frackin quote broke website

At Manning's expense maybe, and yeah, probably AMac too.
- Tomahawk

Gotcha. I haven't seen Hagg play, but we all remember when he got drafted that he had the tools to do this

Not turning this into a referendum on Manning and AMac; they've played NHL hockey and I'm typing on a laptop

But it would be really nice to, quite frankly, have some guys with physical gifts start pushing our "scrappy underdogs" and "savvy veterans" out

Huh. Just for the hell of it in mid-June, are you thinking AMac's going to Lehigh Valley, almost guaranteed?
- AllInForFlyers

I look at it like this.

Definites: (barring no trades)
MDZ
Ghost
Gudas
Streit
Schultz

Most likely:
Manning
Provorov

Possible, but unlikely:
A-Mac
Morin

That would leave you with a top 6 of something along the lines of

MDZ-Streit
Ghost-Gudas
Schultz-Prov
Manning

call up:
Morin
Hagg

Happy birthday Rico!! One of the classiest players to ever wear the orange and black, he was my favorite Flyer during the Lindros era.

When I list the top Flyers d-men of all time, Rico will always be a solid #2 on the list behind Mark Howe..
- MBFlyerfan

LOL, that's where I have him. Though, if Pronger had been able to play a couple more healthy seasons, he may have passed him.

I look at it like this.

Definites: (barring no trades)
MDZ
Ghost
Gudas
Streit
Schultz

Most likely:
Manning
Provorov

Possible, but unlikely:
A-Mac
Morin

That would leave you with a top 6 of something along the lines of

MDZ-Streit
Ghost-Gudas
Schultz-Prov
Manning

call up:
Morin
Hagg
- jak521

I still like MDZ with Gudas...think Streit's gonna need to be sheltered next year, but I get where you're coming from

Yes.... Hägg finished very strong. The problem was that he took a step backwards in the first 4/5 of the season after a strong training camp with the Flyers/Phantoms.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill. so when you say very strong, are you expecting him to maybe last a little longer this time around in training camp and possibly threaten for a spot on the big club, if of course his play carries over? Is is very strong just compared to his earlier season struggles and you expect him once again to be on LHV's opening night roster?

At Manning's expense maybe, and yeah, probably AMac too.
- Tomahawk

I think AMac is going to LHV again this year, regardless.

I look at it like this.

Definites: (barring no trades)
MDZ
Ghost
Gudas
Streit
Schultz

Most likely:
Manning
Provorov

Possible, but unlikely:
A-Mac
Morin

That would leave you with a top 6 of something along the lines of

MDZ-Streit
Ghost-Gudas
Schultz-Prov
Manning

call up:
Morin
Hagg
- jak521

Sounds about right, except for the pairings, I'd go with:

MDZ-Gudas
Ghost-Schultz
Provorov-Streit

I would put Schultz and Streit together as the #2 pair on the PK and when you shorten the bench late while protecting a lead. Also, late in games when trailing and you shorten the bench, I'd go with:

MDZ-Ghost
Provorov-Streit

I look at it like this.

Definites: (barring no trades)
MDZ
Ghost
Gudas
Streit
Schultz

Most likely:
Manning
Provorov

Possible, but unlikely:
A-Mac
Morin

That would leave you with a top 6 of something along the lines of

MDZ-Streit
Ghost-Gudas
Schultz-Prov
Manning

call up:
Morin
Hagg
- jak521

I've got Prov in possible but unlikely... Hexy so patient.

Gotcha. I haven't seen Hagg play, but we all remember when he got drafted that he had the tools to do this

Not turning this into a referendum on Manning and AMac; they've played NHL hockey and I'm typing on a laptop

But it would be really nice to, quite frankly, have some guys with physical gifts start pushing our "scrappy underdogs" and "savvy veterans" out
- AllInForFlyers

Hagg's paid his dues, and it's gonna be make or break for him in the next 12-24 months with this team. If he even has a decent camp, I suspect they'll want to give him a shot to stick.

I've got Prov in possible but unlikely... Hexy so patient.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, a lot will depend on whether one of the vet Dmen is moved in the off season.

Hagg's paid his dues, and it's gonna be make or break for him in the next 12-24 months with this team. If he even has a decent camp, I suspect they'll want to give him a shot to stick.
- Tomahawk

Perhaps, he's still very young though. I don't think they'd have a problem with both he and Morin at least starting the year in LHV.

