I wouldn't either, but I do really like Barzal. That kid just does whatever he wants every time he's on the ice.
- Ftown19125

Yeah he is really good.

Going into the series people were upset that some fans were saying that Giroux hadn’t produced in the playoffs since 2012. Now they stopped defending him.

And the reason people want ghost in so badly is that he is one of the few Flyers who willingly shoots the puck.

The 2012 playoffs killed the Flyers players. The penguins series was full of behind the back, no look touch passes that the fans loved and they’ve been trying to recreate ever since. The Devils series showed other teams how afraid the Flyers become when you forecheck 3 players. That’s why less talented teams always give the Flyers fits.

We have to carry the puck out of the zone. And if you say we don’t have enough fast talented players to do that then I say quit overcooking Frost and sitting ghost while pylons like Braun and Thompson get their crap pushed in.

If the other team is trying to push you into a shell, going into a shell isn’t the best strategy to beat them.

My kingdom for a coach who values talent over grit.
- Shrike

We are 8 years and 3 coaches removed from 2012. I think we have 3 players (Giroux, Voracek, and Couturier) remaining from that team. I don't know what that series has to do with this one.

I'm all for playing Frost, but if you do he needs to be in the top six or you might as well not bother. I also think you play Ghost and give him PP1 time, right now there is nothing the Islanders respect...nobody is scared of Provy or Jake shooting. With Ghost at the top they will need to respect his shot, and in theory that will open up space for G on the half wall for some one timer ops. Also not a JVR fan, but the one spot he is good is in front of the net on the PP, so why not try G, Coots, JVR, Jake and Ghost...This gives you a big shot out top, G and Jake on the half walls, JVR for net front presences and Coots in the high slot for some Scott Hartnell style opportunities.
- LittleBallofHate

I mean...why not, at this point? Go all-in offense.

Frost is not ready for the NHL playoffs.
- MJL

You have no idea if he’s ready. There’s never been a rookie who had an up and down minor league season and jumped in and helped their team? A top prospect at that. Toronto saw a little production from a kid who played in junior this year.

I mean...why not, at this point? Go all-in offense.
- jmatchett383

And we could use his speed.

We are down 3-1 and have mightily struggled to get any offense, get Frost in the lineup. I don’t care if he has no experience, we can’t hold the kids hand forever.

This very well may be the last game for a long time, uncertain how and when next season gets started.

In this series unfortunately for the Flyers, the young players have looked a little unseasoned and the vets for the most part have not been close to their best.

Lots of positives on this team though. Hart looks like the real thing in goal. I think Phillip Myers has top pair potential and may replace Niskanen sooner then most expect and pair with Provorov. It’s been a good learning experience for Farabee and Sanheim, both are going to get much better.

It’s a shame Couts, G, and TK have underperformed. Also give the Isles credit, they play their system to perfection and have some underrated players and Barzal who is a top talent.

I hear the calls to break up the core, but doubt that G, Jake and Couts are going to be traded anytime soon.

I do think Ghost may be traded but not much else.

This very well may be the last game for a long time, uncertain how and when next season gets started.

In this series unfortunately for the Flyers, the young players have looked a little unseasoned and the vets for the most part have not been close to their best.

Lots of positives on this team though. Hart looks like the real thing in goal. I think Phillip Myers has top pair potential and may replace Niskanen sooner then most expect and pair with Provorov. It’s been a good learning experience for Farabee and Sanheim, both are going to get much better.

It’s a shame Couts, G, and TK have underperformed. Also give the Isles credit, they play their system to perfection and have some underrated players and Barzal who is a top talent.

I hear the calls to break up the core, but doubt that G, Jake and Couts are going to be traded anytime soon.

I do think Ghost may be traded but not much else.
- Marc D

In general it will be hard for a lot of teams to make moves with the flat cap. Having said that, I do agree Ghost will be moved.

