If Winnipeg comes calling about Neuvirth now that Pavelec is gone for a couple months. Do you make a deal? Don't know if it is made into a larger deal, but they expect to make playoffs. Neuvirth is better than Pavelec IMO.
- 3flyerkids

Depends on the offer. The Jets have a couple of really good prospects and Hutchinson has been solid when called upon. Don't see a need for the Jets to trade much for Neuvirth or another goalie right now

"If Winnipeg comes calling about Neuvirth now that Pavelec is gone for a couple months. Do you make a deal? Don't know if it is made into a larger deal, but they expect to make playoffs. Neuvirth is better than Pavelec IMO. "

Oh-Oh, this is sounding like another Big Buff scenario. Don't let EK read this
- DaveofYork

Not unless Hutchinson goes down as well.

I'm like everyone else, I'd love to see Voracek with Couturier, and the reigns loosened up on Couturier. I also understand what Hakstol is trying to do. The Couturier line as it stands is a solid possession line, so he's trying to make the team into more than a 2 line team.

I think Bellemare can keep up with Jake, it's not ideal, but not so much with VdV
- Marc D

Would like to see Bellemare get more ice time, or given a larger role.
His speed, & hustle stands out.

Would like to see Bellemare get more ice time, or given a larger role.
His speed, & hustle stands out.
- puckhead17

The guy is relentless on the puck.

Would like to see Bellemare get more ice time, or given a larger role.
His speed, & hustle stands out.
- puckhead17

I would let him have a shot at 2nd Centre. He works his butt off every shift and is noticeable. He's got good hands too!

Sarcasm aside, when a young player clearly shows he's able to play at the NHL level, obviously you keep him up if you are able.

FWIW, Gostisbehere still has warts to his game, but at this point, he's probably more helped by playing at the NHL level than the AHL. Most expected him to be ready by mid season, injuries rushed the time table a bit.

Doesn't mean Straka or Cousins comes in and plays great. We saw Cousins last year, after being a productive AHLer, he simply couldn't score at the NHL level.
- Jsaquella

When they are better than what's out there, imo, it's time to let them play here. With things being the way they are, I don't see the harm letting them learn on the job.

I would let him have a shot at 2nd Centre. He works his butt off every shift and is noticeable. He's got good hands too!
- 3flyerkids

Or possibly 3rd line shadow, shutdown role.
Even thought of him on top line LW, or LW opposite Simmonds.
He seems like a possibility for many different roles, but,ore ice them is a definite!

When they are better than what's out there, imo, it's time to let them play here. With things being the way they are, I don't see the harm letting them learn on the job.
- JoeRussomanno

Can't confuse being more talented, with being better currently as a player. You can do a lot of harm to a young player by putting them into a situation they're not ready for.

When they are better than what's out there, imo, it's time to let them play here. With things being the way they are, I don't see the harm letting them learn on the job.
- JoeRussomanno

Was thinking the same when they mentioned Hanifin, and "this is the bast way to learn", line.
Every organization is different, Detroit is one to let players marinate in the lower levels to be sure, (as an example).

Or possibly 3rd line shadow, shutdown role.
Even thought of him on top line LW, or LW opposite Simmonds.
He seems like a possibility for many different roles, but,ore ice them is a definite!
- puckhead17

He just simply deserves my ice. The coach has to find ways to get him out there

we're never going to develop any young players by bringing them up to the big squad when they play better than the guys already there. They're going to learn bad habits, like scoring goals! Flyer defensemen don't score goals! No, Sir!

Now how is Ghost ever going to appreciate a promotion to the Cote suite like so many others before him! Hextall has lost his mind! just last year Ghost missed most of the season and right before tgat while he was up here, the consensus was he needed time to develop! Have to stay the course keep him in minors!

certainly looks like their decision is paying off

Entertaining game. That's all I ask for at this point. I know they are not good enough to win most nights. Just want to be entertained.

Ghost is great. Maybe they should put him in the slot on the powerplay? haha

The guy is relentless on the puck.
- MJL

Is he playing "Boldly"?

Some observations from last nights game:

I was mildly surprised at how many empty seats/no shows there were, especially on a night when they were honoring a player as popular as Brind'amour.

Congrats again to Brind'amour, he gave a great speech. This came as no surprise as he was always one of the classiest players both on and off the ice.

The Flyers played pretty well for most of the 2nd period and on and off during the 1st. However, they completely stopped skating during the 3rd. They were lucky that Carolina decided not to bother to show up until the 3rd period. It sadly seemed like a case of a bad team beating a worse one last night.

I thought both Giroux and Couturier had strong games and Bellemare, as usual, played his role very well. Two forwards who really showed me nothing last night were Simmonds and Raffl, the Flyers need more from those 2. Also Read didn't show much either. Voracek and B. Schenn were solid and the rest were ok.

The D looks even worse in person. Gudas seems to be constantly out of position chasing hits and I can't even count how many times he and Del Zotto ended up in the same corner in their own zone. Manning is a #7 at best and Schultz wasn't terrible, but he just seems to do nothing particularly well. Luke Schenn looked so-so, and that's probably as much as you are going to get from him. Ghost made a sweet play on the GWG and also made some very nice passes that the Flyers stone hand forwards often flubbed. He made a few mistakes in the D zone here and there, but overall he looked pretty good and he definitely belongs in the NHL.

Lastly, Neuvirth had a very strong game. He made a couple of fantastic saves in the 3rd and kept them alive and able to make it to OT.

I would let him have a shot at 2nd Centre. He works his butt off every shift and is noticeable. He's got good hands too!
- 3flyerkids

When you put him with Jake....its what he becomes. Do you guys really need to see bill put his name in the 2nd row to consider him a 2nd line center?

