Bill tweeted Ghost is at the morning skate

Patrick skating but in Yellow still

Ballast Point is overrated
- YuenglingJagr

Victory at sea is just about perfect.

Schenn's hit was Reckless and blindside?

Come on Bill.....that hit was a perfect example of a good clean body check.

Bill tweeted Ghost is at the morning skate

Patrick skating but in Yellow still
- nastyflyergirl

Oh well, more Lehtera and Weise, poor Weal/Konecny

If Ghost is cleared and 100% he should be in the lineup. He's not been out long enough to be that rusty and they can start by working him in easy on the 3rd pair with Alt and on the pp.

I haven't seen enough of Martel to really say much but if the only reason why he isn't in the conversation as a "real" prospect is because of his size, screw size. I hope he gets a look. he has improved his point total from year one to two and projection total for year 3.

Oh well, more Lehtera and Weise, poor Weal/Konecny

If Ghost is cleared and 100% he should be in the lineup. He's not been out long enough to be that rusty and they can start by working him in easy on the 3rd pair with Alt and on the pp.
- BiggE

also said no Gudas so if Ghost is in, O'Neill out and Alt remains in.

Schenn's hit was Reckless and blindside?

Come on Bill.....that hit was a perfect example of a good clean body check.
- Mittin

1. Couturier did not have the puck for quite a bit prior to the hit
2. Whether accidental or not, contact was made with Couturier's head
3. It was reckless and Schenn has a history of reckless hits just like that.

At the very least, the hit should be reviewed by DOP(e)S

Schenn's hit was Reckless and blindside?

Come on Bill.....that hit was a perfect example of a good clean body check.
- Mittin

no it really wasn't. it was late to start with which is why the penalty. While Schenn didn't target his head, the hit was from the blind side. Blind side hits were changed since the time of Richards blowing Booth up was a "clean" play.

1. Couturier did not have the puck for quite a bit prior to the hit
2. Whether accidental or not, contact was made with Couturier's head
3. It was reckless and Schenn has a history of reckless hits just like that.
4. Blatant blindsided blodycheck

At the very least, the hit should be reviewed by DOP(e)S
- BiggE

Forgot one

I haven't seen enough of Martel to really say much but if the only reason why he isn't in the conversation as a "real" prospect is because of his size, screw size. I hope he gets a look. he has improved his point total from year one to two and projection total for year 3.
- nastyflyergirl

He's as big or bigger than Gaudreau, but not as an explosive skater as Johnny Hockey. The big knock against him other than size was his defensive play/play away from the puck. However, that has improved. He's not a guy you bring up to fill a hole on the 4th line, but if a guy like Weal or Konecny were to go down, he'd be someone I'd like to see get a shot in that type of role.

[quote=Giroux_Is_God]

Yup, that too.

He's as big or bigger than Gaudreau, but not as an explosive skater as Johnny Hockey. The big knock against him other than size was his defensive play/play away from the puck. However, that has improved. He's not a guy you bring up to fill a hole on the 4th line, but if a guy like Weal or Konecny were to go down, he'd be someone I'd like to see get a shot in that type of role.
- BiggE

In today's NHL where speed is emphasized I just hope he gets a shot at some point. Obviously they need some size in the lineup to be able to compete with heavy teams like St Louis and LA but no more days of slugs.

1. Couturier did not have the puck for quite a bit prior to the hit
2. Whether accidental or not, contact was made with Couturier's head
3. It was reckless and Schenn has a history of reckless hits just like that.

At the very least, the hit should be reviewed by DOP(e)S
- BiggE

1. Quite a bit? Dude...players get hit all the time after they've dished the puck.
2. Yup, contact with head was made. That doesn't make it illegal or reckless. It happens with body checking....always will.
3. How was it reckless? He glided, shoulder and elbow all tucked in.

I laughed when I first saw it. Schenn barely made an effort to even hit him. The only problem here was Couturier moving east/west with his head down. That move is gonna get you hammered all day long.

One month in, here are some general observations

Re the Flyers:
Hak gets a lot of criticism around here, some frivolous, some deservedly so, but he gets huge props from me for moving G to LW and coming up with that top line.

