Western Michigan University defenseman Dan DeKeyser is likely to be a highly sought after college free agent by NHL clubs. "It's not unfathomable to think Danny DeKeyser could get an offer from every team," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said recently. "He could be the complete package." The mobile blueliner registered 17 points and 42 penalty minutes in 41 games during his sophomore year with the Broncos in 2011-12. The Detroit Red Wings are believed to have the inside track on him services, but that won't stop teams like Philadelphia from trying to sign him as well.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News
- stveshdy

Why is it these guys aren't being drafted? Do they somehow dodge the draft so they can pick a team in UFA, or do they go undrafted and then rejoin a college team?

They have guys like Briere, Simmonds and Schenn that can use theses games to start producing some offense, and keeping momentum is important.

Also, who knows? If Pittsburgh or New York stumbles, they could get home ice in the first round.
- Jsaquella

Flyers will have their chance for home ice bc they still have some games against Pittsburgh and NYR. You never know what other teams are going to do. Its important the Flyers continue to play solid hockey. They can only control what they do and hopefully they keep winning and building momentum.

Why is it these guys aren't being drafted? Do they somehow dodge the draft so they can pick a team in UFA, or do they go undrafted and then rejoin a college team?
- RooNosHockey

Here is the actual link to read more.

http://www.philly.com/phi...raise_about_DeKeyser.html

Part of that is because the Flyers use the Phantoms as strictly developmental. When the Flyers owned the Phantoms, they regularly had three or four veteran AHL star level guys on the roster, so the team would be competitive.

When they played at the Spectrum, the goal was as much to make money as it was to develop guys.
- Jsaquella

Phantoms will be great next season after they stash Danny's cap hit down there.

Sometimes the truth hurts
- bird_dog

Interesting read for sure. And somewhat ominous.....

Phantoms will be great next season after they stash Danny's cap hit down there.
- bradleyc4

Thought the plan was to buy him out?

Thought the plan was to buy him out?
- funmaster18

Changes everyday.

In terms of entertainment value and, of course, level of difficulty for the Flyers here is how I hope the East shakes out (realistically):
Pittsburgh vs. Washington, Boston vs. Ottawa, Florida vs. New Jersey (blech), and New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia. Regardless of Washington's struggles, those two teams don't like each other and could get ugly. That said, I think the Pens hammer them in 5 (if Washington is lucky). Boston and Ottawa also have a strong dislike for each other and I truly do believe that Ottawa will beat Boston in 6 games. Florida vs. New Jersey is a nauseating series and frankly I don't give a poop about it. Flyers vs. Rangers... Could a series be more exciting in a first round?? That 0-5 record will be rendered useless as Bryz swallows up the marginal Rangers scoring and Flyers scoring gets enough done against the King. Flyers in 6.

IF and its a BIG IF, the they get lucky the second round could look like Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa and Philadelphia vs. New Jersey. I really do believe the Flyers are headed to an ECF matchup with the Pens.

Part of that is because the Flyers use the Phantoms as strictly developmental. When the Flyers owned the Phantoms, they regularly had three or four veteran AHL star level guys on the roster, so the team would be competitive.

When they played at the Spectrum, the goal was as much to make money as it was to develop guys.
- Jsaquella

True, my input on this is that why not foster a winning attitude and truly develop players.
There could be an argument made that the flyers don't have great success drafting skilled but raw talent and developing them into good NHL players.
This is even more true for defensemen.
Marshal is gone, Bourdon is a serviceable 6 man at best. Gus was a free agent who may be a full time NHL'er.
The question comes down to how will guys like Lauridson, Manning, Kessel pan out? If the phantoms are really a tool develop players then one or more of these guys should be developed into more than fill ins when Flyers have injuries.
How many forwards are really developed at the AHL level for the flyers. Not 4th line players.

Primarily most of the forwards spend some time at the AHL but then get called up. That is to be expected due to a salary cap league but at the moment I can't think of one player on the flyers who spent 2-3 years in the AHL then made the flyers roster. The turnover for the phantoms is pretty high.

Part of that is because the Flyers use the Phantoms as strictly developmental. When the Flyers owned the Phantoms, they regularly had three or four veteran AHL star level guys on the roster, so the team would be competitive.

When they played at the Spectrum, the goal was as much to make money as it was to develop guys.
- Jsaquella

Another part would be the very "win now" mentality they had through the last two or three years of the Frick and Frack era. It's hard to fill the cupboards when you're in the process of emptying them.

Changes everyday.
- stveshdy

Hard to keep up!

this is very weird:

http://www.philly.com/phi...rts/flyers/144047786.html

this is very weird:

http://www.philly.com/phi...rts/flyers/144047786.html
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Might I get a summary?

this is very weird:

http://www.philly.com/phi...rts/flyers/144047786.html
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I thought it interesting. Interested to know what you find weird?

I thought it interesting. Interested to know what you find weird?

- MBFlyerfan

i find the whole idea that they need to find another russian to try and explain bryz odd. do you ever see articles asking another canadian to try to analyze the emotional state of a canadian goalie?

i find the whole idea that they need to find another russian to try and explain bryz odd. do you ever see articles asking another canadian to try to analyze the emotional state of a canadian goalie?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Far too much time on the hands of the Philly press.

I still dont understand how these guys skip the draft. I get it, they are in College, but why doesn't everyone just join a college team, wait for them to miss the playoffs, then sign as a free agent with any team you want...

i find the whole idea that they need to find another russian to try and explain bryz odd. do you ever see articles asking another canadian to try to analyze the emotional state of a canadian goalie?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

it was more of a joke piece that they included in the Sports Week saturday magazine. I happened to hear the DN editor interviewed on the radio about it. i couldnt make it 10 words in meh

it was more of a joke piece that they included in the Sports Week saturday magazine. I happened to hear the DN editor interviewed on the radio about it. i couldnt make it 10 words in meh
- Crimsoninja

oh.

ha ha.

oh.

ha ha.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

u mad

How much meaning do you guys think these games hold. In my opinion they are improtant just to keep on a roll, and to keep pressure on Pitt and Rangers to keep winning. But I could see why some people would care less if they took the foot off the pedal to stay healthy and charged for a playoff run... Curious what you guys think.
- RooNosHockey

At this point in the Season, this close to the playoffs. Taking your foot off of the pedal is the worst thing a team could possibly do. And I would find any suggestion of doing so puzzling, to say the least.

I still dont understand how these guys skip the draft. I get it, they are in College, but why doesn't everyone just join a college team, wait for them to miss the playoffs, then sign as a free agent with any team you want...
- RooNosHockey

They didn't skip the draft. The Draft skipped them.

u mad
- Crimsoninja

why i hefta

At this point in the Season, this close to the playoffs. Taking your foot off of the pedal is the worst thing a team could possibly do. And I would find any suggestion of doing so puzzling, to say the least.
- MJL

Absolutely. Have to keep the momentum going.

There's another buzzgate this Thursday outside of the Air Canada Centre, if ya'll can make it.
- bradleyc4