I agree, but I would trade Read and retain 50% since it's only one year. I like the guy, but I just don't see a spot for him with the way the roster is shaping up.
- jmatchett383

I would prefer that as well, I'm just not sure that anyone would have any interest in Read, even at a one year cap hit of 1.812 million. He's average 10 goals and 25 points over the last 3 years, is undersized and will be 31 by the start of the season.

edit: might make more sense to offer LV a mid round pick to take Read off our hands and then try to deal Raffl who would have a bit more value on the open market.

Only during Christmas vacation.

No, not Winter Break. Christmas vacation.
- jmatchett383

Good game for Ouelette, but it remains incomprehensible that Friedman and Myers are in the press box while Lamarche plays on the top pairing. As noted by Phantoms beat reporter Tony Androckitis on twitter last night, the Bears could not be happier to match their top line against Brennan-Lamarche.

On other AHL teams, top defensive prospects go straight into the playoff lineup when they become available. For instance, Noah Juulsen made his AHL debut last night for the Habs farm team.
- Feanor

As did Carter and Richards.

As did Carter and Richards.
- MBFlyerfan

And we all know how horribly that turned out for the Phantoms

And we all know how horribly that turned out for the Phantoms

- BiggE

My only theory is that Hextall has a different philosophy than Holmgren and Clarke. BUt I would rather win. Its like trading for a better player at the deadline, get em in there.

I would prefer that as well, I'm just not sure that anyone would have any interest in Read, even at a one year cap hit of 1.812 million. He's average 10 goals and 25 points over the last 3 years, is undersized and will be 31 by the start of the season.

edit: might make more sense to offer LV a mid round pick to take Read off our hands and then try to deal Raffl who would have a bit more value on the open market.
- BiggE

I think Cousins is a bit stuck. Similar to Weal was for the Kings and Flyers. He just hasn't made enough of an impact to force playing time (even though I thought he deserved more than he got). I think there is a chance he gets through waivers, at least right now, but hopefully he could be part of a trade

My only theory is that Hextall has a different philosophy than Holmgren and Clarke. BUt I would rather win. Its like trading for a better player at the deadline, get em in there.
- MBFlyerfan

Even if it is a different theory, there is still no logical reason for it.

Even if it is a different theory, there is still no logical reason for it.
- YuenglingJagr

Nope, its not like Lamarche has been there the whole year.

Nope, its not like Lamarche has been there the whole year.
- MBFlyerfan

The only prospect I have issue with Friedman. I do think Bill's opinion on Hart has merit. Considering Myers has been concussed this year and by all accounts is "NHL ready" I'm in no hurry to see him get AHL time at this point of his development.

Friedman makes no sense because by all accounts he will need AHL experience to possibly make the leap to the NHL. I think in the end Hexy is overly cautious then any of us has thought unless he considers them exceptional like Provorov and Konency.

Nope, its not like Lamarche has been there the whole year.
- MBFlyerfan

The only prospect I have issue with Friedman. I do think Bill's opinion on Hart has merit. Considering Myers has been concussed this year and by all accounts is "NHL ready" I'm in no hurry to see him get AHL time at this point of his development.

Friedman makes no sense because by all accounts he will need AHL experience to possibly make the leap to the NHL. I think in the end Hexy is overly cautious then any of us has thought unless he considers them exceptional like Provorov and Konency.

So, thinking about the Exp. draft today. My guess is that Raffl will be the guy taken. Reasonable cap hit, can play multiple forward positions, solid ES player; he would seem just the type of guy an expansion team is looking for.

If that's the case, figuring out next years group of forwards should be interesting:
LOCKS (7)
Voracek
Giroux
Simmonds
Couturier
Schenn
Bellemare
Filpulla

NEAR LOCKS to at least be on the roster (2)
Weise
Weal

So, assuming 14 forwards are carried, that leaves 5 spaces for:
Read
Konecny (waiver exempt)
Cousins
Vecchione (waiver exempt)
Lindblom
Laughton
Leier
- BiggE

Lindblom will be waiver exempt, too, and I don't think Bellemare is a lock to be protected. Weal or Raffl could get that 7th spot, and PEB could end up in Vegas.

I haven't been able to keep up with every page of comments recently, but I've seen some of the discussion about #1 centers recently and thought I'd give my two cents.

While I'm concerned like most about the possibility that the Giroux we saw this year is the new normal, I also think its far more important to build a solid, mobile D. If Sanheim brings the offensive flair that he has potential to, than him and Ghost will be providing plenty of offense from the back end for years to come, while Provorov looks to just be an all around workhorse.

