Was at the game in Hershey Sunday. None of the prospects looked too good to me, except maybe Sushko. Was 3rd game in 5 nights so I'll cut them some slack.
- backfire

Where’s the better place to watch a game? Hershey or Lehigh? Parking at hershey is great I hear

In his draft year, Laberge was viewed as a 1st rounder who fell in a strong class. His game went off the rails when he was injured early in the next season. Morin was a project, Laberge was viewed as a top-6 player who would be in the league by now.
- jmatchett383

I thought he had some concussion issues in juniors. And then was devastated by a death in his family. Couple that with being more of just an offensive type player. Never said Morin wasn’t a project. Laberge just seemed similar maybe a little safer but the high risk high reward.

I thought he had some concussion issues in juniors. And then was devastated by a death in his family. Couple that with being more of just an offensive type player. Never said Morin wasn’t a project. Laberge just seemed similar maybe a little safer but the high risk high reward.
- Peter Richards

The concussion happened after he was drafted. I used Morin as a player who was considered a project. Laberge was considered a guy who would probably need AHL seasoning but not a ton a la Frost.

Cap space is an asset and it has been managed very poorly this season.
- corduroy

Yep. Should have seen those injuries coming.

Yep. Should have seen those injuries coming.
- BOSS_TWEED

We should have bridged Konecny so he can hit us up for $8M in 2 years.

Shjon Podein just seemed to embody the Flyers: not the most talented player ever, but worked his tail off for every second of ice time that he had. He probably had the most cancelled icings I've ever seen by just putting his head down and skating. Jones had more talent (playing on a line with Lindros and LeClair helped), and both had their scrappy sides. It was a fairly minor trade in the grand scheme (Eric Lindros may disagree), but it's one that seemed to mark the end of the 1997 team for me.

100% this.

We should have bridged Konecny so he can hit us up for $8M in 2 years.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. People didn't like the trades at the time but they have helped, even Braun. They now have 3 balanced (L & R) D pairs, which does matter.

Where’s the better place to watch a game? Hershey or Lehigh? Parking at hershey is great I hear
- Just5

Personally, I like seeing the games at the PPL Center in Lehigh better. Parking garage attached to the arena is nice. I have had major issues trying to leave games at Hershey, especially when it's still amusement park season.

We should have bridged Konecny so he can hit us up for $8M in 2 years.
- jmatchett383

So far those deal lengths look surprisingly great. I was of the opinion to give Sanheim a longer 5-6 yr deal and lock him up for a year or 2 of UFA at a discount, and I think most expected a 2 yr bridge for Konecny.

The Konecny deal, although it’s early on, looks brilliant, and Sanheim looks like the better guy to have gotten the shorter bridge deal.

Hayes was a must sign in my mind, even with the overpay for a premiere UFA center.

Niskanen trade looks fabulous even with retaining salary on Gudas.

Braun still feels a bit questionable but I think he gives them a lot more flexibility with his RH shot and ability to PK then they had last yr that I’m coming around on the deal. I don’t miss seeing Ghost or even Hägg on the PK this year.

Also so far so good going with Elliot as the tandem with Hart. Many had questions about re upping Elliot, and he still could get injured knocks wood but he looks like a perfect guy to rotate with Hart so far.

So far those deal lengths look surprisingly great. I was of the opinion to give Sanheim a longer 5-6 yr deal and lock him up for a year or 2 of UFA at a discount, and I think most expected a 2 yr bridge for Konecny.

The Konecny deal, although it’s early on, looks brilliant, and Sanheim looks like the better guy to have gotten the shorter bridge deal.

Hayes was a must sign in my mind, even with the overpay for a premiere UFA center.

Niskanen trade looks fabulous even with retaining salary on Gudas.

Braun still feels a bit questionable but I think he gives them a lot more flexibility with his RH shot and ability to PK then they had last yr that I’m coming around on the deal. I don’t miss seeing Ghost or even Hägg on the PK this year.

Also so far so good going with Elliot as the tandem with Hart. Many had questions about re upping Elliot, and he still could get injured knocks wood but he looks like a perfect guy to rotate with Hart so far.
- Marc D

Agreed on your points. It seems clear to me that they had concerns with Patrick, and then it makes perfect sense that we were aggressive in getting hayes. We'd be up the creek without him. Further, while I haven't loved Braun, the PK is improved with he and Hayes.

