Hagg does everything well, but there is no facet of his game that stands out to the point that you can say he MUST be in the lineup. Again, if it was up to me, both AMac and Manning would be out of the lineup and all 3 kids in, but I have no say in the matter.
- BiggE

Maybe being able to lug the puck end to end and put it in the back of the net like Sanheim can is one of the skills they're looking for. Hextall said they're looking for players to fill certain roles. Sanheim led the team in goals and word is a lack of offensive assertiveness is why Lindblom didn't make the Top 9. We'll see soon enough and I'm ready for some real hockey.

I won't lose my mind if Sanheim doesn't make it...don't think it will kill him to get 25 minutes a night in the AHL for a month or two, until someone is banged up. Will he be overcooked? Maybe. But I'd rather he, specifically, be as done as possible

Why? Because assuming Provorov is exactly what he showed he is, we still need one more guy to do that on another pairing: Be an absolute horse for 200 feet, all three zones. It's how you win in this league

Morin, Hagg, Ghost, Gudas...all talented and/or good NHL players already, in the case of Ghost and Gudas. But all have a weakness, a clear one in a couple of cases, that limits the kinds of minutes or matchups that they would see ideally (though Gudas can fake it pretty well)

Sanheim, from what I see, has the opportunity to be a special player -- height/size, speed, hockey sense, hard/accurate shot, compete level. He could be a force out there, a game-changing, minute-eating force. The kind of guy who changes games

We can wait a little longer for him, if they think he needs it. The other guys are good prospects in their own way.

But Provorov and Sanheim are the kinds of guys, physically and skillwise, you need to win Cups

I get it, I really do, not wanting to play 3 rooks on D. I get Lindbolm, top lines minutes in the AHL will help him.

What I cant take, is McDuck in the top 6, let alone top 4 or even consider top 2. Is he a 5-6 D, yes. Should he crack this lineup, hell no...

Vegas has D to spare, I dont see the Flyers being able to move McDuck at all. show casing him is not needed...

I get it, I really do, not wanting to play 3 rooks on D. I get Lindbolm, top lines minutes in the AHL will help him.

What I cant take, is McDuck in the top 6, let alone top 4 or even consider top 2. Is he a 5-6 D, yes. Should he crack this lineup, hell no...

Vegas has D to spare, I dont see the Flyers being able to move McDuck at all. show casing him is not needed...
- wcorvette

They can't move him this early in the year, and really, there's no obvious place to put him in the lineup except with Provorov

He's sunk-cost. They're gonna play him. It's tough to swallow sometimes, and if we're lucky maybe this is the last season they'll do it, but at some point, we have to accept that they're gonna play him

AMac is what he is, and he takes a lot of heat because he signed the contract that the team offered him...but he has been a good pro and a positive influence on the younger players...
.... Manning is such a team work horse...and Gudas is the only right handed shot and the most consistent physical force....

It is one of them, or one of the kids. Sad but true. Frankly, with the Avs hard up on the blue line I would try to move Manning or AMac for a pick or conditional pick and just embrace the youth. But that is why I am not an NHL GM.

As for the forwards, I like the looks of it for the start of the season. I really do

I think they could be really well-served by giving Giroux-Couturier-Voracek 10 games in the regular season to see if that could work -- I think it's a gamble that's absolutely worth taking, because if it doesn't work, you can always move Giroux back to center

But if it does work, you have a line that could be/should be an absolute monstrous line for possession and faceoff wins, a true No. 1 line like they haven't had since Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr

Patrick's clearly talented, and it's a good thing to give him a battle-hardened veteran like Simmonds and a hungry young player like Weal on his wings -- those two players are infinitely better than what Couturier had to carry around for years

Weise and Filippula...obviously, I've said a fair piece about these guys in months past. But what are you going to do? They're here, and they have specific skillsets that could be useful. TK needs to keep his feet moving and convert the chances he gets...they're not going to come consistently. He's gonna have to bury the ones he gets

Excited to see what Leier-Laughton-Raffl could do. If they show they can truly eat some hard minutes and win faceoffs, they could get more minutes pretty soon into the season

Lehtera and Read give better depth than they've had in years

It won't kill Lindblom to go down for a bit, score goals in a professional league in North America, then come back if he produces like his history indicates he might

Are there any pundits predicting the Flyers as something other than bottom feeding in the Eastern Conference?