A point for anyone of the sky-is-falling-with-no-number-1-center opinion. One of NYR and Ottawa will reach the conference finals this year, and neither of those teams have a center that scored as many points as Giroux did this season, his worst in 7 years. In fact, both of their "top" centers had exactly the same number of points as Schenn. (For the record though, I much prefer Schenn at wing)

Nope, its not like Lamarche has been there the whole year.
- MBFlyerfan

Not good enough to be in the AHL between Christmas and O'Neill getting hurt in mid-March, but good enough to play on the top pairing in the AHL playoffs.

Lindblom will be waiver exempt, too, and I don't think Bellemare is a lock to be protected. Weal or Raffl could get that 7th spot, and PEB could end up in Vegas.
- Feanor

Forgot to add that about Lindblom, thanks. Yeah, I guess PEB could be unprotected, but I still doubt he's the guy LV takes.

G, Jake, Coots, Filpulla, Simmonds and Schenn will be the 6 obviously protected, and I'm guessing that the 7th might be Weal. I don't think they want to risk losing him, nor do I think they'd lose any sleep if any of their other forwards that are available were taken.

I haven't been able to keep up with every page of comments recently, but I've seen some of the discussion about #1 centers recently and thought I'd give my two cents.

While I'm concerned like most about the possibility that the Giroux we saw this year is the new normal, I also think its far more important to build a solid, mobile D. If Sanheim brings the offensive flair that he has potential to, than him and Ghost will be providing plenty of offense from the back end for years to come, while Provorov looks to just be an all around workhorse.

A point for anyone of the sky-is-falling-with-no-number-1-center opinion. One of NYR and Ottawa will reach the conference finals this year, and neither of those teams have a center that scored as many points as Giroux did this season, his worst in 7 years. In fact, both of their "top" centers had exactly the same number of points as Schenn. (For the record though, I much prefer Schenn at wing)
- pinkfloydfreak

Legit points. I think if you have a top flight, mobile D and 3 centers that all can put up 40-65 points and play in all situations, you might be able to win a Cup. Of course you will also need at least 6 quality wingers, good special teams and a top notch starting goalie.

I haven't been able to keep up with every page of comments recently, but I've seen some of the discussion about #1 centers recently and thought I'd give my two cents.

While I'm concerned like most about the possibility that the Giroux we saw this year is the new normal, I also think its far more important to build a solid, mobile D. If Sanheim brings the offensive flair that he has potential to, than him and Ghost will be providing plenty of offense from the back end for years to come, while Provorov looks to just be an all around workhorse.

A point for anyone of the sky-is-falling-with-no-number-1-center opinion. One of NYR and Ottawa will reach the conference finals this year, and neither of those teams have a center that scored as many points as Giroux did this season, his worst in 7 years. In fact, both of their "top" centers had exactly the same number of points as Schenn. (For the record though, I much prefer Schenn at wing)
- pinkfloydfreak

Giroux needs to score more at 5 on 5 than he did this year, but it's a very fair point that you don't need a 70+ point 1C to win playoff rounds. Nashville and St Louis don't have a guy like that, either.

Nashville do have a Swedish winger who was a 4th round pick from 2014 who scored 61 points as a 23 year old... just imagine if Lindblom can get near that type of production.

Legit points. I think if you have a top flight, mobile D and 3 centers that all can put up 40-65 points and play in all situations, you might be able to win a Cup. Of course you will also need at least 6 quality wingers, good special teams and a top notch starting goalie.
- BiggE

Is that all?

Is that all?
- Tomfan365

Good coaching, avoiding injuries and some good old fashioned luck would help too!

Forgot to add that about Lindblom, thanks. Yeah, I guess PEB could be unprotected, but I still doubt he's the guy LV takes.

G, Jake, Coots, Filpulla, Simmonds and Schenn will be the 6 obviously protected, and I'm guessing that the 7th might be Weal. I don't think they want to risk losing him, nor do I think they'd lose any sleep if any of their other forwards that are available were taken.
- BiggE

It's a good list.

I think if they are worried about losing guys to waivers and can't trade Read for a low round pick at 50%, then they would just waive him. If they can't trade him at $1.8125m, then he almost certainly wouldn't be claimed at $3.625m. So then he'd be a good veteran presence for the Phantoms and an insurance policy when injuries happen.

So if you lose Raffl, waive Read, and leave Vecchione in the AHL, you wouldn't have to waive any of the kids.

Konecny-Giroux-Voracek
Weal-Filppula-Simmonds
Lindblom-Couturier-Schenn
Leier-Bellemare-Weise
Cousins, Laughton

I haven't been able to keep up with every page of comments recently, but I've seen some of the discussion about #1 centers recently and thought I'd give my two cents.

