The kid has heart. It can’t be easy losing 2 seasons in a row and having to rehab serious injuries like he has had to overcome.

When Sam was selected, he was a 1st round pick that had great size, good skater for his size, booming shot, high character, a great work ethic, leadership skills, a mean streak and good Hockey IQ. He was never mentioned to be an offensive defenseman but it was hoped that part would develop. The book is closed on that but he was destined to be a solid defensive defenceman.

His skating probably has taken a hit due to the injuries and he will not be expected to put up a lot of points.

What I do think could happen, if things finally work out in his favour (good health) for once, is he could find a role on this team as a hard nosed, along the boards and corners defensive grinder. Along with keeping other teams from taking cheap shots at our core players. Lastly, what are the chances he turns into a PowerPlay/ net front presence? Imagine trying to move him from in front of the net? Even the tallest goalies would not be able to look over Morin.

I agree that fighting in hockey has almost disappeared and the enforcer role has gone the way of the do-do, but this year may be a little different. This year playing 8 games against the same teams and then playoffs with the same teams will develop a lot of animosity. So the games may change as the season moves forward from fast skating and high scoring to more grinding and a lot of bad blood low scoring games... if so that is where Morin may bring some value.

No matter how it turns out I wish the kid good health, good luck and I hope he gets to play out the whole season wherever that ends up being.

My only concern with Sam Morin playing wing is skating. It’s been said he can skate well, that’s fine. While it helps he’ll be playing less minutes as a forward, being a winger means more skating. Harder skating on the forcheck. I agree this works against bigger guys. You could see skating was tough on Vinny, especially when he was moved to wing but that could also be due to his age at the time. Wasn’t all of Morin’s injuries ankle, foot or legs injuries?
- SuperSchennBros

Two separate torn ACL injuries both on the right knee and a problem with tears in basically a hip flexor muscle I believe. I don’t think that his age is a negative factor. If anything, I think that if he is a stable size now and completely done with growth and filling out that’s a positive.

No matter how it turns out I wish the kid good health, good luck and I hope he gets to play out the whole season wherever that ends up being.
- Tommycasino

Did I miss some trade rumor?

Watching USA-Slovaks. Two take always. York and Provy are going to make a great pair one day. He seems to have the offensive flair, but chooses to focus on defense. Brink is a prototypical Flyer. High energy.

I can’t say I know much about Morin. Seems to be a fighter. I like that. We all like that in Philly. I don’t mean a brawler on the ice, I mean a hard workin kid who tries his damndest.

As much as I hope he succeeds, I kinda doubt he does it for the big club. I just don’t see it. Maybe he can be a spark plug here and there bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL here, but I’m not sold on him being a LW for the Flyers.

Hey, I wish the kid the best. He’s had some really tough breaks, we can all agree on that. Maybe I’m wrong about his future. It would be a fantastic story if he makes it! Certainly his coaches know more than I.

I’m just doubtful.

Are we talking about this year or in the future? His best bet to have a career in hockey, whether at the NHL or AHL level is at defense in my opinion.
- MJL

I look at the tough transition that Ratcliffe had coming out of junior, getting used to handling pucks in his skates, switching to a shorter stick, etc.... and it's hard to believe Morin wouldn't go through a similar thing, except probably much worse since it's a position change, AND instead of a full season to adjust he's only got a few weeks.

When all this blows over, he'll likely be back on D, in LHV, fighting for ice time. And when his contract expires, I expect both sides to move on.

Watching USA-Slovaks. Two take always. York and Provy are going to make a great pair one day. He seems to have the offensive flair, but chooses to focus on defense. Brink is a prototypical Flyer. High energy.
- leon neon

Yes. York and provie both play the left side. But provie-Myers, York- sanhiem could be a great top 4.

I look at the tough transition that Ratcliffe had coming out of junior, getting used to handling pucks in his skates, switching to a shorter stick, etc.... and it's hard to believe Morin wouldn't go through a similar thing, except probably much worse since it's a position change, AND instead of a full season to adjust he's only got a few weeks.

When all this blows over, he'll likely be back on D, in LHV, fighting for ice time. And when his contract expires, I expect both sides to move on.
- Tomahawk

Due to his contract that is why this season is so important for him.

Absolutely amazing some think Sam Morin will be a deterrent and actual prevent people from taking cheap shots. What is this actually based on?

The coach clearly prefers physical play over skill.
- Striiker

This is a really silly and poorly thought out comment.

We'll come back to this the first time Giroux gets clobbered behind the net and you're screaming "Cheap Shot!" at the TV.
- Nh_kong

Having Sam Morin in the lineup is not going to stop Giroux or any other player from getting hit.

Having Sam Morin in the lineup is not going to stop Giroux or any other player from getting hit.
- MJL

No it will not. I also agree with you that his best path to play is staying on defense.

