3. I am very glad to see you make the (another since deleted comment) that Sixers tanked 6 years ago hence there is no contradiction in rooting for them today. I am sure everyone would like to know: is your support for Flyers also going to resume after 6 years if they tank, or will in that case your repeated use of the word 'never' mean something other than the usual boring 6 years?


- PT21

Since your other comments are completely wrong and this is the only one that is remotely related to hockey, this is the only one that I will address.
I have not made any comment related to whether I supported the Sixers tanking 6 years ago. On what factual basis can you support the claim that I resumed rooting for the Sixers after 6 years? I object to facts not in evidence. You are badly assuming here.

You have made the public comment many, many times that you do not support the Flyers re-signing Sean Couturier. You support trading him to collect assets for the future. So applying the same standard to you that you want to apply to me, does that mean if the Flyers do something that you don't support, you will stop rooting for them?

The edits to my posts were to avoid being distracted and caught up in a childish and irrelevant argument about the irrelevant material that you post, that might be taken the wrong way by a lurking moderator. With the politics of hockeybuzz, I have to be careful. Others can just flat out call someone a moron. Believe me, there is a lot more that I wish I could post

I'll jump in, not saying Fletcher has drafted better, but totally not impressed with Hextalls draft record. Lots of misses. Too many.
- bradster

Well the big miss is obviously Patrick. It's one thing to miss with a pick later in the 1st round but a miss with the 2nd overall is really tough on a franchise. However, I don't have an issue with them picking Patrick. It's just simply bad luck in my opinion.

MJL brings up fair points, I mean we don't know what York or even Foerster will be when he gets to the next level. And we hope Allison, a Hextall draft pick, turns out to be the next Tim Kerr (at least I do). But the sample size is too small to be factual in any way. My point is the same as yours really, it appears so far that Fletcher's picks are developing faster and set to make an impact sooner than Hextall's, though to be fair Allison I think would have been making an impact a lot sooner if he wasn't injured multiple times.
- jd250

Might be too soon for some to judge Fletchers drafts. But I will, i think they look more promising than Hextalls. JOB ....its been years and no one has a clue, German not looking promising. Fletchers look better, that can change down the road for sure, but right now, I think Fletcher has done a better job. But i dont think Ron set the bar very high with all his misses.

Also considering the coin flip example, its a truth that if you toss a coin enough times you will get an equal amount of heads and tails. However if you toss a coin 10 times or even less, you might see 8 heads to 2 tails. Thus it is in sports. If Vegas plays Montreal 100 times, they probably win 80 times. But in a 7 game series, anything can happen. Odds do not apply when you have such a small sample size. In this case, odds are nothing more than a prediction.
- jd250

Well done. I've tried numerous times to make the same point to PT21 but you did it better than I did.

Well done. I've tried numerous times to make the same point to PT21 but you did it better than I did.
- MJL

Why are you guys even entertaining that babble that is overtaking this "hockey" board

MJL brings up fair points, I mean we don't know what York or even Foerster will be when he gets to the next level. And we hope Allison, a Hextall draft pick, turns out to be the next Tim Kerr (at least I do). But the sample size is too small to be factual in any way. My point is the same as yours really, it appears so far that Fletcher's picks are developing faster and set to make an impact sooner than Hextall's, though to be fair Allison I think would have been making an impact a lot sooner if he wasn't injured multiple times.
- jd250

More points to add. If it wasn't for the pandemic, Foerster wouldn't have been in the AHL where his play is more visible. Hextall was a believer in "slow-cooking" prospects and not rushing them. Also, the teams situation is also a factor. If a team is in a playoff spot or in the playoff hunt, barring injury, they're less likely to promote a prospect for a look late in the season. Many variables involved.

Might be too soon for some to judge Fletchers drafts. But I will, i think they look more promising than Hextalls. JOB ....its been years and no one has a clue, German not looking promising. Fletchers look better, that can change down the road for sure, but right now, I think Fletcher has done a better job. But i dont think Ron set the bar very high with all his misses.
- bradster

Which of Fletcher's prospects look promising?

