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.
- jra173

I think that is giving them too much credit TBH

I would put my money on just having more trust in a guy that has played professionally and has played for the Phantoms this year.

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.
- MJL

Hextall can demote players like Lamarche and Swavely to the ECHL if he doesn't want them playing ahead of actual prospects with ELCs like Fazleev, Friedman, Myers and Willcox.

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

That's probably more likely, I was just illustrating that a forward prospect doesn't have to go on waivers.

That's probably more likely, I was just illustrating that a forward prospect doesn't have to go on waivers.
- Feanor

Got ya.

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.
- jra173

Ultimately, I think the thought process came down to a single question: All factors weighed (which were spelled out before), which goalie gives us a better chance to win Game 3? I don't think there was any concern about pressure for Game 4 or beyond that.

From a developmental standpoint, though, you never want to set up a young player to fail and you especially never want a young goalie to have any seed of doubt planted in his mind. Yes, there's every reason to believe that Carter Hart is mentally strong enough to shake off a thrashing in his first pro game if he had started and it unfolded that way (of which there was a significant risk; higher than the chance of him equaling what Ouellette did last night). But there was no reason to potentially have that weigh on him until whenever it would be that he'd play his next game at the pro level.

Truthfully, it wasn't a tough decision for Gordon to tab Ouellette to start for however long this series goes. The Friedman debate is more of a legit one, but I can also say that perhaps Kerry Huffman and Gordon have seen things in practice that lead them to believe Friedman would be better off with a full camp under his belt before he's in the lineup.

Hextall can demote players like Lamarche and Swavely to the ECHL if he doesn't want them playing ahead of actual prospects with ELCs like Fazleev, Friedman, Myers and Willcox.
- Feanor

Which is why I put out of the available players. Meaning players on the AHL roster that Gordon has available to play for him. To further elaborate, in my opinion Gordon is the one making the decision to not play Friedman and to play Lemarche. As a disclaimer this is not based on any real insight on the Phantoms, just based on the normal coach and GM dynamic within a team.

So, assuming 14 forwards are carried, that leaves 5 spaces for:
Read = Trade bait in a package with prospects
Konecny (waiver exempt) = KEEPER
Cousins = Keep or trade bait
Vecchione (waiver exempt) KEEPER
Lindblom = KEEPER
Laughton = Trade bait in a package with prospects
Leier = Keep or trade bait

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

My only problem with this lineup is that I just don't see anything in Leier that makes me think he'll ever be more than a spare forward at the NHL level. He's small, skates well but not great, has decent but not top notch skills and ok, but not special hockey sense. For a guy his size to make it as an NHL regular, you need either great wheels or top end skills, I don't see either in Leier. I'd be very surprised if anyone claimed him, nor would I lose any sleep over it if someone did.

Also, I'd flip Lindblom and Konecny in yoiur lineup. Lindblom is a net front finisher who can work the boards which is what G and Jake need and Konecny has already shown some good chemistry with Coots and adds speed to that line which is needed.

Lindblom starting in the AHL is certainly possible
- Feanor

Possible but I think the chances of him starting with the Flyers right off the bat is better than 50-50. If he struggles in camp, then I could see him starting out with the Phantoms until he gets going.

He has been so consistent all season and through the playoffs (even when not getting on the scoresheet) but I think he's pressing a bit in the finals.

LOL sabres asked to talk to Chayka

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

Key point here: Top notch goalie...

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

Read could be attractive to vegas as they do need to meet a minimum payroll so maybe we don't have to eat half of Reads contract.

1) Oskar Lindblom, Felix Sandström, Bucks County native Ryan Gunderson and the rest of Brynäs IF have a chance to win the Swedish Hockey League championship on Thursday as they face off with HV71 Jönköping in Game 6 of the finals. Game time is 1:15 p.m. EDT.

Bill any chance this game is shown anywhere on the internet?

Key point here: Top notch goalie...
- Konalover

Hopefully will be Hart or Sandstrom in a few more years.

Read could be attractive to vegas as they do need to meet a minimum payroll so maybe we don't have to eat half of Reads contract.
- Konalover

Yup, I'd even be willing to send them one of our 4th round picks to guarantee that they take him.

