I despise the Rangers and have my whole life. Last time I cared about any Rangers player Giacomin was their goalie.
- mayorofangrytown

Just had to jump in... I've despised the Rangers since the GAG line. However, over the last year I've grown to hate the Bruins. In fact, I'd root for the Rags if they play the Bruins. Something about Lou Cheech rubs me the wrong way.

You mean because whether he's ready to play in the NHL or not the best thing for him would be to play the season in the AHL.

May be he'll finally see the light and send Couturier down with him.
- mayorofangrytown

That's it, exactly -- I don't know that Couts would be helped, because of the dearth of scoring wingers down there, but I'll never be convinced, by anyone, that even a half-season down in the AHL won't help Ghost, if not a full season.

The kid has amazing potential. The kid weighs 170-ish pounds.

He has to learn how to minimize the latter so he can realize the former, and to me, the best way to learn how to do that is in a teaching environment like the AHL, not a must-win environment like the NHL.

wow youd advocate sending couturier down?
- stayinthefnnet

No. I'd never support sending any player who's ready to play in the NHL to a lower level just because of his age or experience. If they're ready, they're ready. Every player is different. You don't want them in over their head but they need the challenge of playing at the appropriate level.

You don't leave them languish and maybe fall into bad habits because their talent is above the competition and they don't need to work on their game at that level to excel. I think it can be a misguided belief to guard your prospects because of the fear of "rushing" them into the show.

That being said, there's no reason not to ease them into the Pro game if you aren't sure. Laughton and Gostisbehere and maybe Morin will be interesting players that fall into that category for us this coming season.

Just had to jump in... I've despised the Rangers since the GAG line. However, over the last year I've grown to hate the Bruins. In fact, I'd root for the Rags if they play the Bruins. Something about Lou Cheech rubs me the wrong way.
- 2731color

I like the Bruins. I can't help admire that they're everything I want the Flyers to be.

I like the Bruins. I can't help admire that they're everything I want the Flyers to be.
- mayorofangrytown

I just can't hate the Broons, either.

The Rangers are a historical Patrick Division rival from way back. That hate goes far and deep.

But the Bruins? Not so much.

I like the Bruins. I can't help admire that they're everything I want the Flyers to be.
- mayorofangrytown

Can't disagree but for god's sake hasn't Boston won enough sports championships over the past 10 years. I'm jealous.

you mean until he gets his third shutout?
- stayinthefnnet

Sayin shutout prior to a game?

dats some bad juju mon

Can't disagree but for god's sake hasn't Boston won enough sports championships over the past 10 years. I'm jealous.
- 2731color

It wasn't that long ago that the Bruin franchise was a dumpster fire.

You don't leave them languish and maybe fall into bad habits because their talent is above the competition and they don't need to work on their game at that level to excel.
- mayorofangrytown

I can't really think of any examples where a prospect was actually harmed by spending (too much) time in the AHL... maybe if you keep a guy who's ready down in junior/college, they could get complacent... but the AHL would be a challenging league for all but the very best players in the NHL to play in.

That's it, exactly -- I don't know that Couts would be helped, because of the dearth of scoring wingers down there, but I'll never be convinced, by anyone, that even a half-season down in the AHL won't help Ghost, if not a full season.

The kid has amazing potential. The kid weighs 170-ish pounds.

He has to learn how to minimize the latter so he can realize the former, and to me, the best way to learn how to do that is in a teaching environment like the AHL, not a must-win environment like the NHL.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't disagree, I just don't make that call a standard issue where every prospect has to play for the Phantoms. I'm less likely to remove a prospect from junior than I am to force him to play in the AHL.

No. I'd never support sending any player who's ready to play in the NHL to a lower level just because of his age or experience. If they're ready, they're ready. Every player is different. You don't want them in over their head but they need the challenge of playing at the appropriate level.

You don't leave them languish and maybe fall into bad habits because their talent is above the competition and they don't need to work on their game at that level to excel. I think it can be a misguided belief to guard your prospects because of the fear of "rushing" them into the show.

That being said, there's no reason not to ease them into the Pro game if you aren't sure. Laughton and Gostisbehere and maybe Morin will be interesting players that fall into that category for us this coming season.
- mayorofangrytown

Ghost will be an interesting test case. I know some people have Laughton already on the team, but I do think AHL work is best for him, and I simply do not believe Morin is even close to ready from OB's reporting -- if they leave that kid to develop for the three or four years he might need, they could have a legitimate top-three defenseman who is 6-7 inches tall who has been groomed properly.

That would be AMAZING.

I can't really think of any examples where a prospect was actually harmed by spending (too much) time in the AHL... maybe if you keep a guy who's ready down in junior/college, they could get complacent... but the AHL would be a challenging league for all but the very best players in the NHL to play in.
- Tomahawk

Detroit is famous for letting guys fully develop in the AHL or Europe until there's no question of their readiness.

