Carter Hart is exceptional.

One thing, though, is that the Silvertips played to their strength, which means they played an extremely tight-checking game. Well structured, they don't give other teams much.

Unfortunately they don't really create a lot of offense as a result and it killed them.

My take:

Hart's a very good prospect. Numbers might be a little inflated due to the style of game his team played in front of him, but he never really gets rattled and he's gonna be a real, real good pro.
- BINGO!

Also keep in mind that the WHL has suddenly turned into what the Quebec League used to be, scoring wise. The number of 100-point and 40+ goal scorers in the Western League was way higher than than the other CHL leagues this season. Actually, the Q has become the lowest-scoring league, with the OHL in the middle.

LOL the kid showed at the end of the season he's a valid 2C in the NHL in his rookie year. Yeah we are putting unreasonable expectations on him
- dragonoffrost

No. What I think is unreasonable is for any of these rookies to dive into the NHL pool and be top forwards in the league. Everyone is gonna need to time to adjust and get comfortable.

I thought Patrick had a strong second half and I have no doubt he'll be a top center in this league. I didn't think he was "A Beast!"

No. What I think is unreasonable is for any of these rookies to dive into the NHL pool and be top forwards in the league. Everyone is gonna need to time to adjust and get comfortable.

I thought Patrick had a strong second half and I have no doubt he'll be a top center in this league. I didn't think he was "A Beast!"
- SuperSchennBros

I can’t help but think how much more of a beast he would have been near seasons end if he was fully healthy or never suffered that concussion. Oh well. Thrilled with the kid honestly.

I think I rather try to trade + retain salary for Neuvy compared to just buying out.
- arichardson22

Absolutely a trade of any sort would be better. Though a cap hit for the 2 season at 750k is not the end of the world.

Agreed. I just don't want to be so quick to write off a 19 year old kid that many folks see promise in.
- johndewar

many were calling jvr a bust because he didn't leave college for 2 years. it's crazy. look at him now.

I can’t help but think how much more of a beast he would have been near seasons end if he was fully healthy or never suffered that concussion. Oh well. Thrilled with the kid honestly.
- arichardson22

Giroux was hit in the head by Perry his rookie season and was our best player that same playoff.

I just don't think it's fair to put too high an explanation on some of these kids.

Also keep in mind that the WHL has suddenly turned into what the Quebec League used to be, scoring wise. The number of 100-point and 40+ goal scorers in the Western League was way higher than than the other CHL leagues this season. Actually, the Q has become the lowest-scoring league, with the OHL in the middle.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, it fluctuates.

I would say the level of talent in the WHL was extremely varied this year, though.

The high end talent was very high, but the low end talent was very, very low. Watching Hart in the finals it was clear that he was the only reason Everett made it where they did. They simply couldn't compete when Swift Current got their game going.

Neuvy will be hurt by November, making this all a moot point.
- johndewar

waiting all the way until november? Sounds like the new trainer has worked miracles

Yeah, it fluctuates.

I would say the level of talent in the WHL was extremely varied this year, though.

The high end talent was very high, but the low end talent was very, very low. Watching Hart in the finals it was clear that he was the only reason Everett made it where they did. They simply couldn't compete when Swift Current got their game going.
- BINGO!

you should be changing your location to the feet of Alex Lyon

Totally agree. I gave the example of Radek Faksa. No reason why Rubtsov can't follow a similar track.
- bmeltzer

I gave it first! (and Mono before me).....




Just messing around, Bill! I'm not insinuating I gave you the idea to add Faksa to the story. I freely admit, Mono was the one who pointed it out to me (not specifically).

I can’t help but think how much more of a beast he would have been near seasons end if he was fully healthy or never suffered that concussion. Oh well. Thrilled with the kid honestly.
- arichardson22

you should be changing your location to the feet of Alex Lyon
- YuenglingJagr

heh.

I think Alex Lyon wins an NHL job out of camp. Neuvirth is traded or bought out.
- MBFlyerfan

Buy outs happen in June.

Buy outs happen in June.
- Feanor

Great, thanks.

Great, thanks.
- MBFlyerfan

Oh, and camp happens in September.

