Bill,

Question regarding the actual logistics/rules of what needs to happen with Matt Read. I understand what is going on regarding the paperwork behind getting to a roster size of 23.

So Matt Read is most likely with the team right now (will clear at noon) and they don't necessarily need to physically send him to the AHL. Obviously if Ghost is placed on IR, Read stays with the team and Sanheim/Morin goes to LHV. If Ghost stays DTD, can Read actually stay with the team and not practice while being in the "AHL" (i.e. not on the Flyers roster)?

I'm hoping Elliott is solid. I worry well lose neuvy to extended injury. Last year elliott had a horrible start and then ripped off a crazy good streak that propelled Calgary to the playoffs. They were overmatched vs Anaheim imo and he also didn't play well. Can't say that disaster is 100 percent on him. Recipe for a sweep. Really hoping we get the 10 game steak guy haha.
- Hextall271

His issues in Calgary were personal issues though. He had his first child over the offseason. He was struggling dealing with his job and a new born baby. He should be good again but it depends on our defence.

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

True, however they had even more youth back in 84-85, granted most of it at forward, and all they did that year was finish with the best record in the league and went to the finals. I get their concerns, but, IMO, all 3 young Dmen earned the right to be in the lineup.

This is true, but it is also the only way these rookies can compete. They outperformed the vets (clearly, to use Hextalls oft stated criteria) in the only arena they had at their disposal. What else can they do?
- MBFlyerfan

We really need to remove the emotion from it. The kids did their job and performed admirably. That's a good thing and something to be happy about and look forward to. Here is the reality and what I think is working against them. The Flyers top defenseman is a 20 year old player who is in his second NHL season. He played extremely well beyond his years but he is still a 2nd year player. They have Gostisbehere who struggled for large parts of last season especially defensively and also struggled in pre season action. So now we're looking at adding 3 rookies to that situation. That would give any GM and coaching staff pause. Whether they move Gudas to play with Provorov or a rookie, one or more of the rookies are going to be put in a lot if situations that probably isn't the best situation for their development. That's not an absurd or unreasonable outlook by the Flyers brass. It's just not. I personally believe that they should just deal with that and accept the growing pains as they come but I'm not going to sit here and get mad about it. I know that it's short term and it's going to change in the very near future. We'll see how a long season shakes out.

hardly a fair statement....1G and an assist in four games. Would have like to see the second highest scorer in Swedish elite league last year get a few more opportunities. He scores and doesn't play another game. It's not like guys like read and weise filled the nets...lol. I think we all know what they offer.
- landros 2

It's not only a fair but it's also an accurate statement. They're looking at more than just how many goals and assists he scored. They're looking at how he pressed the play offensively with any consistency. How he created scoring chances for both himself and his teammates.

I see your point. A couple of aspects I've considered are that hextall prob thinks it can be difficult for d rookies to come into the trg season NHL and more ahl time can't hurt. Also. With the brutal sched at the beginning he prob doesn't want them getting scorched out west. I get the feeling that we might see them up in November etc with injuries or the inevitable poor play from the vets. Just my sense here.
- Hextall271

I have ZERO issue with Lindblom going down. I wanted him to make it but I get why he went down. Kid has, what, all of 8 games on the smaller rinks at a faster face than juniors? I'm excited that they have Patrick and Leier making the team and Konecny in his second year and even Laughton who is young.

My issue is more about the prospect that Morin was going to sit if Ghost was healthy based on the last pre-season game and practice. If they don't want to go with 3 rookies, fine. I get it. but at this point Morin has had 2 entire AHL seasons under his belt. while not perfect, the kid has looked good in the pre season. the thought of him being a healthy scratch gives me a tick.

Don't really buy that. He has also scored at the AHL level already. I don't care that much about him being sent back (actually predicted he would be before camp started), but I think the "reasoning" is not solely due to the play of Oskar Lindblom
- YuenglingJagr

In his case in my opinion it's absolutely about his play and what they saw in his play. Not much doubt there.

on a positive note, they have McDonald and Stolartz on SOIR, Umberger's buyout and possibly Read buried in the AHL and they STILL have a little cap space. Granted as soon as some of these kids and Simmonds need new contracts that could change

In his case in my opinion it's absolutely about his play and what they saw in his play. Not much doubt there.
- MJL

He came exactly as advertised. It would be like sending Morin down to work on his offensive game. I don't care how much power play time they give Lindblom in the AHL, he isn't going to become an elite scorer. He is a smart, steady, difference maker in 3 zones player who has enough skill to score.

