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

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Pospisil is an interesting player.

Doesn't earn his keep through points, but more indirectly with other parts of the game, as well as the jump & energy he brings.

A lot of parallels to a young Ferland in what he does for the team.

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Pospisil does his job pretty well too and it would be a loss if he wasn't getting played over a veteran.

Plays well, agitates the other team, and helps drive play.

7 points in 26 games (all at 5v5) is not that bad for a rookie.

68.8% GF% is first on the team (11 GF, 5 GA)
56.3% xGF% is also first on the team

That Zary-Kadri combo has been much better with him, than they have without him.

Zary-Kadri-Pospisil:

TOI: 183
GF: 8
GA: 2
GF: 80%
HDCF: 55.2%
xGF: 56.1%

Zary+Kadri w/o Pospisil

TOI: 123
GF: 9
GA: 9
GF: 50%
HDCF: 50.9%
xGF: 51.7%

He's the exact type of rookie that has been given a shot and thrived that is the perfect example of why giving a younger guy with some upside but maybe more risk is a better way to manage than playing a no upside veteran.

I have no problem with Popisil playing but he is a bottom 6 player that could easily be replaced by another player. I think you are also overrating his upside but hard to say versus random veteran x how that compares.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Matthew Phillips still exists?

[FlamesAddiction]

If you're small, you need to make up for it with exceptional strength or speed. Having an accurate shot and puck handling skills aren't enough if you don't have the jam to get pucks and win puck battles. When you have a short reach, you need to accelerate faster and bully your way through bigger players who are also equally as fast and shifty.

This is why guys like St. Louis, Fleury, Verbeek, and Ronning were able to have success in the NHL as smaller players. Current small players having success like Caufield, Debrincat, Atkinson, and Zuccarello are roughly the same height as Phillips, but have 30-40 pounds on him.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Conroy dodged a bullet there with the two-year contract (the second year being one-way).

Phillips can do really well in the Swiss League (making more than in the AHL) next season. A league that's better suited for his game.

[browna]

The hand wringing by some here, who equate the departing of any prospect who didn't work out or wasn't apparently given a chance by (multiple) coaches, to potentially repeating the "exception to the rule" St. Louis saga from a quarter century ago, is a time honored tradition.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Conroy dodged a bullet there with the two-year contract (the second year being one-way).

Phillips can do really well in the Swiss League (making more than in the AHL) next season. A league that's better suited for his game.

Being a replacement level NHLer is also a hell of an accomplishment, along with being an elite AHLer.

He proved, & continues to prove many people wrong, and will still be a very successful professional hockey player for a long time.

However his time here was over.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Yep, if Sutter was still here, Zary and Pospisil would probably still be in the AHL as Sutter's mentality was basically players develop in the AHL until they learn to be vets.

…in a different organization

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by browna

The hand wringing by some here, who equate the departing of any prospect who didn't work out or wasn't apparently given a chance by (multiple) coaches, to potentially repeating the "exception to the rule" St. Louis saga from a quarter century ago, is a time honored tradition.

We get to do it all over again with Kerins.

[monkeyman]

you have to wonder if the end is nigh for Phillips in Washington. 26 games, 1 goal, 5 points and hasn't played since Jan 3.
I knew he was a long shot, but I was really hoping the local kid would forge out a career.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

you have to wonder if the end is nigh for Phillips in Washington. 26 games, 1 goal, 5 points and hasn't played since Jan 3.
I knew he was a long shot, but I was really hoping the local kid would forge out a career.

He will probably go and excel for years in a european league.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

you have to wonder if the end is nigh for Phillips in Washington. 26 games, 1 goal, 5 points and hasn't played since Jan 3.
I knew he was a long shot, but I was really hoping the local kid would forge out a career.

Only 7 goals behind Ovechkin, though.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Only 7 goals behind Ovechkin, though.

Only about 330 goals behind Ovechkin at the same age.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Conroy did leave the door open for Matthew to return.

Just sayin'.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Conroy did leave the door open for Matthew to return.

Just sayin'.

I suppose the Wranglers are getting a bit weak with all the call ups.

[transplant99]

He just isn't an NHL player....period.

Way to many things working against him. Starting with his size. His skill set only works on a top line, maybe 2nd. It is not his fault. never was. Just reality.

I cheer for the kid, but his future is somewhere in Europe.

[dino7c]

lol still ONE goal...of course against the Flames

like seriously is this all just rigged for storylines?

[CF84]

Originally Posted by dino7c

lol still ONE goal...of course against the Flames

like seriously is this all just rigged for storylines?

Absolutely. The NHL is the WWE with all the game management and it's a bit difficult to stomach.

[Roof-Daddy]

If Phillips can't catch on in the NHL anywhere, it'd be really awesome if he'd come back and be a ringer for his hometown Wranglers.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

If Phillips can't catch on in the NHL anywhere, it'd be really awesome if he'd come back and be a ringer for his hometown Wranglers.

More likely that he goes to Europe, or at least I would. They make more than AHLers and living in Switzerland or Germany is pretty appealing. I believe they get treated pretty well and it’s a fantastic way to see more of the world.

If the NHL window is closing, I know what I would do if I were in Philips shoes.