Bill,

Why are they so damn scared to just carry the 3 rookies and let them play on defense. I know there will be bumps along the road but Toronto just showed that they can still win along with taking those bumps while also getting your young players solid experience.

I actually feel that this team has a better chance of making the playoffs with the 3 rookies on defense compared to the alternative.
- J35Bacher

The argument is that (rightly so) it is harder for young defensemen than it is for forwards. I agree with this in principle....but this team is not going to win the cup this season, but I personally feel playing the rookies NOW gets them closer to winning the cup faster.

As to your second point, I also agree. This is a better team with the rookie defensemen. Its not even a question. They are more dynamic in all three zones.

What's worse is that it basically tells the kids: guess what? We're full of crap. It doesn't matter how well you perform we have a quota of rookies that we will carry and on D that number is 2, so enjoy riding the buses.
- BiggE

yup ...(frank)ing right it does.

It's not about what they see about Weise over Lindblom. Lindblom has been demoted simply because the Flyers don't feel playing him in limited minutes on the 3rd line is the best thing for him. They feel he is better off playing a top role in the AHL for a while. Not the end of the world. Maybe they don't feel Lehtera can play effectively at Wing.
- MJL

I don't think the amount of minutes played on the 3rd line is that limited, especially when your linemates are Filppula and Konecny.

I get what they are doing, but when the option to replace him is Dale Weise, I'd rather he learn on the job.

I don't think the amount of minutes played on the 3rd line is that limited, especially when your linemates are Filppula and Konecny.

I get what they are doing, but when the option to replace him is Dale Weise, I'd rather he learn on the job.
- BiggE

Dale Weise should not be in any NHL teams top 9... Bad signing. It appears to me their trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

The argument is that (rightly so) it is harder for young defensemen than it is for forwards. I agree with this in principle....but this team is not going to win the cup this season, but I personally feel playing the rookies NOW gets them closer to winning the cup faster.

As to your second point, I also agree. This is a better team with the rookie defensemen. Its not even a question. They are more dynamic in all three zones.
- MBFlyerfan

It's not like these are that young of defenseman though, Hagg has been a pro between the SHL and AHL for like 4-5 years now, Morin is 22 with multiple years of AHL experience, and Sanheim played as an overage in junior as well as an AHL season. The time for seasoning them is up, they showed they can play. Stop the bullsh!t and get rid of the dead weight in Amac and Manning.

The argument is that (rightly so) it is harder for young defensemen than it is for forwards. I agree with this in principle....but this team is not going to win the cup this season, but I personally feel playing the rookies NOW gets them closer to winning the cup faster.
- MBFlyerfan

Toronto's one rookie on D was a 25 year old Russian.

Up front they had Matthews (19), Marner (19) and Nylander (20) who where obvious choices. Then they had Brown (22), Soshnikov (23) and Hyman (24). The only real comprable to the Flyers rookies who didn't make it is Lindblom to Brown, but Brown scored 90 points in 110 AHL games in his 20 and 21 year old seasons.

Toronto's one rookie on D was a 25 year old Russian.

Up front they had Matthews (19), Marner (19) and Nylander (20) who where obvious choices. Then they had Brown (22), Soshnikov (23) and Hyman (24). The only real comprable to the Flyers rookies who didn't make it is Lindblom to Brown, but Brown scored 90 points in 100 AHL games in his 20 and 21 year old seasons.
- Feanor

And our rookie Dmen are what 20, 22, and 23. What's your point?

It's not like these are that young of defenseman though, Hagg has been a pro between the SHL and AHL for like 4-5 years now, Morin is 22 with multiple years of AHL experience, and Sanheim played as an overage in junior as well as an AHL season. The time for seasoning them is up, they showed they can play. Stop the bullsh!t and get rid of the dead weight in Amac and Manning.
- ClaudeFather

I think all three of them look NHL-ready. But they needed the process that got them to this point.

Sanheim turned 20 on March 29, 2016, near the end of his Draft +2 year. He was not AHL eligible yet, so it was not an over-age season. It was either NHL or WHL.

Morin has two AHL seasons under his belt. Hägg has three AHL seasons (first was a slide-rule eligible year) and, before that, 1 1/2 seasons in SHL.

Patrick confirmed yesterday that he is switching to No. 19
- bmeltzer

Thanks bill.

I think all three of them look NHL-ready. But they needed the process that got them to this point.

Sanheim turned 20 on March 29, 2016, near the end of his Draft +2 year. He was not AHL eligible yet, so it was not an over-age season. It was either NHL or WHL.

Morin has two AHL seasons under his belt. Hägg has three AHL seasons (first was a slide-rule eligible year) and, before that, 1 1/2 seasons in SHL.
- bmeltzer

I have no issue with the process that got them to where they are today at all. My only greivance is that the next step in the process is for them to play in the NHL, like you said they look NHL-ready.

It is probably jumping the gun on our part as well Bill, 5 games into the season Morin and Hagg could be playing 17+ minutes a game and all 3 rookies might be playing by game 20. Just frustrating on our end.

I think all three of them look NHL-ready. But they needed the process that got them to this point.

Sanheim turned 20 on March 29, 2016, near the end of his Draft +2 year. He was not AHL eligible yet, so it was not an over-age season. It was either NHL or WHL.

Morin has two AHL seasons under his belt. Hägg has three AHL seasons (first was a slide-rule eligible year) and, before that, 1 1/2 seasons in SHL.
- bmeltzer

It's not so much their ages and levels of experience, it's that all 3 clearly outplayed AMac and Manning in preseason. Hextall said that if a rookie clearly outplayed a veteran, a spot would be earned. Apparently that statement was a falsehood.

