Absolutely; I think if the Flyers could just get him slotted properly at 16-18 minutes per night against weaker forwards...but that just isn't where they are right now.

For me, though, I think Del Zotto is still a Top 6 defenseman in the NHL. I don't know what he's like in the dressing room, what his practice habits are. But all I've seen in these seven games is a guy who plays with an offensive mindset, has a decent-enough stick, is an above-average skater, passes well.

His strength down low isn't tremendous, and his spatial awareness defensively isn't, either.

But I love how he reads offensive plays and creates chances. Maybe if the Flyers like him, he earns another deal, but I do think he's better than defensemen I've seen on a few other teams I've watched thus far.
- AllInForFlyers

The problem with MDZ is that at some point on most shifts he has to defend, and he is just awful at it. Weak positionally, physically and just all out bad in the D zone.

Mason's season thus far has been a like a pitcher with an unsightly ERA because of loose defense that doesn't get scored as an error. Of course, in hockey, there are only goals against, no such thing as an "unearned goal" or "savable save percentage" category.

Mason's stats this season are skewed because of the Devils and Dallas games -- and there was only one goal in those two games where he could be in any way blamed. He could be stealing a few more non-routine saves but he hasn't been nearly as much of a problem as the team D (or too frequent lack therof).

Emery was excellent in the Canadiens game but still allowed a three-spot in the third period through no fault of his own; much like Mason in Chicago in the first period. Emery was only tested twice -- one went in -- in his Dallas relief appearance. He was solid in Pittsburgh.
- bmeltzer

Mason hasn't been anywhere near as bad as his stats say-He hasn't allowed many soft goals and as the team points out in interviews, he's held them in a lot of games when they were not playing well in front of him.

That said, Mase hasn't been as sharp as he was during most of last season. The biggest concern there is his rebound control. He's got to do a better job there. He's also been caught cheating once or twice.

But complaining about Mason is like complaining that the lifeboat isn't as comfortable as the cruise ship that hit the iceberg and is sinking. He's doing his job, and nobody would care if the other parts of the equation were doing theirs.

So what's the deal with Alt? Called up and missed last night's game for no reason?

So Flyers won't carry a 7th guy for the next month?

With the puck on his stick, Del Zotto has brought a needed element and has been a definite upgrade. Without the puck, he has been a downgrade thus far.
- bmeltzer

Then again, there's very few players they could have brought in that would have not been a major downgrade from Kimmo in that department.

I like MDZ... his puck brazen carrying/creativity is something this team hasn't had since... Pitkanen year 1-2?

Maybe there isn't room long-term in a Berube system for a guy who freelances as much as he does... (or maybe there isn't room long-term here for Berube )... either way, I feel like he brings something special to the lineup that is sorely lacking. Overall, I've been really happy with him.

What's the general feeling on Sam Morin? When he does come over from the Q, what are people's thoughts on his future with the Flyers?

Granted he's a bBig kid but he's still working on his offense though. Any chance he's a better prospect than Ghost on the blueline?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

I think Sam is going to be a multi-year process but the hope is that he becomes a good two-way defenseman with a nasty edge. Good skater but still needs to smooth out his footwork. Tries to do too much at times and makes his share of mistakes. Hopefully, as he matures -- and that is going to take several more years -- he smooths some of the rough edges.

The organization is legitimately excited about Morin, Gostisbehere and Hagg (who has played quite well for the Phantoms in the early going of this season). However, there is a sneaking suspicion that Travis Sanheim may turn out to be the best of the bunch.

I talked recently to an NHL scout in Alberta who watched Sanheim all last season. The comparison player he selected was Duncan Keith. I asked him "In terms of style or upside?" He said both. Meanwhile, Craig Button has publicly gone on the record using Ryan McDonagh as his ceiling comparison player for Sanheim.

I tend to be conservative in projecting players, but I will say this: Flyers scouting director Chris Pryor said on draft day of Sanheim that he has the tools to be one of those rare 4s (Size, Skill, Speed, Sense) defensemen that everyone covets. He's still very early in that process, but the early signs are all positive ones.

What's the general feeling on Sam Morin? When he does come over from the Q, what are people's thoughts on his future with the Flyers?

