never thought I would look at the starting goalies for a game tonight and see Garret Sparks vs Connor Hellebuyck

It's not going to do him any harm. Might be good for him. He's made huge strides in his first 20 games. He looked tentative and indecisive at the start of the season but you can really see his game coming around as he's gained confidence and adjusted to the change of pace. He's like any player, if you go into the game looking for him to do something wrong you're going to see it. No player at any level plays a perfect game.
- mayorofangrytown

If that's the case then it would be dumb to call him up now and interrupt that progress. Let him continue to grow in the AHL.

Drop and roll?
- mayorofangrytown

you have a direct line to hextall don't you?!

Generally, I agree. However, my fear is that Morin struggles, badly. Like, gets burnt for 3-4 goals and has all kinds of troubles. Then, after 1-2 games, gets sent back and basically has his confidence dashed. Yes, it would show him what he has to work on, but it also may make him question himself as well. There's no reason to bring him up to the big club right now. Let him play that majority of the season in the AHL, and late in the year, call him up with the understanding that he's not expected to be a permanent fixture on the team for this year no matter what.
- jmatchett383

assuming Alt is still hurt? wouldn't mind seeing Hagg get a game.

assuming Alt is still hurt? wouldn't mind seeing Hagg get a game.
- nastyflyergirl

Assuming AMac and Drewiske are healthy, I think they'd be first in line. But agree, my "prospect" call-up list would be Alt, Hagg, and then Morin.

Assuming AMac and Drewiske are healthy, I think they'd be first in line. But agree, my "prospect" call-up list would be Alt, Hagg, and then Morin.
- jmatchett383

Really the biggest question is what's going to happen when Streit is ready to play again? Moves will have to be made to bring him back.

Really the biggest question is what's going to happen when Streit is ready to play again? Moves will have to be made to bring him back.
- MJL

Would banishing Manning, McDonald, and VdV to the AHL be enough?

If that's the case then it would be dumb to call him up now and interrupt that progress. Let him continue to grow in the AHL.
- MJL

I wouldn't call him up unless they need him. My post was more about if bringing him up would hurt his progress. I don't see how it would. As far as it being dumb... well, you certainly don't call him up when he's not making progress or regressing so by what other measure do you call him up?

you have a direct line to hextall don't you?!
- JoeRussomanno

Homer's my inside source. Shhhhhh... don't tell anyone.

Would banishing Manning, McDonald, and VdV to the AHL be enough?
- jmatchett383

It might, I'd have to look at the numbers.

Assuming AMac and Drewiske are healthy, I think they'd be first in line. But agree, my "prospect" call-up list would be Alt, Hagg, and then Morin.
- jmatchett383

Any reason?

I wouldn't call him up unless they need him. My post was more about if bringing him up would hurt his progress. I don't see how it would. As far as it being dumb... well, you certainly don't call him up when he's not making progress or regressing so by what other measure do you call him up?
- mayorofangrytown

Overall, you call him up when you think he's ready. I think calling up a player too early could absolutely hurt a player. Fans want to see the "shiny new toy". Do what is best for the player, not for the big team.

Homer's my inside source. Shhhhhh... don't tell anyone.
- mayorofangrytown

If anyone knows about this, please raise your hand.

Any reason?
- mayorofangrytown

Well, AMac and Drewiske both have NHL experience, so I'd assume that management would prefer to call them up over the young guys.

As for Alt/Hagg/Morin, I think I'd read that Hagg was (recently) not really going anywhere fast after a good start. But I'd rather Morin continue to adjusting to playing the pro game against full-grown men in the AHL for at least 1/2 of a season before he gets a call-up, so I'd prefer Hagg get a shot over Morin. So I'd put Alt ahead of them both.

Overall, you call him up when you think he's ready. I think calling up a player too early could absolutely hurt a player. Fans want to see the "shiny new toy". Do what is best for the player, not for the big team.
- MJL

But how would they think he's ready? The only way he's going to get NHL ready is by improving, but you don't want to call him up and let him keep improving at the AHL level. Not trying to argue, but it seems like a Catch-22; he can't get ready until he improves, but you don't want to call him up if he's improving.

Overall, you call him up when you think he's ready. I think calling up a player too early could absolutely hurt a player. Fans want to see the "shiny new toy". Do what is best for the player, not for the big team.
- MJL

Not one person on this thread has ever advocated calling up a prospect if they think he's not ready. Now that would be dumb. Morin, imo, has shown enough progress this season that he could easily handle a limited call up if needed. Most people who watch him think he could earn a long term promotion by the end of the year (post trade deadline) and most likely will be ready to handle full time duty by next season if he continues to progress at the steady level he's shown.

If we suffered massive injuries or made a trade or two I think he could step in and play now and acquit himself quite well but there's simply no reason for that. He's better off right now in Lehigh Valley. It's just my opinion from watching him play.

Overall, you call him up when you think he's ready. I think calling up a player too early could absolutely hurt a player. Fans want to see the "shiny new toy". Do what is best for the player, not for the big team.
- MJL

Would you have said Ghost was ready before they called him up? I don't think he was blowing anyone away in the AHL, but look at him now in the NHL.

Would you have said Ghost was ready before they called him up? I don't think he was blowing anyone away in the AHL, but look at him now in the NHL.
- funmaster18

I think the real question is when AMac will be ready for the NHL.

I think the real question is when AMac will be ready for the NHL.
- jmatchett383

i'd say that's contingent upon how riled up the fanbase would get with his return

i'd say that's contingent upon how riled up the fanbase would get with his return
- funmaster18

Probably something like



Edit: Or, more likely

Would you have said Ghost was ready before they called him up? I don't think he was blowing anyone away in the AHL, but look at him now in the NHL.
- funmaster18

Sometimes playing with better players improves your game. If you watched him play the PP for the Phantoms the amount of lag time between when he was ready for the puck and when he got it gave the goalies plenty of time to react to his shot. He's getting the puck in great positions now and delivering on his shots. His defensive positioning had already improved as did his ability to position himself to recover in his own zone.

His offense should begin to translate more on 5 on 5 when he gets more confidence moving up the ice and not getting burned going the other way. He's doing the right things.

Homer's my inside source. Shhhhhh... don't tell anyone.
- mayorofangrytown

i believe it

Sometimes playing with better players improves your game. If you watched him play the PP for the Phantoms the amount of lag time between when he was ready for the puck and when he got it gave the goalies plenty of time to react to his shot. He's getting the puck in great positions now and delivering on his shots. His defensive positioning had already improved as did his ability to position himself to recover in his own zone.

His offense should begin to translate more on 5 on 5 when he gets more confidence moving up the ice and not getting burned going the other way. He's doing the right things.
- mayorofangrytown

Also, playing him at 5v5 with the top lines would help as well, assuming he can handle the defensive responsibilities.

Not one person on this thread has ever advocated calling up a prospect if they think he's not ready. Now that would be dumb. Morin, imo, has shown enough progress this season that he could easily handle a limited call up if needed. Most people who watch him think he could earn a long term promotion by the end of the year (post trade deadline) and most likely will be ready to handle full time duty by next season if he continues to progress at the steady level he's shown.

If we suffered massive injuries or made a trade or two I think he could step in and play now and acquit himself quite well but there's simply no reason for that. He's better off right now in Lehigh Valley. It's just my opinion from watching him play.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed

if he comes up and catches fire, then what?
- JoeRussomanno

Waive Mannng and trade Schultz or Schenn