Nisky, great pickup. Elliott has looked way better than I thought he would.

Our record so far shows these and the coaching moves have been great. If they can somehow get 2 pts vs Wash, I'll be really impressed. I'll tell ya, only thing that really keeps me up at night with this team is the Patrick situation. I really hope that this isn't career threatening.

Agreed on your points. It seems clear to me that they had concerns with Patrick, and then it makes perfect sense that we were aggressive in getting hayes. We'd be up the creek without him. Further, while I haven't loved Braun, the PK is improved with he and Hayes.

Nisky, great pickup. Elliott has looked way better than I thought he would.

Our record so far shows these and the coaching moves have been great. If they can somehow get 2 pts vs Wash, I'll be really impressed. I'll tell ya, only thing that really keeps me up at night with this team is the Patrick situation. I really hope that this isn't career threatening.
- Hextall271

I’m still anxious during shootouts, and while they have improved depth they really can’t afford to lose any key guys to injury.

Losing any of their top centers or top 4 D would be very tough.

Patrick’s situation is very difficult. But I’m hopeful they will find a successful treatment program. Many people with migraines get better with as they get older, but that won’t help his hockey career if he outgrows the illness in his 40s or 50s!

Agreed on your points. It seems clear to me that they had concerns with Patrick, and then it makes perfect sense that we were aggressive in getting hayes. We'd be up the creek without him. Further, while I haven't loved Braun, the PK is improved with he and Hayes.

Nisky, great pickup. Elliott has looked way better than I thought he would.

Our record so far shows these and the coaching moves have been great. If they can somehow get 2 pts vs Wash, I'll be really impressed. I'll tell ya, only thing that really keeps me up at night with this team is the Patrick situation. I really hope that this isn't career threatening.
- Hextall271

Agreed, and its really poor timing. Our current roster/line make up would really be an advantage for Patrick. He would draw some great matchups as the 3C (depending on his wingers) with us already having 2 solid lines. He'd have so much less pressure to have a strong season. I hope we get more clarity on his migraines soon and hope the kid can play. I can't imagine being this damn young and not being able to play the one thing youre most passionate about. Can't help with all the expectations that come along with being a top draft pick

So far those deal lengths look surprisingly great. I was of the opinion to give Sanheim a longer 5-6 yr deal and lock him up for a year or 2 of UFA at a discount, and I think most expected a 2 yr bridge for Konecny.

The Konecny deal, although it’s early on, looks brilliant, and Sanheim looks like the better guy to have gotten the shorter bridge deal.

Hayes was a must sign in my mind, even with the overpay for a premiere UFA center.

Niskanen trade looks fabulous even with retaining salary on Gudas.

Braun still feels a bit questionable but I think he gives them a lot more flexibility with his RH shot and ability to PK then they had last yr that I’m coming around on the deal. I don’t miss seeing Ghost or even Hägg on the PK this year.

Also so far so good going with Elliot as the tandem with Hart. Many had questions about re upping Elliot, and he still could get injured knocks wood but he looks like a perfect guy to rotate with Hart so far.
- Marc D

The Flyers certainly would be worse off without Hayes and there is no doubt he has helped the team. However after 17 games played, 3 points scored at 5 on 5 play is not going to cut it for a 7M a year player.

Agreed, and its really poor timing. Our current roster/line make up would really be an advantage for Patrick. He would draw some great matchups as the 3C (depending on his wingers) with us already having 2 solid lines. He'd have so much less pressure to have a strong season. I hope we get more clarity on his migraines soon and hope the kid can play. I can't imagine being this damn young and not being able to play the one thing youre most passionate about. Can't help with all the expectations that come along with being a top draft pick
- arichardson22

Agreed. Really hope he improves soon.

On a more positive note.. Myers.. Amazing since call up! I wonder what his ceiling is?He looks like a real gem

The Flyers certainly would be worse off without Hayes and there is no doubt he has helped the team. However after 17 games played, 3 points scored at 5 on 5 play is not going to cut it for a 7M a year player.
- MJL

That is definitely a concern for sure, regardless of how good he is on the PK he needs to produce at even strength for 7M. To me he looks slow but that could be just the way he skates not sure.

