Any issues he had got compounded because as soon as he made one, he found himself sitting in the press box. He was actually an overall effective player that never got the benefit of the doubt afforded to guys like Luke Schenn, Nick Grossmann or Andrej Meszaros when it came to paying for mistakes.
- Jsaquella

why then dont you think any other nhl teams tried to acquire his rights before he went to russia

sure hope not as he is a bottom pairing guy at best.
- rinaldo

Maybe he is, but he is only 25, so I felt he still had few years of growing yet to do...the boards have been very kind to L Schenn at 24, and while their skill sets are completely different, i think it is too early to tell which one will find their game...and he is not a bad 3rd line guy if he would correct the mistakes, just gets tougher as the young guys start coming into the system I think...

Bill, There has been a lot of discussion on the boards the last few days on a guy like Zack Stortini being on the roster. Why was he not sent down? Seems like an odd play unless the Flyers are giving him a chance to play in front of other scouts to see if he will be able to land a job someplace else...just curious move to keep him around, your thoughts?
- JW98FlyerFan

I think he is there to be the designated preseason punching bag. Put him up against opposing players who are looking to make a name for themselves by cheap shotting a Flyer in a meaningless game.

He has no shot to make the team.

were surprised alt and cousins were sentback so quickly as they seemed to play well? cant wait until they cut ties with manning. not an nhl caliber player.

VV is also a still no need for him to be around. just filler i guess though rather see a few young guys play the scrimmage games.
- rinaldo

Part of the reason why there are still so many vets in camp is the sheer number of games in upcoming days.

However, as I mentioned in the blog, even when a player is cut from the NHL roster and sent to the AHL roster, he can still dress in an NHL preseason game if the team so desires.

Cousins had a decent camp but nothing that would make the organization think he's ready to leapfrog vets on the callup depth chart. Alt is going to skate on the Phantoms' top or second D pair with either Gostisbehere or Hägg and is arguably number nine on the NHL depth chart (behind the more seasoned Manning) right now.

Done. Added mention of Morin.
- bmeltzer

I was wondering if they had sent Morin down yet. Bill what are your thoughts on Laughton so far? He hasn't been that impressive to me, so I was thinking he would benefit from a year in the A.. However, I've only watched him for two games, and maybe they just have him working on his D as I haven't noticed him offensively.

I was wondering if they had sent Morin down yet. Bill what are your thoughts on Laughton so far? He hasn't been that impressive to me, so I was thinking he would benefit from a year in the A.. However, I've only watched him for two games, and maybe they just have him working on his D as I haven't noticed him offensively.
- Hextall271

I honestly don't believe he is going to be much of an offensive force in the NHL. Ill be happy to get 15 goals and great defense out of him once he makes the team full time.

Good point. Still hate that under 20 ineligibility rule. But it sounds like Morin does some things well and needs to work on others. No way he sticks long term, so extra coaching makes sense.
- TheGreat28

As long as the CHL is a for-profit business it's going to stay in place. It sucks for guys who are ready, but it's good for the CHL teams

Part of the reason why there are still so many vets in camp is the sheer number of games in upcoming days.

However, as I mentioned in the blog, even when a player is cut from the NHL roster and sent to the AHL roster, he can still dress in an NHL preseason game if the team so desires.

Cousins had a decent camp but nothing that would make the organization think he's ready to leapfrog vets on the callup depth chart. Alt is going to skate on the Phantoms' top or second D pair with either Gostisbehere or Hägg and is arguably number nine on the NHL depth chart (behind the more seasoned Manning) right now.
- bmeltzer

sounds good. i get cousins wasnt going to pass those guys i would just rather see him play as those other guys are what they are at this point imo. as you said maybe they will play in some games.

if the injury bug bites the D i see Alt being a more long term replacement than manning.

what is the deal with laurdison? any thoughts on him?

Maybe he is, but he is only 25, so I felt he still had few years of growing yet to do...the boards have been very kind to L Schenn at 24, and while their skill sets are completely different, i think it is too early to tell which one will find their game...and he is not a bad 3rd line guy if he would correct the mistakes, just gets tougher as the young guys start coming into the system I think...
- JW98FlyerFan

none of us know for sure though if he was a decent bottom pairing guy i would have thought a team would have made a trade for him before he went to khl. even a 7th rd pick.

then again maybe the flyers want to see him play full time with more minutes beofre they give up on him.

schenn needs to pick it up.

