Yeah, I'm guessing 19-20 at the earliest. Honestly, I rather see a team fold and the NHL go back to 30. The product is watered down enough.
- BiggE

I agree with your take on Raffl....
Hopefully that discussion ended.

IMAGINE if the league was 12 teams today, what current Flyers would be on an NHL team ? Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn maybe a 4th line guy, Couts -4th line ?
Any D-men ? Our #1 guy, Provorov would not play at 19 in a 12 team league.

My dream scenario, is that by 19-20, the Flyers D looks something like:

Sanheim-Provorov
Morin-Myers
Hagg-Ghost
- BiggE

19-20:

Provorov-MacDonald
Manning-Gudas
Morin-Hagg
Sanheim

Ghost traded. Myers in the AHL.

My dream scenario, is that by 19-20, the Flyers D looks something like:

Sanheim-Provorov
Morin-Myers
Hagg-Ghost
- BiggE

EGGPLANT EMOJI

GERMAN RUBSTOV! GERMAN RUBSTOV!
- YuenglingJagr

I don't know if I should be pleased or offended you've never used this phrase to me

That IS what he is and what they want him to be and how they use him in the AHL: as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people. He's not a tough one to read. They're not keeping him down because they think he'll magically become a monster 2-way player; they're keeping him down because they probably don't think he was NHL ready as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people.
- Mononoke

Honestly, I just think it's that they want to refine his game a bit more. He's put on more weight every year and has grown about an inch since he was drafted. Historically, guys his side often don't hit their stride until they are 23-24 years old and often don't hit their peak until they are past 25. Sometimes we forget that he is only 21.

Few kids can do what Provorov is doing on D at just turned 20. If all they wanted out of him was to be a 3rd pair mauler, I think he'd be up.

I agree with your take on Raffl....
Hopefully that discussion ended.

IMAGINE if the league was 12 teams today, what current Flyers would be on an NHL team ? Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn maybe a 4th line guy, Couts -4th line ?
Any D-men ? Our #1 guy, Provorov would not play at 19 in a 12 team league.
- flyhoc

yup, but, when the league had only 12 teams they were only looking at Canadian players.

That IS what he is and what they want him to be and how they use him in the AHL: as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people. He's not a tough one to read. They're not keeping him down because they think he'll magically become a monster 2-way player; they're keeping him down because they probably don't think he was NHL ready as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people.
- Mononoke

I should have specified more.. I didn't mean a complete 2 way guy thats going to put up points. But a defensive dman that can make that first pass out of the d zone adamantly to make a play up the ice. In other words, they don't want a defensive dman who is a one trick pony that will have trouble getting rid of the puck once he gets in the d zone. I thought of Grossman when typing this. I always remember he was good at clearing the crease, good on the boards, could block shots with his size, but he struggled to make plays when the puck was on his stick and turned the puck over a fair amount.

yup, but, when the league had only 12 teams they were only looking at Canadian players.
- BiggE

Yeah, I agree pretty much mostly Canadian players, a few others. I was just looking at current roster and wondering who/how many could fit in a 12 team league today

I should have specified more.. I didn't mean a complete 2 way guy thats going to put up points. But a defensive dman that can make that first pass out of the d zone adamantly to make a play up the ice. In other words, they don't want a defensive dman who is a one trick pony that will have trouble getting rid of the puck once he gets in the d zone. I thought of Grossman when typing this. I always remember he was good at clearing the crease, good on the boards, could block shots with his size, but he struggled to make plays when the puck was on his stick and turned the puck over a fair amount.
- arichardson22

Me too, and I get what they are doing with Morin. I think the plan is that when he does come up he'll be ready to step right in and play a key shutdown/PK role while taking a regular shift in their top 4.
- BiggE

Yes I agree. hopefully that is next year. they are doing that with Laughton too. Making him work on his defense as the third line center for the Phantoms. hopefully he is successful

That IS what he is and what they want him to be and how they use him in the AHL: as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people. He's not a tough one to read. They're not keeping him down because they think he'll magically become a monster 2-way player; they're keeping him down because they probably don't think he was NHL ready as a big defensive shutdown mean dman that can beat up on people.
- Mononoke

I think they're keeping him down because they think more AHL time will make him a better shutdown guy, and because they don't want Manning, MDZ or MacDonald as a permanent healthy scratch.

But a defensive dman that can make that first pass out of the d zone adamantly to make a play up the ice. In other words, they don't want a defensive dman who is a one trick pony that will have trouble getting rid of the puck once he gets in the d zone
- arichardson22

Considering the Phantoms have no breakout strategy whatsoever, he ain't working on that down there. Everything is off the glass and out. Forwards are never in position to receive breakout passes. He and the other d men do have trouble getting rid of the puck and often get swarmed in the process. Passive, poor backchecking team-wide NZ play also leads to them being in their own end a lot.

I know he's a quality passer and intelligent player from juniors and camp even, but he hasn't shown as much as he can of it down there, and I don't think it's on him entirely. They all do it really, except for Sanheim who can often skate it out himself as a 1 man breakout. So, if that's what they want him to work on, he's not really getting much practice. He knows how to hockey. It won't surprise me if when he gets to play with competent, structured players that part of his game magically develops again.

