I guess you also think it's better to play Lamarche, an AHL/ECHL tweener rather than Friedman who's been with the team for weeks and is a legit prospect?
- BiggE

I think it's a night and day difference between starting an 18 year old goalie who just joined the team, and playing a 21 year old college dman who's had plenty of time to practice with the team.

So I think starting Oulette makes sense. But the Lyon injury is unfortunately distracting from and giving Gordon cover for his poor personnel decisions elsewhere.

The worst thing that can happen is you put an 18-year-old goalie who has scarcely even practiced with the Phantoms out to get shelled in an elimination game and have that experience be how he exits the season. Then it weighs in him until whenever he plays his next pro game. It's not fair to him or the team. Any other coach worth a damn would start Oullette. He is the one who gives the team the best chance to win tonight's game. This is isn't about 2 years from now.
- bmeltzer

It should be about 2 years from now. And if it's not for this organization than it is worse than I thought.

Give me a break. This kid is supposedly a top goalie prospect, I don't want to hear he can't man up and take one on the chin. Get in the net.
- ClaudeFather

How many 18-year-old goalies, no matter their future potential, are ready for pro hockey let alone an elimination game... and on top of that , with all of one full practice since his junior season ended, and for it to be his debut pro game? Zero.

To start Hart would be idiotic. No coach in any pro league would do so. The question isn't whether OHart is expected to be a better pro goalie than Oullette a few years from now. The question is who gives LV a better chance tonight and for however long this series goes? That is Oullette.

Also, goaltending is such a mentally tough position to play. To send a kid out on a bad note because you set him up to fail is horrible player development strategy . Any hockey ops professional would agree.

If Mikhail Vorobyov can bring more offense and a little more size and offensive creativity to the 4th center position (moving MAB to the wing) that alone will be a bonus.

If he blossoms to a level near that he showed in the Worlds he would help push Cooter and Filpula.

Worst case scenario is he is organizational depth on the Phantoms.

It is all good.

If Mikhail Vorobyov can bring more offense and a little more size and offensive creativity to the 4th center position (moving MAB to the wing) that alone will be a bonus.

If he blossoms to a level near that he showed in the Worlds he would help push Cooter and Filpula.

Worst case scenario is he is organizational depth on the Phantoms.

It is all good.
- wbon22

Whatever keeps the Luke Pither's of the world off of the roster is good to me.

How many 18-year-old goalies, no matter their future potential, are ready for pro hockey let alone an elimination game... and on top of that , with all of one full practice since his junior season ended, and for it to be his debut pro game? Zero.

To start Hart would be idiotic. No coach in any pro league would do so. The question isn't whether OHart is expected to be a better pro goalie than Oullette a few years from now. The question is who gives LV a better chance tonight and for however long this series goes? That is Oullette.

Also, goaltending is such a mentally tough position to play. To send a kid out on a bad note because you set him up to fail is horrible player development strategy . Any hockey ops professional would agree.
- bmeltzer

SOFT, kids a bust.

How many 18-year-old goalies, no matter their future potential, are ready for pro hockey let alone an elimination game... and on top of that , with all of one full practice since his junior season ended, and for it to be his debut pro game? Zero.

To start Hart would be idiotic. No coach in any pro league would do so. The question isn't whether OHart is expected to be a better pro goalie than Oullette a few years from now. The question is who gives LV a better chance tonight and for however long this series goes? That is Oullette.

Also, goaltending is such a mentally tough position to play. To send a kid out on a bad note because you set him up to fail is horrible player development strategy . Any hockey ops professional would agree.
- bmeltzer

Yeah, you are right on this, but I still can't undertstand Lamarche in over Friedman who has been with the team for weeks.

The difference between amateurs and professionals is on full display this morning, folks.

The difference between amateurs and professionals is on full display this morning, folks.
- Scoob

I bet if you plugged in Carter Hart in 'NHL 17, he would totally win right now, you guys.

I bet if you plugged in Carter Hart in 'NHL 17, he would totally win right now, you guys.
- johndewar

lol

I bet if you plugged in Carter Hart in 'NHL 17, he would totally win right now, you guys.
- johndewar

Hey Tom Barrasso won the Vezina as an 18 year old in 83-84, therefore all 18 year old top goalie prospects should be able to handle an AHL elimination game.

The difference between amateurs and professionals is on full display this morning, folks.
- Scoob

There is only one thing we know for sure. A win or loss tonight confirms how right or wrong the decision is

There is only one thing we know for sure. A win or loss tonight confirms how right or wrong the decision is
- YuenglingJagr

The outcome of the game confirms exactly nothing about the goaltender selection.

Nothing.

Not one thing.

No thing.

Thingless.

The outcome of the game confirms exactly nothing about the goaltender selection.

Nothing.

Not one thing.

No thing.

Thingless.
- Scoob

less than one thing

xthing, -1 < x < 1

less than one thing

xthing, -1 < x < 1
- YuenglingJagr

I was told there would be no math here today.

I was told there would be no math here today.
- BiggE

Your elementary school teacher was right - you always need math

Edit: *Your (my elementary school teacher would be appalled by my poor grammar)

There is only one thing we know for sure. A win or loss tonight confirms how right or wrong the decision is
- YuenglingJagr

If Oulette gets shelled I want a written apology from Bill. Hart 4 Starter

You're elementary school teacher was right - you always need math
- Scoob

For sure, what would I do in my daily life without all those fine lessons learned in Trigonometry class?

For 17-18, pending trades & signings & drafts, the organization's top centers are:

Top 9 - Giroux, Couturier, Filppula
4th line - Bellemare, Vecchione, Cousins, Laughton
AHL - Vorobyov, Bardreau, Fazleev
Junior - Rubtsov, Laberge, Bunnaman
Unsigned - Dove-McFalls, Marody, Lacyznski, Salinitri

Cousins, Bardreau, Rubtsov and Laberge all played more wing than center this season, so that may be where they end up long term. I think the same is true for Bunnaman. Hopefully it won't take till they are 25 to decide for sure like it did with Schenn.

If Oulette gets shelled I want a written apology from Bill. Hart 4 Starter
- ClaudeFather

The way the Phantoms luck is going right now, Oulette will tear a quad in warm up, Hart will sprain his knee in the first period and the beer vendor who comes in for Hart will pitch a shutout during regulation only to let in a 125 foot dump in during the first minute of OT.

less than one thing

xthing, -1 < x < 1
- YuenglingJagr

That's almost 80%

The way the Phantoms luck is going right now, Oulette will tear a quad in warm up, Hart will sprain his knee in the first period and the beer vendor who comes in for Hart will pitch a shutout during regulation only to let in a 125 foot dump in during the first minute of OT.
- BiggE

Hershey is close enough to get Semborski tickets to the game

Hershey is close enough to get Semborski tickets to the game
- YuenglingJagr

- BiggE

he can just take the highway

Hershey is close enough to get Semborski tickets to the game
- YuenglingJagr