You really think Edmonton, a likely lottery team, would trade it's 1st round pick for Luke Schenn?
- Jsaquella

Would probably work in NHL 14.

Could the Flyers use another decent guy for the pk? Sure, but that type of player can and should be picked up at the trade deadline assuming they are a playoff team. I think fatigue was a factor against Winnipeg as they just didn't seem to have the energy needed to be successful on the pk.

At this point, I'm not too concerned about the special teams. I just want to see continued improvement in their overall 5 on 5 play and, as Bill pointed out, a better commitment to closing out games without just abandoning the forecheck and sitting on a lead.
- BiggE

It's much harder to improve the PP (w/ Downie), which requires precious skill and production, than it is to keep the PK going (w/ Talbot), which is usually a pretty simple combination of solid goaltending and guys who will work their asses off.

Basic positional awareness and dogged pursuit are basically the only two requirements for a forward to be good on the PK... it's a LOT different than being a good defensive player at ES, where you can't just chuck the puck down the ice the second you touch it. That's pretty much why guys like Hall/Powe/Dowd/Betts were solid PK'ers, but essentially non-factors defensively at ES... they weren't great defensive players, but they still had the makeup of good NHL PK'ers.

Mason has now started 20 games as a Flyer dating back to last year. He's yet to allow more than 3 goals in any game. His play in this small sample has been not only # 1 goalie, but franchise goaltender material. He's been tremendous.

25 years old, very quick reflexes, big in the net, playing the angles very well. And a very capable goaltender handling the puck. It almost seems too good to be true.
- PLindbergh31

Those are pretty strong stats over what equates to a full quarter of a season. No more than 3 goals over that long a stretch is impressive, especially with a defense that has been much criticized over that same span.

With his size and being only in his mid 20's this could be the big breakout he's been waiting for since his Calder season in CLB. If the Flyers offensive awakening starts to pick up some momentum the wins should start piling up too.

I still think that the Downie trade was worth it. Plus, Hall seems settled in on the PK.
- flyersbuzz

And Hall's tearing it up on the faceoffs, which is huge.

Ottawa is coming off a loss to Columbus, so they are likely going to be a desperate team Tuesday, which makes them dangerous. Here's to hoping the Flyers dominate them again.

So has Steve Mason's play over the past week earned him the definite number 1 position? Do you guys think he will get the net for this 3 game home stand?
- BlueBallz

Mason's play since arriving from Columbus has earned him the starting gig no doubt.

While the Flyers have started scoring goals to support their goaltender, I still feel the defense gives up way to many quality chances and his play is masking glaring holes in the defense.

Ill chalk up the third period in Winnepeg to it being the third game in 4 nights on a long road trip and fatigue.

Not an excuse per se. Just an observation.

And Hall's tearing it up on the faceoffs, which is huge.

Ottawa is coming off a loss to Columbus, so they are likely going to be a desperate team Tuesday, which makes them dangerous. Here's to hoping the Flyers dominate them again.
- wolfhounds

I would expect Ottawa to bring a much more competitive effort tomorrow night than last week.

Hall 51-34 on faceoffs. 60%. Very solid.

It's much harder to improve the PP (w/ Downie), which requires precious skill and production, than it is to keep the PK going (w/ Talbot), which is usually a pretty simple combination of solid goaltending and guys who will work their asses off.

Basic positional awareness and dogged pursuit are basically the only two requirements for a forward to be good on the PK... it's a LOT different than being a good defensive player at ES, where you can't just chuck the puck down the ice the second you touch it. That's pretty much why guys like Hall/Powe/Dowd/Betts were solid PK'ers, but essentially non-factors defensively at ES... they weren't great defensive players, they just had the makeup of good NHL PK'ers.
- Tomahawk

This is a gross over-simplification. If all you need are just hard-working guys to plug out there then, goaltending being ewual, all teams should have a pretty equal PK% since most team can find enough hard workers to use on the PK. It's like saying Lappy was the same on the PK as Powe on the PK because they both worked hard, which is not even close. Positioning, defensive coverage awareness, shot blocking ability, stick use, and anticipation are key factors on the PK.

I also think Buff would be a great addition. I know Bill hates him... or rather... absolutely would not want him on the team... but I think he is a piece of the puzzle to get this team from being a playoff contendor to deep playoff contendor. Of course IMO if you move for Buff you have to make more then 1 move IMO.
- youarewrong

No idea how this got posted without me being finished...lol

You really think Edmonton, a likely lottery team, would trade it's 1st round pick for Luke Schenn?
- Jsaquella

Look at some recent MacTavish interviews...

Would probably work in NHL 14.
- jmatchett383

You could get a 1st rounder for Meszaros in NHL14.

Look at some recent MacTavish interviews...
- youarewrong

If he really puts that first rounder on the market, he'll get better than Luke Schenn in return.

Again, NHL 14 loves you. And Morin should be AT LEAST 2 more years away.
- jmatchett383

Depends on what he brings next season to camp IMO. If he wins the spot, then let him play.

not to say his talents in Juniors will immediately transfer to the NHL (especially at playoff push/crunch time) but anyone think there is a chance that Laughton gets a look to help the PK and bottom 6 forward depth when he's done for the year in the 'ole OSH?

he played well for the Phantoms after his season last year from what i can remember...and dude pretty much COULD have made the team this year if we weren't stocked at that role position. With the loss of talbot, maybe he gets a look?

i'm not 100% familiar on how that negatively affects his eligibility for contractual years, but i know that players from Juniors have helped both AHL and NHL teams in the playoffs.