It really would be fascinating to see who would get called up if an M-defensmen took a puck off the foot tomorrow and missed the last six games.

Yes I agree. hopefully that is next year. they are doing that with Laughton too. Making him work on his defense as the third line center for the Phantoms. hopefully he is successful
- nastyflyergirl

Laughton seems like much more of a long shot. First off, he's no longer growing into his size. Secondly, from the few Phantoms games that I've seen him play this season, he still is mediocre defensively (though decent on the PK) and lastly, forwards, in general, develop faster than Dmen. I don't think Laughton is ever more than a 4th line player at the NHL level, but hopefully I'm wrong.

Considering the Phantoms have no breakout strategy whatsoever, he ain't working on that down there. Everything is off the glass and out. Forwards are never in position to receive breakout passes. He and the other d men do have trouble getting rid of the puck and often get swarmed in the process. Passive, poor backchecking team-wide NZ play also leads to them being in their own end a lot.

I know he's a quality passer and intelligent player from juniors and camp even, but he hasn't shown as much as he can of it down there, and I don't think it's on him entirely. They all do it really, except for Sanheim who can often skate it out himself as a 1 man breakout. So, if that's what they want him to work on, he's not really getting much practice. He knows how to hockey. It won't surprise me if when he gets to play with competent, structured players that part of his game magically develops again.
- Mononoke

This I agree with. I think it's more that they still feel that he needs to work a bit on his footwork and turns which goes hand and hand with growing into his frame.

It really would be fascinating to see who would get called up if an M-defensmen took a puck off the foot tomorrow and missed the last six games.
- Feanor

I'm gonna guess it would be Hagg.

I think they're keeping him down because they think more AHL time will make him a better shutdown guy, and because they don't want Manning, MDZ or MacDonald as a permanent healthy scratch.
- Feanor

That's what I said. I don't really care that Morin is in the AHL again, even if I am not sure he's looked much different this year to last year. I don't think he'd make a ton of difference with the widespread issues going on this season. And the Flyers have had a couple dozen d men on the NHL roster this year anyway, so room has been scarce, and they clearly have gone out of their way to play Manning and MacDonald anyway -- Streit too -- in major minutes, while benching someone like MDZ. It seemed pointless to bring him into that.

Next year it's time to start moving along and get an actual shot. There's no point in he and Sanheim not getting their rookie seasons in next year.

I'm gonna guess it would be Hagg.
- BiggE

Considering he just got back from a knee injury and kept icing the puck on high risk passes on Saturday night, I think it would be Sanheim.

That's what I said. I don't really care that Morin is in the AHL again, even if I am not sure he's looked much different this year to last year. I don't think he'd make a ton of difference with the widespread issues going on this season. And the Flyers have had a couple dozen d men on the NHL roster this year anyway, so room has been scarce, and they clearly have gone out of their way to play Manning and MacDonald anyway -- Streit too -- in major minutes, while benching someone like MDZ. It seemed pointless to bring him into that.

Next year it's time to start moving along and get an actual shot. There's no point in he and Sanheim not getting their rookie seasons in next year.
- Mononoke

In 17-18, I'd love to see Morin, Sanheim and Hagg in and Schultz, MDZ and AMac gone. Manning can be the 7th man. I'd be happy to eat as much of AMac's contract as needed to make it happen too since his spot will likely be taken by players on ELC's or bridge deals for the next 3 years.

Considering he just got back from a knee injury and kept icing the puck on high risk passes on Saturday night, I think it would be Sanheim.
- Feanor

I don't think they'd bring up Sanheim before Hagg or Morin, but then again, what do I know?

I don't think they'd bring up Sanheim before Hagg or Morin, but then again, what do I know?

- BiggE

Morin has a long way to go that doesn't bode well for Sanheim.

Considering the Phantoms have no breakout strategy whatsoever, he ain't working on that down there. Everything is off the glass and out. Forwards are never in position to receive breakout passes. He and the other d men do have trouble getting rid of the puck and often get swarmed in the process. Passive, poor backchecking team-wide NZ play also leads to them being in their own end a lot.

I know he's a quality passer and intelligent player from juniors and camp even, but he hasn't shown as much as he can of it down there, and I don't think it's on him entirely. They all do it really, except for Sanheim who can often skate it out himself as a 1 man breakout. So, if that's what they want him to work on, he's not really getting much practice. He knows how to hockey. It won't surprise me if when he gets to play with competent, structured players that part of his game magically develops again.
- Mononoke

ah okay, well I have falsely assumed then. Thanks for filling me in though. He's been a little tough to track this season (for me at least). Seems every time he pops up for an update its accompanied with a video of him beating the hell out of someone. I wish more updates / articles focused on his overall game / development like Bill's article did today. Regardless, I think he makes the team out of camp.

Morin has a long way to go that doesn't bode well for Sanheim.
- 2Real

It's probably Mason's fault.

It's probably Mason's fault.
- BiggE

Being with Mason for a couple months ruined Stolarz when he went back down

Being with Mason for a couple months ruined Stolarz when he went back down
- Mononoke

The following are all on Steve Mason:

The Flyers dismal season
Global warming
ISIS
The fact that I have to wait til summer for new Game of Thrones
2real