I think people are more upset that a 4th liner who couldn't play his way out of the ECHL 8 months ago gets a call up as opposed to a guy who's been on an offensive tear in the AHL. If they'd call up Lindblom along with Goulborune to replace Weise on the 3rd line and Lehtera on the 4th, I think a lot more people would be less WTF.
- jmatchett383

Agreed

I think people are more upset that a 4th liner who couldn't play his way out of the ECHL 8 months ago gets a call up as opposed to a guy who's been on an offensive tear in the AHL. If they'd call up Lindblom along with Goulborune to replace Weise on the 3rd line and Lehtera on the 4th, I think a lot more people would be less WTF.
- jmatchett383

I wouldn't really classify what Lindblom is doing as an "offensive tear" he's been good don't get me wrong but not even a point per game producer yet.

Martel 17G 9A 26PTS
Lindbolm 11G 14A 25PTS
Varone 10G 28A 38PTS

I don't know anything about Varone, is he a good option? 3rd in AHL scoring

I wouldn't really classify what Lindblom is doing as an "offensive tear" he's been good don't get me wrong but not even a point per game producer yet.
- SimmerDown

I would also think the fact his troubles in in the first part of the AHL season have been linked to being home sick and depressed and he didnt start to "flourish" until he got roommates and social support probably gives them pause as to whether the jump is too soon.

Not saying the case, but I could understand their reticence if they want to make sure they don't overstress him yet until he adapts more.

I wouldn't really classify what Lindblom is doing as an "offensive tear" he's been good don't get me wrong but not even a point per game producer yet.
- SimmerDown

Lindblom had a rough first ten games coming from Europe, since then he’s been their best forward and a ppg player

I think people are more upset that a 4th liner who couldn't play his way out of the ECHL 8 months ago gets a call up as opposed to a guy who's been on an offensive tear in the AHL. If they'd call up Lindblom along with Goulborune to replace Weise on the 3rd line and Lehtera on the 4th, I think a lot more people would be less WTF.
- jmatchett383

Johnathan Quick played 38 games in Reading too.

Goulbourne played 36.

Two totally different players and skills but I am not going to knock any player who has had to put in the work in the ECHL.

The bottom line is that two points in 228 combined ES + PP minutes is not close to being good enough for an NHL forward unless they were a great defensive player, which Lehtera is not.

For comparison, last year Matt Read had 18 points in 812 ES + PP minutes.
- Feanor

Exactly my point. Just doesn't do enough to warrant staying in the lineup.

Johnathan Quick played 38 games in Reading too.

Goulbourne played 36.

Two totally different players and skills but I am not going to knock any player who has had to put in the work in the ECHL.
- J35Bacher

Those comparisons are not very good. There is only two goalie spots in the AHL, and many more forward spots, but that's beyond the point.

It's not a knock on Goulbourne. It's a knock on the organization that after one loss, they have knee-jerk reaction to call up a guy who is not likely to impact the play of the team, at least consistently. I hope he does well, I really do, but I'm not going to assume he will magically become great.

At the same time, they have a lack of scoring depth, and have someone who (Lindblom) who may be able to help the team in that area. By many people who consistently watch the Phantoms, he's ready to play in the NHL.

i have 5 tickets for the 1/13 Phantoms vs Hershey game - section 122, row 18, seats 13-17. 20.00 a ticket. message me if interested

Sanheim cannot replace MacDonald on the Flyers defense corps now. MacDonald plays too big of a role on the Flyers.
- MJL

This is what baffles me, last year Amac was deemed not good enough to make the team and sent to the AHL and we played Schultz/Streit and MDZ instead. Then later in season he was brought up because of injuries. It was not solely a cap issue last year. The organization believed he was better NOT in the NHL line up, and now he is labeled as one of our top pairing and most relied on defenseman? Nothing in his game has changed and he is still the same. That is a decision I do not understand.

nice to see them win, but they have to start being consistent if they want any chance of a post season.

elliott needs a rest and neuvirth is going to have to be good. he's capable. but will he be? or will he get hurt again just from breathing?
- hammarby31

Im thinking Elliot plays vs his old team the Blues Saturday and Neuvirth will start vs the Sabres.

Nice to see Patrick with extra pep in the step last night as well. Really looking forward to watching this kid next season, injury aside a good off season to get a little stronger will go a long way for him in the corner battles.
- SimmerDown

Kid can make some sick reads/passes with the puck. Once they get him paired with a true sniper it's going to be a very good line.

Those comparisons are not very good. There is only two goalie spots in the AHL, and many more forward spots, but that's beyond the point.

It's not a knock on Goulbourne. It's a knock on the organization that after one loss, they have knee-jerk reaction to call up a guy who is not likely to impact the play of the team, at least consistently. I hope he does well, I really do, but I'm not going to assume he will magically become great.