Now you see why Couturier was a top 10 pick. He is the total package. He's not Clarke or Lindros, but he is top notch 2 way center. A good Flyers comparison may be Rod Brind'amour. Different style of play, but filling the same type of role. Coots will only turn 25 later this season, so if Patrick turns out to be a legit 1, 1A center, the Flyers will be in fantastic shape.

Jordan Weal can play, period, end of story.

Looks like the Flyers handled Laughton just right last season, he's been a pleasant surprise and looks very good both at ES and on the PK. You can also pretty much say the same about Leier. The 4th line has finally been significantly upgraded.

Ghost looks to be Ghost again. This is good. Hagg, while never going to a guy who drives possession or puts up big numbers, is solid and looks to be the kind of guy you can just plug in on your 2nd pair and Pk for the next 10 years without any worry.

Sanheim has had hiccups, but man, the wheels and skill are there. Add some more muscle and experience to the package and he's going to be a very good player.

Manning takes a lot of crap around here, but all he does is give every thing he's got any time he's on the ice. Can't really ask any more from a player.

Ivan Provorov is the man.

edit: Can't leave out AMac, he's played better than I expected this season, good for him.

Now, it's not all rosy, there are some negatives too:

Gudas is off to his usual slow start and needs to pick it up. He's been around long enough to know better.

I have to think Wayne Simmonds is playing hurt, he's really struggled the last few games. This is where I'd like to see a coach take him out for a game for his own good. Simmer won't like, but it could pay off in the long run.

While at times they've been fine, Lehtera and Weise have no business playing in a good teams top 9. The sooner I don't have to see either in that role, the better.

It's sad, but Matt Read just can't cut it anymore. Thanks for giving your all and being a class guy Matty, it was a nice ride.

The goaltending still scares me. Neuvy is playing very well, but you just know that he'll eventually either go ice cold, get hurt or both. Elliott is Elliott. Ok most nights, can occasionally get hot and steal a game or 2 and he can occasionally crap the bed. They are probably good enough, if they can avoid too many more injuries, to get them in the playoffs, but that is as far as they will likely go with that tandem.


And, some quick NHL observations.

DOPs is a joke and needs to be addressed in the offseason. The lack of consistency would be funny if wasn't so sad.

Hands up, who predicted that Vegas and Jersey would get off to such good starts. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Seeing the Rangers struggle warms my heart and makes me think of rainbows and teddy bears and 30 year old scotch.

Yeah, Chicago has struggled some this year. But you know that they will make the playoffs and likely be the team that no one want's to meet in the first round.

To everyone jumping off bridges in Edmonton, relax, the Oilers will be fine and will make the playoffs.

Perhaps Steve Mason's critics knew what they were talking about. He has really struggled in the Peg.

The Leafs are loaded with young talent at forward, but not so much on D. The Flyers are loaded with young talent at D, but not as much at forward. You'd think there could be a deal to be made at some point.

That's it cept for GO FLYERS!!!

1. Quite a bit? Dude...players get hit all the time after they've dished the puck.
2. Yup, contact with head was made. That doesn't make it illegal or reckless. It happens with body checking....always will.
3. How was it reckless? He glided, shoulder and elbow all tucked in.

I laughed when I first saw it. Schenn barely made an effort to even hit him. The only problem here was Couturier moving east/west with his head down. That move is gonna get you hammered all day long.
- Mittin

Here's the rule:

Rule 48.1 declares an illegal check to the head as "a hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable."

Contact to the head was easily avoidable, therefore it's a penalty. Also the ref called interference. This means that the puck hadn't just come off Couturier's stick a few seconds prior to the hit. It means in the view of the official, and I agree, that the puck had been off Couturier's stick long enough for Schenn to realize and avoid the contact. He did not, mainly because he has a tendency to play recklessly.

Now you may not like the way these rules or written or how the games are officiated. But, according to NHL rules, it was an illegal hit. No one is calling for Schenn to receive a 10 game suspension, heck, I don't think he really deserves anything more than a fine at most. However, the hit should be looked at.

1. Couturier did not have the puck for quite a bit prior to the hit
2. Whether accidental or not, contact was made with Couturier's head
3. It was reckless and Schenn has a history of reckless hits just like that.

At the very least, the hit should be reviewed by DOP(e)S
- BiggE

It was pretty much the same thing Matt Cooke did to Savard, except that Coots wasn't bent over.

