Have to agree here, I think the Manning experiment is done with. Hate to make a decision based on 20 games, but he just is not an everyday top-6 defenseman. I don't know if Alt, or anyone else in the system, is the answer, but Manning has played more or less terribly.
- jmatchett383

I also do not know if alt is any type of answer. now is the time to find out or at some point he should get a nice look. see if he has any future role on this team.

Easy boy, I didn't say it was a problem or anything just saw him make a clear error in the way he defended and NHL player and the guy got right by him. It was almost embarrassing so hope he learns. I understand it will happen and probably needs to for him to be better.
- YuenglingJagr

He's a rookie defenseman playing is his 3rd NHL game. It's going to happen a few times. He's going to make a lot of mistakes. With this team in a transition year, it's not a bad time to try to get those mistakes out of the way and let him develop at the highest level.

I am wondering if he has heard anything about where Alt is in terms of being called up. I assumed ghost was up because it was streit who was injured. I like how Alt is playing and I like how the phantoms are playing.
- YuenglingJagr

I've only seen one Phantoms game and we don't have TOI stats, but they are sending MacDonald out there as often as possible in all situations. To me it's getting absurd that the Flyers aren't calling him up given how much their current defense has struggled with moving the puck by skating or passing.

The Manning experiment failed and we're just waiting for them to admit it.

I would have sat Gagner rather than Schenn. But they've pushed that button already so Hakstol pushed a different button. I didn't have a big problem with it. I just want to see Schenn respond with a string of good games.
- bmeltzer

I think sitting Vinny, Gagner and now Brayden is becoming way too easy. We're not seeing the top line getting shaken up, we're seeing it forced. For me, the difference between Brayden Schenn and any top 6 regular is they've been given a role and have stuck to their natural position. In a situation where the coach wanted to look at a young player such as Leier, I think I'd sat Raffl in favor of Schenn to shake up the top line. If I really wanted to make a statement, I'd sit Simmonds and have Schenn replace him with Couturier.

Now my next question is, how do you feel the forwards played on Saturday Night?

I was good with giving Manning a look this season, but I think he's had the look and he's not a part of the solution.

I was wondering why they would pair him with Ghost, but maybe that has to do with them being a pairing with the Phantoms.

He's a rookie defenseman playing is his 3rd NHL game. It's going to happen a few times. He's going to make a lot of mistakes. With this team in a transition year, it's not a bad time to try to get those mistakes out of the way and let him develop at the highest level.
- jmatchett383

is that the right approach? I myself not sure either way. he has only played a handful of pro games.

I was good with giving Manning a look this season, but I think he's had the look and he's not a part of the solution.

I was wondering why they would pair him with Ghost, but maybe that has to do with them being a pairing with the Phantoms.
- ManCity

I think they played together last year in the 5 games Ghost had.

This year MacDonald-Ghost has been the Phantoms top pairing.

He's a rookie defenseman playing is his 3rd NHL game. It's going to happen a few times. He's going to make a lot of mistakes. With this team in a transition year, it's not a bad time to try to get those mistakes out of the way and let him develop at the highest level.
- jmatchett383

Preaching to the choir

I've only seen one Phantoms game and we don't have TOI stats, but they are sending MacDonald out there as often as possible in all situations. To me it's getting absurd that the Flyers aren't calling him up given how much their current defense has struggled with moving the puck by skating or passing.

The Manning experiment failed and we're just waiting for them to admit it.
- Feanor

I completely agree. I think AMac is definitely a better NHLer than Alt. I believe AMac would have been called up if anyone but Streit was out long term. Seems that having Ghost on PP1 was a consideration when making the call. Alt I have just liked, and he played poorly, but seems to be back.

I prefer either over Manning. I'm fine with giving him a long look but I don't think it needs to happen all at once

is that the right approach? I myself not sure either way. he has only played a handful of pro games.
- rinaldo

I think that he needed the AHL games to get up to speed after his injury, but I also think that the NHL is the league he should be playing in. Also, he played against guys in the early- (and in some cases, mid-) 20's for 3 years as opposed to playing against 16-20 year olds before he turned pro. I don't think he'd have much trouble handling the AHL game, but he needs to show whether or not he can hang in the NHL. He's already better looking than Manning (again, not saying much) but I'm interested to see if he can improve and stick.

Also, really excited to see what happens when the can unleash a 1-timer from the point on the PP. For such a small guy, he has a cannon, and, more importantly, he gets it through.

I think that he needed the AHL games to get up to speed after his injury, but I also think that the NHL is the league he should be playing in. Also, he played against guys in the early- (and in some cases, mid-) 20's for 3 years as opposed to playing against 16-20 year olds before he turned pro. I don't think he'd have much trouble handling the AHL game, but he needs to show whether or not he can hang in the NHL. He's already better looking than Manning (again, not saying much) but I'm interested to see if he can improve and stick.

