

which would be a 1-6 point improvement, and enough to make the playoffs.

imagine that. a good player being found in the 2nd round. maybe hextall will stop the madness of giving 2nd rounders away like they were methadone at the clinic.
- hammarby31

Well when you've got superstars like Andrew MacDonald, Pavel Kubina, Dan Carcillo, Denis Gauthier, and Vaclav Prospal available for them, it's hard to say no.

They'll have to do what Couturier and Pyorala do; stand out to a point where you cannot, in good conscience, send them down. Remember, Couturier was destined for at least another junior year. Since he couldn't play in the AHL, but was too good to not have in the pro ranks, he forced their hand to keep him. Guys like Alt/Hagg/Ghost don't have that same luxury as they're already bound for the AHL so there's no need for a rash decision. Right now, Morin's the only real candidate to push someone out.
- jmatchett383

Bonus points for a Mika Pyorala reference

You can probably get tix right from the Phils, I doubt it's anywhere near sold out. The place was half empty last night.
- BiggE

Oh, I can...but I'm not looking to spend more than $40 on them, and the Phils want more.

Those are the forward lines of a 95-100 point team, my friends.
- AllInForFlyers

That's about the best you can hope for from this team. They just don't have the horses, especially on D, to be a 100+ point contender. IMO, if they stay reasonably healthy they are a solid playoff team, but if they lose a few key guys to injury for any length of time, they could easily drop to 85-90 points and be looking at a lottery pick.

Those are the forward lines of a 95-100 point team, my friends.
- AllInForFlyers

What point range are the defensive pairings?

Oh, I can...but I'm not looking to spend more than $40 on them, and the Phils want more.
- jmatchett383

wow, even for the nosebleeds?

Double post

Oh, I can...but I'm not looking to spend more than $40 on them, and the Phils want more.
- jmatchett383

wow, even for the nosebleeds?

edit: doublepost, frankin site!!

wow, even for the nosebleeds?
- BiggE

Yep. They have all of their built-in, behind the curtain costs. But honestly, I want 300-level tix, not 400 level.

Yep. They have all of their built-in, behind the curtain costs. But honestly, I want 300-level tix, not 400 level.
- jmatchett383

gotcha

is it hockey yet?
- BulliesPhan87

Yes.

Bonus points for a Mika Pyorala reference
- NickTheKid87

He looked dem fine in the preseason.

Well when you've got superstars like Andrew MacDonald, Pavel Kubina, Dan Carcillo, Denis Gauthier, and Vaclav Prospal available for them, it's hard to say no.
- jmatchett383

Did Clarke get a 2nd-rounder for letting Dean Lombardi go to the Kings? Flyershistory seems to think so:

http://www.flyershistory....cgi-bin/anyday.cgi?19-Apr

Those are the forward lines of a 95-100 point team, my friends.
- AllInForFlyers

Just one Drew Doughty away from being a contender!