OK, a question for anybody who watched multiple games of the Phantoms last season.

Mark Alt played 72 games last year, which is a relatively healthy season. He is 24, going to be 25 at the start of the season.

Can he win a job on the NHL roster, or should I just move on and quit hoping that someone who supposedly has tools makes the leap?

OK, a question for anybody who watched multiple games of the Phantoms last season.

Mark Alt played 72 games last year, which is a relatively healthy season. He is 24, going to be 25 at the start of the season.

Can he win a job on the NHL roster, or should I just move on and quit hoping that someone who supposedly has tools makes the leap?
- AllInForFlyers

Starting to seem more like Brandon Manning than Tom Bladon

Starting to seem more like Brandon Manning than Tom Bladon
- Jsaquella

LOL

I'm just wondering if it's possible they re-signed him because they thought he could truly compete for a job? Not that you don't need defenders at the AHL level, but it's one of those things where I wonder if you do that yet don't think he has any shot at all

LOL

I'm just wondering if it's possible they re-signed him because they thought he could truly compete for a job? Not that you don't need defenders at the AHL level, but it's one of those things where I wonder if you do that yet don't think he has any shot at all
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know. From what people who closely watch the Phantoms have said, he's been fine. He looked OK in the NHL game he played. Might just be a system guy. Given the dearth of RH shots, I'm kind of surprised he hasn't gotten more of a chance.

I don't know. From what people who closely watch the Phantoms have said, he's been fine. He looked OK in the NHL game he played. Might just be a system guy. Given the dearth of RH shots, I'm kind of surprised he hasn't gotten more of a chance.
- Jsaquella

Thanks for the insight, though -- it's pretty sad, but I almost never just give up hoping for some of them

Lots of places had Rubtsov ahead of Jones. And they're both 2-3 years away. We have LW prospects closer than that in Lindblom and NAK.

http://www.mynhldraft.com...draft/nhl-draft-rankings/

You'll also see Pascal Laberge on several of those top 30 rankings.
- Feanor

You sent me a web site of mock drafts where it's split down the middle between the two players.

I wouldn't want to see a kid who doesn't turn 18 for a few days go to the AHL. That's probably not worth bringing him over for anyway.

The CHL route I quite like. His 3 zone game is as mature as anyone his age. Allowing him to cultivate and explore his offensive capabilities against his peers sounds good. I'd love to see Allison go to Brandon too. Play a year on Patrick's wing -- then go to the AHL.
- Mononoke

I agree. But there can be exceptions. Being in the AHL at 18, weighing all of 165 pounds and not yet speaking English, didn't stop Vaclav Prospal from going on to a pretty good 1000+ game NHL career.

I agree. But there can be exceptions. Being in the AHL at 18, weighing all of 165 pounds and not yet speaking English, didn't stop Vaclav Prospal from going on to a pretty good 1000+ game NHL career.
- bmeltzer

I think Rubtsov is so smart and capable in all 3 zones, he could. I just think gaining offensive confidence is of primary importance with a player like that. Seeing what he is capable of with the puck on his stick, maybe taking a few more skilled risks. Of course going to the KHL is even harder than the AHL probably. I do greedily want to see him in NA.

So, according to Friedman, Shipachyov over in the KHL may indeed actually be able to come over to the NHL. He tore up the KHL and the World Championship. He'd be a fascinating get, presumably at center. He's 29 but would be a major offensive catalyst.

general mood on your organization's weekend?

So I've been reading up on Carter Hart. He has been training with the same sports psychologist and vision trainer as Brayden Holtby for several years already. He also trains with a former Flyers goalie coach. Seems like a super mature kid with some outstanding athleticism and tracking ability.

general mood on your organization's weekend?
- stayinthefnnet

I can't speak for everyone but I'm pretty happy with our picks.

Couple surprises but nothing earth shattering.

Very excited about Rubtsov, Laberge, and Hart

Any reason not to take a shot at Helm?

Any reason not to take a shot at Helm?
- wilsonecho91

Is he still a center or does he play wing now?

Is he still a center or does he play wing now?
- Mordecai

I think he is still a C. Don't know if he has played wing. Just know every time we play the wings he seems to be the one who is doing good things.

I think he is still a C. Don't know if he has played wing. Just know every time we play the wings he seems to be the one who is doing good things.
- wilsonecho91

Maybe a more productive version of Read?

Is he still a center or does he play wing now?
- Mordecai

I believe he played wing for Datsyuk for much of the year, as a top 6 player. He didn't do so great at it.

