I have heard from a reliable ninja that Morin is ready now

I'm taking Blair jones over akeson for the 4th line spot. I can't have Rinaldo and akeson on the same line it's just too poor defensively, regardless of the offense akeson can bring. I just think jones will complement that line better making it even speedier and more difficult to play against.
- Just5

Well on paper I'd agree with you, as Akeson isn't the kind of player I like on a 4th line. But that line looked good last night. If Akeson can play a decent game away from the puck, that could be a line that could provide some puck possession and some offensive chances. I like Jones also, but I'd be willing to give that line a longer look in the season to see what happens.

Duclair is on the verge of cracking the Rags roster.
Goulbourne is on the verge of being Zach Rinaldo.

The main difference is that Morin is more physically mature than Sanheim. But Sanheim's game was more well-rounded than Morin's.

Hextall is making decisions with regards to the player's long-term future. Yes, Morin has looked good in very small sample size in a training camp. Fans tend to overreact to this phenomenon. Call it the Gizmo Williams Paradox.
- TheGreat28

It's the same reason why Ghost won't start in the AHL, but for different specific reasons. Both Sanheim and Ghost have aspects of their game that need work. While the same is true for Morin, he's the most "NHL-ready" of the lot. Yes, his puck skills could use some more work and he could still add some muscle, but those "deficiencies" aren't glaring.

The thing i see with these two is morin has the wheels to cover ground if he makes a mistake, schenn does not.
- JoeRussomanno

That is a skill set that he has. He has a long stride and reach and skates well. But he's not ready yet.

The main difference is that Morin is more physically mature than Sanheim. But Sanheim's game was more well-rounded than Morin's.

Hextall is making decisions with regards to the player's long-term future. Yes, Morin has looked good in very small sample size in a training camp. Fans tend to overreact to this phenomenon. Call it the Gizmo Williams Paradox.
- TheGreat28

Yeah, Schenn looked better than Ian White, Jeff Finger, Mike Van Ryn, and Anton Stralman out of camp... not exactly a high bar. I think you're seeing Morin (and Ghost) doing the same now. It's not that they're ready... it's that the vets are playing like dog poop.

It's the same reason why Ghost won't start in the AHL, but for different specific reasons. Both Sanheim and Ghost have aspects of their game that need work. While the same is true for Morin, he's the most "NHL-ready" of the lot. Yes, his puck skills could use some more work and he could still add some muscle, but those "deficiencies" aren't glaring.
- jmatchett383

Personally, I view Gostibehere as most "NHL ready" of the lot.

Valid point. I like L. Schenn but he was a little rushed in Toronto. The fans loved him one game and hated him the next. If he can consistantly put he game together than he is a top 4 shutdown guy. I think we will finally start to see him mature into the defenseman he was projected to be. He is still only 24 years old....
- GOA88

Agreed. And how quickly will fans sour on Morin when he goes through the inevitable growing pains, which would be 10x worse as an 18 year old. What happens when he loses the puck at his feet and gets stripped by Crosby for a go-ahead goal late in a game? When he makes a series of ill-advised pinches and we lose a game or two? What happens when he loses it and takes a boarding penalty, or some other undisciplined penalty and costs the team a game.

Oh, there's been plenty of this player is no good, and what happens if they get injuries, and questions about the coach etc. Normal fan stuff. I'm personally excited about the season, and I think the Flyers have a strong team.
- MJL

I think the Flyers have a ton of huge questions marks. I am excited for hockey to be on TV every night. I am excited to watch the Flyers. But, ultimately there are reason to be concerned. We have a really thin, and already mediocre defense. If one of them were to go down long term we would be looking at disaster.

Duclair is on the verge of cracking the Rags roster.
Goulbourne is on the verge of being Zach Rinaldo.


- PLindbergh31

FLYERZ WERST DRAFT 4EVA

That's where I'm looking.

Now, personally, I'd give him the (up to) 9 games and send him back no matter what. Let him get his feet wet and give him a little taste. If the sat defender wants back in, let him earn his way back in.

I never played at the NHL level, but I did play semi-pro in MLRH as an 8th defenseman. I will tell you, there is NO greater motivation to work hard than to sit and watch your team play without you. If they're winning, you want to be out there winning. If they're losing, you want to get in there and help.
- jmatchett383

Yea, I think Hextall should have went with this approach. "We are holding open try outs for the (6) defender spots. Contracts, veteran status, age, and notoriety will not weigh on my decision. Now go earn your spot." He basically flat out said from the beginning what our top 6 is. Thats not motivation. They already had a job locked up and quite frankly I dont think anyone outside of Coburn and Streit deserve that treatment.

