Chimera would fit the bill. I'll pass on bringing in any 4th liners though let the farm system fill the lower ranks. I would like to see weal being a fringe guy next season appose to Lehtera-Weise this season.
- SimmerDown

like the Chimera call, though I want someone who would fight in place of Simmonds. I would only want someone for a 1 year deal unless they really found one. I am not sure we have that 4th line guy for next season in the system.

I think it's referring to maturity as a hockey player, not maturity as it applies to off ice behavior or character.
- MJL

that is my read as well.

I'll bite for real.

I think Sanheim should have been allowed to stay up and play. Its not totally crazy to label Manning as the "safer" player at present time. Or to say players like that might get you more short terms wins.

On a club thats rebuilding, player development and in turn long term success should have priority. I think after that 10 game losing skid, Hakstol started really focusing at winning - at all cost.

Crazy thoughts from nutter. Sanheim will be back, hopefully soon. They talk about confidence, well the kid is going to have a hard time with that being benched or having his ice time cut after every mistake.
- flyer_nutter

The number one priority of any coach on any team is to win games. That's from day 1 of training camp. Sanheim is not the snowflake you think he is. He'll be fine.

I too would have preferred he was allowed to play and work it out in the NHL. We argue on this board Manning vs Sanheim, who knows who is right but we should know it is not clear cut. yes they win and Manning is in but is it puck luck and are the advanced stats really the true indicator or is Mannings experience just giving him the edge on some plays. I would rather let Sanheim learn here and it does give me pause how being sent down will affect him, but if he cant take it, well we all know what that would say about him long term.

IF they make the playoffs, Manning backers will reference that he is tougher, correct. In the playoffs it is usually one big play that separates a win from a lose, Manning doesnt have that in his skill set, Sanheim does. Here is to Sanheim getting back in about 10 games.
- wcorvette

I'm a tough one to discuss this with so I'll back off a bit. I was in favour of a total rebuild, and dont really give a rats ass in the grand scheme about the playoffs this year. All about the development in my eyes. Im very pro "letting the kids play through it".

It is a valid argument that you want the kids to develop in a good environment though and not just on a poophole club.

As it turned out that same obsession was blown out of proportion completely in the same manner as it this season with different players. It's really funny.
- MJL

As I recall he played 81 games last year. Who is to say he wouldn't this year if Hextall had signed him. Tough fall from grace when an every day top 12 forward in the NHL, suddenly isn't good enough to play anywhere else in the NHL

The number one priority of any coach on any team is to win games. That's from day 1 of training camp. Sanheim is not the snowflake you think he is. He'll be fine.
- MJL

I do think there should be a balance of doing "everything to win" and giving young players ample opportunity to grow and develop. Especially on a club that is basically going to rely on said young players in the near future.

Some guys are players who can step right in and not hurt you most nights. I do think at times you have to live with a young players growing pains, and not bench time/cut the ice time immediately.

Thing is, despite certain fans wanting them to do so..The Flyers aren't rebuilding. They've restocked while remaining competitive. Exactly what Hextall said they were going to do.

In regards to Sanheim, the NHL is not a development league and letting a player make mistakes can have both positive and negative effects on their development.
- Baxter27

So serious question...what kind of stock do you put into Hextall a) saying what he said about wanting Sanheim to play and b) keeping Sanheim on the roster for as long as he did despite the clear designation as the 7th defenseman?

To me, it is obvious Hextall preferred he play and continued to develop in the NHL

Using something I said in every reply is a nice personal touch, but simply saying Manning is better doesn't make it true

I suspect you will come around on the topic once the coaches do. Not sure what kind of evaluation process that is, but I don't expect you to change.
- YuenglingJagr

Stating that Manning is better isn't what makes him better. He just simply is at this point in time. Sanheim will at some point hopefully sooner rather than later fly past Manning as a player and when that happens, Sanheim's playing time will rise accordingly. Pretty simple actually. All based on merit.

As I recall he played 81 games last year. Who is to say he wouldn't this year if Hextall had signed him. Tough fall from grace when an every day top 12 forward in the NHL, suddenly isn't good enough to play anywhere else in the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

Hey, he's managed to play in a whopping 17 games in Liiga, which is probably the 6th best professional league in the world.

Using something I said in every reply is a nice personal touch, but simply saying Manning is better doesn't make it true

I suspect you will come around on the topic once the coaches do. Not sure what kind of evaluation process that is, but I don't expect you to change.
- YuenglingJagr

So he is better because he is better? Well why didn't someone just say that weeks ago.

Winning nod goes to Manning (big one)
advance stats (you know facts) goes to SanHeim
Youth movement and upside, need I say it
mental toughness right now (after being benched for 8 plus games) goes to Manning

as sad as it makes me, right now, manning should be playing. What scares me, is that if the save % drops from 94% with him on the ice, or the team as a whole stops playing such a strong team game, Manning will be completely exposed.