I honestly don't believe he is going to be much of an offensive force in the NHL. Ill be happy to get 15 goals and great defense out of him once he makes the team full time.
- MBFlyerfan

Maybe not. Does he max out as a 10 goal checking centre? If so, maybe we should have taken Olli Maata? hahah I kid..I'd like to give him time. Give him a couple years in the A even. We're not desperate for another centre. Now the D.. take your time but develop as fast as you can.. !!

Stortini is mainly being kept around as a bodyguard type to be a deterrent from fringe players on other teams trying to run at a skill player in a preseason game. Even if Stortini is no Bob Probert in the fighting department, his willingness to drop the gloves at any time and his sheer size is a potential deterrent for the wannabe Tootoo or Torres types trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of a skill player.

Stortini won't make the NHL team unless 13th forward Rosehill gets hurt.

During the preseason, there are always more fights than in an average regular season game. Lots of teams keep the Stortini types around for awhile.

BTW, I fully expect Stortini to become a major fan favorite in Allentown. Very personable guy with a great sense of humor.

why then dont you think any other nhl teams tried to acquire his rights before he went to russia
- rinaldo

Because he is a bottom pair defenseman, who is on the small side. It why a guy like Michael Del Zotto was available as a free agent in August, and why guys who were effective like Rafael Diaz are in camp on try outs rather than getting big contracts like a stiff like Derek Engelland.

Teams like bigger, more physical guys on the third pair, but guys like Diaz and Gustafsson usually end up finding jobs.

As long as the CHL is a for-profit business it's going to stay in place. It sucks for guys who are ready, but it's good for the CHL teams
- Jsaquella

Personally I would like NHL teams to be able to designate one player per year to their AHL club. That's a reasonable compromise. Of course, the players designated would likely be 30 of the top CHL guys, so they'd fight it of course.

I might be going to the game tonight. LGF!!!

Personally I would like NHL teams to be able to designate one player per year to their AHL club. That's a reasonable compromise. Of course, the players designated would likely be 30 of the top CHL guys, so they'd fight it of course.
- TheGreat28

It's an idea that would make sense, or being able to financially compensate CHL teams if a player makes the AHL, although the latter would probably be taken advantage of by NHL teams who want their kids being coached by system guys.

Stortini is mainly being kept around as a bodyguard type to be a deterrent from fringe players on other teams trying to run at a skill player in a preseason game. Even if Stortini is no Bob Probert in the fighting department, his willingness to drop the gloves at any time and his sheer size is a potential deterrent for the wannabe Tootoo or Torres types trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of a skill player.

Stortini won't make the NHL team unless 13th forward Rosehill gets hurt.

During the preseason, there are always more fights than in an average regular season game. Lots of teams keep the Stortini types around for awhile.

BTW, I fully expect Stortini to become a major fan favorite in Allentown. Very personable guy with a great sense of humor.
- bmeltzer

Good insight, Bill. I really hope it doesn't come to him playing in the NHL though. Let him have his fun in Allentown.

4 preseason games in a row is ridiculous. I know the phantoms are excited about the new arena but this is senseless. I'll put money on the scheduling of this game as Holmers bright idea

Stortini is mainly being kept around as a bodyguard type to be a deterrent from fringe players on other teams trying to run at a skill player in a preseason game. Even if Stortini is no Bob Probert in the fighting department, his willingness to drop the gloves at any time and his sheer size is a potential deterrent for the wannabe Tootoo or Torres types trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of a skill player.

Stortini won't make the NHL team unless 13th forward Rosehill gets hurt.

During the preseason, there are always more fights than in an average regular season game. Lots of teams keep the Stortini types around for awhile.

BTW, I fully expect Stortini to become a major fan favorite in Allentown. Very personable guy with a great sense of humor.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill!

sounds good. i get cousins wasnt going to pass those guys i would just rather see him play as those other guys are what they are at this point imo. as you said maybe they will play in some games.

if the injury bug bites the D i see Alt being a more long term replacement than manning.

what is the deal with laurdison? any thoughts on him?
- rinaldo

I agree re: Alt if it's a long-term situation. Right now, though, the veteran Manning would get the callup for a short-term absence.

