[Signing] Matthew Phillips to Capitals 1yr 1 way $775K

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

This is all Sutter's fault. He said many times last year that he believed that rookies had to earn their way in the AHL and then learn from playing with the vets like Lucics, Ritchies, Lewis's in the NHL about how to be a pro. He didn't believe in giving them opportunities to shine. It was the same with Pelletier, he didn't want to play Pelletier at all until the team staff started asking why Sutter kept d****** around Pelletier's parents about if he would play his first game or not. Sutter finally relented and then shot back with the "who's that?" press conference because he was pissed off someone forced his hand.

Yea this is a coaching issue, not an organizational one per se. I feel like I recall Tre calling him up and indicating he hoped he would stick but it was up to the coach to make the lineup decisions. He eventually sent him down when he was just sitting in the press box.

If I’m mistaking him for someone else, my point still stands.

The GM should be able to entrust his coach to make the decisions that are right for the team, now and in the future.

I’m not even a Phillips truther but can agree the Sutter set this organization back with his lack of opportunities for youth to build their game by getting meaningful minutes.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Yea this is a coaching issue, not an organizational one per se. I feel like I recall Tre calling him up and indicating he hoped he would stick but it was up to the coach to make the lineup decisions. He eventually sent him down when he was just sitting in the press box.

If I’m mistaking him for someone else, my point still stands.

The GM should be able to entrust his coach to make the decisions that are right for the team, now and in the future.

I’m not even a Phillips truther but can agree the Sutter set this organization back with his lack of opportunities for youth to build their game by getting meaningful minutes.

What number was he?

[FlamesAddiction]

Not really all Sutter’S fault. Did Treliving try to extend Phillips during the season? Conroy offered him a two-way deal. It doesn’t seem like the current or previous management thought Phillips was anything but a long shot either.

I hope Phillips gets to live his dream. It seems kind of rude to hope against him for no reason other than not wanting the Flames to look bad, but I am still unconvinced.

[AC]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really all Sutter’S fault. Did Treliving try to extend Phillips during the season? Conroy offered him a two-way deal. It doesn’t seem like the current or previous management thought Phillips was anything but a long shot either.

I hope Phillips gets to live his dream. It seems kind of rude to hope against him for no reason other than not wanting the Flames to look bad, but I am still unconvinced.

It was reported the Flames offered a 2 year, 1 way deal.

[GullFoss]

I respect that scorp has a thoughtful thesis and then both explains and defends it admirably. Much better quality content than 90% of the posters on here, myself included. A+

I still think it's more likely than not Phillips fades, but its fun watching it play out this year.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Nasty.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1709386440113610872

I hope Phillips does well but if that was a rookie instead of Pastrnak he likely would have been sent to the minors after that weak sauce D.

[CF84]

Originally Posted by AC

It was reported the Flames offered a 2 year, 1 way deal.

I'm not sure where I read it, but I'm certain I saw a report that the first year was 2 way and only the second year was 1 way from the Flames.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The same issues with Phillips still exist. Not noticeable 5-on-5. Only effective when there is more time and space. So the Caps will have to use him on the PP or in OT. They make the decision on whether he is worth taking a roster spot for maybe four minutes of ice time during regulation games and maybe a couple shifts in OT versus a player that can play and contribute in an expanded role. No one has ever argued he doesn't have skill. He's a slick player. The argument has always been can he play at the NHL level where the players are bigger and quicker and there is little time and space? Nothing has changed in that regard. If he makes it with the Caps it will be because they have decided they will make a role for him not many other teams have on their rosters - a PP/OT specialist. Good luck to him and the Caps if they go this route.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really all Sutter’S fault. Did Treliving try to extend Phillips during the season? Conroy offered him a two-way deal. It doesn’t seem like the current or previous management thought Phillips was anything but a long shot either.

"During the season"? How often do non-roster AHL callups sign contract extensions mid season? This is not even that common for established NHL vets.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I hope he gets booed when the Capitals play here in March.

Not only boo him but we should chuck screwdrivers at him at every stoppage.

[Vinny01]

I hope Phillips finds his place in the league but I am not putting too much into a preseason run. We saw this with Ty Rattie, and that one Canuck I can’t quite remember (Shirokov?).

I hope Philips carves out a career and I agree with those that put the primary blame on Sutter for refusing to play him despite elite AHL numbers. Will Philips be a full time NHLer or the next Czarnik? We will find out.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

From what I saw he wasn't very noticeable 5 on 5. But anything with 4 players on the ice or less and his skill shines through a lot more. He's got the skills to be very helpful on the PP, but no idea what the Caps are going to do with him. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes the team to start the season and they see how things go from there.

