This is a really good post that I would honestly like to hear read out to Hextall to get his reaction. NAK got almost no PP time on the Phantoms, and if that's going to continue then by all means throw him on the Flyers 4th line. No more Goulbourne, please.

In contrast, Vorobyev got significant PP time despite being a rookie adjusting to the big ice, and he's only played 67 total AHL games. So leaving him the AHL can be justified for development reasons, even if he looks ready to be an NHL 4C in camp.
- Feanor

Exactly and thanks. I'm not a fan rushing of prospects, but there comes a time when a kid is experienced enough and ready enough that you have to consider what is best for the Flyers as much or more than what is best for the specific player's development.

For the most part, I think Hextall has done a good job in balancing this, but I think he has made a few mistakes. The most glaring, IMO, was in how they used Morin last season. Morin had a very good camp and seemed more than ready to be an NHL regular at the start of the season. I understand wanting to balance the pairs and what not and also the coaches preference for vets like Manning, but there are ways to overcome and get around that. If it were up to me, with only one year left on an extremely cap friendly deal, I would have looked to move Manning at the end of camp last season, brought in a journeyman vet to be the 7th man, and gone with:

Provorov-AMac
Hagg-Ghost
Morin-Gudas

Sanheim, with only one year at the AHL level under his belt, would have been in LHV getting top pair minutes and experience and would be the first guy called up and inserted into the lineup in case of injury. The newly acquired vet would be 8th on the depth chart, and I would have only played him over Sanheim if the guy he's replacing was only going to miss a single game.

I can fully understand keeping a kid like Vorobyev down to get more experience, but a guy like NAK is ready for a shot with the big boys. The other interesting guy is Vecchione. He's a lot older than most prospects and I'm not sure how much more benefit there is to keeping in LHV. Starting the season there is fine, but if they move Weal at some point, I'd bring up to be the spare center and/or compete with Lehtera for playing time rather than keep him down. He'd likely be my first forward call up over Leier, because we know what Leier is at the NHL level.

Re:Weal having more points than Lehtera, Leier and Weise combined.

Great he outscored guys who shouldn't even be on a winning NHL roster to begin with. Per minutes played Weal's numbers last season are not impressive any way you cut it. Like I said he's a fringe player. If he could kill penalties he'd be a far more useful player.

NAK just took the #11 spot on the HFB prospect polls.

1. Frost, Morgan - 84%
2. Myers, Phil - 80%
3. Farabee, Joel - 84%
4. O'Brien, Jay - 42%
5. Allison, Wade - 41%
6. Ratcliffe, Isaac - 61%
7. Morin, Sam - 39%
8. Rubtsov, German - 47%
9. Vorobyev, Mikhail - 85%
10. Laczynski, Tanner - 50%
11. Aube-Kubel, Nicolas - 67%
- Feanor

Interesting. I'm not sure, at least until her plays against pro competition, that I'd rank Laczyinski over Aube-Kubel. My top ten prospect list, excluding goalies, would be:

1. Myers
2. Frost
3. Farabee
4. Morin
5. Ratcliffe
6. Allison
7. O'Brien
8. Vorobyev
9. Aube-Kubel
10. Rubtsov

Next up, would be a coin toss between Laczynski and Friedman

Re:Weal having more points than Lehtera, Leier and Weise combined.

Great he outscored guys who shouldn't even be on a winning NHL roster to begin with. Per minutes played Weal's numbers last season are not impressive any way you cut it. Like I said he's a fringe player. If he could kill penalties he'd be a far more useful player.
- hereticpride

Agreed. Honestly, if you are hanging your hat on being a better player than Lehtera, Weal or Weise, you're probably not going to have a long NHL career.

Agreed. Honestly, if you are hanging your hat on being a better player than Lehtera, Weal or Weise, you're probably not going to have a long NHL career.
- BiggE

to be fair, it was pointed out that he is better than Lehtera, Weal and Weise combined

lol

My iPhone won’t let me quote, but I believe drgonofrost stated “the less of Weise I see, the better.” I agree!! Weal needs players who can keep up with his speed, Lehterä needs a wheelchair, and Leier seems to be a tweener. I think we’d all like to see a legit 3c and a cohesive 4th line, but at this point, there doesn’t seem to be anyone available that Hexy doesn’t get robbed for. But.....for GOD’s sake, no Weise! He is just a drag on his line mates no matter where he plays. Vomit City 🤮

to be fair, it was pointed out that he is better than Lehtera, Weal and Weise combined

lol
- Scoob

My iPhone won’t let me quote, but I believe drgonofrost stated “the less of Weise I see, the better.” I agree!! Weal needs players who can keep up with his speed, Lehterä needs a wheelchair, and Leier seems to be a tweener. I think we’d all like to see a legit 3c and a cohesive 4th line, but at this point, there doesn’t seem to be anyone available that Hexy doesn’t get robbed for. But.....for GOD’s sake, no Weise! He is just a drag on his line mates no matter where he plays. Vomit City 🤮
- Hokeeguy9

