Yeah, kind of hard to name a dude captain and then buy him out or bury him on the bench.

Those two, along with Jon Merrill give the Devils some solid looking young defensemen.
- Jsaquella

The crazy thing to is severson might be the best package of all of them he has been a beast all through jr and Lou said he might make the team out of camp but Merrill has certainly been the steadiest he just needs to bring the offence he had in college now that he handled top four minutes in the nhl but I'll stop with the devils talk and let you guys enjoy your camp !

One of the biggest reasons I have confidence in Hextall is the draft and his refusal to dump picks. Reading up, there's a lot of analysts that really like the Flyers draft class, and Craig Button thinks they did a great job.

They added a ton of skill and skating ability. I'm really pumped about Sanheim. I think he's got the potential to be a top pair guy, who plays all situations. Aube Kubel looks like he's going to be an exciting player-maybe a Justin Williams type guy. Friedman is a smallish defenseman, but he's skilled and seems to be a smart kid.

I also think Oskar Lindblom is a steal in round 5. I think they got value and skill in every round, which is what they needed.
- Jsaquella

Agreed!!

I'm dreaming of a Flyers D corps that looks like this in 4 or 5 years:
Morin-Sanheim
Ghost-Schenn
Hagg-Alt

How awesome would that be??

Sweet Jesus, the Devils invited everyone to their camp. Gomez, Fedotenko, Tootoo, Kaberle & Komisarek, plus former KHLer Renat Mamashev.

I'm actually happy that the Flyers don't have any announced invitees. Focus on the playesr in camp, under contract, who can play. No need to waste time on a guy or group of guys who are trying to showcase themselves for anybody interested.

The crazy thing to is severson might be the best package of all of them he has been a beast all through jr and Lou said he might make the team out of camp but Merrill has certainly been the steadiest he just needs to bring the offence he had in college now that he handled top four minutes in the nhl but I'll stop with the devils talk and let you guys enjoy your camp !
- blizzzard

Any talk is good talk.

Severson is a good prospect as well.

I don't think I am the only one salivating at a future top pair of Morin and Ghost.

If only they could fuse Hagg and Morin into one player... Morin has that essential hates to lose quality and Hagg has all the requisite puck skills and fluidity.
- Tomahawk

I liked Bill's thought of putting Jesper "Pitbull" Pettersson's compete in Hagg's body.

Speaking of which, good lord he looked tiny out there. Looks a lot like Gustafsson, though, facially (through a visor, with a helmet, so....yeah).

It sounds to me like Hagg has the personality of a "set him and forget him" type of defenseman. The kind of guy you never notice because he just does what he is supposed to do and goes home. I have no problem with that.

The crazy thing to is severson might be the best package of all of them he has been a beast all through jr and Lou said he might make the team out of camp but Merrill has certainly been the steadiest he just needs to bring the offence he had in college now that he handled top four minutes in the nhl but I'll stop with the devils talk and let you guys enjoy your camp !
- blizzzard

I recently started to pay attention to Kelowna (Shea Weber connection) and both Bowey and Severson look like they could be the real deal. Wish the Flyers could have scooped either of them up.

Sweet Jesus, the Devils invited everyone to their camp. Gomez, Fedotenko, Tootoo, Kaberle & Komisarek, plus former KHLer Renat Mamashev.

I'm actually happy that the Flyers don't have any announced invitees. Focus on the playesr in camp, under contract, who can play. No need to waste time on a guy or group of guys who are trying to showcase themselves for anybody interested.
- Jsaquella

Yea not sure what Komi has left to prove in spent time in the minors for two different nhl clubs now and kaberle is toast IMO Gomez could be interesting he might have a sense of comfort that he hasn't had in years and he knows this could be one of his last chances plus he is likely an upgrade on gionta and josefson for third or fourth line center. I'm not really sure what he is like in the f/o category but only Zajac could win draws last year so if he is decent he will fill a need but realistically Gomez is the only one with a chance IMO

It sounds to me like Hagg has the personality of a "set him and forget him" type of defenseman. The kind of guy you never notice because he just does what he is supposed to do and goes home. I have no problem with that.
- MBFlyerfan

If he can become an everyday defenseman who you can put out there 5v5 and on the PK without having to worry, I'd consider that a success.

I recently started to pay attention to Kelowna (Shea Weber connection) and both Bowey and Severson look like they could be the real deal. Wish the Flyers could have scooped either of them up.
- jmatchett383

Don't forget Luke Schenn!

I'm actually happy that the Flyers don't have any announced invitees. Focus on the playesr in camp, under contract, who can play. No need to waste time on a guy or group of guys who are trying to showcase themselves for anybody interested.
- Jsaquella

Exactly my thoughts.

Sweet Jesus, the Devils invited everyone to their camp. Gomez, Fedotenko, Tootoo, Kaberle & Komisarek, plus former KHLer Renat Mamashev.

I'm actually happy that the Flyers don't have any announced invitees. Focus on the playesr in camp, under contract, who can play. No need to waste time on a guy or group of guys who are trying to showcase themselves for anybody interested.
- Jsaquella

Their top 7 defensemen are pretty much set which doesn't include Timonen. There are also viable guys to pull from in the AHL should two of the NHL guys get hurt, struggle, etc. There are also enough forwards to fill all lines plus some AHL depth and NHL insurance. No real need to let anyone try out since they would probably auditioning for other teams which would be a waste of the Flyers' time.

