Likewise. I just want to see good fundamentally sound defense. Sometimes you'll the opposition just execute better offense, but for ne it's the attention to detail. Definitely focusing on defense tonight.
- Pelle31Forever

If we want to be able to have a good reg season and compete in the playoffs, we really need to shore up the D as you know.

He might be closer then guys think….he is very, very close, although I think another year in the “A” or even the OHL wouldn’t hurt him. The coach’s have said his skating is no longer an issue. That’s huge, because he does other things at a very high level.
- landros 2

That is why I am hopeful. I don't want to rush the kid because the last thing I want is for him to get hurt because he is not physically ready, but yes I am agree he is very close and why I think he might follow a path similar to Farabee.

The sling shot play is not stupid and it doesn't matter if it's predictable. Every team in the league uses it for a reason. When executed, it is difficult to defend. JVR's strength is deflections and goal mouth plays on the PP. He is not a slot shooter.
- MJL

I know what JVR's strength is, and I also know centering your entire PP strategy around something as low percentage as a deflection from a point shot is just going to continue to subpar PP play we have seen up to now. If JVR can't develop more skills than just deflecting pucks for $7M+ a season, then I would prefer he not be part of the PP unit at all. The sling shot can be a good play when used appropriately with the right talent on the ice. The Flyers last season did not have the talent and used it far too much.

No...the kid does not have NHL wheels. Not counting on him being a Flyer in the future
- hfc355

I thought that too about him until I watched the rookie game, I think he could be a viable NHL player if he can stay healthy and continue to improve.

I thought that too about him until I watched the rookie game, I think he could be a viable NHL player if he can stay healthy and continue to improve.
- jd250

Let him show just a little something first in the AHL. Up to this point he hasn't.

xfinity still has a message to "check back in the fall for info." I'll give them a couple more weeks before I go with ESPN.
- Scoob

I think its available now, according to their website it states "order on X1 by saying “NHL Center Ice” into your X1 Voice Remote".

Let him show just a little something first in the AHL. Up to this point he hasn't.
- hello it's me 2050

Yes, I hope Ratcliffe is front of the line for them figuring out his best skills that transfer to the NHL, and he gets to apply that for the Phantoms and stays healthy of course. Hopefully, the his shot reappears in that too.

Yes, I hope Ratcliffe is front of the line for them figuring out his best skills that transfer to the NHL, and he gets to apply that for the Phantoms and stays healthy of course. Hopefully, the his shot reappears in that too.
- NC Flyers Fan

Ratcliffe reminds me of that kid who was always bigger than everyone growing up and dominated as a result. But as he got further along, everyone was getting just as big and strong as him and it took him longer to realize he needs to adjust.

Hopefully, if he stays healthy, he starts to apply the lessons he has learned. Either that or his confidence is shot like a bully who gets beat up for the first time and never recovers.

I think its available now, according to their website it states "order on X1 by saying “NHL Center Ice” into your X1 Voice Remote".
- jd250

Yeah, I did see that but absent pricing info I'm hesitant to do that - wouldn't put it past them to automatically wing me for $160 (the usual seasonal rate) lol

I thought that too about him until I watched the rookie game, I think he could be a viable NHL player if he can stay healthy and continue to improve.
- jd250

Has been awful in his 2yrs with Phantoms though one yr was shortened. Going to be 23 in Feb...he is what he is likely a career minor league player. Size doesn't make up for skill at AHL/NHL

I know what JVR's strength is, and I also know centering your entire PP strategy around something as low percentage as a deflection from a point shot is just going to continue to subpar PP play we have seen up to now. If JVR can't develop more skills than just deflecting pucks for $7M+ a season, then I would prefer he not be part of the PP unit at all. The sling shot can be a good play when used appropriately with the right talent on the ice. The Flyers last season did not have the talent and used it far too much.
- jd250

Who said anything about centering the entire PP strategy around deflections? JVR is a proven PP goal producer and has been for quite a while. The sling shot is about execution. By it's very nature the most skilled players are on the PP. Nothing to do with talent.

Ratcliffe reminds me of that kid who was always bigger than everyone growing up and dominated as a result. But as he got further along, everyone was getting just as big and strong as him and it took him longer to realize he needs to adjust.

