I'm guessing it has to do with the NHL/AHL pays with their ELCs???

With Panarin, it makes sense since he was a free agent. But when you use a pick on a player, that's a rough spot.
- jmatchett383

So was Plotnikov...I think it is more about just rather playing at home in the KHL if it wont work out in the NHL. A bit closed minded, but they are russian...

We should start calling up some of those young guys that are major parts of the Phantoms team that is dominating the AHL.

Just have to wait for that to happen first.
- Feanor

Yeah. I wish I could find an affordable way to watch their games this season. It's killing me just watching highlites and reading the next day articles.

It's less about the ones we call up and more about what I'm looking at on the ice for the Flyers. I have a hard time believing they could be worse then some of the guys on the roster and for far less money.

It's not like we're Toronto though who has to fill their roster with young guys because they've bought up so much dead cap space in the last two seasons.

They haven't even adapted to the NHL yet, and they're already difference makers. Provorov is going to be so good, it's scary.
- MJL

I am loving the Manning-Provorov pairing. There seems to be a good mesh.

Also love the Couturier line. the speed on the wings and playmaking ability. Couturier does a lot of shielding of the puck but makes some nice plays and you see a more offensive mind set.

I do think Cousins needs to get back to center. Not really making an impact like before

I think Provorov and Konecny already looking like they belong in the top 4/top 6 is the biggest cause for optimism.

A few months ago plenty of people would have bet on them both being in Junior right now.
- Feanor

They have both been everything I hoped for. I wish the vets around them were playing better, especially on defense. Provorov, man he's been lights out since the Anaheim game, and even before that was playing very well-up until Chicago. What can you say about Konecny. He's been right at a point per game and he's been creating chances and is a pesky little bastard. No fear in him

Hopefully Schenn's goal will get him going. He wasn't really active his first game or two back, and even last night wasn't much of a factor besides the last 5 minutes. He's got to get to where he was the second half of last season-being a pest, forechecking effectively, generating traffic in the low slot.

MacDonald again struggled in my viewing. He's been really bad the last few games, if not all of them. Streit had a very solid game last night with Radko, so hopefully he can continue on in a positive manner moving ahead.

What guy in LHV do you want called up to play 7 mins at ES and 2 mins on the PK? I''m more interested in getting more ice time with Lyubimov who's already on the Flyers.
- Feanor

Bardreau, Weal, Leier

What can you say about Konecny. He's been right at a point per game and he's been creating chances and is a pesky little bastard. No fear in him
- Jsaquella

Love the post game radio interview where he said his mom won't watch when he plays with the edge but he does so anyway.

I am loving the Manning-Provorov pairing. There seems to be a good mesh.

Also love the Couturier line. the speed on the wings and playmaking ability. Couturier does a lot of shielding of the puck but makes some nice plays and you see a more offensive mind set.

I do think Cousins needs to get back to center. Not really making an impact like before
- J35Bacher

I'd like to see Cousins at C3, with Read and Lyubimov and then a 4th line of the untouchables, with VandeVelde dropping out when Weise returns. Or plug Leier in for VandeVelde now.

On D, I'm onboard with Provorov-Manning. Streit and Gudas were very solid last night. That leaves Gostisbehere & MacDonald or Schultz...maybe stick Ghost with Gudas and Streit with Schultz. Before last night Streit, IMO, was worse than AMac, but last night MacDonald was simply not good.

You want the 4th line as Bellemare-Gordon-Weise?

Bardreau, Weal, Leier
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd rather they play well enough in the AHL to demand a spot, than hand it to them when they haven't done enough to justify it. Bardreau hasn't even played a game yet.

Love the post game radio interview where he said his mom won't watch when he plays with the edge but he does so anyway.

- dragonoffrost

I missed it, but I've seen junior interviews...he's got a bit of Eddie Haskell in him

With Schenn and Simmonds off to the side, that would make it easy for the PK defense to keep the lanes clear, and the goalie to have clear sight lines.
- MJL

Nah, you're not understanding what I'm saying. Between Schenn and Simmer, there would still always be at least one guy sliding net-front to provide a screen no matter where the puck is in the umbrella. The other would kick out for the back-door/low one-time option. The high slot would be completely open so the pass between G and Jake could get through, and so Ghost would only have to shoot thru 2-3 guys, instead of 4-5.

I'd rather they play well enough in the AHL to demand a spot, than hand it to them when they haven't done enough to justify it. Bardreau hasn't even played a game yet.
- Feanor

I think Leier is more justified than Vandevelde.

