The rule should be 20 years of age or 3 Junior Seasons played.
- MJL

I'm really interested to see if Laughton makes the team or not. So far I suspect that he has not done enough to stay.

I can't believe potential Hart trophy finalist Jason Akeson got sent back to the Phantoms.
- KGBflyers10

Had him figured to be the first player to even win the Hart, Selke, and (somehow) Norris and Vezina.

I'm really interested to see if Laughton makes the team or not. So far I suspect that he has not done enough to stay.
- Hextall271

He hasn't so far. But, to me, Raffl hasn't solidified a spot either.

I'm really interested to see if Laughton makes the team or not. So far I suspect that he has not done enough to stay.
- Hextall271

Just from listening to the scuttlebut, the Flyers are very high on Raffl. So I think he has made the team. It depends on what they want to do with the 4th line, and where they're comfortable playing Laughton. I don't want to see him go back to Juniors. I think it's better for his development to stay with the Flyers.

Had him figured to be the first player to even win the Hart, Selke, and (somehow) Norris and Vezina.
- jmatchett383

Had a real solid shot at the Rocket Richard trophy also.

not really impressed w/ my brief look at raffl...not seeing a keeper there. obviously, we need a bigger sample.
- isaiah520

Looks like hes making the team by default. Hes Nodl lite. Nodl showed more flashes than this guy. I dont see it either.

Regarding Mez/Grossman. If Mez is truly showing that hes 100% and his shot, skating, hitting is back to normal. I would look to trade Grossman. I think Lauridsen is a 6/7 right now. B/W Gill, Gervais, Lauridsen I'm ok with that grouping for the 6/7 roles.

Grossman is a good player. But he has the concussion issues and is not signed to a good deal. If we are honest with ourselves this type of Dman is usually readily available in UFA.

I know Mez contract is up at the end of the year, but this will give the Flyers more options to remake their D for next year

not really impressed w/ my brief look at raffl...not seeing a keeper there. obviously, we need a bigger sample.
- isaiah520

I like a lot of what I saw from Raffl. Solid Hockey sense, good positionally, and just a good all around player. I wish he had more of an edge to his game, but we'll see over that bigger sample.

Looks like hes making the team by default. Hes Nodl lite. Nodl showed more flashes than this guy. I dont see it either.

Regarding Mez/Grossman. If Mez is truly showing that hes 100% and his shot, skating, hitting is back to normal. I would look to trade Grossman. I think Lauridsen is a 6/7 right now. B/W Gill, Gervais, Lauridsen I'm ok with that grouping for the 6/7 roles.

Grossman is a good player. But he has the concussion issues and is not signed to a good deal. If we are honest with ourselves this type of Dman is usually readily available in UFA.

I know Mez contract is up at the end of the year, but this will give the Flyers more options to remake their D for next year
- Just5

Lauridsen needs more AHL time before he is ready to be a regular in the NHL, in my opinion. And he's not suited for a 7th spot, because he needs to play on a regular basis. I don't see what's wrong with Grossmann's deal. Do you think that you can get a comparable player in Free Agency for less money then Grossmann is getting? Also this past off season showed that quality defenseman are not that readily available in Free Agency. And if they want to remake their D for next year. They can deal Grossmann then.

Just scored free Eagles tix for tonight!

I don't want to see him go back to Juniors. I think it's better for his development to stay with the Flyers.
- MJL

I disagree. I think the Flyers are better served sending Laughton back for a few reasons. One is that it will give him more time to improve his offensive game and physical strength. 2nd there is no reason to waste a year off his elc for a 3rd line role at a different position or a 4th line center spot when there are alternatives. 3rd I think he makes the world juniors and could very well be captain. If he does and performs well, coupled with a increased offensive numbers, he would become very valuable either as a trade chip himself or to make a forward on the roster available. The Flyers might have to replace Timonen next year.

Discord in the Penguins lockerroom.... cant wait to find out what that means....