Hopefully, if he stays healthy, he starts to apply the lessons he has learned. Either that or his confidence is shot like a bully who gets beat up for the first time and never recovers.
- MBFlyerfan

Many, many tall kids do not have a “bully” personality. However, being a tall kid does have a lot of extra challenges. I think he still has it in him, and I’m pulling for him.

https://ontariohockeyleag...ey-renaud-captains-trophy

Define "High Rate" please, he has scored over 30 points once since 2017. He is a third liner at best, maybe if he kept his ass out of the penalty box he would maybe get more points.
- WhiskeyMan

Do you expect Laughton to be putting up points during 2 shortened covid seasons? Why are you holding Laughton to an 82 game season production standard during those short years? Just weird man. Laughton has been very good for us

Anyone else think this will be a big year for ratcliffe.
- Peter Richards

no

Many, many tall kids do not have a “bully” personality. However, being a tall kid does have a lot of extra challenges. I think he still has it in him, and I’m pulling for him.

https://ontariohockeyleag...ey-renaud-captains-trophy
- NC Flyers Fan

Huge difference between OHL and even AHL....OHL full of guys who put up big numbers but never made it to NHL. Unfortunately kid never had good skating skills and that wont play in NHL . His time with Phantoms is very telling.

Do you expect Laughton to be putting up points during 2 shortened covid seasons? Why are you holding Laughton to an 82 game season production standard during those short years? Just weird man. Laughton has been very good for us
- Richieattack18

Laughton is a solid 3rd/4th line player. Good teams need Laughtons though not thrilled with the contract

Huge difference between OHL and even AHL....OHL full of guys who put up big numbers but never made it to NHL. Unfortunately kid never had good skating skills and that wont play in NHL . His time with Phantoms is very telling.
- hfc355

It was a reference to his character. Everyone thought it would take him a few years in the AHL, it hasn’t gone great so far plus injuries and the pandemic interruption. This will need to be a big year of growth for Ratcliffe.

I know what JVR's strength is, and I also know centering your entire PP strategy around something as low percentage as a deflection from a point shot is just going to continue to subpar PP play we have seen up to now. If JVR can't develop more skills than just deflecting pucks for $7M+ a season, then I would prefer he not be part of the PP unit at all. The sling shot can be a good play when used appropriately with the right talent on the ice. The Flyers last season did not have the talent and used it far too much.
- jd250

Word

not sure if they still are, but they were doing a package of disney+, espn+, and hulu for like 12 bucks a month or something like that.
- Ftown19125

Now at $14/month:
https://www.disneyplus.com/welcome/disney-hulu-espn-bundle
(Click the "Get The Disney Bundle" button to see the price. If you already have a subscription to any/all of the services, they'll automatically adjust the price once you sign-up for the bundle—no need to cancel anything beforehand.)

According to my guide I have three channels showing the NYR/BOS game and none showing the PHI/NYI game.

lol wtf

Yeah, I did see that but absent pricing info I'm hesitant to do that - wouldn't put it past them to automatically wing me for $160 (the usual seasonal rate) lol
- Scoob

Yes, I wouldn't put it past them

Who said anything about centering the entire PP strategy around deflections? JVR is a proven PP goal producer and has been for quite a while. The sling shot is about execution. By it's very nature the most skilled players are on the PP. Nothing to do with talent.
- MJL

Regarding the sling shot, I observed several times last year opposing teams were not even playing the initial puck carrier because they knew he was going to drop it back to the trailing player. This is what I am talking about, you have to use it selectively, equally using the trailing player as a decoy so you keep the PKs off balance. Last year the Flyers were way too predictable in their use of the sling shot and their desire to generate offense from point shots on the PP and it killed them.

According to my guide I have three channels showing the NYR/BOS game and none showing the PHI/NYI game.

lol wtf
- Scoob

NHL Network is showing it from 4am to 7am overnight. . Im DVR'ing for the treadmill in the morning

NHL Network is showing it from 4am to 7am overnight. . Im DVR'ing for the treadmill in the morning
- juiced

Someone earlier said they're showing it at 10am tomorrow, too. I'll probably throw it on in the background here even though I'll know the result.

Someone earlier said they're showing it at 10am tomorrow, too. I'll probably throw it on in the background here even though I'll know the result.
- Scoob

Just saw the potential lineups for tonight. Looks like they may be breaking Zamula in on RHD. They suggested he would be paired with Seeler.

Tentative:
Forwards

Giroux — Couturier — Konecny
Lindblom — Brassard — Atkinson
Sushko — Rubtsov — Willman
Ratcliffe — Bunnaman — Foerster

Defense

Provorov — Ellis
Yandle — Braun
Seeler — Zamula

Goalies

Hart
(Ersson)