I don't think he needs to make the roster to notice an ability to play on a line that requires more skill. He has the necessary abilities to play higher in the lineup if it were required, which is useful to consider when finalizing a roster. It doesn't mean he is going to make the team because they can play him in the top six, if necessary, but he is a better option than Weise or Lehtera. It doesn't even mean he is going to do well in that role, but he has the skillset that should make it possible.
- YuenglingJagr

He's shown that ability in the AHL, much like we all (okay, some) thought that guys like Akeson would be able to play in the top-6/top-9. Just because you have a skillset that works in the AHL doesn't mean it will translate at the next level because, at the NHL level, there's more to the game that an offensive skillset.

So while he may have an ability to play in the top-6/top-9, it doesn't mean he's ready for everything that playing in that role may include. If that makes sense.

But if it's between him vs. Weise and Lehtera, then go NAK.

He's shown that ability in the AHL, much like we all (okay, some) thought that guys like Akeson would be able to play in the top-6/top-9. Just because you have a skillset that works in the AHL doesn't mean it will translate at the next level because, at the NHL level, there's more to the game that an offensive skillset.

So while he may have an ability to play in the top-6/top-9, it doesn't mean he's ready for everything that playing in that role may include. If that makes sense.
- jmatchett383

Right, but he isn't making the team as a top 6 forward. He is making it as the 4th line winger that has more to offer than most of the other options available to Hextall. He is the preferred outcome vs obvious "4th liners"

He's shown that ability in the AHL, much like we all (okay, some) thought that guys like Akeson would be able to play in the top-6/top-9. Just because you have a skillset that works in the AHL doesn't mean it will translate at the next level because, at the NHL level, there's more to the game that an offensive skillset.

So while he may have an ability to play in the top-6/top-9, it doesn't mean he's ready for everything that playing in that role may include. If that makes sense.
- jmatchett383

I just like that a line of Aube-Kubel - Laughton - Raffl brings flexibility. Even during the course of a game if there is an injury, someone could slide up for the game or maybe even a couple games if needed.

I just think that line brings more potential then really anything else you could put together.

Love how they put him on the PP in the preseason but not in the AHL.
- VladDrag

Pretty sure they did the same to Leier. I honestly can't remember how much AHL PP time he had though. IIRC he was mostly used on PP2, but I think he got more significant PP time earlier on in his Phantoms career.

I just like that a line of Aube-Kubel - Laughton - Raffl brings flexibility. Even during the course of a game if there is an injury, someone could slide up for the game or maybe even a couple games if needed.

I just think that line brings more potential then really anything else you could put together.
- J35Bacher

I agree. And Raffl will certainly be the guy that moves up the lineup before NAK at this point

I agree with everyone here that Vorobyev looked better than Weal, but in Weal's defense, Vorobyev had played his 3rd game this preseason. This was Weal's first.

Not trying to be a Weal sympathizer; if I had to choose, I would choose Misha right now.
- VladDrag

Weal is toast...get over it

Right, but he isn't making the team as a top 6 forward. He is making it as the 4th line winger that has more to offer than most of the other options available to Hextall. He is the preferred outcome vs obvious "4th liners"
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah, I updated my post. If it's between him and Weise/Lehtera, then give me him.

I agree. And Raffl will certainly be the guy that moves up the lineup before NAK at this point
- YuenglingJagr

Correct.


But all 3 at least give you the option. And all 3 can kill penalties.

At the moment, yes, but I think Hagg could possibly grow into the superior player (no guarantee). And when Gudas is not at his best, it's not pretty.
- jmatchett383

I hope I'm wrong about this but I see Hagg as a 3rd pair limited minutes defensive defenseman. Gudas at his best was a legit 2nd pair defenseman. We'll see if Gudas improves from last season. If he doesn't then other factors come into play such as cap hit and value for your buck.

Pretty sure they did the same to Leier. I honestly can't remember how much AHL PP time he had though. IIRC he was mostly used on PP2, but I think he got more significant PP time earlier on in his Phantoms career.
- YuenglingJagr

He had a more than NAK in the AHL. But at that time they did have less options.

Weal is toast...get over it
- YuenglingJagr

weal had a few plays where he looked good. if i'm remembering right I think he stickhandled through 2 opposing players and I thought that was kind of impressive. I don't think it converted to a scoring chance though. I remember thinking he looked really fast early in the game as well, but didn't really notice him other than that. I thought vorobyev definitely looked better overall.

Speaking of people looking fast, Giroux was moving really well last night.

I don't think he needs to make the roster to notice an ability to play on a line that requires more skill. He has the necessary abilities to play higher in the lineup if it were required, which is useful to consider when finalizing a roster. It doesn't mean he is going to make the team because they can play him in the top six, if necessary, but he is a better option than Weise or Lehtera. It doesn't even mean he is going to do well in that role, but he has the skillset that should make it possible.
- YuenglingJagr

If Aube-Kubel truly has the necessary abilities to play higher in the lineup at the NHL level than he would be a guarantee to make the team. I don't know what basis that statement can be made because we don't even know of he can play full time in the NHL even in a limited role at this point.

Weise and Lehtera are 4th line players at this point in their careers.

Love how they put him on the PP in the preseason but not in the AHL.
- VladDrag

Completely different situations.

