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Can we expect Brink to be on the Phantoms next year?

Or has he decided to go 3 or 4 years in college?

The difference in Couturiers point totals in his first few years vs the last three years should be a lesson in the impact of usage and teammates, although clearly that lesson has not been learned by many.

He didn't change as a player. He was just finally used properly. Need to apply this to Ghost.

Can we expect Brink to be on the Phantoms next year?

Or has he decided to go 3 or 4 years in college?
- DrMidnite

I think there's a shot he'll turn pro after the NCAA season --- if there's a season. The Covid-related news that just came out of the Yale (St. Ivany) and Boston University (O'Brien) hockey programs is not particularly promising.

I think there's a shot he'll turn pro after the NCAA season --- if there's a season. The Covid-related news that just came out of the Yale (St. Ivany) and Boston University (O'Brien) hockey programs is not particularly promising.
- bmeltzer

I'm not optimistic about a "2020-2021" Season for the NHL starting anywhere close to the Jan/Feb timeframe either.

The difference in Couturiers point totals in his first few years vs the last three years should be a lesson in the impact of usage and teammates, although clearly that lesson has not been learned by many.

He didn't change as a player. He was just finally used properly. Need to apply this to Ghost.
- Striiker

Ghost started out the 2018-19 season where he ended it the year before -- paired with Provorov and playing on PP1 -- but played himself down the lineup. The defense coach changeover from Gord Murphy to Rick Wilson benefited some of the D on the team (Sanheim especially, because both Gordon and Wilson were big advocates for Travis) but Wilson and Ghost never clicked.

One thing I like about Shayne -- and there are many, both as a player and as a person -- is that he's a no-excuses type. He sets the bar high for himself and is the first to tell you if he's not playing up to that standard. Injuries clearly played a part in what happened in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (actually, the tendency to get injured and struggle while playing through it is something that worries me with Ghost because it's happened to him in his 1st playoff, 2nd season, 4th season and 5th season).

He has NEVER blamed his usage or his D-partner for downturns in his play or ever hinted at it. He believes that he's a good enough player to succeed regardless. He has a very high level of self-belief. It's part of why I DO think he's capable of re-emerging as a regular point contributor if he could ever stay healthy again rather than annually delaying surgeries as long as possible and then playing catch-up via rehab.

He has NEVER blamed his usage or his D-partner for downturns in his play or ever hinted at it. He believes that he's a good enough player to succeed regardless. He has a very high level of self-belief. It's part of why I DO think he's capable of re-emerging as a regular point contributor if he could ever stay healthy again rather than annually delaying surgeries as long as possible and then playing catch-up via rehab.

This may sound silly now, but when Ghost's career got off to a quick start, he struck me as the leadership type... I was envisioning him getting an "A" or "C" down the line. While I understand that the Flyers might wind up trading him, I am still hoping he can turn it around and be a consistently productive player here with the Flyers. But if he does get traded, I could very easily see the change of scenery helping Ghost to flourish.

Ghost started out the 2018-19 season where he ended it the year before -- paired with Provorov and playing on PP1 -- but played himself down the lineup. The defense coach changeover from Gord Murphy to Rick Wilson benefited some of the D on the team (Sanheim especially, because both Gordon and Wilson were big advocates for Travis) but Wilson and Ghost never clicked.

One thing I like about Shayne -- and there are many, both as a player and as a person -- is that he's a no-excuses type. He sets the bar high for himself and is the first to tell you if he's not playing up to that standard. Injuries clearly played a part in what happened in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (actually, the tendency to get injured and struggle while playing through it is something that worries me with Ghost because it's happened to him in his 1st playoff, 2nd season, 4th season and 5th season).

He has NEVER blamed his usage or his D-partner for downturns in his play or ever hinted at it. He believes that he's a good enough player to succeed regardless. He has a very high level of self-belief. It's part of why I DO think he's capable of re-emerging as a regular point contributor if he could ever stay healthy again rather than annually delaying surgeries as long as possible and then playing catch-up via rehab.
- bmeltzer

Do you get the sense AV and the coaches would rather move on from him?

