He gave a great interview after the game where he talked about how much faster it was than the AHL, and that showed in the first period when he got beat wide a couple of times and turned the puck over in the final seconds. But in the 2nd and 3rd he looked fine, as you say. Hopefully most fans will be patient with Morin since really big guys always need longer to find their groove, and the Flyers success is not dependent on him becoming a top pairing guy thanks to the other dmen Hextall drafted.
Without him playing I wouldn't have even bothered watching a meaningless regular season game in NJ last night.
Morin had a rocky game. Not sure why that's controversial to point out.
We all like the guy (I think) and hope he improves, and certainly it's good to see him getting ice with Mandog in the press box where he belongs.
Man, did you see the first period? Had a couple bad turnovers, including a brutal one at the end of the period that nearly led to a goal. Held the puck too long a couple times and took big hits behind his net.
Also got smoked one-on-one by a devil (Zajac I think it was?) coming down the right wing.
It wasn't the end of the world and he made some nice plays too, but if 47 or 23 had that game there's no way they'd have gotten positive reviews.
So a few plays makes it a "rocky game"?
Yeah, of course. He's a defenseman.
Again though, it's what anyone would expect. That post-first period interview with Bundy said it all. "It's fast up here". It's a massive adjustment.
I think Konency is a bad fit with G&V.
LW with Couts and Schenn might make sense.
LW with Filppula and Simmonds, but Weal has that spot when healthy.
I think some people here care more about being entertained the last few games of this season rather than the team next season. I don't need to see anymore of Konency this year, I'd be happy if they shut him down, and I suspect if Cousins was healthy he'd be watching from the press box.
Konency is tough for his size, but he's undersized for the NHL right now, and while fast, he's not that fast. Plus he likes contact, which is admirable, but not recommended until he adds 10 more lbs.
At this point in the season, I'd just like them to get through the couple games without any serious injuries.
Speaking of Bundy, anyone else find it odd that he openly speculated about MDZ getting plucked by Vegas in the offseason?
I mean nobody thinks he's a candidate for re-signing, but I can't recall that kind of bluntness about a Flyer previously on the broadcasts.
Jackson rolled with it too, so I doubt it was just a case of the dapper one being a little loose-lipped.
I guess I like MDZ more than most. Surprised that nobody took a shot at him at the deadline.
I guess I like MDZ more than most. Surprised that nobody took a shot at him at the deadline.
I'm curious (in the non-undertone meaning) what you would consider to be the best use of the last few meaningless games in a very bad season. On one hand, there is value in protecting players who project to have a significant role going into next season and beyond, particularly when the opposition ices a few lowbrows. Conversely, it's an ideal time of year for trying things out in actual NHL games with no pressure. Essentially, this is training camp against real NHL opposition.
First, Hakstol is very limited by injuries right now, he has to field a team, this seems to be ignored by many in this thread.
Second, there's probably an unwritten rule that you let your top veterans to play out the string to "pad their stats", especially those closer to free agency but also players trying to turn a bad season around - and benching them would signal to the team you don't care about winning (which might be true but . . .)
Konency is a known quality at this point, he looks sloppy which is usually a sign of fatigue in a young player. I don't think he's going to learn a lot the last two games, especially b/c they don't know where he fits right now (G&V need a mucker at LW). I want to get him to rest, then get into an offseason weight program, and hit TC rested and stronger.
MV came too late, no practice, Baker Award on Friday, realistically he'd have been better off with the Phantoms in the playoffs getting a taste of professional hockey one notch below the NHL.
It's nice that Morin got a taste, but the Phantom playoff run is more important to his development this year.
Other than that, there really is nothing to do but play out the string and hope no one gets seriously injured (see Ghost, Giroux starting slow after surgery).
It's also worth mentioning that Gostisbehere looked terrific. One of his best games of the year.
I think he lifted for his partner a little, but maybe you could argue Morin helped him roam a little more confidently.
I still wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. Just not sure what kind of deal he'd be looking for. If he wants to sign a one year deal on the cheap, I'd do it, but it doesn't look like he is in the plans for this team moving forward.
I still wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. Just not sure what kind of deal he'd be looking for. If he wants to sign a one year deal on the cheap, I'd do it, but it doesn't look like he is in the plans for this team moving forward.