Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: CHL Finals, Phantoms and More

YJ promised me lies.

He (Frost) was then held pointless in Games 3, 4, and 5 and the plus-minus leader of the entire CHL (+70 in the regular season) was a combined minus-five in those games while getting manhandled by the much-bigger Brown.

Bill,

Reading into this a bit, do you think Frost would be better served at SSM next year and try to get a bit bigger?

Somebody get Morgan Frost into a gym.

Bill,

Reading into this a bit, do you think Frost would be better served at SSM next year and try to get a bit bigger?
- VladDrag

Not Bill...but
he's still two weeks shy of his 19th birthday...he's smallish and gets moved off the puck ...but has ridiculous vision and playmaking abilities. He will have to get a lot stronger over the summer to have any chance. It would probably be best for his development to have at least one more year in the OHL...But who knows...Konecny came in and just took a spot.

Nice write up on Lindblom and Sanheim Bill, thanks!

YJ promised me lies.
- VladDrag

You fell for this again?

Bill,

Reading into this a bit, do you think Frost would be better served at SSM next year and try to get a bit bigger?
- VladDrag

Frost's only options next year are Junior or the NHL so he'll be back in Junior and as JDewar pointed out, the boy just needs to get his butt into the gym.

I wouldn't expect Morin or Stolarz to play again this season based on their lack of participation in recent Phantoms practices. Tough years for both those kids after they had promising 16-17 seasons.

I wouldn't expect Morin or Stolarz to play again this season based on their lack of participation in recent Phantoms practices. Tough years for both those kids after they had promising 16-17 seasons.
- Feanor

Yup, neither is waiver exempt next year too. However, the odds of a team taking Stolarz and keeping him on an NHL roster to start next season are pretty much slim to none at this point. Morin though, would be taken in a heartbeat. So, unless he's on IR or moved in the offseason, Morin will be on the opening night roster.

Not Bill...but
he's still two weeks shy of his 19th birthday...he's smallish and gets moved off the puck ...but has ridiculous vision and playmaking abilities. He will have to get a lot stronger over the summer to have any chance. It would probably be best for his development to have at least one more year in the OHL...But who knows...Konecny came in and just took a spot.
- landros 2

Yeah, I agree..

TK was physically mature in his D+1 season. He was jacked for his age and size. So much of TK's game is predicated on his physical attributes. He's a fireplug.

Frost is a completely different player, he plays more of an NHL game than your typical Junior player. I am 99% sure that Frost won't stand up as a center in the NHL due to size right now, but as a winger he might be okay. But I don't think Hexy is going to put him the NHL under those circumstances.

Long term he's a center, but I wouldn't be shocked if he starts his NHL career as wing whenever he gets there.

You fell for this again?
- BiggE

Looking into Mordi's cult next.

I wouldn't expect Morin or Stolarz to play again this season based on their lack of participation in recent Phantoms practices. Tough years for both those kids after they had promising 16-17 seasons.
- Feanor

what is morin inj? Was surgery involved?

Because Morin is not exempt next year, I would not be surprised if Hexy kicks the tires on a potential trade with him involved.

Yeah, I agree..

TK was physically mature in his D+1 season. He was jacked for his age and size. So much of TK's game is predicated on his physical attributes. He's a fireplug.

Frost is a completely different player, he plays more of an NHL game than your typical Junior player. I am 99% sure that Frost won't stand up as a center in the NHL due to size right now, but as a winger he might be okay. But I don't think Hexy is going to put him the NHL under those circumstances.

Long term he's a center, but I wouldn't be shocked if he starts his NHL career as wing whenever he gets there.
- VladDrag

listed at 6 foot and 172, he really needs to get over 180 ASAP. I like he is 6 foot, I hope someday he can weigh in at 190

what do you think his playing weight can be?

what is morin inj? Was surgery involved?
- ravishingone

Not 100% sure, but what I can gather, I'm guessing it's a groin pull/tear of some kind. It might not need surgery, but those type of injuries can linger and the chance of re-injuring the area is high unless it's allowed to heal 100%. I think the kid just tried to rush back a little too soon and kept re-injuring it. Hopefully a full offseason of recovery and training will take care of it once and for all. IIRC, Hextall went through the same type of problem during either the 89-90 or 90-91 season and basically lost a whole season because of it.

Because Morin is not exempt next year, I would not be surprised if Hexy kicks the tires on a potential trade with him involved.
- coffee junkie

I'd be sad to see him go, I think when healthy he can bring an unique skill set to the D group and be a major asset on both the PK and in a shutdown role. That being said, if Morin is the key to a deal to move up into the top 7 or 8 in this draft and allows them to take a prospect they really love, I'd be fine with it.

listed at 6 foot and 172, he really needs to get over 180 ASAP. I like he is 6 foot, I hope someday he can weigh in at 190

what do you think his playing weight can be?
- wcorvette

Really hard to say, all depends on his frame and how much added weight he can handle without losing speed. There are guys who are very successful in the NHL at 6'0 175 and others who are just as successful at 6'0 205 so it's pretty hard to predict at this point.

Really hard to say, all depends on his frame and how much added weight he can handle without losing speed. There are guys who are very successful in the NHL at 6'0 175 and others who are just as successful at 6'0 205 so it's pretty hard to predict at this point.
- BiggE

yeah frame is important, i am just hoping he can get to 180-185

on Morin, NOOOOOOOOOO. This D needs a Morin so bad, there has to be an intimidation factor on the back end. Team toughness is non-existent

Because Morin is not exempt next year, I would not be surprised if Hexy kicks the tires on a potential trade with him involved.
- coffee junkie

He will be on the team next year

Looking into Mordi's cult next.
- VladDrag

Don't do it

Flyers top goaltending prospect Carter Hart had been having a spectacular overall playoff run but was not at his best in either Game 5 or Game 6, giving up a combined 9 goals on 46 shots.

Buster Hart.

Not 100% sure, but what I can gather, I'm guessing it's a groin pull/tear of some kind. It might not need surgery, but those type of injuries can linger and the chance of re-injuring the area is high unless it's allowed to heal 100%. I think the kid just tried to rush back a little too soon and kept re-injuring it. Hopefully a full offseason of recovery and training will take care of it once and for all. IIRC, Hextall went through the same type of problem during either the 89-90 or 90-91 season and basically lost a whole season because of it.
- BiggE

I think it was something like you mentioned and had he elected surgery could've been back in time. Tough break

Buster Hart.
- MBFlyerfan

Flyers can never find a goalie. This is known.

Really hard to say, all depends on his frame and how much added weight he can handle without losing speed. There are guys who are very successful in the NHL at 6'0 175 and others who are just as successful at 6'0 205 so it's pretty hard to predict at this point.
- BiggE

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but this is an outdated concept. Performed properly, strength training makes you faster. It's true once you get to a certain point, size does become a problem and hinders mobility, but that doesn't happen in most athletes.

An athlete going from a lean 175 to a lean 190 is not going to make him any slower. He's either going to stay the same or get faster, and possibly improve his acceleration.