Weal is toast...get over it
- YuenglingJagr

Really do sound like a sympathizer, don't I.

I hope I'm wrong about this but I see Hagg as a 3rd pair limited minutes defensive defenseman. Gudas at his best was a legit 2nd pair defenseman. We'll see if Gudas improves from last season. If he doesn't then other factors come into play such as cap hit and value for your buck.
- MJL

See I think there is more to Hagg's game. To start the season, Hagg was probably the 2nd best defensman on the team.

I think Hagg can be what Gudas was at his best. Last year was his first NHL season.

i think Hagg has another level to his game.

weal had a few plays where he looked good. if i'm remembering right I think he stickhandled through 2 opposing players and I thought that was kind of impressive. I don't think it converted to a scoring chance though. I remember thinking he looked really fast early in the game as well, but didn't really notice him other than that. I thought vorobyev definitely looked better overall.

Speaking of people looking fast, Giroux was moving really well last night.
- Ftown19125

sarcasm, mate. he didn't have a consistent or productive 2017-18, so there is no use for him in 2018-19

I hope I'm wrong about this but I see Hagg as a 3rd pair limited minutes defensive defenseman. Gudas at his best was a legit 2nd pair defenseman. We'll see if Gudas improves from last season. If he doesn't then other factors come into play such as cap hit and value for your buck.
- MJL

I don't disagree. I'm hoping we see more of good Gudas than bad, but I'm skeptical. Hopefully last season was an abberation, because he was pretty bad for the entire 2nd half overall. And yes, Hagg will probably be nothing more than a 3rd pair defender with limited offensive pop, but there's nothing terribly wrong with that.

See I think there is more to Hagg's game. To start the season, Hagg was probably the 2nd best defensman on the team.

I think Hagg can be what Gudas was at his best. Last year was his first NHL season.

i think Hagg has another level to his game.
- J35Bacher

there could be a secret explanation for that

sarcasm, mate. he didn't have a consistent or productive 2017-18, so there is no use for him in 2018-19
- YuenglingJagr

hahaha I picked up on it. I just quoted you because you mentioned him last.

See I think there is more to Hagg's game. To start the season, Hagg was probably the 2nd best defensman on the team.

I think Hagg can be what Gudas was at his best. Last year was his first NHL season.

i think Hagg has another level to his game.
- J35Bacher

What season are you referring to where Hagg was the 2nd best defenseman on the team?

We disagree about Hagg and his potential.

I don't disagree. I'm hoping we see more of good Gudas than bad, but I'm skeptical. Hopefully last season was an abberation, because he was pretty bad for the entire 2nd half overall. And yes, Hagg will probably be nothing more than a 3rd pair defender with limited offensive pop, but there's nothing terribly wrong with that.
- jmatchett383

I think it's on base to be skeptical about Gudas. He can have a high level of stupid in his game and he had a poor season last year. I agree about Hagg. If he can play well defensively, make the simple plays with the puck, play physically and play on the PK there is value in that.

See I think there is more to Hagg's game. To start the season, Hagg was probably the 2nd best defensman on the team.

I think Hagg can be what Gudas was at his best. Last year was his first NHL season.

i think Hagg has another level to his game.
- J35Bacher

Hagg made some nice defensive plays early and his hitting stood out, but if you look at his total game, he's just not that good. The NHL today, more than ever, is all about speed and transition. Hagg makes the worst outlet pass by far of the Flyers Dmen and has no offensive creativity at all in his game. I don't see this improving much over the next couple of years. I just can't see him ever being more than a generic 3rd pair guy who can chip in a bit on the PK. His trade value will only go down over time, especially when he ends up sitting out games as a 7th Dman which is his likely near future here. Once all are healthy, I'd look to move him.

What season are you referring to where Hagg was the 2nd best defenseman on the team?

We disagree about Hagg and his potential.
- MJL

This season. To start the year. He and Provorov were the best defenders they had. His play tailed off but I see more in his game.


Of course we disagree. You disagree with almost everyone. But I think it's a little early to peg him as a 3rd pairing defensman. Just like people said Couturier would be nothing more then a defensive center.

This season. To start the year. He and Provorov were the best defenders they had. His play tailed off but I see more in his game.


Of course we disagree. You disagree with almost everyone. But I think it's a little early to peg him as a 3rd pairing defensman. Just like people said Couturier would be nothing more then a defensive center.
- J35Bacher

I never said that about Couturier, I've always been one of his biggest supporters around here. With Coots, you could see the possession skills and if you focus on his ES production it was always solid. Add in his success as 1C at the Junior level and it really wasn't that much of a stretch to see him putting up quality numbers if paired with offensive wings and also with him being used on the top pp.

Hagg just doesn't have the puck skills to be a top 4 guy in the NHL.

This season. To start the year. He and Provorov were the best defenders they had. His play tailed off but I see more in his game.


Of course we disagree. You disagree with almost everyone. But I think it's a little early to peg him as a 3rd pairing defensman. Just like people said Couturier would be nothing more then a defensive center.
- J35Bacher

This season? Gostisbehere, MacDonald, Sanheim and possibly Gudas are all better. Myers may be shortly also.

People claiming that Couturier would be nothing more than a 3rd line center were uninformed considering he was already more than that.