MacDonald has had a solid season, and has played well overall, although he made a mistake last night leading to a goal. Gostisbehere needs to worry about his own play, rather than who his partner is. He was brutal last night.
- MJL

have we confirmed JFlyers00 is Ghost?

1 step closer to getting a great player in the draft

also has giroux been shut down yet?

Doesn't TJ Brennan play on the blueline for the Phantoms? He's not what one would call a 2 way defenseman.
- johndewar

True, but he is only one Dman. Hell, I hope they both turn into top flight NHL goalies, but their numbers just aren't that impressive. If they were being asked to back up a stud #1 guy who is going to start 65 or so games next year, I could see one of them getting the job. But since it's highly unlikely that Neuvirth starts even 50 games, I can't see them trusting one of these kids to start 32-37 games in 17-18, nor do I think they want to risk a Lyon/Stolarz tandem at the NHL level if Neuvirth goes down for a month or two.

Bill has said before that he thinks Sandstrom stays in Sweden for one more year. With that in mind, I think both Stolarz and Lyon are back with the Phantoms next season as both have had ups and downs and I doubt Hexy feels either one is ready to pair with a guy as injury prone as Neuvy.


My guess is that they sign a vet like Ryan Miller to a one year deal and he pairs with Neuvirth next season and in 18-19, one of Stolarz or Lyons comes up.
- BiggE

I saw a report that has him possibly coming over next season with Linblom and Vorobyrov. I believe all are in last year of contracts.

Here are my reasons for questioning Hak:

1. Goaltender usage
2. Overabundance of PK minutes for PEB/VdV
3. Veterans not being held accountable for making the same mistakes as kids
4. No improvement in the PK from the start of the season
5. Way too many players having down years

Here are my reasons for giving him at least one more year:

1. The team overall lacks speed and talent, making it hard to be consistently successful
2. His best Dman is a just turned 20 rookie. That's another tough thing to overcome
3. Both goalies have had long stretches of subpar play
4. Giroux has been mediocre to awful for much of the season
5. For the most part, though not so much last night, the team seems to play hard for him.

Overall, I'd give Hak a C- for this season, compared to the B+ I gave him last year. Obviously, I was hoping for improvement rather than a step back, but he just doesn't have a lot to work with and unless this team gets stellar goaltending like they did down the stretch last year, they just aren't going to be anywhere near a playoff team with this roster. As I've said before, I think next year really is make or break for Hak.
- BiggE

what if they are minus CVV, Read, Schultz, MDZ and Manning (becomes the #7) and another forward and they add Lindblom, Laughton, Leier, and 2 of Morin/Sanheim/Hagg and Slolarz is the backup to someone and while guys like G, Jake and Coots bounce back and have good years, they still miss because of a young lineup esp on defense?

what if they are minus CVV, Read, Schultz, MDZ and Manning (becomes the #7) and another forward and they add Lindblom, Laughton, Leier, and 2 of Morin/Sanheim/Hagg and Slolarz is the backup to someone and while guys like G, Jake and Coots bounce back and have good years, they still miss because of a young lineup esp on defense?
- nastyflyergirl

Who knows? They won the President's trophy and went to the finals with the youngest team in the NHL in 84-85 so anything is possible.

I saw a report that has him possibly coming over next season with Linblom and Vorobyrov. I believe all are in last year of contracts.
- J35Bacher

That would make things more interesting for sure, but I'm still not sure that Hexy would be comfortable going into the season with an injury prone Neuvirth as his only experienced NHL goalie.

True, but he is only one Dman. Hell, I hope they both turn into top flight NHL goalies, but their numbers just aren't that impressive. If they were being asked to back up a stud #1 guy who is going to start 65 or so games next year, I could see one of them getting the job. But since it's highly unlikely that Neuvirth starts even 50 games, I can't see them trusting one of these kids to start 32-37 games in 17-18, nor do I think they want to risk a Lyon/Stolarz tandem at the NHL level if Neuvirth goes down for a month or two.
- BiggE

I do think Stolarz is ready for a backup gig in the NHL from the little I've seen, but I think the anxiety over Neuvirth is definitely warranted.

I'm hoping Hextall has something else in mind, with the goaltenders. Or, maybe he'll keep the kids down in the AHL and bring in someone else (Jonathan Bernier?) and let Neuvirth back him up?

Who knows? They won the President's trophy and went to the finals with the youngest team in the NHL in 84-85 so anything is possible.
- BiggE

this is true and what I want. well the going young...obviously I want the cup final

Who knows? They won the President's trophy and went to the finals with the youngest team in the NHL in 84-85 so anything is possible.
- BiggE

I can remember reading something to the effect that that team was the youngest in all of pro sports at the time.

I can remember reading something to the effect that that team was the youngest in all of pro sports at the time.
- johndewar

Pretty much. The only guys over 25, IIRC, were Howe, Marsh, and maybe Poulin? They had something like 10 or 11 first or second year players. Can't undersell the job Mike Keenan did that year. Yeah, his act wore thin over time, but man, that team would have skated through a brick wall for him.

what if they are minus CVV, Read, Schultz, MDZ and Manning (becomes the #7) and another forward and they add Lindblom, Laughton, Leier, and 2 of Morin/Sanheim/Hagg and Slolarz is the backup to someone and while guys like G, Jake and Coots bounce back and have good years, they still miss because of a young lineup esp on defense?
- nastyflyergirl

I can see this happening, and if it does, and they are a playoff bubble team again, I think it will be progress.