Also, really excited to see what happens when the can unleash a 1-timer from the point on the PP. For such a small guy, he has a cannon, and, more importantly, he gets it through.
- jmatchett383

Agreed. What can really stunt a guy'd development is if they lose confidence after a touch stretch of mistakes/games. Ghost however doesn't strike me as the type who will easily lose confidence.

Agreed. What can really stunt a guy'd development is if they lose confidence after a touch stretch of mistakes/games. Ghost however doesn't strike me as the type who will easily lose confidence.
- eayost

With respect to your concern, I think the worst thing they could do would be to healthy scratch him long-term/demote him if he has some bad games. Let him make his mistakes and try to learn from them. If he needs a game or 2 off, that's fine. But don't make him think he has to be change the way he plays to stick.

I think that he needed the AHL games to get up to speed after his injury, but I also think that the NHL is the league he should be playing in. Also, he played against guys in the early- (and in some cases, mid-) 20's for 3 years as opposed to playing against 16-20 year olds before he turned pro. I don't think he'd have much trouble handling the AHL game, but he needs to show whether or not he can hang in the NHL. He's already better looking than Manning (again, not saying much) but I'm interested to see if he can improve and stick.

Also, really excited to see what happens when the can unleash a 1-timer from the point on the PP. For such a small guy, he has a cannon, and, more importantly, he gets it through.
- jmatchett383

He is an impact player on the back end. Yes, his d-play might not be the best, but his offense has the ability to be game changing.

Unrelated to basically everything but who wore the other 'A' on Saturday?

- Feanor

When did our GM name himself starter for the Maple Leafs?

Thanks Bill. It was an interesting off season for the Flyers this past summer, and it will be another interesting one next summer; who stays, and who goes. However, your reports have been encouraging about the players that are coming up, and have made this season a little more endurable. I hope that we can see more players coming up to get a taste of playing at the NHL level, but I know that salary issues might come into play. Anyway, I hope that B Schenn takes to the wake up call, and improves his play. I like his size, and durability, but you would think that by now that his game would have evolved a little more. In addition, I am crossing my fingers for Leier, and his replacement of Read if it comes to that. Could you do an analysis of Read's play over his past few seasons Bill?

I've only seen one Phantoms game and we don't have TOI stats, but they are sending MacDonald out there as often as possible in all situations. To me it's getting absurd that the Flyers aren't calling him up given how much their current defense has struggled with moving the puck by skating or passing.

The Manning experiment failed and we're just waiting for them to admit it.
- Feanor

Yeah, it's really odd that MacDonald doesn't even seem to be on the radar. He's going to have 4 years left, and you'd figure they'd want to at least try to get him back up to rebuild his game or just be a better option than Manning.

Yeah, it's really odd that MacDonald doesn't even seem to be on the radar. He's going to have 4 years left, and you'd figure they'd want to at least try to get him back up to rebuild his game or just be a better option than Manning.
- Jsaquella

If you have legs, can skate somewhat, and can just stand in front of the goalie basically waving your stick back and forth on the ice, you're about on par with Manning.

Yeah, it's really odd that MacDonald doesn't even seem to be on the radar. He's going to have 4 years left, and you'd figure they'd want to at least try to get him back up to rebuild his game or just be a better option than Manning.
- Jsaquella

Or perhaps my theory has some merit: he got his big contract and he doesn't have the same committment to blocking shots and other aspects of the game anymore. At his best, he's a 4/5, so take away playing for a contract and.......??

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gagne, Ghost, Leier, Marody and More
- bmeltzer

I think the reason the scratches have stayed among Lecavalier, Gagner & Schenn(now) and have not extended to guys like Raffl, VandeVelde or Bellemare is that the first group of players are not very good two way players.

Raffl despite his scoring woes, is still a very solid two way forward. I think that give the choice, the coach would rather keep a guy who can fill in and be good on the PK

Or perhaps my theory has some merit: he got his big contract and he doesn't have the same committment to blocking shots and other aspects of the game anymore. At his best, he's a 4/5, so take away playing for a contract and.......??
- BiggE

BLAMMO!!!

Or perhaps my theory has some merit: he got his big contract and he doesn't have the same committment to blocking shots and other aspects of the game anymore. At his best, he's a 4/5, so take away playing for a contract and.......??
- BiggE

I don't-or didn't- see a lack of effort from MacDonald, I saw more mental mistakes or tentative play. Is it contract related? Perhaps. I do think he's a better option than Manning. He's probably a better option than Gudas or Schultz, as well.

I think the reason the scratches have stayed among Lecavalier, Gagner & Schenn(now) and have not extended to guys like Raffl, VandeVelde or Bellemare is that the first group of players are not very good two way players.

Raffl despite his scoring woes, is still a very solid two way forward. I think that give the choice, the coach would rather keep a guy who can fill in and be good on the PK
- Jsaquella

Without a doubt. Those players (Raffl, PEB, to a lesser extent VDV and White) give you the same solid effort game in, game out. And they are earning quite a bit less with different expectations.