What bothers me is that when they bought the Sixers, they kept saying "We're real Philadelphians and thats why we want to make this franchise great."

Then he goes and buys one of Phildelphia's biggest rivals.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think it would be hilarious if he moved the Sixers up there in Newark, so that franchise can be driven even further into the ground.

Dennis, We found some wonderful filth over here!
- MBFlyerfan

Listen: Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!

Can he be given a 9 (or 4)-game tryout this season? I totally lost track of what was being said on there.
- jmatchett383

I dont know either.. does the 5 he already played count? If he can get a full 9, I dont think it will even be a question to be honest. He will at least see those games.

I think it would be hilarious if he moved the Sixers up there in Newark, so that franchise can be driven even further into the ground.
- johndewar

I'd help drive the truck.

I posted this on the other blog, but I was wondering what everyone thought...

So the topic was raised about Laughton and his chances of making the team, and then furthered with the pros & cons of playing in a 4th line role in the NHL vs First line role in OHL...

I just read part of the Laughton debate.

I remember Homer saying after they sent Laughton back to juniors, the main reason was because he needs to get bigger and stronger for the rigors of the NHL.

He has added 15lbs of muscle since then. Was he offensively dominant for the Generals? It depends on the definition of dominant...

Just to feed thought, look at his stat line from two seasons ago to this past season..

64 games- 21 goals- 32 assists- 53 points +8 (.8ppg)

49 games- 23 goals- 33 assists- 56 points +22 (1.15 ppg)
Including the playoffs:
56 games- 30 goals- 39 assists- 69 points (1.23 ppg)

For a second line center, who is primarily known for his defense... his expanded ppg average over 64 games (74 points) would have him in the top 20 in points in the league.

So.. since the Flyers drafted him, he has managed to play in 5 games for the Flyers while not looking out of place, albeit needed to get stronger.. Goes back and IS dominant... one of the more dominant players with the likes of Sean Monahan (who was a 1.3 ppg player, getting first line and go to guy minutes), added 15 lbs of muscle, and in his 6 appearances for the Phantoms had 3 points...

So what does he REALLY need to do to make the squad.. If he comes in and is an upgrade to guys like Hall, does he make the squad.. or does one year in the OHL really prepare him that much more for next season?
- jak521

Just about everyone in the blog would like to see him get the 9 game tryout. That's about where the consensus stops.

I'd say a majority of people believe he's ready (as do I). Some think he should do another year in Juniors so that can he dominate even more and not 'waste' a year of his ELC.

I think the argument stems from some people believing that 4th line work in the NHL will stunt his growth more than top line work in Juniors.

Listen: Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government! Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!
- jmatchett383

Im 37! Im not old!

Just about everyone in the blog would like to see him get the 9 game tryout. That's about where the consensus stops.

I'd say a majority of people believe he's ready (as do I). Some think he should do another year in Juniors so that can he dominate even more and not 'waste' a year of his ELC.

I think the argument stems from some people believing that 4th line work in the NHL will stunt his growth more than top line work in Juniors.
- PhillySportsGuy

DON'T WASTE THE ELC YEAR!!! HE'LL NEVER BE ANY GOOD UNTIL HE'S 55!!! LET HIM PLAY WITH 17 YEAR OLDS INSTEAD OF COMPETING WITH NHL PLAYERS!!! EEEEEEEEE LLLLLLL CCCCCCCCCC!!!

Last I heard was that he's working out (hopefully with no training injury mishaps this time) and will be ready for the start of camp.
- bmeltzer

At the Town Hall both Homer and Lavy said he's feeling good and on track. They expect him to be healthy. Homer said that in spite of having two really unlucky years injury wise he was the best defensemen when he was healthy and he's still only 27.

Maybe they're whistling in the dark. Or maybe they see the injuries he's had as not the type that become chronic (which is probably true except for the shoulder possibly being an issue). I do worry that guys who lose an Achilles eventually pop the other one.

I think it would be hilarious if he moved the Sixers up there in Newark, so that franchise can be driven even further into the ground.
- johndewar

I'm a Sixers fan so I would be disappointed. Since 2001, the management of the franchise has been terrible. They were so happy to be good enough to be a bottom seed or just miss the playoffs. That gets you nowhere in the NBA. At least now they have some direction. Albeit, that direction is tanking.

Dennis, We found some wonderful filth over here!
- MBFlyerfan

Bloody peasants!

Bloody peasants!
- jmatchett383

See? Thats what I'm on about? Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help I'm being repressed!

