He also went to college in Boston and is 5'9...being a douche wasn't an option.

Correction: Being a non-local douche wasn't an option.
- Glak18

Yeah, I don't think a guy who's my size from down the road should thinkpopping off in Boston is a good idea.

Like you never made a mistake! Geez he’s what 21 years old?
- Bobd62

Using racial slurs/epithets is not a "mistake." Especially not when done repeatedly.

Isnt he the kid whose father used to run with Skinny Joey Merlino back in the day? Or am I being delusional again?
- Doc_Sarcasm

I'm not up on the crime family trees.

I personally have seen enough of the 3 rookie defenseman to make a final determination. Although I thought that Sanheim was just okay last night and has been better in previous games that I saw then he was last night. Nobody can tell me that Sanheim is any less prepared to play in the NHL than Hagg and Morin are. Different kinds of players for sure but all three are capable of playing in the NHL right now in my opinion.
So what does it come down to. For sure there will be growing pains for all three players at some point. That's going to happen whether they start in the NHL now, in the middle of the season, or next season. So let's deal with that now and get them the experience. Coaches are normally reluctant to rely heavily on rookie defenseman but that's just something they'll have to deal with.
I see Manning as a solid 7th defenseman candidate for a number of factors. Won't retard his development by not playing, good cap, and capable. So in my view it comes down to a choice between keeping Sanheim or MacDonald. No doubt that MacDonald is the more experienced player and a better defender in his own zone, shot blocker, etc. As I've said many times, MacDonald is a player that will only help you not to lose. He won't help you win a lot. That's just the kind of player he is. I don't want to get into a debate on MacDonald as a player. Been there, done that. So it comes down to balancing out who is going to make more of an impact in the final count to the team, Sanheim or MacDonald? I think it's Sanheim. With his skating and puck skills he has far more ability to make a positive impact on the game than MacDonald does. Sure there may be some bad stretches and some issues defensively from time to time but he is not a slouch defensively by any means. You would also expect him to get better as the season goes along. They can waive MacDonald and send him down without a threat of losing him. If one of the young kids falters, you can recall MacDonald and put him right into the lineup. That's what I would do anyway. We'll see what Hextall decides.
- MJL

Well said. The spots have been open especially for the kids. One thing I wanna point out is Nolan Patrick's willingness to be responsible defensively first and make plays earns him a spot. Goals will come. Scott Laughton I think is a lock and will be a regular on the PK.

I didn't say letting him play LW was short sighted. I said the idea that he needs to be moved to wing, but Filppula should be center was short sighted
- YuenglingJagr

There are many facets to it. The coaching staff wanting to play Filppula at center is part of it but I don't think it is the main factor by any stretch.

Vecchione loaned to the phantoms.

Vecchione loaned to the phantoms.
- nastyflyergirl

Forever??

I personally have seen enough of the 3 rookie defenseman to make a final determination. Although I thought that Sanheim was just okay last night and has been better in previous games that I saw then he was last night. Nobody can tell me that Sanheim is any less prepared to play in the NHL than Hagg and Morin are. Different kinds of players for sure but all three are capable of playing in the NHL right now in my opinion.
- MJL

Good analysis. Right now I've Provorov, Gostisbehere and Gudas as the only locks.

I like Sanheim edging Morin in my next tier but want both on the team. They've done too much good to be sent back. Whatever roughness they need to smooth out with their games, let them do it at the NHL level.

After that, it's two out of three of Hagg, AMac and Manning. I'd go with Hagg and make AMac the 7th guy and not look back but I think both Morin and Sanheim have passed Hagg. They've been the two best rookies in camp and I like Patrick.

Good analysis. Right now I've Provorov, Gostisbehere and Gudas as the only locks.

I like Sanheim edging Morin in my next tier but want both on the team. They've done too much good to be sent back. Whatever roughness they need to smooth out with their games, let them do it at the NHL level.

