Guys that follow him more closely said he could be like Raffl, which would be fine with me.
- Jsaquella

That would work!!

There was actually a contingent of Isles fans that believed this. I was not one of them. When a player is coughing up the puck two minutes into a game against the opposing teams third line it's hard to have perspective.
- Cptmjl

I think you need to take into account the physical and mental wear and tear of what they did to him. Playing those kinds of minutes against that competition on a team with below average goaltending and poor defensive play from forwards.

I think you need to take into account the physical and mental wear and tear of what they did to him. Playing those kinds of minutes against that competition on a team with below average goaltending and poor defensive play from forwards.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly, plus the frustration of knowing that the team you are playing 27 mins per night for is going nowhere fast.

Thanks, just looked him up.

Appears to be able to play both center and wing. Most likely is going to need to add some muscle to play in the NHL, he's currently listed at 5'10 160. At that size, he better skate like Pavel Bure!

Sounds like he is very highly skilled and has good hockey sense. I'm guessing he was never drafted due to size, if he's only 160 now, he may have only been 145-150 in his draft year, and guys that small just don't get considered.

If he can even come close to being another Matt Read, this is an excellent signing. That being said, I would expect him to start next year with the Phantoms, but, of course, you never know.
- BiggE

I don't think he's the defensive player Read is.

This is all about adding system depth. You sign a few of these guys each year and hope one of them works out.

Let me know when the NSA knocks on your door pal....
- SchennBros

Just gonna tell 'em the truth: I was hacked by SchennBros

Thanks, just looked him up.

Appears to be able to play both center and wing. Most likely is going to need to add some muscle to play in the NHL, he's currently listed at 5'10 160. At that size, he better skate like Pavel Bure!

Sounds like he is very highly skilled and has good hockey sense. I'm guessing he was never drafted due to size, if he's only 160 now, he may have only been 145-150 in his draft year, and guys that small just don't get considered.

If he can even come close to being another Matt Read, this is an excellent signing. That being said, I would expect him to start next year with the Phantoms, but, of course, you never know.
- BiggE

He is small, but he can move very well. I had heard of him, but had spent more time looking at others, simply because the defensemen were getting more press.

I spent time watching him last night on YouTube and he seems like a skilled & smart kid. A couple sguy I talk to on twitter really love his game.

Free agency shouldn't be your primary source of acquiring talent, but it should be used to gather depth and add to the team.
- PhillySportsGuy

Oh yeah, no doubt about it. Good franchises find a balance between developing their own talent, making good trades, and adding in free agency. At some point, you have to tie down some talent to help right now, though. If you're never really competing at the NHL level, what makes prospects want to stick around later on? What makes good players want to join the team?

There was actually a contingent of Isles fans that believed this. I was not one of them. When a player is coughing up the puck two minutes into a game against the opposing teams third line it's hard to have perspective and think it was a inutes thing. I would have rather him be on the third pairing of course but the way he was playing I just wanted him gone.
- Cptmjl

I have zero problem w/ AMac at his current salary, in his current 4-5 swing role.

Now... if they roll up the Brinks truck and ensconce him as Kimmo's heir apparent? Then we have problems.

Exactly, plus the frustration of knowing that the team you are playing 27 mins per night for is going nowhere fast.
- BiggE

And they won't pay a penny more than what they feel your market value is.

They use the guy as a top pairing defenseman then tell him he's not worth 2nd pairing money

Guys that follow him more closely said he could be like Raffl, which would be fine with me.
- Jsaquella

Good by me. Raffl has the potential to be a 40 point guy who plays a strong two way game. Very useful player.

Oh yeah, no doubt about it. Good franchises find a balance between developing their own talent, making good trades, and adding in free agency. At some point, you have to tie down some talent to help right now, though. If you're never really competing at the NHL level, what makes prospects want to stick around later on? What makes good players want to join the team?
- BulliesPhan87

And what makes your own players want to stay when they see the team unwilling to pay to keep them.

Good by me. Raffl has the potential to be a 40 point guy who plays a strong two way game. Very useful player.
- PLindbergh31

I'd love it if he became that. Some of the videos I watched featured him on the PK, and he seemed to be very competent in that role, and had a nice shorty, where he read a play and intercepted a pass.

