from a talent and O standpoint I agree. If they came back to mid season I would have said it was a mistake but brining Frost into the playoffs, I get why they chose heavier vet players. In hindsight they added very little value, especially vs Isles.
- wcorvette

I get it as well. Just an archaic way of thinking as the game as evolved.

from a talent and O standpoint I agree. If they came back to mid season I would have said it was a mistake but brining Frost into the playoffs, I get why they chose heavier vet players. In hindsight they added very little value, especially vs Isles.
- wcorvette

I’m not even sold that Farabee should be in the NHL right now. He can score but he’s not strong on skates and he doesn’t do much incredibly well. Strong on the boards, positioning. I think his play still needs work but that’s just me.

The coaching staff didn't even give him a chance in the bubble. So how can he "earn" it when not given the chance? Meanwhile 2 slugs got every opportunity despite not producing.
- Striiker

Frost hadn't played a game in the NHL in a long period of time. He wasnt fully ready for the NHL when he did play and was over matched at center. He was not capable of playing in the bubble and in the playoffs at center.

This again? Derek Grant and Nate Thompson are bottom sizes forwards. They’re roles are limited minutes, defensive situations and killing penalties. Morgan is being developed as a top six skilled player. In a perfect world, Grant would have been on the fourth line and Thompson scratched if Patrick were healthy. He wasn’t. The point, Frost was exactly where he needed to be during the playoffs and so were Grant and Thompson.
- SuperSchennBros

Did this team lack offense in the playoffs? Lack is actually an understatement. Perfect world doesn't exist so to say that is irrelevant. Best development is in the lineup getting experience. Not on the bench while lesser players are on the ice. Your supposed to field your best team. AV did not.

Frost hadn't played a game in the NHL in a long period of time. He wasnt fully ready for the NHL when he did play and was over matched at center. He was not capable of playing in the bubble and in the playoffs at center.
- MJL

Yep!

Our hopes at center right now hang on the hopes of Patrick being healthy enough to play or Frost earning a spot. Both are iffy at the moment.

Frost hadn't played a game in the NHL in a long period of time. He wasnt fully ready for the NHL when he did play and was over matched at center. He was not capable of playing in the bubble and in the playoffs at center.
- MJL

So he was just like many other players who haven't played in months? Didn't Oscar miss a long time as well? Weak argument. He should have been given some games the bubble so he can "earn" his spot as you say. Spots with this coaching staff are given not earned.

Did this team lack offense in the playoffs? Lack is actually an understatement. Perfect world doesn't exist so to say that is irrelevant. Best development is in the lineup getting experience. Not on the bench while lesser players are on the ice. Your supposed to field your best team. AV did not.
- Striiker

Placing a player in a situation that he was not capable of playing in and not ready for is just about the worst way to develop a player that there is.

Did this team lack offense in the playoffs? Lack is actually an understatement. Perfect world doesn't exist so to say that is irrelevant. Best development is in the lineup getting experience. Not on the bench while lesser players are on the ice. Your supposed to field your best team. AV did not.
- Striiker

So you’re trying to convince not only us on this message board but the coaching staff that Morgan Freakin Frost would have made the difference in our offense, while players like Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, JvR and Konecny were not?

So he was just like many other players who haven't played in months? Didn't Oscar miss a long time as well? Weak argument. He should have been given some games the bubble so he can "earn" his spot as you say. Spots with this coaching staff are given not earned.
- Striiker

Lindblom was an established NHL player. You have no argument and you have no clue. Why do you think he wasn't given any games? 😆

I’m not even sold that Farabee should be in the NHL right now. He can score but he’s not strong on skates and he doesn’t do much incredibly well. Strong on the boards, positioning. I think his play still needs work but that’s just me.
- SuperSchennBros

yeah he needs to add weight and strength. But in todays NHL you need youth, talent and the CAP hit they bring. At some point they just have to play. Frost actually is 6' 185, he put on weight, just has to learn how to handle it. I am sure last year helped

So you’re trying to convince not only us on this message board but the coaching staff that Morgan Freakin Frost would have made the difference in our offense, while players like Giroux, Voracek, Couturier, JvR and Konecny were not?
- SuperSchennBros

well, while I agree with the coaches decision, Frost couldn't have done worse.

Yep!

Our hopes at center right now hang on the hopes of Patrick being healthy enough to play or Frost earning a spot. Both are iffy at the moment.
- SuperSchennBros

Personally, I would be fine with Giroux at center again if Patrick, Frost and Laczynski don’t work well there. They have young wingers who could step up like Konecny, Lindblom and Farabee.

It really isn’t that Voracek and Giroux aren’t first line wingers (they are), it is that two primary playmakers on the same line hasn’t paid dividends in the playoffs. I really hope they spread the wealth this year and build chemistry with some of the younger forwards during the regular season.

