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

The good news is we already know MDZ and Schultz are gone. Both said so after their meetings with H and H.

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

How about Carter Hart allegedly joining the Phantoms

I wasn't aware that Just5 has seen him play 150+ AHL games.
- jmatchett383

I'm just pointing out that his view probably isn't just on what he personally saw. We've seen and heard plenty of reports from credible sources that state he's ready.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Has Couturier Turned Corner, SHL Finals
- bmeltzer

I'm not gonna say Coots turned a corner yet but he certainly out played Filppula.

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.
- jmatchett383

I think what helps with Hagg is he is kind of like Provorov in a way. They both aren't dynamic guys like Gostisbehere but they are both two way hockey guys who rely on instincts and positioning..if I am saying it right.

How about Carter Hart allegedly joining the Phantoms
- YuenglingJagr

http://www.philly.com/phi...er-Hart-joining-team.html

But he can only play there when Everett isn't playing until he's 20

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.
- VladDrag

I just think he is already there. He just needs to stay healthy and hopefully have consistent chemistry with linemates. I think 40 is doable

I'm just pointing out that his view probably isn't just on what he personally saw. We've seen and heard plenty of reports from credible sources that state he's ready.
- dragonoffrost

As ready as Cam Barker was? Or Derrick Pouliot? Or Dylan McIlrath? Or Griffin Reinhart?

Again, not saying I don't think he shouldn't be given the chance, simply that he hasn't proven anything at the NHL level yet, so I can't say that he will fill that role for a full 82 games NHL season.

I think what helps with Hagg is he is kind of like Provorov in a way. They both aren't dynamic guys like Gostisbehere but they are both two way hockey guys who rely on instincts and positioning..if I am saying it right.
- J35Bacher

I get what you mean, and again, I'm not disagreeing. I hope he comes in and can be steady and reliable as a 5/6 defenseman or better. I'm simply saying he hasn't yet done is over a sustained NHL timeframe.

I will try to spell this out:

From what I've read (not taking 1-game NHL samples into account), both Hagg and Morin are ready for the NHL level.
I hope and expect that both of them will have success along with growing pains next year.
I hope and expect that both will progress at the NHL level as the season moves along.
However, at the moment, neither one has shown that they can handle the grind of a full NHL schedule with any level or success (or failure).

So, if Ron Hextall wants to sign a safety valve (think a Schultz type) in UFA or via training camp invite, I would not be shocked.

One thing I am expecting to happen is to see Provy stake claim to the #1 D-men minutes agin next year, while staying away from any sort of sophomore slump. Hopefully, that will make the choice of bringing along the younger D easier on Hextall, with them being able to get meaningful minutes but not more then they can handle to start out their careers.

One thing I am expecting to happen is to see Provy stake claim to the #1 D-men minutes agin next year, while staying away from any sort of sophomore slump. Hopefully, that will make the choice of bringing along the younger D easier on Hextall, with them being able to get meaningful minutes but not more then they can handle to start out their careers.
- ChuckinKnucks

I can't see Provorov having any type of sophomore slump.

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

No one haha...same was true when they signed Schultz/Lyubimov/Gordon, etc. Hextall just likes the extra vet depth, I think. It is only an issue when the coach starts playing them

Scum bag from Jönköping tried to head hunt Lindblom with a nasty high hit. The confirmation of him coming over seas next year is fantastic. I think management believes he is ready to make the team, or at least be given every opportunity to do so; it's his spot to lose maybe (premature idk?). Anyways, I know we have some big West World fans in here... anyone a fan of The Leftovers?

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.
- jmatchett383

Only one way to find out...

Only one way to find out...
- jak521

I agree. I hope that both Hagg and Morin are given the chance.

But I'm not ready to say with 100% assurance that either or both are going to be fine for a full NHL season next year, or that either or both will have off training camps next year. Thereofe, bringing in a cheap vet D via UFA or camp invite does not seem completely out of the realm of conceivability.

As ready as Cam Barker was? Or Derrick Pouliot? Or Dylan McIlrath? Or Griffin Reinhart?

