Yes and I respect your opinion, I just think that against a team like Boston you have to put your best lineup on the ice, and Morin at left wing is Ludacris IMO. I mean if you put him on the 4th line you are going to have to sit either Raffl or NAK, and I would not do that since Morin is inferior to both those players. In general I think this entire move to wing for Morin is stupid, it makes no sense, the kid is 6'7" and taller on skates, he belongs at D or scouting teams.
- jd250

I think we have to wait and see. Morin is getting more practice and time for conditioning now. Just because Boston isn’t the right matchup now, doesn’t mean they might not try it against Washington or the Islanders sometime...maybe even Buffalo.

It is a lot of games against the same opponents. I really see this as a different type of season. Morin might get his chance, and I wouldn’t knock it until I’ve seen it a few times.

NAK was playing on the line where you inserted Morin so excuse me if I misunderstood that part. However that doesn't change the inexcusable for you to say that there is no immediate downside as I pointed out. In my opinion, Morin is far more likely to make mistakes due to the new position and due to his over-aggressiveness, take penalties giving Boston a PP or two.

Also unless they're willing to move Giroux to center, with Frost out, they need to add a center.
- MJL

I agree with Giroux at center, I would rather him there than Bunnaman. Giroux is not as effective at wing as he is at center. Time to test that organization depth theory we have been hearing so much about.

You sure about this? In 3 games so far this season the Bruins have given up 3 regulation goals, that's 1 goal per game, and 3X better than the Flyers currently.
- jd250

What I meant was just looking at them on paper sorry

Yes and I respect your opinion, I just think that against a team like Boston you have to put your best lineup on the ice, and Morin at left wing is Ludacris IMO. I mean if you put him on the 4th line you are going to have to sit either Raffl or NAK, and I would not do that since Morin is inferior to both those players. In general I think this entire move to wing for Morin is stupid, it makes no sense, the kid is 6'7" and taller on skates, he belongs at D or scouting teams.
- jd250

Oskar-Patty-TK
JVR-Hayes-Bee
NAK-G-Jake
Morin-Laughts-Raffl

You could flip flop Nak and Raff if needed.

I agree with you on moving Sam, I preferred they keep him on D. That was kind of why I actually thought the idea could make sense while we are weak on D. First Kill team could be Provy-Braun and second Kill team could be Morin-Freidman as they played together on the Phantoms.

Just not a big Bunny fan I Guess, so I dont think we lose a ton by moving G to center instead of Bunny centering a line.

I understand it wont be a popular idea, just thought it was worth a one game gamble with how undermanned we are on offense and defense right now.

I think we have to wait and see. Morin is getting more practice and time for conditioning now. Just because Boston isn’t the right matchup now, doesn’t mean they might not try it against Washington or the Islanders sometime...maybe even Buffalo.

It is a lot of games against the same opponents. I really see this as a different type of season. Morin might get his chance, and I wouldn’t knock it until I’ve seen it a few times.
- NC Flyers Fan

How many "good" 6'7" forwards are there in the NHL today? How many have there ever been? I'll save you time, the answer is zero. There is a reason for this and it has to do with physical makeup, i.e. its very difficult to skate and make the cuts necessary at forward for a really tall player. Its much easier to skate backwards and take advantage of the wingspan of a tall player, which is why they all move to defense eventually as they grow up. I don't know if this is a bonified truth, but I believe in every sport and every position there is an optimal height range, for example in Tennis John Isner is 6'10" and that enables him to have a 140+ MPH serve, yet he has never won or even come close to a major championship.

How many "good" 6'7" forwards are there in the NHL today? How many have there ever been? I'll save you time, the answer is zero. There is a reason for this and it has to do with physical makeup, i.e. its very difficult to skate and make the cuts necessary at forward for a really tall player. Its much easier to skate backwards and take advantage of the wingspan of a tall player, which is why they all move to defense eventually as they grow up. I don't know if this is a bonified truth, but I believe in every sport and every position there is an optimal height range, for example in Tennis John Isner is 6'10" and that enables him to have a 140+ MPH serve, yet he has never won or even come close to a major championship.
- jd250

Ivan Lendl...cough cough. JK...LOL

Time to move frosty in a package. Years of slow progress and injuries. He was never a top end talent prospect.
- SMS4016

Asinine comment.

1) Hasn't made "years" of slow progress. Has gotten significantly better, year by year, since he was drafted.

2) His junior progression was almost exactly like Giroux's.

3) AHL All-Star as a rookie last year, scored (plus a nifty assist) in his first two NHL games.

4) At camp this month and into the first two games he played, noticeably look stronger and he showed improvement across the boards on the areas that gave him trouble as a rookie at times last year.

I thought I was the smartest guy in the room. Turns out you guys are literally in the middle of talking about putting G back in the middle.