Going to be very curious what they do with him when the AHL opens camp. Can’t even see him getting regular minutes on the wing for the Phantom. Hopefully they wise up.

I look at the tough transition that Ratcliffe had coming out of junior, getting used to handling pucks in his skates, switching to a shorter stick, etc.... and it's hard to believe Morin wouldn't go through a similar thing, except probably much worse since it's a position change, AND instead of a full season to adjust he's only got a few weeks.

When all this blows over, he'll likely be back on D, in LHV, fighting for ice time. And when his contract expires, I expect both sides to move on.
- Tomahawk

It's a very long shot but I'm hopeful the kid can still carve out a career. He's had awful injury luck.

Watching Bobby Brink last night, though overall he has had a great tournament I just don't him translating to the NHL, mainly because of his lack of skating ability. He looks almost comical out there compared to the other skaters. Yes he gets to the important areas of the ice and yes he has what seems to be great hockey IQ and vision, but that will not make up for his lack of skating ability in the NHL, as it has in college or in this tournament IMO. I hope I am wrong, but that is what I am coming away with so far.

However, I do believe Tyson Foerster has a real chance to make the Flyers this year, at least the travel squad. I haven't seen him play since 2020 but I presume he has worked on his acceleration which was his only negative coming out of the draft. Given his shot, hockey IQ and compete level, I think he has a real chance, and he is the one I am most excited to watch during this training camp. Wisdom has his number 71 right now but I think that will change in a few days.

Watching Bobby Brink last night, though overall he has had a great tournament I just don't him translating to the NHL, mainly because of his lack of skating ability. He looks almost comical out there compared to the other skaters. Yes he gets to the important areas of the ice and yes he has what seems to be great hockey IQ and vision, but that will not make up for his lack of skating ability in the NHL, as it has in college or in this tournament IMO. I hope I am wrong, but that is what I am coming away with so far.


- jd250

This is a perfect example of seeing what you want to see. You had a bias against the player before the tournament even started. You're also routinely pessimistic. The same thing was said about Luc Robitaille and countless other good players. Professional talent evaluators disagree with you.

This is a perfect example of seeing what you want to see. You had a bias against the player before the tournament even started. You're also routinely pessimistic. The same thing was said about Luc Robitaille and countless other good players. Professional talent evaluators disagree with you.
- MJL

IQ, hands, heart and hustle are great equalizers.

Watching Bobby Brink last night, though overall he has had a great tournament I just don't him translating to the NHL, mainly because of his lack of skating ability. He looks almost comical out there compared to the other skaters. Yes he gets to the important areas of the ice and yes he has what seems to be great hockey IQ and vision, but that will not make up for his lack of skating ability in the NHL, as it has in college or in this tournament IMO. I hope I am wrong, but that is what I am coming away with so far.

However, I do believe Tyson Foerster has a real chance to make the Flyers this year, at least the travel squad. I haven't seen him play since 2020 but I presume he has worked on his acceleration which was his only negative coming out of the draft. Given his shot, hockey IQ and compete level, I think he has a real chance, and he is the one I am most excited to watch during this training camp. Wisdom has his number 71 right now but I think that will change in a few days.
- jd250

His skating has improved and prob will continue too. This is an area that players can improve on easier than others.

I don’t feel he has been out of place and keeps up with the pace just fine. Interesting that you think Tyson will do better even though brink is the better skater. What you can’t teach is his drive, attitude, those hands and fearlessness. All the wheels in the world do nothing without other abilities. ( nodl). Not saying speed isn’t important. Just the kid has time to improve more.

Having Sam Morin in the lineup is not going to stop Giroux or any other player from getting hit.
- MJL

I think that most folks are thinking of temper flare ups with playing the same team repeatedly and not about typical hockey plays. Sam is willing to drop the gloves and fight if that is what an angry opponent really wants. By “deterrent,” it is similar to the reason Simmonds fought less than others toward the end of his time in Philly. There was less fighting, less willing combatants, and even less who wanted to fight him in particular. Also many reference Sam’s ability for heavy hitting as a “deterrent,” which can be as much mental fatigue on the opponent as physical.

I think that most folks are thinking of temper flare ups with playing the same team repeatedly and not about typical hockey plays. Sam is willing to drop the gloves and fight if that is what an angry opponent really wants. By “deterrent,” it is similar to the reason Simmonds fought less than others toward the end of his time in Philly. There was less fighting, less willing combatants, and even less who wanted to fight him in particular. Also many reference Sam’s ability for heavy hitting as a “deterrent,” which can be as much mental fatigue on the opponent as physical.
- NC Flyers Fan

Who is Sam Morin replacing in the lineup?

