Kunitz is 33, got a 4 year deal, and on any other team wont be playing with Crosby. You dont think he realizes that he has a good thing going for him?
- jak521

It was a 3 year ext. He will be playing to 37 at 3.875
Hartnell will be playing out to 37 at 4.75

Of course he realizes it, hence the break?

Here's my bottom line on the draft. I think it's cool that a lot of people have taken an interest in the players in the draft. Spent time looking a highlight films, reading scouting reports. Taking in all the information they can find and forming an opinion. That's what we're here for. To give our opinions. But the blunt truth is, that there isn't really any fan posting on this site, that is qualified to state what's a good pick, and what isn't. Certainly can have an opinion. Even for the best of professional talent evaluators working for NHL teams. The Draft is a crapshoot. Times that factor ten fold for fans assessing a player in the draft. I undertand the disapointment in some of the picks. But the Flyers obviously had their reasons for choosing those players. Just have to wait and see what happens. Time will tell if they made good picks or not.
- MJL

I"m not disappointed in the pick. You're right. Morin could be the next Chara for all anyone here knows.

I'm more disappointed because you would have thought you could have had this same player by sliding down the draft order and acquiring other assets along the way. I'm hoping that the rumor of another team (MTL) coveting Morin is true, because that makes better sense than to overspend (from a draft position perspective) on a draft pick you could have potentially still had later.

It's impossible to tell what kind of needs this team is going to have in 3-5 years from now. What if Ghost develops into a very good PP QB and offensive defenseman? What if Streit plays great for them over the next 4 years? What if Gus or Alt develop a good offensive game? What if Grossmann and Coburn are both gone? What if Luke Schenn develops concussion problems? Point is you never know
- PhillySportsGuy

Great points!

Man our division and our confrence is gonna be tough this year I think homer's got to make some moves no way does he stand pat or it could be a long season
- griouxmvp2012

look out for Columbus

Here's my bottom line on the draft. I think it's cool that a lot of people have taken an interest in the players in the draft. Spent time looking a highlight films, reading scouting reports. Taking in all the information they can find and forming an opinion. That's what we're here for. To give our opinions. But the blunt truth is, that there isn't really any fan posting on this site, that is qualified to state what's a good pick, and what isn't. Certainly can have an opinion. Even for the best of professional talent evaluators working for NHL teams. The Draft is a crapshoot. Times that factor ten fold for fans assessing a player in the draft. I undertand the disapointment in some of the picks. But the Flyers obviously had their reasons for choosing those players. Just have to wait and see what happens. Time will tell if they made good picks or not.
- MJL

People read mock drafts and assume that players are supposed to go in certain places. There are rumors that Montreal was hoping to trade up and get Morin.

TV personalities base their rankings on scouts they trust and what they hear from inside sources of certain teams. Teams could be lying or the scouts could feel differently. If Morin develops into an adam foote type, no one will care where they drafted him.

Just to add some perspective, not comparing any of the players to anybody. But drafting Peter Forsberg in the first round was considered a reach at the time.
- MJL

I heard, and correct me if im wrong that teams(Montreal is the most serious) were trying to move up to draft Morin. After the second round though i give homer a f....

The trouble for Gillis is, that he could have moved Luongo at the TDL and was not happy with the return. Once he failed to move the contract at the TDL, he was either going to have to buy out it out or trade Schneider.
- Jsaquella

You wonder if Gillis was of the impression that he had the OK to buyout Luongo at the trade deadline and maybe ownership there got cold feet since then.

Because he looks really silly at this point.

Here's my bottom line on the draft. I think it's cool that a lot of people have taken an interest in the players in the draft. Spent time looking a highlight films, reading scouting reports. Taking in all the information they can find and forming an opinion. That's what we're here for. To give our opinions. But the blunt truth is, that there isn't really any fan posting on this site, that is qualified to state what's a good pick, and what isn't. Certainly can have an opinion. Even for the best of professional talent evaluators working for NHL teams. The Draft is a crapshoot. Times that factor ten fold for fans assessing a player in the draft. I undertand the disapointment in some of the picks. But the Flyers obviously had their reasons for choosing those players. Just have to wait and see what happens. Time will tell if they made good picks or not.
- MJL

Yep, great perspective... Fans forget these guys are not supposed to be in the nhl for a few seasons.

