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.
- bmeltzer

No wonder they got rid of him.

Trust the process.

Or Manning's first period which was complete train wreck.
- landros 2

The one thing about that, though, is this: For better or worse, they know what Manning is and he plays the system the way Hakstol wants it played.

I know Manning's limitations. We all do. I'm not saying what I would do is the same.

I am saying that the reason Manning got into so many games last year and might stick over a Morin, if what Bill is hearing is true, is that Hakstol -- like most coaches -- wants to know what a guy in certain roles is gonna do. They can't help themselves, sometimes.

If it's close, I wouldn't be surprised if a Manning beats out the upside of a Morin -- again, not because I would do it that way.

But these coaches aren't like that. I think they truly value known commodities over the unknown, even when the upside of the unknown is greater, far more than we realize as fans

Couldn't they at least stagger the Flyers game with the Eagles game a little better? Think of the fans, man. THINK OF THE FANS!

Couldn't they at least stagger the Flyers game with the Eagles game a little better? Think of the fans, man. THINK OF THE FANS!
- PhillySportsGuy

You aren't tuning in to game 162 of the Phils glorious season?

The one thing about that, though, is this: For better or worse, they know what Manning is and he plays the system the way Hakstol wants it played.

I know Manning's limitations. We all do. I'm not saying what I would do is the same.

I am saying that the reason Manning got into so many games last year and might stick over a Morin, if what Bill is hearing is true, is that Hakstol -- like most coaches -- wants to know what a guy in certain roles is gonna do. They can't help themselves, sometimes.

If it's close, I wouldn't be surprised if a Manning beats out the upside of a Morin -- again, not because I would do it that way.

But these coaches aren't like that. I think they truly value known commodities over the unknown, even when the upside of the unknown is greater, far more than we realize as fans
- AllInForFlyers

That describes most NHL coaches and most pro coaches period. Sadly.

The one thing about that, though, is this: For better or worse, they know what Manning is and he plays the system the way Hakstol wants it played.

I know Manning's limitations. We all do. I'm not saying what I would do is the same.

I am saying that the reason Manning got into so many games last year and might stick over a Morin, if what Bill is hearing is true, is that Hakstol -- like most coaches -- wants to know what a guy in certain roles is gonna do. They can't help themselves, sometimes.

If it's close, I wouldn't be surprised if a Manning beats out the upside of a Morin -- again, not because I would do it that way.

But these coaches aren't like that. I think they truly value known commodities over the unknown, even when the upside of the unknown is greater, far more than we realize as fans
- AllInForFlyers

That literally makes no sense, why in the world would you not play a guy who's younger and more of an upside in a neck and neck battle? If it even is that, to me, Morin outplayed majority of the defesneman on the team. To not play the guy with more upside because he doesn't know the system as well is insane, he can learn the system just like everyone else.

It's very difficult to fly cross country and beat an NFL team on the road. It gets even harder when your secondary is thin and you are missing key guys like Cox and Sproles.

With all that in consideration, I think the Eagles score a late TD and pull out a tough 20-17 win.
- BiggE

that would be sweet

You aren't tuning in to game 162 of the Phils glorious season?
- BiggE

why would i want to watch a minor league team

You aren't tuning in to game 162 of the Phils glorious season?
- BiggE

Who are the Phillies?

Also, I hate that there's been no drama to end the season. I feel like the playoff spots have been locked in for a while now. Glad the season is ending so there is finally some dramatic poop happening.

Who are the Phillies?

Also, I hate that there's been no drama to end the season. I feel like the playoff spots have been locked in for a while now. Glad the season is ending so there is finally some dramatic poop happening.
- PhillySportsGuy

what? you didn't think the dodgers had a chance of missing?

The one thing about that, though, is this: For better or worse, they know what Manning is and he plays the system the way Hakstol wants it played.

I know Manning's limitations. We all do. I'm not saying what I would do is the same.