We are down 3-1 and have mightily struggled to get any offense, get Frost in the lineup. I don’t care if he has no experience, we can’t hold the kids hand forever.
- ClaudeFather

He hasn't been in a bonafide hockey game of any kind in 5 1/2 months. There's barely practice time in the bubble. The pre-bubble scrimmages (which are not a substitute for real games) are now a month ago. He had a bit of a rollercoaster first pro year (which is understandable and not cause for long-term alarm).

Right now, plain and simple, he is not a viable lineup candidate for a potential elimination game.

He hasn't been in a bonafide hockey game of any kind in 5 1/2 months. There's barely practice time in the bubble. The pre-bubble scrimmages (which are not a substitute for real games) are now a month ago. He had a bit of a rollercoaster first pro year (which is understandable and not cause for long-term alarm).

Right now, plain and simple, he is not a viable lineup candidate for a potential elimination game.
- bmeltzer

Valid point on Frost, but I think you need Ghost in and on PP1 per my previous comment.

You have no idea if he’s ready. There’s never been a rookie who had an up and down minor league season and jumped in and helped their team? A top prospect at that. Toronto saw a little production from a kid who played in junior this year.
- ClaudeFather

Well if another player did then what the heck are we waiting for?

I wouldn't either, but I do really like Barzal. That kid just does whatever he wants every time he's on the ice.
- Ftown19125

Lets watch how he does against Tampa. Marchand has got his goals and points but TB has taken away his open ice space. I pray Koochie is not concussed.

Well if another player did then what the heck are we waiting for?
- MJL

Going into the series people were upset that some fans were saying that Giroux hadn’t produced in the playoffs since 2012. Now they stopped defending him.

And the reason people want ghost in so badly is that he is one of the few Flyers who willingly shoots the puck.

The 2012 playoffs killed the Flyers players. The penguins series was full of behind the back, no look touch passes that the fans loved and they’ve been trying to recreate ever since. The Devils series showed other teams how afraid the Flyers become when you forecheck 3 players. That’s why less talented teams always give the Flyers fits.

We have to carry the puck out of the zone. And if you say we don’t have enough fast talented players to do that then I say quit overcooking Frost and sitting ghost while pylons like Braun and Thompson get their crap pushed in.

If the other team is trying to push you into a shell, going into a shell isn’t the best strategy to beat them.

My kingdom for a coach who values talent over grit.
- Shrike

Ghost is not fast. He is a very good lateral skater when healthy, but north-south is average.

It's not "grit" per se that most coaches value, but commitment to play just as hard without the puck as with it.

The minor leagues and waiver wires are filled with talented players who lack something to their game: be it attention to detail, work ethic, ability to adapt if they aren't scoring, etc.

At practice, during his tenure here, Jordan Weal often jumped off the page as the slickest guy on the ice with the puck. Dominant AHL player. Works hard, too. But he has made very little difference in NHL lineups.

No team is going to have four lines of speedy, creative, dangling forwards with slick hands and a sniper's touch from medium range. Sometimes you've got to go in the corners and win the battles on the walls. Sometimes you can't protect the puck with finesse. Also you're not always going to have the puck, so you'd better also be competent defensively (especially if points have been hard to come by lately).

No team is going to have three defense pairs of slick puck movers who also defend well and at least three with the ability to put up regular offense, too.

You need a balance to your roster. Not everyone has to be a giant but you need some size and muscle mixed in. Not everyone has to be a speedster but you have to be able to push the pace, too. You need guys with specialized competencies to fill in some of the gaps. Just don't overexpose them.

A problem in the cap age especially is that goal-scoring wingers are an expensive luxury to have. The biggest roster core needs are down the middle -- your centers, D and your goalie. Two-way wingers on a good system may have to suffice if you aren't lucky enough to get such a player during his ELC, 2nd contract years.

Gostisbehere has shown very little signs of again being the point producer he was early in his career. However he has shown signs of being able to beat forecheckers and quickly move the puck in transition. He also has shown willingness to blast from the point. Thsts why they need him in the lineup.

