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

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by TOfan

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.

Either option sounds awesome. Playing pro hockey in Europe, or in your hometown. He can play at those levels.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Only 7 goals behind Ovechkin, though.

I'm sure some Flames fans thought that is exactly where he would be too.

*exact totals not included

[Flamesfan05]

It shouldn’t take 7 yrs to figure out Phillips is not a NHL player

I think it took Sutter 7 days

But he is a hometown boy so some people are blind to it

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

But he is a hometown boy so some people are blind to it

Also in denial that being small is still a major handicap in the NHL, and the NHL is a huge step up from the AHL.

[DylanScores]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Also in denial that being small is still a major handicap in the NHL, and the NHL is a huge step up from the AHL.

Would this apply to Wolf who is considered “undersized” as per NHL goalie standards?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by DylanScores

Would this apply to Wolf who is considered “undersized” as per NHL goalie standards?

Yep.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DylanScores

Would this apply to Wolf who is considered “undersized” as per NHL goalie standards?

I think so. I am personally very optimistic about Wolf's chances to be an impact NHL goalie, but his size is always going to he an obstacle. The question is whether he can overcome it, and we still don't know. He has been the third-best goalie to play for the Flames this year.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by DylanScores

Would this apply to Wolf who is considered “undersized” as per NHL goalie standards?

To some extent. The NHL is not a league filled with goaltenders who make saves, the league is filled with guys who stop pucks. The current model is to find the biggest guy you can and apply as many oversized pads on that body to take up as much space as possible. These goaltenders rely on angles and redirecting pucks away from the net instead of making saves. It's why when guys get beat they rarely move, they're trying to let the puck hit them and control where it goes.

Wolf isn't one of those. Wolf a throwback goaltender who makes actual saves and never gives up on the play. He's very active and is always moving. The holes he gives he also takes away, which makes him a tough guy to shoot against. Wolf is going to give up some goals that a puck stopper would make solely on size, but he's going to prevent a lot more and give his team a lift with some insane saves of pucks you think are going in the net. His size is a disadvantage in today's mindset, but if you rate him on his ability to make saves his size is irrelevant. He isn't Darren Pang. He's an average sized guy, jusy small to be a puck stopper, which he is not.

[Hoop27]

Unfortunately yes. He unquestionably has the ability to play in the league in some fashion and his lateral movement is freakish, however with screens and deflections fewer pucks will 'hit him' because of his size.

Originally Posted by DylanScores

Would this apply to Wolf who is considered “undersized” as per NHL goalie standards?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by TOfan

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.

I've always found this very strange and I never understood it. If the NHL window is firmly shut...why would you plug it out in the AHL?

On the off-chance that you might get another shot or a cup of coffee?

Hell yeah if a European club offered me a contract I'd be there so fast the ink wouldnt even be dry.

I know someone like that, good Junior player, did a year in the AHL...couldnt hack it enough to get to the NHL. Got offered a contract in Germany and jumped at it.

Its fewer games, less taxing on the body because its a lot less rough than the AHL, the travel in comparison is a joke...because, believe it or not...Germany is smaller than North America.

He loves it. He still lives there.

Or for a quarter of the money you could be grinding out bus rides to Cleveland.

[FlamesAddiction]

It's kind of surprising that they haven't put him on waivers yet.

[blankall]

Wolf is taller than Saros. The days of needing to be uber tall are over. With the new equipment rules, mobile goalies are back in.

[OldSam]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It's kind of surprising that they haven't put him on waivers yet.

Likely because Mitch Love used to have him in Calgary.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by OldSam

Likely because Mitch Love used to have him in Calgary.

How's Mitch Love doing in WSH? What is he in charge of again? Anyone has any insight?

[NewFan]

I was so excited last year that Phillips may become a weaker Gaudreau for us, but after watching him a couple games with Flames my expectation is lowered. I wasn't too disappointed when he left the team. I think he will play in Europe next year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It's kind of surprising that they haven't put him on waivers yet.

Who do they want to bring up in his place? You waive a guy when you need to make room. Not just because you are unhappy with him (especially making an NHL salary).

[iggyloob12]

Originally Posted by blankall

The days of needing to be uber tall are over. With the new equipment rules, mobile goalies are back in.

Are they though? Wolf's draft position despite his junior accomplishments suggests size still matters. The average NHL goalie in 2023 was 6-3 and the shortest was 5-11.
Clearly, size isn't a disadvantage for Saros but I think it's premature to say the NHL doesn't value big.

https://hortonbarbell.com/average-he...y-goalies-nhl/

[blankall]

Originally Posted by iggyloob12

Are they though? Wolf's draft position despite his junior accomplishments suggests size still matters. The average NHL goalie in 2023 was 6-3 and the shortest was 5-11.
Clearly, size isn't a disadvantage for Saros but I think it's premature to say the NHL doesn't value big.

https://hortonbarbell.com/average-he...y-goalies-nhl/

The actual effects of the changes in equipment haven't come into full force. You still want to be taller than average, but the days of putting a 6'4''+ goalie in gigantic pads and just getting him to take up large portions of the net are over.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by blankall

The actual effects of the changes in equipment haven't come into full force. You still want to be taller than average, but the days of putting a 6'4''+ goalie in gigantic pads and just getting him to take up large portions of the net are over.

The last draft seems to disagree with your premise. No goalies under 6'0" and only 6 were under 6'2". The top two goalies picked were 6'3" and 6"7. The entire second round goalies were those two plus 6'1", 6'3" and 6'6".

The year before the top 7 goalies picked were all 6'3" or over except for one.

[OldSam]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

How's Mitch Love doing in WSH? What is he in charge of again? Anyone has any insight?

I honestly don't know and frankly don't care. . I just suggested Mitch might be an influence on a Phillip's decision.