Matthew Phillips Highlights

[Moneyhands23]

I went to both games against Spokane last weekend. Phillips is an absolute beast! Yes he scores. Yes he has skill. But he also hits and uses his stick on opponents. Dude has no fear and mixes it up I'm the scrum!

Love watching my Royals and Phillips is definitely the best player on the team!

[FBI]

Does he dodge hits as well as Johnny?

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by FBI

Does he dodge hits as well as Johnny?

From what I've been able to see of him he's pretty adept at this and like moneyhands mentioned Phillips is often mixing it up and is not afraid to play a chippy game - his 48 PIMS speak to this. Lots of his offense is create along the walls off the rush and he skates with his head up in full flight, he looks like a righty Johnny tbh. Really stoked about this pick.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by FBI

Does he dodge hits as well as Johnny?

Iv'e never seen him get hit and go "oh #### that was bad" but last game vs the Chiefs he got hit and it did put him on his ass, Chiefs also were targeting him all game, got pushed hard after the whistle but he got up with a smile and just moved on. He would end up with 2G 1A including the OT winner after that big hit. He looks like a schoolboy but he has no fear at all. In and around the net all game long. To say this will translate to the next level is unknown but he can do special things with the puck. Whenever he plays in Alberta next I highly recommend going and seeing him play. It will be worth it.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

From what I've been able to see of him he's pretty adept at this and like moneyhands mentioned Phillips is often mixing it up and is not afraid to play a chippy game - his 48 PIMS speak to this. Lots of his offense is create along the walls off the rush and he skates with his head up in full flight, he looks like a righty Johnny tbh. Really stoked about this pick.

Ya I can back this, he usually finds a way to start a scrum or two a game just by skating past opposing players who inevitably push him or whack him but he is never intimidated. Teams without a doubt hate seeing a little 5'6 guy who can't grow facial hair skate circles around them.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I went to both games against Spokane last weekend. Phillips is an absolute beast! Yes he scores. Yes he has skill. But he also hits and uses his stick on opponents. Dude has no fear and mixes it up I'm the scrum!

Love watching my Royals and Phillips is definitely the best player on the team!

Nice to know other Flames fans in Victoria are keeping track of him!! Hopefully we get to look back in a few years and say we were lucky enough to watch him play in Junior!

[Red John]

Saw Phillips live tonight. He has skill but was invisible most of the night as the Royals were shut down by a much better team. He looks good on the PP but hard to do much at evens when they put another midget (Hannoun) on his line.

Will say this though hes the second best forward on that team and at 18 that's impressive especially playing for a team with mediocre coaching.

Future is bright.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Red John

Saw Phillips live tonight. He has skill but was invisible most of the night as the Royals were shut down by a much better team. He looks good on the PP but hard to do much at evens when they put another midget (Hannoun) on his line.

Will say this though hes the second best forward on that team and at 18 that's impressive especially playing for a team with mediocre coaching.

Future is bright.

Ya it's not the first time the Rockets have shut him down, had a game earlier in the season when they did as well. The Foote brothers are legit, both will be top 4 guys in the NHL, Nolan is probably gonna be a star. I also hate how Vic pairs them together as well, especially vs a team like Kelowna. The Rockets are a very very good Junior team. Seems like you caught Phillips on an off night. Either way lots of development is left and no I don't think he will be in the NHL next season, as awesome as it would be. He's still a long way from the NHL but the talent is 100% there. He's also without a doubt their best player.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Ya it's not the first time the Rockets have shut him down, had a game earlier in the season when they did as well. The Foote brothers are legit, both will be top 4 guys in the NHL, Nolan is probably gonna be a star. I also hate how they pair them together as well, especially vs a team like Kelowna. The Rockets are a very very good Junior team. Seems like you caught Phillips on an off night. Either way lots of development is left and no I don't think he will be in the NHL next season, as awesome as it would be. He's still a long ways away from that.

Just to clarify, Nolan Foote is a winger while Cal Foote is the defenseman who is draft eligible this year. Nolan isn't until 2019 if you can believe it.

Teams seemed sleepy tonight probably not used to Tuesday games. Phillips didn't look like a 46-goal guy but will get another look at him on Saturday.

Phillips will likely play another year or even 2 in junior, with his size he may stay as a 20 if he isn't ready to play against men.

Also had a good viewing on Dillon Dube tonight. Another prospect to get excited about.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Red John

Just to clarify, Nolan Foote is a winger while Cal Foote is the defenseman who is draft eligible this year.

Teams seemed sleepy tonight probably not used to Tuesday games. Phillips didn't look like a 46-goal guy but will get another look at him on Saturday.

Phillips will likely play another year or even 2 in junior, with his size he may stay as a 20 if he isn't ready to play against men.

Oh well screw me then haha, when I watched them play I thought they were using two Foote's cuz Callan was on the ice all game. Can't say I keep track of other junior teams enough, just know that Nolan was picked first in 2015, I swear to god I thought he was a Dman this whole year. Oh boy. That's insane how young he is, hockey genes are strong in that family.

I agree on Dube, put on a show in Vic when I saw him. Didn't think he showed off all of his game at the WJC playing on the 4th line. Thought he was more talented then many other players on that team, and yes i'm very biased. Dube is a very underrated prospect and I wish I went to more Rockets games this year when they visited but only went to one.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Oh well screw me then haha, when I watched them play I thought they were using two Foote's cuz Callan was on the ice all game. Can't say I keep track of other junior teams enough, just know that Nolan was picked first in 2015, I swear to god I thought he was a Dman this whole year. Oh boy

Callan Foote could be a top 10 pick this year but Nolan could be even higher by 2019. Both were 2nd round bantam picks though Nolan could have gone top 5 but he wasn't going to play for any other team.

