Still wouldn’t read too much into this.
- BiggE

I know what you mean. I think there is still time to change Hak's mind and win a roster spot, but I think Hak is starting to try and figure out his lineup. I worry about Knight because he played under Hak at UND, and we know what happened with VdV while he was on the roster.

saying Laughton isn't an NHL player is absurd. having to slog through nonsense like this is why i rarely post her anymore. he was a much improved player last year and a valuable member of the team. he will be a solid 3rd or 4th line player for this club for the foreseeable future.

i am very excited with the direction the Flyers are headed and can not wait to watch this seasons squad.

I know what you mean. I think there is still time to change Hak's mind and win a roster spot, but I think Hak is starting to try and figure out his lineup. I worry about Knight because he played under Hak at UND, and we know what happened with VdV while he was on the roster.
- VladDrag

Knight was here last year and spent the entire year in LHV. Honestly, I’d rather have him in the roster as a spare forward over Lehtera because at least he can skate, play all 3 forward positions and he’s decent on the PK.

saying Laughton isn't an NHL player is absurd. having to slog through nonsense like this is why i rarely post her anymore. he was a much improved player last year and a valuable member of the team. he will be a solid 3rd or 4th line player for this club for the foreseeable future.

i am very excited with the direction the Flyers are headed and can not wait to watch this seasons squad.
- Briere

👍

Weal has been given a fair shake at center up to this point but has lost the camp battle to Vorobyev. Weal has been excellent on face offs, and Vorobyev although very good in zone play, is a liability at the dot. It would be good to see Weal on his wing to help with face offs even if it means bumping Lindblom down to 4th to start. It would be temporary and give Vorobyev time to improve at face offs.
- NC Flyers Fan

I agree that faceoffs are important but I wouldn't bump Lindblom to the 4th line just for that

I agree that faceoffs are important but I wouldn't bump Lindblom to the 4th line just for that
- MJL

Lindblom has virtually no experience in face offs and Simmonds also hasn’t been a face off guy. Some match ups would be very bad for Vorobyev in this area. If this line is only winning 3 of 19 in a game, it could be costly and at the very least sacrifice offense they could have provided.

saying Laughton isn't an NHL player is absurd. having to slog through nonsense like this is why i rarely post her anymore. he was a much improved player last year and a valuable member of the team. he will be a solid 3rd or 4th line player for this club for the foreseeable future.

i am very excited with the direction the Flyers are headed and can not wait to watch this seasons squad.
- Briere

He is. He just hasn’t proven himself to be anything other than a solid 4th line wing.

I am pretty excited about this team. But I can’t help but think about next year. That camp is going to be war for roster spots

Lindblom has virtually no experience in face offs and Simmonds also hasn’t been a face off guy. Some match ups would be very bad for Vorobyev in this area. If this line is only winning 3 of 19 in a game, it could be costly and at the very least sacrifice offense they could have provided.
- NC Flyers Fan

I understand the issue. Doesn't change my viewpoint concerning Linblom and where he plays.

He is. He just hasn’t proven himself to be anything other than a solid 4th line wing.

I am pretty excited about this team. But I can’t help but think about next year. That camp is going to be war for roster spots
- Just5

Laughton has proven to be a good 3rd or 4th line center or winger. Just like the guy said. The only knock on him is that he hasn’t developed as big of an offensive game as thought when he was drafted. Although he was looking better last season and has looked even better this preseason.

I understand the issue. Doesn't change my viewpoint concerning Linblom and where he plays.
- MJL

Winning is a full team commitment. As long as Lindblom understands this, a few games on the 4th line won’t hurt his development. Besides as I have mentioned before, I see this year’s 3rd and 4th lines being more of a 3A and 3B option. Some nights 3B gets more ice time depending on who’s rolling and the match ups.

Winning is a full team commitment. As long as Lindblom understands this, a few games on the 4th line won’t hurt his development. Besides as I have mentioned before, I see this year’s 3rd and 4th lines being more of a 3A and 3B option. Some nights 3B gets more ice time depending on who’s rolling and the match ups.
- NC Flyers Fan

My opinion has zero to do with hurting his development.

My opinion has zero to do with hurting his development.
- MJL

Do tell then.

Laughton has proven to be a good 3rd or 4th line center or winger. Just like the guy said. The only knock on him is that he hasn’t developed as big of an offensive game as thought when he was drafted. Although he was looking better last season and has looked even better this preseason.
- NC Flyers Fan

If Laughton has proven himself as a 3C. Why in the world has he not played center this preseason yet? It’s becoming clear the coaching staff views him as a winger regardless of what Hexy might say.

Knight was here last year and spent the entire year in LHV. Honestly, I’d rather have him in the roster as a spare forward over Lehtera because at least he can skate, play all 3 forward positions and he’s decent on the PK.
- BiggE

I would rather have Knight than Lehtera as well, but I don't think either should be in the lineup at all. If they are going to run with that top 9, then I would like to see Laughton and Raffl on line 4 with either, NAK or Weal.

