All I know is being very patient has worked out pretty good for Detroit over the last 20+ years.
- BiggE

I doubt that. I think you also have a vast depth of knowledge on scotch.

He played 2c in 13-14 didn't he? He hit the 20 goal mark that year.
- benjichronic

Yeah he did a bit, but he also played a fair amount of wing too (if memory serves correctly). What I'm getting at is whatever they want him to be, they should ask him to be it and then keep him there.

Yeah he did a bit, but he also played a fair amount of wing too (if memory serves correctly). What I'm getting at is whatever they want him to be, they should ask him to be it and then keep him there.
- VladDrag

Agreed. I don't mind some movement depending on the time of the game and man-power situations, but in general, pick a spot and leave him there.

the excitement is really starting to come. Hate that summer is ending but LOVE that hockey is just about back!

the excitement is really starting to come. Hate that summer is ending but LOVE that hockey is just about back!
- nastyflyergirl

+1,000,000

the excitement is really starting to come. Hate that summer is ending but LOVE that hockey is just about back!
- nastyflyergirl

Summer is overrated.

/Team Autumn

If it turns out Hextall is a hoarder we are in trouble.
- ClaudeFather

I now have this image of his home with giant balls of string and tinfoil, piles of newspapers and magazines.......

Fantastic write up on Gagne. What a fabulous player.
- FlyersFirst

Agreed! Great write-up, Bill.

Gagne was always one of my favorite Flyers.

You convinced me, since Laughton hasn't solidified a place on the team in hist first professional season, we should get rid of him, because they might get other good players in the future. I think this approach should become the gold standard and mantra of developing young players in the NHL.

If a player isn't a top 9 player at 21, he never will be. Cut bait and move on.
- MJL

Expectations may have been put out of whack for him when he made the team out of camp in the 2012 shortened season and then proceeded to have a dominating junior career.

Everything I've heard about Hakstol's System leads me to believe Laughton is tailor made for it. Doesn't mean he's going to be ready for it in October.

I just want the kid on the team this year, if he doesnt make it I'll be disappointed.
- ClaudeFather

I'd like to see him this year, but it's not make or break. Look at a team like Detroit. Got to have patience. Laughton has played exactly one pro season, and he suffered an injury during it.

Even if he is one of the best 9 forwards in camp, he might not start the season with the big club.

Went over to camp today. Here are some impressions:

- Offense was hard to come by. The defense was stronger in most drills, and even fared well on the 3 on 1 drill

- Ghost and Morin were paired together and looked pretty good. Ghost has a lot of speed. On the 2 on 2 they were very strong.

- Provorov was paired with Petterson on some of the drills I saw. Goulbourne scored on one rush, but the other forward - I think Parks - made the play. Provorov was pissed that they scored.

- Sanheim stood out a little more than Provorov to me. Really quick retrieving the puck and turning it up ice. Some nice offense too.

- Martel was interesting. He seems to find the seams or open ice. Had a couple of nice rushes but the line didn't finish.

- Laughton and Leier were probably the two most noticeable forwards that I saw.

- I didn't notice Konecny or NAK much. But keep in mind there are no numbered jerseys and a lot going on, so that might not mean as much.

Overall the coaches ran a lot of puck retrieval and transition drills. One drill they'd throw it into the d zone and the defenseman would have to get the puck, pivot and quickly move it up ice. For the most part they were pretty crisp doing this.

I'm fine with Laughton on the roster, but there is enough here to start the season without him.

Raffl/G/Voracek
Read/Couturier/Simmonds
Umberger/Schenn/Ganger
VDV/Bellmare/White

Went over to camp today. Here are some impressions:

- Offense was hard to come by. The defense was stronger in most drills, and even fared well on the 3 on 1 drill

- Ghost and Morin were paired together and looked pretty good. Ghost has a lot of speed. On the 2 on 2 they were very strong.

- Provorov was paired with Petterson on some of the drills I saw. Goulbourne scored on one rush, but the other forward - I think Parks - made the play. Provorov was pissed that they scored.

