Konecny with 79 points in 48 games

and NAK 71 in 47 games. It really sounds like Hextall is expecting him to make the team out of camp.
- funmaster18

The points don't even tell the story about Konecny. He's just all over the place

Do they finish before the AHL? It would be great to get him signed and get him in a few Phantoms games. I could probably google this but I am lazy.
- TobyFlenderson

Looking at last year, their playoffs start in early March and go till near the end of April. So it would depend on how his team Brynas do. They are 7th and the top 10 teams make the playoffs, so he'll be involved in at least one series.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...80%9315_SHL_season#Finals
http://www.scoreboard.com...key/sweden/shl/standings/

It's selfish of me to want to speed this rebuild up, but if 2 or 3 of those guys make the team next year I will be over the moon excited to know that we're starting to turn the corner.. I can even handle the mistakes of learning just to know Hexy's plan is startingto come to fruition.
- Hextall271

The Plan is in motion. Book it.

- funmaster18

Don't wanna be a downer, and I'm excited for NAK, but keep in mind that he's playing in the QMJHL, a.k.a. the "No defense league." It's getting closer and closer to WHL/OHL levels, but still a lot of emphasis towards offense rather than defense.
- jmatchett383

that league did OK for Giroux, so I'll stay optimistic until I see him in the NHL.

that league did OK for Giroux, so I'll stay optimistic until I see him in the NHL.
- funmaster18

Yeah, but the dominating players will dominate no matter what league they're in, and he dominated it his last year (same for Lemieux, Crosby, LaFleur, etc.). I'm just saying that stats aren't the same across the board for the CHL.

- TobyFlenderson

Hextall's comment: "Travis has had a good year. He got traded, and it was a tough situation for him - the first time the kid has ever been traded. He's responded extremely well."

Like a hat trick in his first game with the new team...yeah I'd say extremely well. Can't wait to see this kid in 3 years, a little more size, some better competition, kid's gonna be a stud.

Yeah, but the dominating players will dominate no matter what league they're in, and he dominated it his last year (same for Lemieux, Crosby, LaFleur, etc.). I'm just saying that stats aren't the same across the board for the CHL.
- jmatchett383

just let me have this

just let me have this
- funmaster18

No, I am here to tear it all down.

The OHL seems to be the high scoring league this season going by each league's top scorers.

http://www.eliteprospects...?leagueid=OHL&season=2015
http://www.eliteprospects...eagueid=QMJHL&season=2015
http://www.eliteprospects...?leagueid=WHL&season=2015

just let me have this
- funmaster18

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

Please quote the post where someone said they are making the playoffs

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

Isnt it more fun if we pretend for a bit longer?

- Feanor

There's drugs for that

Don't know why but I love that he calls Morin "Sammy" and Fazleev "Faz"

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

dude you have been on and off the bandwagon so many times this season...

just pick a spot and stick with it.

Don't know why but I love that he calls Morin "Sammy" and Fazleev "Faz"
- Giroux_Is_God

Wish he called him "The Faz"

Please quote the post where someone said they are making the playoffs
- PhillySportsGuy

I said it.

And it wasn't based off last night.

Just something I feel after looking at the standings and the schedule. Nothing I can show as evidence. No hard facts.

Just a feeling they sneak in and Tampa misses.

The OHL seems to be the high scoring league this season going by each league's top scorers.

http://www.eliteprospects...?leagueid=OHL&season=2015
http://www.eliteprospects...eagueid=QMJHL&season=2015
http://www.eliteprospects...?leagueid=WHL&season=2015
- Feanor

Yeah, because looking at the top-3 to top-5 players is a good way to evaluate the league as a whole. Look at the top 5 OHL scorers vs. the top 5 QMJHL scorers. That's a simple talent disparity. Start looking at the rankings after the top 10 or so players. It's not a crazy difference (like I said, it's gotten a lot closer) but it's there.

10th place:
OHL: 69 points
QMJHL: 74 points

15th place:
OHL: 65 points
QMJHL: 68 points

20th place:
OHL: 59 points
QMJHL: 63 points

25th place:
OHL: 53 points
QMJHL: 59 points

It's about the same at intervals of 5, maybe a 5-10% difference. I'm not taking anything away from NAK, simply that the players in the QMJHL, on average and aside from the "elite" players, score at a slightly better rate than the other 2.

Also, not looking into the stats, but I've always felt like the OHL has better goaltending, as well (again, on average).

I said it.

And it wasn't based off last night.

Just something I feel after looking at the standings and the schedule. Nothing I can show as evidence. No hard facts.

Just a feeling they sneak in and Tampa misses.
- J35Bacher

I also think Crosby comes back down to Earth a bit and Pittsburgh potentially misses.

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

You're asking this of the same fanbase that proclaims the Eagles as Super Bowl Champions after every win and the worst team in the NFL after every loss.

Dont mean to be a wet blanket but we're making the playoffs in everyone's mind now after last night? We're talking about the same game where the flyers couldn't put a SOG for 20 straight minutes? Yea they popped a few in past Schneider but I'm really surprised at the narrative. That the flyers play a bunch of non playoff teams coming up makes no difference as they've proven time and time again. Why get hopes up?
- Just5

I still think they miss the playoffs. Too far behind the 8 ball and they just aren't good enough.

And I don't see a big "they're gonna make the playoffs" narrative here from everyone. I see some folks that would like to see them make it just because, but I don't think that's indicative of how everyone feels about it.

I like seeing signs of how they are turning things around. I like watching Ghost play and seeing Hakstol make changes like he made last night pay off.

But I don't think that's a tacit statement from me that they are gonna make the playoffs.