brelic Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I was reading this on Meltzer's blog today. The challenge over the next few years will be to restock the forwards because outside of Laughton and Leier, I don't see any bonafide NHLers in that group. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Bill-Meltzer/Meltzers-Musings-Wayne-Watch-Fourth-Line-Phantoms-Roster-Quick-Hits/45/62838 PHANTOMS FINALIZE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Terry Murray announced yesterday that the team will carry 22 players on its opening night roster. The roster breaks down as follows: Forwards (13): Brandon Alderson, Nick Cousins, Austin Fyten, Andrew Gordon, Kevin Goumas, Brett Hextall, Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Darroll Powe, Jay Rosehill, Zack Stortini, Petr Straka and Chris VandeVelde. Defensemen (7) : Mark Alt, Steven Delisle, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Oliver Lauridsen, Brandon Manning and Jesper Pettersson. Goaltenders (2): Anthony Stolarz and Rob Zepp. Veteran netminder Zepp will enter the 2014-15 season as the team's number one goaltender, with rookie Stolarz beginning the campaign as the backup. In cutting down the roster to 22 players, the team assigned rookie goaltender Martin Oullette and former Buffalo Sabres netminder Connor Knapp to the ECHL's Reading Royals. The Phantoms also assigned five position players to Reading: defenseman Maxim Lamarche and forwards Marcel Noebels, Matt Hatch, Andrew Johnston and Derek Mathers. None of the cuts were especially surprising.
pilldoc Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 @brelic Well that is the price you pay when you have to restock the defense. I would be willing to bet come the draft next year, Hexy will be looking at forwards again, most notably wingers. I totally get your point though. With the Phantoms now in the Lehigh Valley, that is only less than 90 min away from where I live, I am going to pay real close attention now and see how our your defensive prospects grow. Correct me if I am wrong...besides McDavid, didn't I hear that the upcoming draft is supposed to be deep in talent? Maybe Hexy can find some gems.
brelic Posted October 7, 2014 Author Posted October 7, 2014 @brelic Well that is the price you pay when you have to restock the defense. I would be willing to bet come the draft next year, Hexy will be looking at forwards again, most notably wingers. I totally get your point though. With the Phantoms now in the Lehigh Valley, that is only less than 90 min away from where I live, I am going to pay real close attention now and see how our your defensive prospects grow. Correct me if I am wrong...besides McDavid, didn't hear that the upcoming draft is supposed to be deep in talent? Maybe Hexy can find some gems. Yes, it's supposed to be one of the deepest drafts in over a decade. If the Flyers finish bottom 10 of the league, we could end up with a real top end prospect.
pilldoc Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 If the Flyers finish bottom 10 of the league, we could end up with a real top end prospect. Well depending what happens to this year's blue-line.... that could be a distinct possibility. I know many posters are thinking the Flyers finish somewhere around 7-9, but all it takes is a bad stretch here or there or an injury and the Flyers could pick top ten.
flyerrod Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Well depending what happens to this year's blue-line.... that could be a distinct possibility. I know many posters are thinking the Flyers finish somewhere around 7-9, but all it takes is a bad stretch here or there or an injury and the Flyers could pick top ten.Come on doc......The season has not started yet so you are supposed to be taking the "happy" pills.......
pilldoc Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 @flyerrod I'm sorry .. you are right! Here does this make everyone feel better!
murraycraven Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 @flyerrod I'm sorry .. you are right! Here does this make everyone feel better! Well doc... after watching this defense (sans Morin and Gost) this reseason you might have to dish out some happy pills earlier than one would like! I think you hit the nail on the head about the defense. This group does not inspire confidence whatsoever and thinking of McDud on the top pairing scares the hell out of me. Coburn was at least servicable on the top pairing w/ a guy like Kimmo... It is a total coind toss as to how this group performs IMO. I hope MDZ can regain his old self and end up being a total steal in FA. Maybe the hockey gods will be in our favor. I like the remake of the 4th line with speed and I think the forwards will be fine. My major concern, as was last year, is this defensive group. Kimmo's loss HAS TO BE someones fortune and someone needs to step up. Just not confident the current group will do so...
AJgoal Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I'm still not sold on secondary scoring. The Flyers have not been that good 5 on 5 the last few years, and while I like Couturier and think he will begin to show his offensive potential, that's a huge question mark from where I sit. Giroux's line will get theirs, but I just don't know about the second and third lines. And if Giroux's injury lingers, it could make the first part of the season really rough. Lots of ifs and maybes right now. Thankfully the games start in less than 36 hours, so maybe we'll start getting our answers.
flyerrod Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 @flyerrod I'm sorry .. you are right! Here does this make everyone feel better! I am not saying they don't have the potential to crap the bed, I just want to wait until it happens before I start blasting the negativity. P.S, Nice touch with the happy pills.
pilldoc Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 @flyerrod No worries Rod... I'm not upset and trust me I totally understand and I agree with ya. Glad you like the photo.
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