Speaking of injury concerns, has there been any concern with Patrick's time missed ? Has it hurt him going #1 at all? I know he missed a decent amount of the season but I truly haven't heard if it's impacted scouts ratings.
- arichardson22

I'm not thinking it has since he's been good since returning

Joined: 09.01.2012

Today @ 11:39 AM ET
Right, and then you went on a tirade about Ghost being the one doing the "questioning" and made a comment about him giving away freebees... My point is that ghost wasnt questioning anyone.. he was acknowledging Manning. Theres really nothing to talk about honestly.
- jak521

Based on what I was told.

SuperSchenn you repeay say you didn't see the interview, then you repeatly say Manning sucks,is this what someone told you or do you even watch the games. I think he is the perfect 6/7 guy going forward , he stands up for his teammates, has a low Cap hit and judging by Haks use of him seems to do Ok. Should he be top 4 ? No but nut Hak doesn't have a lot to chose from right now till prospects are ready, he wasn't a first round bust like Morins probably gonna be , and he's under a million , there's a reason Delzotto makes 3 million a year more than him , he's better. Manning doesn't suck he is what there paying for . He definitely isn't that bad.

I still believe it will either be Read or Weise taken.

I think that can help in multiple ways and are on deals that are manageable for the expansion team.
- J35Bacher

I'd be happy if one of them were taken. Then again, I wouldn't be upset at all if it's any of Bellemare, Read, Weise, Raffl, Neuvy. I'd be a little sad about Cousins just because I love his chirping lol.

I'd be happy if one of them were taken. Then again, I wouldn't be upset at all if it's any of Bellemare, Read, Weise, Raffl, Neuvy. I'd be a little sad about Cousins just because I love his chirping lol.
- arichardson22

I'm kind of the same on Cousins. PUT A MIC on him damn it!

My first try with lottery simulator we got the 1st. 2nd try we got the 3rd overall. And 3rd try we got the 2nd overall. Mark my words...The Flyers will end up with a top 3 pick this draft.
- arichardson22

with how often a team jumps in those simulators...it is almost like there is some funny business going on with the real draft

Are the top ranked players in this draft expected to jump right into the NHL next season?

I'm not thinking it has since he's been good since returning
- dragonoffrost

I know he missed a good bit of this season, but if I remember correctly, he's had injury problems even prior. Maybe even an injury every season he's played between his shoulder and hernia(s). Just wonder if teams would worry about him being injury prone.

I'm kind of the same on Cousins. PUT A MIC on him damn it!
- dragonoffrost

I think they're scared to

with how often a team jumps in those simulators...it is almost like there is some funny business going on with the real draft
- YuenglingJagr

If there is, we deserve some funny business to make up for the Patty Kane shenanigans.

Are the top ranked players in this draft expected to jump right into the NHL next season?
- MJL

You know, that's one thing I haven't heard at all about this draft class. The past two drafts they were saying which players were NHL ready mid season it feels or players that were "locks" to make it out of camp.

You know, that's one thing I haven't heard at all about this draft class. The past two drafts they were saying which players were NHL ready mid season it feels or players that were "locks" to make it out of camp.
- arichardson22

Sounds about right.

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish given his comments about Konecny needing their "structure."

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?

Are the top ranked players in this draft expected to jump right into the NHL next season?
- MJL

From what I have read, neither Patrick nor Hischier are locks to be automatic NHLers their first year. I haven't even seen enough that would guarantee they are even top line #1 option types in the NHL. And after that, the rest of the draft available players are ranked all over the place. Which is why I find all this "tank to move up a few spots" talk kind of laughable.

I'm kind of the same on Cousins. PUT A MIC on him damn it!
- dragonoffrost

Speaking of Cousins, I think I finally put my finger on who he reminds me of. Remember Phillips from The Sandlot? The kid Porter says you play ball like a girl to... he's like him but obviously has much better comebacks

Is it just Laughton who's being ruined in the AHL, or are Hagg, Morin and Leier also being ruined down there?
- Feanor

Nope just him...Leier is already ahead of him on call up list...Others are as usual for you comparing apples to watermelons...

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish.

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?
- Mononoke

I felt like saying something...but tbh I didnt have it in me...plus I figured you'd rather drive the bus.

I will add that ALL of my criticism of his has been relative to the constant need to put Vandevelde and Bellemare on the "4th" line and PK together. The criticism comes from them playing rather than others, not the fact that someone gets scratched here and there and acting like it is going to ruin a players development. That is where he deserves the criticism he gets from most (non-troll) people

Are the top ranked players in this draft expected to jump right into the NHL next season?
- MJL

I think Nolan Patrick could come in and do what Tkachuk has done this year. Outside of him, probably not.

