I got to see Morin over the weekend. Nice guy.


- Streit2ThePoint

And they say he has trouble dealing with smaller forwards. Looks like he's playing some smothering defense on that one.

Dove-Mcfalls and Vorobiev will be wasted picks.

Better players available

Filip Ahl , Spacek, bondra, tammela, gawdin, Richard and timyshov

Dmen like Pilon, Wotherspoon , hobbs, bear and jaros
- bhigh21

Such certainty over the fates of 4th, 5th and 6th round picks...

Wow, Bill. That was a lot of reporting to do. We appreciate all the hard work.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Bill is the man.

Todd Hearty and (no doubt) Ken Hoodikoff would beg to differ on Vorobyov but only time will tell: http://www.mckeenshockey....flyers-scout-todd-hearty/
- bmeltzer

I found this quote curious: "we had to take a goalie in the third (two actually)"

so they went for need over player rankings it appears to me.

Wow, Bill. That was a lot of reporting to do. We appreciate all the hard work. I just hope that the team can hold on to some of these guys in order to see how they progress. In the past, we have traded away some good guys; see Sharp, and Williams to name just a couple. I like that we have something to talk about during the long summer, and that we are investing in our future once again.
The NHL channel had a special on draft picks this past weekend, and showed how some great players can be drafted in the lower rounds if the scouts are doing a great job. So, trading up doesn't always work as planned. That being said, I think that Hexy has done a great job at being patient, and keeping most of the picks. Sure, there are going to be bumps along the way, but as long as they are only small bumps, I can accept that.
One gripe though, I thought that they should have kept Zepp. I am not sold on Neuvirth, and I have watched him develop through the Caps system; I live in the DC area. Plus, Zepp could have saved us some cap money as well.
Thanks again for the reporting, and I hope that everyone had a good 4th of July.
Congrats to the women's soccer team for winning yesterday.
- OrangeAndBlack1

I thought about it too been when you look Zepp really didn't play that well in his games. Yeah he had a nice record but I thought he was just "meh" mostly. And with Mason having the injuries last year, I like having the younger Neuvirth who can carry the load more then I think Zepp could have.

Also if by chance Neuvirth has great games when he plays maybe he becomes a trade chip at the TDL for a team looking some help.

I found this quote curious: "we had to take a goalie in the third (two actually)"

so they went for need over player rankings it appears to me.
- rinaldo

I also remember someone saying sometimes you do draft for need in the later rounds because your looking to fill organizational depth

I thought about it too been when you look Zepp really didn't play that well in his games. Yeah he had a nice record but I thought he was just "meh" mostly. And with Mason having the injuries last year, I like having the younger Neuvirth who can carry the load more then I think Zepp could have.

Also if by chance Neuvirth has great games when he plays maybe he becomes a trade chip at the TDL for a team looking some help.
- J35Bacher

Yes. I think Neuvirth can handle more of a work load than Zepp could. I watched Neuvirth a handful of times when he was with the Bears. I thought he would develop into the Cap's #1 goalie. I'm not sure what happened with his development, but I think he has the talent to be a solid backup. Hopefully Dillabaugh can put some confidence back in him.

Wow, Bill. That was a lot of reporting to do. We appreciate all the hard work. I just hope that the team can hold on to some of these guys in order to see how they progress. In the past, we have traded away some good guys; see Sharp, and Williams to name just a couple. I like that we have something to talk about during the long summer, and that we are investing in our future once again.
The NHL channel had a special on draft picks this past weekend, and showed how some great players can be drafted in the lower rounds if the scouts are doing a great job. So, trading up doesn't always work as planned. That being said, I think that Hexy has done a great job at being patient, and keeping most of the picks. Sure, there are going to be bumps along the way, but as long as they are only small bumps, I can accept that.
One gripe though, I thought that they should have kept Zepp. I am not sold on Neuvirth, and I have watched him develop through the Caps system; I live in the DC area. Plus, Zepp could have saved us some cap money as well.
Thanks again for the reporting, and I hope that everyone had a good 4th of July.
Congrats to the women's soccer team for winning yesterday.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Neuvirth is a significant upgrade over Zepp as a backup. Zepp would've been fine as the 3rd goalie, but they chose Labarbera instead.

I thought about it too been when you look Zepp really didn't play that well in his games. Yeah he had a nice record but I thought he was just "meh" mostly. And with Mason having the injuries last year, I like having the younger Neuvirth who can carry the load more then I think Zepp could have.