Not sure on Laughton though, I think the organization soured on him.

lol you try playing in front of TJ Brennan
- YuenglingJagr

There's the problem! The goalies are supposed to be behind the defense.

maybe that's the problem, goalies should be playing behind defensemen
- BulliesPhan87

doh! leight

That would make things more interesting for sure, but I'm still not sure that Hexy would be comfortable going into the season with an injury prone Neuvirth as his only experienced NHL goalie.
- BiggE

For some reason I just don't think Neuvirth is a Flyer next year. The Flyers had to expose a goalie in the ED and I believe that is why he was signed. I am probably wrong.

And, I think next year it is time for Stolarz to prove he can play in the NHL, at least as a back up goalie.

I can see this happening, and if it does, and they are a playoff bubble team again, I think it will be progress.

Not sure on Laughton though, I think the organization soured on him.
- FlyerFan16

I don't think they've given up on Laughton, but next year is probably make or break for his NHL career. He is going to need to look great in camp to make the team, IMO.

For some reason I just don't think Neuvirth is a Flyer next year. The Flyers had to expose a goalie in the ED and I believe that is why he was signed. I am probably wrong.

And, I think next year it is time for Stolarz to prove he can play in the NHL, at least as a back up goalie.
- FlyerFan16

Well, unless they have in deal in place with Vegas to take him, which is a possibility, I don't see any other way he's not back next season. With a new 2 year deal, I don't see any other team being that interested in trading for him, they aren't going to waive him and send him to the AHL and they certainly aren't going to buy him out and carry a dead cap hit for 4 years.

I don't think they've given up on Laughton, but next year is probably make or break for his NHL career. He is going to need to look great in camp to make the team, IMO.
- BiggE

Where do you see him slotting in next year? They sent him down to strictly play center and work on his defensive game. Then they signed Bellemare and traded for Filp. I guess Filp can be moved to wing but that's about it. I don't see them moving any of the other centers to wings. Again, a lot can change with the ED. It's going to be an interesting off season.

Who knows? They won the President's trophy and went to the finals with the youngest team in the NHL in 84-85 so anything is possible.
- BiggE

Funny you mentioned them.
I was thinking listening to the game...Wow wouldn't it be nice to see this team squish Pegs gonads tonight like that 84-85 bunch used to do, like a 6-2 win where it was never in doubt after building an early 3-0 lead.

Well, unless they have in deal in place with Vegas to take him, which is a possibility, I don't see any other way he's not back next season. With a new 2 year deal, I don't see any other team being that interested in trading for him, they aren't going to waive him and send him to the AHL and they certainly aren't going to buy him out and carry a dead cap hit for 4 years.
- BiggE

Just a feeling and why I said I am probably wrong.

I can see this happening, and if it does, and they are a playoff bubble team again, I think it will be progress.

Not sure on Laughton though, I think the organization soured on him.
- FlyerFan16

I don't know if I would say they have soured on him. seems like they have told him to work on being a checking line center. he would have to go through waivers next year so I imagine he will be on the roster to start

MacDonald has had a solid season, and has played well overall, although he made a mistake last night leading to a goal. Gostisbehere needs to worry about his own play, rather than who his partner is. He was brutal last night.
- MJL

Amac still is not a top-4 defender. He should be no where near the top pair on this team. I can live with him as the #5.

Ghost didn't have a great game, and has struggled this year. It certainly doesn't help that he is the designated partner for whichever turd Hak decides to ice that night.

Since we are gonna wait to reserve judgement on Hak until he gets more talented players, we should reserve judgement on Ghost until hes paired with a competent top-4 NHL D-man.

Amac still is not a top-4 defender. He should be no where near the top pair on this team. I can live with him as the #5.

Ghost didn't have a great game, and has struggled this year. It certainly doesn't help that he is the designated partner for whichever turd Hak decides to ice that night.

Since we are gonna wait to reserve judgement on Hak until he gets more talented players, we should reserve judgement on Ghost until hes paired with a competent top-4 NHL D-man.
- JFlyers00

Pretty much. The only guys over 25, IIRC, were Howe, Marsh, and maybe Poulin? They had something like 10 or 11 first or second year players. Can't undersell the job Mike Keenan did that year. Yeah, his act wore thin over time, but man, that team would have skated through a brick wall for him.
- BiggE

That was an optical illusion.

Keenan was litrilly throwing real brick walls at those guys in practice on a daily basis.

Where do you see him slotting in next year? They sent him down to strictly play center and work on his defensive game. Then they signed Bellemare and traded for Filp. I guess Filp can be moved to wing but that's about it. I don't see them moving any of the other centers to wings. Again, a lot can change with the ED. It's going to be an interesting off season.
- FlyerFan16

Laughton could just end up as a spare forward who steps in one of the other centers are injured since he would have to clear waivers to get sent down. It's really hard to say now without seeing what he does in the AHL playoffs and how he plays in preseason next year.

Where do you see him slotting in next year? They sent him down to strictly play center and work on his defensive game. Then they signed Bellemare and traded for Filp. I guess Filp can be moved to wing but that's about it. I don't see them moving any of the other centers to wings. Again, a lot can change with the ED. It's going to be an interesting off season.
- FlyerFan16

I see us adding him to the list of first round busts that was on here yesterday...he will be a first round Akeson Ahler.
For the haters I qualify this with I do hope I'm wrong about him. Just don't see it now.
He may be put into a package though as he does have a bit of NHL experience.