Anyone get to see any Phantoms games? How's Blake Kessel looking? Bartulis?
Bartulis has been out with a mysterious injury for quite some time now. Don't know what's going on there, maybe they're looking to see if a team in Europe could take him on?
I've only seen five Phantoms games this season, but in those Kessel hasn't been impressive at all. I've managed to see games where the Phantoms have had trouble get their offense going though, so I've not been impressed with what I've seen from Akeson either. He's having a pretty strong rookie season form what I understand however. Maybe it's something similar with Kessel.
The players that's impressed me have been guys like Holmstrom, McGinn and Kalinski. Kalinski can't produce offensively even on an AHL level, but he's a hard worker and smart player defensively.
McGinn is a tough customer who is pretty relentless. He might not have the hands to make it in the NHL, but he has the drive for it I think.
The Phantoms came from behind to win 5-4 against Hamilton yesterday. Brandon Manning had his first goal as a professional scoring on a PP. Hamel had two goals and Kalinski and Brown (three goals in four games) the others. Hamilton scored all their goals in the second period. McGinn apparently had a spirited fight against Zack FitzGerald
The Phantoms came from behind to win 5-4 against Hamilton yesterday. Brandon Manning had his first goal as a professional scoring on a PP. Hamel had two goals and Kalinski and Brown (three goals in four games) the others. Hamilton scored all their goals in the second period. McGinn apparently had a spirited fight against Zack FitzGerald
Not the most accurate assessment of the game. You neglected to mention that the phantoms had a 2-0 lead before giving up 3 goals in a 5 minute span in the 2nd.
Bold move to sit Bacashihua for the third, but it paid off a Leighton stopped all 10 shots that he faced.
Not the most accurate assessment of the game. You neglected to mention that the phantoms had a 2-0 lead before giving up 3 goals in a 5 minute span in the 2nd.
Bold move to sit Bacashihua for the third, but it paid off a Leighton stopped all 10 shots that he faced.
Yeah, I guess I muddled it a bit. I didn't mean to imply that they came back from 0-4.
Craig Button's most recent prospect update out today. He still has some really good defensive prospects falling to where we will probably draft the first two round; namely Koekkoek (29) and Maata (47). Then we could potentially snag a goalie and Hyka with our other two 2nd rounders (unless Homer trades them, which seems inevitable)
Craig Button's most recent prospect update out today. He still has some really good defensive prospects falling to where we will probably draft the first two round; namely Koekkoek (29) and Maata (47). Then we could potentially snag a goalie and Hyka with our other two 2nd rounders (unless Homer trades them, which seems inevitable)
when do panthers have to decide by? i don't see why they would keep this yrs 2nd rounder and just give the Flyers the 2013 2nd rounder. This draft is supposed to be deeper so it makes no sense imo.
Craig Button's most recent prospect update out today. He still has some really good defensive prospects falling to where we will probably draft the first two round; namely Koekkoek (29) and Maata (47). Then we could potentially snag a goalie and Hyka with our other two 2nd rounders (unless Homer trades them, which seems inevitable)
Koekkoek and Maata would be real nice building blocks for the D. I was really hoping that Matt Finn would be the guy the Flyers draft, but he's really racing up the charts and is in the top 10 skaters now.
I'd also have no problems if the Flyers took Brandon Gaunce in the first and landed someone like Maata in the second. I really hope that they just draft the best player available, no mater who the player is.
Bartulis has been out with a mysterious injury for quite some time now. Don't know what's going on there, maybe they're looking to see if a team in Europe could take him on?
I've only seen five Phantoms games this season, but in those Kessel hasn't been impressive at all. I've managed to see games where the Phantoms have had trouble get their offense going though, so I've not been impressed with what I've seen from Akeson either. He's having a pretty strong rookie season form what I understand however. Maybe it's something similar with Kessel.
The players that's impressed me have been guys like Holmstrom, McGinn and Kalinski. Kalinski can't produce offensively even on an AHL level, but he's a hard worker and smart player defensively.
McGinn is a tough customer who is pretty relentless. He might not have the hands to make it in the NHL, but he has the drive for it I think.
