Coburn and MacDonald were last night.
- jak521

Don't worry. It's only pre-season. Come next Wednesday, MacDonald is going to flip the switch and go into top pairing dman mode!

Bill,

How would you feel about giving Morin the 9-game tryout for:

1) A possible taste of NHL regular season play
2) In case one of the 6 "veteran" defenders come out of the gate poorly

Yet every year, around this time, fans of every stripe insist that their kid is the one that won't be "challenged" if sent back. And every year, we see 18/19-yo's thrown into the deep end, and have near-drowning experiences... or end up never coming close to tapping their full potential when they were deprived the confidence/development benefits of another junior/AHL season.

And then we see kids like Laughton all the time, who are sent back for D+1 and come back much better players.
- Tomahawk

Well said!

Amen. The benefits of Morin returning to the QMJHL after his 9 game stint outweigh the benefit and risks of Morin sticking for the whole season.

Morin won't make the Flyers a Stanley Cup contender, so why keep him up now? Unless he comes in and really kicks ass and is the team's best Dman for the course of his 9 games, I sent him back down.
- Jsaquella

Even then i would send him down....he might be the best dman for 9 games, but hes not going to be for 82.

I still think that if Morin were AHL eligible we wouldn't even be talking about this. He would have been sent down with Ghost and that would be that.

But since the only option is back to Rimooskee, they want to hold on to him a little longer to get a better read on him and to get him a little more instruction and experience as to what to expect when he does make a play for the big club next season.
- MBFlyerfan

The best thing about Morin is that he's rougly 26 feet tall, with a 3-foot vertical leap.

If I had to rank the Flyers top 10 prospects now that the preseason is over I'd say they look like this:

1. Laughton (because he's the most NHL ready with solid upside)
2. Morin (he's impressed enough to maybe get an NHL trial)
3. Ghost (outplayed vets and definitely has NHL-level offensive skills)
4. Sanheim (played well and looks like he could be a legit top pairing someday)
5. Hagg (looked fine but the other 3 dmen were better)
6. Stolarz (not much to say except that he has good upside)
7. Aube-Kubel (he's been lighting it up lately)
8. Alt (running out of names but he has upside)
9. Cousins (kind dipped off the last year or so but could crack the NHL this year)
10. Leier (could also play in the NHL with less upside than Cousins)

I think that during the course of this season, the flyers will realize that Brayden Schenn is neither a power forward nor a finisher and will be removed from the first line. I believe that spot will eventually belong to Jason Akeson who, despite some shortcomings, has shown signs that he can be a finisher at the NHL level.....something the flyers desperately need but never seem to attain.
- jeffherrm

I'm still on the fence about the role Schenn plays. I think his career trajectory will be based on who he plays with. I actually think he may do well with G and Voracek. He just needs to get to the front of the net and let them make the plays. It would be easier if he had more of a shot. But I still think he could reach 25-30 just by being in the right place and the right time.

Even then i would send him down....he might be the best dman for 9 games, but hes not going to be for 82.
- PhillaBully

Yup. Plus, if Morin is their best defenseman, than chances are they're going to struggle to make the playoffs so what's the point in rushing Morin in that case?

Yet every year, around this time, fans of every stripe insist that their kid is the one that won't be "challenged" if sent back. And every year, we see 18/19-yo's thrown into the deep end, and have near-drowning experiences... or end up never coming close to tapping their full potential when they were deprived the confidence/development benefits of another junior/AHL season.

And then we see kids like Laughton all the time, who are sent back for D+1 and come back much better players.
- Tomahawk

I think Laughton has made some progress but I am really encouraged to see him sent down. I am pretty positive that the decision will be made to send Morin back either today or after a 9 game stint and it's the right call IMO. Like everyone, I am worried about the D, but there's just no quick fix. The #1 stud and legit 2 guy we need are simply the hardest slots to fill in the league right now. No one lets these players reach UFA if they have them. Only solution is to draft and grow them. I'm worried this might be a long non playoff year as well, especially with teams improving in our division (Isles especially), but we need patience.

If I had to rank the Flyers top 10 prospects now that the preseason is over I'd say they look like this:

1. Laughton (because he's the most NHL ready with solid upside)
2. Morin (he's impressed enough to maybe get an NHL trial)
3. Ghost (outplayed vets and definitely has NHL-level offensive skills)
4. Sanheim (played well and looks like he could be a legit top pairing someday)
5. Hagg (looked fine but the other 3 dmen were better)
6. Stolarz (not much to say except that he has good upside)
7. Aube-Kubel (he's been lighting it up lately)
8. Alt (running out of names but he has upside)
9. Cousins (kind dipped off the last year or so but could crack the NHL this year)
10. Leier (could also play in the NHL with less upside than Cousins)
- NickTheKid87

What is your criteria? Order that they will reach the NHL, or long-term future impact in the NHL?

If the latter, I would say Laughton slides down the list a little. I think the defensemen will end up having a bigger impact on the team. I also think A-K will, because he'll have a Top 6 role and has the potential to excel in that role.