Frost is not ready for the NHL playoffs.
- MJL

Absolutely unacceptable that 21 year old not ready for playoff hockey. He’s a 1st round top prospect. Should’ve been in the league years ago.

In general it will be hard for a lot of teams to make moves with the flat cap. Having said that, I do agree Ghost will be moved.
- arichardson22

I would imagine Myers gets resigned that’s a no brainer. Hagg I think may be questionable and the real question mark is Patrick. If they were confident in him wouldn’t they of offered to extend him maybe a year? Doing this to see what happens so they aren’t stuck with term? I want to see him playing just like the rest of us but with the flat cap it makes you wonder.

Gostisbehere has shown very little signs of again being the point producer he was early in his career. However he has shown signs of being able to beat forecheckers and quickly move the puck in transition. He also has shown willingness to blast from the point. Thsts why they need him in the lineup.
- MJL

Shooting: That's great if the shots don't get blocked en masse or miss the net. Otherwise, it's one-and-dones and potential transition attacks the other way. Shooting when there's not a shooting lane isn't too productive. I thought Ghost was trying hard but forcing things the only game he played in this series. Worth another try in an elimination game? I'm fine with.

Moving the puck in transition is needed for sure.

Lets watch how he does against Tampa. Marchand has got his goals and points but TB has taken away his open ice space. I pray Koochie is not concussed.
- PT21

Tampa without Stamkos and Kucherov, tough break for them

Absolutely unacceptable that 21 year old not ready for playoff hockey. He’s a 1st round top prospect. Should’ve been in the league years ago.
- SMS4016

Just because he was drafted in the first round doesn't make him an automatic player in an NHL lineup. He was mediocre at best the few games he did play this year. If you're relying on Morgan Frost to save the season I hope you have your tissues ready.

Absolutely unacceptable that 21 year old not ready for playoff hockey. He’s a 1st round top prospect. Should’ve been in the league years ago.
- SMS4016

His last competitive game he played in was in February. The Islanders are one of the biggest teams in the league. Knowing that and Frosts scouting reports say he needs muscle and to bulk up. It doesn’t seem too smart to put an undersized player out against larger physical players and expect him to play his game.

Shooting: That's great if the shots don't get blocked en masse or miss the net. Otherwise, it's one-and-dones and potential transition attacks the other way. Shooting when there's not a shooting lane isn't too productive. I thought Ghost was trying hard but forcing things the only game he played in this series. Worth another try in an elimination game? I'm fine with.

Moving the puck in transition is needed for sure.
- bmeltzer

Flyers need to simplify and get pucks to the net. When you're struggling offensively getting more shots can help.

Tampa without Stamkos and Kucherov, tough break for them
- Marc D

Kucherov will be ready for game 1 I'm sure, Stamkos is getting closer from the league chatter.

Absolutely unacceptable that 21 year old not ready for playoff hockey. He’s a 1st round top prospect. Should’ve been in the league years ago.
- SMS4016

They should just trade him now. Obvious bust.

What offense has Ghost produced, with any sort of consistency, the last two years? Not nearly enough of it to make up for the weaknesses in his game. There are flashes of it -- a play here, a game there -- but not reliably so.

I like Ghost, both as an elusive player when he's on his game and a person. But he can't live forever off his 2015-16 and 2017-18 campaigns when three of his last four seasons have fallen short of expectations.

Ghost finished the Montreal series with a strong performance in Game 6. But he really struggled in Game 1 of this series: four giveaways (three on the a single shift), six shot attempts blocked, one that missed the net, one harmless one on net. That's not going to keep him in the lineup as a player whose primary values are his shot, his lateral skating (north-south he is an average skater), and his NZ ability.

A hard truth: Ghost was not one of the primary players who brought the team to the dance this year. He didn't build up the credit to be allowed to play through a rough night like Game 1. No, Niskanen and Braun have not been good in the postseason. But both were important parts of what got the team this far in the first place.
- bmeltzer

I hope this finally ends the Ghost debate. Ghost is a nice player but him and Hägg offer two different elements. Both very important