Time to Panic?

Flyers lost their first game of the 2014-2015 season. Unlike last year, no one is calling for the coach’s and general manager’s heads. Yet. There were some good parts and some bad things that happened tonight (aside from the score.) Keep in mind, it is still early in the season. Claude Giroux did not get much time with his linemates to develop chemistry. The loss of Kimmo Timonen on the back end cannot be overlooked.

Sean Couturier scores the first goal of the season for the Flyers.
Image from ESPN.

Finally, the Flyers seem to have found stability in net with Steve Mason. This was not his greatest game. He was challenged much of the game, with the Flyer’s letting up odd man rushes, especially when on the power play. This was due to the team’s inconsistency in the breakout and neutral zone.

Offensively, the team looks like it has developed some great chemistry. The second line and fourth lines especially looked good. However, this could be due to their time spent together. Before training camp, the Flyers said that they wanted Sean Couturier to be more of an offensive force and that Wayne Simmonds would help. Couturier and Matt Read can already read each other’s minds and their skills compliment each other. Playing with Simmonds will only enhance their offensive output.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemere
showcases his physical game.
Image from ESPN.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemere just came over from France. Since Pierre-Edouard is not a Philly name and PE is too close to physical education, he needs a nickname. But by the time you say his name, he is gone. He plays a quick game and is more physical than I had expected. With Zac Rinaldo, that line can generate a lot of pressure on the forecheck and generate good energy for the team.

Do not panic yet, it was only the first game of the season. The Flyers hung in with a potential Stanley Cup contender for 58 minutes. There were no big, glaring issues. However it is true that championships cannot be won in October, but they can be lost. The team will need to generate more offense than 20 shots and one goal to win games. Tonight is the home opener against the defensively adept New Jersey Devils; expect a lot of energy and flair as the team feeds off the crowd’s excitement.

Angry Netminder to Calm Executive

In case you didn’t know, Ron Hextall the General Manager is much different from Ron Hextall the goalie. Gone is the fiery vigilante that stalked his crease, daring opposing players to come within arm’s (or usually stick’s) distance. His revenge on Chris Chelios for his blatant dirty board of Brian Propp will live forever in Flyers’ history.

GM Hextall is more in control of his emotions and urges. He said in the beginning of the preseason that he would not rush any of the organization’s top prospects, including the sudden depth of defensemen. True to his word, every prospect was sent down, despite strong showings from Scott Laughton, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Samuel Morin.

Laughton, Gostisbehere, and Robert Hagg were all sent down to the new Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Due to the agreement with the CHL, Morin is not eligible for the AHL; he must spend the season with the powerhouse Rimouski Oceanic. The timing was surprising. Morin could have played up to nine games with the Flyers and been returned to the Q, much like what happened with Laughton the last two seasons, without burning a year off of his entry level contract.

It is possible, even probable for Laughton to be called up. Ghost could also see some time with the Flyers if injuries strike the club. Offensively, he is ready for the NHL, however he is Danny Briere size, which could be dangerous if he puts himself in a bad situation.

Currently, there is no space in the Top 9 for Laughton. There is even more of a logjam keeping Ghost out. Bob Mackenzie reported (and GM Hextall quickly refuted) that the Flyers were looking to move a defenseman. This makes a lot of sense. If the Flyers believe that one or two of their defensemen is close to being ready, it makes sense to move one out soon. They have seven veterans on the roster now; next year, only one regular spot would open up with 6/7 defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Nick Schultz becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

The Los Angeles Kings, Hextall’s former employer, take a very slow development approach to their prospects. Slava Voynov, drafted 32^nd overall in 2008, played in the AHL for 3 full seasons, not coming up until the 2011-2012 season. Jonathan Quick was drafted in 2005, and did not make his debut in the end of the 2007-2008 season. He worked his way up from the ECHL, after spending two seasons at UMass-Amherst. Current King Tyler Toffoli was also brought along slowly. Ron Hextall is no stranger to waiting for talent to develop.

Last year, the Flyers were relatively healthy. It is not likely that they will luck out like that two years in a row. The most likely way that one of these prospects would see time in the NHL is as an injury call-up. Even then, Hextall could look to more seasoned players and keep those prospects in the minors, getting top minutes.

Laughton Lehigh-Bound?

The Flyers have an interesting decision to make in the coming weeks. Top prospect Scott Laughton has made the team out of training camp each of the first two years after being drafted 20^th overall in the 2012 Entry Draft. He played in 5 games as an 18 year old before being returned back to the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. Last year, both he and the Flyers were in a difficult position. He was too good for Juniors, but not good (or strong) enough for the NHL game. Since the AHL was not an option, Laughton was returned to the OHL for a fourth year. He responded by increasing his point total by 31. He captained the underwhelming Canadian World Junior team in 2013. He cleaned up the OHL awards, winning best shot, best defensive forward, most dangerous in the goal area, and coming in second for MVP. He should be a lock for the big club, right?

Photo from Philly.com

Historically, the Flyers are slow in bringing up their top prospects. Captain Claude Giroux spent half a season with the Phantoms after Juniors. Stars Mike Richards and Jeff Carter spent a season with the Phantoms, albeit because of the lockout. Sean Couturier played his way onto the team as an 18 year old due to his defensive prowess. Luca Sbisa also made the team as an 18 year old due to the lack of depth on defense.

Laughton projects as a third line checking center that can do some spot duty in the Top-6. He was almost the MVP of the OHL, finishing behind OHL leading scorer and Leafs prospect Connor Brown from the Erie Otters.  Laughton scored 87 points to Brown’s 128. He made up for the difference with his leadership and two-way play.

It is his leadership and two-way play that has reminded people of a former captain, Mike Richards. Richards’ role with the Flyers was primarily as a third line center behind Forsberg/Briere and Carter. Richards took the tough match ups and was the primary penalty killer.

Unfortunately, the current Flyers have a logjam at center. Giroux is clearly the top center; Lecavalier/Schenn both fit best in the second line center spot. Sean Couturier has a lock on the checking center role. That leaves the fourth line center spot up for grabs. Unfortunately, Blair Jones has had an excellent camp and looks to take that spot.  Laughton could play wing, but he is a natural center. Even if he beats out Jones, should the Flyers bury their top prospect on the fourth line?

The Flyers organization wants the Couturier to take a more offensive role. His preseason line with Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds suggests that he will start out as the second line center. The Flyers will not put Lecavalier on the fourth line again. This leaves no spot for Laughton but Lehigh Valley, where he will get top line minutes and develop against professional players.