Exactly and thanks. I'm not a fan rushing of prospects, but there comes a time when a kid is experienced enough and ready enough that you have to consider what is best for the Flyers as much or more than what is best for the specific player's development.

For the most part, I think Hextall has done a good job in balancing this, but I think he has made a few mistakes. The most glaring, IMO, was in how they used Morin last season. Morin had a very good camp and seemed more than ready to be an NHL regular at the start of the season. I understand wanting to balance the pairs and what not and also the coaches preference for vets like Manning, but there are ways to overcome and get around that. If it were up to me, with only one year left on an extremely cap friendly deal, I would have looked to move Manning at the end of camp last season, brought in a journeyman vet to be the 7th man, and gone with:

Provorov-AMac
Hagg-Ghost
Morin-Gudas

Sanheim, with only one year at the AHL level under his belt, would have been in LHV getting top pair minutes and experience and would be the first guy called up and inserted into the lineup in case of injury. The newly acquired vet would be 8th on the depth chart, and I would have only played him over Sanheim if the guy he's replacing was only going to miss a single game.

I can fully understand keeping a kid like Vorobyev down to get more experience, but a guy like NAK is ready for a shot with the big boys. The other interesting guy is Vecchione. He's a lot older than most prospects and I'm not sure how much more benefit there is to keeping in LHV. Starting the season there is fine, but if they move Weal at some point, I'd bring up to be the spare center and/or compete with Lehtera for playing time rather than keep him down. He'd likely be my first forward call up over Leier, because we know what Leier is at the NHL level.
- BiggE

I usually agree on most topics with ya BiggE, but when you paired Morin with Gudas, I disagree. Morin’s progress, effectiveness, and confidence would collapse being paired w Gudas. Other than that, I’m on board w your post.

Agreed. Honestly, if you are hanging your hat on being a better player than Lehtera, Weal or Weise, you're probably not going to have a long NHL career.
- BiggE

Oh, so you think that Ronald is just going to be fine with playing players like Lehtera? Do you think there's a way that they can upgrade his position?

When's the last time you got laid?

I usually agree on most topics with ya BiggE, but when you paired Morin with Gudas, I disagree. Morin’s progress, effectiveness, and confidence would collapse being paired w Gudas. Other than that, I’m on board w your post.
- Hokeeguy9

Maybe Morin could cause Gudas to play better out of fear???

Oh, so you think that Ronald is just going to be fine with playing players like Lehtera? Do you think there's a way that they can upgrade his position?

When's the last time you got laid?
- jmatchett383

Best post of the week. Lol
🤣👍

I usually agree on most topics with ya BiggE, but when you paired Morin with Gudas, I disagree. Morin’s progress, effectiveness, and confidence would collapse being paired w Gudas. Other than that, I’m on board w your post.
- Hokeeguy9

LOL, fair point, but I didn't see too many other options as I don't think Hextall was going to trade, nor Hak regularly sit, their only RH Dman last season. I do think Gudas will be made available as soon as they feel Myers is ready for a full time job and, IMO, the sooner the better!

Oh, so you think that Ronald is just going to be fine with playing players like Lehtera? Do you think there's a way that they can upgrade his position?

When's the last time you got laid?
- jmatchett383

1. yes
2. probably
3. Been married for 26 years, so I honestly can't remember!

Exactly and thanks. I'm not a fan rushing of prospects, but there comes a time when a kid is experienced enough and ready enough that you have to consider what is best for the Flyers as much or more than what is best for the specific player's development.

For the most part, I think Hextall has done a good job in balancing this, but I think he has made a few mistakes. The most glaring, IMO, was in how they used Morin last season. Morin had a very good camp and seemed more than ready to be an NHL regular at the start of the season. I understand wanting to balance the pairs and what not and also the coaches preference for vets like Manning, but there are ways to overcome and get around that. If it were up to me, with only one year left on an extremely cap friendly deal, I would have looked to move Manning at the end of camp last season, brought in a journeyman vet to be the 7th man, and gone with:

Provorov-AMac
Hagg-Ghost
Morin-Gudas

Sanheim, with only one year at the AHL level under his belt, would have been in LHV getting top pair minutes and experience and would be the first guy called up and inserted into the lineup in case of injury. The newly acquired vet would be 8th on the depth chart, and I would have only played him over Sanheim if the guy he's replacing was only going to miss a single game.

