My issue isn't with Morin the person/player. I'm sure he's a fine young man, and has a great work ethic. I feel for the kid suffering two serious knee injuries that have set him back.

My issue was with the draft selection. And was at the time of the draft. Not Monday Morning QB.
- PLindbergh31

He had 0 knee issues prior to draft day - sometimes guys get hurt. Not the teams fault.

Hoping to see Flyers goals followed by hockey hugs. Remember Keep It Simple Sam (KISS). Happy for your opportunity!

Let’s go Flyers!

My issue isn't with Morin the person/player. I'm sure he's a fine young man, and has a great work ethic. I feel for the kid suffering two serious knee injuries that have set him back.

My issue was with the draft selection. And was at the time of the draft. Not Monday Morning QB.
- PLindbergh31

Yup, I mean if you look at who went the rest of the 1st round after Morin, maybe two players stand out, at least to me: Pulack and Theodore. But at the time Morin was a rising player and had all the tools to be a really good player, and who knows, still might become that player.

(frank)in right! Now that’s a bold decision by the coach to offer an opportunity to a young player that brings something that is very much missing from the line up. Physical play. Personally I would have made the move much sooner, but better late than never. My only concern is his defense partner. Is Ghost the right guy to play with.

Provorov-Ghost
Sanheim-Braun
Morin-Myers
- SuperSchennBros

Agree

I like it a lot. The asking price for Lowry was insane. Thybulle, Maxey, and 2 firsts? Yeah no thanks.
- StepfordSam

Absurd price for Lowry

I've been wrong on everything I've posted. No doubt. Everyone who has defended everything the Flyers do are the ones who have been proved to be correct. Can't argue with the on ice results.
- PLindbergh31

Nobody defends every decision the Flyers have made, including myself. But you are so given to hyperbole and lack of context that, yes, you end up being (not wrong, because right/wrong on an opinion is purely subjective) but misrepresentative.

The Flyers won one playoff series from 2012 (when they emptied the tank against Pittsburgh in round one and then got upset by NJ) to 2020. This is true. They also lost a Game 7 by 2-1 to Vigneault's Rangers, a 1-0 Game 6 as a severe underdog to the Caps even without Couturier being lost for the series in Game 1 and both Giroux and Calder finalist Gostisbehere needing core muscle surgeries, and then a very winnable Game 6 against the Pens in 2018. Would it have made any difference if they HAD won one of those series, though?

Hexy wasn't even aiming for deep runs in the playoffs. He was entirely focused on a farm system rebuild with leaving just enough at the NHL level to at least be a bubble team. Some years they got in, some years they did. His first attempt to push for contender status was the JVR signing in 2018, in what turned out to be a very disappointing season, and the end of Hexy as GM and Hakstol as coach.

The Flyers greatly improved last year. They've underachieved this season and need to figure out next steps.

That is the reality here.

P.S. If you want to play the "Cup drought" game for the dozenth time, I'll cut and paste the same fact-based response. Long Cup droughts -- as in multi-decades -- are part of every franchise's history along the way at some point. It sucks. It isn't fun. But it's just how it goes.

ESPN article about Hart's struggles. Talks about poor defensive play in front of him but also outlines his specific struggles.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/...ter-hart-nightmare-season

Former NHL goalie Stephen Valiquette, CEO of Clear Sight Analytics, is perhaps the best evaluator of netminders working today. The Carter Hart he has seen this season is not the Carter Hart he has seen previously.

"He's been a really good model of a modern-day goalie. I use him a lot in my coaching. However, this year is off. He is performing below expected on virtually every chance type that we track," he said.
- Big_E_88

Pretty good article that provided a lot of insights into why Hart is struggling to make the same type of impact he did in such a positive way last season. Thanks for sharing!

Yup, I mean if you look at who went the rest of the 1st round after Morin, maybe two players stand out, at least to me: Pulack and Theodore. But at the time Morin was a rising player and had all the tools to be a really good player, and who knows, still might become that player.
- jd250

I guess I just never understand seemingly blaming the player for their draft position. I guess the irk is being directed at the organization, but unfortunately the player is mostly hit in the crossfire.

Should be trading them. Not even a discussion. Playoff teams should want to add these Swiss Army knife types of bottom 6 forwards for a playoff run
- Just5

The Flyers absolutely should not be trading Scott Laughton unless a team drastically overpays.

My issue isn't with Morin the person/player. I'm sure he's a fine young man, and has a great work ethic. I feel for the kid suffering two serious knee injuries that have set him back.