How has Mike Testwuide looked? I thought he had a good game here in Philly.
How has Mike Testwuide looked? I thought he had a good game here in Philly.
He had a really rough start to the season, offensively. It took a long time for him to get his second goal (and the first was an EN goal, I believe...). He's another of the players that didn't particularly impress me in the games I saw. I was perhaps expecting a bit too much from him though. He wasn't bad, but he didn't stand out either, and he should be one of the team leaders for them I believe. He needs to use his body a little more efficiently if he's going to make it in the NHL I think.
From what I gather he's been really good on a line with Wellwood and Holmstrom the past couple of weeks.
The Phantoms won 5-3 against Manchester on Saturday, but lost with the same numbers against Albany yesterday. They are getting goals from a lot of different players lately. Against Manchester it was Hamel, Harper, Marshall, Wellwood and Holmstrom. In the game against Albany they dropped down to 0-5, but goals from Akeson, Roe and Wellwood made the numbers look better. Albany made a push in the second period and scored three goals in just over two minutes. After the second of those, fourth in total, Leighton was replaced by Bacashihua. Sestito had a goal and an assist, but unfortunately it was the wrong Sestito. Tom Sestito had two assists in the Manchester game though.
Koekkoek and Maata would be real nice building blocks for the D. I was really hoping that Matt Finn would be the guy the Flyers draft, but he's really racing up the charts and is in the top 10 skaters now.
I'd also have no problems if the Flyers took Brandon Gaunce in the first and landed someone like Maata in the second. I really hope that they just draft the best player available, no mater who the player is.
With Finn vaulting up in the rankings, the guy I'm now zeroing in on for the Flyers to select with their first round pick is Dalton Thrower (I mean, is that a hockey name, or what?). Love what I've seen in video clips as well as what I've read over on the prospects board... sounds like he's improved by leaps and bounds this season; kid oozes talent, can do it all as a two-way defenseman, and would surely be a fan favorite in this city. Oh, and his surname is very appropriate.
Last edited by Amateur Hour: 01-17-2012 at 11:29 AM.
I still like Ceci, but in the 2nd round, a guy like Ville Pokka would be a nice fit. 6'0, 194, and seems to be good in both ends (more on the puck moving side). Only problem with him seems to be skating. Prospect board says he continues to improve greatly though, as we can see with him going up the rankings. One of the things I would be scared of though. In the 2nd round though I would love to draft two good defenders. Määttä being one, but a puck moving guy and a big two-way guy. I know we dont ussually do well with defenders, but would love to homegrown two guys that are first round potentials in other drafts.
Hopefully if we get this years second, we can go BPA in the 1st round. (Tomas Hertl from the Czech is sky rocking up the rankings. Playing in the mens league in Czech and has 16 points in 25 games (after having a tremendous WJC)). He is on the older end (turned 18 in November) and plays center but I think he could be a good player in the future.
In the 3rd round, if Hyka is still there, you gotta take him.
He had a really rough start to the season, offensively. It took a long time for him to get his second goal (and the first was an EN goal, I believe...). He's another of the players that didn't particularly impress me in the games I saw. I was perhaps expecting a bit too much from him though. He wasn't bad, but he didn't stand out either, and he should be one of the team leaders for them I believe. He needs to use his body a little more efficiently if he's going to make it in the NHL I think.
From what I gather he's been really good on a line with Wellwood and Holmstrom the past couple of weeks.
The Phantoms won 5-3 against Manchester on Saturday, but lost with the same numbers against Albany yesterday. They are getting goals from a lot of different players lately. Against Manchester it was Hamel, Harper, Marshall, Wellwood and Holmstrom. In the game against Albany they dropped down to 0-5, but goals from Akeson, Roe and Wellwood made the numbers look better. Albany made a push in the second period and scored three goals in just over two minutes. After the second of those, fourth in total, Leighton was replaced by Bacashihua. Sestito had a goal and an assist, but unfortunately it was the wrong Sestito. Tom Sestito had two assists in the Manchester game though.