So serious question...what kind of stock do you put into Hextall a) saying what he said about wanting Sanheim to play and b) keeping Sanheim on the roster for as long as he did despite the clear designation as the 7th defenseman?

To me, it is obvious Hextall preferred he play and continued to develop in the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

I do think we need to realise now that what Hextall says to the media/fans isn't always going to be the case. The first big example of that was when Morin didn't make it out of camp.

It was clear the club had a quota of young players they would let in on opening night.

I do think there should be a balance of doing "everything to win" and giving young players ample opportunity to grow and develop. Especially on a club that is basically going to rely on said young players in the near future.

Some guys are players who can step right in and not hurt you most nights. I do think at times you have to live with a young players growing pains, and not bench time/cut the ice time immediately.
- flyer_nutter

Young players on the Flyers are given ample opportunity to grow and develop.

Stating that Manning is better isn't what makes him better. He just simply is at this point in time. Sanheim will at some point hopefully sooner rather than later fly past Manning as a player and when that happens, Sanheim's playing time will rise accordingly. Pretty simple actually. All based on merit.
- MJL

I do think sometimes proper development means playing a young kid through his mistakes. Cannot bench, or cut ice time if they start to cost you. I think Flyers do that a bit too much at times with players who don't jump right in and have immediate success.

So he is better because he is better? Well why didn't someone just say that weeks ago.

Winning nod goes to Manning (big one)
advance stats (you know facts) goes to SanHeim
Youth movement and upside, need I say it
mental toughness right now (after being benched for 8 plus games) goes to Manning

as sad as it makes me, right now, manning should be playing. What scares me, is that if the save % drops from 94% with him on the ice, or the team as a whole stops playing such a strong team game, Manning will be completely exposed.
- wcorvette

Do you think that Manning and Sanheim have played in the exact same set of circumstances in the NHL ?

I do think we need to realise now that what Hextall says to the media/fans isn't always going to be the case. The first big example of that was when Morin didn't make it out of camp.

It was clear the club had a quota of young players they would let in on opening night.
- flyer_nutter

He did make it out of camp, though technically Ghost was injured even though he played. I think Hextall keeping Sanheim on the team for several weeks is what proves it...not just what he said

Young players on the Flyers are given ample opportunity to grow and develop.
- MJL

As that was the point of the post?

Ahhh it was foolish to bother... Take it easy big man.

He did make it out of camp, though technically Ghost was injured even though he played. I think Hextall keeping him on the team for several weeks is what proves it...not just what he said
- YuenglingJagr

Huh? I swear the club chose to keep Hagg and Sanheim, and Morin was sent down shortly after.

Playing superstar defenseman Brandon Manning over scrub Travis "Bust" Sanheim is the difference between the Flyers winning 3 Stanley Cups this season or finishing dead last.

I have to say...I have impressed by the amount of time I have wasted today...not much longer to go

So serious question...what kind of stock do you put into Hextall a) saying what he said about wanting Sanheim to play and b) keeping Sanheim on the roster for as long as he did despite the clear designation as the 7th defenseman?

To me, it is obvious Hextall preferred he play and continued to develop in the NHL
- YuenglingJagr

I think he thought they would lose sooner and they wouldn't win 8 of 9, giving Hak a chance to get Travis in.

Manning had a nice goal last night, got lost in coverage last night. Against the Caps, he held the puck to long and it led to zone time for the caps, that led to the PP and to the goal. Rangers he was on the ice for 3 of the 5 goals...

not that any other D were perfect

Who is the happiest manning is playing besides MJL, AMAC, the haters have all but left him alone

Stating that Manning is better isn't what makes him better. He just simply is at this point in time. Sanheim will at some point hopefully sooner rather than later fly past Manning as a player and when that happens, Sanheim's playing time will rise accordingly. Pretty simple actually. All based on merit.
- MJL

But wouldn't you want Sanheim to fly past Manning as quickly as possible? Maybe if Hakstol would have never benched Sanheim he would be better than Manning 15 games later or however long it as been. Even if he wouldnt be better right now wouldn't he a a useful piece if they made the playoffs and by then he was better than Manning?

Huh? I swear the club chose to keep Hagg and Sanheim, and Morin was sent down shortly after.
- flyer_nutter

yeah that is fair...they just carried 8 defensemen (3 of which were Hagg, Sanheim, and Morin) for about a week, but wouldn't play all 3 of them

Over reading about Sanheim and Manning. Lets just bring in the dead horse for the fellas.

Young players on the Flyers are given ample opportunity to grow and develop.
- MJL

I do agree they are developing the young players and doing a good job, not perfect but that is impossible.

yeah that is fair...they just carried 8 defensemen (3 of which were Hagg, Sanheim, and Morin) for about a week, but wouldn't play all 3 of them
- YuenglingJagr

Gotcha, the "made out of camp" was my fault.