- Sanheim stood out a little more than Provorov to me. Really quick retrieving the puck and turning it up ice. Some nice offense too.

- Martel was interesting. He seems to find the seams or open ice. Had a couple of nice rushes but the line didn't finish.

- Laughton and Leier were probably the two most noticeable forwards that I saw.

- I didn't notice Konecny or NAK much. But keep in mind there are no numbered jerseys and a lot going on, so that might not mean as much.

Overall the coaches ran a lot of puck retrieval and transition drills. One drill they'd throw it into the d zone and the defenseman would have to get the puck, pivot and quickly move it up ice. For the most part they were pretty crisp doing this.
- TheGreat28

Thanks for sharing!

On the Flyers side of the ice, I joined the scrimmage in progress. Some things I saw:

- Gudas must have a perpetual playoff beard. His passes were not as sharp. Seemed to miss the intended target often. Got completely twisted up in his skates and tripped himself. Cursed as he picked himself off the ice. But he has a really nice shot. Hard, on net, low to thigh high.

- Umberger had decent speed on a couple of rushes. Read as well. Read scored, must have been on Neuvirth. Good rush, but honestly it looked more like the goalie flubbed it vs. an overpowering shot.

- Read looked like he was skating strong on suicides after the scrimmage.

- Giroux scored on a neat little break on the goalie. Got almost as excited as if it were a real game. Both G and Jake almost seemed to be smiling and laughing.

- B Schenn had a nice rush and got of a great shot....and was robbed by Mason. Mason earned a big cheer from the bench.

- Medevdev also earned a rousing stick tap from the bench completely rubbing a forward out with a firm hip check.

- Couturier flubbed a couple of offensive opportunities. The second time he was noticeably pissed, slamming his stick to the ice and shouting a NSFW work. That same "shift" his line had a better rush and he got of a decent shot.

- I'm pretty sure it was Vinnie who scored on a breakaway and had a really big grin. But after the scrimmage he was doing suicides and seemed to pull up. He skated out to center ice hunched over grimacing, and stayed there for a minute or two. He skated gingerly over to the bench, stayed there for 5 minutes, and then went to the locker room. Hopefully nothing serious. Or maybe hopefully to many.

Overall the coaches ran a lot of puck retrieval and transition drills. One drill they'd throw it into the d zone and the defenseman would have to get the puck, pivot and quickly move it up ice. For the most part they were pretty crisp doing this.
- TheGreat28

DEAR LORD LET THIS BE SO

Wow, that's awesome.


Canadiens' Subban pledges $10 million to hospital

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=779258

What I will say is that I think Hextall (and Holmgren) seem very gun-shy about playing young guys. I understand development and all, but at some point, you do have to see if these guys can sink or swim. I would have preferred not resigning Schultz and seeing if one or multiple of Manning/Morin/Ghost/Hagg/Alt could hold down the #6/#7 spots in camp. It seems like we have a logjam, even at forward, with vets, and at some point we need to make room for some of the young players to get into the lineup.
- jmatchett383

Especially since the Veterans have proven to be a less than average NHL club.

Wow, that's awesome.


Canadiens' Subban pledges $10 million to hospital

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=779258
- Streit2ThePoint

Too bad he is a terrible defender and horrible person inside

Wow, that's awesome.


Canadiens' Subban pledges $10 million to hospital

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=779258
- Streit2ThePoint

One of my favourite non flyers. Nothing not to like about the guy. I was hoping Montreal would poison the well for him and he'd be available but oh well. I know he can never do enough to please the media up there but I think he's turned the tide with the Habs fans.

Too bad he is a terrible defender and horrible person inside
- PhillySportsGuy

On the Flyers side of the ice, I joined the scrimmage in progress. Some things I saw:

- Gudas must have a perpetual playoff beard. His passes were not as sharp. Seemed to miss the intended target often. Got completely twisted up in his skates and tripped himself. Cursed as he picked himself off the ice. But he has a really nice shot. Hard, on net, low to thigh high.