Some observations from last nights game:

I was mildly surprised at how many empty seats/no shows there were, especially on a night when they were honoring a player as popular as Brind'amour.

Congrats again to Brind'amour, he gave a great speech. This came as no surprise as he was always one of the classiest players both on and off the ice.

The Flyers played pretty well for most of the 2nd period and on and off during the 1st. However, they completely stopped skating during the 3rd. They were lucky that Carolina decided not to bother to show up until the 3rd period. It sadly seemed like a case of a bad team beating a worse one last night.

I thought both Giroux and Couturier had strong games and Bellemare, as usual, played his role very well. Two forwards who really showed me nothing last night were Simmonds and Raffl, the Flyers need more from those 2. Also Read didn't show much either. Voracek and B. Schenn were solid and the rest were ok.

The D looks even worse in person. Gudas seems to be constantly out of position chasing hits and I can't even count how many times he and Del Zotto ended up in the same corner in their own zone. Manning is a #7 at best and Schultz wasn't terrible, but he just seems to do nothing particularly well. Luke Schenn looked so-so, and that's probably as much as you are going to get from him. Ghost made a sweet play on the GWG and also made some very nice passes that the Flyers stone hand forwards often flubbed. He made a few mistakes in the D zone here and there, but overall he looked pretty good and he definitely belongs in the NHL.

Lastly, Neuvirth had a very strong game. He made a couple of fantastic saves in the 3rd and kept them alive and able to make it to OT.
- BiggE

I agree on Manning. I would like to see Ghost with Schultz. I think Ghost could open up his offensive game a bit at 5 on 5 if he did not need to compensate for Manning.

Some observations from last nights game:

I was mildly surprised at how many empty seats/no shows there were, especially on a night when they were honoring a player as popular as Brind'amour.

Congrats again to Brind'amour, he gave a great speech. This came as no surprise as he was always one of the classiest players both on and off the ice.

The Flyers played pretty well for most of the 2nd period and on and off during the 1st. However, they completely stopped skating during the 3rd. They were lucky that Carolina decided not to bother to show up until the 3rd period. It sadly seemed like a case of a bad team beating a worse one last night.

I thought both Giroux and Couturier had strong games and Bellemare, as usual, played his role very well. Two forwards who really showed me nothing last night were Simmonds and Raffl, the Flyers need more from those 2. Also Read didn't show much either. Voracek and B. Schenn were solid and the rest were ok.

The D looks even worse in person. Gudas seems to be constantly out of position chasing hits and I can't even count how many times he and Del Zotto ended up in the same corner in their own zone. Manning is a #7 at best and Schultz wasn't terrible, but he just seems to do nothing particularly well. Luke Schenn looked so-so, and that's probably as much as you are going to get from him. Ghost made a sweet play on the GWG and also made some very nice passes that the Flyers stone hand forwards often flubbed. He made a few mistakes in the D zone here and there, but overall he looked pretty good and he definitely belongs in the NHL.

Lastly, Neuvirth had a very strong game. He made a couple of fantastic saves in the 3rd and kept them alive and able to make it to OT.
- BiggE

You went to the game, right? Must be a perspective thing. I thought Raffl played well. Agree on Gudas being out of position but he skated well to make up for his mistakes. Broke out better than usual I thought.

You are completely correct with the Canes playing like poop until the third. They made the flyers look great. Flyers have to be able to fight back when they start getting attacked

I have to believe that the call on Rask in OT was a mak-up call for something, right?

How the hell do you get called for holding the opponent's stick when you have both hands on your own?

I have to believe that the call on Rask in OT was a mak-up call for something, right?

How the hell do you get called for holding the opponent's stick when you have both hands on your own?
- BINGO!

Coots got a way with one there. Maybe a make up for the slash called on Giroux. Who knows.

I have to believe that the call on Rask in OT was a mak-up call for something, right?

How the hell do you get called for holding the opponent's stick when you have both hands on your own?
- BINGO!

Felt the same. Maybe holding the stick was a bad call, but seemed like Couturier was the one with his hand on Rasks stick to me

You went to the game, right? Must be a perspective thing. I thought Raffl played well. Agree on Gudas being out of position but he skated well to make up for his mistakes. Broke out better than usual I thought.

You are completely correct with the Canes playing like poop until the third. They made the flyers look great. Flyers have to be able to fight back when they start getting attacked
- YuenglingJagr

Raffl seemed to skate well, but he handled the puck like a grenade and seemed to be flubbing passes all night. Also, when he does get the puck, he seems hesitant and unsure of what to do with it. Gudas doesn't lack effort for sure, but he was really lucky a few times that Carolina didn't take advantage of his mistakes. In his defense, they are being forced to use him and MDZ to match up against other teams top lines and that is simply asking too much of them, IMO.

I'm about ready to give up on Medvedev ever getting back in the lineup, but six weeks from now it would be nice to see Ghost and Streit both in the top 6. And Streit running the 2nd PP unit.

When do we get to trade Streit? I know the answer is the TDL but what do we do when he comes back? Poor AMAC.
- coffee junkie

Trade LSchenn and/or waive Manning.

Laughts willed himself back from what looked to be a horrible injury just so Vinny wouldn't see the ice.

The question now is: does Gagner have it within him to do the same?


- Mononoke

They can call up another AHL guy if Gagner goes on IR. Probably Straka since the four centers are healthy.

My lines would be:

Straka-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-BSchenn
Leier-Laughton-Simmonds
Raffl-Bellemare-VdV

Giroux had a pretty dominant night across the board... 3 points, +1, 1 short handed goal and a 56.52 face off %.

Can't argue with a line like that.