All coaches have their pet guys that they trust, no matter what.

Vandevelde might be to Hakstol what Jody Hull was to Roger Neilson for all we know.
- johndewar

I get that, and I'm sure I'd be the same way were I a coach. You have players that you just feel comfortable with and trust. But based solely on talent and on-ice play, many (including myself) don't feel that he should be cemented into the roster like he is. I understand why he is, but I don't have to like it.

Important updates:

In a video on the Flyers site, Provy says his favorite Halloween costume was when he dressed as Ivan Drago from Rocky IV for a couple Halloweens. Yesssssss.

And Lyubimov speaks English quite well. Better than that no good drunk whose name we shall not utter.
- Mononoke

Mike Richards?

Mike Richards?
- corduroy

He probably doesn't belong in the NHL, but for the amount of poop that dude takes here and on twitter, you'd think the guy sucked while making $5million dollars per year and playing top 6 minutes.

He's a 4th line ham-and-egger making 700k. He's hardly the reason why this team is so inconsistent and the amount of energy worrying about him is just silly.
- johndewar

Exactly. Franking dudes here need to give it a rest. CV is on the roster and is going to suit up every night. Plus he's not hurting them. He goes out there, does his job, and sits down. Accept it and move on.

I think it's less about his play and more about his security. When the coach has to sit a player, somehow CV (for you, Scoob) always gets a pass. All of the other 4th liners, even some 3rd liners, have sat since Hakstol became coach, but never CV. I think that's a part of the problem, that he's teflon compared to everyone else. I agree that he's not the difference between winning a not winning a Cup, but I don't think he's irreplaceable or above sitting at times. But when it comes to a player sitting or getting sent to the AHL to make room, you know that it will not be CV even if he deserves it more than others.
- jmatchett383

:-)

Exactly. Franking dudes here need to give it a rest. CV is on the roster and is going to suit up every night. Plus he's not hurting them. He goes out there, does his job, and sits down. Accept it and move on.
- Scoob

I think people understand he'll be in the lineup. I think it bugs people when a player like Cousins comes out of the lineup while Vandevelde stays in. If this is a team in transition than you would like to see Cousins stays in than over a guy like Vandevelde.

When everyone is healthy, who is coming out of the lineup? Most likely it's going to be Cousins. I think that is what bothers people. A more skilled guy comes out of the lineup to accommodate a lesser skilled limited player.

- jmatchett383

Ah the good old Rowan days.

All coaches have their pet guys that they trust, no matter what.

Vandevelde might be to Hakstol what Jody Hull was to Roger Neilson for all we know.
- johndewar

Torts and Dubinsky...

Who is arguing that Gudas is a top-pair player? I think he may be one by default on this team right now, but I don't think anyone thinks he is top-pair material. The closest we have to that is MDZ and he's hurt right now.
- jmatchett383

Mononoke. His absolute belief in this won't fade.

I think people understand he'll be in the lineup. I think it bugs people when a player like Cousins comes out of the lineup while Vandevelde stays in. If this is a team in transition than you would like to see Cousins stays in than over a guy like Vandevelde.

When everyone is healthy, who is coming out of the lineup? Most likely it's going to be Cousins. I think that is what bothers people. A more skilled guy comes out of the lineup to accommodate a lesser skilled limited player.
- J35Bacher

The whining gets old.

Mononoke. His absolute belief in this won't fade.
- SuperSchennBros

Well, I've yet to see him do so. But in my opinion, anyone who thinks he is top-pair material is wrong. Again, on team like Philadelphia without a legit top-pair guy, he may be one be default...but that doesn't mean he's slotted correctly.

The whining gets old.
- Scoob

Without whining, complaining, pontificating and massive overreaction, this site would cease to exist.

The whining gets old.
- Scoob

It's never stopped us before

AMac
CS / CVV / VDV
#fancy
"facts"

Well, I've yet to see him do so. But in my opinion, anyone who thinks he is top-pair material is wrong. Again, on team like Philadelphia without a legit top-pair guy, he may be one be default...but that doesn't mean he's slotted correctly.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely.
This may tick some folks off, but on a truly top team, MDZ/Gudas would be a 2nd pair, Ghost/Manning the 3rd and Streit the aging veteran 7th guy. Provorov would be stuck playing junior and Schultz would be the guy you pick up cheap at the deadline for depth. AMac would have never been signed.

Absolutely.
This may tick some folks off, but on a truly top team, MDZ/Gudas would be a 2nd pair, Ghost/Manning the 3rd and Streit the aging veteran 7th guy. Provorov would be stuck playing junior and Schultz would be the guy you pick up cheap at the deadline for depth. AMac would have never been signed.
- BiggE

No question. I'm with you 100%.

Absolutely.
This may tick some folks off, but on a truly top team, MDZ/Gudas would be a 2nd pair, Ghost/Manning the 3rd and Streit the aging veteran 7th guy. Provorov would be stuck playing junior and Schultz would be the guy you pick up cheap at the deadline for depth. AMac would have never been signed.
- BiggE

Pretty much.

They'll need to clear about 1.027M when Del Zotto and Laughton are ready to come back. Laughton can go right down to the AHL, but I don't know if they'll do that. They'll have 8 defenseman and 15 forwards when both are ready, so something has to happen.
- MJL

I would send Laughton down for "conditioning" regardless.

I would send Laughton down for "conditioning" regardless.
- nastyflyergirl

isn't "conditioning" a limited time trip to the A?

I would send Laughton down for "conditioning" regardless.
- nastyflyergirl

I think Laughton is destined to be sent to LV once he's cleared.

He probably doesn't belong in the NHL, but for the amount of poop that dude takes here and on twitter, you'd think the guy sucked while making $5million dollars per year and playing top 6 minutes.

He's a 4th line ham-and-egger making 700k. He's hardly the reason why this team is so inconsistent and the amount of energy worrying about him is just silly.
- johndewar

Truth be told he likely wouldn't be in my starting line up. That doesn't mean I don't respect that he plays a hard trust worthy game night in and night out. He's a perfect 13th forward. When he's in the line up, he's working his ass off.

It was pretty sad to see people celebrating his absence while he was away for the birth of his daughter.

isn't "conditioning" a limited time trip to the A?
- dragonoffrost

Yes and no. You can send a player coming off of IR to the AHL even if he has a NMC as a "conditioning stint." Since Laughton doesn't have one, he can be "conditioning" indeterminably.

Streit has 3 goals 8 pts in 11 games.

Does he have any value right now?

Just curious with Del Zotto coing back and a lot of teams with injuries.

Just changing it up from Vandevelde.

Streit has 3 goals 8 pts in 11 games.

Does he have any value right now?

Just curious with Del Zotto coing back and a lot of teams with injuries.

Just changing it up from Vandevelde.
- J35Bacher

He has stats, but I don't think they tell the whole story. I do think he has some value, though.

He has stats, but I don't think they tell the whole story. I do think he has some value, though.
- jmatchett383

I think this is the issue he has the numbers but the GM of the team acquiring him will also look at tape and see the gaffes.

Agreed!

I'd go with:
1. Ghost, G, Jake
2. Coots, Konecny, Provorov
3. Schenn, Lyubimov or Raffl once he returns, Streit

I wouldn't let AMac on the ice, his offensive skills are pathetic, and I probably wouldn't use Simmer because he really isn't good with the puck on his stick and I want guys who have both good speed and possession skills along with overall skill.
- BiggE

Simmonds!