I am saying that the reason Manning got into so many games last year and might stick over a Morin, if what Bill is hearing is true, is that Hakstol -- like most coaches -- wants to know what a guy in certain roles is gonna do. They can't help themselves, sometimes.

If it's close, I wouldn't be surprised if a Manning beats out the upside of a Morin -- again, not because I would do it that way.

But these coaches aren't like that. I think they truly value known commodities over the unknown, even when the upside of the unknown is greater, far more than we realize as fans
- AllInForFlyers

I guess both Hextall and Hakstol will eventually have to answer for the decisions if they fail again this year....I could agree with decisions if I hadn't watched these kids simply outplay the vets. These same vets that continue to make rookie mistakes on a regular basis....for a non playoff team.

why would i want to watch a minor league team
- 2Real

Because the minor league team the last 40 games was better then the first 120 games by the major league team...

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Preseason Gameday: 10/1/17 vs. NYI
- bmeltzer

Are Hextall and Hakstol even watching the games? I get Lindblum possibly not making the team but how does the final cut come down to Morin or Sanheim?

I really wish I had the same faith as you guys.

Both Morin & Sanheim get sent to Phantoms is surprising to me. If I'm Morin I'm asking what more can I do? Why would you want a big body on d to clear things out? I get you need vets on d, but really send 2-3 of the rookies back to the Phantoms so AMAC and Manning can play, that makes no sense.

Both Morin & Sanheim get sent to Phantoms is surprising to me. If I'm Morin I'm asking what more can I do? Why would you want a big body on d to clear things out? I get you need vets on d, but really send 2-3 of the rookies back to the Phantoms so AMAC and Manning can play, that makes no sense.
- LJF

They were both sent down???????

Because the minor league team the last 40 games was better then the first 120 games by the major league team...

- landros 2

they're still awful and some how let the giants get ahead of them in drafting

They were both sent down???????
- SuperSchennBros

not yet if things hold as is, it looks that way

not yet if things hold as is, it looks that way
- LJF

(frank) we need to get rid of amac asap

(frank) we need to get rid of amac asap
- 2Real

Why ?...on this team he's a top pairing guy.

not yet if things hold as is, it looks that way
- LJF

I take a lot of poop for my views. Hextall is in his fourth season as a first time GM and he's treated like everything he says and does is absolute gospel. This is a huge disappointment that Morin would be on edge of whether or not he makes the team on the last day of training camp. Sanheim I get, even though he's done more than enough to make the team too but Morin should be a stone cold lock. I think a lot of this influence comes from Hakstol. I honestly believe John Stevens is coming back within the next five years and we'll win when he takes over!!

I'm honestly disappointed!!

Aw, man. Dave Strader.

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

Both Morin & Sanheim get sent to Phantoms is surprising to me. If I'm Morin I'm asking what more can I do? Why would you want a big body on d to clear things out? I get you need vets on d, but really send 2-3 of the rookies back to the Phantoms so AMAC and Manning can play, that makes no sense.
- LJF

One is making it on the opening night roster.

One is making it on the opening night roster.
- bmeltzer

It shouldn't come down to the two. It's clear Morin is more deserving.

Something that's been missing in this entire narrative of Lindblom/Morin/Sanheim vs Read/MacDonald/Weise is that the fan base appears to have total and unconditional support of the former trio having their requisite struggles as rookies. Nowhere have I seen any mention on any blog or comment by a fan voicing some expectation that they will enter the picture and be superstars. We all appear unified in having grounded expectations and watching them learn the trade in the NHL and having some bumps in the road, rather than the retread trio. Our time, money, interest as fans are all finite and I'd much rather watch Lindblom's career trajectory unfold (however it unfolds) rather than the other gang.

So, to summarize, later tonight or tomorrow morning when I expect to read the platitudes by Coach and GM about the intangibles the veteran three bring as justification for the former's demotions, I'll plan on trying not to shatter my computer.