I don't wanna be negative, but right now, none of Myers, Sanheim, Morin, or Hagg have proven anything at the NHL level. So until they do, I'm not gonna proclaim them as anything. Every reason to believe they will succeed at the NHL level, but they haven't yet.

The wya that I see it, the hope is that, with more skill, your 2nd PP unit come closer to matching the PP1 production. If the #1 unit draws top PK assignments, then the #2 unit would draw easier PK assignments. If you can add more skill to the #2 unit, they "easier" assignments should allow them better scoring chances. I don't think Provorov will have any ice time issues. The best way to earn PP time is to give the coach no reason to not put you out there.
- jmatchett383

I do agree that prospects have to prove they can play at the NHL level. I think Sanheim has the skating and the offensive ability to play at the NHL right now, but I don't know for certain.

I agree on the 2nd PP will hopefully be able to produce at a better clip with more skill. But I do think someone will have less ice time because they are on the 2nd PP, instead of the 1st with the amount of skill we have coming up on the d line. But, that goes back to your original point where the prospects have to prove they can play at the NHL level.....Again, good problem to have!

If he can put up 30-35 ES points and 10PP points I would be thrilled, but I don't think he will be a PP guy if he doesn't start scoring on the PP this upcoming year.

When the d prospects come up, I would imagine that they play on the PP over him on the left wall (Provy, Ghost, Meyers, Sanheim, Friedman?). That makes him available for net front or high slot. The scouting report on Lindblom is he is net front guy, so I would like to see him there, so that only leaves high slot for Couts.

With all that said, who is to say what the Flyers will look like in two years, so it's probably futile to think about what the PP in two years.
- VladDrag

He put up 31 ES points this season and 2 PP, so at that point you're only asking him to get better at 5v4. I think he can and should get to the 40 point mark at ES.

Right now, the following NHL defensemen are signed throughout next season:

Provorov
Ghost (RFA)
Gudas
Manning
AMac

That leaves 2 spots, assuming they want to carry 7D and don't make any transactions concerning the D. However, I suspect they will add a bottom-pair type of guy through UFA, leaving 1 spot open. Now, they could always waive Manning or AMac to open up a spot, but I think they want the kids filling out the AHL blue line, and I don't think they want one of the kids sitting.

All in all, I'm saying I think 1 starts the year in the NHL and another is worked in throughout the season, with all getting a cup of coffee.
- jmatchett383

Not only do they not want Manning and AMac taking up spots in the AHL that a kid could have, but I think they (Hextall and Hakstol) legitimately like Manning, specifically, and view him as part of their top 6.

Right now, the following NHL defensemen are signed throughout next season:

Provorov
Ghost (RFA)
Gudas
Manning
AMac

That leaves 2 spots, assuming they want to carry 7D and don't make any transactions concerning the D. However, I suspect they will add a bottom-pair type of guy through UFA, leaving 1 spot open. Now, they could always waive Manning or AMac to open up a spot, but I think they want the kids filling out the AHL blue line, and I don't think they want one of the kids sitting.

All in all, I'm saying I think 1 starts the year in the NHL and another is worked in throughout the season, with all getting a cup of coffee.
- jmatchett383

Didnt Hextall just say they werent going to do anything that would block the d-prospects?

Didnt Hextall just say they werent going to do anything that would block the d-prospects?
- jak521

I dont think adding a guy that is capable of filling in on defense as blocking the d-prospects. What Hextall means is that he isn't going to sign Kevin Shattenkirk for 6 years

I do agree that prospects have to prove they can play at the NHL level. I think Sanheim has the skating and the offensive ability to play at the NHL right now, but I don't know for certain.

I agree on the 2nd PP will hopefully be able to produce at a better clip with more skill. But I do think someone will have less ice time because they are on the 2nd PP, instead of the 1st with the amount of skill we have coming up on the d line. But, that goes back to your original point where the prospects have to prove they can play at the NHL level.....Again, good problem to have!
- VladDrag

2nd pp...lindblom, weal, filpulla, sanheim, provorov

Lindblom low, filpulla high slot, weal at g's spot, sanheim at jakes spot, provorov the point

He put up 31 ES points this season and 2 PP, so at that point you're only asking him to get better at 5v4. I think he can and should get to the 40 point mark at ES.
- YuenglingJagr

He had 27 points in 66 games at 5v5 which puts him at about 33 ES points in 82 games, which I am happy with (if he can chip in some on 2PP). He would have had to scored 5 more points in the 66 games he played to get to the 40 ES pace. Not impossible at all. One extra point per 13 games....

After analysis, I agree with you.


Edit - If he scores 40 ES points this year, he's a top 25 ES point producer, which I don't know if he's on that level. I think 34-38 ES points should be his target.

I dont think adding a guy that is capable of filling in on defense as blocking the d-prospects. What Hextall means is that he isn't going to sign Kevin Shattenkirk for 6 years
- YuenglingJagr

I just figured with us seeing Morin and Hagg (albeit just a taste) that those guys we basically in line to make the jump next year. Both have played over 150 AHL games. With there already being 5 guys, I figured those two would likely get the remaining two spots. Also with Sanheim more than likely ready for a role, adding another D-man wouldnt make sense.

Didnt Hextall just say they werent going to do anything that would block the d-prospects?
- jak521

I don't think adding a 5/6/7 guys (think of another Manning type) is going to block any of the kids.