I can fully understand keeping a kid like Vorobyev down to get more experience, but a guy like NAK is ready for a shot with the big boys. The other interesting guy is Vecchione. He's a lot older than most prospects and I'm not sure how much more benefit there is to keeping in LHV. Starting the season there is fine, but if they move Weal at some point, I'd bring up to be the spare center and/or compete with Lehtera for playing time rather than keep him down. He'd likely be my first forward call up over Leier, because we know what Leier is at the NHL level.
- BiggE

I agree that Morin should have been playing ahead of Sanhiem out of camp. The fact that he was hurt almost the entire season means the d would have played out pretty much the same in the end. Sammy would only have had a hand full of game in any case. Shame, he and Stoly lost an entire year. Sammy is still out. Meyers missed significant time as well. Allison too for that matter. Top prospects battling injury always slows the developmental process significantly.

I agree that Morin should have been playing ahead of Sanhiem out of camp. The fact that he was hurt almost the entire season means the d would have played out pretty much the same in the end. Sammy would only have had a hand full of game in any case. Shame, he and Stoly lost an entire year. Sammy is still out. Meyers missed significant time as well. Allison too for that matter. Top prospects battling injury always slows the developmental process significantly.
- jaws1955

Morin got hurt playing for the Phantoms, no way to know if he would have gotten injured if he wasn't sent down. But yeah, without a doubt, injury can set back development. In the case of Myers, if he hadn't missed significant time last season he'd probably be much closer to a lock to make the Flyers out of camp. Especially when you consider how well he played and how they used him during the playoffs.

1. yes
2. probably
3. Been married for 26 years, so I honestly can't remember!
- BiggE

Well done, sir

Morin got hurt playing for the Phantoms, no way to know if he would have gotten injured if he wasn't sent down. But yeah, without a doubt, injury can set back development. In the case of Myers, if he hadn't missed significant time last season he'd probably be much closer to a lock to make the Flyers out of camp. Especially when you consider how well he played and how they used him during the playoffs.
- BiggE

I think Myers will be more impressive than AMac in preseason. I think replacing MacDonald at 5v5 and on the PK will be the next major step forward for the team after finding a third line.

So what's the over/under on how many forward prospects play in the 18/19 season? I'll set it at 4 1/2.

Looking at the possible 3rd and 4th lines to start the season, I'll take the over.

weal is a 4th liner at best

I think Myers will be more impressive than AMac in preseason. I think replacing MacDonald at 5v5 and on the PK will be the next major step forward for the team after finding a third line.
- YuenglingJagr

Yup, and I would love to see something like the following going into the 2019 playoffs:

Provorov-Ghost
Sanheim-Myers
Morin or Hagg-AMac
depth guy: Folin
traded: Gudas

My PK pairs would be:
Provorov-Morin or Hagg
AMac*-Myers

*yeah AMac would get a little PK time, but not much as Provorov would likely play the first 1:30 or so of the kill.

Going even further, they would then hopefully move AMac after next season and go into 19-20 with:

Provorov-Myers
Morin-Ghost
Sanheim-Hagg

It would really be something to have an all homegrown D!

So what's the over/under on how many forward prospects play in the 18/19 season? I'll set it at 4 1/2.

Looking at the possible 3rd and 4th lines to start the season, I'll take the over.
- Pelle31Forever

under, for sure...though that could depend a little on what you consider a prospect

So what's the over/under on how many forward prospects play in the 18/19 season? I'll set it at 4 1/2.

Looking at the possible 3rd and 4th lines to start the season, I'll take the over.
- Pelle31Forever

Really I'd be shocked if we see more than 2. 4+ is an awful lot to see in one season. My guess is NAK and Vorobyev get a couple looks. Maybe 3 if Frost makes the team but I still think that's a big if right now.

It would really be something to have an all homegrown D!
- BiggE

Barring some tragedy, I think with the amount of good prospects we have, even if some were moved for other assets, there is a good chance of that happening 2 or 3 years down the line.


and edit: "that's what she said!"

Oh, so you think that Ronald is just going to be fine with playing players like Lehtera? Do you think there's a way that they can upgrade his position?

When's the last time you got laid?
- jmatchett383