One month in, here are some general observations

Re the Flyers:
Hak gets a lot of criticism around here, some frivolous, some deservedly so, but he gets huge props from me for moving G to LW and coming up with that top line.

Now you see why Couturier was a top 10 pick. He is the total package. He's not Clarke or Lindros, but he is top notch 2 way center. A good Flyers comparison may be Rod Brind'amour. Different style of play, but filling the same type of role. Coots will only turn 25 later this season, so if Patrick turns out to be a legit 1, 1A center, the Flyers will be in fantastic shape.

Jordan Weal can play, period, end of story.

Looks like the Flyers handled Laughton just right last season, he's been a pleasant surprise and looks very good both at ES and on the PK. You can also pretty much say the same about Leier. The 4th line has finally been significantly upgraded.

Ghost looks to be Ghost again. This is good. Hagg, while never going to a guy who drives possession or puts up big numbers, is solid and looks to be the kind of guy you can just plug in on your 2nd pair and Pk for the next 10 years without any worry.

Sanheim has had hiccups, but man, the wheels and skill are there. Add some more muscle and experience to the package and he's going to be a very good player.

Manning takes a lot of crap around here, but all he does is give every thing he's got any time he's on the ice. Can't really ask any more from a player.

Ivan Provorov is the man.

edit: Can't leave out AMac, he's played better than I expected this season, good for him.

Now, it's not all rosy, there are some negatives too:

Gudas is off to his usual slow start and needs to pick it up. He's been around long enough to know better.

I have to think Wayne Simmonds is playing hurt, he's really struggled the last few games. This is where I'd like to see a coach take him out for a game for his own good. Simmer won't like, but it could pay off in the long run.

While at times they've been fine, Lehtera and Weise have no business playing in a good teams top 9. The sooner I don't have to see either in that role, the better.

It's sad, but Matt Read just can't cut it anymore. Thanks for giving your all and being a class guy Matty, it was a nice ride.

The goaltending still scares me. Neuvy is playing very well, but you just know that he'll eventually either go ice cold, get hurt or both. Elliott is Elliott. Ok most nights, can occasionally get hot and steal a game or 2 and he can occasionally crap the bed. They are probably good enough, if they can avoid too many more injuries, to get them in the playoffs, but that is as far as they will likely go with that tandem.


And, some quick NHL observations.

DOPs is a joke and needs to be addressed in the offseason. The lack of consistency would be funny if wasn't so sad.

Hands up, who predicted that Vegas and Jersey would get off to such good starts. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Seeing the Rangers struggle warms my heart and makes me think of rainbows and teddy bears and 30 year old scotch.

Yeah, Chicago has struggled some this year. But you know that they will make the playoffs and likely be the team that no one want's to meet in the first round.

To everyone jumping off bridges in Edmonton, relax, the Oilers will be fine and will make the playoffs.

Perhaps Steve Mason's critics knew what they were talking about. He has really struggled in the Peg.

The Leafs are loaded with young talent at forward, but not so much on D. The Flyers are loaded with young talent at D, but not as much at forward. You'd think there could be a deal to be made at some point.

That's it cept for GO FLYERS!!!
- BiggE

BEWARE GURU

https://www.washingtonpos...s/?utm_term=.dfc120a37316

Here's the rule:

Rule 48.1 declares an illegal check to the head as "a hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable."

Contact to the head was easily avoidable, therefore it's a penalty. Also the ref called interference. This means that the puck hadn't just come off Couturier's stick a few seconds prior to the hit. It means in the view of the official, and I agree, that the puck had been off Couturier's stick long enough for Schenn to realize and avoid the contact. He did not, mainly because he has a tendency to play recklessly.

Now you may not like the way these rules or written or how the games are officiated. But, according to NHL rules, it was an illegal hit. No one is calling for Schenn to receive a 10 game suspension, heck, I don't think he really deserves anything more than a fine at most. However, the hit should be looked at.
- BiggE

Yup....give him a interference penalty. But to say it was reckless and blindside is ridiculous. Schenn has to commit to playing the body on Couturier. If Couts makes the toe drag move, and Schenn doesn't commit to taking him out, Couts gets a good shot on net and Schenn looks like a moron.
This was just a good clean hockey play. But because someone got a little hurt, we wussy fans think it was reckless and wrong and outrageous. It's fricken ridiculous. If Schenn really wanted to....he could have destroyed Couts. But he didn't....he barely made an effort....just enough to take his man out.