My point is more that they brought in Gordon to be a guy who can help Giroux, but they haven't really used him that way. What is his strength if he isn't taking a lot of defensive zone face-offs? What makes him a better option than Weal?

I missed it, but I've seen junior interviews...he's got a bit of Eddie Haskell in him
- Jsaquella

I try to listen to the postgame show on the drive home after every game. TK was a classic interview. Kid is Keith Jones with skill. He has personality and is a pest on the ice. Add to that his skill we got a keeper.

I'd like to see Cousins at C3, with Read and Lyubimov and then a 4th line of the untouchables, with VandeVelde dropping out when Weise returns. Or plug Leier in for VandeVelde now.

On D, I'm onboard with Provorov-Manning. Streit and Gudas were very solid last night. That leaves Gostisbehere & MacDonald or Schultz...maybe stick Ghost with Gudas and Streit with Schultz. Before last night Streit, IMO, was worse than AMac, but last night MacDonald was simply not good.
- Jsaquella

I would love for Manning to play this well all season. I think it would allow for the Flyers to maybe move Del Zotto at the TDL and have Manning on a cheaper deal instead of reupping Del Zotto. Even resign Manning to a low cap hit extension after the season. If you could do that it would be great in regards to cap situation moving forward.

I'd like to see Cousins at C3, with Read and Lyubimov and then a 4th line of the untouchables, with VandeVelde dropping out when Weise returns. Or plug Leier in for VandeVelde now.

On D, I'm onboard with Provorov-Manning. Streit and Gudas were very solid last night. That leaves Gostisbehere & MacDonald or Schultz...maybe stick Ghost with Gudas and Streit with Schultz. Before last night Streit, IMO, was worse than AMac, but last night MacDonald was simply not good.
- Jsaquella

Man, Gudas is a good player. Better than I ever truly thought. He stabilized a lot of what Streit had going on

I would like to see Leier get a shot and perhaps Laughton is better than what they've been sending out. I'm with you though. I don't believe the best guys in LHV are any worse than some of the 3rd/4th line guys on the team now.

I mean Boyd Gordon has been fine from a possession standpoint, but he's getting pretty favorable usage for a 4th liner. I thought he was brought in to take more defensive zone face-offs. He's on pace for 656 total face-offs, which means he's on pace to win 39 more face-offs than an average face off man. That's about 1 more every 2 games. Does that really help the team more than a guy in LHV can? If you're going to give such favorable usage to your 4th line, shouldn't you use more skilled, offensive players to help with the offense?
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd certainly thinks so. I've been pretty down on three off seasons. I understand why we wouldn't and shouldn't weigh in on the top UFAs but the ones we are signing really don't seem to be worth the effort.

I'd rather take a shot with a kid or do some of what they've been doing reaching out overseas for Raffl, Bellmare, Lyubimov and even Medvedev although I'd trend away from the older players making a money grab.

I think Leier is more justified than Vandevelde.

My point is more that they brought in Gordon to be a guy who can help Giroux, but they haven't really used him that way. What is his strength if he isn't taking a lot of defensive zone face-offs? What makes him a better option than Weal?
- PhillySportsGuy

Weal is Jason Akeson 2.0.

Gordon has taken 30 DZ faceoffs. That is a lot considering his limited ice time when Giroux has taken 27, and Couturier 30.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...=faceoffWinsDefensiveZone

I would love for Manning to play this well all season. I think it would allow for the Flyers to maybe move Del Zotto at the TDL and have Manning on a cheaper deal instead of reupping Del Zotto. Even resign Manning to a low cap hit extension after the season. If you could do that it would be great in regards to cap situation moving forward.
- J35Bacher

I like MDZ more than most, and I understand that there just might not be room for him after this season. I get that.

But if he plays well, I don't want to trade him -- I would like for them to try to win this season, too. They have enough assets in the pipeline, especially if Laberge can recover.

MDZ is the best defender on this team, right now, when healthy. They aren't in the upper tier of Cup contention, and I am completely honest about that. But they could win a round, maybe even two depending on health and goaltending, and you need MDZ to do that

What guy in LHV do you want called up to play 7 mins at ES and 2 mins on the PK? I''m more interested in getting more ice time with Lyubimov who's already on the Flyers.
- Feanor

I definitely need to see Lyubimov more. I hope there's a good reason for him to be eased in but yeah, get him and and let's get a good look.

I like MDZ more than most, and I understand that there just might not be room for him after this season. I get that.

But if he plays well, I don't want to trade him -- I would like for them to try to win this season, too. They have enough assets in the pipeline, especially if Laberge can recover.