Here's my bottom line on the draft. I think it's cool that a lot of people have taken an interest in the players in the draft. Spent time looking a highlight films, reading scouting reports. Taking in all the information they can find and forming an opinion. That's what we're here for. To give our opinions. But the blunt truth is, that there isn't really any fan posting on this site, that is qualified to state what's a good pick, and what isn't. Certainly can have an opinion. Even for the best of professional talent evaluators working for NHL teams. The Draft is a crapshoot. Times that factor ten fold for fans assessing a player in the draft. I undertand the disapointment in some of the picks. But the Flyers obviously had their reasons for choosing those players. Just have to wait and see what happens. Time will tell if they made good picks or not.
- MJL

I am impressed with the first 2 picks but New Jersey gets a #1 goalie and a good D man, that GM is one of the best ever

Kunitz is 33, got a 4 year deal, and on any other team wont be playing with Crosby. You dont think he realizes that he has a good thing going for him?
- jak521

still. do you really think he couldnt have gotten more had he wanted to do so?

I"m not disappointed in the pick. You're right. Morin could be the next Chara for all anyone here knows.

I'm more disappointed because you would have thought you could have had this same player by sliding down the draft order and acquiring other assets along the way. I'm hoping that the rumor of another team (MTL) coveting Morin is true, because that makes better sense than to overspend (from a draft position perspective) on a draft pick you could have potentially still had later.
- johndewar

I think that is all assumptions. There was talk yesterday, that they should've traded down. Well that obviously requires another team. And a return you like to do so. You just can't trade down because you want to.

I heard, and correct me if im wrong that teams(Montreal is the most serious) were trying to move up to draft Morin. After the second round though i give homer a f....
- PhillaBully

Well the reality is, that the true grade for all the picks, isn't going to be known for a numner of years.

I think that is all assumptions. There was talk yesterday, that they should've traded down. Well that obviously requires another team. And a return you like to do so. You just can't trade down because you want to.
- MJL

I think once Nicushkin was taken 10th, there weren't many teams looking to move up to the 11th spot.

Had Nicushkin dropped, the Flyers may have had a very strong offer.

It's impossible to tell what kind of needs this team is going to have in 3-5 years from now. What if Ghost develops into a very good PP QB and offensive defenseman? What if Streit plays great for them over the next 4 years? What if Gus or Alt develop a good offensive game? What if Grossmann and Coburn are both gone? What if Luke Schenn develops concussion problems? Point is you never know
- PhillySportsGuy

That right there is my biggest problem with the pick. I think the ONLY reason the Flyers drafted him is because they think his offensive game will develop. Thats an opinion, but one I truly believe to be the case.

You dont draft a defensive d-man in a stacked draft early in the first round, unless the hype of his defensive game is that astounding. They are hoping that Morin continues to develop, and with his size, will dominate (ala Pronger and Chara). Thats a big WHAT IF!

No I agree.. If he peaks as a Hal Gill in his prime it is better than a bust.

Here was biggest qualm yesterday. The Flyers are in desperate need of a puck moving/offensive d-man. We have an abundance of physical stay at home guys.

So in a trade scenario, which is harder to acquire, a physical, stay at home d-man, or a dynamic offensive d-man/puck mover?

I was a big advocate for selecting Pulock, and still wish they would of. I think he is gonna be a hell of a player for the Islanders (who I think made a hell of a deal in getting Clutterbuck, Jesus.... Clutterbuck and Martin )

I am disappointed with the selection, but I want to stay positive.
- jak521

I spent a lot of time last night digging up everything I could find on Morin. I asked CHL guys I follow on twitter what they thought of him. I watched all the videos I could, read every report.

He's definitely a project. But the thing that I kept hearing and seeing was that this kid has a really good work ethic and that he will do what it takes to get better.

The other thing is that he's got good mobility. Other mountain men, like Boris Valabik and Chris MacAllister, had really poor mobility and it limited them. Morin can move pretty well.

He's also got the ability to make a good first pass and get things started out of his own end. This area of his game will be the most important thing that he'll need to develop to a high level. A huge part of Pronger's success came because he was a fantastic outlet passer.

I do feel he was a reach, but knowing that the Habs were willing to trade up to land him gives me a bit of confidence that the rise was valid and the Flyers knew they couldn't trade down and land him.

Well the reality is, that the true grade for all the picks, isn't going to be known for a numner of years.
- MJL

yeah i know but the third round pick ..... Homer could have taken a player that at least has a higher probability of making it to the nhl.

still. do you really think he couldnt have gotten more had he wanted to do so?
- stayinthefnnet

I dont know to be honest. The cap going down, teams shrinking, lots of bigger names going to the market due to CBO and what not... I honestly dont know.