Wouldn't hurt all that much for another potential fourth liner to try out though...But VandeVelde, White, Laughton, Gordon, Powe, etc. could be reasonable alternatives.

I liked Bill's thought of putting Jesper "Pitbull" Pettersson's compete in Hagg's body.

Speaking of which, good lord he looked tiny out there. Looks a lot like Gustafsson, though, facially (through a visor, with a helmet, so....yeah).
- jmatchett383

I liked when he put Morin into the boards during the 3on3 half-ice drill. Nice solid hit

Don't forget Luke Schenn!
- aflyerpower8

No one will ever forget Luke Schenn.

It sounds to me like Hagg has the personality of a "set him and forget him" type of defenseman. The kind of guy you never notice because he just does what he is supposed to do and goes home. I have no problem with that.
- MBFlyerfan

I only have a probably with it if he is not being the best he can be. If he gets content but still has the possible to be a better dman, it'll be a shame. Of course there's no way to test his potential and such though

Bill - Nice blog (as usual).

Hagg's personality could actually be a good thing. It can be problematic with a defense full of Type A personalities. Obviously defining roles and doling out minutes is one thing. But long term, there will be salary-related issues. It's like Nashville, where Suter eventually left in part to be the man but more so to make the big bucks.

If he is a steady 2-way guy who moves the puck quickly, 2 to 3 years out you can pair him on the 2nd line with Sanheim or 3rd line with Schenn.

Sweet Jesus, the Devils invited everyone to their camp. Gomez, Fedotenko, Tootoo, Kaberle & Komisarek, plus former KHLer Renat Mamashev.

I'm actually happy that the Flyers don't have any announced invitees. Focus on the playesr in camp, under contract, who can play. No need to waste time on a guy or group of guys who are trying to showcase themselves for anybody interested.
- Jsaquella

I'm fine with it as well, just hope they keep an eye out for how these players are doing in others camps. Just because you have no invitees (still to be seen for the Flyers) doesn't mean you can't sign one from another camp. While I think our forwards are pretty well set I wouldn't
mind an eye on some goalies (in case of injury or a young player going through waivers) and D men like McBain and Diaz.

Yea not sure what Komi has left to prove in spent time in the minors for two different nhl clubs now and kaberle is toast IMO Gomez could be interesting he might have a sense of comfort that he hasn't had in years and he knows this could be one of his last chances plus he is likely an upgrade on gionta and josefson for third or fourth line center. I'm not really sure what he is like in the f/o category but only Zajac could win draws last year so if he is decent he will fill a need but realistically Gomez is the only one with a chance IMO
- blizzzard

I can see a guy or two, but 5? I'd have left it at Gomez.

No one will ever forget Luke Schenn.
- jmatchett383

Nor should they!

I liked when he put Morin into the boards during the 3on3 half-ice drill. Nice solid hit
- Dkos

Wish I had video of it. I haven't watched him much, just last year's WJC and some highlight videos. He's not afraid to throw his weight around.

Bill - Nice blog (as usual).

Hagg's personality could actually be a good thing. It can be problematic with a defense full of Type A personalities. Obviously defining roles and doling out minutes is one thing. But long term, there will be salary-related issues. It's like Nashville, where Suter eventually left in part to be the man but more so to make the big bucks.

If he is a steady 2-way guy who moves the puck quickly, 2 to 3 years out you can pair him on the 2nd line with Sanheim or 3rd line with Schenn.
- TheGreat28

I think Sanheim on the 2nd pair in 2-3 years is a bit high. Which is fine, I'd love it. But unless he really comes along strong, I think he'll need some time in the AHL to start.

Bill - Nice blog (as usual).

Hagg's personality could actually be a good thing. It can be problematic with a defense full of Type A personalities. Obviously defining roles and doling out minutes is one thing. But long term, there will be salary-related issues. It's like Nashville, where Suter eventually left in part to be the man but more so to make the big bucks.

If he is a steady 2-way guy who moves the puck quickly, 2 to 3 years out you can pair him on the 2nd line with Sanheim or 3rd line with Schenn.
- TheGreat28

I think Sanheim may well be the best NHLer out of the group. Nobody talks much about him, but he's smooth skating, smart and has good size. Just needs to add some muscle and weight and he could be a damned good all situations defenseman who you can plug in and get 25 minutes a night out of

Nor should they!
- aflyerpower8

That's like forgetting Jesus. Ivan DeJesus.

I think Sanheim may well be the best NHLer out of the group. Nobody talks much about him, but he's smooth skating, smart and has good size. Just needs to add some muscle and weight and he could be a damned good all situations defenseman who you can plug in and get 25 minutes a night out of
- Jsaquella

As far as projection goes, he might be, but he is very raw. From what I saw at the World Junior Evaluation, he is a great skater with good puck moving ability and offensive instincts, but his stick positioning, shot accuracy, defensive reads, and strength around the net could use work.