I'm not optimistic about a "2020-2021" Season for the NHL starting anywhere close to the Jan/Feb timeframe either.
- Bendecko

I think they will go the bubble route again should the Covid numbers STILL increase into Feb.

The longer they wait the more money they lose. It's not ideal, but the last season went off without a hitch.

Do you get the sense AV and the coaches would rather move on from him?
- login

I think they are willing to give it a fresh start, since they never really saw a healthy version of him until Phase 3 camp (by which time he was already on the bubble of the lineup). But I also think the potential of saving $1.5M on the cap (cap hit difference this season between Gus vs. Ghost) and opening a door a year from now for Zamula or York is going to factor into Chuck Fletcher's ultimate decision process here.

I think they are willing to give it a fresh start, since they never really saw a healthy version of him until Phase 3 camp (by which time he was already on the bubble of the lineup). But I also think the potential of saving $1.5M on the cap (cap hit difference this season between Gus vs. Ghost) and opening a door a year from now for Zamula or York is going to factor into Chuck Fletcher's ultimate decision process here.
- bmeltzer

IMO they need to either give him a longer leash and live with his warts. Let him play. Don't scrutinize everything he does. Utilize his strengths.

That being said he probably needs a fresh start elsewhere. If he rebounds so be it as may not happen here.

IMO they need to either give him a longer leash and live with his warts. Let him play. Don't scrutinize everything he does. Utilize his strengths.

That being said he probably needs a fresh start elsewhere. If he rebounds so be it as may not happen here.
- login

I agree. Ghost's whole game is based on confidence. He needs to play on the edge of making a mistake. When he plays timid or seemingly scared of making a mistake he loses that edge.

He is at his best when he is taking chances and pushing the envelope.

A safe Ghost is an ineffective Ghost.

I agree. Ghost's whole game is based on confidence. He needs to play on the edge of making a mistake. When he plays timid or seemingly scared of making a mistake he loses that edge.

He is at his best when he is taking chances and pushing the envelope.

A safe Ghost is an ineffective Ghost.
- MBFlyerfan

While it will never happen, I have Ghost on PP1 over Provorov.

IMO they need to either give him a longer leash and live with his warts. Let him play. Don't scrutinize everything he does. Utilize his strengths.

That being said he probably needs a fresh start elsewhere. If he rebounds so be it as may not happen here.
- login

I think this is probably the right approach to take with Ghost. He's certainly a frustrating case of what "could be" vs what is. Probably a combination of injuries and coaching that was trying to put a square peg into a round hole that resulted in his declining confidence in his play. But, at the same time, one could fairly say that he's a professional and it's his responsibility to adjust and thrive.

Whatever the brew, it's not been a good one. And with the addition of Gus combined with the future of York and Zamula, it's probably best for both parties to part ways. Give him a fresh start and a chance to thrive elsewhere.

I agree. Ghost's whole game is based on confidence. He needs to play on the edge of making a mistake. When he plays timid or seemingly scared of making a mistake he loses that edge.

He is at his best when he is taking chances and pushing the envelope.

A safe Ghost is an ineffective Ghost.
- MBFlyerfan

Bill just got done saying Ghost doesn't make excuses for his play, why do fans do it for him? Injuries, not deployed correctly, blah blah blah.

Doesn't matter how he wants to play or if he will get more padded stats, play the role that is given and they will stay in the lineup. If a coach wants to play Ghost on the PK then eat it and play well. If the player can't then the fact is they are not good enough to help the team win.

The bottom line is when the positives outweigh the negatives the coach has no choice but to play them.

