Well, I mean, it's not like he was tearing up the AHL. If he were, I could see your point. But if he can't show what he has at the AHL level it's hard to argue he deserves an extended look to "see what you have" in the NHL.The question for me is would you rather play Ratcliff for an extended period to see what you have or play Zac and know what you have? That is what it boils down to
Ratcliff looked just fine in his 10 games. Why on earth he wasn't given an extended look I cant grasp. Especially knowing he has to clear waivers the following year
Forget the AHL. Look at his 10 game sample when in the NHL. Some players are also better in the NHL than AHL. He was fine in those 10 games. Put up a few points. Did not loo out of place at all.Well, I mean, it's not like he was tearing up the AHL. If he were, I could see your point. But if he can't show what he has at the AHL level it's hard to argue he deserves an extended look to "see what you have" in the NHL.
Hodgson got hurt.Forget the AHL. Look at his 10 game sample when in the NHL. Some players are also better in the NHL than AHL. He was fine in those 10 games. Put up a few points. Did not loo out of place at all.
It is not about deserves. Zac Mac stinks. What does he deserve? You have a guy you drafted that a decision will need to be made on. Where they flyers were last season it was a prefect time to see. There was zero reason to me not to play him down the stretch.
Well since you mention "deserves" do you think Hodgson should have got a more extended look over Zac?
I don't recall him getting hurt as didn't the go back down and play for the Phantoms? Either way he was sent down instead of ZM.Hodgson got hurt.
I don't really care about Zack MacEwen getting 4th line time over a guy with 3 AHL seasons of:
53 games, 6 goals, 9 assists, 15 pts
22 games, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 pts
59 games, 11 goals, 17 assists, 28 pts
If you can't show better that that in the AHL, then you're lucky to have even gotten a 10-game callup in the NHL.
MacEwen at least put up 52 pts in 69 games in his 2nd AHL season.
What are the positives of playing Zack at all?
Are they supposed to give every AHLer extended NHL looks just to "see" if for some reason they excel in the NHL despite struggling in the AHL?I don't recall him getting hurt as didn't the go back down and play for the Phantoms? Either way he was sent down instead of ZM.
I guess your not grasping what I am saying. Or just disagree. Sometimes it is all about luck and timing. Just to be clear I am not saying in any way Isaac is an NHL level player. Was just foolish to not find out.
Where the Flyers were last season yes 100%; also didn't say every AHLer. Add to the fact he played well in those 10 games. It is about evaluation in a lost year seeing what you may have in the future.Are they supposed to give every AHLer extended NHL looks just to "see" if for some reason they excel in the NHL despite struggling in the AHL?
If Ratcliffe wanted a longer stay than 10 games, he should have played better in the AHL..
Like I said, MacEwen had 52 pts in 69 games in his 2nd AHL season. That's more than Ratcliffe accomplished in 3 AHL seasons. As far as I'm concerned, MacEwen has earned more at the professional level than Ratcliffe has.
Where the Flyers were last season yes 100%; also didn't say every AHLer. Add to the fact he played well in those 10 games. It is about evaluation in a lost year seeing what you may have in the future.
Don't care what ZM had in the AHL. That is meaningless.
What was there to gain by still playing ZM?
Either way I hope and pray the 4th line is ND-Brown-ZM as it will make for a far more exciting times on these boards. Send all of Allison Isaac and Tanner down. Shit send Down Cates as well. Hopefully Chuck signs just 1 more irrelevant vet before the season.
He played a few pretty good games and tailed off like I've seen happen with about a million AHL call-ups over the course of my life.Where the Flyers were last season yes 100%; also didn't say every AHLer. Add to the fact he played well in those 10 games. It is about evaluation in a lost year seeing what you may have in the future.
Don't care what ZM had in the AHL. That is meaningless.
What was there to gain by still playing ZM?
Either way I hope and pray the 4th line is ND-Brown-ZM as it will make for a far more exciting times on these boards. Send all of Allison Isaac and Tanner down. Shit send Down Cates as well. Hopefully Chuck signs just 1 more irrelevant vet before the season.
The idea that you play a terrible player because nobody "forced" you to play them is bad. Unfortunately, it's how the Flyers do work and it's a big reason why they're bad. They're content to keep playing bad players and they hate the idea of exploring better options among prospects.
....the kind of thinking that leads to signing 4th liners for 4 years. Or signing 3rd pairing Dman and GUARANTEEING them they won't be scratched.The idea that you play a terrible player because nobody "forced" you to play them is bad. Unfortunately, it's how the Flyers do work and it's a big reason why they're bad. They're content to keep playing bad players and they hate the idea of exploring better options among prospects.
Laczynski is running out of time, he hadn't shown much for two seasons due to injuries, finally regains his burst, then gets injured again.
The reason a MacEwen keeps a job (as well as Brown) is b/c players like Laczynski, who should start ahead of them, can't stay healthy. And a dinged up Laczynski isn't as good as MacEwen or Brown.
As soon as Allison got healthy, he jumped ahead of MacEwen.
Foerster and Brink are more talented than MacEwen, but Foerster just turned 21 and missed a lot of PT the last two seasons, a total of 33 AHL and 19 OHL games over that stretch, so over a full season of PT. Brink is coming back off hip surgery and his not nearly 100%, maybe by April he'll move well enough not to be NHL road kill.
Ohio State players get free tattoos I hear.Tribal and sleeve tattoos and multiple longer term injuries…!
Allison played one game on the 4th line when he was activated, then immediately moved ahead of MacEwen to the third line.MacEwen keeps a job because Fletcher wants players like him to have a job. He thinks they fit a vital role. Tortorella agrees.
Allison did not immediately jump ahead of MacEwen, either. With both MacEwen and Brown healthy, it's doubtful Laczynski touches NHL time no matter how he plays. That's how this org works.