You can come too, we can make it a hockey buzz road trip to AC!
- BiggE

Phantoms first game is in Wilkes-Barre eh? On a friday night. May try to get tickets for that one

The Flyers certainly have a lot more bottom-6 players to choose from this season. I'm excited to see how it shakes out in camp with guys like Laughton, White and PEB all desperate to make the team.
- Feanor

Yeah. I like Rinaldo but i just see a more effective line with guys like Laughton, White, Bellemore, Alderson, Blair Jones, Rafll. If Rinaldo could add a little more to his game I would be fine with him. Just think other guys bring a little more.

Good for 'Bundy' getting 'called up' from the ranks of radio. The Flyers broadcast has just gotten significantly less homerish. I'm amazed Coatsey held down the TV position for as long as he did. I look forward to a season of Therien and his unapologetic insight.

I'm dying to see lauridsen and pettersen as a pairing

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Read LeCavalier Voracek
Umberger Couturier Akeson
Bellamare Raffl/White Rinaldo

Coburn Streit
MacDonald Schenn
Grossmann Del Zotto

I live in Round Rock, tx. .....right outside Austin, tx. I want to see the phantoms play the Texas stars(Dallas stars minor league team) which is located right next to round rock.....that said, Bill do ever get down to cedar park center to watch the texas stars?
- huks99

Saw them twice during the NHL lockout. Tough to make it to Austin otherwise. My wife and I both love the Austin area, though.

I'm dying to see lauridsen and pettersen as a pairing
- Just5

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Read LeCavalier Voracek
Umberger Couturier Akeson
Bellamare Raffl/White Rinaldo

Coburn Streit
MacDonald Schenn
Grossmann Del Zotto
- Pixote Andolini

I don't like. Your taking away players from two lines that are stong to give Vinny better wings.

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Umberger
Raffl/Akeson - Vinny - Simmonds
Bellemore - White/Raffl - Jones/Alderson/Rinaldo/Akeson

Coburn - Schenn
Amac - Streit
Grossmann - Del Zotto

I live in Round Rock, tx. .....right outside Austin, tx. I want to see the phantoms play the Texas stars(Dallas stars minor league team) which is located right next to round rock.....that said, Bill do ever get down to cedar park center to watch the texas stars?
- huks99

I dont see Texas on the Phantoms schedule, all eastern teams

For those making d-pairs -- MDZ can't play right.

Source: Alain Vigneault

I don't like. Your taking away players from two lines that are stong to give Vinny better wings.

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Umberger
Raffl/Akeson - Vinny - Simmonds
Bellemore - White/Raffl - Jones/Alderson/Rinaldo/Akeson

Coburn - Schenn
Amac - Streit
Grossmann - Del Zotto
- J35Bacher

Flip Simmonds and Umberger and I like it

Flip Simmonds and Umberger and I like it
- BiggE

I might be ok with that. It would be really nice to see a prospect like Cousins take a step forward. As a playmaker if he could better his defensive game then he might be an ok fit on the Couturier line. I also wouldn't mind seeing if Laughton could play that wing too. They would be solid defensivley but all guys have offensive skills too

I dont see Texas on the Phantoms schedule, all eastern teams
- vejim

Playoffs only

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Manning Signed, Bundy Gets TV Gig, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I like the move. I can see Chris Therein interacting and having fun with the fans at ice level, while Coates would likely role his eyes at you.

For those making d-pairs -- MDZ can't play right.

Source: Alain Vigneault
- Tomahawk

I wanted to get less involved with pairs and lines but...

Grossmann-Coburn
MacDonald-Streit
Del Zotto-Schenn

Can't wait for camp/pre-season to start, a lot of interesting stuff to watch:

Will Laughton earn a spot?

Will there be camp invites and will one of them make the roster?

How does MDZ look?

Is VLC healthy, and if so, where does he fit in?

Can a young dman earn a spot, and if so, will a veteran be traded?

Has Couturier continued to get stronger?

Is everyone in tip top shape?

Yup, gonna be fun!
- BiggE

Will Akeson stick with the big club
Will schenn hit the 60 point mark
Can mason have back to back winning seasons
Who takes top line LW

Going to be a fun season just from a potential stand point.

I wanted to get less involved with pairs and lines but...

Grossmann-Coburn
MacDonald-Streit
Del Zotto-Schenn
- SuperSchennBros

Yeah, that's probably how it will shake out. Grossmann and AMac could get switched, but otherwise, not sure the puzzle could come together in many more ways (that make any sense).

Luckily, if somebody gets hurt, Schultz can play either side.

Schenn Giroux Simmonds
Read LeCavalier Voracek
Umberger Couturier Akeson
Bellamare Raffl/White Rinaldo

Coburn Streit
MacDonald Schenn
Grossmann Del Zotto
- Pixote Andolini

I'd rather give couturier 2nd line centre and have lecavier with raffl on 3rd
I don't think we will ever see read and couturier on diff lines. Those two are very good together.

How important is it that we see Morin play a full season in juniors? Do you guys want him to go back right after camp or see through nine games in the NHL?

How important is it that we see Morin play a full season in juniors? Do you guys want him to go back right after camp or see through nine games in the NHL?
- SuperSchennBros

I think he needs another year in jrs and a season in ahl playing with guys closer to his size. But I'm all for a 9 games in the NHL

Will schenn hit the 60 point mark
- 28Girouxsalem28

Only ~50 forwards scored more then 59pts last season... don't expect that number to grow too much next season.

High-40's would be a step forward for Schenn... I'd be ecstatic w/ low-to-mid 50's.

I'm assuming we might get a report on Timonen today at some point? Isn't he supposed to meet with Flyers doctors?
- Jsaquella

It might take a while to get their report.

The blood tests for things like protein C and S deficiency, the anti-phospholipid syndrome that Bill mentioned in an earlier blog, usually are only done at special labs. For the majority of hospitals these are called "send out" tests and can take a week or two to get the results.

The other thing I heard when I asked a friend of mine who specializes in these things is that some of the doctors prefer to wait until the acute episode of blood clot (leg vein thrombus or pulmonary embolus/clot) is treated and stabilized for a number of months before checking for the disorders like protein C deficiency. Some docs think that the acute episode of clot interferes with the test results for the clotting disorder and can lead to false results. Basically the premise is that levels of protein C are reduced during the clotting episode and can lead to a false test result.

Sorry if that is confusing. It is a complicated area of medicine.

Only ~50 forwards scored more then 59pts last season... don't expect that number to grow too much next season.

High-40's would be a step forward for Schenn... I'd be ecstatic w/ low-to-mid 50's.
- Tomahawk

I think if he sticks with G all season and gets 1st pp time 60 is reasonable.

I'd rather give couturier 2nd line centre and have lecavier with raffl on 3rd
I don't think we will ever see read and couturier on diff lines. Those two are very good together.
- 28Girouxsalem28

If read and couturier are together they will be considered shutdown 3rd line playing against the other teams best no way around it. And No matter who's Vinnys linemates are he will not be on a shutdown line.