I don't think adding a 5/6/7 guys (think of another Manning type) is going to block any of the kids.
- jmatchett383

Just don't see a need. Hagg is ready for this role. I think morin is a bigger question mark to see if he sticks permanently

based on Hextall's comment that he expects the Flyers to be ranked in the single digit rank age wise as well as the kids will be here sooner rather than later, I fully expect Morin and Hagg to be on the team. I will be greatly disappointed if they are not.

what I HOPE happens is Weal signs and Weal, Stolarz, Lindblom, Vecchione, Laughton and Leier EARN and WIN spots on the team and they move on from some of the older guys like Read and CVV. not saying I expect all of them to make it, it would just make me happy if they legit played so well and won the jobs.

Just don't see a need. Hagg is ready for this role. I think morin is a bigger question mark to see if he sticks permanently
- Just5

You know he's ready for that NHL role 82 times a year by watching a handful of AHL games and a game of shinny?

I'm not saying he can't do it (and he shouldn't be a 7th), I'm just saying he's yet to do it, so I'm not handing it to him. I think he should be given the opportunity, though.

He did this last year too with Schenn.

Just don't see a need. Hagg is ready for this role. I think morin is a bigger question mark to see if he sticks permanently
- Just5

exactly where I am at.

Who are we gonna get that we could get low cost low term and would be better than Morin or Hagg?

Just don't see a need. Hagg is ready for this role. I think morin is a bigger question mark to see if he sticks permanently
- Just5

I want to agree but you never know with prospects.

I wouldn't be against a low risk/high reward type like maybe Kulikov coming off injury if you can get him on a 1 or two year deal.

Plus you can never rule a trade from depth to maybe try and get an impact forward.

I just figured with us seeing Morin and Hagg (albeit just a taste) that those guys we basically in line to make the jump next year. Both have played over 150 AHL games. With there already being 5 guys, I figured those two would likely get the remaining two spots. Also with Sanheim more than likely ready for a role, adding another D-man wouldnt make sense.
- jak521

The only way I would be happy to see the Flyers getting another D-man this off season would be to trade for one to better utilize their ED spots. I think protecting Manning would be a waste of spot.

It would have to be the right deal, a d-man with no more than 2 years left. I wouldn't want to see a trade just for a trade

exactly where I am at.

Who are we gonna get that we could get low cost low term and would be better than Morin or Hagg?
- jak521

I don't know how good Morin or Hagg will be at the NHL for an 82-game season yet, so I'm not sure.

http://sonsofpenn.com/osk...in-flyers-coach-confirms/

Couturier is a good 2 way center. I have always thought the Flyers get their best value out of the player when he's playing against the other teams best players. Call it second line center? call it third line center I don't think it matters. It appears him and Schenn have some nice chemistry so hopefully if they are both still here next year that is something that continues. As Hextall, so rightly pointed out, it's not about top 6 it's more about the top 9. Perhaps everyone's angst with Couturier goes back a few years to his playoff series against Pittsburgh in I believe his rookie year and his series against Malkin. I know it got me excited about the future, and perhaps we expect a little bit more then he will ever give based on that one series.

I'd be surprised if they sign any ufa D. Unless it's a panic sign in camp. WHich would be bad
- Just5

Hextall pretty much said that in his end of year wrap he's not adding to the D corp. I'd expect this to mean he believes Morin and Hagg are ready and will break camp with the Flyers.

Also here's a good read
http://www.philly.com/phi..._star___Mike_Sielski.html

I don't wanna be negative, but right now, none of Myers, Sanheim, Morin, or Hagg have proven anything at the NHL level. So until they do, I'm not gonna proclaim them as anything. Every reason to believe they will succeed at the NHL level, but they haven't yet.

The wya that I see it, the hope is that, with more skill, your 2nd PP unit come closer to matching the PP1 production. If the #1 unit draws top PK assignments, then the #2 unit would draw easier PK assignments. If you can add more skill to the #2 unit, they "easier" assignments should allow them better scoring chances. I don't think Provorov will have any ice time issues. The best way to earn PP time is to give the coach no reason to not put you out there.
- jmatchett383

I agree with you completely, however if this is the case what do we have to look forward to as a fanbase, for next season? The answer is the same hockey team we have seen all season, which is depressing. So I choose to believe in Morin, Sanheim, and Morin. They can't be much more boring then Amac, Manning, or Shultz.

You know he's ready for that NHL role 82 times a year by watching a handful of AHL games and a game of shinny?

I'm not saying he can't do it (and he shouldn't be a 7th), I'm just saying he's yet to do it, so I'm not handing it to him. I think he should be given the opportunity, though.
- jmatchett383

150+ AHL games isn't a handful. The reports for pretty much the second half of the season from Lehigh were that Hagg was ready.

http://sonsofpenn.com/oskar-lindblom-leave-sweden-join-flyers-coach-confirms/
- Just5

This makes my day!

I agree with you completely, however if this is the case what do we have to look forward to as a fanbase, for next season? The answer is the same hockey team we have seen all season, which is depressing. So I choose to believe in Morin, Sanheim, and Morin. They can't be much more boring then Amac, Manning, or Shultz.
- ChuckinKnucks

It's like any sports league/team. The young guys already playing should only get better. The top prospects hopefully start to come in and meet their expectations. That's what you hope for, and what you can get excited about it. I'm hopeful they do, I'm excited to see them, and I believe they can succeed. I'm simply pointing out that, as of right now, they have not.

150+ AHL games isn't a handful. The reports for pretty much the second half of the season from Lehigh were that Hagg was ready.
- dragonoffrost

I wasn't aware that Just5 has seen him play 150+ AHL games. The AHL reports are promising, but I haven't personally seen him play enough.

Not every player who excels at the junior/AHL level can turn it into NHL success. Again, not saying he CAN'T or WON'T, simply that he hasn't, yet. But I'd like to see him given the chance.