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.
- ravishingone

I thought it was all going to be up to Hakstol regardless. If anything I hope they keep Joey Mullen.

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

Desperate times call for desperate measures
- benjichronic

Also makes for a 4 day weekend, even if he doesnt walk

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
- AHLTraveler

He's such a good coach. I mean who else could have a Stanley cup winning squad on a leaguewide low scoring pace until his firing in December

I thought it was all going to be up to Hakstol regardless. If anything I hope they keep Joey Mullen.
- aightwebang17

I believe Mullen and Murphy (in that order) have the best chance of being retained. Mullen's track record is pretty well proven on the PP. Murphy did an underrated job last year of getting guys on the scrap heap (MDZ, Schultz, Carlo) to out perform expectations. Also, I think Streit had a very good year as a second pairing dman.

I just don't see Murray being hired, honestly.

Terry Murray's bad points

1. Rotten pool player
2. Rotten bowler
3. Rotten coronet player
4. Can't speak French
5. Doesn't pay his debts
- Scoob

Oh well, it made me laugh. Must not be any Honeymooners fans up in here.

Oh well, it made me laugh. Must not be any Honeymooners fans up in here.
- Scoob

I wasn't born yet, back in the times before color was invented.

Oh well, it made me laugh. Must not be any Honeymooners fans up in here.
- Scoob

You're a riot, Alice. You're a regular riot

Button's top 50. Interesting order.


1 Connor McDavid Erie (OHL) C 6'0 195 47 44 120
2 Jack Eichel Boston U (NCAA) C 6'2 195 41 26 71
3 Dylan Strome Erie (OHL) C 6'3 187 68 45 129
4 Mitch Marner London (OHL) RW 5'11 160 63 44 126
5 Ivan Provorov Brandon (WHL) D 6'0 193 60 15 61
6 Kyle Connor Youngstown (USHL) LW/C 6'1 170 56 34 80
7 Zach Werenski Michigan (NCAA) D 6'1 201 35 9 25
8 Timo Meier Halifax (QMJHL) RW 6'1 208 61 44 90
9 Brock Boeser Waterloo (USHL) RW 6'0 187 57 35 68
10 Lawson Crouse Kingston (OHL) LW 6'4 211 56 29 51
11 Nick Merkley Kelowna (WHL) C/RW 5'10 188 72 20 90
12 Noah Hanifin Boston C (NCAA) D 6'2 201 37 5 23
13 Joel Eriksson Ek Farjestad (SHL) C 6'1 180 34 4 6
14 Ilya Samsonov Magnitorgorsk (MHL) G 6'3 203 18 2.66 2
15 Mathew Barzal Seattle (WHL) C 5'11 178 44 12 57
16 Mikko Rantanen TPS (SM Liiga) RW 6'3 211 56 9 28
17 Evgeni Svechnikov Cape Breton (QMJHL) RW 6'1 180 55 32 78
18 Anthony Beauvillier Shawinigan (QMJHL) C/LW 5'10 171 67 42 94
19 Thomas Chabot Saint John (QMJHL) D 6'1 181 66 12 41
20 Denis Guryanov Togilatti 2 (MHL) RW 6'2 183 23 15 25
21 Jake Debrusk Swift Current (WHL) LW 5'11 171 72 42 81
22 Jacob Larsson Frolunda (Swe-J20) D 6'2 191 20 1 3
23 Jansen Harkins Prince George (WHL) C 6'0 181 70 20 79
24 Pavel Zacha Sarnia (OHL) C 6'3 210 37 16 34
25 M. Vande Sompel Oshawa (OHL) D 5'10 182 58 12 63
26 Jakub Zboril Saint John (QMJHL) D 6'0 184 44 13 33
27 Jérémy Roy Sherbrooke (QMJHL) D 5'11 189 46 5 43
28 Jack Roslovic USA NTDP (USHL) C/RW 6'0 182 65 27 67
29 Thomas Novak Waterloo (USHL) C 6'0 174 46 14 48
30 Erik Foley Cedar Rapids (USHL) LW 5'11 185 55 27 52
31 Rasmus Andersson Barrie (OHL) D 6'0 210 67 12 64
32 Colin White USA NTDP (USHL) C 6'0 183 54 23 54
33 Travis Konecny Ottawa (OHL) RW 5'9 173 60 29 68
34 Denis Malgin Zurich (Swiss A) C 5'8 163 23 2 8
35 Paul Bittner Portland (WHL) LW 6'4 206 66 34 71
36 Nicolas Meloche Baie Comeau (QMJHL) D 6'2 199 44 10 34
37 Vladislav Gavrikov Lokomotiv (KHL) D 6'2 205 16 0 1
38 Daniel Sprong Charlottetown (QMJHL) RW 6'1 189 68 39 88
39 Gustav Bouramman Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) D 5'11 184 67 5 44
40 Travis Dermott Erie (OHL) D 5'11 197 61 8 43
41 Noah Juulsen Everett (WHL) D 6'1 175 68 9 52
42 Christian Fischer USA NTDP (USHL) RW 6'1 212 66 31 64
43 Conor Garland Moncton (QMJHL) RW 5'8 163 67 35 129
44 Andrew Mangiapane Barrie (OHL) RW 5'10 170 68 43 104
45 Mitchell Stephens Saginaw (OHL) C/RW 5'11 188 62 22 48
46 Filip Chlapik Charlottetown (QMJHL) C 6'0 194 64 33 75
47 Oliver Kylington Farjestad (SHL) D 6'0 180 18 2 5
48 Felix Sandström Brynas Jr. (Swe-J20) G 6'2 191 8 2.19 0
49 Zachary Senyshyn S. S. Marie (OHL) RW 6'1 192 66 26 45
50 Sebastian Aho Karpat (SM Liiga) RW 5'11 172 27 4 11

