Last season has zero to do with the statement made that 16 forwards are having better camps than Lehtera is. There is more to the game than offensive point production. We'll see if others actually do offer more in the eyes of the GM and the coaching staff.
- MJL

No one said offensive production. You can contribute in other ways such as PKing, forechecking, hell even in general skating to be a faster team.

Nope. Here are the skaters I would put in the opening night lineup before Jori.

28-14-11
25-19-93
54-40-17
21-MV-12
NAK
Twar
Frost
Leier
Rubstov
Lehtera
- VladDrag

Ah okay I misunderstood and assumed you meant guys fighting for spots or AHLers, not guys like Giroux, Jake or current roster locks.

Nope. Here are the skaters I would put in the opening night lineup before Jori.

28-14-11
25-19-93
54-40-17
21-MV-12
NAK
Twar
Frost
Leier
Rubstov
Lehtera
- VladDrag

Out of curiosity, why would you put Twarynski and Frost (who is no longer eligible) as well as Rubstov and Leier ahead of Lehtera?

Last night was certainly a big improvement on Sunday’s game. T.J. Brennan really could be looking at an opportunity to fill in some this season. I hope Lyon’s injury isn’t long-term.

Do those numbers get updated daily, or are they locked from the start of the season?
- jmatchett383

start of the season

Last night was certainly a big improvement on Sunday’s game. T.J. Brennan really could be looking at an opportunity to fill in some this season. I hope Lyon’s injury isn’t long-term.
- NC Flyers Fan

TJ Brennan makes Erik Karlsson look like a premier shutdown defenseman.

Out of curiosity, why would you put Twarynski and Frost (who is no longer eligible) as well as Rubstov and Leier ahead of Lehtera?
- jmatchett383

I know Frost is back at juniors, he's still a better option than Lehtera imo. He's smarter, faster, offers more than Jori in almost every facet of the game.

Twarynski is been very good this camp. Strong on the puck, shows decent mobility and puck skills. Same with Rubstov. He's showing that he's not out of place.

Leier -- he works his ass off, has speed, and hos hands are not terrible. He was poor in the PK last year, but it's an area he might be able to improve given his skillset. Their effectiveness is probably a wash, its more I know what Lehtera brings to the table.

So without Frost for 3C what are the odds on favourite?

TJ Brennan makes Erik Karlsson look like a premier shutdown defenseman.
- jmatchett383

He has defensive gaps in his game for sure, but he looked better last night than anytime I saw him last year. Showed effort and leadership. Maybe his game is suited to Flyers systems.

I know Frost is back at juniors, he's still a better option than Lehtera imo. He's smarter, faster, offers more than Jori in almost every facet of the game.

Twarynski is been very good this camp. Strong on the puck, shows decent mobility and puck skills. Same with Rubstov. He's showing that he's not out of place.

Leier -- he works his ass off, has speed, and hos hands are not terrible. He was poor in the PK last year, but it's an area he might be able to improve given his skillset. Their effectiveness is probably a wash, its more I know what Lehtera brings to the table.
- VladDrag

From what I read, Frost struggled at camp and preseason. Leier showed me last year that he's an AHLer/injury callup candidate. I haven't seen much of Rubstov or Twarynski, but I'd probably let them get acclimated to the pro game in the AHL before throwing them into an 82-game NHL season.

I'm not saying Lehtera should automatically get a roster spot, I just don't think those 4 deserve to be handed one, either.

Does anyone not realize how good a scorer Simmonds really is? A banged up Simmonds still scared 24 goals and missed two weeks, while being taken off the top PP later that season. He wasn’t taken off because he wasn’t good there. Nolan Patrick was also scoring there.

As Teddy KGB once said “Give him his money”.
- SuperSchennBros

Wayne Train scared the crap out of those goals!

So without Frost for 3C what are the odds on favourite?
- coffee junkie

realistically I think it is down to Weal, Laughton, and Voryobyev. At this point I expect Weal to start there this season. I think Vorobyev will be one of the final cuts, but he is doing everything right

I know Frost is back at juniors, he's still a better option than Lehtera imo. He's smarter, faster, offers more than Jori in almost every facet of the game.

Twarynski is been very good this camp. Strong on the puck, shows decent mobility and puck skills. Same with Rubstov. He's showing that he's not out of place.

Leier -- he works his ass off, has speed, and hos hands are not terrible. He was poor in the PK last year, but it's an area he might be able to improve given his skillset. Their effectiveness is probably a wash, its more I know what Lehtera brings to the table.
- VladDrag

I would even try Martel and Bardreau above him. They probably go above Leier and Rubstov, too. Honestly forgot about them.