Frost should be that guy; unless the coaches mismanage him again.
- Striiker

Absolutely

Lindblom was an established NHL player. You have no argument and you have no clue. Why do you think he wasn't given any games? 😆
- MJL

Your argument was he hadn't played an NHL game in months. Now your moving the goal post. I think he wasn't given any games because of the archaic mindset of the coaching staff. No argument; that is funny. Just like Ghost was mismanaged. Several defense-men were terrible in the playoffs. Yet still kept running them out there game after game.

Absolutely
- BiggE

I am astounded by the posters on this board. Guess not surprised though.

Personally, I would be fine with Giroux at center again if Patrick, Frost and Laczynski don’t work well there. They have young wingers who could step up like Konecny, Lindblom and Farabee.

It really isn’t that Voracek and Giroux aren’t first line wingers (they are), it is that two primary playmakers on the same line hasn’t paid dividends in the playoffs. I really hope they spread the wealth this year and build chemistry with some of the younger forwards during the regular season.
- NC Flyers Fan

Even though Laughton is a better player at wing then at center, Id rather move Laughton to center
and keep Giroux at wing.

I am astounded by the posters on this board. Guess not surprised though.
- Striiker

Told ya

Your argument was he hadn't played an NHL game in months. Now your moving the goal post. I think he wasn't given any games because of the archaic mindset of the coaching staff. No argument; that is funny. Just like Ghost was mismanaged. Several defense-men were terrible in the playoffs. Yet still kept running them out there game after game.
- Striiker

Nope, there was more than one factor to my argument. Perhaps you should go back and review. I'll make it plain and simple for you. Frost was not ready at that point in time play at the NHL level.

Told ya
- BiggE

LOL, you're embarrasing yourself backing up his position and then follow up with a "I told you so". Let me guess, one of your Hockey Futures buddies?

Even though Laughton is a better player at wing then at center, Id rather move Laughton to center
and keep Giroux at wing.
- MJL

I think it’s an option for sure but overall the whole lineup is the deepest with Giroux (or Patrick) at center. Best team sometimes involves versatile players in a secondary role. Giroux could be key in matchup nightmares for other teams.

He was healthy. Struggled mightily after Rookie Camp ended -- was in over his head in training camp (I've talked about the morning when Frost and Ratcliffe were sent out head-to-head in battle drills against Couturier and Giroux, and got eaten alive, as AV knew would happen). Struggled in the first quarter to first half of the AHL season. Got moved down the lineup to a checking/PK role and started to settle in.

Gordon said Ratcliffe was the Phantoms most improved player by the end of the season compared to where he started at the beginning. He thinks the offense will come around in time at the pro level, too. Ratcliffe said that he sees his own future more in the type of role that he played in the second half of his rookie season than as the big goal-scorer he was in his Draft +2 year playing on Suzuki's line.

So, no, Ratcliffe isn't really challenging for an NHL role at this point. He's going to probably spend another year in the AHL -- assuming there is an AHL season -- and then they'll see where he is come 2021-22.
- bmeltzer

They asked him to switch to a shorter stick so he could handle the puck more effectively in tight spaces. He had so much time in space in junior that he got away with using a super long twig and playing more upright coming up. It was a huge adjustment for him.

People saw a big forward who can skate and assume he's more NHL ready than smaller guys in the system... but most of us know that jumbo junior players usually have the most adjustments to make once they turn pro.

I can easily see Ratcliffe gaining some confidence this season and becoming a solid middle-six/PP player in LHV, then his development would be right back on track.

I think it’s an option for sure but overall the whole lineup is the deepest with Giroux (or Patrick) at center. Best team sometimes involves versatile players in a secondary role. Giroux could be key in matchup nightmares for other teams.
- NC Flyers Fan

Giroux should be playing with the top skilled offensive players on the team on the top lines.

Giroux should be playing with the top skilled offensive players on the team on the top lines.
- MJL

In this sample, you can see that he would be playing with skilled offensive players:

Farabee-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Hayes-TK
JVR-Giroux-Lindblom
Raffl-Bunnaman-NAK

I think it’s an option for sure but overall the whole lineup is the deepest with Giroux (or Patrick) at center. Best team sometimes involves versatile players in a secondary role. Giroux could be key in matchup nightmares for other teams.
- NC Flyers Fan

Can G do it? sure, but he doesn't have the size or speed. He will play well but it will take everything he has. I would rather him on the wing using his skill to help drive the O.

Frost hadn't played a game in the NHL in a long period of time. He wasnt fully ready for the NHL when he did play and was over matched at center. He was not capable of playing in the bubble and in the playoffs at center.
- MJL

I'm Morgan Frost superfan numero uno, and I actually think he acquitted himself very well in his cups of coffee, but yeah... he had no business being thrown into the deep end. PO hockey is on a completely different level.