My list would be:

1. Sanheim
2. Morin
3. Ghost
4. Aube-Kubel
5. Laughton
6. Hagg
7. Stolarz
8. Leier
9. Alt
10. Cousins

I think Laughton has made some progress but I am really encouraged to see him sent down. I am pretty positive that the decision will be made to send Morin back either today or after a 9 game stint and it's the right call IMO. Like everyone, I am worried about the D, but there's just no quick fix. The #1 stud and legit 2 guy we need are simply the hardest slots to fill in the league right now. No one lets these players reach UFA if they have them. Only solution is to draft and grow them. I'm worried this might be a long non playoff year as well, especially with teams improving in our division (Isles especially), but we need patience.
- Hextall271

I keep hearing about how much the Isles improved, but I don't get it. They got a backup goalie in Halak to be their starter. They brought a disgruntled player in Grabovski on board. Kulemin seems to get all these great accolades, but I don't think he's anything to write home about. The Penguins having a solid bottom-6 and a better defense is far more worrisome to me.

"I've said this over and over. Tell me one player that's been hurt by being sent back to junior, being trained the right way, playing in the AHL. Then you look at the players who have been hurt by playing in the NHL too early. The list is long."

- Ron Hextall

You're pulling out the names of a few players who didn't struggle to make your point. And actually, I thought Pronger did struggle a bit, which is why he was traded from St. Louis or was it Hartford. Same with Boumeester. He didn't really set the world on fire at first.
- TheGreat28

actually Im just pointing out that its not a for gone conclusion that he goes back...I for the record think he does...I simply am saying that certain benefits can be had by keeping him....For the record I don't think any 18-19 year old comes in and doesn't have some struggles....it ain't about that ...its about his development ..Whats best for the player...it ain't the same for everyone....If it was so obvious he would already be back in Rimouski.

What is your criteria? Order that they will reach the NHL, or long-term future impact in the NHL?

If the latter, I would say Laughton slides down the list a little. I think the defensemen will end up having a bigger impact on the team. I also think A-K will, because he'll have a Top 6 role and has the potential to excel in that role.

My list would be:

1. Sanheim
2. Morin
3. Ghost
4. Aube-Kubel
5. Laughton
6. Hagg
7. Stolarz
8. Leier
9. Alt
10. Cousins
- TheGreat28

Mix between NHL-readiness and potential, leaning more on the potential side. If I was going to do strictly potential, I would have about the same list as you with minor fluctuations.

I keep hearing about how much the Isles improved, but I don't get it. They got a backup goalie in Halak to be their starter. They brought a disgruntled player in Grabovski on board. Kulemin seems to get all these great accolades, but I don't think he's anything to write home about. The Penguins having a solid bottom-6 and a better defense is far more worrisome to me.
- jmatchett383

I thik Halak is an upgrade in goal.. especially seeing that Nabokov was hurt a lot. Also, just the return of a healthy Tavares will help. I think the Pens will win the Div as long as injuries don't hit them.

Mix between NHL-readiness and potential, leaning more on the potential side. If I was going to do strictly potential, I would have about the same list as you with minor fluctuations.
- NickTheKid87

Fair enough. I'm curious, but what do you think Laughton's role/future is?

Yup. Plus, if Morin is their best defenseman, than chances are they're going to struggle to make the playoffs so what's the point in rushing Morin in that case?
- NickTheKid87

no point really....MacEichel here we come!

5/6 of a fantastic card

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2...Cards&hash=item4ad961e9d6

Fair enough. I'm curious, but what do you think Laughton's role/future is?
- TheGreat28

Traded for unknown picks

i will say this....It is very nice to be ABLE to debate the merits of young talent sticking or being sent back....Regardless of their final decision, Its nice to have some real good young talent at least knocking at the door.....particullarly on the back end.

I thik Halak is an upgrade in goal.. especially seeing that Nabokov was hurt a lot. Also, just the return of a healthy Tavares will help. I think the Pens will win the Div as long as injuries don't hit them.
- Hextall271

I think Halak is an upgrade too. Tavares is back and Ryan Strome could emerge this season. I think they could end up with a better record than the Flyers. I think the Metropolitan is weak this year though.

Fair enough. I'm curious, but what do you think Laughton's role/future is?
- TheGreat28

Third line shutdown center who can play in the top 6 occasionally. Maybe 20 goals, 30 assists as the average offensive year in his prime. Maybe a Jarret Stoll type but with better goal scoring ability.

What is your criteria? Order that they will reach the NHL, or long-term future impact in the NHL?

If the latter, I would say Laughton slides down the list a little. I think the defensemen will end up having a bigger impact on the team. I also think A-K will, because he'll have a Top 6 role and has the potential to excel in that role.

My list would be:

1. Sanheim
2. Morin
3. Ghost
4. Aube-Kubel
5. Laughton
6. Hagg
7. Stolarz
8. Leier
9. Alt
10. Cousins
- TheGreat28

Not a bad prospect pool at all. Certainly an improvement over a few years ago. Amazing what can happen when picks aren't dealt away like Dunkin Donuts gift cards.

Have the Flyers jumped up in the overall NHL prospect rankings? I know they were towards the bottom of the league not long ago.

I think Halak is an upgrade too. Tavares is back and Ryan Strome could emerge this season. I think they could end up with a better record than the Flyers. I think the Metropolitan is weak this year though.
- NickTheKid87

Yep. If our forwards have banner years and Mason plays as well or better than last season, we could be ok. Otherwise, i see a healthy Isles team surpassing us.

5/6 of a fantastic card

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2...Cards&hash=item4ad961e9d6
- jmatchett383

"Which one of these is not like the other....."

Yep. If our forwards have banner years and Mason plays as well or better than last season, we could be ok. Otherwise, i see a healthy Isles team surpassing us.
- Hextall271

Maybe the Blue Jackets too although I don't know how this Johansen nonsense will affect the team.