One month in, here are some general observations

Re the Flyers:
Hak gets a lot of criticism around here, some frivolous, some deservedly so, but he gets huge props from me for moving G to LW and coming up with that top line.

Now you see why Couturier was a top 10 pick. He is the total package. He's not Clarke or Lindros, but he is top notch 2 way center. A good Flyers comparison may be Rod Brind'amour. Different style of play, but filling the same type of role. Coots will only turn 25 later this season, so if Patrick turns out to be a legit 1, 1A center, the Flyers will be in fantastic shape.

Jordan Weal can play, period, end of story.

Looks like the Flyers handled Laughton just right last season, he's been a pleasant surprise and looks very good both at ES and on the PK. You can also pretty much say the same about Leier. The 4th line has finally been significantly upgraded.

Ghost looks to be Ghost again. This is good. Hagg, while never going to a guy who drives possession or puts up big numbers, is solid and looks to be the kind of guy you can just plug in on your 2nd pair and Pk for the next 10 years without any worry.

Sanheim has had hiccups, but man, the wheels and skill are there. Add some more muscle and experience to the package and he's going to be a very good player.

Manning takes a lot of crap around here, but all he does is give every thing he's got any time he's on the ice. Can't really ask any more from a player.

Ivan Provorov is the man.

edit: Can't leave out AMac, he's played better than I expected this season, good for him.

Now, it's not all rosy, there are some negatives too:

Gudas is off to his usual slow start and needs to pick it up. He's been around long enough to know better.

I have to think Wayne Simmonds is playing hurt, he's really struggled the last few games. This is where I'd like to see a coach take him out for a game for his own good. Simmer won't like, but it could pay off in the long run.

While at times they've been fine, Lehtera and Weise have no business playing in a good teams top 9. The sooner I don't have to see either in that role, the better.

It's sad, but Matt Read just can't cut it anymore. Thanks for giving your all and being a class guy Matty, it was a nice ride.

The goaltending still scares me. Neuvy is playing very well, but you just know that he'll eventually either go ice cold, get hurt or both. Elliott is Elliott. Ok most nights, can occasionally get hot and steal a game or 2 and he can occasionally crap the bed. They are probably good enough, if they can avoid too many more injuries, to get them in the playoffs, but that is as far as they will likely go with that tandem.


And, some quick NHL observations.

DOPs is a joke and needs to be addressed in the offseason. The lack of consistency would be funny if wasn't so sad.

Hands up, who predicted that Vegas and Jersey would get off to such good starts. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Seeing the Rangers struggle warms my heart and makes me think of rainbows and teddy bears and 30 year old scotch.

Yeah, Chicago has struggled some this year. But you know that they will make the playoffs and likely be the team that no one want's to meet in the first round.

To everyone jumping off bridges in Edmonton, relax, the Oilers will be fine and will make the playoffs.

Perhaps Steve Mason's critics knew what they were talking about. He has really struggled in the Peg.

The Leafs are loaded with young talent at forward, but not so much on D. The Flyers are loaded with young talent at D, but not as much at forward. You'd think there could be a deal to be made at some point.

That's it cept for GO FLYERS!!!
- BiggE

Great observations bigge. Speaking of handling players well, not just Laughton but also credit for how they handled Hagg. You mentioned him and I agree, he looks confident and steady, very much an nhl player. At the start of last year he was guy they said who was lacking something, didn’t push himself or something. He looks great in that under rated way a D man should, hardly notice but is quietly getting it done. I think the organization gets some credit for his development, but biggest credit of course to the player himself. Appears to be another solid draft pick panning out.

Also appreciate your Amac comments. He has been a solid minute eating vet this season before getting hurt, which is pretty important with all the youth cycling into playing roles. His contract gets bashed but he does have ability and fills a role on the team. Their play has suffered with him out.

BEWARE GURU

https://www.washingtonpos...s/?utm_term=.dfc120a37316
- KINGKENZO

Great observations bigge. Speaking of handling players well, not just Laughton but also credit for how they handled Hagg. You mentioned him and I agree, he looks confident and steady, very much an nhl player. At the start of last year he was guy they said who was lacking something, didn’t push himself or something. He looks great in that under rated way a D man should, hardly notice but is quietly getting it done. I think the organization gets some credit for his development, but biggest credit of course to the player himself. Appears to be another solid draft pick panning out.

