What about this shrimp Hicketts. Where was he drafted?
- PLindbergh31

He wasn't, the red wings signed him after a camp invite

Absolutely.

But you'd wish that they could've found a player at some point during the later rounds who could have contributed. They're out there. Few and far between perhaps, but they're there.

The second round especially, but like you noted, we eliminated any chance of that until just recently.
- 77rams

In the last 7 years:
Maroon was a 6th rounder.
Gostisbehere was a 3rd rounder.
Leier was a 4th rounder.
Cousins was another 3rd rounder.
Tye McGinn was a 4th rounder.
Bourdon was a 3rd rounder.
Rinaldo was a 6th rounder.
Eric Wellwood was a 6th rounder.

These are all guys who either have had moderate or better success at the NHL level or have a good shot to do so drafted after the second round. Not exactly superstars, but NHL regulars (Wellwood and MAB are unknowns).

In the past the Flyer had a tendency to use picks on tough guys or agitators, well ahead of where they were ranked or even a late round pick on enforcers who likely would be available as undrafted FAs.

Guys like Klotz, Goulbourne, Rinaldo & Mathers come to mind. At least Rinaldo played in the NHL. Klotz was not even a good AHL fighter, Mathers has bounced between AHL & ECHL & Goulbourne has been offered only an AHL deal thus far
- Jsaquella

Rinaldo was also a 6th round picks, and I think Mathers was a 7th. It's the other 2 picks that really irritate me.

Nah. Embrace it. Flyers draft #11, and the Devils get McDavid. Book it.
- PLindbergh31

fairly new building, low fan base, financial woes.........damn it, you are right, book it

Sam Morin is only a #7 defenseman on an all-star team in his age group?

He's practically Buster McBustington.
- johndewar

According to Canada's WJC braintrust, he's better than Hayden Fleury right now. I don't necessarily agree, to be honest, but they're different kinds of players.

fairly new building, low fan base, financial woes.........damn it, you are right, book it
- nastyflyergirl

3 state killing spree here we go

Is Hagg #4 on Sweden?

They looked like a machine last night

I was really impressed with a bunch of them, first time watching some of them play.
- Marc D

really tough to judge just how good they are in a game against Slovakia. Canada has two easy games to open the tournament. I liked that the US had to open up with a tough game against the Finns.

Rinaldo was also a 6th round picks, and I think Mathers was a 7th. It's the other 2 picks that really irritate me.
- jmatchett383

They irritate me because, Matt Bartkowski & Jason Demers went after Rinaldo in 2008, and Mathers was picked over Ondrej Palat & Thomas Hyka...granted at that stage of the draft getting a NHLer is a miracle, but I'd rather roll the dice on a Hyka or Palat & miss than grab allow skilled goon or agitator

The other two piss me right off.

really tough to judge just how good they are in a game against Slovakia. Canada has two easy games to open the tournament. I liked that the US had to open up with a tough game against the Finns.
- nastyflyergirl

Sure that is true, but they played a near perfect game, even if against a lesser team.

And some think he can jump to NHL next year, while he is a 7Dman on a Under 20 junior team?
- 3flyerkids

I saw where he was projected to be on the 2nd pairing.

According to Canada's WJC braintrust, he's better than Hayden Fleury right now. I don't necessarily agree, to be honest, but they're different kinds of players.
- jmatchett383

I wasn't really calling Sam a bust, btw.

I just think it's silly to worry about where he is in the context of this tournament, at this point of his development. It's an All-Star tournament, and where he is slated to play, right now, might not be where he plays at the end of the tournament. He should be judged on his own developmental clock....not that of Darnell Nurse or any of the players playing ahead of him right now.

They irritate me because, Matt Bartkowski & Jason Demers went after Rinaldo in 2008, and Mathers was picked over Ondrej Palat & Thomas Hyka...granted at that stage of the draft getting a NHLer is a miracle, but I'd rather roll the dice on a Hyka or Palat & miss than grab allow skilled goon or agitator

The other two piss me right off.
- Jsaquella

Hopefully Hextall's approach to the draft will differ than Homer. Obviously 20/20 hindsight makes drafting easy but it was so easy to see picks like Klotz was just ridiculous.

Sure that is true, but they played a near perfect game, even if against a lesser team.
- Marc D

Oh no doubt.

Hopefully Hextall's approach to the draft will differ than Homer. Obviously 20/20 hindsight makes drafting easy but it was so easy to see picks like Klotz was just ridiculous.
- nastyflyergirl

The enforcer role at the junior hockey level is practically extinct, isn't it?

Guys who did what Klotz did in juniors are practically gone, no? Serious question for the guys here who follow the CHL.

Is Hagg #4 on Sweden?
- jmatchett383

14 I think. Lindblom 22 I believe

Former Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates, ex-Devils assistant and star defenseman Scott Stevens and general manager Lou Lamoriello will split duties on the bench.

Lamoriello said at a news conference before Saturday's morning skate that Oates will handle the forwards and Stevens will oversee the defense. Lamoriello will "go on the bench to make sure it works for now" and "until I feel comfortable with the situation."