I'd think Emery gets the Buffalo game.
- jmatchett383

And I'd be fine with that.

As much as I wanted Mason to jump up and take the job, I think Emery provides a good presence in net such that if you needed to spell Mason for a game or two, I don't think you sweat it that much.

Depends on what he brings next season to camp IMO. If he wins the spot, then let him play.
- youarewrong

I'd rather him dominate in juniors than do a trial by fire and risk destroying his confidence. Give him time to grow, call him up when he's 20 where you can send him to the AHL if he struggles. If you want to give him the 8 game cup of coffee next year, that's fine. But unless he is absolutely dominating, he should play his 19-year-old season in juniors.

Those are pretty strong stats over what equates to a full quarter of a season. No more than 3 goals over that long a stretch is impressive, especially with a defense that has been much criticized over that same span.

With his size and being only in his mid 20's this could be the big breakout he's been waiting for since his Calder season in CLB. If the Flyers offensive awakening starts to pick up some momentum the wins should start piling up too.
- BlueBallz

Yes sir. Flyers have scored 2 goals or less in a mind boggling 16 of 19 games. There is no way that trend can continue.

not to say his talents in Juniors will immediately transfer to the NHL (especially at playoff push/crunch time) but anyone think there is a chance that Laughton gets a look to help the PK and bottom 6 forward depth when he's done for the year in the 'ole OSH?

he played well for the Phantoms after his season last year from what i can remember...and dude pretty much COULD have made the team this year if we weren't stocked at that role position. With the loss of talbot, maybe he gets a look?

i'm not 100% familiar on how that negatively affects his eligibility for contractual years, but i know that players from Juniors have helped both AHL and NHL teams in the playoffs.
- eshake

I believe he's eligible to play in the NHL after completing his junior season without affecting his ELC, but don't quote me on that. But I don't know if he'd be play-off eligible for the Flyers.

If he really puts that first rounder on the market, he'll get better than Luke Schenn in return.
- Jsaquella

Maybe at the deadline, when it is more certain where the pick will be. That Edmonton team isn't as bad as they are Showing and I think a lot of teams realize that. Plus MacTavish has said another 18 year old kid wont help this team.

How many defensive minded d-men are available right now that would be better then Schenn?

I'd rather him dominate in juniors than do a trial by fire and risk destroying his confidence. Give him time to grow, call him up when he's 20 where you can send him to the AHL if he struggles. If you want to give him the 8 game cup of coffee next year, that's fine. But unless he is absolutely dominating, he should play his 19-year-old season in juniors.
- jmatchett383

Laughton can't be recalled until his junior season is over, anyhow, unless the Flyers face an emergency situation due to injuries.

There's no 8 game cup of coffee next year. The clock starts ticking on his ELC next year regardless, because he's no longer slide eligible after this year.

Mason's play since arriving from Columbus has earned him the starting gig no doubt.

While the Flyers have started scoring goals to support their goaltender, I still feel the defense gives up way to many quality chances and his play is masking glaring holes in the defense.
- Flyers_01

It's funny, as you get older you see more and more comparisons to things from the past.
Bernie Parent had a fantastic rookie season for the Flyers in 67-68. Over the next few years, he played well, but not as consistently as he did as a rookie. Then he went to Toronto, spent 2 years learning from his idol, Jacques Plante, and the rest is history.

Now I am NOT comparing Mason to Parent. However, the Flyers may have found themselves a real gem here. Mason has the talent to be successful and he has seemed to develop an excellent working relationship with Reese. His work ethic is fantastic and his demeanor on and off the ice is exemplary.

Looks we got ourselves and honest to goodness top notch #1 goalie folks!

Ill chalk up the third period in Winnepeg to it being the third game in 4 nights on a long road trip and fatigue.

Not an excuse per se. Just an observation.
- MBFlyerfan

+1

Laughton can't be recalled until his junior season is over, anyhow, unless the Flyers face an emergency situation due to injuries.

There's no 8 game cup of coffee next year. The clock starts ticking on his ELC next year regardless, because he's no longer slide eligible after this year.
- Jsaquella

Think they were talking about Morin.

Edit: Looking forward to see what Laughton can do.

Laughton can't be recalled until his junior season is over, anyhow, unless the Flyers face an emergency situation due to injuries.

There's no 8 game cup of coffee next year. The clock starts ticking on his ELC next year regardless, because he's no longer slide eligible after this year.
- Jsaquella

Exactly. The question was posed as to if the Flyers would want him on the team when it's over.
And I think (by now) everyone knows he has no 8 game cup of coffee next year.
The question was, if he plays for the Flyers after his junior season is over (a la Ryan Parent), does that affect his ELC? I know playing for the Phantoms won't (Richards/Carter), but I'm not sure about the Flyers

That whole post you referenced was about Morin, not Laughton

Maybe at the deadline, when it is more certain where the pick will be. That Edmonton team isn't as bad as they are Showing and I think a lot of teams realize that. Plus MacTavish has said another 18 year old kid wont help this team.

How many defensive minded d-men are available right now that would be better then Schenn?
- youarewrong

How many? For a potential top 5 draft pick? Many. Luke Schenn is the 6th defenseman on a team with a pretty mediocre defense corps for a reason-he has not played well.

Generally teams don't move potential lottery picks for defensive defensemen that aren't top pair guys