I think you need to take into account the physical and mental wear and tear of what they did to him. Playing those kinds of minutes against that competition on a team with below average goaltending and poor defensive play from forwards.
- PhillySportsGuy

Our suckiness this season was a team effort for sure. Our coach had our defense collapsing on itself and attempted a positional game to the point where forwards wouldn't move off their "dot" to make a defensive play. It's something that you really have to watch to believe. AMAC playing against teams best lines and for 26+ minutes a night were just one of many coaching miscues this staff has perpetrated. The most ridiculous thing about all of this is that it continues with the same coach and same GM allowing it to continue while EVERY fan can see the issue. It's hard to watch.

Just gonna tell 'em the truth: I was hacked by SchennBros
- AllInForFlyers

Lol as soon as they find out how much I really know about computers...(on button) I'll be cleared... In the meantime I will say hello to everyone in guantonimo for you guys....

Good by me. Raffl has the potential to be a 40 point guy who plays a strong two way game. Very useful player.
- PLindbergh31

God bless Terry Murray down there, but it also wouldn't hurt if he found a way to get a bit more offense out of the guys who are there WHILE teaching them defensive hockey.

The Phantoms he has, for the most part, are young and just figuring out pro hockey.

But at some point, with a guy like Nick Cousins...yeah, his complete game might not translate to the pros, but a guy who has 70 assists in a season doesn't have to be turned into Greg Campbell immediately

I have zero problem w/ AMac at his current salary, in his current 4-5 swing role.

Now... if they roll up the Brinks truck and ensconce him as Kimmo's heir apparent? Then we have problems.
- Tomahawk

Why would you? He's making 650,00 a yr presently. He was seeking north of five million last i heard. Snow offered him 4 million per for 4 yrs. I for one am happy he didn't accept.

Our suckiness this season was a team effort for sure. Our coach had our defense collapsing on itself and attempted a positional game to the point where forwards wouldn't move off their "dot" to make a defensive play. It's something that you really have to watch to believe. AMAC playing against teams best lines and for 26+ minutes a night were just one of many coaching miscues this staff has perpetrated. The most ridiculous thing about all of this is that it continues with the same coach and same GM allowing it to continue while EVERY fan can see the issue. It's hard to watch.
- Cptmjl

You have yet to tell us how you feel about Garth Snow turning Moulson, 1st, 2nd, 5th into a conditional 2nd and prospect...

Surprising nobody, Steve Mason gets the start tonight

Our suckiness this season was a team effort for sure. Our coach had our defense collapsing on itself and attempted a positional game to the point where forwards wouldn't move off their "dot" to make a defensive play. It's something that you really have to watch to believe. AMAC playing against teams best lines and for 26+ minutes a night were just one of many coaching miscues this staff has perpetrated. The most ridiculous thing about all of this is that it continues with the same coach and same GM allowing it to continue while EVERY fan can see the issue. It's hard to watch.
- Cptmjl

I think its a combination. I think they lack the talent too. Its hard to win when you have 1 scoring line.

You have yet to tell us how you feel about Garth Snow turning Moulson, 1st, 2nd, 5th into a conditional 2nd and prospect...
- SchennBros

Perhaps he's still seeking words strong enough to voice his disgust.

Surprising nobody, Steve Mason gets the start tonight
- Jsaquella

I was hoping for Stollie. MSL needs a smack to the head.

Surprising nobody, Steve Mason gets the start tonight
- Jsaquella

And they won't pay a penny more than what they feel your market value is.

They use the guy as a top pairing defenseman then tell him he's not worth 2nd pairing money
- PhillySportsGuy

That's why I really believe that the Isles are never going anywhere under their current ownership and with Snow as GM

Good by me. Raffl has the potential to be a 40 point guy who plays a strong two way game. Very useful player.
- PLindbergh31

The only thing is though is that Raffl is 2-3 inches taller and 30lbs heavier than this kid. He's going to have to get stronger to succeed at the NHL level.

Surprising nobody, Steve Mason gets the start tonight
- Jsaquella