Gene Hart was around before my time. But when I watch the classic games of him working the game I am blown away by how good he was and a bit saddened that I didnt experience his calls. He is fantastic
- Just5

In related news, I like Ed Hochuli and his over explanation of calls

Upshall scored for St Louis...We shoulda never let him go

While I don't know for a fact that his confidence is being negatively affected, if it is, it's not necessarily a bad thing for him to try and work himself out of it. He's been dominating the WHL for the last three seasons, and has been touted as the potential number 1 pick in his draft year for the two previous seasons. Based off my personal experience, it's better to make him work himself out of that situation.

There will surely be points of his career where things don't go the way he wants them to, and figuring out how to deal with that early is good for a young NHL player.
- VladDrag

None of us know for a fact but it is human nature for it to have some effect. Development is a process that takes place in steps. Putting too much on a young player too soon can hurt his development. There is no way sending him to the World Juniors is going to hurt his development.

None of us know for a fact but it is human nature for it to have some effect. Development is a process that takes place in steps. Putting too much on a young player too soon can hurt his development. There is no way sending him to the World Juniors is going to hurt his development.
- MJL

Have to agree...if the Flyers feel they can do with out him, there is nothing to suggest he would be hurt by the experience. Either way this kid hasn’t scratched the surface ....he really is going to be a good one.

Strange schedule. I hate not having a game on the weekend. I vote yes to going to a 2 defenseman lineup on the 2nd PP unit and inserting Sanheim onto the PP.
- MJL

A schedule that gives an east coast team a few days off after back to back games in western Canada is a good one.

Upshall scored for St Louis...We shoulda never let him go
- Konalover

Schenn scores his 15th. Team leading scorer.

None of us know for a fact but it is human nature for it to have some effect. Development is a process that takes place in steps. Putting too much on a young player too soon can hurt his development. There is no way sending him to the World Juniors is going to hurt his development.
- MJL

Each player is different, for sure. Thats what would work for me, personally. I prefer to work under high pressure situations. Just my personal choice.

I dont think playing in the WJC would hurt his development, but I dont think it would help it either. What if he got hurt again playing in a tournament that effectively doesn't matter?

I lean towards keeping him on the team, but I wont get mad if they allow him to play.

I want to re-open a topic that I didn't get to finish a couple days ago. I threw out the idea that if Ghost didn't give a full effort, maybe Provorov should be tried on the top unit because I believe players should be held accountable and certain privileges could be taken away. Later that night Ghost had a pretty big night on the PP.

I didn't see much of the responses. The ones I saw didn't seem outraged but the majority disagreed.

My question though is, what is the ceiling to you in Ivan Provorov's development? I understand Ghost might be more offensively gifted but in my mind Provorov has room to improve in all areas of the game. In my mind a potential, elite, number one defenseman in the NHL anchors a blue line. Starts every penalty kill. Quarterback's most, if not every Power Play.

Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Zdeno Chara (In his prime). That's what these guys do.

Edit:I didn't have the numbers in front of me but I apologize for lowballing Kimmo Timonen PP goal wise.

Each player is different, for sure. Thats what would work for me, personally. I prefer to work under high pressure situations. Just my personal choice.

I dont think playing in the WJC would hurt his development, but I dont think it would help it either. What if he got hurt again playing in a tournament that effectively doesn't matter?

I lean towards keeping him on the team, but I wont get mad if they allow him to play.
- VladDrag

It would help by giving him a reset and a temporary relief from the pressure he is likely feeling. It's the same deal as to why coaches will scratch a young player for a few games. This is better because it keeps him playing hockey.

A schedule that gives an east coast team a few days off after back to back games in western Canada is a good one.
- Feanor

Good point.

this long lay off is going to have this team ice cold and probably be asleep on tuesday

Have to agree...if the Flyers feel they can do with out him, there is nothing to suggest he would be hurt by the experience. Either way this kid hasn’t scratched the surface ....he really is going to be a good one.
- landros 2

The problem with Patrick taking leave and playing in the WJC is who's going to replace him? Lehtera? I'd take a struggling Patrick over that option every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

The problem with Patrick taking leave and playing in the WJC is who's going to replace him? Lehtera? I'd take a struggling Patrick over that option every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
- fls13

Vech

Vech
- flyer_nutter

Could be. Still wouldn't make the move.