Again, not saying I don't think he shouldn't be given the chance, simply that he hasn't proven anything at the NHL level yet, so I can't say that he will fill that role for a full 82 games NHL season.
- jmatchett383

How many of those guys played 150 AHL games before getting a taste of the NHL? None of them. They were all brought pretty much right into an NHL role. Both Morin and Hagg have been developing in the minors, and in Morin's case, 4 years of JRs before that.

The point is, there is only one way to see if they are ready. Play them. How much longer until its okay to bring them up?

How many of those guys played 150 AHL games before getting a taste of the NHL? None of them. They were all brought pretty much right into an NHL role. Both Morin and Hagg have been developing in the minors, and in Morin's case, 4 years of JRs before that.

The point is, there is only one way to see if they are ready. Play them. How much longer until its okay to bring them up?
- jak521

Are you seriously still not getting my point?

I agree. I hope that both Hagg and Morin are given the chance.

But I'm not ready to say with 100% assurance that either or both are going to be fine for a full NHL season next year, or that either or both will have off training camps next year. Thereofe, bringing in a cheap vet D via UFA or camp invite does not seem completely out of the realm of conceivability.
- jmatchett383

Me either. I just dont think it makes sense to sign a UFA D-man. It goes against everythign they have been doing. Slowly bring along the guys, when one of the D contracts expires, fill it with a prospect.

Are you seriously still not getting my point?
- jmatchett383

I get that there is no guarantee that they will come in and be great everyday NHLers in their first season. But I dont get why that thought would lead to the signing of a UFA D-man, which is why I posed the question in the first place....

Me either. I just dont think it makes sense to sign a UFA D-man. It goes against everythign they have been doing. Slowly bring along the guys, when one of the D contracts expires, fill it with a prospect.
- jak521

So you'd feel comfortable assuming that both Hagg and Morin will 1) both have great camps and 2) that both will be ready for a full 82 game NHL schedule next season without a Plan B? Would it be so bad to have a 7th/8th defenseman making $1M as a backup plan?

Scum bag from Jönköping tried to head hunt Lindblom with a nasty high hit. The confirmation of him coming over seas next year is fantastic. I think management believes he is ready to make the team, or at least be given every opportunity to do so; it's his spot to lose maybe (premature idk?). Anyways, I know we have some big West World fans in here... anyone a fan of The Leftovers?
- arichardson22

Love Leftovers, but didnt get to see last nights episode. I was falling asleep at the wheel on the way home from the inlaws and wanted to be awake for it.

One thing I am expecting to happen is to see Provy stake claim to the #1 D-men minutes agin next year, while staying away from any sort of sophomore slump. Hopefully, that will make the choice of bringing along the younger D easier on Hextall, with them being able to get meaningful minutes but not more then they can handle to start out their careers.
- ChuckinKnucks

He's already playing #1 D minutes.

I get that there is no guarantee that they will come in and be great everyday NHLers in their first season. But I dont get why that thought would lead to the signing of a UFA D-man, which is why I posed the question in the first place....
- jak521

Because, since there is no guarantee, why not give yourself a Plan B/safety valve just in case? A one year, cheap vet who could potentially sit all season is not a terrible thing.

I just think he is already there. He just needs to stay healthy and hopefully have consistent chemistry with linemates. I think 40 is doable
- YuenglingJagr

http://stats.hockeyanalys...sort=ipoints&sortdir=DESC

Do you think he can score the same amount of ES points as some of those guys who hit 40?

If he does hit 40, he's to have to play more ES minutes per game to get to 40 ES points in season, even if he scores at a higher clip.. He played at 14 of his 18 min per game at 5v5.

So is it possible, yes but I think he's topping out at mid-upper 30ies I would love to be proven wrong!

Edit - to be clear, the first question should be this: Given the players that scored 40 ES points this season, do you think Couts can do that too? Look at the elite offensive ability in the top 25 players of ES scoring. All of those players have much higher offensive ability than Couts.