Maybe you're undervaluing them.

6 of this, half dozen of the other.

We can't win this argument. I'm just saying that there was enough talent on that team to make the playoffs this season. I watched them. They even added some AHL vets to help. Most AHL teams are made up of younger 1st and 2nd year players. It's league wide. The competition wasn't over their head to the point they should have finished that low. The Flyers did things to put that team in a better position then it ended.

Point being, if you really watched that team for the season there wasn't a lot of places you could point to to find progress. That's not a good thing.
- mayorofangrytown

Was the watching preceded by the ingestion of foreign, somewhat dubious substances?

ehn... s'alright. Was full of fools.
- mayorofangrytown

Run! You fools.

Was the watching preceded by the ingestion of foreign, somewhat dubious substances?
- TheGreat28

Tremendous point. I'm sure that was it.

Tremendous point. I'm sure that was it.
- mayorofangrytown

haha...well, if you want a small moral victory, you've convinced me on Meier. I've watched some film on him, and I like him better than Rantanen, Zacha and Crouse.

Run! You fools.
- FlyersGrace

I've had zero carbs and zero alcohol for 36 hours with a full two weeks ahead of me. I can be tickled but not trifled with.

Maybe you're undervaluing them.

6 of this, half dozen of the other.

We can't win this argument. I'm just saying that there was enough talent on that team to make the playoffs this season. I watched them. They even added some AHL vets to help. Most AHL teams are made up of younger 1st and 2nd year players. It's league wide. The competition wasn't over there head to the point they should have finished that low. The Flyers did things to put that team in a better position then it ended.

Point being, if you really watched that team for the season there wasn't a lot of places you could point to to find progress. That's not a good thing.
- mayorofangrytown

In a vacuum, probably not.

On the bright side, according to this post (http://www.jewelsfromthec...pact-on-the-2008-09-kings), Murray is the Wally Pipp of NHL coaches, so the Lou Gehrig of the coaching fraternity can't be far for the Phantoms.

Im pretty sure I remember some comments about how the org was disappointed with how the Phantoms finished.
- jak521

People mocked Hextall for going out and signing a bunch of tweeners like VDV, Jones, Powe and Gordon, but he clearly valued winning at the AHL level. This season must have been a disappointment to him.

How many 1st year players in there? How many 2nd year players in there.

Not one with high-end offensive upside. Maybe Straka projects as a scoring winger, but he was always a high-risk player. Only Ghost and Hagg are candidates for Top 4 dmen. A goalie playing in his first year back in NA after a lifetime overseas.

I think you're really using some rose-colored glasses mate.
- TheGreat28

They had plenty of good, veteran AHL players. Look around the league. These teams aren't littered with 1st round picks and all stars.

I've had zero carbs and zero alcohol for 36 hours with a full two weeks ahead of me. I can be tickled but not trifled with.
- mayorofangrytown

No carbs at all? Because that seems severe and unhealthy.

He must have gotten tired from all that skating on the smaller ice surface.
- mayorofangrytown

He got tired from playing defense three times a week in a very physical league on an overmatched team without three older guys who were supposed to be ahead of him in the lineup: Ghost (missed 71 games), Alt (missed 32 games) and Manning (missed 16 games).

No carbs at all? Because that seems severe and unhealthy.
- bodiva88

The no booze sounds severe and unhealthy as well..... at least mentally unhealthy

Just watch the games and you'll be able to tell that the team needs a different voice. They were listless for much of the season and completely undisciplined. Some of his decisions on linemates and d partners was strange as well.
- PhillySportsGuy

I've said before the Phantoms need a new, hungry young coach to ride the buses with the kids. I draw the line at blaming Murray for Hagg's entirely expected transition difficulties and the regression of a marginal talent like Alderson.

No carbs at all? Because that seems severe and unhealthy.
- bodiva88

I've been stocking up on carbs for 50 yrs. It's doctor required so I'm dealing with it.

I'll admit that his defense really took a hit when Ghost and Alt went down, but he did have some talent to work with. Laughton, Akeson, Cousins, Gordon, Powe, Leier, Jones, Straka, Manning, Hagg, Zepp are all decent AHL players. Manning is a legit #1 Dman in the AHL. I think he led all players in PP points.
- PhillySportsGuy

Laughton, Jones and Powe all missed about half the AHL season, so they took a big hit up front as well. And VdV only played one AHL game.