I like Helm, but it's a player that needs protecting because he will ask for good term. Supposedly he's also asking for a pretty high price tag...I think I read 4. Considering he scores like Raffl, it's pricey.

Maybe a more productive version of Read?
- Mordecai

He and Read are similar scorers over the last few years. Both good possssion players. He would instantly improve the 3rd line. The cost could be not great value though.

I believe he played wing for Datsyuk for much of the year, as a top 6 player. He didn't do so great at it.

I like Helm, but it's a player that needs protecting because he will ask for good term. Supposedly he's also asking for a pretty high price tag...I think I read 4. Considering he scores like Raffl, it's pricey.
- Mononoke

Yeah he seems a little redundant especially at 4m. I know he's fast but he's definitely just another passenger player

Yeah he seems a little redundant especially at 4m. I know he's fast but he's definitely just another passenger player
- Mordecai

I'd actually call him a play driver, even if he's not a huge scorer. He had a bit of a down possession year though, but his position changed and coach changed. He's the type of player you covet at his former contract. Give me one of those. Like a Raffl. As someone touching 30 as a 25-30 point 3C with injury history....I mean, hell, at $4 mil, just bump up another $1-2 for Nielsen or somebody. I think Cousins can play well all around and score 25 points anyway.

Holy smokes.....this Russian kid the Lightning drafted yesterday will devour Morin! I worry that Sam doesn't have enough size.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=324561

general mood on your organization's weekend?
- stayinthefnnet

Overall very content. Locked up a solid defenseman for a fair rate and term. Had a very good draft that filled a lot of organizational needs. Didn't overpay for anything in a trade.

Overall very content. Locked up a solid defenseman for a fair rate and term. Had a very good draft that filled a lot of organizational needs. Didn't overpay for anything in a trade.
- Jsaquella

Now the next question is will Hextall go UFA shopping. My guess is no, unless someone like Streit can be moved. I would like to see some needed scoring depth added
I still think Dallas could be a good fit for Streit... Need D and looks like they have cap space

Because as a fan I'm invested emotionally in the team. Fans with a relative high team identity - and most of us here qualify - process team news differently on a cognitive level. How does the information alter out perception about the attainment of team goals prior to the information being received. Quite simply, we evaluate whether moves the team makes, the team's successes and failures moves the needle closer to or further away from a championship.

Where it becomes unhealthy is when a fan transfers team identity to self-identify and allows the relative successes or failures of the team to color his own life. You seem to be implying that here, ironically to a more infrequent poster.




I wouldn't say they are smarter than us per se. They are much more knowledgeable about hockey and have better access to information. That doesn't make them infallible. And the more you believe that a draft is truly a crapshoot, then success is random and a factor of luck and strategy and information would give a player no advantage in the outcome. In other words, you or I could statistically do as well as Hextall over a long period of time. Actually, drafts are not strictly games of chance tho.



Holmgren failed to adapt to changing economics which stressed cheaper, team-developed assets. He continually out-negotiated himself and gave away the farm in contracts. In short, he built a strong core but never surrounded them with sustainable talent pool. 2010 was as much peaking at the right time and hot goaltending. And frankly I'd love to have the forward corps from 2010. It's exactly my point.



Skill is a qualitative concept. Now that the role of enforcer is mostly gone, anybody who plays in the league has some level of skill. I'm looking for more elite level vision and playmaking abilities or a knack for goal scoring. Jsaq turned me on to Kunin. Check out his highlight reel relative to Rubstovs.



Because if you believe Hextally, they specifically targeted GR as top of their list. Most pundits, knowledgeable ones, had other players with more offensive upside but less well rounded. Hexy clearly was willing to sacrifice some potential upside on offensive for a player who grades out higher on D. That's why I said they clearly don't.
- TheGreat28

I'd rather have a team with depth through 3 lines of 20 goal scorer types with 2 way games, than a top line heavy team with that has to over rely on that line and it's 40 goal sniper. That 40 goal sniper is nice to have, but not necessary.

It's a way that has shown to be effective at winning. Cannot fault a team for that. I just love when teams like Chicago, Pittsburgh and Tampa shove it up the ass of those kind of teams.
- flyer_nutter

Those 3 teams as a whole, don't play any differently than the other teams do. It seems to me that you have a stereotype of how teams play, rather than actually looking at how they do play. I've seen interview after interview asking Quenneville how he wants his team to play, and he always starts and stresses that he wants his team strong on the puck, and to take care of the defensive end, to transition offensively.