I disagree. I think the Flyers are better served sending Laughton back for a few reasons. One is that it will give him more time to improve his offensive game and physical strength. 2nd there is no reason to waste a year off his elc for a 3rd line role at a different position or a 4th line center spot when there are alternatives. 3rd I think he makes the world juniors and could very well be captain. If he does and performs well, coupled with a increased offensive numbers, he would become very valuable either as a trade chip himself or to make a forward on the roster available. The Flyers might have to replace Timonen next year.
- psuhockey

I put the players development first. Making the World Juniors is all very nice, but really does nothing for his development. Sending him back to juniors doesn't make him more valuable as a player to the team, or as a trade candidate. He would be playing against players that he is bigger, stronger, and better then as a whole. Playing Laughton on the 3rd or 4th line in the NHL isn't wasting a year off his ELC. That development time in the NHL will be invaluable, and far better then a 4th year in Juniors in my opinion. We'll see how the Flyers feel.

Discord in the Penguins lockerroom.... cant wait to find out what that means....
- youarewrong

The source is unreliable

Just scored free Eagles tix for tonight!
- jmatchett383

Lauridsen needs more AHL time before he is ready to be a regular in the NHL, in my opinion. And he's not suited for a 7th spot, because he needs to play on a regular basis. I don't see what's wrong with Grossmann's deal. Do you think that you can get a comparable player in Free Agency for less money then Grossmann is getting? Also this past off season showed that quality defenseman are not that readily available in Free Agency. And if they want to remake their D for next year. They can deal Grossmann then.
- MJL

Yep. I dont know what deals your looking at. Look at the Scuderi, Ference deals. Cheaper cap hits, better players. I know their a bit older but they dont come with as much injury concern. Grossman is making a premium to be a 3rd pairing guy.

We'll disagree on Lauridsen also. I think hes capable of filling a # 6 role playing 15 mins, Esp if you pair him with Streit

Looks like hes making the team by default. Hes Nodl lite. Nodl showed more flashes than this guy. I dont see it either.

Regarding Mez/Grossman. If Mez is truly showing that hes 100% and his shot, skating, hitting is back to normal. I would look to trade Grossman. I think Lauridsen is a 6/7 right now. B/W Gill, Gervais, Lauridsen I'm ok with that grouping for the 6/7 roles.

Grossman is a good player. But he has the concussion issues and is not signed to a good deal. If we are honest with ourselves this type of Dman is usually readily available in UFA.

I know Mez contract is up at the end of the year, but this will give the Flyers more options to remake their D for next year
- Just5

i think mez is closer to glass than nic, but it's close in that category. nic is the better value for this team though. he can handle quality mins and is a nice complement to our puck movers.

I put the players development first. Making the World Juniors is all very nice, but really does nothing for his development. Sending him back to juniors doesn't make him more valuable as a player to the team, or as a trade candidate. He would be playing against players that he is bigger, stronger, and better then as a whole. Playing Laughton on the 3rd or 4th line in the NHL isn't wasting a year off his ELC. That development time in the NHL will be invaluable, and far better then a 4th year in Juniors in my opinion. We'll see how the Flyers feel.
- MJL

I agree that his development could be better at the NHL level but I don't think it would hurt it sending him back. You don't hear players washing out because they were developed too slowly. I disagree about the world juniors though and his trade value. Every GM watches and a prospect's value can soar with a great performance. Brayden Schenn was once ranked as the top prospect in hockey and a lot of that was because he performed so well at the World Juniors

Just scored free Eagles tix for tonight!
- jmatchett383

What was first prize?

Yep. I dont know what deals your looking at. Look at the Scuderi, Ference deals. Cheaper cap hits, better players. I know their a bit older but they dont come with as much injury concern. Grossman is making a premium to be a 3rd pairing guy.

