I think Stortini has also got considerable PP time.

I accepted Bill's point from a few weeks ago about what a good presence Stortini is to have around the team, but the amount of quality ice time has has been getting still puzzles me.
- Feanor

If he a Dave Semenko type, who's out with top players to ensure there's no funny business?

Hall, White, VDV, Jones, Metropolit, Dowd, Holmstrom, Powe, Betts... really not much separating any of them.
- Tomahawk

I actually thought Betts and Metropolit were pretty good. Certainly better then some of the names you threw up there with them.

Would you trade Umberger for Mike Richards?
Would you trade VL for Mike Richards?
- jmatchett383

No his contract goes on till 2020 at $5.75 million.

But I would take Richards on Vinny's contract or Richards on Umberger's contract in a heartbeat.

No his contract goes on till 2020 at $5.75 million.

But I would take Richards on Vinny's contract or Richards on Umberger's contract in a heartbeat.
- Feanor

Exactly.

No his contract goes on till 2020 at $5.75 million.

But I would take Richards on Vinny's contract or Richards on Umberger's contract in a heartbeat.
- Feanor

I know. But I was just curious if you'd do the deal if LA wanted a 1-1 for cap space. Although I think they'd prefer Umberger over VL since he'd fit their style better.

I think Stortini has also got considerable PP time.

I accepted Bill's point from a few weeks ago about what a good presence Stortini is to have around the team, but the amount of quality ice time he has been getting still puzzles me.
- Feanor

Apparently, Cousins is quite a little yapper and things escalate very quickly in the AHL. He may be out there to make sure no one takes a run at Cousins.

I'm not as concerned with the Phantoms winning games as much as developing players and I don't think it's hurting Cousins development. His line generates chances on a pretty consistent level.

I still wouldn't mind seeing them move Alderson up and try him with Cousins and Straka. It would give that line some balance.

I don't think it's score effects. I think Kimmo was the only dman we had capable of having a CF% over 50% while playing against other teams top lines.
- Feanor

Think the DET, FLA(1) and TB games really skewed the numbers.

And his CF% in the those seven games is 47.6%. In the first seven games when he was playing easy minutes it was 54%. That's a huge drop.
- Feanor

Team CF was like 43% or something during the run... he's still well above that.

Apparently, Cousins is quite a little yapper and things escalate very quickly in the AHL. He may be out there to make sure no one takes a run at Cousins.

I'm not as concerned with the Phantoms winning games as much as developing players and I don't think it's hurting Cousins development. His line generates chances on a pretty consistent level.

I still wouldn't mind seeing them move Alderson up and try him with Cousins and Straka. It would give that line some balance.
- PhillySportsGuy

Nonsense.

Apparently, Cousins is quite a little yapper and things escalate very quickly in the AHL. He may be out there to make sure no one takes a run at Cousins.
- PhillySportsGuy

That's fine, since Goulbourne isn't in the AHL to do that job yet.

But surely Cousins isn't that much of a wiener he needs protection on the Powerplay?

I actually thought Betts and Metropolit were pretty good. Certainly better then some of the names you threw up there with them.
- PhillySportsGuy

You're right about Metro... guy could actually play. Betts... meh.

Phantoms team scoring leader Nick Cousins wants to know why he's not on this list.
- johndewar

Still has to work on his skating -- keeping his feet moving at all times and avoiding "glide mode" -- and occasional defensive lapses. Otherwise, he's on the right track now.

Nonsense.


- jmatchett383

Lol.

I love how he slashes him THEN throws his gloves down like he's ready to fight.

Lol.

I love how he slashes him THEN throws his gloves down like he's ready to fight.
- PhillySportsGuy

Truculence knows no bounds.

Lol.

I love how he slashes him THEN throws his gloves down like he's ready to fight.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, at least no one threw a banana at him.

That's fine, since Goulbourne isn't in the AHL to do that job yet.

But surely Cousins isn't that much of a wiener he needs protection on the Powerplay?
- Feanor

I'm not sure why they use Stortini on the PP. I guess it's because they don't really have a net front guy. I certainly wouldn't be using him in that spot, but what do I know?

Edit: I think another thing about Stortini is that he's a veteran and keeps Cousins in line. I think Murray likes him with Cousins more for the mental aspects than the physical aspects.

I'm not sure why they use Stortini on the PP. I guess it's because they don't really have a net front guy. I certainly wouldn't be using him in that spot, but what do I know?
- PhillySportsGuy

They could just grab Jon Scott and use him as a net-front guy during the 4 games/season he's not suspended.

You're right about Metro... guy could actually play. Betts... meh.
- Tomahawk

That Lappy-Betts-Carcillo line was pretty good. They could handle minutes against top lines. Wouldn't it be nice to have a 4th line now that could do that?

Edit: Wouldn't it be nice if we had a 3rd or 4th line that could do that?

I think Stortini has also got considerable PP time.

I accepted Bill's point from a few weeks ago about what a good presence Stortini is to have around the team, but the amount of quality ice time he has been getting still puzzles me.
- Feanor

Within the pantheon of brainless knuckle-chuckers, Stortini is actually relatively skilled. And they have so few legit F prospects down there, it's not like he's stealing icetime from anybody important (son of Hextall notwithstanding).

Players that have great chemistry together, produce at least something. So that's overstating it. Would you expect Bellemare to say that he doesn't like playing with any player? So I would completely discount that, as any evidence.

And it does remain to be seen how much chemistry Simmonds can build with Giroux and Voracek, and if he can adjust to LW.
- MJL

He doesn't have to say anything at all. Have you heard anyone say they Like playing with umberger? I seriously question your hockey iq if you think moving Bellemare to the wing is a good idea right now. He is doing tremendous work at center no matter what garbage they try and saddle him with. What is your 4th line if you'd like to see raffl/vinny/PEB? Why hadn't berube at least experimented with that trio if it's such an interesting combination? Putting PEB and raffl on the wings on the same line isn't the recipe to best utilize their abilities IMO. One of them needs to center this team

Think the DET, FLA(1) and TB games really skewed the numbers.

- Tomahawk

The Flyers out shot attempted TB, and Florida in Florida.

http://www.naturalstattri...games.php?team=PHI&sit=ev

The Detroit game was a terrible one for the defense, as was the Montreal game. I don't think either one skews the numbers. They just reflect the reality of how bad they played.

The Flyers out shot attempted TB, and Florida in Florida.

http://www.naturalstattri...games.php?team=PHI&sit=ev
- Feanor

I'll out-shot-attempt you.

Edit: Wouldn't it be nice if we had a 3rd or 4th line that could do that?
- PhillySportsGuy

Drop Umburgler to 4C and it could happen.

Within the pantheon of brainless knuckle-chuckers, Stortini is actually relatively skilled. And they have so few legit F prospects down there, it's not like he's stealing icetime from anybody important (son of Hextall notwithstanding).


- Tomahawk

I think they underutilize Alderson a bit.

I'm not a huge proponent of the intangibles category, but I think Stortini does help Cousins stay more focused. Cousins reminds me a bit of Downie, but a little smaller and more skilled.

Drop Umburgler to 4C and it could happen.
- Tomahawk

I've wanted them to do that from the 1st game of the season.

Drop Umburgler to 4C and it could happen.
- Tomahawk

I'm not 100% opposed to this. But I really like PEB's speed to get in on the forecheck at that 4C spot.