Which of Fletcher's prospects look promising?
- MJL

York and Foerester for sure. Also excited to see how Attard, Millman, Desnoyer and McClennon turn out. To me that's 2 for 2 on his first round picks. Not a bad average

Why are you guys even entertaining that babble that is overtaking this "hockey" board
- bradster

Ahh .. we have nothing else better to do ... obviously

York and Foerester for sure. Also excited to see how Attard, Millman, Desnoyer and McClennon turn out. To me that's 2 for 2 on his first round picks. Not a bad average
- bradster

Wisdom is showing promise so far as well, had a really good AHL season.

More points to add. If it wasn't for the pandemic, Foerster wouldn't have been in the AHL where his play is more visible. Hextall was a believer in "slow-cooking" prospects and not rushing them. Also, the teams situation is also a factor. If a team is in a playoff spot or in the playoff hunt, barring injury, they're less likely to promote a prospect for a look late in the season. Many variables involved.
- MJL

Very true, and I think this was one of the reasons he got fired. It was no coincidence for example that Hart moved up to the NHL very quickly once Hextall was canned. Under Hextall Foerster and Wisdom would have never got the chance to play with the Phantoms under non-Covid circumstances, but Fletcher seems more willing to let the kids play at higher levels quicker, and to be honest its paying off. However, there is also a big downside to rushing a kid up the NHL level who is not physically ready for the speed, size and grind. Frost is a great example of this, one hit to the shoulder and he is gone for the year.

Wisdom is showing promise so far as well, had a really good AHL season.
- jd250

For sure he did, I am a little leary on how kids looked in the AHL this year but wont dismiss it, when a lot of the top AHL players were on NHL taxi squads. But still he did look good, and plays a role the flyers desperately need.

Very true, and I think this was one of the reasons he got fired. It was no coincidence for example that Hart moved up to the NHL very quickly once Hextall was canned. Under Hextall Foerster and Wisdom would have never got the chance to play with the Phantoms under non-Covid circumstances, but Fletcher seems more willing to let the kids play at higher levels quicker, and to be honest its paying off. However, there is also a big downside to rushing a kid up the NHL level who is not physically ready for the speed, size and grind. Frost is a great example of this, one hit to the shoulder and he is gone for the year.
- jd250

You need kids to play sooner now, its not the same as the old days, younger kids can excel. To lose 4-5 years "developing" kids, is too much time away from the team, and the lower salary of the younger kids definately help. Also too much play at the lower level can in fact stunt their growth, some need to be challenged more. Even Hart, didnt play great in the AHL, but had no problem moving up. Not everyone can move up quick, but more can than Ronnie sure thinks is possible.

York and Foerester for sure. Also excited to see how Attard, Millman, Desnoyer and McClennon turn out. To me that's 2 for 2 on his first round picks. Not a bad average
- bradster

So we can all ready count both of those first round picks as hits? Based on what, the 3 games that York has played in the NHL?
Is there more opportunity for misses in the first round, the more times a GM drafts?

So what you're telling me is that the players that you list there, show more promise than Provorov, Konecny, Sanheim, Hart, Allison, Farabee and Frost?

Very true, and I think this was one of the reasons he got fired. It was no coincidence for example that Hart moved up to the NHL very quickly once Hextall was canned. Under Hextall Foerster and Wisdom would have never got the chance to play with the Phantoms under non-Covid circumstances, but Fletcher seems more willing to let the kids play at higher levels quicker, and to be honest its paying off. However, there is also a big downside to rushing a kid up the NHL level who is not physically ready for the speed, size and grind. Frost is a great example of this, one hit to the shoulder and he is gone for the year.
- jd250

You are aware of the AHL rules, correct?

You need kids to play sooner now, its not the same as the old days, younger kids can excel. To lose 4-5 years "developing" kids, is too much time away from the team, and the lower salary of the younger kids definately help. Also too much play at the lower level can in fact stunt their growth, some need to be challenged more. Even Hart, didnt play great in the AHL, but had no problem moving up. Not everyone can move up quick, but more can than Ronnie sure thinks is possible.
- bradster

It wasn't a question of whether a kid can move up quicker for Hextall. It's that he believed it was better to wait longer, not that the player couldn't move up quicker. I agree with him. Many players are hurt by being rushed up. Holding them back a little rarely hurts a player.

