He has remained strong without the puck, and made a few clever plays with it. I think, however, there were some signs of him falling back into some issues with his game that popped up as a rookie with the Phantoms last year.

I don't know if you listened to the first Broadcasters' Roundtable of the season on Flyers Radio 24/7 -- recorded right after Misha made the opening night roster and won the 3C job after a tremendous and consistent day in and day out camp and preseason. Jim Jackson briefly discussed the topic of there being some question marks about him last year that he seemed to address emphatically through his work in camp.

Personally, I'd rather he have stayed in the lineup, but it's not my call to make.
- bmeltzer

I was surprised/impressed at how strong he played in camp/preseason as well. I think he definitely showed flashes but was even more dominant than other times I had seen him. I felt he was one of the Phantoms best players by the end of the season though. I figured it would be difficult to sustain for an entire NHL season, but also didn't think it would take 6 games to be scratched. Disappointing, but hopefully he is back very soon.

Pickard starting
- YuenglingJagr

Of course he is. He was in goal when they won last game, which means that he should be the starter indefinitely.

I'm probably in the minority thinking that with Misha getting dropped to the fourth line last game. Him getting a night in the press box isn't a shock. He really shouldn't be on the fourth line if they really want to help his development. I can see putting Knight in for a game or two and letting Misha watch from above with how he played since the season started. They gave him a handful of games to experience the difference and he didn't really adjust.

If it lasts longer than 3 games though I think Hak should be questioned for reasoning. And if the reason is not a good reason then Misha should be in Lehigh playing larger minutes. I really think he should be the third line center on the Flyers or playing big minutes in Lehigh.
- dragonoffrost

I agree with you.

And I don't think it will be long term. If it is then I have to think he will go back to Lehigh to play big minutes. I think he'll be right back at that 3rd line center roll pretty soon. Once patrick is back I see Vorobyev between Laughton and Simmonds.

The only way i see him going back to Lehigh is if Weal can continue to play solid hockey game in and game out. I don't guys like Kinght or Lehtera impact Vorobyev as much as the play of Weal will.

You should watch it. It will make you reconsider your original thought.
- StepfordSam

These are new times. People choose to be gay now. We have to honor that choice.

I was surprised/impressed at how strong he played in camp/preseason as well. I think he definitely showed flashes but was even more dominant than other times I had seen him. I felt he was one of the Phantoms best players by the end of the season though. I figured it would be difficult to sustain for an entire NHL season, but also didn't think it would take 6 games to be scratched. Disappointing, but hopefully he is back very soon.
- YuenglingJagr

Knight is going to really help the 25% drop in TV ratings they experienced last season.

Of course he is. He was in goal when they won last game, which means that he should be the starter indefinitely.
- jmatchett383

Not sure if sarcasm but in all honesty did Elliott earn it? I know we want Elliott to be the guy but if pickard can give this team solid play then you have to go with him.

Also could the Flyers loan Neuvirth to a team in the KHL? I am trying to remember but didn't winnipeg do something like this with Pavelic at one point? Not totally sure so asking.

I agree with you.

And I don't think it will be long term. If it is then I have to think he will go back to Lehigh to play big minutes. I think he'll be right back at that 3rd line center roll pretty soon. Once patrick is back I see Vorobyev between Laughton and Simmonds.

The only way i see him going back to Lehigh is if Weal can continue to play solid hockey game in and game out. I don't guys like Kinght or Lehtera impact Vorobyev as much as the play of Weal will.
- J35Bacher

It isn't like we didn't have a similar situation with Sanheim recently....luckily the roster number will pretty much force Hextall to send him down rather than sit for a month.

If Weal plays well with Lindblom and Konecny I would prefer they just put Patrick in between Simmonds and Laughton/JVR

Knight is going to really help the 25% drop in TV ratings they experienced last season.
- flyer_nutter

It's 2018...we use charts now. TV's are so pointless

It's 2018...we use charts now. TV's are so pointless
- YuenglingJagr

It may not even be Voro, and it might be short term but I’d rather they just let him play.

It's 2018...we use charts now. TV's are so pointless
- YuenglingJagr

oh i see there should be more charts on tv.

It isn't like we didn't have a similar situation with Sanheim recently....luckily the roster number will pretty much force Hextall to send him down rather than sit for a month.

If Weal plays well with Lindblom and Konecny I would prefer they just put Patrick in between Simmonds and Laughton/JVR
- YuenglingJagr

I know the top line plays well but once Patrick is back I would like to go back to Konecny on the top line and Voracek with Patrick.

For me I just like that mix.

I know the top line plays well but once Patrick is back I would like to go back to Konecny on the top line and Voracek with Patrick.

