I think good NHL second lines see their fair share of top competition and top defenseman.
- MJL

Well, all second lines get their minutes against other second lines and sometimes against top opponents.

He's a RFA...he can't walk too far, unless it's to Europe
- Jsaquella

That's exactly what I was thinking.

But optimistically far fetched. We'll agree to say I told you so just once in December.

- mayorofangrytown

No, I don't think it's far fetched at all to say that Ghostibehere starts in the AHL and then is recalled after some time down there.

I just hope they don't trade off a 22-year-old 20-goal scoring kid with untapped upside because their steeply declining free agent prize finally showed signs of life again.
- Tomahawk

It was more a "Vinny is fine, we're set/Flyera" thing than my thoughts...I'm not moving Schenn unless they get a very good defenseman or good winger in return

Im not sure how long it will take. I would be as cautious as possible, but If he appears ready, there is no sense in keeping him down there.

I think he can be more than just an offensive defenseman. I think he can be a real good player. Everyone seems to really like him.
- PhillySportsGuy

It doesn't seem to take much for the Flyers to consider a guy 'ready' though...

I look at all of the Flyers prospects over the past 20-years, and with the exception of Giroux, I think all of them could have really benefited from some more time riding buses up and down the east coast w/ the Phantoms.

JvR and Frick n Frack especially... JvR looked afraid when they first brought him up, and we know Richie/Carts were probably not mature enough when they stepped in.

That's exactly what I was thinking.
- mayorofangrytown

I think it's more likely he gets traded around the draft than anything...they will give him a QO and deal his rights

Gustafsson has to walk doesn't he? He can't come back here after this year for his own sanity. Then they have the two UFAs of significance.
- mayorofangrytown

I agree. He's got to do what's best for his career at this point, and he probably doesn't view himself as a guy who sits in the Cote Suite.

No, I don't think it's far fetched at all to say that Ghostibehere starts in the AHL and then is recalled after some time down there.
- MJL

Yeah, I misread that.

I know. I still think Schenn has potential to be a very good #2C.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think the book is closed on him rounding out to be a #1C either. Those brief glimpses/flashes that he shows are drool inducing.

It doesn't seem to take much for the Flyers to consider a guy 'ready' though...

I look at all of the Flyers prospects over the past 20-years, and with the exception of Giroux, I think all of them could have really benefited from some more time riding buses up and down the east coast w/ the Phantoms.

JvR and Frick n Frack especially... JvR looked afraid when they first brought him up, and we know Richie/Carts were probably not mature enough when they stepped in.
- Tomahawk

Even Gagne?

I think it's more likely he gets traded around the draft than anything...they will give him a QO and deal his rights
- Jsaquella

That's a possibility also. It still opens the spot we were discussing. After this season, for whatever reason the Flyers don't see him as part of the on going roster. He has to go somewhere. It's not doing anyone any good to continue next year what happened this season.

It doesn't seem to take much for the Flyers to consider a guy 'ready' though...

I look at all of the Flyers prospects over the past 20-years, and with the exception of Giroux, I think all of them could have really benefited from some more time riding buses up and down the east coast w/ the Phantoms.

JvR and Frick n Frack especially... JvR looked afraid when they first brought him up, and we know Richie/Carts were probably not mature enough when they stepped in.
- Tomahawk

They're always in win now mode. If they can use a guy on the 3rd or 4th line making under $1M, they can add another player in FA.

That's a possibility also. It still opens the spot we were discussing. After this season, for whatever reason the Flyers don't see him as part of the on going roster. He has to go somewhere. It's not doing anyone any good to continue next year what happened this season.
- mayorofangrytown

Of course Homer loves his Kurtis Foster/Hal Gill guys, too...

Even Gagne?
- johndewar

Probably even him.

I don't think the book is closed on him rounding out to be a #1C either. Those brief glimpses/flashes that he shows are drool inducing.
- Tomahawk

I'm not sure if he can reach that.

I would love to see him with Jake again. He needs a puck possession guy. I was really hoping they'd sign Jagr instead of Vinny.

Hartnell-G-Jagr
Raffl-Schenn-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmonds

I'm not sure if he can reach that.

I would love to see him with Jake again. He needs a puck possession guy. I was really hoping they'd sign Jagr instead of Vinny.

Hartnell-G-Jagr
Raffl-Schenn-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmonds

- PhillySportsGuy

Jags this offseason?

Of course Homer loves his Kurtis Foster/Hal Gill guys, too...
- Jsaquella

Don't remind me. Go big and miss, the meat in the middle goes while you wait so you have to go small and hope it doesn't cost you too many games.

It doesn't seem to take much for the Flyers to consider a guy 'ready' though...

I look at all of the Flyers prospects over the past 20-years, and with the exception of Giroux, I think all of them could have really benefited from some more time riding buses up and down the east coast w/ the Phantoms.

JvR and Frick n Frack especially... JvR looked afraid when they first brought him up, and we know Richie/Carts were probably not mature enough when they stepped in.
- Tomahawk

Richards and Carter were absolutely ready for the NHL when they came in. It would have been a waste to play them in the AHL. They dominated it in the Phantoms playoff run.

I'm not sure if he can reach that.

I would love to see him with Jake again. He needs a puck possession guy. I was really hoping they'd sign Jagr instead of Vinny.

Hartnell-G-Jagr
Raffl-Schenn-Jake
Read-Couts-Simmonds

- PhillySportsGuy

Simmonds in a shutdown role?

It doesn't seem to take much for the Flyers to consider a guy 'ready' though...

I look at all of the Flyers prospects over the past 20-years, and with the exception of Giroux, I think all of them could have really benefited from some more time riding buses up and down the east coast w/ the Phantoms.

JvR and Frick n Frack especially... JvR looked afraid when they first brought him up, and we know Richie/Carts were probably not mature enough when they stepped in.
- Tomahawk

They were mature enough hockey wise. They just rushed Richie to the C, which I think hurt both of them in the personal maturity area. Boy they figured something out unloading him though. He's just not the same player at all. Injuries? Or what?

I just hope they don't trade off a 22-year-old 20-goal scoring kid with untapped upside because their steeply declining free agent prize finally showed signs of life again.
- Tomahawk

Agreed. No way you trade away a young player who has had his 1st 20 goal season to retain an aging player with back problems. Makes zero sense.

They were mature enough hockey wise.
- bodiva88

Yeah, off the ice was more what I was alluding to. Toughing it out in the AHL builds character and appreciation for just how good life is at the next level.

He's just not the same player at all. Injuries? Or what?
- bodiva88

He still looks great to me... the production hit could probably be blamed on Sutter's system and less responsibility with Kopitar being such a beast in all 3 zones.

They were mature enough hockey wise. They just rushed Richie to the C, which I think hurt both of them in the personal maturity area. Boy they figured something out unloading him though. He's just not the same player at all. Injuries? Or what?
- bodiva88

He's still a very good player, but rather than the aura he had as a Flyer, he simply just a very nice second tier star for his team

Richards and Carter were absolutely ready for the NHL when they came in. It would have been a waste to play them in the AHL. They dominated it in the Phantoms playoff run.
- MJL

Which was what, all of 15-20 games? The skill was there, but learning how to be a pro in the A isn't a bad thing.

I'm not sure if we are "debating" just for the sake of arguing.

*keeps on lurking from a distance*