It was indeed... Talbot's first NHL goal.
- bmeltzer

True, but I don't think they brought a 29 year old over here to play in the AHL.
- Feanor

Regardless of age, a player still has to earn a spot.

If they can move Prongers contract next offseason, that # will be down to 2:
Giroux
Coburn
- BiggE

Even if they don't you could consider it two. Pronger being "on the roster" is a technicality anyway.

then instead of LeClair they have Recchi added to those players. personally I still think they make the move because they needed defense
- nastyflyergirl

So do I. Duchesne would still have been part of the Lindros package and the depth on D would still have been suspect, so I think the Recchi to Montreal trade for Desjardins, LeClair (who was projected as a role player here because that's what he was in Montreal but instead became an instant star) and Dionne (from whom the Flyers hoped to get some scoring) would still had happened.

Assuming the line up remains for the rookie game, the Leier - Laughton - Aube-Kubel line could be fun to watch.

Oh it's good have a prospect pool.
- PhiFaninEdm

Lot of good players on the other side to watch out for, too... Burakovsky, Vrana, and Bowey especially.

To be honest, I'm not really interested in having the exact same discussions we had last September about how Raffl will need months in the AHL because the transition from big ice/European hockey to small ice/NHL is so difficult. All the arguments are the same, the only difference is that PEB is an older, more accomplished player than Raffl was.
- Feanor

Just because a player is older, doesn't make a player more accomplished. PEB has achieved nothing in the NHL. Right now Raffl is an NHL player and PEB isn't.

Regardless of age, a player still has to earn a spot.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree. However, he is probably an NHL player barring a terrible preseason or an injury. I'm not all that worried about the small-rink transition despite his advanced age. He plays a rather "North American style" game and has some grit. His speed, versatility and hands (could even be a shootout player despite a bottom-six role) give him a good shot at making the team.

Side note: One of the Flyers veteran forwards wondered aloud the other day "why wasn't this guy in the NHL four years ago? He is an NHL player."

I agree. However, he is probably an NHL player barring a terrible preseason or an injury. I'm not all that worried about the small-rink transition despite his advanced age. He plays a rather "North American style" game and has some grit. His speed, versatility and hands (could even be a shootout player despite a bottom-six role) give him a good shot at making the team.
- bmeltzer

I look forward to seeing what he's got.

Based on what Hextall and Berube have been quoted as saying, I'm guessing the forward lines look like this come opening night:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-VLC-Akeson
Raffl-Bellemare-Rinaldo

Based on what Hextall and Berube have been quoted as saying, I'm guessing the forward lines look like this come opening night:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-VLC-Akeson
Raffl-Bellemare-Rinaldo
- BiggE

Looks good on paper

Hopefully on ice too.

Lot of good players on the other side to watch out for, too... Burakovsky, Vrana, and Bowey especially.
- Tomahawk

The Caps are stacked with high level offensive prospects. These guys plus Kuznetsov. They could have a really terrifying attack very soon.

Game is at 3 today, correct?

foppa
- Crimsoninja

I agree. However, he is probably an NHL player barring a terrible preseason or an injury. I'm not all that worried about the small-rink transition despite his advanced age. He plays a rather "North American style" game and has some grit. His speed, versatility and hands (could even be a shootout player despite a bottom-six role) give him a good shot at making the team.

Side note: One of the Flyers veteran forwards wondered aloud the other day "why wasn't this guy in the NHL four years ago? He is an NHL player."
- bmeltzer

If somehow he doesn't make the squad, do you see him taking the demotion to LHV or do they work out a loan agreement back to Skellefteå?

I agree. However, he is probably an NHL player barring a terrible preseason or an injury. I'm not all that worried about the small-rink transition despite his advanced age. He plays a rather "North American style" game and has some grit. His speed, versatility and hands (could even be a shootout player despite a bottom-six role) give him a good shot at making the team.

Side note: One of the Flyers veteran forwards wondered aloud the other day "why wasn't this guy in the NHL four years ago? He is an NHL player."
- bmeltzer

I like this side note.

Based on what Hextall and Berube have been quoted as saying, I'm guessing the forward lines look like this come opening night:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-VLC-Akeson
Raffl-Bellemare-Rinaldo
- BiggE

Umberger-Vinny-Raffl
Bellemare-Laughton-Akeson

Sounds better to me.

Umberger-Vinny-Raffl
Bellemare-Laughton-Akeson

Sounds better to me.
- GOA88

I agree, but it sounds like they are committed to starting the season with Rinaldo in the lineup.

Side note: One of the Flyers veteran forwards wondered aloud the other day "why wasn't this guy in the NHL four years ago? He is an NHL player."
- bmeltzer

Silly me, I was under the impression of if a player was playing in the NHL, that's what made them an NHL player. I kid.

I agree, but it sounds like they are committed to starting the season with Rinaldo in the lineup.
- BiggE

In the lineup? He's going to be on the 3rd line...

Just because a player is older, doesn't make a player more accomplished. PEB has achieved nothing in the NHL. Right now Raffl is an NHL player and PEB isn't.
- SuperSchennBros

Your level of reading comprehension is terrible. I said PEB is a more accomplished player now than Raffl was a year ago.

Umberger-Vinny-Raffl
Bellemare-Laughton-Akeson

Sounds better to me.
- GOA88

Akeson with Vinny or else the Phantoms. He can't be a fourth liner in the traditional sense.

Your level of reading comprehension is terrible. I said PEB is a more accomplished player now than Raffl was a year ago.
- Feanor

No you didn't.

No you didn't.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes, I did. Time for you to grab a copy of Hooked on Phonics.

the only difference is that PEB is an older, more accomplished player than Raffl was.

Your level of reading comprehension is terrible. I said PEB is a more accomplished player now than Raffl was a year ago.
- Feanor

Really, don't bother.

EDIT - Too late.

Yes, I did. Time for you to grab a copy of Hooked on Phonics.

- Feanor

Either way your still wrong. What makes PEB the more accomplished player? PEB is about to make a big step should he earn a spot.