speed with a shot and vision, hope to see some players like this get some 4th line opportunity next season


http://phillysportsnetwor...n-the-flyers-farm-system/

Or he could just be overwhelmed and play terribly because he hasn't been playing for 70 games already.....

Its a fine line.

I am of the frame of mind that it is more likely he gets overwhelmed, at least to start.
- MBFlyerfan

He's played professional hockey for some time now, even if he doesn't have a great game it's not gonna break the kid. I think he and the coaching staff are aware he's going to be rusty.

It can't hurt but if they do plan on playing him, I hope it's sooner rather than later. If they want to wait until they are mathematically out, who knows when that could be?
- Pelle31Forever

Yea, who knows. If he gets in I'd think it would be with 4-5 games left.

I agree about Patrick, but I do think he's key. I look to Joe Thornton's development to see how Patrick might develop and what Patrick is doing now isn't much different from what Jumbo did in his second year.

As for the Wells Fargo Center, here you go: https://arenadigest.com/2...enovation-phase-unveiled/
- johndewar

Thanks, John.

Yea, who knows. If he gets in I'd think it would be with 4-5 games left.
- ClaudeFather

Flyers have some games left against teams who probably will have something to play for. If he does suit up at least he's getting some serious competition. Not like he's getting starts against Ottawa or New Jersey with a "who gives a sh!t" atmosphere.

Or he could just be overwhelmed and play terribly because he hasn't been playing for 70 games already.....

Its a fine line.

I am of the frame of mind that it is more likely he gets overwhelmed, at least to start.
- MBFlyerfan

I think he'll' get a few games in....It may go a long way to helping him prepare for next year. It really is another speed compared to pre season and the AHL. maybe they add him a night where they go wit 7 D ?

[quote=johndewar]Since my blog writing days are long over and, I have some thoughts, I'm dumping them here:

a lot of good thoughts and some honest evaluations.

Simmonds had a goal last night. Should not have traded.

Flyers have some games left against teams who probably will have something to play for. If he does suit up at least he's getting some serious competition. Not like he's getting starts against Ottawa or New Jersey with a "who gives a sh!t" atmosphere.
- Pelle31Forever

He'll be rusty as hell, a step or two behind, no doubt. But just getting back on the ice will be a boost for him, imo (and base on the Philly.com article I read yesterday) and will likely push his motivation even more this off-season. And at this point in his career as a pro and with all the injuries he's gone through recently, I don't think bad (or just meh) performances in a handful of games at the end of a lost season will impact him very much.

Simmonds had a goal last night. Should not have traded.
- Ftown19125

You see how fired up he got after that goal? Good for him.

You see how fired up he got after that goal? Good for him.
- wolfhounds

haha nah i didn't but i'm glad for him as well. i'll be rooting hard for the predators in the playoffs.

edit: just watched it. that's awesome. great pass there too.

I would absolutely dress Morin Saturday versus NYI. Boychuk will want revenge on Jake plus Martin, Clutterbuck, etc. are all healthy now (I believe). Should be a chippy game.

its really irrelevant imo if Morin plays this year or not. To me it doesn't change anything at all. If he plays bad you really going to write him off? Flipside if he plays well you really going to give him a spot? Is playing in games now going to make any difference 6 months from now when camp opens?

He will come to camp to earn a spot. He will have to be lights out to get a top 6 spot imo.

He's played professional hockey for some time now, even if he doesn't have a great game it's not gonna break the kid. I think he and the coaching staff are aware he's going to be rusty.
- ClaudeFather

Maybe they can go with 11F/7D and ease him in for the first few games.

Really, if it's over getting Morin into some games over the great Corban Knight, I would be willing to make that sacrifice.

Really, I'm done with the Knight and Varone experiments.

I would absolutely dress Morin Saturday versus NYI. Boychuk will want revenge on Jake plus Martin, Clutterbuck, etc. are all healthy now (I believe). Should be a chippy game.
- cdearth23

Not sure I want Morin fighting Matt Martin for his first game of the year.

I see the top 9 a combo of (mix them however)
JVR-Patrick-TK
Giroux-Coots-Jake
Lindblom-Vacant-Vacant

4th line of
Hartman-Laughton-Vacant

I'm not in favor of buying AMAC out. I hate the idea of an extra year of dead cap space but that said I would be happy to retain 50% of his cap hit to move him. if that doesn't happen then Phantoms it is. you will have 6 dmen aged 26 or younger and Gudas the old man at 29 (by next season).

I am SO excited at the prospect of Hart for a full season. Same with Myers. a full season of Sanheim getting big minutes. Hopefully the Patrick of the second half puts a full season of that together. Yes we said that last year too but I remind myself all the time the kid is 20. He is not close to a finished "product"

Maybe they can go with 11F/7D and ease him in for the first few games.

Really, if it's over getting Morin into some games over the great Corban Knight, I would be willing to make that sacrifice.

Really, I'm done with the Knight and Varone experiments.
- jmatchett383[/quote]
agreed. they were given a shot. Now to me they are not part of the team going forward on a regualr basis. Call up game or 2 only if that.