Granted he's a bBig kid but he's still working on his offense though. Any chance he's a better prospect than Ghost on the blueline?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

I think Sam is going to be a multi-year process but the hope is that he becomes a good two-way defenseman with a nasty edge. Good skater but still needs to smooth out his footwork. Tries to do too much at times and makes his share of mistakes. Hopefully, as he matures -- and that is going to take several more years -- he smooths some of the rough edges.

The organization is legitimately excited about Morin, Gostisbehere and Hagg (who has played quite well for the Phantoms in the early going of this season). However, there is a sneaking suspicion that Travis Sanheim may turn out to be the best of the bunch.

I talked recently to an NHL scout in Alberta who watched Sanheim all last season. The comparison player he selected was Duncan Keith. I asked him "In terms of style or upside?" He said both. Meanwhile, Craig Button has publicly gone on the record using Ryan McDonagh as his ceiling comparison player for Sanheim.

I tend to be conservative in projecting players, but I will say this: Flyers scouting director Chris Pryor said on draft day of Sanheim that he has the tools to be one of those rare 4s (Size, Skill, Speed, Sense) defensemen that everyone covets. He's still very early in that process, but the early signs are all positive ones.

What's the general feeling on Sam Morin? When he does come over from the Q, what are people's thoughts on his future with the Flyers?

Granted he's a bBig kid but he's still working on his offense though. Any chance he's a better prospect than Ghost on the blueline?

Thanks!
- Aflacducky

It's hard to compare him to Gostisbehere. They're polar opposites.

Gostisbehere is a smallish, offensive defenseman. If forced to pick a comparison NHLer, I'd lean to Brian Campbell. He needs to work on his game in his own end and without the puck. He's never going to outmuscle guys, so he needs to be better positionally.

Morin's game is going to be based on being a physical guy. He's mobile for his size. He's strong, has great size and showed decent instincts with the puck during the short time he was with the Flyers. I've watched a few of his games in the Q and he's a man among boys a lot of the time. There are games where he's not as physical as he could be.

I think that both are good prospects, and I think both can be good solid NHLers or more. I could see Morin being like Braydon Coburn with a nasty streak.

His competitiveness level is average, IMO. He gets outmuscled at times but I don't think he gives up on plays.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for the response; that's what I think I've been seeing, as well.

So what's the deal with Alt? Called up and missed last night's game for no reason?
- jmatchett383

Was not recalled. Played last night for the Phantoms

CSN trying to cause a goalie controversy. Saying Mason's status as the #1 is unclear because Emery has won the only two games so far.
- MBFlyerfan

The D has been way below average but the problem is one goalie has been able to overcome and the other not so much. Yes Emery has two victories, one probably stolen from Mason but it evens out because Montreal could have easily become a win because of his play alone. In the end Emery's record is where it should be.

So Flyers won't carry a 7th guy for the next month?
- mochoson

They will probably either recall Manning or Alt or sign a free agent by the time they hit the road for Tuesday's game in Tampa. There will be a 7th guy when the hit the road.

It's hard to compare him to Gostisbehere. They're polar opposites.

Gostisbehere is a smallish, offensive defenseman. If forced to pick a comparison NHLer, I'd lean to Brian Campbell. He needs to work on his game in his own end and without the puck. He's never going to outmuscle guys, so he needs to be better positionally.

Morin's game is going to be based on being a physical guy. He's mobile for his size. He's strong, has great size and showed decent instincts with the puck during the short time he was with the Flyers. I've watched a few of his games in the Q and he's a man among boys a lot of the time. There are games where he's not as physical as he could be.

I think that both are good prospects, and I think both can be good solid NHLers or more. I could see Morin being like Braydon Coburn with a nasty streak.
- Jsaquella

If Ghost becomes Brian Campbell, as a third-round pick, that's an effing home run, upper deck

The problem with MDZ is that at some point on most shifts he has to defend, and he is just awful at it. Weak positionally, physically and just all out bad in the D zone.
- BiggE

Id say thats that's a bit of an over exaggeration. Positionally I don't think he's too bad. He definitely gets out muscled and doesn't have a crazy good stick, but I certainly think he defends well enough to be in our top six. The other elements of his game are much more valuable, obviously.

For being on his third team/coach in a calendar year and going most of the summer unsigned (can't be an easy thing to go through mentally), he's actually exceeded my expectations some what. He's more or less right where I thought he'd be, but I think he can only get better from here. He has some little things in his game to clean up, but overall I'm glad he's here thus far.