The no booze sounds severe and unhealthy as well..... at least mentally unhealthy
- benjichronic

You should try falling asleep when you're used to having a drink or three before turning in. Worst thing of all of it. I need an ambien or something.

I've said before the Phantoms need a new, hungry young coach to ride the buses with the kids. I draw the line at blaming Murray for Hagg's entirely expected transition difficulties and the regression of a marginal talent like Alderson.
- Feanor

I don't blame him singularly for everything. I agree with you. I think they need a younger coach who can more easily connect with the players. Similarly to how John Stevens was for Richards and Carter in the AHL.

Laughton, Jones and Powe all missed about half the AHL season, so they took a big hit up front as well. And VdV only played one AHL game.
- Feanor

All AHL teams go through things like this though. It's not like the Flyers are the only team who calls up players due to injuries.

Even when the team was close to full strength, they still struggled. Zepp was the one who kept them in most games for the first half of the season.

You should try falling asleep when you're used to having a drink or three before turning in. Worst thing of all of it. I need an ambien or something.
- mayorofangrytown

I know how that is. Whenever I try taking a brief break from my favorite green substance, it's hard as hell to fall asleep at night.

You should try falling asleep when you're used to having a drink or three before turning in. Worst thing of all of it. I need an ambien or something.
- mayorofangrytown

You need better visualization techniques, preferably relaxing ones.
No one needs Hangry Moat.
Either way good luck!

You need better visualization techniques, preferably relaxing ones.
- FlyersGrace

It's all about meditation during those times. Really focusing on keeping your mind 100% clear, and relaxing your body. That can wear you out pretty quickly if you do it properly.

You need better visualization techniques, preferably relaxing ones.
No one needs Hangry Moat.
Either way good luck!
- FlyersGrace

It's not a big deal. If I had kept going to the Dr. instead of getting pissed he didn't keep his damn appointments and bailing I'd be fine today.

Lesson to all you aging stars out there. If you grow to hate your Dr find a new one and keep up with your maintenance. There's no telling the damage ignoring it can do to you while you're blissfully scarfing pizza and pasta.

I think blaming the Phantoms' problems on Terry Murray neglects the idea that the Flyers' prospect talent is firmly considered to be in the bottom third of the league.

http://www.hockeysfuture....m-rankings-2014-15/page/1

And that ranking might be generous.

I'm not saying Terry Murray is the second coming of Scott Bowman, but we might want to be careful that we were all expecting Terry Murray to turn chicken poop into chicken salad because you fell in love with the name of a random junior player the Flyers happened to draft (or, not draft in the case of Alderson) who you latched onto after watching 5 minutes of highlights on Youtube.
- johndewar

My personal views as posted are based on personally attending all but three Phantoms games in 14-15 plus 60+ games each of the five years in ADK.

Alderson has been lauded by many of you here and now, because of mg criticism of Terry Murray, he is a free agent afterthought? I find that amusing.

Haag's struggles were just as Bill has noted on many posts, inconsistency and poor decision making. Manning's numbers were inflated because he was pressed into more offensive role after Ghost's injury plus having g to absorb more minutes after the Alt injuries. I would expect Cousin's numbers to increase in his second pro year. I am not saying that Murray coaching was a nkn-factor

anybody have any thoughts on Terry Murray?
- BulliesPhan87

The thread is in a "bit of a choking situation."

Honestly, I think Timmy P is throwing darts at the board trying to get something to stick with Murray. No one had a clue Hakstol was even in the running for the head coaching job. Now after he is hired, someone within the inner circle is going to let out info. on potentially who will be Hakstol's lieutenants. I find that hard to believe.

Hiring Murray seems like an un-Hexy move IMO considering how this offseason has transpired.

People mocked Hextall for going out and signing a bunch of tweeners like VDV, Jones, Powe and Gordon, but he clearly valued winning at the AHL level. This season must have been a disappointment to him.
- PhillySportsGuy

VDV spent the majority of the year with the Flyers. Gordon is a legit tweener and should have been more of an offensive presence. Powe missed a good part of the second half due to injury. Zepp is a veteran with multiple DEL rings. He played better than anyone expected with the flyers. He should not be used as an excuse to accept the underperformance of the Phantoms.

My first question to all of you AHL "experts" is; how many other coaches would have sent out Zack Stortini on your top PP unit all freakin' year? That was Terry Murray's choice.