I would make a couple minor changes in detail to this line up. I think on the third line, I would switch Giroux to center and Laughton to wing. The reason is, I think Laughton would be that line’s best forchecker and he’s pretty physical along the wall. I’d also play Provorov and Sanheim as much as possible tonight but separately. Our defense is OK without Ghostisbehere and Myers, not great, but we have guys who can pick up the slack? Anyone remember Laviolette only playing two pairs in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Pronger, Timonen, Coburn and Carle? We’ll be alright.
- SuperSchennBros

I do remember, because his 3rd pair was Ryan Parent and Lucas Krajicek .. YIKES!

Ivan Lendl...cough cough. JK...LOL
- juiced

If you want to talk Tennis, we will have to move to another forum

How many "good" 6'7" forwards are there in the NHL today? How many have there ever been? I'll save you time, the answer is zero. There is a reason for this and it has to do with physical makeup, i.e. its very difficult to skate and make the cuts necessary at forward for a really tall player. Its much easier to skate backwards and take advantage of the wingspan of a tall player, which is why they all move to defense eventually as they grow up. I don't know if this is a bonified truth, but I believe in every sport and every position there is an optimal height range, for example in Tennis John Isner is 6'10" and that enables him to have a 140+ MPH serve, yet he has never won or even come close to a major championship.
- jd250

Brian Boyle is 6’6.” You’re trying to tell me that a single inch is the cutoff?!! Kevin Hayes is 6’5”. Morin is a good skater. And just because he tries the LW position now to get back to gameshape, he can still return to defense later. He may even pick up new skills.

I agree with Giroux at center, I would rather him there than Bunnaman. Giroux is not as effective at wing as he is at center. Time to test that organization depth theory we have been hearing so much about.
- jd250

I disagree that Giroux is not as effective at wing as he is at center. Giroux's days as a full time center are over in my opinion. I can see moving him temporarily but long term I want him playing at wing not at center. When all are healthy, I want him playing wing with Couturier.

Anyone else here think the Gus-Braun pair is a mistake? I think Id rather see Haag getting second pair minutes and stick Gus with Freidman.

I disagree that Giroux is not as effective at wing as he is at center. Giroux's days as a full time center are over in my opinion. I can see moving him temporarily but long term I want him playing at wing not at center. When all are healthy, I want him playing wing with Couturier.
- MJL

Giroux's career best 2017-18 offensive season (34g, 68a, 102 pts), was his first year as a LW after playing center exclusively for years. It's silly for anyone to say he's not as effective on a wing.

Time to move frosty in a package. Years of slow progress and injuries. He was never a top end talent prospect.
- SMS4016

You get dumber by the post.

How many "good" 6'7" forwards are there in the NHL today? How many have there ever been? I'll save you time, the answer is zero. There is a reason for this and it has to do with physical makeup, i.e. its very difficult to skate and make the cuts necessary at forward for a really tall player. Its much easier to skate backwards and take advantage of the wingspan of a tall player, which is why they all move to defense eventually as they grow up. I don't know if this is a bonified truth, but I believe in every sport and every position there is an optimal height range, for example in Tennis John Isner is 6'10" and that enables him to have a 140+ MPH serve, yet he has never won or even come close to a major championship.
- jd250

Brian Boyle.

Boogard.

Bjustad is close.

Giroux's career best 2017-18 offensive season (34g, 68a, 102 pts), was his first year as a LW after playing center exclusively for years. It's silly for anyone to say he's not as effective on a wing.
- bmeltzer

Do you think the put in a claim for Honka?

I have a hunch that Friedman's gonna come in and play really well.
- Tomahawk

I like Friedman, he plays tough, can skate and I like his breakouts. Honestly if Gus keeps playing the way he is, give the shot to Friedman after Morin is back.

Do you think the put in a claim for Honka?
- Striiker

I would guess no since they move Pouliot to the taxi squad.

Great. Couturier lost for at least two weeks, his replacement is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder, and Myers is listed as week to week.

What joyous bit of news do we get next?

Brian Boyle.

Boogard.

Bjustad is close.
- Peter Richards

The fact that men over 6’6” only make up .1% of the earth’s population might be a factor worth considering. How many become professional athletes? How many in hockey? Is there a tendency in coaching to put the tall kid on defense or goaltending?

How much of this has to do with the few and not really anything to do with “can” and ability?

Time to move frosty in a package. Years of slow progress and injuries. He was never a top end talent prospect.
- SMS4016

how much money did you bet on this post?

The fact that men over 6’6” only make up .1% of the earth’s population might be a factor worth considering. How many become professional athletes? How many in hockey? Is there a tendency in coaching to put the tall kid on defense or goaltending?

How much of this has to do with the few and not really anything to do with “can” and ability?
- NC Flyers Fan

I respect his opinion and he has a good point that to date there haven't been many....however the modern state of the NFL TE says that a 6'7ish athlete can cut and change direction quite well if they train specifically to do it.

I do think his point is very valid for top 6 type players....there may be some future state for bottom six players but the reality is the draw to basketball and football for very tall men heavily outweighs the draw to hockey.

Ghost skates on this own, AV says expects him back their next practice in Philly

Ghost skates on this own, AV says expects him back their next practice in Philly
- wcorvette

Maybe we will see a Ghost and Gus swap soon.