At the same time, they have a lack of scoring depth, and have someone who (Lindblom) who may be able to help the team in that area. By many people who consistently watch the Phantoms, he's ready to play in the NHL.
- VladDrag

Did you miss the part i said to totally different player?

Also how do you know it was knee jerk. Do you know if they had talks to infuse some grit or speed into the 4th line? Goulbourne was also used on the PK. So maybe they thought this could be a help in two areas.

I would love to see Lindblom up. But bring up Lindblom means more line juggling then bringing up just Goulbourne. If your adding Lindblom to the top 9 then your probably moving someone like Weal or Raffl back to the 4th line. Weal doesn't seem to thrive there and everyone was clamoring for Raffl to not to be on the 4th line.

Patrick, Simmonds and Weal I thought had one of their best games as a line.

I don’t get the Amac hate. He was really solid last night. Sure he has his rough spots and a few turnovers. Whatever.
- Marc D

Amac was 100% to blame for the start of that first goal by NY last night. In the offensive zone he pinched along the board then threw a blind bass from his backhand to the middle of the ice with only Hagg back there which led to an odd man rush, puck never came out of the zone and then Clutterbuck scores. Was an awful decision by a veteran to make that play.

Hagg's game has been deteriorating in the last few weeks. I disagree about MacDonald. He has been playing solidly all season and the defense corps stabilized when he returned from injury. Manning right now is a better player than Sanheim is. I don't want Sanheim continuing to sit though.
- MJL

Actually if I think on this since Amac has returned from injury our ES and PP goals against have gone up.

I think people are more upset that a 4th liner who couldn't play his way out of the ECHL 8 months ago gets a call up as opposed to a guy who's been on an offensive tear in the AHL. If they'd call up Lindblom along with Goulborune to replace Weise on the 3rd line and Lehtera on the 4th, I think a lot more people would be less WTF.
- jmatchett383

And if hed been called up 8 months ago I'd understand the reaction. He's being rewarded for his hard work since then to make himself an effective player for the phantoms. But the obsession over Lindblom crapped all over that story before it even had a chance to be told.

Lindblom isn't getting called up until they need a player for the top 9. That means Konecny or Weal are sitting unless there is an injury to someone else.

Time to give Elliott a rest

Isles 4.07 GAA .871%
Pitt 6.00 GAA ,714%
TB 3.00 GAA .889%
Fla 3.14 GAA .889%
- SimmerDown17

Curious how you get the .07 and .14 GAA added in a game?

Curious how you get the .07 and .14 GAA added in a game?
- Buzzo

adjusted for when the goalie is pulled at the end of the game or for delayed penalties.

they need a net nasty D so bad
- wcorvette

We do, but for some reason after 3 years they think he is still not ready.

I wouldn't really classify what Lindblom is doing as an "offensive tear" he's been good don't get me wrong but not even a point per game producer yet.
- SimmerDown

Over the season, no. But he was riding an 11-game point streak, which (to me) is "a tear."

Yet when the GM tries to address that by calling up a replacement he sees suited for 4th line duty people absolutely lose their poop in here.

Also see Weise as a fine 4th liner. But he's been getting far too many opportunities this season that he hasn't justified.
- Baxter27

Like on the PP? I really don't get that. He is not a net front presence there either. Much rather have TK on that 2nd pp

Johnathan Quick played 38 games in Reading too.

Goulbourne played 36.

Two totally different players and skills but I am not going to knock any player who has had to put in the work in the ECHL.
- J35Bacher

It's not a knock, just that I think there are better options.

Like on the PP? I really don't get that. He is not a net front presence there either. Much rather have TK on that 2nd pp
- Buzzo

It failed last year and I don't see any reason to try it again this year. Hell I'd put Gudas there over him.

It's not a knock, just that I think there are better options.
- jmatchett383

I actually think Cole Bardreau would have been the call up option if he was healthy.

But I think they wanted someone with some edge in his game and could maybe kill penalties.

When i look at Goulbourne I actually think of the guy last night, Clutterbuck, and that is the role I want to see Goulbourne in. Kill penalties. Play physical. Pop in some offense from time to time.

I actually think Cole Bardreau would have been the call up option if he was healthy.

But I think they wanted someone with some edge in his game and could maybe kill penalties.

When i look at Goulbourne I actually think of the guy last night, Clutterbuck, and that is the role I want to see Goulbourne in. Kill penalties. Play physical. Pop in some offense from time to time.
- J35Bacher

I'll just say this:

If he beats the piss out of someone tomorrow (Thorburn?), I'll enjoy it. It may not make them win, but it will be enjoyable.