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish.

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?
- Mononoke

I think there are a number of reasonable criticisms that can be levied against Hakstol that are fair. What I enjoy the most is the invented fantasy criticism of Hakstol and his systems being an issue. From the same source who claims that the AHL head coach has no systems, and even to the point of stating that the AHL team has no breakout system. I think there is common denominator there. Especially when those criticizing a coaches system couldn't tell you what their system is, or any other hockey system.
I've heard the line complaints all season long, and it's been absurd. There is no question that having Konecny on the 4th line is not ideal, and I personally don't agree with it, but I understand it. There seems to be a culture of criticizing the coach for anything and everything on here, and I'll use the same term to describe it, it's BS. Coaches handle young players the way they do for a reason.

From what I have read, neither Patrick nor Hischier are locks to be automatic NHLers their first year. I haven't even seen enough that would guarantee they are even top line #1 option types in the NHL. And after that, the rest of the draft available players are ranked all over the place. Which is why I find all this "tank to move up a few spots" talk kind of laughable.
- MBFlyerfan

It make no sense. We will only move like 3 spots and no matter what you are gonna get a good player. Some people have Mittelstadt up at three and others have him at 10.. I think he goes around 5-6. So yeah, like you said, people are all over the place.

I do personally think Patrick could come in and make an impact like I said to MJL

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish given his comments about Konecny needing their "structure."

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?
- Mononoke

firstly I hate Konecny on the 4th line. Really believe Read belongs there. but I do understand Hakstol's leash with him to a degree. He really does still make plays that he needs to understand he cannot do at the NHL level where he got away with it in juniors. I am not talking about stifling his creativity. for instance in the neutral zone surrounded by 3 players he has tried to force a play instead of just chipping it in.

but yeah I want him in the top 9 and off of the 4th line

Man with such good coaching and everything else - it's a true wonder this team isn't primed for a cup run.

Must just be unlucky.

Man with such good coaching and everything else - it's a true wonder this team isn't primed for a cup run.

Must just be unlucky.
- flyer_nutter

firstly I hate Konecny on the 4th line. Really believe Read belongs there. but I do understand Hakstol's leash with him to a degree. He really does still make plays that he needs to understand he cannot do at the NHL level where he got away with it in juniors. I am not talking about stifling his creativity. for instance in the neutral zone surrounded by 3 players he has tried to force a play instead of just chipping it in.

but yeah I want him in the top 9 and off of the 4th line
- nastyflyergirl

He does that a lot, but in fairness to him, he is also usually the only one in the offensive half of the ice... chip it in there and its a clear turnover. Its frustrating. He is trying to make something out of nothing... sometimes you just have to kill time and limit risks.

He does that a lot, but in fairness to him, he is also usually the only one in the offensive half of the ice... chip it in there and its a clear turnover. Its frustrating. He is trying to make something out of nothing... sometimes you just have to kill time and limit risks.
- jak521

Would you rather have that turnover behind the opposing goal line or in the neutral zone? I think that's the point. Either way he plays it it's going to be a turnover, the safer spot for it is deep in the offensive zone.

First off, are we actually trying to use Hitch as a gold standard for handling young players and point to how Hakstol isn't as bad as him there? That's not high praise.

Secondly, it's legit to gripe with Konecny's BS usage. It doesn't void how he's been given good minutes most of the year, but it still makes it equally or more illogical given that fact. Or best 5v5 scorer is being given the least minutes on the team alongside two of the worst (that's not understatement....they're among league worst and not even NHL caliber in their scoring ability) to completely nerf his offense. That's nonsense. There's nothing he or the team gains from it, and it probably has as much to do with his 4th line fetish.

Lastly, I do enjoy how the argument against those criticizing Hakstol is to simply argue about his player usage and completely ignore the bigger issue in the critique: how he coaches the X's and O's, with his systems. That's a lot more worrisome at the moment. Or are we not allowed to critique that either?
- Mononoke

No. If they're being paid by an NHL club they are at the top of their profession and can't be doing anything wrong because, hey, a guy who played a game for a living is obviously way smarter then the rest of us.

There's never been a bad coach or dumb GM hired. I've been watching the NHL since the early seventies and believe me, it's never happened.

And if you don't believe me you have a cacophony of brain scientists online to back me up.