I've got Prov in possible but unlikely... Hexy so patient.
- Tomahawk

I think I agree. He will really have to blow the doors off. He is certainly capable of it. But again, he is another case of where it probably wont be very beneficial for him to play another year in juniors. But you also don't want him as seating host for the Cote Suite in the NHL if he gets overwhelmed.


http://articles.philly.co...l-said-hextall-the-flyers

I think I agree. He will really have to blow the doors off. He is certainly capable of it. But again, he is another case of where it probably wont be very beneficial for him to play another year in juniors. But you also don't want him as seating host for the Cote Suite in the NHL if he gets overwhelmed.


http://articles.philly.co...l-said-hextall-the-flyers
- MBFlyerfan

i wonder if maybe going to a league like the SHL for a year would benefit him? I get bigger rink and what not, but JR's is almost a joke at this point.

Maybe college if that is even possible?

Thanks Bill. They don't make many D-men like DJ anymore. Any chance that he becomes an assistant coach for LHV?
My opinion, but I would hesitate to put Gudas on the second pairing. I like the grit he brings, but as we witnessed with Coby, you may be asking too much from him. In addition, he seemed to show some chemistry with Manning. So, do you let the kids continue to hone their skills at the lower level, or do you bring them up? I know it's not the D that is ideal, however we maybe stuck with some of the guys a little while longer; if Hexy sticks to his plan.
My worry at this time, is the forwards. Do we stick with Read? Do we move V-check back up, and Simmer down a notch? Also, how do we get some of these guys to play a two way game? Too many times, they got ahead of the puck, stood around waiting for the puck to come to them, or went for a line change when they couldn't make it back into their own zone in time. I am not asking them to be full time D-men, but at this level, you would at least think that the effort would be there.

Paul Holmgren, the Flyers president, said last week that Hextall would be patient in putting young players on the roster next season.

"Knowing Ron the way I do, I think he would rather overcook them than bring them up too rare," he said.

Nice analogy Homer

Nice analogy Homer
- Tomahawk

I cant wait. In the comments the guy says he is infinitely better than Ghost. INFINITELY!

I look at it like this.

Definites: (barring no trades)
MDZ
Ghost
Gudas
Streit
Schultz

Most likely:
Manning
Provorov

Possible, but unlikely:
A-Mac
Morin

That would leave you with a top 6 of something along the lines of

MDZ-Streit
Ghost-Gudas
Schultz-Prov
Manning

call up:
Morin
Hagg
- jak521

Wow, that D is weak. Not much to be done about it but certainly the Achilles Heal of the team. I know we said it last year and they surprised but seriously, can a blind squirrel find another nut? Obviously in a few years it looks great with develpment but right now.....

Wow, that D is weak. Not much to be done about it but certainly the Achilles Heal of the team. I know we said it last year and they surprised but seriously, can a blind squirrel find another nut? Obviously in a few years it looks great with develpment but right now.....
- coffee junkie

I dont think thats that bad. The bottom 6 are what is holding this team back now.

I know the #1 dman is the most important...but on paper that defense isnt much worse than Pittsburghs

It is the sum of all their parts that matter

LOL, that's where I have him. Though, if Pronger had been able to play a couple more healthy seasons, he may have passed him.
- BiggE

one of my biggest tormentors is thinking what could have been had his career not been cut short. he still played at such a high level at 35, we can only imagine what else he couldve done in the O&B

From Preds blog, and something I bet Bill is aware of....

Best wishes to Dallas play-by-play man Dave Strader… the team announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

Best of luck to him and his family. He is a great announcer and a joy to listen to back when he was doing more national games.

Hagg's paid his dues, and it's gonna be make or break for him in the next 12-24 months with this team. If he even has a decent camp, I suspect they'll want to give him a shot to stick.
- Tomahawk

There's no way Hagg will be on the Flyers to start the season. He needs to worry about getting off the Phantoms third pairing first. And he's waiver exempt for two more years so there's no reason for Hextall to rush him.

Schultz, Streit, MDZ, Neuvirth, and Mason all playing for contracts next year. Could be a stronger look from the D and G.

Schultz, Streit, MDZ, Neuvirth, and Mason all playing for contracts next year. Could be a stronger look from the D and G.
- PhiFaninEdm

Dont forget Ghost