After that, it's two out of three of Hagg, AMac and Manning. I'd go with Hagg and make AMac the 7th guy and not look back but I think both Morin and Sanheim have passed Hagg. They've been the two best rookies in camp and I like Patrick.
- fls13

Hagg is a lock.

Good analysis. Right now I've Provorov, Gostisbehere and Gudas as the only locks.

I like Sanheim edging Morin in my next tier but want both on the team. They've done too much good to be sent back. Whatever roughness they need to smooth out with their games, let them do it at the NHL level.

After that, it's two out of three of Hagg, AMac and Manning. I'd go with Hagg and make AMac the 7th guy and not look back but I think both Morin and Sanheim have passed Hagg. They've been the two best rookies in camp and I like Patrick.
- fls13

I personally really like Hagg. He's the kind of player a coach trusts to play in a lot of situations. If all three rookies make the team, I'd waive and demote MacDonald. No reason to risk losing Manning.

Vecchione loaned to the phantoms.
- nastyflyergirl

I'm wondering if he has a mild physical issue? He didn't exactly get a long look.

Forever??
- SuperSchennBros

Loaned does not mean forever, unless you are talking about money and some of my friends

Vecchione loaned to the phantoms.
- nastyflyergirl

In exchange, I wonder if Lehigh Valley would consider getting rid of their mascot:

No goals? No good.

In exchange, I wonder if Lehigh Valley would consider getting rid of their mascot:


- johndewar

Duane B

I personally really like Hagg. He's the kind of player a coach trusts to play in a lot of situations. If all three rookies make the team, I'd waive and demote MacDonald. No reason to risk losing Manning.
- MJL

Hagg plays a pretty quiet game. You seldom notice him which can certainly be good. I just think the other two D rookies have seriously stand-out aspects to their game and the Flyers are still pretty hard up for those things.

Manning is coming off back surgery, we'll see if that impacts how they play things as a final decision will have to be made . . . or postponed.

I personally really like Hagg. He's the kind of player a coach trusts to play in a lot of situations. If all three rookies make the team, I'd waive and demote MacDonald. No reason to risk losing Manning.
- MJL

So do I.

He plays the game like Provorov in a way. Just subtly good and positionally sound.

Just a FWIW:

If the preseason is any indication of what will actually transpire this year, the Vegas Golden Knights will be one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL and will be a serious Cup cotender.

Who's the 14th forward?
- Feanor

Just a FWIW:

If the preseason is any indication of what will actually transpire this year, the Vegas Golden Knights will be one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL and will be a serious Cup cotender.
- jmatchett383

also... all 82 Flyers games will go to OT, and there will be no shootouts for them this year.

- Bonerfide69

it actually looks like Jagr in a Joe Dirt halloween costume.

In exchange, I wonder if Lehigh Valley would consider getting rid of their mascot:


- johndewar

dont you dare (frank) with Melvin

this is who is in camp as of now. two forwards go and one dman

Sean Couturier
Valtteri Filppula
Claude Giroux
Travis Konecny
Scott Laughton
Jori Lehtera
Taylor Leier
Oskar Lindblom
Nolan Patrick
Michael Raffl
Matt Read
Wayne Simmonds
Jakub Voracek
Jordan Weal
Dale Weise


Shayne Gostisbehere
Radko Gudas
Robert Hagg
Andrew MacDonald
Brandon Manning
Samuel Morin
Ivan Provorov
Travis Sanheim


to me its a no brainer, Vecchione goes to the Phantoms for the season and Read is waived. I would waived AMAC knowing he won't be claimed and keep manning as the #7. Personally I don't want to risk losing ANY defensive depth knowing you have such a young group of dman.


this creates a lot of competition for playing time which is awesome.
- nastyflyergirl

part 1, complete. Now 15 F in camp.

also... all 82 Flyers games will go to OT, and there will be no shootouts for them this year.
- Doc_Sarcasm

In that scenario they could go 18-64 and end up with 100 points.

There are many facets to it. The coaching staff wanting to play Filppula at center is part of it but I don't think it is the main factor by any stretch.
- MJL

So many facets