It is just an excuse to send him back down while they have other options at forward. I am okay with the move, I just think it is clear that the AHL time isn't going to turn him into something he hasn't shown he will be or can become.

I have ZERO issue with Lindblom going down. I wanted him to make it but I get why he went down. Kid has, what, all of 8 games on the smaller rinks at a faster face than juniors? I'm excited that they have Patrick and Leier making the team and Konecny in his second year and even Laughton who is young.

My issue is more about the prospect that Morin was going to sit if Ghost was healthy based on the last pre-season game and practice. If they don't want to go with 3 rookies, fine. I get it. but at this point Morin has had 2 entire AHL seasons under his belt. while not perfect, the kid has looked good in the pre season. the thought of him being a healthy scratch gives me a tick.
- nastyflyergirl

I think the Flyers' blue line can use the physicality of Morin's game.

Gudas is physical, but he walks a thin line between "great hit" and "suspension". With a new DoPS chief, I could see him getting suspended for hits that were let go in the past.

AMac is not physical at all for someone considered somewhat of a defensive defenseman.

Manning is more game than able.

As good as Provy and Ghost are, they aren't intimidating anyone.

They really don't have anyone like Morin.

As usual, the Manning hate is way over the top. He had off season back surgery and didn't start skating til mid-August. He played fairly well the past two preseason games. I like the three rookies as much as anyone, but Manning is well liked by the brass and respected by his teammates.

He is not going to make or break us by playing 15 minutes/game as the #6 D. We need scoring and the goalies to stop the ones they are supposed to stop.

Yes, I do think he will be the #7 D when Ghost returns, but a Manning/Gudas pairing is not the end of the world.

It's not only a fair but it's also an accurate statement. They're looking at more than just how many goals and assists he scored. They're looking at how he pressed the play offensively with any consistency. How he created scoring chances for both himself and his teammates.
- MJL

drink that koolaid...accurate in your mind not mine.

on a positive note, they have McDonald and Stolartz on SOIR, Umberger's buyout and possibly Read buried in the AHL and they STILL have a little cap space. Granted as soon as some of these kids and Simmonds need new contracts that could change
- nastyflyergirl

They are fine cap wise for a number of years. The Simmonds contract is the only one that can really put them over the top. It won't be Simmond's contract either, it will be the next big contract or two after that.

He came exactly as advertised. It would be like sending Morin down to work on his offensive game. I don't care how much power play time they give Lindblom in the AHL, he isn't going to become an elite scorer. He is a smart, steady, difference maker in 3 zones player who has enough skill to score.

It is just an excuse to send him back down while they have other options at forward. I am okay with the move, I just think it is clear that the AHL time isn't going to turn him into something he hasn't shown he will be or can become.
- YuenglingJagr

I think Lindblom makes the roster if the Flyers don't get the #2 pick.

As usual, the Manning hate is way over the top. He had off season back surgery and didn't start skating til mid-August. He played fairly well the past two preseason games. I like the three rookies as much as anyone, but Manning is well liked by the brass and respected by his teammates.

He is not going to make or break us by playing 15 minutes/game as the #6 D. We need scoring and the goalies to stop the ones they are supposed to stop.

Yes, I do think he will be the #7 D when Ghost returns, but a Manning/Gudas pairing is not the end of the world.
- boxcar65

Okay but manning sucks.

He had more than 3 giveaways for every point he scored last year.

Okay but manning sucks.

He had more than 3 giveaways for every point he scored last year.
- BINGO!

But did you watch the Edmonton game?!?!

Can't believe that amazing bluff by hextall.
Trying to fool 30 other teams in to thinking that amac is a legit dman. Nice work

I think the Flyers' blue line can use the physicality of Morin's game.