I am impressed that Homer kept his 2nd pick and selected a good prospect

I think once Nicushkin was taken 10th, there weren't many teams looking to move up to the 11th spot.

Had Nicushkin dropped, the Flyers may have had a very strong offer.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think if the flyers really wanted nicushkin they would have made the trade with edmonton. I have a feeling that morin was pretty high on the list.

That right there is my biggest problem with the pick. I think the ONLY reason the Flyers drafted him is because they think his offensive game will develop. Thats an opinion, but one I truly believe to be the case.

You dont draft a defensive d-man in a stacked draft early in the first round, unless the hype of his defensive game is that astounding. They are hoping that Morin continues to develop, and with his size, will dominate (ala Pronger and Chara). Thats a big WHAT IF!
- jak521

I, personally, didn't like the pick because I didn't see him that high is most mocks. However, I wanted the Flyers to trade up for Koekkoek last year, but instead "reached" on Laughton. Well, right now Laughton is rated as the 12th best player from the 2012 draft and Koekkoek isn't even in the top 30.

I am willing to trust the Flyers on this one and see how things play out. They seem to be pretty good at finding guys in the QMJHL

I spent a lot of time last night digging up everything I could find on Morin. I asked CHL guys I follow on twitter what they thought of him. I watched all the videos I could, read every report.

He's definitely a project. But the thing that I kept hearing and seeing was that this kid has a really good work ethic and that he will do what it takes to get better.

The other thing is that he's got good mobility. Other mountain men, like Boris Valabik and Chris MacAllister, had really poor mobility and it limited them. Morin can move pretty well.

He's also got the ability to make a good first pass and get things started out of his own end. This area of his game will be the most important thing that he'll need to develop to a high level. A huge part of Pronger's success came because he was a fantastic outlet passer.

I do feel he was a reach, but knowing that the Habs were willing to trade up to land him gives me a bit of confidence that the rise was valid and the Flyers knew they couldn't trade down and land him.
- Jsaquella

His mobility makes me confident that he will at least be Coburn with a mean streak. Imagine how good Coburn would be if he played with a mean streak

You wonder if Gillis was of the impression that he had the OK to buyout Luongo at the trade deadline and maybe ownership there got cold feet since then.

Because he looks really silly at this point.
- johndewar

I'd love to blame his ownership, but Gillis foolishly handled the situation, allowed it to fester and then painted himself into a corner. To me, it was a no brainer to move Luongo at the deadline.

I think that they can repair the situation with Luongo, though. He's a good guy and gets what happened.

His mobility makes me confident that he will at least be Coburn with a mean streak. Imagine how good Coburn would be if he played with a mean streak
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, Coburn with a mean streak would be a sight to behold, for sure.

I spent a lot of time last night digging up everything I could find on Morin. I asked CHL guys I follow on twitter what they thought of him. I watched all the videos I could, read every report.

He's definitely a project. But the thing that I kept hearing and seeing was that this kid has a really good work ethic and that he will do what it takes to get better.

The other thing is that he's got good mobility. Other mountain men, like Boris Valabik and Chris MacAllister, had really poor mobility and it limited them. Morin can move pretty well.

He's also got the ability to make a good first pass and get things started out of his own end. This area of his game will be the most important thing that he'll need to develop to a high level. A huge part of Pronger's success came because he was a fantastic outlet passer.

I do feel he was a reach, but knowing that the Habs were willing to trade up to land him gives me a bit of confidence that the rise was valid and the Flyers knew they couldn't trade down and land him.
- Jsaquella

The biggest concern I have (to be completely honest), is that I am afraid this was a Snider move. WHEN have the Flyers drafted a project d-man with their first round pick? This coming a week after Snider makes the comment about never having drafted and developed a d-man? Idk.. I hope this wasnt another case of doing what Al Davis Ed Snider says he wants done.


I did some of the same stuff. Watched a ton of videos, read just about every scouting report and mock draft (most had him between 17-24, although Button hit it on the button, yeah.. I know), and I feel a bit calmed down, but still would have preferred Pulock or Domi.

His mobility makes me confident that he will at least be Coburn with a mean streak. Imagine how good Coburn would be if he played with a mean streak
- PhillySportsGuy

Coburn is pretty mean for most of the time. He just has zero game in the offensive zone and doesnt outlet well.