While I'm concerned like most about the possibility that the Giroux we saw this year is the new normal, I also think its far more important to build a solid, mobile D. If Sanheim brings the offensive flair that he has potential to, than him and Ghost will be providing plenty of offense from the back end for years to come, while Provorov looks to just be an all around workhorse.

A point for anyone of the sky-is-falling-with-no-number-1-center opinion. One of NYR and Ottawa will reach the conference finals this year, and neither of those teams have a center that scored as many points as Giroux did this season, his worst in 7 years. In fact, both of their "top" centers had exactly the same number of points as Schenn. (For the record though, I much prefer Schenn at wing)
- pinkfloydfreak

I have always been on the side that you're suggesting (dont need a #1 center), but it really comes down to what you call a #1 center. They need someone capable of centering a line that outplays (and hopefully outscores) the opponent at all times, but mostly at even strength. Do they need a guy to score 80+ points? No, absolutely not.

I am going to point out though that even though you're right about NYR and OTT, both teams haven't won poop

The only prospect I have issue with Friedman. I do think Bill's opinion on Hart has merit. Considering Myers has been concussed this year and by all accounts is "NHL ready" I'm in no hurry to see him get AHL time at this point of his development.

Friedman makes no sense because by all accounts he will need AHL experience to possibly make the leap to the NHL. I think in the end Hexy is overly cautious then any of us has thought unless he considers them exceptional like Provorov and Konency.
- ravishingone

Hextall is not making the decisions on who is in the lineup out of the available players for the Phantoms in the playoffs. Gordon is.

It's a good list.

I think if they are worried about losing guys to waivers and can't trade Read for a low round pick at 50%, then they would just waive him. If they can't trade him at $1.8125m, then he almost certainly wouldn't be claimed at $3.625m. So then he'd be a good veteran presence for the Phantoms and an insurance policy when injuries happen.

So if you lose Raffl, waive Read, and leave Vecchione in the AHL, you wouldn't have to waive any of the kids.

Konecny-Giroux-Voracek
Weal-Filppula-Simmonds
Lindblom-Couturier-Schenn
Leier-Bellemare-Weise
Cousins, Laughton
- Feanor

Who is going to kill penalties though? I don't mean who can, but rather who are the Flyers coaches going to put on the PK?

My guess would be PEB/Simmonds/Coots/Fillpula/Giroux? Capable, I just think history suggests they'd want someone else from the "bottom 6" to help out (i.e. Read)

I think Leier is the least attractive out of any of those right now. I think he would go down and clear before they sent Read down. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lindblom start the year in the AHL until there were injuries, etc.

I'm a big enough man to apologize when I am wrong and I was wrong to want the Phantoms to start Hart. Oulette played a great game last night and starting him was obviously the right call. I still though, would like to see Friedman get into the lineup. He's been with the team long enough to understand their system of play and as a legit prospect, playing AHL playoff hockey would be a valuable experience for him.
- BiggE

I have been reading the blog and following the comments for a few years and almost made yesterday my first post. I thought it would be interesting to see Hart, but also wondered if starting him could actually be a double edge sword. While he has certainly played in high pressure environments, I would think he could likely shake off one bad game. I was thinking about the opposite. If he came in and pitched a shutout or just played really well, does it create the added pressure of higher expectations? I wonder if that played into the thought process at all.

It's a good list.

I think if they are worried about losing guys to waivers and can't trade Read for a low round pick at 50%, then they would just waive him. If they can't trade him at $1.8125m, then he almost certainly wouldn't be claimed at $3.625m. So then he'd be a good veteran presence for the Phantoms and an insurance policy when injuries happen.

So if you lose Raffl, waive Read, and leave Vecchione in the AHL, you wouldn't have to waive any of the kids.

Konecny-Giroux-Voracek
Weal-Filppula-Simmonds
Lindblom-Couturier-Schenn
Vecchione-Bellemare-Weise
Cousins, Laughton
- Feanor

I would have Vecchione in over Leier. And probably at center with Bellamare at wing.

Who is going to kill penalties though (not who can, but who are the Flyers coaches going to put on the PK)

I think Leier is the least attractive out of any of those right now. I think he would go down and clear before they sent Read down. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lindblom start the year in the AHL until there were injuries, etc.
- YuenglingJagr

Couturier-Simmonds
Bellemare-Filppula
Leier/Laughton

If they decide to waive Leier and keep Read up, then Read would be the 5th PKer instead of Leier/Laughton.

Lindblom starting in the AHL is certainly possible