Can't get carried away, and look at every aspect. under a microscope If Gostisbehere had that physical aspect to his game, he'd be a potential #1 defenseman, and the Flyers would've never gotten him with a 3rd round pick. He is at a disadvantage physically in parts of the game, but he is also competitive there, and is not in any way a liability defensively. He has some weaknesses that teams are going to try and attack, but that is true of most defenseman.
- MJL

I can't argue with any of this. When it comes to Shayne Gostisbehere, there is more to like than dislike. If we take a look at the Flyers depth chart, I don't think it's as cut and dry as people think, in terms of who our number 1 to number 7 defender is or where they would stand on another team. I don't look at Ghost or MDZ or Streit and say this guy is our clear cut number 1 to the next guy. Or because of the ice time Gudas had to a guy like Schultz, Gudas is far and away better. I think we have a clear mixed bag. A lot of these guys are a far ways off from what Kimmo Timonen or Brayden Coburn meant to this team.

Tough Guy Vote

Schultz
Brown
Homer

Does anyone remember the game where Simmonds was in the other team's crease, after the whisle, after a scoring scoring chance. A player grabbed Simmonds from behind and Simmonds just started throwing bombs.

Anyone remember what game this was?

its hard to take the puck away from opposing players when you already have it
- YuenglingJagr

realistically, he's not always going to have the puck. It's a worthy consideration.

There is nothing wrong with saying Ghost is ideally a third pair anchor who gets favorable zone starts and the majority of PP ice time as the #1 PP option.

We aren't going to have him out there killing penalties, nor do we want him out there during a ton of defensive zone draws.

No one is saying he is a liability in his own zone either. But what I am saying is ideally he should be playing protected minutes and a good coach will get him out there in the most favorable situations.

With Provorov, Sanhiem, Morin, and even Hagg projecting to be all situations defensemen, it would stand to reason Ghost would thrive in the above stated role.

Can't get carried away, and look at every aspect. under a microscope If Gostisbehere had that physical aspect to his game, he'd be a potential #1 defenseman, and the Flyers would've never gotten him with a 3rd round pick. He is at a disadvantage physically in parts of the game, but he is also competitive there, and is not in any way a liability defensively. He has some weaknesses that teams are going to try and attack, but that is true of most defenseman.
- MJL

I won't be surprised if he struggles with this, but I'm not worried about it. It's all part of the game, he seems to have the brain and the fire needed to get past it.

There is nothing wrong with saying Ghost is ideally a third pair anchor who gets favorable zone starts and the majority of PP ice time as the #1 PP option.

We aren't going to have him out there killing penalties, nor do we want him out there during a ton of defensive zone draws.

No one is saying he is a liability in his own zone either. But what I am saying is ideally he should be playing protected minutes and a good coach will get him out there in the most favorable situations.

With Provorov, Sanhiem, Morin, and even Hagg projecting to be all situations defensemen, it would stand to reason Ghost would thrive in the above stated role.
- MBFlyerfan

I don't think we have to be super definite about which pairing he's up on, either. Pairings get changed, he'll probably see a few spots before the season is out. Hakstol's a smart guy, he went to college, I think he can figure it out.

There is nothing wrong with saying Ghost is ideally a third pair anchor who gets favorable zone starts and the majority of PP ice time as the #1 PP option.

We aren't going to have him out there killing penalties, nor do we want him out there during a ton of defensive zone draws.

No one is saying he is a liability in his own zone either. But what I am saying is ideally he should be playing protected minutes and a good coach will get him out there in the most favorable situations.

With Provorov, Sanhiem, Morin, and even Hagg projecting to be all situations defensemen, it would stand to reason Ghost would thrive in the above stated role.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree that if Provorov, Sanhiem, and Morin all pan out to be these great defensemen that Gostisbehere ends up on the third line. I'm fine with that.

But right now, he is a top 4 defenseman given the current roster.

realistically, he's not always going to have the puck. It's a worthy consideration.
- BulliesPhan87

I think what he is saying is that Ghost is amazing at GETTING the puck back. He's aggressive with his skating closing gaps and getting loose pucks, has an aggressive stick, his reads and hockey sense are off the charts. Will he be the muscle? No. But he doesn't have to be, nor is that the only way to get the puck back. Karlsson does ok using this blueprint.

I won't be surprised if he struggles with this, but I'm not worried about it. It's all part of the game, he seems to have the brain and the fire needed to get past it.
- BulliesPhan87

I think now that the NHL has a book on Ghost, he will struggle a bit this season, just as he did over the latter part of this past season. They will take away his time and space, he will be someone the opposition keys on all the time.

It will be up to his team to punish the opposition for paying too much attention to him by producing.

I agree that if Provorov, Sanhiem, and Morin all pan out to be these great defensemen that Gostisbehere ends up on the third line. I'm fine with that.

