In my view, Morin is a stone cold mortal lock to make the team.
- MJL

excellent. i havent been keeping up as much as i should be so i wasnt sure if he was one of the bubble guys still

In my view, Morin is a stone cold mortal lock to make the team.
- MJL

It would be a stunner if he were sent down

i hope he makes it but if i had to choose one to send down it would be him solely because he's younger than the others and I think it would really damage their confidence at this point.


obviously that could work the other way if they are kept up before being ready and sent down later, but i guess thats the risk
- Crimsoninja

If that happens, I'm just looking forward to the renewed and continuing love affair the fans have with Andrew MacDonald.

If up to me, final cuts would be Read and Manning, but I think both make the team and final cuts are Lindblom and one of the young D.
- bmeltzer

Hi Bill,
Based on what I've seen, Lindblom is already Top 12 on this team but maybe not Top 9. Do you think that's where the brass has him slotted or has he been a bit of a disappointment and they've got him lower than anticipated?

Sure, but moving Giroux to LW instead of Filppula is a massive gamble so if it blows up in his face he won't have anywhere to hide. I'm sure Hextall is on board with it, but ultimately the coach is responsible for setting the lines.

Couturier-Voracek is already a proven combo for producing points and controlling the puck. You could put Filppula, or Konecny or Raffl or Weal on that line and that wouldn't change. But then you could have Giroux playing center. And healthy Giroux is a better all around center than Filppula.
- Feanor

It's interesting. I don't know. I'm glad -- and know -- Giroux can play the wing; it was the Flyers who moved him to center, after all.

I really don't know what I'd do. I've thought and thought about it, and I so didn't see this being a thing, at least for this season, I'm really not quite able to form an opinion because as much as I want to fire off a hot take, I kinda want to see it in a real game or three or six

If that happens, I'm just looking forward to the renewed and continuing love affair the fans have with Andrew MacDonald.
- MJL

Nice, well played sir

Bobby Orr was wasted as a defenseman, should have been a forward.
- jmatchett383

But Bobby Orr was great defensively too. Paul Coffey is more a one dimensional defensemen (like ghost) but Coffey could put up so many points that you put up with his defense. Ghost is a specialist—he is good on the power play and overtime but is he a significant upgrade offensively over Provorov or Sanheim? And both of Them can skate rings around ghost defensively!

I like defensemen that can play defense (crazy right?). Soon everyone will think MacDonalds contract is a bargain compared to 6 more years of Ghost. By the way I think MacDonalds contract was too much for too long. If he made $3m for 3 years no one would complain.

Yup.

Just ask Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban...
- 77rams

But those guys are adequate in the defensive zone. They aren’t Rod Languay but when Ghost is out there it is a power play if the other team has their first line out. If you want to dress 7 dmen and only play him on the PP or OT I am ok with that. It is basically what they are doing now

Provorov-Hagg
Morin-Sanheim
Gudas-Manning
PP: Ghost

But Bobby Orr was great defensively too. Paul Coffey is more a one dimensional defensemen (like ghost) but Coffey could put up so many points that you put up with his defense. Ghost is a specialist—he is good on the power play and overtime but is he a significant upgrade offensively over Provorov or Sanheim? And both of Them can skate rings around ghost defensively!

I like defensemen that can play defense (crazy right?). Soon everyone will think MacDonalds contract is a bargain compared to 6 more years of Ghost. By the way I think MacDonalds contract was too much for too long. If he made $3m for 3 years no one would complain.
- Flyersfan33

Listen, I agree with a lot of the points you made. A defenseman's number one job is to defend. If he can't do that, then he doesn't have a ton of value. Gostisbehere's fundamental defensive play broke down last season. We can argue why but why does that matter at this point. I believe that he can play a lot better because we've seen it. He's never going to be a defenseman who is going to knock guys off the puck physically so he has to defend with smart positioning, reading of plays, and a smart stick. The best way to defend in today's NHL is to not defend. Play with the puck more. Gostisbehere is capable of helping with that with his skating puck skills, and neutral zone play. He lost his way last year, has looked a little shaky in pre season. I think he deserves some more leeway here before we worry about it.

But Bobby Orr was great defensively too. Paul Coffey is more a one dimensional defensemen (like ghost) but Coffey could put up so many points that you put up with his defense. Ghost is a specialist—he is good on the power play and overtime but is he a significant upgrade offensively over Provorov or Sanheim? And both of Them can skate rings around ghost defensively!

I like defensemen that can play defense (crazy right?). Soon everyone will think MacDonalds contract is a bargain compared to 6 more years of Ghost. By the way I think MacDonalds contract was too much for too long. If he made $3m for 3 years no one would complain.
- Flyersfan33

Did Ek really say that Morin seems to be the one going down?

Did Ek really say that Morin seems to be the one going down?
- opeth_pa

Is Ek ever right about much of anything?

(frank) YOU, RINALDO

(frank) YOU, RINALDO
- KINGKENZO

Is Ek ever right about much of anything?
- Doc_Sarcasm

And that is why I love it here..Common sense left my mind for a min..
THanks for bringing me back!!

And that is why I love it here..Common sense left my mind for a min..
THanks for bringing me back!!
- opeth_pa

I want to ask EK if he realizes Bill covers the team but I don't want another 3 month ban

And that is why I love it here..Common sense left my mind for a min..
THanks for bringing me back!!
- opeth_pa

Dude, no problem. I'm happy to assist.

I want to ask EK if he realizes Bill covers the team but I don't want another 3 month ban
- KINGKENZO

The trick is to get someone ELSE to ask EK that. Preferably one of the usual board trolls.

The trick is to get someone ELSE to ask EK that. Preferably one of the usual board trolls.
- Doc_Sarcasm

Hey...hey Shakespeare, come over here for a sec!

I want to ask EK if he realizes Bill covers the team but I don't want another 3 month ban
- KINGKENZO

Hey...hey Shakespeare, come over here for a sec!
- Mononoke

The problem with that... Ek probably wouldnt be able to understand what he said.

The problem with that... Ek probably wouldnt be able to understand what he said.
- Doc_Sarcasm

He's also a STH (a double STH!), so he can't be banned barring a federal offense.

He's also a STH (a double STH!), so he can't be banned barring a federal offense.
- Mononoke

One more STH account and he's probably going to be a mod.

Nik Kronwall is a huge bum now!

Detroit has a guy with the last name of Frk. Dude needs to buy a vowel. Detroit looks like poop tonight too.