Per Cap friendly Laughton exempt, Cousins not.

Year they signed at decided the difference Laughton is 22 and signed at 18 so he has until age 23 or 160 games. Cousins is 23 signed at 19 and only gets until age 23 or 160 games.
- dragonoffrost

The way I read it, it was 70 games since he signed at 18.

/twss
- johndewar

I would hope not

I think he does. He's 22, signed his contract when he was 18, and has played 70 games. Doesn't that make him eligible? If not, how is Cousins eligible?
- jmatchett383

He signed his contract when he was 18 and didnt play his first two years (5 games dont count) so he gets to play 160 games

I would hope not
- Streit2ThePoint

I get the gut feeling that if you trade Laughton, he's one of those players that will benefit from another organization's patience, and you'll regret giving up on him.

I get the gut feeling that if you trade Laughton, he's one of those players that will benefit from another organization's patience, and you'll regret giving up on him.
- MJL

doesnt really matter if he gets picked in the expansion draft anyway

All of this talk about Konecny making the team is fun and all, but I think he'll have to dominate in the preseason games against real players to make it happen.

Last night was one game against the Albany Devils.

Of course Travis Konecny could play a 3rd line role. That's not up for debate.

The question becomes "Is that role going to help or hurt his development?".

I already told you what value I think he has. I think he has the value of a player who, yes, has more upside, but will not play in the league for at least 2 years on a team whose window is now. I also offered another player, Derrick Pouliot, a player who came in with great fanfare but who has not lived up to expectations.

Now would you care to tell me what value you think he has?
- jmatchett383

then I missed it if you told me.

so you think laughton would get you a pouliot in return? I disagree there. don't think the pens make that deal.

How does laughton help a team whose window is now? honest question what am I missing here?

Right now he gets you a mid rd pick or another guy was a prospect but is more suspect at this time; maybe a change of scenery deal. I wouldn't trade him for a mid rd pick just yet as need to see a little more. Not a guy I am going to worry about though if he is moved.

All of this talk about Konecny making the team is fun and all, but I think he'll have to dominate in the preseason games against real players to make it happen.

Last night was one game against the Albany Devils.

Of course Travis Konecny could play a 3rd line role. That's not up for debate.

The question becomes "Is that role going to help or hurt his development?".
- johndewar

Help

doesnt really matter if he gets picked in the expansion draft anyway
- YuenglingJagr

They may be forced to make a move at some point with expansion, but it still matters. I still believe that Laughton is going to be a good player.

Help
- PhillySportsGuy

I think Hextall is predisposed to not rushing young players. I think Konecny is going to have to "force" Hextall to keep him on the team. I don't know if a 3rd line spot does that.

I think Hextall is predisposed to not rushing young players. I think Konecny is going to have to "force" Hextall to keep him on the team. I don't know if a 3rd line spot does that.
- MJL

Wouldn't the ideal starting point be on a third line? Gets pretty regular minutes, but without the burden of having to produce regularly and match up against opposing top 6/top pair competition.

Wouldn't the ideal starting point be on a third line? Gets pretty regular minutes, but without the burden of having to produce regularly and match up against opposing top 6/top pair competition.
- PhillySportsGuy

If he is going to make the team, that's probably the only spot available that would be useful for his development.

Pulling 4th line minutes would not help him IMO.

I have seen Alt play. I have attended 60-74 Phantoms games each year for the past decade. He plays with intensity and with a chip on his shoulder. His defensive positioning is good and he can carry the puck. Actually has a decent shot when the opportunity is there. There have been stretches where he has been paired with much less experienced AHL partners and took the more defensive/steadying role. Last season, paired with Morin, is an example. I strongly believe that Alt is an NHL level player, if not with the Flyers, then somewhere else.

Wouldn't the ideal starting point be on a third line? Gets pretty regular minutes, but without the burden of having to produce regularly and match up against opposing top 6/top pair competition.
- PhillySportsGuy

Wouldn't the ideal starting point be on a third line? Gets pretty regular minutes, but without the burden of having to produce regularly and match up against opposing top 6/top pair competition.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall wouldn't want a situation where he is struggling with reduced ice time, in a 3rd line role, where he isn't going to get top ice time in the first place. Forcing Hextall to regret the decision, and possibly sending him to juniors later in the season.
It's also possible he would flourish, and earn more ice time with his play.

I want to see Konecny play later in the pre season, against more NHL players, in as close to an NHL regular season game environment as possible. I think it's clear that Konecny is going to be an impact player for the Flyers. It's just a question of when.

