Whew, I was getting worried that I had entered some weird hockey buzz twilight zone for a while

Some random Thursday thoughts:

On Ghost: Really looking forward to seeing him play later today, though I'll to DVR it due to a meeting at 5:30. Hard to judge where he will top out as a pro, but if he can add 10-15 lbs of muscle without losing any speed or quickness, he has the potential to be an impact player.

On Morin: I really, really hope they don't rush this kid next year. I'd rather see him have a dominant final year in junior and turn pro in 2015. Don't forget, he will only be turning 19 in September and he is still filling out. I think he can be a bigger, meaner and perhaps a bit more skilled version of Coburn and if so, he could be a top pair guy for the Flyers for a very long time.

On tonight's game: No reason not to get 2 points tonight, Bishop is out and Tampa, while not locked into the 3rd in the Atlantic, really has little chance of catching Montreal. Flyers need to come out strong right from the opening faceoff

On the upcoming playoffs: I have no problem with the Rags in round one. I still remember the Flyers owning them during the regular season in the 80s only to be bounced out in the first round by them in 82 and 83. Maybe its time to repay the favor?

GO FLYERS!

It's easier said than done. There is no question in my mind Laughton can crack our top 12 next year. Do you want him starting his ELC in the AHL or playing with the Flyers? His small salary will also help a team that likes to spend right up to the cap every year.

I agree with you and would like to have the luxury of guys getting time in the AHL, but you know what they say about best laid plans.
- PhillySportsGuy

I hear what your saying, but all I know is that it's been very successful for Detroit. Perhaps Laughton is an exception, but a couple months in the AHL most likely won't hurt him in the least.

Whew, I was getting worried that I had entered some weird hockey buzz twilight zone for a while

Some random Thursday thoughts:

On Ghost: Really looking forward to seeing him play later today, though I'll to DVR it due to a meeting at 5:30. Hard to judge where he will top out as a pro, but if he can add 10-15 lbs of muscle without losing any speed or quickness, he has the potential to be an impact player.

On Morin: I really, really hope they don't rush this kid next year. I'd rather see him have a dominant final year in junior and turn pro in 2015. Don't forget, he will only be turning 19 in September and he is still filling out. I think he can be a bigger, meaner and perhaps a bit more skilled version of Coburn and if so, he could be a top pair guy for the Flyers for a very long time.

On tonight's game: No reason not to get 2 points tonight, Bishop is out and Tampa, while not locked into the 3rd in the Atlantic, really has little chance of catching Montreal. Flyers need to come out strong right from the opening faceoff

On the upcoming playoffs: I have no problem with the Rags in round one. I still remember the Flyers owning them during the regular season in the 80s only to be bounced out in the first round by them in 82 and 83. Maybe its time to repay the favor?

GO FLYERS!
- BiggE

Sucks about your meeting. If Jason planned the meeting during the Frozen Four, he may need to re-evaluate his fandom.

I hear what your saying, but all I know is that it's been very successful for Detroit. Perhaps Laughton is an exception, but a couple months in the AHL most likely won't hurt him in the least.
- BiggE

Agreed -- it's just a better way. Can Laughton play shifts in the NHL? Probably. But he's not a generational talent. There's SOMETHING that he could work on in the AHL that will help him down the line -- that goes for all of the Flyers draftees who have promise.

That goes doubly for defensemen -- I don't mind if we don't see Morin or Hagg or Ghost in 2014, and maybe 2015 or 2016 for Morin, because he has such a large frame.

We need some of these kids, if not all of them, to reach their potential. One of those defensemen, hopefully two or even all of them...we need them to reach their fullest potential.

Sucks about your meeting. If Jason planned the meeting during the Frozen Four, he may need to re-evaluate his fandom.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not a work meeting, one of those community things I just can't get out of. At least I should be home by 7:30, so I won't miss any of the Flyers game!

I hear what your saying, but all I know is that it's been very successful for Detroit. Perhaps Laughton is an exception, but a couple months in the AHL most likely won't hurt him in the least.
- BiggE

We'll see what they do with Mantha. I would find it hard to believe the Wings would stick him in the minors. He may be a top 6 player next year.