Maybe they can go with 11F/7D and ease him in for the first few games.

Really, if it's over getting Morin into some games over the great Corban Knight, I would be willing to make that sacrifice.

Really, I'm done with the Knight and Varone experiments.
- jmatchett383

Please let that experiment die, lord help us if either is in the lineup next year.

Simmonds had a goal last night. Should not have traded.
- Ftown19125

Sean Kuraly had two goals last night. Man, what a dumb trade by San Jose.

Sean Kuraly had two goals last night. Man, what a dumb trade by San Jose.
- jmatchett383

They are so much more dumb than the Flyers it's not even funny.

They are so much more dumb than the Flyers it's not even funny.
- Ftown19125

They should change their name to the San Jose Stupids for such a horrible trade. A fifth rounder for a starting goalie, what were they thinking!?!?

Since my blog writing days are long over and, I have some thoughts, I'm dumping them here:

1.) Goaltending needs to be consistent. Nothing more needs to be said here. Bad goaltending was probably the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

2.) Ghost and Provorov need to be what we thought they were. Or, they need usage commensurate with what they are. Either way, many (myself included) thought last year was the start of something. This year, their performance played a part in how badly the season went. I'm in favor of a big contract for Provy and not in favor of trading Ghost, so I'm pinning some of this on coaching and lack of confidence.

3.) Nolan Patrick. He needs to turn the corner for this team to take the next step.

4.) No more Andrew MacDonald. That's it. He's got to be done here as a top 6 option. He's not part of the problem, but he ain't part of the solution either.

5.) They need more team toughness. They don't need a specific fighter. They need guys that can stir the pot and fight when necessary. I'd like Sam Morin to play a part in this. They need his toughness on the blueline. You can't have 6 Travis Sanheims and expect success. That only works in video games.

6.) Which brings me to Travis Konecny. Is he a Top 6 player or your best bottom 6 player? Which is it? I'd prefer him in the Top 6. I need his skill and poop talking in the top 6.

7.) Stop moving Claude Giroux to center. He's a wing now. Stop it.

8.) I'll listen to your best offers for Jake Voracek. I'm not looking to move him, as I think he takes having the "A" seriously and I think he's part of the solution. But, I'll listen.

9.) No more Michal Neuvirth. Be well, sir. No more Brian Elliot. Thanks for your service, Moose. Sorry Hakstol ran you into the ground.

10.) I know they are going to do something in free agency. They are raising ticket prices and renovating the arena, so they know they have to do something. I want someone to fill either the 2C role if Nolan Patrick isn't up to it or the 3C role if Nolan Patrick flips the switch this offseason. They fill that role, their fourth line falls into place nicely.
- johndewar

To your point to Mac, I hope he’s boughtout and set free. Holding on to him and not allowing him to play less two guys get hurt, I think is a black eye on the Flyers. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, James Van Riemsdyk, Vincent LeCavalier And now Andrew MacDonald. Agents pay attention. Who is gonna wanna sign here for any kind of money when a player commits to the Flyers and the Flyers don’t always commit to the player.

Fletcher has already bought out a 6.5 Million dollar Thomas Vanek contract. I expect Fletcher to do the same with Mac.

Or he could just be overwhelmed and play terribly because he hasn't been playing for 70 games already.....

Its a fine line.

I am of the frame of mind that it is more likely he gets overwhelmed, at least to start.
- MBFlyerfan

I understand what you are saying but people said the same about Hart and hart did just fine!
If he gets overwhelmed then he can identify his areas of improvement and work on it over the summer.

But the kid has got to play. He is a hockey player. He will be just fine

To your point to Mac, I hope he’s boughtout and set free. Holding on to him and not allowing him to play less two guys get hurt, I think is a black eye on the Flyers. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, James Van Riemsdyk, Vincent LeCavalier And now Andrew MacDonald. Agents pay attention. Who is gonna wanna sign here for any kind of money when a player commits to the Flyers and the Flyers don’t always commit to the player.

Fletcher has already bought out a 6.5 Million dollar Thomas Vanek contract. I expect Fletcher to do the same with Mac.
- SuperSchennBros

I just don't see any reason to carry a dead cap hit 2 seasons from now when we could just take the ~$1M savings and bury him in the AHL next year.

And players will sign with 1) whoever pays them the most, 2) Who gives them the longest term, and/or 3) who gives them the best chance to be successful. I don't think playing a guy in the AHL in the last year of a 6-year contract will make players not want to play here. Even after the trades you listed, players still wanted to come back, including JvR himself.

its really irrelevant imo if Morin plays this year or not. To me it doesn't change anything at all. If he plays bad you really going to write him off? Flipside if he plays well you really going to give him a spot? Is playing in games now going to make any difference 6 months from now when camp opens?

He will come to camp to earn a spot. He will have to be lights out to get a top 6 spot imo.
- daryl stanley

That's what I was getting at. You aren't going to know anymore about him if he plays than if he doesn't. Way too small of a sample size. Plus factoring in limited ice time (you would think) it's hard to get a good feel for him.

Again, the sooner the better.