I think they are willing to give it a fresh start, since they never really saw a healthy version of him until Phase 3 camp (by which time he was already on the bubble of the lineup). But I also think the potential of saving $1.5M on the cap (cap hit difference this season between Gus vs. Ghost) and opening a door a year from now for Zamula or York is going to factor into Chuck Fletcher's ultimate decision process here.
- bmeltzer

Billl,

I think Zamula is 2nd pair capable in a fairly short turn around time and York has all the tools as well. Im more interested in Attard...I like his potential and he has size and snarl. Is he viewed more as a project or do they really see him as a viable 3rd pair guy in 18-36 months?

I just got done pulling an opinion out of thin air

Doesn't matter how he wants to play or if he will get more padded stats, play the role that is given and they will stay in the lineup. If a coach wants to play Ghost on the PK then eat it and play well. If the player can't then the fact is they are not good enough to help the team win.

The bottom line is when the positives outweigh the negatives the coach has no choice but to play them.
- Glak18

Where did I make excuses for anyone?

I think they will go the bubble route again should the Covid numbers STILL increase into Feb.

The longer they wait the more money they lose. It's not ideal, but the last season went off without a hitch.
- DrMidnite

Most of last season was completed before the pause. There is no way they do a bubble again for a whole season—or even just for a half season. Not unless family can be in the bubble, plus a whole lot of other considerations given that all teams need to play a lot more games. And at some point live spectators will be needed, because there's no way the league can operate an extended length without gate revenues. And then they'll still be in the red if they're not packing them in.

Why does Philly fan continue to cling to the thought Ghost is a legit NHL D MAN.
Its time to face facts he was a flash in the pan and he is now a grossly overpaid 3rd pair D man at best.
MOVE FRANKING ON!

Where did I make excuses for anyone?
- MBFlyerfan

My apologies, my statement was replied to you, but wasn't solely only for you.

Ghost's deployment is not why his play has been bad for years and even inconsistent throughout his career.

Playing on the edge and accepting mistakes is not the way to handle the situation. He made many mistakes as a rookie and it was overlooked because of other plays he was making, but every player has to progress to limit those mistakes as they gain experience. He needs to make better reads first and foremost before he can be given that freedom. He's not on the PP1 unit anymore because he doesn't deserve to be. He hasn't been a good QB, his zone entries have gotten worse and he hasn't been taking effective shots from the point. He has been given ample amount of opportunities to prove he deserves to be there and hasn't taken it. Far as I'm concerned Ghost is at the bottom and needs to work it way back up with his play, not his stats.

If a safe Ghost is ineffective then Ghost is just bad then.

Why does Philly fan continue to cling to the thought Ghost is a legit NHL D MAN.
Its time to face facts he was a flash in the pan and he is now a grossly overpaid 3rd pair D man at best.
MOVE FRANKING ON!
- Balboa

Once you put that Flyers jersey on at the draft you’re basically Bobby Orr for the length of your career in a few guy’s eyes here. Heaven forbid we ever try to trade one.

Once you put that Flyers jersey on at the draft you’re basically Bobby Orr for the length of your career in a few guy’s eyes here. Heaven forbid we ever try to trade one.
- hereticpride

At least you can look in the mirror and answer that question.
We all have mistakes in our lineup and Ghost is one of the Flyers mistakes.

Once you put that Flyers jersey on at the draft you’re basically Bobby Orr for the length of your career in a few guy’s eyes here. Heaven forbid we ever try to trade one.
- hereticpride

So does that mean Morin is still Chara?

I think they will go the bubble route again should the Covid numbers STILL increase into Feb.

The longer they wait the more money they lose. It's not ideal, but the last season went off without a hitch.
- DrMidnite

Apples and oranges when it comes to doing a playoff tournament inside a bubble vs a full season.

There was an article from ESPN about a week ago where the Vegas owner, Foley, was talking about the finances of an NHL season. He expects next season to start (if it does) in February and be a shortened season. All of it hinges on the ability to have fans in the stands because the NHL TV deals are not lucrative enough to float all the teams without taking in gates and concessions.

Article for reference: https://www.espn.com/nhl/...-nhl-season-opening-feb-1

So does that mean Morin is still Chara?
- Glak18

Never say never