But right now, he is a top 4 defenseman given the current roster.
- Streit2ThePoint

Right now he is arguably a top two. But I was under the impression we were talking about when it all shakes out down the road.

There is nothing wrong with saying Ghost is ideally a third pair anchor who gets favorable zone starts and the majority of PP ice time as the #1 PP option.

We aren't going to have him out there killing penalties, nor do we want him out there during a ton of defensive zone draws.

No one is saying he is a liability in his own zone either. But what I am saying is ideally he should be playing protected minutes and a good coach will get him out there in the most favorable situations.

With Provorov, Sanhiem, Morin, and even Hagg projecting to be all situations defensemen, it would stand to reason Ghost would thrive in the above stated role.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly. I couldn't agree more. Exactly what I was trying to say.

Even if Ghost became nothing more than an offensive threat on the third pair, what's wrong with that? He has a role, he's on the team. Not all of our young prospects can be number corner stones on this team.

realistically, he's not always going to have the puck. It's a worthy consideration.
- BulliesPhan87

realistically, it was a joke...but yes if paired with AMac he will not always have the puck

I think now that the NHL has a book on Ghost, he will struggle a bit this season, just as he did over the latter part of this past season. They will take away his time and space, he will be someone the opposition keys on all the time.

It will be up to his team to punish the opposition for paying too much attention to him by producing.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. That little back and forth one timer from the slot he does with Giroux is probably the first video in 29 other teams' "Flyers" folder (DONTALLOWTHIS.mpg).

He'll probably learn to evade pressure better, as he deals with more of it.

I think now that the NHL has a book on Ghost, he will struggle a bit this season, just as he did over the latter part of this past season. They will take away his time and space, he will be someone the opposition keys on all the time.

It will be up to his team to punish the opposition for paying too much attention to him by producing.
- MBFlyerfan

Expecting Ghost to free wheel next season the way he started the last shouldn't be realistic moving forward.

Right now he is arguably a top two. But I was under the impression we were talking about when it all shakes out down the road.
- MBFlyerfan

I think the original question was where we view him right now. Which yes, technically he's been more on the top line

realistically, it was a joke...but yes if paired with AMac he will not always have the puck
- YuenglingJagr

If it's a joke, why isn't it funny?

*"APPLAUSE" sign lights up*

I think the original question was where we view him right now. Which yes, technically he's been more on the top line
- Streit2ThePoint

Not to be picky but defensemen play as pairs and Ghost being a top pair guy on this team is absolutely up for debate.

I think what he is saying is that Ghost is amazing at GETTING the puck back. He's aggressive with his skating closing gaps and getting loose pucks, has an aggressive stick, his reads and hockey sense are off the charts. Will he be the muscle? No. But he doesn't have to be, nor is that the only way to get the puck back. Karlsson does ok using this blueprint.
- Mononoke

I don't expect Ghost to be Karlsson this season. I like him, I have great faith in his potential, but there's gonna be some struggles this year.

If it's a joke, why isn't it funny?

*"APPLAUSE" sign lights up*
- BulliesPhan87

ask carlos mencia

Does anyone remember the game where Simmonds was in the other team's crease, after the whisle, after a scoring scoring chance. A player grabbed Simmonds from behind and Simmonds just started throwing bombs.

Anyone remember what game this was?
- roenick97

Almost any game he's ever played in orange and black . Sorry, I don't know.

If Ghost is a third pairing d man then we will have the greatest defense in NHL history and the team will be the next 70s Canadiens.

Personally, I think a Provy-Ghost top pair would be amazing and they could compliment each other well with their phenomenal hockey IQs.

I don't expect Ghost to be Karlsson this season. I like him, I have great faith in his potential, but there's gonna be some struggles this year.
- BulliesPhan87

There's a whole heck of a lot of room between Generational Defenseman and Third Pairing Defenseman. Nothing Ghost did last year -- and well beyond point totals -- indicated to me he didn't have, at least, top pairing ability and potential in the years to come.

Almost any game he's ever played in orange and black . Sorry, I don't know.
- Pelle31Forever

Simmonds was just throwing bombs, I don't even think he knew who grabbed him at the time. I'm trying to find that game now on my center ice package.

I can't argue with any of this. When it comes to Shayne Gostisbehere, there is more to like than dislike. If we take a look at the Flyers depth chart, I don't think it's as cut and dry as people think, in terms of who our number 1 to number 7 defender is or where they would stand on another team. I don't look at Ghost or MDZ or Streit and say this guy is our clear cut number 1 to the next guy. Or because of the ice time Gudas had to a guy like Schultz, Gudas is far and away better. I think we have a clear mixed bag. A lot of these guys are a far ways off from what Kimmo Timonen or Brayden Coburn meant to this team.
- roenick97

The Flyers really don't have a true top pairing all situation defenseman right now. Players are going to be slotted into roles, and used is certain matchups and situations. It is a clear mixed bag.