I wasn't really calling Sam a bust, btw.

I just think it's silly to worry about where he is in the context of this tournament, at this point of his development. It's an All-Star tournament, and where he is slated to play, right now, might not be where he plays at the end of the tournament. He should be judged on his own developmental clock....not that of Darnell Nurse or any of the players playing ahead of him right now.
- johndewar

It's only natural to use this as a measuring stick. He's playing next to and against the same aged, next wave of NHL players. And it's the "all stars" at this level. Does he shine comparatively or lay an egg? Is he disadvantaged due to his injury? How does he stack up today and how far does he have to go? All reasonable questions. Everyone is praying for Chris Pronger. Those are big skates to fill.

They irritate me because, Matt Bartkowski & Jason Demers went after Rinaldo in 2008, and Mathers was picked over Ondrej Palat & Thomas Hyka...granted at that stage of the draft getting a NHLer is a miracle, but I'd rather roll the dice on a Hyka or Palat & miss than grab allow skilled goon or agitator

The other two piss me right off.
- Jsaquella

I know it's viewed as a positive if you get anything from a 6th or 7th rounder, but I feel guys like Rinaldo, Mathers (even if he made it) are a dime a dozen. You can always get a Rinaldo type in FA. Even if you want a prospect tough guy, there are a bunch available after their overage season in Juniors.

I'd rather swing and miss on a guy like Fazleev than be guaranteed a 4th liner like Rinaldo. Just my opinion. I can understand if others would rather have the guarantee.

It's only natural to use this as a measuring stick. He's playing next to and against the same aged, next wave of NHL players. And it's the "all stars" at this level. Does he shine comparatively or lay an egg? Is he disadvantaged due to his injury? How does he stack up today and how far does he have to go? All reasonable questions. Everyone is praying for Chris Pronger. Those are big skates to fill.
- section32

He's not going to be Chris Pronger and if that's people's measuring stick, they should find a new one.

Just coming out of junior hockey, alone, Pronger was a point per game player as a defenseman for two straight years. He wasn't just a punishing hitter and all of those other things that Morin does to remind people of Pronger. Pronger was also an acknowledged leader coming out of junior hockey, if considered a bit of a loud mouth. His offensive game was light years beyond what Morin's is now.

A much better comparison might actually be Zdeno Chara.

It's only natural to use this as a measuring stick. He's playing next to and against the same aged, next wave of NHL players. And it's the "all stars" at this level. Does he shine comparatively or lay an egg? Is he disadvantaged due to his injury? How does he stack up today and how far does he have to go? All reasonable questions. Everyone is praying for Chris Pronger. Those are big skates to fill.
- section32

He's never going to be Chris Pronger. If anyone actually has those expectations, they are going to be disappointed. Panaccio is an ass for continuously using that comparison.

There are a number of factors for why Morin could be the 7th dman. They are creating a team to win a tournament, not ranking players. They may just feel he wasn't the right fit. Kind of like how Giroux was left off team Canada even though he was clearly better than several of the guys on the team.

Another factor could have been Canada wanting to run up the score a bit. I believe overall +/- is a tiebreaker. They may have wanted to run as many offensive dman out there as possible because they likely weren't worried as much about defense.

That being said, I still have concerns about Morin. We'll see what they really think of him when they're forced to play legit teams. I actually think Morin's game is more suited for the NHL than Juniors

He's never going to be Chris Pronger. If anyone actually has those expectations, they are going to be disappointed. Panaccio is an ass for continuously using that comparison.

There are a number of factors for why Morin could be the 7th dman. They are creating a team to win a tournament, not ranking players. They may just feel he wasn't the right fit. Kind of like how Giroux was left off team Canada even though he was clearly better than several of the guys on the team.

Another factor could have been Canada wanting to run up the score a bit. I believe overall +/- is a tiebreaker. They may have wanted to run as many offensive dman out there as possible because they likely weren't worried as much about defense.

That being said, I still have concerns about Morin. We'll see what they really think of him when they're forced to play legit teams. I actually think Morin's game is more suited for the NHL than Juniors
- PhillySportsGuy

Giroux was left off of team canada solely because sidney does not like him and he drew a line in the sand /fact

Giroux was left off of team canada solely because sidney does not like him and he drew a line in the sand /fact
- Crimsoninja

Only explanation for Kunitz. (frank)ing Kunitz

Giroux was left off of team canada solely because sidney does not like him and he drew a line in the sand /fact
- Crimsoninja

Yes he was. They even left him off when it was confirmed Stammer couldn't make it... I am still furious about that decision. I was also glad to see Giroux turn down the invite to team Canada's entry into the world championships after the Flyers lost in the first round... I'm Canadian and the decision to leave him out was horse poop.

Yes he was. They even left him off when it was confirmed Stammer couldn't make it... I am still furious about that decision. I was also glad to see Giroux turn down the invite to team Canada's entry into the world championships after the Flyers lost in the first round... I'm Canadian and the decision to leave him out was horse poop.
- Hextall271

I'm hoping G and Jake don't go the all star fiasco.
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