Are there any pundits predicting the Flyers as something other than bottom feeding in the Eastern Conference?
- johndewar

Wow. So that was real last night, what I saw? The feeling is they're not going to challenge for a playoff spot?

What frustrates me even more about one of the kids on D not being in the lineup is that when I look at each Dman's total game; offensive skills, transition skills, skating, positioning, ability to defend on the rush, ability to defend down low in the zone, ability to work the pp, ability to work the pk, etc... When I look at each and every one of those factors and try to balance them all, here is how I rank the Flyers top 8 Dmen

1. Provorov
Provorov is good to great at every aspect of playing defense at the NHL. He is far and way the top Dman on this team and a legit top pair talent

2. Gudas
Gudas' skills are underrated and he adds a physical element with his open ice hitting that no one else in the group does. He is very good on the PK and makes a very accurate first pass out of the zone.

3. Sanheim
Sanheim is the total package when it comes to the offensive aspects of his position and he has the size and strength to also excel defensively as he gains experience. There is absolutely no reason why the Flyers best Dman at generating ES offense off of the transition/rush should not be in the lineup.

4. Morin
He may already be, with the exception of perhaps Provorov, the best PK defender on the team. He skates very well for a big guy and also has underrated offensive skills. He can match up against pretty much any line and he brings a level of pure physical intimidation that this team has lacked since Derian Hatcher was on the blue line. He should, without a doubt, be in the top 6.

5. Gostisbehere
Ghost has flaws in his game to be sure, but he brings an amazing package of pure offensive skills and is absolutely lethal in open ice. His spot as the top pp unit QB along with his abilities to make plays in OT and in 4 on 4 situations, make him must in the lineup.

6. Hagg
Hagg is a solid all around defender who does everything well, but nothing outstanding. He also has a tendency to be complacent at times and could be a guy you see getting scratched now and then as a motivational tool. All that being said, when you look at his all around on ice performance, he is still a better option than AMac or Manning

7. AMac
Similar to Hagg, but he just doesn't have Hagg's size, strength or calm on ice demeanor. AMac gives up the D zone too easily and adds little in transition or in the O zone. He is far from a bad player and he would be in many teams top 6. However on this team, at this moment, he should be #7 on the depth chart.

8. Manning
Manning is a below average NHL dman. He's a perfectly acceptable #7 on the roster, but for him to be in the lineup over any of the 3 kids, or even AMac, would be, IMO, a mistake.

So, there you have it. It's just one man's opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

Aw, man. Dave Strader.

I really did enjoy his telecasts, for many, many years.

RIP Dave Strader

Wow. So that was real last night, what I saw? The feeling is they're not going to challenge for a playoff spot?
- AllInForFlyers

I think there are ways that you can say they'd be near the bottom depending on what stats you used and valued, but it isn't a model I would think is very reliable.

I don't see any way they aren't at least as good as last year.

Corsica predicted they'd be around there as well. I forget where exactly

Aw, man. Dave Strader.

I really did enjoy his telecasts, for many, many years.
- AllInForFlyers

Man. That sucks. I thought he had been doing better.

I think there are ways that you can say they'd be near the bottom depending on what stats you used and valued, but it isn't a model I would think is very reliable.

I don't see any way they aren't at least as good as last year.

Corsica predicted they'd be around there as well. I forget where exactly
- YuenglingJagr

Man, that's crazy. I mean, to my mind, that's crazy.

I've watched a lot of hockey in my lifetime. A lot. And I cannot fathom how, at a minimum, they're not better than Detroit and New Jersey -- they got absolute garbage goaltending and were still better than them last season.

