Because a guy who has a deficient overall game may be the best option for a playoff roster spot. The depth of the organization with respect to the AHL roster is very thin.
- jmatchett383

The overwhelming amount of AHL players have a deficient overall game. Due to either not developed yet, or any other reason. It's why they're in the AHL. I don't think the Flyers are much different then a lot of other teams in that regard.

The chance that Gostisbehere plays his Sr. year are slim. People need to relax.
- bmeltzer

The chance that Gostisbehere plays his Sr. year are slim. People need to relax.

- bmeltzer

You've been looking at my crib notes.

Fun little article, pretty good (uses Beard-o-city as a ranking metric):

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...s-must-see-142948974.html

The Flyers-Rangers series:

This is the kind of series the NHL envisioned when it went back to quasi-divisional playoffs: Two ancient rivals meeting in the first round to beat the ever-loving crap out of each other in an intense, brutal series. Everyone hates each other, there’s plenty of room for stupid undisciplined plays and the indignant responses to them from the opponent. Good, dirty, unwholesome fun.

The overwhelming amount of AHL players have a deficient overall game. Due to either not developed yet, or any other reason. It's why they're in the AHL. I don't think the Flyers are much different then a lot of other teams in that regard.
- MJL

Most teams have at least 1-2 players that are either borderline guys, like Pittsburgh (Megna/Gibbons) or young players who are getting some seasoning in. The Flyers THOUGHT they had the former with McGinn, but not so much. It's very slim picking down on the farm for this team.

Most teams have at least 1-2 players that are either borderline guys, like Pittsburgh (Megna/Gibbons) or young players who are getting some seasoning in. The Flyers THOUGHT they had the former with McGinn, but not so much. It's very slim picking down on the farm for this team.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, Phantoms have taken a huge hit over the past 5 or so seasons.

He's faking so he can't be blamed for the rags' first round sweep
- funmaster18

no, that was lindbergh faking his knee injury in the 85 final so he could avoid the shame and embarrassment of losing to the oilers. according to don cherry.

Yeah, Phantoms have taken a huge hit the past 5 or so seasons.
- Tomahawk

They were forced to sign a bunch of UFA kids to fill the roster. Those should have been developing draft picks but those picks were traded. They hit with Matt Read and missed about a dozen times. Holding on to their picks the last few years should start to pay off at the AHL level over the next couple years.

Jason Dari Akeson?
- jmatchett383

Randy (frank)ing Jackson?

Most teams have at least 1-2 players that are either borderline guys, like Pittsburgh (Megna/Gibbons) or young players who are getting some seasoning in. The Flyers THOUGHT they had the former with McGinn, but not so much. It's very slim picking down on the farm for this team.
- jmatchett383

yeah, but its magnified for you guys because you already have coots and schenn playing. your young guys are already good enough to be name brand contributors.

Most teams have at least 1-2 players that are either borderline guys, like Pittsburgh (Megna/Gibbons) or young players who are getting some seasoning in. The Flyers THOUGHT they had the former with McGinn, but not so much. It's very slim picking down on the farm for this team.
- jmatchett383

Pittsburgh is a team that had a lot of injuries and therefore have had to use a lot of AHL players. The Flyers were lucky not to have to do that. I think McGinn and Akeson certainly fall into that borderline category. Same with a player like Vandevelde. It's pretty normal for an AHL team to be pretty slim pickings for NHL players. They're in the AHL for a reason.

They were forced to sign a bunch of UFA kids to fill the roster. Those should have been developing draft picks but those picks were traded. They hit with Matt Read and missed about a dozen times. Holding on to their picks the last few years should start to pay of at the AHL level over the next couple years.
- mayorofangrytown

This.

Also, guys like Keith Aucoin and Trevor Smith that teams like to add to help carry the fortunes of their AHL clubs usually require an NHL contract slot to sign. Too many Testwuides and Pithers means no room for any of that as well.

The chance that Gostisbehere plays his Sr. year are slim. People need to relax.

1) There is no financial incentive to wait, because the ELC limits level the field even if he is a UFA.