1) Oskar Lindblom, Felix Sandström, Bucks County native Ryan Gunderson and the rest of Brynäs IF have a chance to win the Swedish Hockey League championship on Thursday as they face off with HV71 Jönköping in Game 6 of the finals. Game time is 1:15 p.m. EDT.

Bill any chance this game is shown anywhere on the internet?
- bsw31usa

hint: always check reddit

My only problem with this lineup is that I just don't see anything in Leier that makes me think he'll ever be more than a spare forward at the NHL level. He's small, skates well but not great, has decent but not top notch skills and ok, but not special hockey sense. For a guy his size to make it as an NHL regular, you need either great wheels or top end skills, I don't see either in Leier. I'd be very surprised if anyone claimed him, nor would I lose any sleep over it if someone did.

Also, I'd flip Lindblom and Konecny in yoiur lineup. Lindblom is a net front finisher who can work the boards which is what G and Jake need and Konecny has already shown some good chemistry with Coots and adds speed to that line which is needed.
- BiggE

Sometimes I'm overly optimistic, but I think Bellemare at center is done. Vecchione is actually older then Ghost. He should be strong enough to compete against other NHL player, certainly skill will be a question. I believe with them burning off a year of his contract, Hexy believes he will be in the NHL sooner then later. Filppula is an option to go to wing, but I think Bellemare gets moved first.

Yup, I'd even be willing to send them one of our 4th round picks to guarantee that they take him.
- BiggE

I'm not opposed to dealing some form of pick, but I don't think the choice affects the Flyers enough to warrant a 4th.

Which is why I put out of the available players. Meaning players on the AHL roster that Gordon has available to play for him. To further elaborate, in my opinion Gordon is the one making the decision to not play Friedman and to play Lemarche. As a disclaimer this is not based on any real insight on the Phantoms, just based on the normal coach and GM dynamic within a team.
- MJL

Sometimes I'm overly optimistic, but I think Bellemare at center is done. Vecchione is actually older then Ghost. He should be strong enough to compete against other NHL player, certainly skill will be a question. I believe with them burning off a year of his contract, Hexy believes he will be in the NHL sooner then later. Filppula is an option to go to wing, but I think Bellemare gets moved first.
- ravishingone

This is what I expect to see opening night:

Lindblom-G-Jake
TK-Coots-Schenn
Weal-Filpulla-Simmonds
PEB-Vecchione or Laughton-Weise
spares: Vecchion or Laughton and Cousins or Read

I'm not opposed to dealing some form of pick, but I don't think the choice affects the Flyers enough to warrant a 4th.
- YuenglingJagr

Fine, make it a 5th or a 6th. I think you could recoup what you give up by trading Raffl.

- YuenglingJagr

My only problem with this lineup is that I just don't see anything in Leier that makes me think he'll ever be more than a spare forward at the NHL level. He's small, skates well but not great, has decent but not top notch skills and ok, but not special hockey sense. For a guy his size to make it as an NHL regular, you need either great wheels or top end skills, I don't see either in Leier. I'd be very surprised if anyone claimed him, nor would I lose any sleep over it if someone did.

Also, I'd flip Lindblom and Konecny in yoiur lineup. Lindblom is a net front finisher who can work the boards which is what G and Jake need and Konecny has already shown some good chemistry with Coots and adds speed to that line which is needed.
- BiggE

I'm a Leier fan, but he needs to make a jump to get ice time.

I am also hesitant to put Konecny with Coots and Schenn due to the tendency of both wingers to give up shots. I would entertain the line, but definitely see a warning sign. With Coots most likely matching up against the best opposition, it is best to only carry around one anchor.

Fine, make it a 5th or a 6th. I think you could recoup what you give up by trading Raffl.
- BiggE

LOL well now I am confused. Aren't we trading the pick to convince them not to pick Raffl?

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

Here is my thought. Yes Ottawa or Rangers might get to the conference finals without a true #1 center but does anyone expect them to get past Washington or Pittsburgh?

I think we do need a more dynamic offense. A friend brought up the fact that even though our prospects look legit, we could be a very good team and still miss the playoffs with Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Islanders, and Rangers being solid teams for a while. Though I think Islanders and Rangers need more pieces.

If it were me I would trade for someone like Drouin. Hextall will need to get creative soon IMO.