Buffalo, same thing. The Sabres are more talented than Detroit and New Jersey in the forward ranks, maybe even a little sexier than the Flyers core, but their defense is freaking abysmal -- it's brutal. Even if the Flyers play AMac 30 minutes a night, the Flyers are still better there and overall

I mean, yeah. I'm not saying that the Flyers are a lock for the playoffs. I get it; they have some young players and questions.

But if Elliott and Neuvirth give them even slightly below average goaltending for the 82 games, that's still better than what they got for all 82 games last season and I just don't see how they aren't around 92-93 points by the end of it, challenging for No. 8

RIP Dave Strader
- Pelle31Forever

Man, that's crazy. I mean, to my mind, that's crazy.

I've watched a lot of hockey in my lifetime. A lot. And I cannot fathom how, at a minimum, they're not better than Detroit and New Jersey -- they got absolute garbage goaltending and were still better than them last season.

Buffalo, same thing. The Sabres are more talented than Detroit and New Jersey in the forward ranks, maybe even a little sexier than the Flyers core, but their defense is freaking abysmal -- it's brutal. Even if the Flyers play AMac 30 minutes a night, the Flyers are still better there and overall

I mean, yeah. I'm not saying that the Flyers are a lock for the playoffs. I get it; they have some young players and questions.

But if Elliott and Neuvirth give them even slightly below average goaltending for the 82 games, that's still better than what they got for all 82 games last season and I just don't see how they aren't around 92-93 points by the end of it, challenging for No. 8
- AllInForFlyers

I see them finishing either 5th or 6th in the division and also ahead of Detroit, Buffalo, Boston and Florida and perhaps Ottawa. That means either they squeak in as the last wildcard team or finish 9th or 10th in the conference. If they get a few breaks, stay very healthy and some kids really break out maybe they finish 4th in the Metro and are the top WC team. OTOH, if they get wracked with injuries and some of the kids struggle, they could drop to 7th in the Metro too. All in all I see them finishing a little better than last year, call it in the range of 91-96 points.

I mean, seriously. I like Steve Mason a lot and think he's a really talented goaltender and overall his Flyers tenure was very good.

But the Flyers got absolute poop goaltending last year. There were games last year that they either should have won or gotten a point, and the goaltending gave them absolutely no shot. That's just the honest truth -- it wasn't breakdowns, or bad defense.

The Flyers got poop goaltending last season

It can't be that bad this year. It can't be

I mean, seriously. I like Steve Mason a lot and think he's a really talented goaltender and overall his Flyers tenure was very good.

But the Flyers got absolute poop goaltending last year. There were games last year that they either should have won or gotten a point, and the goaltending gave them absolutely no shot. That's just the honest truth -- it wasn't breakdowns, or bad defense.

The Flyers got poop goaltending last season

It can't be that bad this year. It can't be
- AllInForFlyers

Mason's final 17 starts last year were, overall, excellent. Too late to rescue his season numbers but he was arguably the Flyers best player late in the season.

I mean, seriously. I like Steve Mason a lot and think he's a really talented goaltender and overall his Flyers tenure was very good.

But the Flyers got absolute poop goaltending last year. There were games last year that they either should have won or gotten a point, and the goaltending gave them absolutely no shot. That's just the honest truth -- it wasn't breakdowns, or bad defense.

The Flyers got poop goaltending last season

It can't be that bad this year. It can't be
- AllInForFlyers

It shouldn't be as bad, but you never really know. Worst case, Neuvirth gets seriously hurt early and Hak burns out Elliott playing him 18-20 games in a row. Lyon comes in ice cold and he struggles as well and there you have it.

You really can't predict these things, because you just can't predict injuries and the impact that they can have on a team. Right now, a lot of pundits are picking Tampa as the top dog in the East. Think that prediction changes if Hedman goes down with a season ending injury in October? I just want to see the team play well and especially the kids continue to enter the lineup and succeed. If that happens, I'll be satisfied. The team isn't at the point of the rebuild/retool/whatever the (frank) you want to call it, where I'm going to spend much time worrying about where they finish in the standings. I still think that is at least one more season away.