An article related to Laperriere's job duties with players in the system:
Quote:
The meeting set a tone for his new job. While Laperriere works some with the players on-ice and ran prospect camp this summer, his greater responsibility is developing relationships with the guys away from the ice.
"Long gone are the days of the madman screaming at you and all over you," said Phantoms assistant coach Riley Cote, a former Flyers teammate of Laperriere. "I think there's a time and a place for that when there needs to be a fire lit under your butt, and he will do that. But it's more so being on an individual, personal level with these players."
Laperriere wants to be the guy that players can come to without fear; the person they can text or email when they're not getting playing time, having trouble with a teammate, or missing their families.
For many players beginning their pro careers at 19 or 20, the American Hockey League is the first time they've lived alone and had to worry about laundry, cooking, and avoiding the temptations that come with being a professional athlete.
"I told them, ‘I'm not your coach. I'm here to help you. If it's on or off the ice, you have questions, don't worry about the consequences. Because I don't have any consequences on you. I won't bench you. I'm here to help you become a good pro,' " Laperriere said.
Quote:
Laperriere is technically still on the Flyers' roster and his interactions with the prospects are as much peer as they are coach.
"He's like a father-figure in a way, but one of your teammates as well," said Phantoms forward Andrew Rowe, who trained with him over the summer. "He has nothing but good things to say about you. Because I haven't heard him say a bad thing about anyone."
In November, Laperriere called Rowe and Manning, nursing injuries in Philadelphia, and asked them to be his guests at a Foo Fighters concert at the Wells Fargo Center.
"He got us away from the rink, got us away from management and the coaches and everything to do with the Flyers and we just kind of had fun for the night," Manning said. "That's the kind of person he is."
Laperriere hasn't been to Glens Falls this season. His focus is on the nine names on his office wall. They are Flyers draft picks playing in junior hockey.
He's been to North Dakota already and is going to Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia later this month. The goal is to develop lasting relationships before they reach the AHL.
Once they're with Adirondack, Laperriere takes on a less formal role. Between Cote, development coach Derian Hatcher and roving assistant Kjell Sameulsson, there are layers of support. But the line to Laperriere remains open.
That's a pretty amazing job, I must say. Wonder if any other teams have that going?
I wouldn't be surprised if part of the duties overlapped with various personnel depending on the organization. At the Junior level and such, it is probably more common. There could be an established outreach depending on the circumstances so players' feel comfortable talking to certain personnel beyond coaches: trainers, equipment men, etc, could assist in such ways. Even, as we have seen, some vet players tutor the young ones.
It's pretty how crazy nearly everybody involved in Flyer's development/coaching is a former Flyer (except for Mullen/Laviolette). Paterson, Berube, Samuelsson, Hatcher, Lappy, even McCarthy, whose one of Lavi's cronies.
It's pretty endearing for the organization that guys like Hatcher and Lappy, who were only Flyers for short periods on the tail end of their careers, take on these roles. Sure, Lappy's still under contract and all (is Hatcher's finally done? ) but he didn't have to take the job.
Former Phantom Jonathan Matsumoto was traded to the Panthers today along with someone else for two other AHLers.
If anyone is interested, Jared Ross is playing in the DEL this season for Engolstadt ERC and he has put up 30 points in 35 games. It's kind of funny that there are/were 10 Canadians and 3 other Americans on his team, and only 7 Germans. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/csl.php?tid=3002
Last edited by ilovetheflyers8: 01-18-2012 at 11:08 PM.
Former Phantom Jonathan Matsumoto was traded to the Panthers today along with someone else for two other AHLers.
If anyone is interested, Jared Ross is playing in the DEL this season for Engolstadt ERC and he has put up 30 points in 35 games. It's kind of funny that there are/were 10 Canadians and 3 other Americans on his team, and only 7 Germans.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/csl.php?tid=3002
North Americans with the same ability as Germans are way cheaper therefor every team carries the allowed maximum of non-German players. It's Ingolstadt btw.
Seems like yesterday that he was our top goalie prospect and ready to compete for a job.
) but he didn't have to take the job.