Absolutely amazing some think Sam Morin will be a deterrent and actual prevent people from taking cheap shots. What is this actually based on?
- Striiker

I agree with you but Im pretty sure its based on this.


https://theathletic.com/2...ange-philadelphia-flyers/

Fletcher and Morin made it clear Thursday this wasn’t an impulsive decision on the eve of training camp. Morin has been preparing to play left wing in 2020-21 since October, when the team first presented him with the idea. The impetus behind the suggestion was the front office’s long-held belief that the lineup needed a physical, intimidating presence.

“I think this was an idea that AV (head coach Alain Vigneault) and (assistant coach) Ian Laperriere had,” Fletcher said. “I think certainly having a little bit more size and physicality up front is an area we felt we needed to address. You’re looking for players to bring that element and play.”

And don’t be mistaken: They viewed it as a need. In fact, the Flyers’ brain trust saw it as a big reason for the team’s playoff ouster last season.

“(Vigneault) told me about the lack of — in the playoffs, especially against the Islanders — the lack of physicality, that the boys, the guys were kind of getting pushed around, even against Montreal,” Morin said of the meeting in October when the head coach first proposed the idea. “They kind of need a guy to answer that.”

Unsurprisingly, Fletcher concurred, also arguing that the playoffs are a different animal.

“I think you see it in the playoffs, size is an important element of winning,” he said. “Having a physical component to your lineup is incredibly important. There’s certainly a lot of teams in our division that are big, physical teams. We think this will help us in that regard.

The Flyers did poke around this offseason attempting to find a physically imposing forward, but they couldn’t acquire one at an acceptable price point who also doubled as a useful player, according to a source. Instead, they’ve decided to try and construct one — notably, by asking Morin to emulate the style of one of the few unrestricted free agents who fits that mold.

“I looked at some guys that I want to copy (their) game,” Morin said when asked how he’s preparing for the position shift. “The big guy I copy and watch a lot of his clips, even right now I watch (him) every day, 20 minutes a day, is Matt Martin from the Islanders. Really simple game. Really, really simple and really efficient. The puck is always behind the D-man and he always finishes his hit. His shifts are honestly like 30 seconds (long); then he just (goes on a) change and (Mathew) Barzal is on the ice, and they are (immediately) buzzing in the offensive zone because of just the little details (Martin) does.”

Hope this answers your question as to what its based on.

Who is Sam Morin replacing in the lineup?
- Striiker

Carter hart. Fedetov is coming over as well. 1-2 punch of 6’7” goalies.

I think that most folks are thinking of temper flare ups with playing the same team repeatedly and not about typical hockey plays. Sam is willing to drop the gloves and fight if that is what an angry opponent really wants. By “deterrent,” it is similar to the reason Simmonds fought less than others toward the end of his time in Philly. There was less fighting, less willing combatants, and even less who wanted to fight him in particular. Also many reference Sam’s ability for heavy hitting as a “deterrent,” which can be as much mental fatigue on the opponent as physical.
- NC Flyers Fan

There is no deterrent in hockey. It is a false concept. Doesn't exist. Grit and competitiveness is important in your skilled players but you shouldn't have a player in the lineup based on a deterrent concept.

I agree with you but Im pretty sure its based on this.


https://theathletic.com/2...ange-philadelphia-flyers/








Hope this answers your question as to what its based on.
- MBFlyerfan

I think this is one of the worst things a team can do. Become reactionary to one series or short playoff run. The answer really isn't adding a Sam Morin as a forward. The answer is to be more competitive within your lineup as a whole. Don't copy or react to other teams. Build your own identity as a team and play at a maximum competitive level. This is a speed and skill league. You need grit and competitiveness within those skill players.

I think this is one of the worst things a team can do. Become reactionary to one series or short playoff run. The answer really isn't adding a Sam Morin as a forward. The answer is to be more competitive within your lineup as a whole. Don't copy or react to other teams. Build your own identity as a team and play at a maximum competitive level. This is a speed and skill league. You need grit and competitiveness within those skill players.
- MJL

I agree, but when you have a 220lb guy pounding on you and you are only 170lb, it doesn't matter how much grit or competitiveness you have, physics takes over, especially when 220lb guy is as gritty and competitive as you.

For the record I think this Morin thing is a pipe dream.

I agree with you but Im pretty sure its based on this.


https://theathletic.com/2...ange-philadelphia-flyers/








Hope this answers your question as to what its based on.
- MBFlyerfan

Let me clarify. I meant based on what in Sam’s past makes anyone think he will be a “deterrent”. That doesn’t exist anymore.

I get what it is based on in the sense they want physicality. I think that is misplaced.

If the goal is to win games and accumulate points; Morin has no business being in the top 12 for any game. Less every forward is hurt or covid.

Also strikes me that the coach doesn’t seem to hold himself accountable for the playoffs at all.