So we can all ready count both of those first round picks as hits? Based on what, the 3 games that York has played in the NHL?
Is there more opportunity for misses in the first round, the more times a GM drafts?

So what you're telling me is that the players that you list there, show more promise than Provorov, Konecny, Sanheim, Hart, Allison, Farabee and Frost?
- MJL

That is a great young core. Not many teams can boast that level of talent.

You are aware of the AHL rules, correct?
- MJL

Are you referring to Wisdom and Foerster being permitted to play in the AHL until the Ontario Hockey League started, which never happened? If so then yes I am aware of that rule change. In fact I noted somewhere that Wisdom at 18 became the youngest player to ever play for the Phantoms. This past season was clearly special circumstances.

Are you referring to Wisdom and Foerster being permitted to play in the AHL until the Ontario Hockey League started, which never happened? If so then yes I am aware of that rule change. In fact I noted somewhere that Wisdom at 18 became the youngest player to ever play for the Phantoms. This past season was clearly special circumstances.
- jd250

So how does your comment that based on that, Fletcher seems more willing to move players up? Without the pandemic rules, they would not be permitted to play on the Phantoms as they're too young. So Hextall couldn't have possibly had the same opportunity. If it wasn't for the pandemic, they wouldn't have been on the Phantoms under Fletcher either. That was the only reason why they were playing on the Phantoms.

York and Foerester for sure. Also excited to see how Attard, Millman, Desnoyer and McClennon turn out. To me that's 2 for 2 on his first round picks. Not a bad average
- bradster

A lot of people are high on Bobby Brink as well, but I am not one of them. I think his lack of skating ability will stop him from succeeding at the next level. Hope I'm wrong of course.

A lot of people are high on Bobby Brink as well, but I am not one of them. I think his lack of skating ability will stop him from succeeding at the next level. Hope I'm wrong of course.
- jd250

If you can play, you can play. I have no idea if Brink can.

So how does your comment that based on that, Fletcher seems more willing to move players up? Without the pandemic rules, they would not be permitted to play on the Phantoms as they're too young. So Hextall couldn't have possibly had the same opportunity. If it wasn't for the pandemic, they wouldn't have been on the Phantoms under Fletcher either. That was the only reason why they were playing on the Phantoms.
- MJL

True, Hextall would have most likely done the same thing under the same circumstances. The difference will be this coming season. Under Hextall I would guess he would keep these guys down another season. It will be interesting to see what these kids do under Fletcher. I think they will be given a legitimate shot to make the big club come September.

True, Hextall would have most likely done the same thing under the same circumstances. The difference will be this coming season. Under Hextall I would guess he would keep these guys down another season. It will be interesting to see what these kids do under Fletcher. I think they will be given a legitimate shot to make the big club come September.
- jd250

They'll get an opportunity sure but most likely, both will be back in juniors although I'm not sure what Foerster's age will be at the start of the season.

So now we've disproved the statements that Fletcher draft picks seem more promising and that Fletcher moves players up quicker.

A lot of people are high on Bobby Brink as well, but I am not one of them. I think his lack of skating ability will stop him from succeeding at the next level. Hope I'm wrong of course.
- jd250

Brink is Ryan Potulny

True, Hextall would have most likely done the same thing under the same circumstances. The difference will be this coming season. Under Hextall I would guess he would keep these guys down another season. It will be interesting to see what these kids do under Fletcher. I think they will be given a legitimate shot to make the big club come September.
- jd250

This brings me back to the question I asked a few days ago. Players like Foerster and Wisdom, it doesn't seem fair that they have to go back to juniors after proving they can succeed at the AHL level.

There should be some sort of exemption in place for these exact circumstances. A one time only exemption due to the the extraordinary circumstances that occurred this past season.

I know what the purpose of the rule is, the CHL doesn't want to lose all their good players. But in this case, just this one year, an exception needs to be made.