I was flat stunned when they flipped Jarnkrok to Nashville for Legwand.


That said, as an aside an on another topic, Nashville has a ton of centers. Not sure I see a great fit for Lecavalier there, even with Laviolette running the bench

It wasn't that long ago that the Bruin franchise was a dumpster fire.
- johndewar

Some people think the Zdeno Chara signing might be the greatest free-agent signing in the history of the league, for that very reason.

Bill do you think Ron will be more status Quo, or is he really going to do what he said hes going to do.
- PhillaBully

I think he's going to learn that the pull to win now makes it more difficult to do some of the things he wants to do. However, I also believe he's shooting straight about his objectives and philosophy.

Ghost will be an interesting test case. I know some people have Laughton already on the team, but I do think AHL work is best for him, and I simply do not believe Morin is even close to ready from OB's reporting -- if they leave that kid to develop for the three or four years he might need, they could have a legitimate top-three defenseman who is 6-7 inches tall who has been groomed properly.

That would be AMAZING.
- AllInForFlyers

if the cards are played right, and some luck is on our side, this team could be beastly in 4-5 years.

Ghost will be an interesting test case. I know some people have Laughton already on the team, but I do think AHL work is best for him, and I simply do not believe Morin is even close to ready from OB's reporting -- if they leave that kid to develop for the three or four years he might need, they could have a legitimate top-three defenseman who is 6-7 inches tall who has been groomed properly.

That would be AMAZING.
- AllInForFlyers

Even if he turns out to be a dud, if you don't rush Morin into the league, at the very least you know it wasn't because you dropped the ball on the development side of things.

it's actually on the cover.
- hammarby31

I can't really think of any examples where a prospect was actually harmed by spending (too much) time in the AHL.
- Tomahawk

But truthfully, you really don't know that. There could have been hundreds of prospects who were sent to the AHL and never developed because of any number of reasons when they would have been hard pressed to work hard and improve at the NHL level. How would you even hear about them?

It's easy to pick out the prospects that flounder at the NHL level then fade away. I just think that a prospect will develop to a level accord to his skill level and work ethic. Yes, you need to manage their challenges accordingly.

I was flat stunned when they flipped Jarnkrok to Nashville for Legwand.
- Jsaquella

There's a school of thought in Detroit that says that Nill was the brains behind the operation and Holland was getting all the credit. I think some of the bizarre moves they've made in the past 1-2 seasons might lend a bit of credence to that.

Detroit is famous for letting guys fully develop in the AHL or Europe until there's no question of their readiness.

I was flat stunned when they flipped Jarnkrok to Nashville for Legwand.


That said, as an aside an on another topic, Nashville has a ton of centers. Not sure I see a great fit for Lecavalier there, even with Laviolette running the bench
- Jsaquella

If I had to bet today...man, I don't know. You can't just be young everywhere, but for whatever reason, I don't know that Hextall, if he can't move Lecavalier, doesn't just buy him out.

If Hextall truly believes in supporting these kids and not trading them, then you don't trade Schenn, you get him a winger, and that means Lecavalier won't be on the roster in the fall.

There's only limited trade options with the player, and TBH, I really do think it's best to just move on and let the player find a spot where he fits.

If I had to bet today...man, I don't know. You can't just be young everywhere, but for whatever reason, I don't know that Hextall, if he can't move Lecavalier, doesn't just buy him out.

If Hextall truly believes in supporting these kids and not trading them, then you don't trade Schenn, you get him a winger, and that means Lecavalier won't be on the roster in the fall.

There's only limited trade options with the player, and TBH, I really do think it's best to just move on and let the player find a spot where he fits.
- AllInForFlyers

I have to try to get assets back and I don't like the buyout option AT ALL but everything else I couldn't agree more. Toronto for a 2nd?

Sayin shutout prior to a game?

dats some bad juju mon
- BiggE

ugh. man i know theres no way it has a chance in hell of happening.

hes performed really well. but the second half of that game, the team in front of him was asking for it.

as long as he just keeps being steady, the team in front of him needs to step up and have that be enough

There's a school of thought in Detroit that says that Nill was the brains behind the operation and Holland was getting all the credit. I think some of the bizarre moves they've made in the past 1-2 seasons might lend a bit of credence to that.
- Tomahawk

I completely ascribe to that.

if the cards are played right, and some luck is on our side, this team could be beastly in 4-5 years.
- hammarby31

I think, if they're patient and we're lucky...they have the right pieces, if they draft a couple of scoring wingers over the next two seasons.

If they can get a couple of scoring wingers to hit in 2016, because scoring wingers come quicker, when Giroux's just 28 years old and a couple of those defensemen could be ready...oh, my goodness.

I have to try to get assets back and I don't like the buyout option AT ALL but everything else I couldn't agree more. Toronto for a 2nd?
- mayorofangrytown

Im thinking it will be more like Toronto for a 3rd and we eat 20% of the contract and cap hit (900k)