Wouldn't the ideal starting point be on a third line? Gets pretty regular minutes, but without the burden of having to produce regularly and match up against opposing top 6/top pair competition.
- PhillySportsGuy

This team is not in the "going for it" mode. You keep Konecny and put him on a 3rd line with PP2 time and the kid wouldn't have tons of pressure on him. We have a coach who spent years in the college ranks relating to young players. If the kid has a solid head on his shoulders I don't see the great danger in doing this. Burning an entry level year isn't as much of a concern as it used to be. Teams are figuring out the thing to do is lock promising young players into longer term deals at moderate salaries during the peak (22-27) years of their career.

I believe the game is changing. 8-10 years ago would Hitchcock stomach the thought of a 19 yoa 5'10 175lb Robby Fabbri in his lineup on a 3rd line as it happened last year? I wonder, and St. Louis didn't have near the need for him as the Flyers need Konecny.

If he is going to make the team, that's probably the only spot available that would be useful for his development.

Pulling 4th line minutes would not help him IMO.
- johndewar

I feel like people still view 3rd lines as "checking lines" when they really aren't. Your top 9 should be made up of scorers and two-way players.

I already told you what value I think he has. I think he has the value of a player who, yes, has more upside, but will not play in the league for at least 2 years on a team whose window is now. I also offered another player, Derrick Pouliot, a player who came in with great fanfare but who has not lived up to expectations.

Now would you care to tell me what value you think he has?
- jmatchett383

Its funny that there is such a big difference on how good or how good he'll be on Laughton.

I see an average player who could become a maybe a better than average player at this time. He has some tools but nothing that screams that I need to have him.

Right now I struggle with what I want to do with Laughton because of where he is right now, bottom 6 winger. He really needs to show something or there are guys that will take his spot as I think they have some depth there now.

Hextall wouldn't want a situation where he is struggling with reduced ice time, in a 3rd line role, where he isn't going to get top ice time in the first place. Forcing Hextall to regret the decision, and possibly sending him to juniors later in the season.
It's also possible he would flourish, and earn more ice time with his play.

I want to see Konecny play later in the pre season, against more NHL players, in as close to an NHL regular season game environment as possible. I think it's clear that Konecny is going to be an impact player for the Flyers. It's just a question of when.
- MJL

I'm looking forward to seeing him later in the preseason as well on a line and in a role they would carve out for him in the regular season. I don't see how 3rd line minutes would hurt a young forward. I believe they'll keep and play him in the preseason as much as they can. The idea of keeping Konecny would be improving the 3rd line which lends itself to playing more minutes, not a concern for me

I get the gut feeling that if you trade Laughton, he's one of those players that will benefit from another organization's patience, and you'll regret giving up on him.
- MJL

Can you say hello to Patrick Sharp

Hextall wouldn't want a situation where he is struggling with reduced ice time, in a 3rd line role, where he isn't going to get top ice time in the first place. Forcing Hextall to regret the decision, and possibly sending him to juniors later in the season.
It's also possible he would flourish, and earn more ice time with his play.

I want to see Konecny play later in the pre season, against more NHL players, in as close to an NHL regular season game environment as possible. I think it's clear that Konecny is going to be an impact player for the Flyers. It's just a question of when.
- MJL

The only point I'm making is that playing him on the third line is the ideal situation because he'll get around 12 minutes of ES ice time along with 2-3 PP2 time. That's pretty much exactly how you'd want to break a player in.

I'm not saying it's a done deal yet. I just think he'd need to play his way off the roster at this point.

I have seen Alt play. I have attended 60-74 Phantoms games each year for the past decade. He plays with intensity and with a chip on his shoulder. His defensive positioning is good and he can carry the puck. Actually has a decent shot when the opportunity is there. There have been stretches where he has been paired with much less experienced AHL partners and took the more defensive/steadying role. Last season, paired with Morin, is an example. I strongly believe that Alt is an NHL level player, if not with the Flyers, then somewhere else.
- AHLTraveler

Like I said, I have had limited viewing (most of it last season) and I was not all that blown away. He has a good set of skills, but there isnt much that I saw last year that would have him over anyone on the current roster... Not even Manning.

Can you say hello to Patrick Sharp
- jak521

Or Matt Ellsion?

I feel like people still view 3rd lines as "checking lines" when they really aren't. Your top 9 should be made up of scorers and two-way players.
- PhillySportsGuy

Also, I do like the mix of players he'd potentially play with on that line....all of those guys are roughly around the same age and play with a bit of an edge, but all have offensive upside.