Could be. Still wouldn't make the move.
- fls13

I wouldnt either, unless something like this happens.

Put him alongside Voracek and Raffl.

G with Konec and Couturier.

#9: yes.

I want to re-open a topic that I didn't get to finish a couple days ago. I threw out the idea that if Ghost didn't give a full effort, maybe Provorov should be tried on the top unit because I believe players should be held accountable and certain privileges could be taken away. Later that night Ghost had a pretty big night on the PP.

I didn't see much of the responses. The ones I saw didn't seem outraged but the majority disagreed.

My question though is, what is the ceiling to you in Ivan Provorov's development? I understand Ghost might be more offensively gifted but in my mind Provorov has room to improve in all areas of the game. In my mind a potential, elite, number one defenseman in the NHL anchors a blue line. Starts every penalty kill. Quarterback's most, if not every Power Play.

Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Zdeno Chara (In his prime). That's what these guys do.

Edit:I didn't have the numbers in front of me but I apologize for lowballing Kimmo Timonen PP goal wise.
- SuperSchennBros

regardless of full effort, i'd try provorov on the top unit for the sake of trying it, and as you point out, top D play in all situations, including #1 pp unit. hovering around 20th in the league, it's not like there isn't room for improvement. why not mix it up?

also, i'd like to see sanheim given a chance on the powerplay, regardless of whether provorov moved up or not. it's not like the 2nd unit is loaded for bear up front. they could stand another dman who can make plays at the line and get it on net. do it. jfc.

yankees get Stanton
w00t they're going to be fun to watch

On another note, is Ohtani going to be a hitter or a pitcher in fantasy baseball? Because pitchers' hitting stats don't count, not do fielders' pitching stats in rare instances they do pitch in blowouts/18 inning games.

Or will he be both?

That's the most interesting part of this whole saga tbh
- Giroux_Is_God

It is crazy. They should make two of him

Two guys drafted this year are also big two way players. Hunter Greene came out of HS as one of the best pitching and SS prospects. Brendan McCay came out of Louisville as a LHP/1B prospect. It'll be interesting to see if any end up good at both

It is crazy. They should make two of him

Two guys drafted this year are also big two way players. Hunter Greene came out of HS as one of the best pitching and SS prospects. Brendan McCay came out of Louisville as a LHP/1B prospect. It'll be interesting to see if any end up good at both
- YuenglingJagr

no one even knows if Ohtani will be good at anything in the MLB

It is crazy. They should make two of him

Two guys drafted this year are also big two way players. Hunter Greene came out of HS as one of the best pitching and SS prospects. Brendan McCay came out of Louisville as a LHP/1B prospect. It'll be interesting to see if any end up good at both
- YuenglingJagr

Indeed.

Those kids though will most likely be groomed to do one or the other, whichever one they're potentially better in. Ohtani has "proven" to be good at both. There's some talk that his hitting might not transfer too well but his stuff is real off the mound. Top end starter for sure.

this long lay off is going to have this team ice cold and probably be asleep on tuesday
- 2Real

They almost need to win all of the games on this homestand 10-12 points back of a WC spot after this stand season over.

Indeed.

Those kids though will most likely be groomed to do one or the other, whichever one they're potentially better in. Ohtani has "proven" to be good at both. There's some talk that his hitting might not transfer too well but his stuff is real off the mound. Top end starter for sure.
- Giroux_Is_God

Well that's the thing. Normally they say what they're drafted for but these teams didn't say which one. I think Greene will end up a starter but will obviously play infield if that doesn't work out

regardless of full effort, i'd try provorov on the top unit for the sake of trying it, and as you point out, top D play in all situations, including #1 pp unit. hovering around 20th in the league, it's not like there isn't room for improvement. why not mix it up?

also, i'd like to see sanheim given a chance on the powerplay, regardless of whether provorov moved up or not. it's not like the 2nd unit is loaded for bear up front. they could stand another dman who can make plays at the line and get it on net. do it. jfc.
- hammarby31

Sanheim also crashes the net well which is something I think the 2nd unit lacks atm.

Upshall scored for St Louis...We shoulda never let him go
- Konalover

right