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
- AHLTraveler

I saw Alderson in Reading a bit and he stood at his point covering the D man and not moving that much. (Of course I am not crazy about coach Courvilles systems for coverage and his slower than molasses breakouts exposing players to hits on the boards.)Alderson- he was sort of like Frank Mahovolich waiting up ice for a pass right on his stick. Later in the season he played with motion ( feet moving) purpose and desire. He always took the body in the E, and showed skill at all points if not "hunger". I was on vacation and only saw the first playoff game so I cant comment. Sometimes these AHL players in the E are just mailing it in. And what do you think of Adam Comrie, who was a significant minus player in the A this year

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.
- AHLTraveler

I'm on your side god damnit!

Button's top 50. Interesting order.


1 Connor McDavid Erie (OHL) C 6'0 195 47 44 120
2 Jack Eichel Boston U (NCAA) C 6'2 195 41 26 71
3 Dylan Strome Erie (OHL) C 6'3 187 68 45 129
4 Mitch Marner London (OHL) RW 5'11 160 63 44 126
5 Ivan Provorov Brandon (WHL) D 6'0 193 60 15 61
6 Kyle Connor Youngstown (USHL) LW/C 6'1 170 56 34 80
7 Zach Werenski Michigan (NCAA) D 6'1 201 35 9 25
8 Timo Meier Halifax (QMJHL) RW 6'1 208 61 44 90
9 Brock Boeser Waterloo (USHL) RW 6'0 187 57 35 68
10 Lawson Crouse Kingston (OHL) LW 6'4 211 56 29 51
11 Nick Merkley Kelowna (WHL) C/RW 5'10 188 72 20 90
12 Noah Hanifin Boston C (NCAA) D 6'2 201 37 5 23
13 Joel Eriksson Ek Farjestad (SHL) C 6'1 180 34 4 6
14 Ilya Samsonov Magnitorgorsk (MHL) G 6'3 203 18 2.66 2
15 Mathew Barzal Seattle (WHL) C 5'11 178 44 12 57
16 Mikko Rantanen TPS (SM Liiga) RW 6'3 211 56 9 28
17 Evgeni Svechnikov Cape Breton (QMJHL) RW 6'1 180 55 32 78
18 Anthony Beauvillier Shawinigan (QMJHL) C/LW 5'10 171 67 42 94
19 Thomas Chabot Saint John (QMJHL) D 6'1 181 66 12 41
20 Denis Guryanov Togilatti 2 (MHL) RW 6'2 183 23 15 25
21 Jake Debrusk Swift Current (WHL) LW 5'11 171 72 42 81
22 Jacob Larsson Frolunda (Swe-J20) D 6'2 191 20 1 3
23 Jansen Harkins Prince George (WHL) C 6'0 181 70 20 79
24 Pavel Zacha Sarnia (OHL) C 6'3 210 37 16 34
25 M. Vande Sompel Oshawa (OHL) D 5'10 182 58 12 63
26 Jakub Zboril Saint John (QMJHL) D 6'0 184 44 13 33
27 Jérémy Roy Sherbrooke (QMJHL) D 5'11 189 46 5 43
28 Jack Roslovic USA NTDP (USHL) C/RW 6'0 182 65 27 67
29 Thomas Novak Waterloo (USHL) C 6'0 174 46 14 48
30 Erik Foley Cedar Rapids (USHL) LW 5'11 185 55 27 52
31 Rasmus Andersson Barrie (OHL) D 6'0 210 67 12 64
32 Colin White USA NTDP (USHL) C 6'0 183 54 23 54
33 Travis Konecny Ottawa (OHL) RW 5'9 173 60 29 68
34 Denis Malgin Zurich (Swiss A) C 5'8 163 23 2 8
35 Paul Bittner Portland (WHL) LW 6'4 206 66 34 71
36 Nicolas Meloche Baie Comeau (QMJHL) D 6'2 199 44 10 34
37 Vladislav Gavrikov Lokomotiv (KHL) D 6'2 205 16 0 1
38 Daniel Sprong Charlottetown (QMJHL) RW 6'1 189 68 39 88
39 Gustav Bouramman Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) D 5'11 184 67 5 44
40 Travis Dermott Erie (OHL) D 5'11 197 61 8 43
41 Noah Juulsen Everett (WHL) D 6'1 175 68 9 52
42 Christian Fischer USA NTDP (USHL) RW 6'1 212 66 31 64
43 Conor Garland Moncton (QMJHL) RW 5'8 163 67 35 129
44 Andrew Mangiapane Barrie (OHL) RW 5'10 170 68 43 104
45 Mitchell Stephens Saginaw (OHL) C/RW 5'11 188 62 22 48
46 Filip Chlapik Charlottetown (QMJHL) C 6'0 194 64 33 75
47 Oliver Kylington Farjestad (SHL) D 6'0 180 18 2 5
48 Felix Sandström Brynas Jr. (Swe-J20) G 6'2 191 8 2.19 0
49 Zachary Senyshyn S. S. Marie (OHL) RW 6'1 192 66 26 45
50 Sebastian Aho Karpat (SM Liiga) RW 5'11 172 27 4 11
- J35Bacher