Mason's final 17 starts last year were, overall, excellent. Too late to rescue his season overall but he was arguably the Flyers best player late in the season.
- bmeltzer

Hey -- true. I should be more precise: Overall, for 82 games, it wasn't nearly good enough. But yes, Mason did close well. I should be more accurate; he wasn't brutal every night and he did put together a better final 6-7 weeks.

Overall, though, those two killed the season last year, Bill. I didn't rant and rave about it as much, but those first 60 games might have been some of the worst goaltending the Flyers have gotten in, what, man...I can't even remember

Possibky dressing Manning over Morin is sinful

Possibky dressing Manning over Morin is sinful
- Giroux_Is_God

Agreed. As I said before, I can maybe see their reasoning for going with AMac over Hagg, but Morin and Sanheim should be in the lineup. Manning should be 8th on the depth chart at this point.

There's just no reason to justify Morin not in the lineup. Amac is horrible and save me the he's a veteran who can log minutes or whatever other bogus excuse people use. This organization has showed they can draft really well but if we aren't going to put the best lineup on the ice that's not going to matter. Someone mentioned earlier if Morin gets cut or is the 7th D-man for any lengthy period of time, I'm calling my agent and asking to be dealt.

Man, that's crazy. I mean, to my mind, that's crazy.

I've watched a lot of hockey in my lifetime. A lot. And I cannot fathom how, at a minimum, they're not better than Detroit and New Jersey -- they got absolute garbage goaltending and were still better than them last season.

Buffalo, same thing. The Sabres are more talented than Detroit and New Jersey in the forward ranks, maybe even a little sexier than the Flyers core, but their defense is freaking abysmal -- it's brutal. Even if the Flyers play AMac 30 minutes a night, the Flyers are still better there and overall

I mean, yeah. I'm not saying that the Flyers are a lock for the playoffs. I get it; they have some young players and questions.

But if Elliott and Neuvirth give them even slightly below average goaltending for the 82 games, that's still better than what they got for all 82 games last season and I just don't see how they aren't around 92-93 points by the end of it, challenging for No. 8
- AllInForFlyers

http://corsica.hockey/predictions/

Corsica said 90 and finishing 17th. With the playoff format it is tough to put too much into these predictions. I wouldn't worry about it much. They'll be fine and hopefully by the middle of the season, looking a bit different than right now

It shouldn't be as bad, but you never really know. Worst case, Neuvirth gets seriously hurt early and Hak burns out Elliott playing him 18-20 games in a row. Lyon comes in ice cold and he struggles as well and there you have it.

You really can't predict these things, because you just can't predict injuries and the impact that they can have on a team. Right now, a lot of pundits are picking Tampa as the top dog in the East. Think that prediction changes if Hedman goes down with a season ending injury in October? I just want to see the team play well and especially the kids continue to enter the lineup and succeed. If that happens, I'll be satisfied. The team isn't at the point of the rebuild/retool/whatever the (frank) you want to call it, where I'm going to spend much time worrying about where they finish in the standings. I still think that is at least one more season away.
- BiggE

True, but my expectations are a little higher -- they have enough veterans and experience that they shouldn't be getting worked out there. They really shouldn't

Again, I don't love Brian Elliott. I really don't. Same with Neuvirth.

But what I can say is that I have seen Elliott get insanely hot for weeks on end. That guy will rattle off a month of .950 SVPCT and look like the love child of Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. He will do that for the Flyers at least once this season.

Elliott's not a great goalie. But even I will admit that his mentality is probably more consistent than Mason's -- I can admit that he's probably tougher. And the Flyers did not get nearly enough tough-minded goaltending last season, and I don't think it's crazy of me to think that's gonna get them another four or five points if they get that -- I truly believe the goaltending last year cost them four or five points