I'm a Sixers fan so I would be disappointed. Since 2001, the management of the franchise has been terrible. They were so happy to be good enough to be a bottom seed or just miss the playoffs. That gets you nowhere in the NBA. At least now they have some direction. Albeit, that direction is tanking.
- PhillySportsGuy

Sounds like the Eagles model. As long as you make the playoffs and get the $$ from that 1 extra game, you're good to go.

See? Thats what I'm on about? Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help I'm being repressed!
- MBFlyerfan

I will attempt to post nothing for the rest of the day but (hopefully somewhat relevant) quotes from that movie.

Last I heard was that he's working out (hopefully with no training injury mishaps this time) and will be ready for the start of camp.
- bmeltzer

After reading this, I fully expect to read something in the near future about Mezys freak injury at the gym where he dropped a weight on his foot and broke the entire foot.

I dont know either.. does the 5 he already played count? If he can get a full 9, I dont think it will even be a question to be honest. He will at least see those games.
- jak521

No games. Either makes the team outright or goes back to the OHL

At the Town Hall both Homer and Lavy said he's feeling good and on track. They expect him to be healthy. Homer said that in spite of having two really unlucky years injury wise he was the best defensemen when he was healthy and he's still only 27.

Maybe they're whistling in the dark. Or maybe they see the injuries he's had as not the type that become chronic (which is probably true except for the shoulder possibly being an issue). I do worry that guys who lose an Achilles eventually pop the other one.
- bodiva88

I'm more worried about a stiff breeze popping that shoulder again. Im not sure I want Martin Riggs playing defense for us. But if he IS healthy, he is a definite asset.

How do you guys feel about Laughton playing wing on the third line with Couturier? I would much rather he got reps at center considering that's his natural position, but I'm intrigued to see how he would do playing on a shutdown line that can also put up some offense. I, like most of you, want him to get his 9 games no matter what line he plays on.

I'm more worried about a stiff breeze popping that shoulder again. Im not sure I want Martin Riggs playing defense for us. But if he IS healthy, he is a definite asset.
- MBFlyerfan

Hmm, shoulder or achilles? Watch, day one, he leaves with a concussion.

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Sounds like the Eagles model. As long as you make the playoffs and get the $$ from that 1 extra game, you're good to go.
- jmatchett383

I believe Lurie wants to win a Super Bowl. I think the Eagles were just a flawed team with McNabb and Reid that could only get so far.

Harris just makes me feel like the Sixers are an investment. If I bought a franchise it would be 25% investment and 75% toy.

I dont know either.. does the 5 he already played count? If he can get a full 9, I dont think it will even be a question to be honest. He will at least see those games.
- jak521

At the Town Hall Homer said (in response to a question by King Kenzo) if he plays 1 game it takes his first year of the ELC. So he either makes the team out of training camp or goes back.

How do you guys feel about Laughton playing wing on the third line with Couturier? I would much rather he got reps at center considering that's his natural position, but I'm intrigued to see how he would do playing on a shutdown line that can also put up some offense. I, like most of you, want him to get his 9 games no matter what line he plays on.
- TobyFlenderson

Wouldn't start him there but I would certainly give him the opportunity at some point if he showed he was capable.

I would be less likely to do it if Gagne ends up signing.

How do you guys feel about Laughton playing wing on the third line with Couturier? I would much rather he got reps at center considering that's his natural position, but I'm intrigued to see how he would do playing on a shutdown line that can also put up some offense. I, like most of you, want him to get his 9 games no matter what line he plays on.
- TobyFlenderson

I wouldnt be opposed to that at all..

I am not so strict on the natural position bs. Guys go from center to wing and wing to center all the time out of juniors.

If you could have a line of Laughton-Couts-Read I think they would really do well...

Im crossing my fingers for the kid.. and it looks as though Pryor and Lava have high hopes as well.

At the Town Hall Homer said (in response to a question by King Kenzo) if he plays 1 game it takes his first year of the ELC. So he either makes the team out of training camp or goes back.
- bodiva88

Yes, yes, I see.

At the Town Hall Homer said (in response to a question by King Kenzo) if he plays 1 game it takes his first year of the ELC. So he either makes the team out of training camp or goes back.
- bodiva88

Damn... I guess because it was an abbreviated season the max was 5 games..

Hmm, shoulder or achilles? Watch, day one, he leaves with a concussion.

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- BulliesPhan87

pos