That is definitely a concern for sure, regardless of how good he is on the PK he needs to produce at even strength for 7M. To me he looks slow but that could be just the way he skates not sure.
- Daceroni

I'm not sure having Twarynski and Voracek on his line is really helping his cause. Jake has been fairly brutal for a good portion of the season. I honestly feel as though JVR is holding back Giroux and Farabee from producing more at even strength as well.

We should have bridged Konecny so he can hit us up for $8M in 2 years.
- jmatchett383

I think cap mismanagement is a stretch. However, if everyone was healthy Phil Myers is likely still in the AHL due to lack of cap space and his ability to clear waivers. This is how they handled it at the beginning of the season.

I am sure he would eventually have come up but they would not be icing the optimal line up right now.

I think cap mismanagement is a stretch. However, if everyone was healthy Phil Myers is likely still in the AHL due to lack of cap space and his ability to clear waivers. This is how they handled it at the beginning of the season.

I am sure he would eventually have come up but they would not be icing the optimal line up right now.
- mickel25

They could have carried 8D if they were healthy and hadn't signed Stewart. They called up Myers even when there were no D injuries, so I think they would have called him up injuries or not.

I think cap mismanagement is a stretch. However, if everyone was healthy Phil Myers is likely still in the AHL due to lack of cap space and his ability to clear waivers. This is how they handled it at the beginning of the season.

I am sure he would eventually have come up but they would not be icing the optimal line up right now.
- mickel25

I have doubts about that. More than anything what led to that was that Myers simply didn't play well in camp and the pre-season. They knew that he needed a restart and some time to get it together. Myers and Morin make the same money. Myers play would've forced the call up. All that did was buy them time to make a decision on what they wanted to do with Morin. His injury made the decision for them in that regard. In summation, I think Myers would be up now regardless.

They could have carried 8D if they were healthy and hadn't signed Stewart. They called up Myers even when there were no D injuries, so I think they would have called him up injuries or not.
- jmatchett383

They called him up because they had the cap space to do so and Myers was the best option. If they didn't have the space I am not sure they risk losing Morin via waivers or work a trade for either Morin or Hagg. In the end, Myers is here eventually. Just not sure he would be here now in that injury free alternate universe.

If I’m being honest, I don’t care for our fourth line. Andy Andreoff has had two or three dangers chances in two games but cannot seem to bury his chances. I don’t like Raffl at center, I like him a lot more along the wall, it seems to be his specialty. Pitlick, while may be recovering from injury, I feel offers very little. He’s a good skater but I’m not seeing much of anything else. On the Marchand goal, I felt like Pitlick hesitated to get in front of the shot, with bugged me.

Feel like our fourth line is being over used in games right now in close games. I think more of our gifted players need to be out there and break games open in regulation.

They called him up because they had the cap space to do so and Myers was the best option. If they didn't have the space I am not sure they risk losing Morin via waivers or work a trade for either Morin or Hagg. In the end, Myers is here eventually. Just not sure he would be here now in that injury free alternate universe.
- mickel25

They called Myers up because his play warranted the call up. It was not an emergency recall where they needed a player. They chose to call him up and put him in the lineup in place of Haag. They had the flexibility to do so.

They called Myers up because his play warranted the call up. It was not an emergency recall where they needed a player. They chose to call him up and put him in the lineup in place of Haag. They had the flexibility to do so.
- MJL

Right. I typed the same thing. Just stated that they might not have if all of the injuries never happened and they did not have the LTIR space.

The Flyers certainly would be worse off without Hayes and there is no doubt he has helped the team. However after 17 games played, 3 points scored at 5 on 5 play is not going to cut it for a 7M a year player.
- MJL

agree he needs to finish some chances
He’s been close or unlikely on a few lately, hopefully he gets a few bounces and gets it going

Thinking a bit about Voracek and Hayes together on a line.

They both play a fairly similar game in some regards, both good puck carriers and good at shielding the puck, both better at setting up the play then scoring.

Are they too similar to be part of an effective line? If they stay together would moving someone with opposite skill set like JVR to the line be better? JvR can be the net front goal scorer set up by the other two.

Just random thoughts here.