Oh, and camp happens in September.
- Feanor

I don't think he was saying that Nuevy is bought out after camp, could be wrong. I didn't read it that way, anyways...

waiting all the way until november? Sounds like the new trainer has worked miracles
- YuenglingJagr

I'm giving the new trainer the benefit of the doubt.

I don't think he was saying that Nuevy is bought out after camp, could be wrong. I didn't read it that way, anyways...
- VladDrag

Here's the issue the way I see it from Hextall's POV (or at least something along the lines of what the organization is thinking) They did not trust Lyon to start games when both goalies went down and I doubt they trusted Tokarski after him. So buyout/trade of Neuvirth leaves you with what?

- Elliott, who is older and coming off of core muscle surgery
- Stolarz, major knee injuries and has been largely away from hockey for a year
- Lyon, strong technically and has surged for the Phantoms in the playoffs, but somewhat small and just okay athletically
- Hart, first pro season and will most likely be held back from NHL exposure for the greater part of the season
- Muse, ECHL/AHL tweener

So do I think Hextall is comfortable with that? No, I really don't. I would hate to have 3 goalies on one team though. That leaves us with Elliott/Neuvirth until one or both get injured. Lyon will probably stay in the AHL and move to the NHL. Stolarz could get sent to the ECHL or maybe they just move on from him (but I hope they don't). Hart may get forced to the ECHL to start, but really the trickiest part of the goalie situation will be getting all of these guys regular practice and playing time.

It isn't uncommon to see a backup goalie moved during the season or even subjected to waivers to a team that loses a goalie to injury. It won't be impossible for a goalie to come steal Neuvirth's job.

The solution is to have Elliott and Lyon on the Flyers and Hart, Stolarz and Neuvirth on the Phantoms in October. If that means the Phantoms have three healthy goalies that's great because it means Neuvirth and Stolarz are both healthy, and you can explore trading Neuvirth at 50%.

And it means you don't risk losing Lyon on waivers in October.

Here's the issue the way I see it from Hextall's POV (or at least something along the lines of what the organization is thinking) They did not trust Lyon to start games when both goalies went down and I doubt they trusted Tokarski after him. So buyout/trade of Neuvirth leaves you with what?

- Elliott, who is older and coming off of core muscle surgery
- Stolarz, major knee injuries and has been largely away from hockey for a year
- Lyon, strong technically and has surged for the Phantoms in the playoffs, but somewhat small and just okay athletically
- Hart, first pro season and will most likely be held back from NHL exposure for the greater part of the season
- Muse, ECHL/AHL tweener

So do I think Hextall is comfortable with that? No, I really don't. I would hate to have 3 goalies on one team though. That leaves us with Elliott/Neuvirth until one or both get injured. Lyon will probably stay in the AHL and move to the NHL. Stolarz could get sent to the ECHL or maybe they just move on from him (but I hope they don't). Hart may get forced to the ECHL to start, but really the trickiest part of the goalie situation will be getting all of these guys regular practice and playing time.

It isn't uncommon to see a backup goalie moved during the season or even subjected to waivers to a team that loses a goalie to injury. It won't be impossible for a goalie to come steal Neuvirth's job.
- YuenglingJagr

not sure i agree with this. but he generally gets the job done.

not sure i agree with this. but he generally gets the job done.
- hammarby31

I am not saying he is small or slow...just generally mean he relies more on positioning than he does athleticism. The size and athleticism are what will hold him back from being a starter IMO

I am not saying he is small or slow...just generally mean he relies more on positioning than he does athleticism. The size and athleticism are what will hold him back from being a starter IMO
- YuenglingJagr

I think he is small, if had Stolarz size we might have something

I think he is small, if had Stolarz size we might have something
- wcorvette

compared to a lot of NHL goalies, yeah he is...last i saw the average height was like 6'2"

compared to a lot of NHL goalies, yeah he is...last i saw the average height was like 6'2"
- YuenglingJagr

Average is 6’2 and Lyon is what? 6’1?

Don’t really think it’s that big a deal.

Average is 6’2 and Lyon is what? 6’1?

Don’t really think it’s that big a deal.
- BiggE

An inch is a foot in the NHL today!