I think the primary point people are trying to make is that leaving a player in Juniors for an extra year won't hurt his development. It might delay his development, but it won't hurt.

Bringing him up too soon could hurt his development.

People view it as an unnecessary risk. It's not as if he dominated Juniors last year either. Kid's still got a long way to go imo.
- PhillySportsGuy

I see both sides of the argument. I really don't care which way they go. However, I'm glad it looks like he is going to get at least 9 games.

I'm just talking about making solid hockey plays, not necessarily being Matt Read.
- Jsaquella

Haha I think doing that on a regular basis makes him Wayne Simmonds, but ya I get what you're saying

And that's what a lot of us have said all along -- whether the fourth line can chip in a goal here and there, or can play solid, systems-based defense, they have to be able to contribute to the actual playing of hockey, the scoring or prevention of goals.

They can't just play five minutes a night, one of them fight somebody, never score and then all of them wind up between minus 6-minus 10 on the season
- AllInForFlyers

I think those days are over for hockey. No competitive team can afford to do that cause bully lines like that will get scored on every few shifts by a better built 4th/3rd line.

Fantastic play by G there to breakup that pass.

And that's what a lot of us have said all along -- whether the fourth line can chip in a goal here and there, or can play solid, systems-based defense, they have to be able to contribute to the actual playing of hockey, the scoring or prevention of goals.

They can't just play five minutes a night, one of them fight somebody, never score and then all of them wind up between minus 6-minus 10 on the season
- AllInForFlyers

Exactly. Have four capable lines, so you don't have to over-rely on your top lines. If teams want to dress Colton Orr, There's no way I'd dress a goon. You want to dress Orr, great. I'll play my good, solid and capable fourth line andgrind your top line into dust, while Orr plays 4 minutes

I wonder why mason went back to his old pads from last year

And that's what a lot of us have said all along -- whether the fourth line can chip in a goal here and there, or can play solid, systems-based defense, they have to be able to contribute to the actual playing of hockey, the scoring or prevention of goals.

They can't just play five minutes a night, one of them fight somebody, never score and then all of them wind up between minus 6-minus 10 on the season
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, it's an energy line. What gets the boys going more than a goal?

I see both sides of the argument. I really don't care which way they go. However, I'm glad it looks like he is going to get at least 9 games.
- ravishingone

Personally, I would rather send him back. I just don't feel this current roster is conducive to breaking in a 19 year old defenseman. They lack the necessary depth to shield him and they lack the strong two-way play from forwards to offer good support.

I would look to reshuffle the forwards next offseason when VL and Umberger may be easier to move. Then, create 4, strong, two-way lines and attempt to break in some much more polished defenseman.

I wonder why mason went back to his old pads from last year
- Bigjohnston

He saved them

Ovi gettin straight up mugged.

Fantastic play by G there to breakup that pass.
- hereticpride

The Flyers are going to allow a grade A scoring chance on the PP in every game

Ovi gettin straight up mugged.
- hereticpride

Ov's playing??

The Flyers are going to allow a grade A scoring chance on the PP in every game
- PhillySportsGuy

That's one of the weaknesses of the umbrella, a team with a smart guy at the top of the box can pick off a pass and create havoc.

That's one of the weaknesses of the umbrella, a team with a smart guy at the top of the box can pick off a pass and create havoc.
- Jsaquella

Yup.

Matt Read is that guy for us.

Ov's playing??
- SuperSchennBros

Really.

Trotz hockey is a snoozefest.

Stupid Rinaldo throwing hits again. Doesn't he know that applying body checks is the sign of poor play?

I wonder why mason went back to his old pads from last year
- Bigjohnston

hmmmm....i haven't looked closely, but i do not think those are his old pads. ccm has updated the extreme flex model from last year. i really doubt he's wearing his old stuff.

That's one of the weaknesses of the umbrella, a team with a smart guy at the top of the box can pick off a pass and create havoc.
- Jsaquella

Plus you have Streit up top instead of Timonen. Streit has the better shot, but Timonen was the smarter player with better hands and passing ability.

Plus you have Streit up top instead of Timonen. Streit has the better shot, but Timonen was the smarter player with better hands and passing ability.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah. That will be a factor as well.

Berube have his team fire the puck at him, so that he has one less tough decision to make for the upcoming season.

Plus you have Streit up top instead of Timonen. Streit has the better shot, but Timonen was the smarter player with better hands and passing ability.
- PhillySportsGuy

Streit is a really good passer/playmaker in his own right. Really nice outlet pass. Just not very good defensively.

Man that was a nice look by Vinny there. Just a little too much gusto on the pass though

I don't know what to expect from Vinny this year, but he sure seems to be skating better from last year.

Plus you have Streit up top instead of Timonen. Streit has the better shot, but Timonen was the smarter player with better hands and passing ability.
- PhillySportsGuy

A bit less of a risk-taker, too.

Man that was a nice look by Vinny there. Just a little too much gusto on the pass though
- Giroux_Is_God

Yep! Nice job looking for the trailer. He's very smart offensively, it's just that his bread and butter is more so his shot then his pass.