It's not so much their ages and levels of experience, it's that all 3 clearly outplayed AMac and Manning in preseason. Hextall said that if a rookie clearly outplayed a veteran, a spot would be earned. Apparently that statement was a falsehood.
- BiggE

I don't think he was justifying the lineup breakdown, but to your point that was a falsehood. Or, we just cannot see Amac's greatness.

And our rookie Dmen are what 20, 22, and 23. What's your point?
- ClaudeFather

They're 21 and 22, and there's a big difference between that and 25 year old Zaitsev.

It's not like these are that young of defenseman though, Hagg has been a pro between the SHL and AHL for like 4-5 years now, Morin is 22 with multiple years of AHL experience, and Sanheim played as an overage in junior as well as an AHL season. The time for seasoning them is up, they showed they can play. Stop the bullsh!t and get rid of the dead weight in Amac and Manning.
- ClaudeFather

*this*

I don't think he was justifying the lineup breakdown, but to your point that was a falsehood. Or, we just cannot see Amac's greatness.
- ClaudeFather

Well, he is a master at passively backing in and giving up easy zone entries.

They're 21 and 22, and there's a big difference between that and 25 year old Zaitsev.
- Feanor

I guess them playing all pre-season and camp looking the part meant nothing. What's your criteria for an NHL Dman, 5 years of AHL?

It's not so much their ages and levels of experience, it's that all 3 clearly outplayed AMac and Manning in preseason. Hextall said that if a rookie clearly outplayed a veteran, a spot would be earned. Apparently that statement was a falsehood.
- BiggE

exactly....I have been around hockey far to long to not to know BS when I hear it. If your not going to stick to your word, don't make the comment.

Bill Meltzer: Roster Deadline Day: Read on Waivers
- bmeltzer

Morin, Patrick and Sanheim need their numbers (55, 19, 32).

We're about to see how good Gudas really is, as Manning is about to weigh him down.

Weise called himself a second line winger when he first signed here.

It's not so much their ages and levels of experience, it's that all 3 clearly outplayed AMac and Manning in preseason. Hextall said that if a rookie clearly outplayed a veteran, a spot would be earned. Apparently that statement was a falsehood.
- BiggE

They will be opening the season with four rookies (two forwards, two defensemen) penciled in as starters. They also have a second-year forward (Konecny) and second-year defenseman (Provorov) as regulars in the lineup. Ghost has all of 142 games of NHL experience. That's a lot of youth in the lineup.

I don't think the amount of minutes played on the 3rd line is that limited, especially when your linemates are Filppula and Konecny.

I get what they are doing, but when the option to replace him is Dale Weise, I'd rather he learn on the job.
- BiggE

Agree. Konecny has looked great all preseason. They better not be limiting his minutes. He looks like he might be one of our best forwards.

exactly....I have been around hockey far to long to not to know BS when I hear it. If your not going to stick to your word, don't make the comment.
- landros 2

Well then i think that is valid question someone from the media should ask Hextall.

What we are witnessing here is standard operating procedure for much of the sports world, as well as the corporate world in general.

Most of these suits are ultimately spineless and at the end of the day, looking out for each other’s jobs. What’s the safe play here? It’s to not start too many rookies at once. Why take a chance? The rubes buying the tickets and merchandise will drink up whatever excuse trotted out in order to not rock the boat too much. Too bold of a move sticks out on resumes. Careers are in jeopardy! All hands on deck!

Good old boys club in full effect. I thought we were finally getting a progressive minded coach and GM. Things were progressing nicely and now they get cold feet at the last second?

They will be opening the season with four rookies (two forwards, two defensemen) penciled in as starters. They also have a second-year forward (Konecny) and second-year defenseman (Provorov) as regulars in the lineup. Ghost has all of 142 games of NHL experience. That's a lot of youth in the lineup.
- bmeltzer

Not to come across as a dumb fan but who cares?

How much veteran leadership was in the Maple Leafs lineup. Carolina started a very young defense a year or two ago.

I know he has a plan but right now I feel that plan could be accelerated a little by letting the youth play this year.

What we are witnessing here is standard operating procedure for much of the sports world, as well as the corporate world in general.

Most of these suits are ultimately spineless and at the end of the day, looking out for each other’s jobs. What’s the safe play here? It’s to not start too many rookies at once. Why take a chance? The rubes buying the tickets and merchandise will drink up whatever excuse trotted out in order to not rock the boat too much. Too bold of a move sticks out on resumes. Careers are in jeopardy! All hands on deck!

Good old boys club in full effect. I thought we were finally getting a progressive minded coach and GM. Things were progressing nicely and now they get cold feet at the last second?
- StepfordSam

Again... four rookies as regulars to start the season, two second year players and a third-year player. Lindblom stands a good chance of being in the NHL this season as long as he plays to his capabilities in the NHL. Ditto whichever D man goes down.

There's already plenty of youth in the lineup, and there will probably be even more over the course of the long season.

What we are witnessing here is standard operating procedure for much of the sports world, as well as the corporate world in general.

Most of these suits are ultimately spineless and at the end of the day, looking out for each other’s jobs. What’s the safe play here? It’s to not start too many rookies at once. Why take a chance? The rubes buying the tickets and merchandise will drink up whatever excuse trotted out in order to not rock the boat too much. Too bold of a move sticks out on resumes. Careers are in jeopardy! All hands on deck!

Good old boys club in full effect. I thought we were finally getting a progressive minded coach and GM. Things were progressing nicely and now they get cold feet at the last second?
- StepfordSam

The idea that Hextall is making roster decisions based on concerns about his job security is so stupid.