I still would have preferred Maatta. He won't be a power play defenseman in the NHL but he's projects to be a very solid second pairing defensive D who is also a good puck mover (even if his point totals are modest). I don't think Laughton has anything near Richards' offensive upside at the same age. I'd rather have the second-pair D than the third-line center especially when his strengths as a player are pretty redundant to Sean Couturier's strengths without his offensive upside.
- bmeltzer

I tend to agree. I was convinced they would select Maatta and was shocked when they chose Laughton (like most). If Maatta pans out, especially with the Penguins, we will never hear the end of it.

Obviously the pick would be a high one!

If he pans out, he could easily be a top pair puck mover with size and finesse. Something like a Letang lite
- nhindian

I seriously doubt the Flyers are looking to thin their roster for an "if" we have enough of those with the Phantoms and draftees.

They want something serviceable now.

Everybody either over rates prospects or complains that they were picked to high. Is maatta going to turn out better than laughton? We'll just have to wait and see. I will add that its hard to get a true star dman but just solid 3-4 guys aren't all that difficult. See nick grossman for an example.

Everybody either over rates prospects or complains that they were picked to high. Is maatta going to turn out better than laughton? We'll just have to wait and see. I will add that its hard to get a true star dman but just solid 3-4 guys aren't all that difficult. See nick grossman for an example.
- twotoekenn

It all depends on what is meant by turn out better. If they both pan out and one becomes a third line defensive center as is projected, or a solid 2nd pair defenseman as is projected, which would be better for this team?

I hope Laughton pans out but this team needs defensemen in the pipe in the worst way.

The Flyers drafted 4 defensemen last year. They aren't as hyped as the 1st rounders but that typically doesn't mean anything. Look at the top guys in the league. Chara, Keith, and Weber were all taken after the 1st round. Weber was at best the 3rd rated defensmen on Nashville's board the year he was drafted. Then you have Letang, Enstrom, Elder, Campbell, Yandle. Boyle, Girardi and Giodano werent even drafted. Only 2 of the top 10 scoring defensemen last year were 1st rd picks. If you rather use ice time; only three of the top 10 were from the 1st round. Point being, defensemen are so hard to judge that the unheralded guy you get in the 4th rd might be way better than all the hyped ones taken in the 1st.
- psuhockey

Wow, thats pretty interesting.....great post

It all depends on what is meant by turn out better. If they both pan out and one becomes a third line defensive center as is projected, or a solid 2nd pair defenseman as is projected, which would be better for this team?

I hope Laughton pans out but this team needs defensemen in the pipe in the worst way.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. If prospects of equal ability were on the board at the time the Flyers drafted Laughton, then a defenseman should have been selected based on the glaring Organizational need. At this point I'm wondering since the Flyers have had zero luck drafting Dmen, if they are spooked from drafting one in the first round.

Well just off the top of my head I know the Flyers didn't have a first round pick in 2009, or 2010. That sets you back a good deal right there.
- PLindbergh31

Those picks wound up being: Kyle Palmeri and Emerson Etem......not too shabby

I would love to see Shelley retire, move to a coaching role and free up a roster spot for one of the younger guy that can actually contribute on the ice. Pay Shelley the remainder of his contract as a "coach" for the year and still retain the attributes that make him a good guy in the room and a role model for the younger players.

Agreed. If prospects of equal ability were on the board at the time the Flyers drafted Laughton, then a defenseman should have been selected based on the glaring Organizational need. At this point I'm wondering since the Flyers have had zero luck drafting Dmen, if they are spooked from drafting one in the first round.
- PLindbergh31

One could argue that it seems like it. Their history with drafting d-men reminds me of the Eagles drafting history under Andy Reid. They never seem to go with the "consensus".

- tangent_man

Too many short term guys on that list, especially lately. Another reason in my opinion why Giroux was the right choice.

- tangent_man

Here is hoping Giroux isn't crippled by injuries as the majority of Captains over the last 20 years or so.

One could argue that it seems like it. Their history with drafting d-men reminds me of the Eagles drafting history under Andy Reid. They never seem to go with the "consensus".
- MBFlyerfan

Yup, although sometimes thinking outside the box and going against the consensus works well. I think because the Flyers have had very good success drafting forwards, they stick to what they are good at, and figure they can pursue defenseman via trade or free agency.

Too many short term guys on that list, especially lately. Another reason in my opinion why Giroux was the right choice.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. While it's just a letter, I think some long-term stability couldn't hurt.

I would love to see Shelley retire, move to a coaching role and free up a roster spot for one of the younger guy that can actually contribute on the ice. Pay Shelley the remainder of his contract as a "coach" for the year and still retain the attributes that make him a good guy in the room and a role model for the younger players.
- flyguy12

I'm thinking more along the lines of Shelley becoming the team mascot. I already have the costume.

Calgary has waived Leland Irving. Seems like just yesterday he was the next big thing between the pipes.

I'm thinking more along the lines of Shelley becoming the team mascot. I already have the costume.


- PLindbergh31

That's a given but he take up a roster spot and space on the cap...

The "coach" route removes thos issues. Does Shelley have a future in the league after this contract is up???

I'm thinking more along the lines of Shelley becoming the team mascot. I already have the costume.


- PLindbergh31

Sounds great. I wish someone paid me $1.1 mil to eat popcorn in a luxury box and watch hockey games.

I've never been so infuriated by a blog post before than I am right now at Panotch's latest one. I'm just baffled and flat out embarrassed by some of the Flyers beat writers. How they are still employed is incredibly shocking. They insult not only intelligent Flyers fans, but also other beat writers who have more knowledge in their pinky than some of these people do in their entire bodies.

Wonder why some players are the way they are in this city? I point you to the full answer. And it's right on this site.

- tangent_man

Sounds great. I wish someone paid me $1.1 mil to eat popcorn in a luxury box and watch hockey games.
- funmaster18

Once in a while he gets curb stomped, so it's not all fun and games.

I'm thinking more along the lines of Shelley becoming the team mascot. I already have the costume.


- PLindbergh31

I've never been so infuriated by a blog post before than I am right now at Panotch's latest one. I'm just baffled and flat out embarrassed by some of the Flyers beat writers. How they are still employed is incredibly shocking. They insult not only intelligent Flyers fans, but also other beat writers who have more knowledge in their pinky than some of these people do in their entire bodies.

Wonder why some players are the way they are in this city? I point you to the full answer. And it's right on this site.
- KGBflyers10

It screams "keep giving be hits on my blog". Whatever he's gotta do to stay relevant, I guess

I've never been so infuriated by a blog post before than I am right now at Panotch's latest one. I'm just baffled and flat out embarrassed by some of the Flyers beat writers. How they are still employed is incredibly shocking. They insult not only intelligent Flyers fans, but also other beat writers who have more knowledge in their pinky than some of these people do in their entire bodies.

Wonder why some players are the way they are in this city? I point you to the full answer. And it's right on this site.
- KGBflyers10

Can't believe he felt the need to write a blog about someone declining to interview about someone else. Usually, I view Panotch as that crazy uncle of the Flyers family that we all can tolerate to a degree but this was just absurd. I thank my lucky stars for writers like Bill.

It screams "keep giving be hits on my blog". Whatever he's gotta do to stay relevant, I guess
- funmaster18

It's not even that. It was disrespectful.

If he was such an "insider" he would know that Pronger is never stepping on the ice in a Flyers uniform ever again. His career is finished. So, what does it matter what his thoughts are on Giroux? He already said his piece in a statement that day. You don't need to interview a guy whose not even going to be in the locker room this upcoming year.

I'm just appalled that this was even posted.