Bill Meltzer: Recap: Preseason Finale, Quick Hits

I'm glad the regular season is finally upon us. I'm not so thrilled that the Flyers start out with a bunch of road games on the far coast (ok.. Nashville isnt precisely west coast) with the seemingly obligatory three games in four nights thing... again.

Last night's game was somewhat deflating. Perhaps some of it had to do with the knowledge that not all of the kids were going to make the team, perhaps some had to do with the result, losing 5-2 to an Islander team that quite frankly doesnt look all THAT impressive, and then there's the injury to Ghost.

So yeah... optimism somewhat dampened, though probably not for any one good, solid reason.

It's never encouraging to hear we manage the team with fear. We aren't contenders I think this was a perfect opportunity to take the chance on some young guys. The team as a whole I think looked slower last night than all pre season. They lacked the outlet passing and several times resorted to dump and chase instead of being able to successfully ente the o zone. I thought the kids helped with all that we looked like the rest of the nhl contenders did for a change. How much rope does hasktol and hextall have ? We have a difficult schedule to open 0-5 isn't out of the question.

Not a fan of Morin or Sanheim going back. I can understand Lindblom, but both rookie defenders EARNED spots, which is what Hextall has always preached. Both outperformed MacDonald and need to be on the roster.

Even last night the team looked different with both out of the lineup.

Crappy way for all 3 kids on D to make the team, but that's often the way it happens.

Sadly, after what just happened in Vegas it's hard to care that much about hockey.

I can't wrap my head around the possibility of Morin getting sent down. I think he showed he was ready and that he offers more than either McD or Manning.

Not a fan of Morin or Sanheim going back. I can understand Lindblom, but both rookie defenders EARNED spots, which is what Hextall has always preached. Both outperformed MacDonald and need to be on the roster.

Even last night the team looked different with both out of the lineup.
- J35Bacher

I'm fine with Lindblom going back for a bit. prefer he stay but ok I get. same with Sanheim. But its stupid to not have Morin in the opening lineup.

Crappy way for all 3 kids on D to make the team, but that's often the way it happens.

Sadly, after what just happened in Vegas it's hard to care that much about hockey.
- BiggE

Didn't know about it til just now. just awful

Very excited for Dale Weise and Andrew MacDonald this season

another tired Read season. How long before he's the top line left wing.... again.

Very excited for Dale Weise and Andrew MacDonald this season
- PhillySportsGuy

Rumors abound that their trying reacquired VDV.

It's almost like Hextall didn't expect Hagg, Sanheim, and Morin to all earn spots in camp and he had no plan for that, but it's still poor management to say that they all can earn spots and then when they do so not give them spots because you are nervous about being too young on the backend. Maybe that's not the situation, but it appears that way.

How about the spectacular goaltending display by the Flyers #1 goalie last night?

Very excited for Dale Weise and Andrew MacDonald this season
- PhillySportsGuy

And Matt Read.

Maybe Ghost getting hurt is a blessing in disguise....if the other rookies continue to outplay vets during regular season I don't see how they could send them back to the AHL

Roster decisions are what they are. I thought Lindblom played well as Bill pointed out....Like Patrick, I think he should have played at least 6 or all 7 of the games to see if he could start to put it together. To go with some of these re-treads like Weise and Read is a joke and appears they are fine with the status quo which is a non-playoff team. I get Hextall propping up Weise as he's responsible for the signing which although not overly expensive puts a guy in the lineup that doesn't deserve it.\
as far as the 3 rookie D man, that is a head scratcher.....to me I would have colder feet with Macdonald in my top 6 over anyof the rookies....I like Manning as a spare but have never seen him play to the level of Sanheim or Morin.... those two just bring different skill sets that a guy like Manning will never have.
To me Hextall (or the decision makers) have blundered, but I guess were back to a year were we talk about all these great prospects, that can't even beat Andrew Macdonald out for a spot.

Maybe Ghost getting hurt is a blessing in disguise....if the other rookies continue to outplay vets during regular season I don't see how they could send them back to the AHL
- scorachek

we can only hope

Crappy way for all 3 kids on D to make the team, but that's often the way it happens.

Sadly, after what just happened in Vegas it's hard to care that much about hockey.
- BiggE

Amen. This world is in deep trouble until we learn that human life no matter what race/sex/orientation is valuable.

What do we know about hockey? Shut up and pay your money. Leave the decision making to the professionals.

I didn't get to watch a lot of the game yesterday, but I'm a tad disappointed with the roster decisions. It seemed our team was quicker and more exciting in preseason when the younger guys were in; had more of a jump to our game. But yesterday we looked like the same damn team from last season.

It's almost like Hextall didn't expect Hagg, Sanheim, and Morin to all earn spots in camp and he had no plan for that, but it's still poor management to say that they all can earn spots and then when they do so not give them spots because you are nervous about being too young on the backend. Maybe that's not the situation, but it appears that way.
- ManCity

How much of a plan do they really need? Two of them apparently are going to make the team. If they wanted all 3, there are a few options. Trade somebody or waive and demote.

Bill Meltzer: Recap: Preseason Finale, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Is it just me or do the flyers get a key player concussion almost every pre-season or start of regular season. Assuming it's a concussion.

Interview today, holy sweet (frank)

Interview today, holy sweet (frank)
- Giroux_Is_God

Good luck

Is it just me or do the flyers get a key player concussion almost every pre-season or start of regular season. Assuming it's a concussion.
- tocchettough

That's the rumors I've heard. I think this could be a blessing. Hope that the kids do well on the west coast and force Hextall and Hakstol to figure out the puzzle.