Back on topic. Matt Phillips looks good for a 6th rounder. Dube plays in a very structured system so won't always stand out but he's cerebral and always makes the correct play and has improved defensively, he will be a big part of the Canadian WJC team this December.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Red John

Callan Foote could be a top 10 pick this year but Nolan could be even higher by 2019. Both were 2nd round bantam picks though Nolan could have gone top 5 but he wasn't going to play for any other team.

Back on topic. Matt Phillips looks good for a 6th rounder. Dube plays in a very structured system so won't always stand out but he's cerebral and always makes the correct play and has improved defensively, he will be a big part of the Canadian WJC team this December.

Was he? Damn, I thought he went first. My info is all messed up here haha. Rockets have had amazing junior teams. Will be interesting to see how far they can go this year.

Agreed about Dube, I think he has parts to his game that make him a dynamic player as well. Had just an incredible goal vs the Royals. Lots to look forward to with these guys, loving the 2016 draft so far.

[Red John]

One more update on Phillips, saw him play again tonight.

He is fearless for a small guy, often puts himself into harms way in dangerous spots on the ice, he drew two 3rd period powerplays tonight literally by being short as defender's elbows tend to be equal in height to his head and he drove right to the net both times. Its great to have spunk and be fearless but he's going to have to pick his spots more if he wants to survive.

Wish he would attack defenders more when carrying the puck into the zone, he chose to chip and chase several times tonight when his speed could have pushed defenders back, though quick and shifty probably describes his skating moreso than flat-out fast. Wasn't dynamic at all and personally it is shocking that he has 48 goals on the season, he just isn't that noticeable at even strength but again having him on a line with Hannoun isn't doing him any favours. Wish he was more assertive on the backcheck and in the neutral zone without the puck. Still absolutely exceeding expectations for a 6th round pick and would go much higher in a re-draft, speaking one year later. Will probably be Mr. Everything for the Royals next year as a 19, his team is only a wildcard playoff team this year and will likely be one and done in the playoffs but the sky's the limit next year in the pivotal draft+2 season.

Dillon Dube was the best player on the ice tonight. Had four points although he was a -1 on the night funny enough. Had a wonderful tip for a goal in the second period and scored the OT winner on a nicely placed shot on a 4-on-3 PP. He was assertive and dynamic tonight and using his wheels on the forecheck to disrupt, hes been taking defenders wide more often lately with puck and using his speed. Patient in the offensive zone and is willing to make the simple play when fancier options not available, something that wasn't always the case. Up to 53 points in 37 games now which is a great pace. Could go on a long playoff run this year, be interesting to see how he does in bigger situations.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Red John

One more update on Phillips, saw him play again tonight.

He is fearless for a small guy, often puts himself into harms way in dangerous spots on the ice, he drew two 3rd period powerplays tonight literally by being short as defender's elbows tend to be equal in height to his head and he drove right to the net both times. Its great to have spunk and be fearless but he's going to have to pick his spots more if he wants to survive.

Wish he would attack defenders more when carrying the puck into the zone, he chose to chip and chase several times tonight when his speed could have pushed defenders back, though quick and shifty probably describes his skating moreso than flat-out fast. Wasn't dynamic at all and personally it is shocking that he has 48 goals on the season, he just isn't that noticeable at even strength but again having him on a line with Hannoun isn't doing him any favours. Wish he was more assertive on the backcheck and in the neutral zone without the puck. Still absolutely exceeding expectations for a 6th round pick and would go much higher in a re-draft, speaking one year later. Will probably be Mr. Everything for the Royals next year as a 19, his team is only a wildcard playoff team this year and will likely be one and done in the playoffs but the sky's the limit next year in the pivotal draft+2 season.

Dillon Dube was the best player on the ice tonight. Had four points although he was a -1 on the night funny enough. Had a wonderful tip for a goal in the second period and scored the OT winner on a nicely placed shot on a 4-on-3 PP. He was assertive and dynamic tonight and using his wheels on the forecheck to disrupt, hes been taking defenders wide more often lately with puck and using his speed. Patient in the offensive zone and is willing to make the simple play when fancier options not available, something that wasn't always the case. Up to 53 points in 37 games now which is a great pace. Could go on a long playoff run this year, be interesting to see how he does in bigger situations.

I totally believe what you are saying about Phillips is accurate from the games you watched, but Phillips has had many games where he has been dynamic for Victoria. He has not been good vs the Rockets this year which could be a concern considering Foote is probably a major reason and that's the type of player Phillips will need to figure out how to play against if he wants to make the Flames.

Dube has been awesome as of late, I loved his one timer the other night. Seems very versatile and a player who could help the Flames in the not so distant future. I look forward to watching him have a much bigger role on team Canada next year. In an ideal world would you like Dube in the AHL next year or with the Rockets? I know this isn't possible but from his highlights I think he could make the jump next year.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Beninho

In an ideal world would you like Dube in the AHL next year or with the Rockets? I know this isn't possible but from his highlights I think he could make the jump next year.

Another year in junior. Only in rare cases (McDavid, etc) would an extra year in junior be a waste or detrimental to development. Usually it isn't possible to over-develop whereas tons of ruined careers from rushing players. Dube is undersized and not ready to play against men yet plus missed a lot of time this year, he needs to get a full season of domination under his belt next season. Best case scenario is Memorial Cup this year, WJC gold next January and a big year and he could get a look with the Flames in 2018-19.

[Derek Sutton]

Just scored his 50th on a penalty shot.

[Robbob]

Good on him.