Personally, I view Gostibehere as most "NHL ready" of the lot.
- MJL

As long as the NHL doesn't involve winning board battles or playing 1-on-1 defense against power forwards, I agree.

Yeah, Schenn looked better than Ian White, Jeff Finger, Mike Van Ryn, and Anton Stralman out of camp... not exactly a high bar. I think you're seeing Morin (and Ghost) doing the same now. It's not that they're ready... it's that the vets are playing like dog poop.
- Tomahawk

haha, you totally googled that, didn't you.

I agree, though. The Flyers vets are playing like its...well, training camp. I'm not ready to say that any of the rookies is better than any of the vets just yet.

Yea, I think Hextall should have went with this approach. "We are holding open try outs for the (6) defender spots. Contracts, veteran status, age, and notoriety will not weigh on my decision. Now go earn your spot." He basically flat out said from the beginning what our top 6 is. Thats not motivation. They already had a job locked up and quite frankly I dont think anyone outside of Coburn and Streit deserve that treatment.
- GOA88

Well, sadly, everyone would know that's a lie if he said that because the cap and contract slots come into play. That's why a potential slide rule candidate will have such a tough time cracking the roster.

haha, you totally googled that, didn't you.

I agree, though. The Flyers vets are playing like its...well, training camp. I'm not ready to say that any of the rookies is better than any of the vets just yet.
- TheGreat28

Did you watch MDZ last night?

Did you watch MDZ last night?
- jmatchett383

Dont make me cry

REWARD: Morin plays great (relatively) for 9 games and the Flyers are able to trade a defender with a higher AAV contract and let Morin play on his entry-level deal.
- jmatchett383

Drawback, he struggles and the Flyers waste a year of his ELC, not to mention the player getting to his bridg contract faster, as well as getting to UFA eligibility faster. Pros and cons.

haha, you totally googled that, didn't you.
- TheGreat28

Hockeydb ftw

(I totally forgot Mike Van Ryn existed... man, wtf happened with him?)

REWARD: Morin plays great (relatively) for 9 games and the Flyers are able to trade a defender with a higher AAV contract and let Morin play on his entry-level deal.
- jmatchett383

OK. Which contract are you trading? Do you think they can trade A Mac or Streit with those deals? Even taking back half...not gonna happen.

Grossmann? With his injury history? Not gonna happen.

MDZ? Well, considering he was signed in August and any other team in the league could have had him? Doubt it. It's not like he's lit it up.

So you have Schenn and Coburn? Not getting a whole lot for Schenn. And do you really want to trade Coburn?

Did you watch MDZ last night?
- jmatchett383

If the vets are playing like this 10 games into the season, then I worry.

OK. Which contract are you trading? Do you think they can trade A Mac or Streit with those deals? Even taking back half...not gonna happen.

Grossmann? With his injury history? Not gonna happen.

MDZ? Well, considering he was signed in August and any other team in the league could have had him? Doubt it. It's not like he's lit it up.

So you have Schenn and Coburn? Not getting a whole lot for Schenn. And do you really want to trade Coburn?
- TheGreat28

So you're basically saying we are (frank)ed??? Am I reading into this correctly?

I think the Flyers have a ton of huge questions marks. I am excited for hockey to be on TV every night. I am excited to watch the Flyers. But, ultimately there are reason to be concerned. We have a really thin, and already mediocre defense. If one of them were to go down long term we would be looking at disaster.
- jak521

I disagree that the Flyers have a mediocre defense. I think they'll miss Timonen, but I think the Flyers defense corps is solid, even more so if Del Zotto can find his game.

I disagree that the Flyers have a mediocre defense. I think they'll miss Timonen, but I think the Flyers defense corps is solid, even more so if Del Zotto can find his game.
- MJL

They aren't mediocre as players but mediocre as a whole. Its a little frustrating

Hockeydb ftw

(I totally forgot Mike Van Ryn existed... man, wtf happened with him?)
- Tomahawk

Actually, that TO situation is a cautionary tale on the Flyers rookies. That group you just laid out is far worse than our 6, so in one respect it's understandable that they played Schenn as an 18 year old. But look what it did to his development.

So we don't have the pressing need that TO did back then. Why even risk hurting Morin's long term development?

As long as the NHL doesn't involve winning board battles or playing 1-on-1 defense against power forwards, I agree.
- jmatchett383

Looking at each individual players weaknesses, is quite different then looking at the young defenseman and picking who is most ready at this point. There is no question in my mind that Gostibihere already has NHL caliber offensive puck moving ability. And I think he'll be with the team the quickest.

Most NHL ready is different from NHL ready.