We'll disagree on Lauridsen also. I think hes capable of filling a # 6 role playing 15 mins, Esp if you pair him with Streit
- Just5

Grossmann has been a second pairing guy since we got him. He is one of the top shot-blockers in the entire NHL (was leading in the NHL before he got injured) and is arguably the best hitter on the back end. Scuderi and Ference play a different style from Grossmann, so I'm not sure how you can say they're better, and as you said, they're older. Also, if you trade Grossmann, that up to 3 defenseman you'll have lost from this camp to next, and there's no guarantee you can replace them from within.

Lauridsen looked very good playing a toned-down style of play in a handful of games last year, but even then, there were times where he got exposed. Let him develop in the AHL for another season and he should be ready for an NHL role at camp next year.

What was first prize?
- MBFlyerfan

Few old issues of Highlights magazine with several of the Word Searches completed in crayon.

Just from listening to the scuttlebut, the Flyers are very high on Raffl. So I think he has made the team. It depends on what they want to do with the 4th line, and where they're comfortable playing Laughton. I don't want to see him go back to Juniors. I think it's better for his development to stay with the Flyers.
- MJL

I'm wondering if we can get a decent 3rd line winger for Grossmann. As much as I would rather keep him over Meszaros, if we can get a decent 3rd line winger out of the deal and sign Gil cheap as the 7th d-man, then why not?

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-playerx
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Timonen-Schenn
Streit-Coburn
Gustefsson-Meszaros
Gill

Mason
Emery.

Grossmann has been a second pairing guy since we got him. He is one of the top shot-blockers in the entire NHL (was leading in the NHL before he got injured) and is arguably the best hitter on the back end. Scuderi and Ference play a different style from Grossmann, so I'm not sure how you can say they're better, and as you said, they're older. Also, if you trade Grossmann, that up to 3 defenseman you'll have lost from this camp to next, and there's no guarantee you can replace them from within.

Lauridsen looked very good playing a toned-down style of play in a handful of games last year, but even then, there were times where he got exposed. Let him develop in the AHL for another season and he should be ready for an NHL role at camp next year.
- jmatchett383

They're better players. both have won cups and were big pieces of those runs. ference led the bruins in TOI in playoff games last year. Different style? They both bring better puck moving ability and offense. Id take them in my own end of the ice any day. they are still making less on the cap. grossman's concussion history makes the age comparison a moot point.

all im saying is lets not pretend there aren't Dmen of Grossmans caliber readily available in UFA at his current rate or less

I disagree. I think the Flyers are better served sending Laughton back for a few reasons. One is that it will give him more time to improve his offensive game and physical strength. 2nd there is no reason to waste a year off his elc for a 3rd line role at a different position or a 4th line center spot when there are alternatives. 3rd I think he makes the world juniors and could very well be captain. If he does and performs well, coupled with a increased offensive numbers, he would become very valuable either as a trade chip himself or to make a forward on the roster available. The Flyers might have to replace Timonen next year.
- psuhockey

I can't really argue with anything you said. All valid points that have to be considered. In order for him to stay IMO he needs to show a complete other level of play in the last few games.

I put the players development first. Making the World Juniors is all very nice, but really does nothing for his development. Sending him back to juniors doesn't make him more valuable as a player to the team, or as a trade candidate. He would be playing against players that he is bigger, stronger, and better then as a whole. Playing Laughton on the 3rd or 4th line in the NHL isn't wasting a year off his ELC. That development time in the NHL will be invaluable, and far better then a 4th year in Juniors in my opinion. We'll see how the Flyers feel.
- MJL

I just don't think he has earned it yet. I was hoping that after playing 5 games last year and getting sent down, he would come out much stronger and hungrier. He might be hungry, but I'm not seeing it on the ice. Still some games left, but really.... Let me see what you got kid...

I think I can be talked into Gill replacing Gervais as the 7th guy, but as a one for one replacement for Grossmann?

I can't see that.
- johndewar

The difference between Gill and Gervais isn't worth using up a contract slot, imo.

Besides, Gervais is just around as an emergency guy. If the need arises, I'd rather demote him and call up Lauridsen, Manning or Alt.