- Umberger had decent speed on a couple of rushes. Read as well. Read scored, must have been on Neuvirth. Good rush, but honestly it looked more like the goalie flubbed it vs. an overpowering shot.

- Read looked like he was skating strong on suicides after the scrimmage.

- Giroux scored on a neat little break on the goalie. Got almost as excited as if it were a real game. Both G and Jake almost seemed to be smiling and laughing.

- B Schenn had a nice rush and got of a great shot....and was robbed by Mason. Mason earned a big cheer from the bench.

- Medevdev also earned a rousing stick tap from the bench completely rubbing a forward out with a firm hip check.

- Couturier flubbed a couple of offensive opportunities. The second time he was noticeably pissed, slamming his stick to the ice and shouting a NSFW work. That same "shift" his line had a better rush and he got of a decent shot.

- I'm pretty sure it was Vinnie who scored on a breakaway and had a really big grin. But after the scrimmage he was doing suicides and seemed to pull up. He skated out to center ice hunched over grimacing, and stayed there for a minute or two. He skated gingerly over to the bench, stayed there for 5 minutes, and then went to the locker room. Hopefully nothing serious. Or maybe hopefully to many.
- TheGreat28

Cool. Sounds like some positives. Thanks for these kind of updates. I'm feeling optimistic about this season, I have a feeling we see a few guys take steps in the right direction, specifically coots. I would say schenn,
But I personally think schenn HAS been developing since he entered the league. He's BETTERED His Point totals every year since entering the league. .

Cool. Sounds like some positives. Thanks for these kind of updates. I'm feeling optimistic about this season, I have a feeling we see a few guys take steps in the right direction, specifically coots. I would say schenn,
But I personally think schenn HAS been developing since he entered the league. He's BETTERED His Point totals every year since entering the league. .
- benjichronic

You think this is a playoff team? Just asking.

On the Flyers side of the ice, I joined the scrimmage in progress. Some things I saw:

- Gudas must have a perpetual playoff beard. His passes were not as sharp. Seemed to miss the intended target often. Got completely twisted up in his skates and tripped himself. Cursed as he picked himself off the ice. But he has a really nice shot. Hard, on net, low to thigh high.

- Umberger had decent speed on a couple of rushes. Read as well. Read scored, must have been on Neuvirth. Good rush, but honestly it looked more like the goalie flubbed it vs. an overpowering shot.

- Read looked like he was skating strong on suicides after the scrimmage.

- Giroux scored on a neat little break on the goalie. Got almost as excited as if it were a real game. Both G and Jake almost seemed to be smiling and laughing.

- B Schenn had a nice rush and got of a great shot....and was robbed by Mason. Mason earned a big cheer from the bench.

- Medevdev also earned a rousing stick tap from the bench completely rubbing a forward out with a firm hip check.

- Couturier flubbed a couple of offensive opportunities. The second time he was noticeably pissed, slamming his stick to the ice and shouting a NSFW work. That same "shift" his line had a better rush and he got of a decent shot.

- I'm pretty sure it was Vinnie who scored on a breakaway and had a really big grin. But after the scrimmage he was doing suicides and seemed to pull up. He skated out to center ice hunched over grimacing, and stayed there for a minute or two. He skated gingerly over to the bench, stayed there for 5 minutes, and then went to the locker room. Hopefully nothing serious. Or maybe hopefully to many.
- TheGreat28

Dear Lord, we have Happy Gilmore

One of my favourite non flyers. Nothing not to like about the guy. I was hoping Montreal would poison the well for him and he'd be available but oh well. I know he can never do enough to please the media up there but I think he's turned the tide with the Habs fans.
- mayorofangrytown

Love him.

If Nick Schultz is getting the hardest minutes on the team, then no, we are not making the playoffs.
- jmatchett383

Probably not, but there's no one better equipped to handle them on the current roster.

I also think it's unfair to characterize Hextall as gun-shy about playing young guys when he promoted Laughton to the NHL after he had only played 19 AHL games.