Also appreciate your Amac comments. He has been a solid minute eating vet this season before getting hurt, which is pretty important with all the youth cycling into playing roles. His contract gets bashed but he does have ability and fills a role on the team. Their play has suffered with him out.
- Marc D

Absolutely. My problem with AMac was that you weren't getting the value you should from a 5 million dollar cap hit, though if the Cap starts approaching 80 million, it's less of an issue and that he's really being misused as a top pair guy.

He is a solid player and if he was making 3.5 million, I don't think a lot of people would be complaining about him.

Absolutely. My problem with AMac was that you weren't getting the value you should from a 5 million dollar cap hit, though if the Cap starts approaching 80 million, it's less of an issue and that he's really being misused as a top pair guy.

He is a solid player and if he was making 3.5 million, I don't think a lot of people would be complaining about him.
- BiggE

Fair points, but nhl Ufa D tend to get over paid. Not to rehash the whole contract thing. He has some faults but I think for this year and maybe next he is an ok fit and valuable vet, especially if they keep his minutes under 20-22 per night.

With provy getting big minutes I’m not sure I want Amac in the role of his partner full time, as he gets exposed playing too many minutes. Also not a big fan of Amac on the PK, but for this year I think Hak is forced to use him there. At least until Morin gets a shot.

Yup....give him a interference penalty. But to say it was reckless and blindside is ridiculous. Schenn has to commit to playing the body on Couturier. If Couts makes the toe drag move, and Schenn doesn't commit to taking him out, Couts gets a good shot on net and Schenn looks like a moron.
This was just a good clean hockey play. But because someone got a little hurt, we wussy fans think it was reckless and wrong and outrageous. It's fricken ridiculous. If Schenn really wanted to....he could have destroyed Couts. But he didn't....he barely made an effort....just enough to take his man out.
- Mittin

Was absolutely blindside and late. Nothing "clean" about it, except not a head shot and not full force. BTW, I suspect that Schenn texted an apology to Couturier... was hinted at today, although not directly stated. At minimum, Schenn definitely felt bad about it. There was clearly no intent to injure but was not a necessary hit. BTW two Flyers Alumni guys I know well lamented no one on the Flyers responding on the spot.

None of that falls in with your interpretation of a good, clean play with a bad result.

Fair points, but nhl Ufa D tend to get over paid. Not to rehash the whole contract thing. He has some faults but I think for this year and maybe next he is an ok fit and valuable vet, especially if they keep his minutes under 20-22 per night.

With provy getting big minutes I’m not sure I want Amac in the role of his partner full time, as he gets exposed playing too many minutes. Also not a big fan of Amac on the PK, but for this year I think Hak is forced to use him there. At least until Morin gets a shot.
- Marc D

I'd like Morin over AMac on the PK as well, but if everyone ever gets healthy, you're back to: who to scratch to make room for Morin? Honestly, if he wasn't currently their only rh shot, I'd look to move Gudas, but that would leave them too thin with guys who can play the right side effectively.

I guess you could give it a try, and perhaps go:

Provorov-Hagg
Sanheim-AMac
Morin-Ghost

You'd have to think that eventually Myers could take AMac's spot and at least give them one righthanded shot.

Was absolutely blindside and late. Nothing "clean" about it, except not a head shot and not full force. BTW, I suspect that Schenn texted an apology to Couturier... was hinted at today, although not directly stated. At minimum, Schenn definitely felt bad about it. There was clearly no intent to injure but was not a necessary hit. BTW two Flyers Alumni guys I know well lamented no one on the Flyers responding on the spot.

None of that falls in with your interpretation of a good, clean play with a bad result.
- bmeltzer

Thank you, I thought I was perhaps going crazy, LOL.

I'm with the alumni guys too, someone should have either gone right after Schenn following the hit, or at least challenged him to drop the gloves at some point in the game. I'm starting to see a pattern of Flyers being on the receiving end of a lot of nasty hits and I think they are going to need to start responding at some point. You don't have to do it every time, but it still needs to be done now and then.