He has defensive gaps in his game for sure, but he looked better last night than anytime I saw him last year. Showed effort and leadership. Maybe his game is suited to Flyers systems.
- NC Flyers Fan

He doesn't just have gaps, he has gaping holes. You saw him against a mostly NHL-caliber Islanders team. What do you think happens when he goes up against teams that are not terrible?

To me, he's a perfect 8/9 guy, where if you get decimated by injuries, he's a legit callup who can offer some pop from the back end. But now that the Flyers have a legitimate defense, barring further injuries, he's an AHLer for the forseeable future.

I would even try Martel and Bardreau above him. They probably go above Leier and Rubstov, too. Honestly forgot about them.
- VladDrag

Bardreau hasn't been able to stay healthy or he'd probably have had a shot last year. Isn't Martel a winger?

From what I read, Frost struggled at camp and preseason. Leier showed me last year that he's an AHLer/injury callup candidate. I haven't seen much of Rubstov or Twarynski, but I'd probably let them get acclimated to the pro game in the AHL before throwing them into an 82-game NHL season.

I'm not saying Lehtera should automatically get a roster spot, I just don't think those 4 deserve to be handed one, either.
- jmatchett383

I am not upset Frost went down, kinda knew he was going to...odds stacked against him... doesn't mean he's not better than Lehtera.

I would even try Martel and Bardreau above him. They probably go above Leier and Rubstov, too. Honestly forgot about them.
- VladDrag

You forgot Ghost as well

He doesn't just have gaps, he has gaping holes. You saw him against a mostly NHL-caliber Islanders team. What do you think happens when he goes up against teams that are not terrible?

To me, he's a perfect 8/9 guy, where if you get decimated by injuries, he's a legit callup who can offer some pop from the back end. But now that the Flyers have a legitimate defense, barring further injuries, he's an AHLer for the forseeable future.
- jmatchett383

I believe I said he could fill in, meaning for injuries. Like 8th guy.

Bardreau hasn't been able to stay healthy or he'd probably have had a shot last year. Isn't Martel a winger?
- jmatchett383

Yup. But Jori should not be even thought about to play center in the NHL.

realistically I think it is down to Weal, Laughton, and Voryobyev. At this point I expect Weal to start there this season. I think Vorobyev will be one of the final cuts, but he is doing everything right
- YuenglingJagr

I think this too, but MISHA is looking the best out of the three. At least in the preseason games I've watched so far.

I believe I said he could fill in, meaning for injuries. Like 8th guy.
- NC Flyers Fan

He's likely behind:
Provorov
Gostisbehere
AMac
Gudas
Sanheim
Myers
Hagg
Folin
Morin

That puts him 10th of the list. Obviously, Morin won't be playing for awhile, but that still means you'd need at least 2 more guys out for him to get in. So yes, he COULD fill in, but if he does, the Flyers have some major issues.

Not saying he can't be a starter but he was a top prospect in a shallow pool at that time.

I do hope he plays well as maybe it will afford the Flyers a chance to move Neuvirth. Still feel one goalie is going to have to go unless this new Lyon injury is long term.
- J35Bacher

Eventually two are gonna have to go to make room for Sandstrom

Eventually two are gonna have to go to make room for Sandstrom
- bulet13

Elliott and Neuvirth?

I mean, realistically, Hart should be the starter by late October at the latest, and I would expect Stolarz to have an AHL SV% around .985 or so, and Lyon is probably the best backup in the galaxy. So he can be Stolarz's backup.

He's likely behind:
Provorov
Gostisbehere
AMac
Gudas
Sanheim
Myers
Hagg
Folin
Morin

That puts him 10th of the list. Obviously, Morin won't be playing for awhile, but that still means you'd need at least 2 more guys out for him to get in. So yes, he COULD fill in, but if he does, the Flyers have some major issues.
- jmatchett383

Based off what Bill has said, they might think Wilcox would be in front of him.

I think this too, but MISHA is looking the best out of the three. At least in the preseason games I've watched so far.
- Ftown19125

I think it is worth noting I don't expect him to stay in the AHL all season. I was specifically talking about the opening lineup.

Vorobyev was inconsistent at times last year, but he showed flashes that he could do this. More than flashes, really. He had stretches where I thought he was one of the best forwards on the team. Really nailed down the consistency part towards the end of the season, so this jump here in camp isn't out of nowhere.

I would have no issue with him at 3C to start the season.