For me I just like that mix.
- J35Bacher

Long term I prefer that...just saying if you have a line playing well (which my comment assumes) you keep that rolling and then switch back to 28-14-11 when you need another shakeup

The company line is that scratching a player is one of the many tools in the arsenal of a coach to uh ya know coach the player. Then, the player will recite the normal PR spin that it will be a learning experience and it will ultimately help him by watching the game from a great height.
- StepfordSam

Right.

He can luckily model his game after Cokehead Carl.

Bottom 6 centers Lehtera and Knight. See, what people don't understand is this is a 2 fold issue. For one, 6 games in and Misha gets scratched, which I have issues with for reasons previously stated. In short, the NHL can be developmental, and he hasn't shown an inability to play in it. Really, I think his biggest issue is he just needs to get more comfortable carrying the puck. But it makes my head explode when you COMPOUND THIS by dressing those 2 in his place. Scrstching a player who has shown offensive vision and creativity on a team which has needed it for years out of the bottom six and you roll with Knight and Lehtera. Why not scratch Lehtera? Maybe Knight comes in with some pep in his step and can kill penalties. I hope he does. Frankly, I think he'll be more useful than Lehtera. But now we seem to be moving Laughton back to C, when he's been one of the more consistent Flyers as a wing early on.

It's the maddening decisions that for some reason I still get pissed at even though I've come to expect them.

Additionally, I'm expecting a Sanhiem situation out of this until I am proven otherwise by the coach

Long term I prefer that...just saying if you have a line playing well (which my comment assumes) you keep that rolling and then switch back to 28-14-11 when you need another shakeup
- YuenglingJagr

I agree.

I just want to try and get more then one line playing well. But also we aren't even ten games in yet. So many people are talking like the season is in shambles already.

This team has basically played 1 and 3rd games as it was initially constructed.

Let's go off the deep end because Vorobyev is sitting out a game. He's a rookie.
- MJL

I think Vorobyev was the best choice out of camp. Beyond that, he’s been no better nor worse than any of our other centers.

Exactly, and how can you work on those question marks, which he's clearly been motivated to do in the past, scratched? The NHL can be a developmental league. Prepare for growing pains, do not punish for them.
- Giroux_Is_God

I seriously doubt that he being sat out as a punishment.

Right.

He can luckily model his game after Cokehead Carl.

Bottom 6 centers Lehtera and Knight. See, what people don't understand is this is a 2 fold issue. For one, 6 games in and Misha gets scratched, which I have issues with for reasons previously stated. In short, the NHL can be developmental, and he hasn't shown an inability to play in it. Really, I think his biggest issue is he just needs to get more comfortable carrying the puck. But it makes my head explode when you COMPOUND THIS by dressing those 2 in his place. Scrstching a player who has shown offensive vision and creativity on a team which has needed it for years out of the bottom six and you roll with Knight and Lehtera. Why not scratch Lehtera? Maybe Knight comes in with some pep in his step and can kill penalties. I hope he does. Frankly, I think he'll be more useful than Lehtera. But now we seem to be moving Laughton back to C, when he's been one of the more consistent Flyers as a wing early on.

It's the maddening decisions that for some reason I still get pissed at even though I've come to expect them.

Additionally, I'm expecting a Sanhiem situation out of this until I am proven otherwise by the coach
- Giroux_Is_God

This is an overreaction to Vorobyev sitting out a game.

Heading into camp our centers were...

Couturier
Patrick
...........
Lehtera

Each center is having a slow start and I think a switch up in the middle is a good thing. Whether a shuffling of the deck or a scratch. All I know is, the center spot looks like an issue for production.

This is an overreaction to Vorobyev sitting out a game.
- MJL

But it's not an overreaction to yet another headscratcher decision by the coach. Add it to the pile, lad!

Can Knight play one game as a Flyer before he's written off as a "useless Vandevelde type"? The amount of pro hockey scouts in here is amazing.

But it's not an overreaction to yet another headscratcher decision by the coach. Add it to the pile, lad!
- Giroux_Is_God

To me if he only sits tonight and maybe Saturday I'm fine with it. If it goes into next week then I get worried

Hak changed his stripes last game with the in period goalie change before the Panthers tied it and with the time out. Maybe... just maybe he's adjusting.

To me if he only sits tonight and maybe Saturday I'm fine with it. If it goes into next week then I get worried
- dragonoffrost

That's fair

Can Knight play one game as a Flyer before he's written off as a "useless Vandevelde type"? The amount of pro hockey scouts in here is amazing.
- Baxter27

VandeVelde wasn't useless, he was overused and very vanilla.

VandeVelde wasn't useless, he was overused and very vanilla.
- jmatchett383

Maybe Knight has been underused and is chocolate?

VandeVelde wasn't useless, he was overused and very vanilla.
- jmatchett383

My point is this looks to be another pre-deternined over reaction to a minor change in the line up. I didnt mind Vorobyev on the 4th but I havent even seen Knight yet besides a couple games in the AHL.