Edit to add more:

The fact that Knight has only played 29 games and is now 28 years old, doesn't make you wonder what is he doing centering two established NHL players? He is an average AHL player. He's not some diamond in the rough, we know what he is. We have better, younger options. This is a very Hakstol-like thing to do. Find a 'safe' vet and plug him into the lineup.

If Laughton has proven himself as a 3C. Why in the world has he not played center this preseason yet? It’s becoming clear the coaching staff views him as a winger regardless of what Hexy might say.
- Just5

Or they know what they have with Laughton at center and are giving other players a long look at center.

I would rather have Knight than Lehtera as well, but I don't think either should be in the lineup at all. If they are going to run with that top 9, then I would like to see Laughton and Raffl on line 4 with either, NAK or Weal.
- VladDrag

I'll be surprised if Lehtera does not see significant game action this season.

I would rather have Knight than Lehtera as well, but I don't think either should be in the lineup at all. If they are going to run with that top 9, then I would like to see Laughton and Raffl on line 4 with either, NAK or Weal.
- VladDrag

It might turn out that way. Lehtera is hardly a lock. I’m fine with Lehtera as a 13th forward or helping mentor the kids in Lehigh.

I would rather have Knight than Lehtera as well, but I don't think either should be in the lineup at all. If they are going to run with that top 9, then I would like to see Laughton and Raffl on line 4 with either, NAK or Weal.

Edit to add more:

The fact that Knight has only played 29 games and is now 28 years old, doesn't make you wonder what is he doing centering two established NHL players? He is an average AHL player. He's not some diamond in the rough, we know what he is. We have better, younger options. This is a very Hakstol-like thing to do. Find a 'safe' vet and plug him into the lineup.
- VladDrag

I disagree about Knight, who can skate, kill penalties and can play any forward position. By all accounts, he is was a leader for the phantoms. He has had a very good preseason and the fact that he is still in camp shows that there is still a role to be won.

I would rather have Knight than Lehtera as well, but I don't think either should be in the lineup at all. If they are going to run with that top 9, then I would like to see Laughton and Raffl on line 4 with either, NAK or Weal.

Edit to add more:

The fact that Knight has only played 29 games and is now 28 years old, doesn't make you wonder what is he doing centering two established NHL players? He is an average AHL player. He's not some diamond in the rough, we know what he is. We have better, younger options. This is a very Hakstol-like thing to do. Find a 'safe' vet and plug him into the lineup.
- VladDrag

I think a lot of your opinions on Hakstol are very off base and biased by false narratives. There is no way that Knight could be considered a safe veteran in the NHL. Pre season is for taking a look at players and the Flyers have an open competition for a couple of center spots.

So Knight is the new VDV?

So Knight is the new VDV?
- flyer_nutter

In Lehigh Valley but don't worry we still have Haag to pick on.

So Knight is the new VDV?
- flyer_nutter

No, not yet, but he's got the potential to be. If he sticks it out, it is what it is. The actual fact that he's still here isn't the problem, it's the philosophical approach that the Flyers seem to have.

It's frustrating that they are taking such a long look at a 28 yr old whose been a career AHL player, but lost the 23 year old who has been in the system for 3 years, and getting better and better each season to waivers. Not saying Martel will turn into anything, but he's still young and has potential to be a good player.

No, not yet, but he's got the potential to be. If he sticks it out, it is what it is. The actual fact that he's still here isn't the problem, it's the philosophical approach that the Flyers seem to have.

It's frustrating that they are taking such a long look at a 28 yr old whose been a career AHL player, but lost the 23 year old who has been in the system for 3 years, and getting better and better each season to waivers. Not saying Martel will turn into anything, but he's still young and has potential to be a good player.
- VladDrag

The comment here makes zero sense. Do you think they should've kept Martel on the NHL team this season? If not then he has to be subject to waivers. That's the rules of the NHL and it's the same for every team. How is the Flyers fault that Martel didn't develop well enough to make the Flyers? How does that show a poor philosophical approach?

As someone pointed out in a previous post in the last few days, the Flyers under Hextall have turned the roster over drastically. They've added and continue to add a bunch of skilled and talented young players. I laugh when I read these comments criticizing the Flyers philosophical approach.

In Lehigh Valley but don't worry we still have Haag to pick on.
- MJL

I know you disagree but I think Hagg should not be a regular let alone getting top 4 minutes. He is by far the worst flyers defender and the sooner we get him out of the lineup the better the team is off

I know you disagree but I think Hagg should not be a regular let alone getting top 4 minutes. He is by far the worst flyers defender and the sooner we get him out of the lineup the better the team is off
- bulet13

I personally don't view Haag as a top 4 NHL defenseman so I think his best role is as a 3rd pair defender. I don't have the same pessimistic view of Haag as you do and he had a pretty good rookie season. With MacDonald not likely ready to start the season it's likely that Haag is going to play.