Lauridsen is pretty much strictly an AHL player. He is big, physical and competitive. He's improved over the years as a defensive Dman but, but NHL standards, is still positionally iffy due to mediocre skating and below-average with the puck (yes, below Grossmann with the puck). His heavy shot is essentially meaningless in game action because it takes him so long to wind up and fire.

Good insight, Bill. I really hope it doesn't come to him playing in the NHL though. Let him have his fun in Allentown.
- NickTheKid87

Fun? I couldn't imagine being a minor league tough guy riding a bus and fighting monstrous guys who can't skate for a minor league salary. Very slapshot to me lol

Now, if anyone would pay me my current salary to play goal for a living, sign me up!

none of us know for sure though if he was a decent bottom pairing guy i would have thought a team would have made a trade for him before he went to khl. even a 7th rd pick.

then again maybe the flyers want to see him play full time with more minutes beofre they give up on him.

schenn needs to pick it up.
- rinaldo

Agree, I could see both sides...he did have some flashes of being a pretty good D man with some offensive skill, his mistakes though were epic...

Stortini is mainly being kept around as a bodyguard type to be a deterrent from fringe players on other teams trying to run at a skill player in a preseason game. Even if Stortini is no Bob Probert in the fighting department, his willingness to drop the gloves at any time and his sheer size is a potential deterrent for the wannabe Tootoo or Torres types trying to make a name for themselves at the expense of a skill player.

Stortini won't make the NHL team unless 13th forward Rosehill gets hurt.

During the preseason, there are always more fights than in an average regular season game. Lots of teams keep the Stortini types around for awhile.

BTW, I fully expect Stortini to become a major fan favorite in Allentown. Very personable guy with a great sense of humor.
- bmeltzer

I'm not sold a Torres or Tootoo would be deterred by Stortini or even Rosehill, who is a good fighter. That's kind of my issue with icing an enforcer.

Now a days, guys like Torres or Neil will still lay a big hit, and then turtle if a guy like Rosehill or Orr comes over to dispense justice. They will only fight a skilled guy or a non tough guy. Generally when a Rosehill fights, he's fighting a guy like Orr anyhow. Not sure how Rosehill fighting another team's enforcer stops Neil or Tootoo from taking a run at a skill guy.

From a strictly AHL point of view, I get Stortini. Different league and style of play.

Agree, I could see both sides...he did have some flashes of being a pretty good D man with some offensive skill, his mistakes though were epic...
- JW98FlyerFan

I am a big Coburn fan, and he's normally very steady, but when he messes up, it's epic as well.. like flubbed pass onto the stick of a forward in our slot epic...

It's an idea that would make sense, or being able to financially compensate CHL teams if a player makes the AHL, although the latter would probably be taken advantage of by NHL teams who want their kids being coached by system guys.
- Jsaquella

I like the compensation idea. Actually, you could combine the two to make it more attractive for the CHL teams. NHL teams can designate one player to their AHL affiliate and provide a fixed (same for all teams) compensation to their CHL club to account for loss of revenue.

Done. Bill, make it happen

I'm not sold a Torres or Tootoo would be deterred by Stortini or even Rosehill, who is a good fighter. That's kind of my issue with icing an enforcer.

Now a days, guys like Torres or Neil will still lay a big hit, and then turtle if a guy like Rosehill or Orr comes over to dispense justice. They will only fight a skilled guy or a non tough guy. Generally when a Rosehill fights, he's fighting a guy like Orr anyhow. Not sure how Rosehill fighting another team's enforcer stops Neil or Tootoo from taking a run at a skill guy.

From a strictly AHL point of view, I get Stortini. Different league and style of play.
- Jsaquella

I think Paul Stewart had a blog about something like that. I am trying to do it off memory but he made reference to having to fight because one of his own guys was running around like an idiot. Tough guys don't want to have to keep answering the bell when their own player is running around and then not stepping up to it. So it deters them a little because they're own tough guys kind of puts them in place. I think it was something like that