Gudas is physical, but he walks a thin line between "great hit" and "suspension". With a new DoPS chief, I could see him getting suspended for hits that were let go in the past.

AMac is not physical at all for someone considered somewhat of a defensive defenseman.

Manning is more game than able.

As good as Provy and Ghost are, they aren't intimidating anyone.

They really don't have anyone like Morin.
- johndewar

Exactly!

Morin brings an element to the game that this team has been lacking for a while, pure unadulterated toughness. The Flyers have been a soft team that's easy to play against for a long time now. How many times have watched teams run our goalies and jab at them with impunity after the whistle? How many times have we watched them lose puck battles along the wall and in the corners? How many times have we watched them fail to clear the front of the net?

Is Sam Morin going to make some mistakes? Absolutely. But, so what? He's going to give them a physical presence in front of their own net, he's going to win a lot of one on one puck battles and his huge reach will be a big help to the Flyers PK which hasn't exactly set the league standard the last few years. He can fine tune the rest of his game at the NHL level, I don't see how any more time in the AHL is going to help this kid at all. He needs to be competing against the big boys at NHL speed.

His issues in Calgary were personal issues though. He had his first child over the offseason. He was struggling dealing with his job and a new born baby. He should be good again but it depends on our defence.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Yes. I'd read that. I'm hoping that he is more consistent t this year but you're right. Some including the media blamed every problem the team had last yearon poor goaltending and this drives me nuts. It's a lazy narrative that casual fans also spew at me. Team defence is also required.

As usual, the Manning hate is way over the top. He had off season back surgery and didn't start skating til mid-August. He played fairly well the past two preseason games. I like the three rookies as much as anyone, but Manning is well liked by the brass and respected by his teammates.

He is not going to make or break us by playing 15 minutes/game as the #6 D. We need scoring and the goalies to stop the ones they are supposed to stop.

Yes, I do think he will be the #7 D when Ghost returns, but a Manning/Gudas pairing is not the end of the world.
- boxcar65

I don't hate Manning and I'm fine with him as the 7th man. However, I feel a Sanheim/Gudas pair or a Morin/Gudas pair would both help the team more than a Manning/Gudas pair will.

As usual, the Manning hate is way over the top. He had off season back surgery and didn't start skating til mid-August. He played fairly well the past two preseason games. I like the three rookies as much as anyone, but Manning is well liked by the brass and respected by his teammates.

He is not going to make or break us by playing 15 minutes/game as the #6 D. We need scoring and the goalies to stop the ones they are supposed to stop.

Yes, I do think he will be the #7 D when Ghost returns, but a Manning/Gudas pairing is not the end of the world.
- boxcar65

as I said earlier Manning's place on this team doesn't bother me and I think he is perfect in the 7 role to fill in when injuries arise. I do have a problem with him in over Morin in a situation where all dmen are healthy and Sanheim is sent down. Kid needs to play

Exactly!

Morin brings an element to the game that this team has been lacking for a while, pure unadulterated toughness. The Flyers have been a soft team that's easy to play against for a long time now. How many times have watched teams run our goalies and jab at them with impunity after the whistle? How many times have we watched them lose puck battles along the wall and in the corners? How many times have we watched them fail to clear the front of the net?

Is Sam Morin going to make some mistakes? Absolutely. But, so what? He's going to give them a physical presence in front of their own net, he's going to win a lot of one on one puck battles and his huge reach will be a big help to the Flyers PK which hasn't exactly set the league standard the last few years. He can fine tune the rest of his game at the NHL level, I don't see how any more time in the AHL is going to help this kid at all. He needs to be competing against the big boys at NHL speed.
- BiggE

Our goalie is bigger than Morin.

Our goalie is bigger than Morin.
- BINGO!

Not where it counts

I don't hate Manning and I'm fine with him as the 7th man. However, I feel a Sanheim/Gudas pair or a Morin/Gudas pair would both help the team more than a Manning/Gudas pair will.
- BiggE

Sanheim and Morin should both be on the team.

Go all in with all of them and let them grow together before they become too expensive to keep.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...arlings-and-duds-1.874041

All of this will be for naught if the core is still rotten in the upcoming seasons. How do we change the wheels of the core on the fly without running off the cliff?