Because god knows their line of thinking had consistently shown to be the model of success in the 'new NHL'

Playing the zombies year after year instead of kids banging on the door is moronic.

- flyer_nutter

Provorov, Hagg, Sanheim, Konecny, Laughton, Leier, Weal, Gostibehere, and even Couturier might disagree.

He's been aight, minus FA where he has sucked big time.

I just feel its a half ass commitment to a youth movement/rebuild when you do some of the things him/Hak have done.
- flyer_nutter

You think anything below a full scale youth movement is half assed without considering the best environment for young players.

I would say they are kind of soft to begin with, so I wouldn't disagree with a concern of having too many small players.

Although if it comes between Weise/Lehtera and one of the AHL kids/Colin Mac- its choosing to drink milk a day past its expiry, or poop on a spoon.
- flyer_nutter

I agree, but soft is often less about size than it is about heart and grit. Simmer at 185 pounds is far from soft and neither is Manning who is average sized for a Dman. Size was much more important in the clutch and grab era than it is today. The game is all about speed and skill now. If you can find those attributes in a big guy, great, but when it comes to the things you look for in an NHL player: skill, speed, smarts, heart and size, size should be the least important facet.

Provorov, Hagg, Sanheim, Konecny, Laughton, Leier, Weal, Gostibehere, and even Couturier might disagree.
- MBFlyerfan

Flyers gonna flyer. Clearly not keeping up with the new NHL.

Provorov, Hagg, Sanheim, Konecny, Laughton, Leier, Weal, Gostibehere, and even Couturier might disagree.
- MBFlyerfan

VDV, Belle, Read, Umberger, Weise, Vinny and Lehtera?

I'm not saying he hasn't played any of the kids, but the zombies continue to be sent out far too often on a rebuilding club.

I agree, but soft is often less about size than it is about heart and grit. Simmer at 185 pounds is far from soft and neither is Manning who is average sized for a Dman. Size was much more important in the clutch and grab era than it is today. The game is all about speed and skill now. If you can find those attributes in a big guy, great, but when it comes to the things you look for in an NHL player: skill, speed, smarts, heart and size, size should be the least important facet.
- BiggE

You forgot the most important element of "respect" and having earned their time.

Is there such a thing as a team or NHL management that never ever makes a mistake? Do you know that they are making a mistake by not calling up Martel? I don't. Maybe they are. Easy to look in hindsight and make all the right calls. You look at the balance of the decision making and the overall process and focus on that. In my view, Hextall has the team headed in the right direction and patience is still needed. Of course there will be some setbacks and some speed bumps. Part of the process.
- MJL

Thank you. At least you admit they MIGHT be wrong about a guy like Martel. Like I said, I'm down with Hextall's plan, I just don't think he's above criticism

VDV, Belle, Read, Umberger, Weise, Vinny and Lehtera?

I'm not saying he hasn't played any of the kids, but the zombies continue to be sent out far too often on a rebuilding club.
- flyer_nutter

Every rebuilding team has a mix of veterans to add support for young players.

Love Subban rocking the gold cowboy hat in pregame skate

nm

Provorov, Hagg, Sanheim, Konecny, Laughton, Leier, Weal, Gostibehere, and even Couturier might disagree.
- MBFlyerfan

Ghost and Coots are turning 25. Weal is 25. Provorov might as well be 30. Laughton is turning 24, so is Leier. They're 4th liners.

Sanheim plays like the 7th most minutes on the defense per game. TK is still waiting for that bigger role. It's hard to say they don't like to handle prospects with kid gloves. Hagg is the exception -- the one prospect given a big role -- and he's just bland as (frank) and doesn't do much, which is why they like him.

- Bonerfide69

VDV, Belle, Read, Umberger, Weise, Vinny and Lehtera?

I'm not saying he hasn't played any of the kids, but the zombies continue to be sent out far too often on a rebuilding club.
- flyer_nutter

This is where you need to make peace with yourself because although you may want/need/think they are rebuilding, Hextall isnt operating as a rebuilding GM. He has consistently stated such and stated his expectations to the team is he thinks they should make the playoffs. These are not the actions of GM operating under a rebuild

Thank you. At least you admit they MIGHT be wrong about a guy like Martel. Like I said, I'm down with Hextall's plan, I just don't think he's above criticism
- BiggE

I've never said anything different.

In my view right or wrong, if Hextall thought that a player like Martel was ready for the NHL and could help the Flyers, without it being detrimental to his future, he would be on the team.

Ghost and Coots are turning 25. Weal is 25. Provorov might as well be 30. Laughton is turning 24, so is Leier. They're 4th liners.

Sanheim plays like the 7th most minutes on the defense per game. TK is still waiting for that bigger role. It's hard to say they don't like to handle prospects with kid gloves. Hagg is the exception -- the one prospect given a big role -- and he's just bland as (frank) and doesn't do much, which is why they like him.
- Mononoke

TK has to earn that consistent spot in the top 6 with some solid play alongside one or more of the zombies. The offensive creativity has to be contained.

Ghost and Coots are turning 25. Weal is 25. Provorov might as well be 30. Laughton is turning 24, so is Leier. They're 4th liners.

Sanheim plays like the 7th most minutes on the defense per game. TK is still waiting for that bigger role. It's hard to say they don't like to handle prospects with kid gloves. Hagg is the exception -- the one prospect given a big role -- and he's just bland as (frank) and doesn't do much, which is why they like him.
- Mononoke

They like Hagg because he doesn't make a lot of mistakes and is consistent. Coaches see value in players like that and that's league wide and not specific to Hakstol or the Flyers.

TK has to earn that consistent spot in the top 6 with some solid play alongside one or more of the zombies. The offensive creativity has to be contained.
- flyer_nutter

Hyperbole.

VDV, Belle, Umberger, Weise, Vinny and Lehtera?

I'm not saying he hasn't played any of the kids, but the zombies continue to be sent out far too often on a rebuilding club.
- flyer_nutter

Gone, gone, gone, here, gone, here. One of the "here's" is in the Cote suite when Patrick returns. (forgot to mention him).

The bottom line is that there is ample evidence that shows the Flyers are willing to play ANY young player they feel is ready for the NHL. Your problem is that you disagree with their evaluation and usage of younger players YOU think should be in the NHL and the team doesn't.

If the team thought Martel was ready and could contribute he would be here. There is plenty of history under Hextall to support that, obviously they see more than we do.

Personally I think they should give him a shot. He is scoring goals, most of the NHL team is not.

I think the team believes he would be overwhelmed at the NHL level because he wont score, and if he isn't scoring he is not much of an asset.

You obviously disagree with that assessment (if its true)

in case anyone cares

http://www.philly.com/phi...ial-service-20171114.html

Hey let's get off to a good start in this one and get a go

Fine start

Just the start they were looking for.

Wow, is that a record?

Good lord

Gone, gone, gone, here, gone, here. One of the "here's" is in the Cote suite when Patrick returns. (forgot to mention him).

The bottom line is that there is ample evidence that shows the Flyers are willing to play ANY young player they feel is ready for the NHL. Your problem is that you disagree with their evaluation and usage of younger players YOU think should be in the NHL and the team doesn't.

If the team thought Martel was ready and could contribute he would be here. There is plenty of history under Hextall to support that, obviously they see more than we do.

Personally I think they should give him a shot. He is scoring goals, most of the NHL team is not.

I think the team believes he would be overwhelmed at the NHL level because he wont score, and if he isn't scoring he is not much of an asset.

You obviously disagree with that assessment (if its true)
- MBFlyerfan