They will probably either recall Manning or Alt or sign a free agent by the time they hit the road for Tuesday's game in Tampa. There will be a 7th guy when the hit the road.
- Jsaquella

Unless Ryan Whitney found the Fountain of Youth and it gave him two new legs, I sure hope it isn't him -- that guy looked done-like-dinner to me...two seasons ago

It's hard to compare him to Gostisbehere. They're polar opposites.

Gostisbehere is a smallish, offensive defenseman. If forced to pick a comparison NHLer, I'd lean to Brian Campbell. He needs to work on his game in his own end and without the puck. He's never going to outmuscle guys, so he needs to be better positionally.

Morin's game is going to be based on being a physical guy. He's mobile for his size. He's strong, has great size and showed decent instincts with the puck during the short time he was with the Flyers. I've watched a few of his games in the Q and he's a man among boys a lot of the time. There are games where he's not as physical as he could be.

I think that both are good prospects, and I think both can be good solid NHLers or more. I could see Morin being like Braydon Coburn with a nasty streak.
- Jsaquella

Collecting all of their strengths and weaknesses, I'd really like to know how the pairs could shape out as with Morin, Sanheim, Hagg and Gostisbehere. Who best compliments who.

They will probably either recall Manning or Alt or sign a free agent by the time they hit the road for Tuesday's game in Tampa. There will be a 7th guy when the hit the road.
- Jsaquella

I'm all for either bringing up Manning or giving Derek Morris a call. I'm good on Coliacavo and Salo I think.

Unless Ryan Whitney found the Fountain of Youth and it gave him two new legs, I sure hope it isn't him -- that guy looked done-like-dinner to me...two seasons ago
- AllInForFlyers

I thought he just signed w/ HK Sochi?

Great, thanks for the insights!

It doesn't look great on the blueline but hopefully some players will step it up and give better support to Mason. Always felt that he was given the short end of the stick after his incredible rookie season put too much expectations on him to carry, what was fundamentally, a tier-2 team.

I thought he just signed w/ HK Sochi?
- Tomahawk

I read this a.m. on Philly.com that he's got an out for an NHL offer, but they couldn't confirm whether the Flyers truly had interest. He was reportedly in Russia as of last night, IIRC

Collecting all of their strengths and weaknesses, I'd really like to know how the pairs could shape out as with Morin, Sanheim, Hagg and Gostisbehere. Who best compliments who.
- SuperSchennBros

I'd think that Ghost/Morin could one day be a very nice 2nd pair. Sanheim could be a #1. Hagg look like a 5/6 type.

Was not recalled. Played last night for the Phantoms
- Jsaquella

Ah. Just saw that. Assist, +2 (Hagg assist +1). Same stat line as Zack "I like to punch people for a living" Stortini.

So what's the deal with Alt? Called up and missed last night's game for no reason?
- jmatchett383

He played last night. Had a good game, too. See Phantoms section of today's blog.

Apparently its a good thing AMac is out.

http://www.letsgoflyers.n...y-a-blessing-in-disguise/

I think Sam is going to be a multi-year process but the hope is that he becomes a good two-way defenseman with a nasty edge. Good skater but still needs to smooth out his footwork. Tries to do too much at times and makes his share of mistakes. Hopefully, as he matures -- and that is going to take several more years -- he smooths some of the rough edges.

The organization is legitimately excited about Morin, Gostisbehere and Hagg (who has played quite well for the Phantoms in the early going of this season). However, there is a sneaking suspicion that Travis Sanheim may turn out to be the best of the bunch.

I talked recently to an NHL scout in Alberta who watched Sanheim all last season. The comparison player he selected was Duncan Keith. I asked him "In terms of style or upside?" He said both. Meanwhile, Craig Button has publicly gone on the record using Ryan McDonagh as his ceiling comparison player for Sanheim.

I tend to be conservative in projecting players, but I will say this: Flyers scouting director Chris Pryor said on draft day of Sanheim that he has the tools to be one of those rare 4s (Size, Skill, Speed, Sense) defensemen that everyone covets. He's still very early in that process, but the early signs are all positive ones.
- bmeltzer

i've watched Sanheim's games this year and I believe he is absolutely the best d prospect. It's rare when he's not the best player on the ice for either team when Calgary plays.

Last night was a strange case. Calgary scored 9 goals and he didn't factor in any of them. I think Fazleev finished with a goal and 2 assists.