MDZ is the best defender on this team, right now, when healthy. They aren't in the upper tier of Cup contention, and I am completely honest about that. But they could win a round, maybe even two depending on health and goaltending, and you need MDZ to do that
- AllInForFlyers

I agree. I like Del Zotto. Just not sure he will be resigned. If he plays well he'll probably be looking for long term money which I wouldn't want to tie up a roster spot. Also if manning continues his play they have enough two way guys with Gostisberhere and Provorov now and Sanheim, Hagg, Myers and maybe Friedman later on. You have Physical guys in Manning and Gudas and possibly Morin.

I just think saving a little money on Del Zotto would maybe allow for the Flyers to upgrade somewhere else like 3rd center or maybe a young winger.

I definitely need to see Lyubimov more. I hope there's a good reason for him to be eased in but yeah, get him and and let's get a good look.
- mayorofangrytown

I need to see him more with better talent. I think you would see more if he was playing on a line with Bellemare or Weise or Laughton instead of Gordon and Vandevelde.

I agree. I like Del Zotto. Just not sure he will be resigned. If he plays well he'll probably be looking for long term money which I wouldn't want to tie up a roster spot. Also if manning continues his play they have enough two way guys with Gostisberhere and Provorov now and Sanheim, Hagg, Myers and maybe Friedman later on. You have Physical guys in Manning and Gudas and possibly Morin.

I just think saving a little money on Del Zotto would maybe allow for the Flyers to upgrade somewhere else like 3rd center or maybe a young winger.
- J35Bacher

I am not saying you have to re-sign him. I just honestly believe, in a cap world, that sometimes it is ok to let guys walk if you simply can't afford them. You don't have to cash in every single guy at the TDL

I'd certainly thinks so. I've been pretty down on three off seasons. I understand why we wouldn't and shouldn't weigh in on the top UFAs but the ones we are signing really don't seem to be worth the effort.

I'd rather take a shot with a kid or do some of what they've been doing reaching out overseas for Raffl, Bellmare, Lyubimov and even Medvedev although I'd trend away from the older players making a money grab.
- mayorofangrytown

Agreed about FA. I think Hexy would have liked to do more, but didn't have the ability unless he was willing to attach assets. Getting MDZ was a great deal. Neuvirth on a two-year deal was great. Schultz hasn't been good, but he's given the team minutes at a cheap rate. I'm fine with his FA. He hasn't done anything to cripple the team moving forward and that's probably the most important takeaway so far.

I'm not closing the door on Weise being an effective player in the bottom 6. I didn't like the contract because I believe he has an upside of a solid 3rd liner and you don't sign guys like that to 4 year deals, but he should be better when he's given better linemates. I can see him being a very streaky goal scorer.

I definitely need to see Lyubimov more. I hope there's a good reason for him to be eased in but yeah, get him and and let's get a good look.
- mayorofangrytown

He does some very nifty Euro-type stuff... color me intrigued.

Agreed about FA. I think Hexy would have liked to do more, but didn't have the ability unless he was willing to attach assets. Getting MDZ was a great deal. Neuvirth on a two-year deal was great. Schultz hasn't been good, but he's given the team minutes at a cheap rate. I'm fine with his FA. He hasn't done anything to cripple the team moving forward and that's probably the most important takeaway so far.

I'm not closing the door on Weise being an effective player in the bottom 6. I didn't like the contract because I believe he has an upside of a solid 3rd liner and you don't sign guys like that to 4 year deals, but he should be better when he's given better linemates. I can see him being a very streaky goal scorer.
- PhillySportsGuy

I was concerned about his ability to keep scoring goals, but I just hope he finds a way to be better. I do know this: He is better when he plays with a center who can hold onto the puck. When he has been productive, he has been with Henrik Sedin and David Desharnais

I would like to see Leier get a shot and perhaps Laughton is better than what they've been sending out. I'm with you though. I don't believe the best guys in LHV are any worse than some of the 3rd/4th line guys on the team now.

I mean Boyd Gordon has been fine from a possession standpoint, but he's getting pretty favorable usage for a 4th liner. I thought he was brought in to take more defensive zone face-offs. He's on pace for 656 total face-offs, which means he's on pace to win 39 more face-offs than an average face off man. That's about 1 more every 2 games. Does that really help the team more than a guy in LHV can? If you're going to give such favorable usage to your 4th line, shouldn't you use more skilled, offensive players to help with the offense?
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, absolutely it does. Hakstol would be putting Giroux out for a lot more faceoffs. Here's what your missing. Last year, Giroux averaged taking 7.7 defensive zone draws a game. This year, so far, he's averaging 3.8 defensive zone draws per game.