I think KFF is right about Phillips: he will be very useful to a team on the powerplay, in 4-on-4, and especially in overtime. I am betting that he makes the team out of camp, but the trick for Washington will be managing his icetime in order to keep him effective as basically a powerplay specialist. It's great that the kid is finally getting a real chance to play, and it will be really interesting to see what happens this season.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Yea this is a coaching issue, not an organizational one per se. I feel like I recall Tre calling him up and indicating he hoped he would stick but it was up to the coach to make the lineup decisions. He eventually sent him down when he was just sitting in the press box.

If I’m mistaking him for someone else, my point still stands.

The GM should be able to entrust his coach to make the decisions that are right for the team, now and in the future.

I’m not even a Phillips truther but can agree the Sutter set this organization back with his lack of opportunities for youth to build their game by getting meaningful minutes.

The coaches job is to win and get the most it can out of the roster. You don't sewer your chances by coddling players along just so they can get ice time to feel comfortable in the NHL.....With that said, Sutter certainly should be making these decisions based off of preseason viewing, practice performance and at the very least, an honest shot at playing in a role where they can excel when/if they are called up for a cup of coffee.

None of the above were met for a variety of players last year and in year's past, and that's not only a failure on the coach, but the GM and organization. For whatever reason, the coach went nuts and decided not to play Pelletier or Philips, and dumped a performing Ruzicka down the lineup in favour of guys like Lucic.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think KFF is right about Phillips: he will be very useful to a team on the powerplay, in 4-on-4, and especially in overtime. I am betting that he makes the team out of camp, but the trick for Washington will be managing his icetime in order to keep him effective as basically a powerplay specialist. It's great that the kid is finally getting a real chance to play, and it will be really interesting to see what happens this season.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

The Flames lost, what, 17 or 18 OT games? Phillips (or some other OT specialist) could have single-handedly won them enough of those to comfortably make the playoffs. I can't think of examples of such player usage, but with the tightness of the league and emphasis on special teams play i wonder if that's something we might see in the future.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

The same issues with Phillips still exist. Not noticeable 5-on-5. Only effective when there is more time and space. So the Caps will have to use him on the PP or in OT. They make the decision on whether he is worth taking a roster spot for maybe four minutes of ice time during regulation games and maybe a couple shifts in OT versus a player that can play and contribute in an expanded role. No one has ever argued he doesn't have skill. He's a slick player. The argument has always been can he play at the NHL level where the players are bigger and quicker and there is little time and space? Nothing has changed in that regard. If he makes it with the Caps it will be because they have decided they will make a role for him not many other teams have on their rosters - a PP/OT specialist. Good luck to him and the Caps if they go this route.

Has he not been noticeable at 5v5 or has the puck just not gone in?

In this pre-season with Washington he's 60% xGF and has been on the ice for 22 shots for, 14 shots against. 2 GF and 3 GA but that's more due to a .786 save percentage with him on the ice so far.

Even in his 12 regular season minutes in Calgary last season he was 55.8% xGF and didn't look out place in that limited time.

I still don't think it's been proven he can't be effective at 5v5 in the NHL - there is not nearly enough of a sample size to know one way or another yet.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by edslunch

The Flames lost, what, 17 or 18 OT games? Phillips (or some other OT specialist) could have single-handedly won them enough of those to comfortably make the playoffs. I can't think of examples of such player usage, but with the tightness of the league and emphasis on special teams play i wonder if that's something we might see in the future.

I think teams would love to have this as an available option, but it is probably not feasible because of the cap. And there's the trick with Phillips: I don't think there is any question that he can be effective in the NHL in open-ice situations, but in order for him to stick he is going to need to figure out how to become more indispensable 5-on-5.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

What number was he?

22 I believe lol

[NegativeSpace]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Nasty.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1709386440113610872

Nice goal.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Not really all Sutter’S fault. Did Treliving try to extend Phillips during the season? Conroy offered him a two-way deal. It doesn’t seem like the current or previous management thought Phillips was anything but a long shot either.

I hope Phillips gets to live his dream. It seems kind of rude to hope against him for no reason other than not wanting the Flames to look bad, but I am still unconvinced.

I believe BT wanted to see him get more of a chance, which is why he called him up. But then the coach wouldn't play him.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I think teams would love to have this as an available option, but it is probably not feasible because of the cap. And there's the trick with Phillips: I don't think there is any question that he can be effective in the NHL in open-ice situations, but in order for him to stick he is going to need to figure out how to become more indispensable 5-on-5.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

Not indispensable, just passable for 6-8 minutes of even strength time. If a team has enough depth to spread minutes around this could work.