Also if by chance Neuvirth has great games when he plays maybe he becomes a trade chip at the TDL for a team looking some help.
- J35Bacher

I thought Zepp did fine except in the blowout loss to the Islanders. He was pulled in the second period and probably deserved to be. His quick hook in the Toronto game was not his fault. The shootout win against Nashville was an uneven game for him; started out shaky but got better and better as they game went on. The other appearances were all strong ones.

I also remember someone saying sometimes you do draft for need in the later rounds because your looking to fill organizational depth
- J35Bacher

if they have a player they like then you take said player. they liked the ruskie and it paid off. other times it will not. I get the need aspect though to me still take bpa.

I thought Zepp did fine except in the blowout loss to the Islanders. He was pulled in the second period and probably deserved to be. His quick hook in the Toronto game was not his fault. The shootout win against Nashville was an uneven game for him; started out shaky but got better and better as they game went on. The other appearances were all strong ones.
- bmeltzer

bill any riff with zepp and stolarz or anything like that? why bring in another ahl vet to work with stolarz and not keep zepp? let him have some continuity. any thoughts on that?

Hextall is keeping that very quiet. I would think a decision will be made very soon now that the free agency period has calmed down.
- bmeltzer

Will they just name Kris Knoblauch or Dominique Ducharme the coach already

Friedman is really flying under the radar it seems. Nice.

It seems like Zepp wasn't in contention to be Mason's backup since he wasn't even re-signed to bet the Phantoms starter. Hextall wanted a #2 and a #3 with extensive NHL experience, so he went out and signed them. It's tough on Zepp who had a great season for the Phantoms, but hopefully he'll get another starting job somewhere else in the AHL.

bill any riff with zepp and stolarz or anything like that? why bring in another ahl vet to work with stolarz and not keep zepp? let him have some continuity. any thoughts on that?
- rinaldo

Nope, no rift. I can't imagine anyone NOT getting along with Zepp, and Stolarz is a good kid. I think they simply wanted a 3rd option with a decent amount of NHL experience.

Zepp was good enough for an AHL/NHL swingman role -- with a chance to work his way up to the full-time NHL status -- about five years ago. But the right time and situation didn't come along until this past season.

I am sure he will land on his feet.

Will they just name Kris Knoblauch or Dominique Ducharme the coach already
- ob18

I think it's odd because at this point everyone is getting involved in their summer programs. It's July. At this rate the Phantoms coach won't be at prospects camp unless he's hired from inside the organization.

A bit surprised at the handful non organizational guys invited. I had thought they were getting away from that, avoiding guys hunting for jobs taking runs at the top prospects.

Either way, couple of really interesting guys who might be worth deals in that group

so if provorov lights it up in preseason/camp does/should he make the team?

A bit surprised at the handful non organizational guys invited. I had thought they were getting away from that, avoiding guys hunting for jobs taking runs at the top prospects.

Either way, couple of really interesting guys who might be worth deals in that group
- Jsaquella

I thought of that too, but I guess the distinction is between development camp and rookie camp, which isn't until the end of the summer. I guess unaffiliated players won't be invited to attend the latter camp.

A bit surprised at the handful non organizational guys invited. I had thought they were getting away from that, avoiding guys hunting for jobs taking runs at the top prospects.

Either way, couple of really interesting guys who might be worth deals in that group
- Jsaquella

(frank)ing matt read

so if provorov lights it up in preseason/camp does/should he make the team?
- JoeRussomanno

I am thinking he would realllly need to turn heads. Hexy is pretty conservative in that regard.

Plus, we would have to move a d-man for sure.

Streit, Schultz, Schenn, Medvedev, MacDonald, Gudas, (assuming we get him resigned) MDZ, Manning, possibly Morin and Ghost..

so if provorov lights it up in preseason/camp does/should he make the team?
- JoeRussomanno

Yes, IMHO

I am thinking he would realllly need to turn heads. Hexy is pretty conservative in that regard.

Plus, we would have to move a d-man for sure.

Streit, Schultz, Schenn, Medvedev, MacDonald, Gudas, (assuming we get him resigned) MDZ, Manning, possibly Morin and Ghost..
- jak521

I think Manning will be pushed out this year and likely play exclusively in the AHL (barring any major injuries).

I think Manning will be pushed out this year and likely play exclusively in the AHL (barring any major injuries).
- Streit2ThePoint

I still think another dman is moved. Maybe Schenn or MacDonald if possible.

I still think another dman is moved. Maybe Schenn or MacDonald if possible.
- J35Bacher