The Wings are going to have an impressive group of forwards next year when they get healthy.

Is there anybody out there?
- BiggE

Minus Gilmour's beautiful guitar, but that movie scene is pretty profound imo

- Giroux_Is_God

Looks like a Cialis commercial

Edit: You changed the post

Looks like a Cialis commercial

Edit: You changed the post
- PhillySportsGuy

Not exactly- just noted that the acoustic guitar half of the song is missing

Agreed -- it's just a better way. Can Laughton play shifts in the NHL? Probably. But he's not a generational talent. There's SOMETHING that he could work on in the AHL that will help him down the line -- that goes for all of the Flyers draftees who have promise.
- AllInForFlyers

Exactly.
Look if by some miracle we ended up with the first pick and got McDavid next year, sure start him in the NHL. But those guys are few and far between.

The CHL/NHL agreement is a pain though. I would like to see it amended so that player per NHL team per season, who are 19 years old and have played at least 3 full years of junior, be eligible for the AHL. While Laughton had a great year in the OHL this year, I think his development would have been better in the AHL. I would also have the agreement state, that unless the player is on the NHL roster by December 1st, the NHL team cannot prevent him from being eligible for the World Juniors.

what times the union game tonight?

what times the union game tonight?
- PhillaBully

5

We'll see what they do with Mantha. I would find it hard to believe the Wings would stick him in the minors. He may be a top 6 player next year.

The Wings are going to have an impressive group of forwards next year when they get healthy.
- PhillySportsGuy

Perhaps, is he AHL eligible next year or is it NHL or Junior only?

what times the union game tonight?
- PhillaBully

Sounds like 5:00, then the Flyers at 7:30

Convenient, for those of us that don't have to (frank)ing work

Sounds like 5:00, then the Flyers at 7:30

Convenient, for those of us that don't have to (frank)ing work
- Giroux_Is_God

Perhaps, is he AHL eligible next year or is it NHL or Junior only?
- BiggE

Juniors

Juniors
- PhillySportsGuy

Gonna be a tough choice for sure, but given Detroit's track record, unless he completely dominates in preseason, he is likely heading back to Juniors.

Gonna be a tough choice for sure, but given Detroit's track record, unless he completely dominates in preseason, he is likely heading back to Juniors.
- BiggE

He had 57 goals and 120 points in 57 games this year. I'm not sure what else he needs to learn at that level.

He had 57 goals and 120 points in 57 games this year. I'm not sure what else he needs to learn at that level.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't disagree, I'm just not sure that Detroit agrees.

He had 57 goals and 120 points in 57 games this year. I'm not sure what else he needs to learn at that level.
- PhillySportsGuy

Had himself a great WJC too.

I think he'll be playing up with the big boys come October

Not sure about that. Detroit has virtually all of their prospects spend some time at the AHL level and since they are arguably the most successful franchise over the last 20 years, it would seem to be a pretty good plan.
- BiggE

I would disagree that every player should be developed under the same blanket. Each player is an individual, and should be assessed as an individual, as to whether they are ready to go directly to the NHL, to the AHL, or back to Juniors. Whatever the case would be.

didnt they play in the ahl and win a clader?
- PhillaBully

They both played for Phantoms in a playoff run on ATO's.

Had himself a great WJC too.

I think he'll be playing up with the big boys come October
- Giroux_Is_God

perhaps, I guess you also have to consider that for much of the last 20 years Detroit was absolutely loaded at forward so it was easier to send guys down to develop. Plus they didn't have a cap to contend with.

Still no matter how good he looks playing against teenagers, he will still most likely have to look really good in the preseason to avoid being sent back. Ken Holland seems to love to let prospects take all the time possible to develop before he brings them up to the show.

perhaps, I guess you also have to consider that for much of the last 20 years Detroit was absolutely loaded at forward so it was easier to send guys down to develop. Plus they didn't have a cap to contend with.

Still no matter how good he looks playing against teenagers, he will still most likely have to look really good in the preseason to avoid being sent back. Ken Holland seems to love to let prospects take all the time possible to develop before he brings them up to the show.
- BiggE

The Flyers have a excellent track record in developing forwards. They don't approach it with automatically starting players in the AHL.