I just can't see Hanifin as the third rated dman and out of the top 10 prospects in this draft. I believe he gets dinged way too much for only have a steady improvement this year as opposed to some meteoric rise compared to other prospects above him.

I wasn't born yet, back in the times before color was invented.
- BulliesPhan87

It ended long before I was born. I just happen to recognize good comedy.

Button's top 50. Interesting order.

...12 Noah Hanifin Boston C (NCAA) D 6'2 201 37 5 23
- J35Bacher

I'd have to nab Hanifin at 7 if he drops.

It ended long before I was born. I just happen to recognize good comedy.
- Scoob

oh ish

He's such a good coach. I mean who else could have a Stanley cup winning squad on a leaguewide low scoring pace until his firing in December
- Just5

That Stanley Cup winning squad finished the regular season at 29th in scoring, so changing coaches hardly ignited the offense. Their goals per game went from 2.24 per game under Murray, to 2.32 under Sutter.

Am I the only one who think hextall should test the waters on what pulkinnen and baertschi would cost ? Both teams looking to get bigger and younger on d (l schenn + 2nd or 3rd rounder?)

Regards to the draft I've seen several thinking provorov could be the most pro ready defenseman. I'm a believer in best player available. Wouldn't it be him at 7 if he's there ? If he's off the board two way forward crouse could be instant third line left wing but meh projects as a 20/20 defensive oriented power forward doesn't overly appeal to me. Better off taking chance on barzal meier etc imo. I don't know if anyone knows what hextall truly thinking.

That Stanley Cup winning squad finished the regular season at 29th in scoring, so changing coaches hardly ignited the offense. Their goals per game went from 2.24 per game under Murray, to 2.32 under Sutter.
- Feanor

Also helped that Quick played out of his mind in those playoffs if I remember correctly.

Am I the only one who think hextall should test the waters on what pulkinnen and baertschi would cost ? Both teams looking to get bigger and younger on d (l schenn + 2nd or 3rd rounder?)

Regards to the draft I've seen several thinking provorov could be the most pro ready defenseman. I'm a believer in best player available. Wouldn't it be him at 7 if he's there ? If he's off the board two way forward crouse could be instant third line left wing but meh projects as a 20/20 defensive oriented power forward doesn't overly appeal to me. Better off taking chance on barzal meier etc imo. I don't know if anyone knows what hextall truly thinking.
- Tfaehner

I have a feeling nothing is off the table with Hextall. He plays everything so tight lipped that we have no clue what he is checking on.

I have a feeling nothing is off the table with Hextall. He plays everything so tight lipped that we have no clue what he is checking on.
- J35Bacher

I say let the man work his magic. I don't care if he tells us his exact plan, or if he says absolutely nothing until after a deal is done, I say let him do his thing.

Also helped that Quick played out of his mind in those playoffs if I remember correctly.
- J35Bacher

Yes, but it was the extra 0.08 goals per game that Sutter coaxed out the 11-12 Kings in the regular season that proves what a bad coach Terry Murray was.

Yes, but it was the extra 0.08 goals per game that Sutter coaxed out the 11-12 Kings in the regular season that proves what a bad coach Terry Murray was.
- Feanor

Murray's three years in LA prior to being poopcanned in 2011-2012 were:

Missed playoffs
Lost in first round
Lost in first round

Sutter comes in, and they win 2 Cups in 3 years.
Conclusion: Murray laid the groundwork for success.

That Stanley Cup winning squad finished the regular season at 29th in scoring, so changing coaches hardly ignited the offense. Their goals per game went from 2.24 per game under Murray, to 2.32 under Sutter.
- Feanor

That 2.32, is that just during Sutter's time, or is that how they ended the full season?

Well, I answered part of my own question, it's not how they ended the season, and it also makes me wonder how you got your number.

194 GF
82 G
2.37 gpg

So if under Murray they were 2.24 (I haven't verified that) they couldn't have been 2.32 under Sutter. That math doesn't work. They would have to be somewhere north of 2.37 under Sutter to end the year at 2.37.

Assuming your 2.24 is correct, that means to end at 2.37 they had to be 2.43 under Sutter.

The most interesting aspect of Murray being promoted to the big club has nothing to do with Murray.

It would be if Cote becomes head coach of the Phantoms.

I'd have to nab Hanifin at 7 if he drops.
- 77rams

Ditto