2) The Schultz loophole was closed in the new CBA, meaning Ghost would have to wait til Aug 15, 2015 to become a free agent rather than in June. That is a major disincentive because most NHL teams will have their rosters all but set for the next season.

3) His ELC would start in 2014-15 with Flyers org; something that he can't get by waiting. He'd get in a year of service time on his ELC and get paid sooner on a similar-valued deal.

4) He has developed all he's going to develop in collegiate hockey. No benefit in playing senior year but there is a risk: the risk of a serious injury before he ever sees a penny of an NHL contract.

5) Many players finish their college degree work in the off-season. He'd have to pay for the courses but he could certainly afford it with an NHL signing bonus and ELC in his hand.

Gostisbehere is simply following Bennett's advice to enjoy the national championship and then sit down with his family advisor (officially hiring an agent would make him forfeit senior year of eligibility and leave him with no leverage with Flyers).

Really, that is all there is to see here.
- bmeltzer

And Bill said...

- tangent_man

Seriously, if I'm Ghost right now?

I'm taking at least a week to make sure I bag that last holdout chick who has resisted my charms because I wasn't famous enough already.

Then...peace out, New York! And if you were 20 years old and the MVP of the Fozen Four played on national television, that is exactly what you would be doing, too!

If Mason has a concussion, I'm going to hope for really bad things to happen to the Pens.

We just need to take one game at MSG to win the series. Luckily, they have the same fear as us. They struggle against us when we're home. If they were to win the series by only winning home games, then they'd do it in 7.

This.

Also, guys like Keith Aucoin and Trevor Smith that teams like to add to help carry the fortunes of their AHL clubs usually require an NHL contract slot to sign. Too many Testwuides and Pithers means no room for any of that as well.
- Tomahawk

The majority of the players on an AHL team are signed to an NHL contract.

If Mason has a concussion, I'm going to hope for really bad things to happen to the Pens.
- wolfhounds

I really hope that isn't the case.. I like Ray, but I think we're in big trouble if he has to play the Rangers series. I also hope bad things happen in the playoffs to the Penguins, but that's always a given..

The orange line is reporting that mason has a concussion, but it hasn't been stated by the flyers or their poopty beats yet. Who knows if this is truth, but if it is, well...wer're (frank)ing (frank)ed.
- hammarby31

Who needs Mason? Heeter is a stud!

I really hope that isn't the case.. I like Ray, but I think we're in big trouble if he has to play the Rangers series. I also hope bad things happen in the playoffs to the Penguins, but that's always a given..
- Hextall271

i can only pray he doesn't. the flyers get by the rangers, and play the penguins in the 2nd round. i want to hammar them into the (frank)ing ground.

I really hope that isn't the case.. I like Ray, but I think we're in big trouble if he has to play the Rangers series. I also hope bad things happen in the playoffs to the Penguins, but that's always a given..
- Hextall271

Doesn't matter who's in net. Only way we're beating the rangers is through patience, airtight defense, and dirty goals. Can't rely on scoring normal goals against Lundqvist.

Who needs Mason? Heeter is a stud!
- PLindbergh31

heeter's a pretty good goalie...but he's not ready. i just wish emery's hip wasn't made out of a dead elephant's femur.

Doesn't matter who's in net. Only way we're beating the rangers is through patience, airtight defense, and dirty goals. Can't rely on scoring normal goals against Lundqvist.
- JAKEw1234

he only gives up poop goals to other teams. against the flyers, there's a magical force field made of shoulder and leg pad foam that completely seals off the net, even if henry is spinning in the corner like it was breakin 2: electric bugaloo.

i can only pray he doesn't. the flyers get by the rangers, and play the penguins in the 2nd round. i want to hammar them into the (frank)ing ground.
- hammarby31

Get in line. I want to make them cry then wolfhounds them into the ice!

heeter's a pretty good goalie...but he's not ready. i just wish emery's hip wasn't made out of a dead elephant's femur.
- hammarby31

I would be shocked if Mason doesn't play game 1. I guess we can start worrying if Mason doesn't practice tomorrow.