My issue was with the draft selection. And was at the time of the draft. Not Monday Morning QB.
- PLindbergh31

Morin wasn't the player I wanted. I wanted Ryan Pulock. You can look back in the blog archives to 2013 if you want to.

But Morin rose with a bullet in the prospect rankings the second half that year, and especially at the U18 Worlds. He wasn't an off-the-board selection or a reach, so much as a projection over two additional Q seasons and two AHL years. If you recall, he narrowly missed out on NHL opening-night roster spots his D+1 and D+2 years. This was done so as stick to a plan not to rush him because they knew he was very raw.

Unfortunately, just as he seemed NHL-ready in the fall of 2017, he lost more than 2/3 of his season to core muscle issues. Then the ACL tears started.

Also, in 2013, if Rasmus Ristolainen had been there at 13th (he went 8th to Buffalo), he'd have been the Flyers pick over Morin. Philly also coveted Sean Monahan (6th to Calgary). However, Philly did have Morin ranked above Pulock, and I thought even then it should be reversed.

It’s almost as if flyer fans just take every dman who is over 6.5 and assume they are slow. They used to say the same about Bundy and he was a good skater. Then Coburn. Who also was a very good skater. I’m not saying Morin skates like Myers, but his north speed is not bad. Skating is not his issue. Guy just needs to play and stay healthy. He was and is plenty talented.

What he does bring more than anything else is heart and attitude. Two things this team desperately needs more of.
- Joe Nardone

From the little I've seen of him the issue with Morin is that he sometimes forgets to play hockey and gets too caught up looking for hits. I'd love for the Flyers to be more aggressive, especially on D, but not at the expense of playing solid hockey.

As Fletcher stated, no one is ringing him about this players, and I have to think part of the reason is his players are not that good!
- jd250

Nope. Teams would jump at the chance to acquire Myers, Sanhiem, Provorov, Konency, Hart and Farabee. They don't have the cap space to take on the high priced veterans.

I like Laughton and long term I think he is player I would like to keep. I don't get he impression from Fletcher that he wants to sell at the deadline, however if the team continues to spiral over the next two weeks I don't think he'll have a choice. I mean if Fletcher can sell Laughton for a good pick and then resign him in the off season, why not do it? I think from what I read Fletcher would prefer to be a buyer at the deadline and he hopes that the trend of the Flyers play over the past two games continues, but even then it takes two teams to make a trade, and since the Flyers do not have an abundance of cap space, anyone they trade with would have to take salary back which they don't want to do. It just sucks right now.
- jd250

Pretty much everything Fletch said yesterday needs to be taken with a grain of salt....he acknowledged the d mix needs to be different. He acknowledged trades are tough to make but pointed to money as being the issue in a lot of cases. That told me he’s looked to move NHL salaried guys not prospects.
I didn’t expect him to throw the young guys under the bus, he basically made some excuses, and I’m sure he hopes these kids can get it turned around. What else is supposed to say? He acknowledged this is the path he put them on.
It’s not like we learned anything we didn’t already know unless your totally clueless.
As far as being sellers, it really depends on how they play in the next couple of weeks. I think Laughton would get you something as would Raffl. I do think Fletch will need to be a lot more aggressive and actually get some results this time in the off season or the Flyers might be looking for someone who will....can anyone say a return of Paul Holmgren!

From the little I've seen of him the issue with Morin is that he sometimes forgets to play hockey and gets too caught up looking for hits. I'd love for the Flyers to be more aggressive, especially on D, but not at the expense of playing solid hockey.
- Dkos

Bill alluded to that....they’ve tried to get Morin to play a simpler game. After watching this pathetic mix, why not let Morin play ?

Morin wasn't the player I wanted. I wanted Ryan Pulock. You can look back in the blog archives to 2013 if you want to.

But Morin rose with a bullet in the prospect rankings the second half that year, and especially at the U18 Worlds. He wasn't an off-the-board selection or a reach, so much as a projection over two additional Q seasons and two AHL years. If you recall, he narrowly missed out on NHL opening-night roster spots his D+1 and D+2 years. This was done so as stick to a plan not to rush him because they knew he was very raw.

Unfortunately, just as he seemed NHL-ready in the fall of 2017, he lost more than 2/3 of his season to core muscle issues. Then the ACL tears started.

Also, in 2013, if Rasmus Ristolainen had been there at 13th (he went 8th to Buffalo), he'd have been the Flyers pick over Morin. Philly also coveted Sean Monahan (6th to Calgary). However, Philly did have Morin ranked above Pulock, and I thought even then it should be reversed.
- bmeltzer

I wanted zadorov. But hindsight yes pul.

Didn’t Montreal try to trade up for Morin? And trade for him again after he was drafted?

The Flyers absolutely should not be trading Scott Laughton unless a team drastically overpays.
- MJL

yeah better off losing him for nothing. Oh my bad its 100% fact he resigns; I mean why would he want to leave this perennial cup contender.

From the little I've seen of him the issue with Morin is that he sometimes forgets to play hockey and gets too caught up looking for hits. I'd love for the Flyers to be more aggressive, especially on D, but not at the expense of playing solid hockey.
- Dkos

That happens with him sometimes, too, but I'd say an equal or bigger career issue with him is trying to do a little too much with the puck and turning it over. Less is more with Sam.

Morin wasn't the player I wanted. I wanted Ryan Pulock. You can look back in the blog archives to 2013 if you want to.

But Morin rose with a bullet in the prospect rankings the second half that year, and especially at the U18 Worlds. He wasn't an off-the-board selection or a reach, so much as a projection over two additional Q seasons and two AHL years. If you recall, he narrowly missed out on NHL opening-night roster spots his D+1 and D+2 years. This was done so as stick to a plan not to rush him because they knew he was very raw.

Unfortunately, just as he seemed NHL-ready in the fall of 2017, he lost more than 2/3 of his season to core muscle issues. Then the ACL tears started.

Also, in 2013, if Rasmus Ristolainen had been there at 13th (he went 8th to Buffalo), he'd have been the Flyers pick over Morin. Philly also coveted Sean Monahan (6th to Calgary). However, Philly did have Morin ranked above Pulock, and I thought even then it should be reversed.
- bmeltzer

Drafts aren’t and never will be an exact science. Montreal loved Morin and tried to trade up to get em. Morin really has been unlucky. I still hope he can get back to where he was...he certainly has showed perseverance.

That happens with him sometimes, too, but I'd say an equal or bigger career issue with him is trying to do a little too much with the puck and turning it over. Less is more with Sam.
- bmeltzer

let him learn from his mistakes. Don't bench him right away. Have little faith that happens

I guess I just never understand seemingly blaming the player for their draft position. I guess the irk is being directed at the organization, but unfortunately the player is mostly hit in the crossfire.
- NC Flyers Fan

Or their salary.....what’s a guy supposed to do take less money?

Nobody defends every decision the Flyers have made, including myself. But you are so given to hyperbole and lack of context that, yes, you end up being (not wrong, because right/wrong on an opinion is purely subjective) but misrepresentative.

The Flyers won one playoff series from 2012 (when they emptied the tank against Pittsburgh in round one and then got upset by NJ) to 2020. This is true. They also lost a Game 7 by 2-1 to Vigneault's Rangers, a 1-0 Game 6 as a severe underdog to the Caps even without Couturier being lost for the series in Game 1 and both Giroux and Calder finalist Gostisbehere needing core muscle surgeries, and then a very winnable Game 6 against the Pens in 2018. Would it have made any difference if they HAD won one of those series, though?

Hexy wasn't even aiming for deep runs in the playoffs. He was entirely focused on a farm system rebuild with leaving just enough at the NHL level to at least be a bubble team. Some years they got in, some years they did. His first attempt to push for contender status was the JVR signing in 2018, in what turned out to be a very disappointing season, and the end of Hexy as GM and Hakstol as coach.

The Flyers greatly improved last year. They've underachieved this season and need to figure out next steps.

That is the reality here.

P.S. If you want to play the "Cup drought" game for the dozenth time, I'll cut and paste the same fact-based response. Long Cup droughts -- as in multi-decades -- are part of every franchise's history along the way at some point. It sucks. It isn't fun. But it's just how it goes.
- bmeltzer

If the Flyers bring the fire Bill is showing today, there is no way they lose this game tonight.
Let's Go Flyers (and Bill)!

Or their salary.....what’s a guy supposed to do take less money?
- landros 2

Yeah, I guess I look at that as slightly more relevant since it’s a contract. Most players probably plan to live up to what they sign. Drafting doesn’t go both ways.

If the Flyers bring the fire Bill is showing today, there is no way they lose this game tonight.
Let's Go Flyers (and Bill)!
- Stanley Cup

Haha - well said

well i mean, he has been in the lineup. but at wing and with really limited ice time.

glad that experiment is over, and he should have been played at D over someone like prosser.
- Ftown19125

Agreed.

Flyers lose tonight and the fanbase is going to get ugly.
- Nh_kong

I’m already quite frustrated with them. Don’t expect much tonight.