2024-25: Phantoms (AHL), Reading Royals (ECHL), NCAA, Jrs., Int'l, etc.

[Appleyard]

Appleyard:

Now is that because the winning experience was important or the players were that good for the AHL? I am at work and too lazy to look up the rosters. Thank you.

It is almost certainly that having an AHL team with NHL ready players and talent means that you can load up the team in the coming years with guys on RFA deals so build a more talented roster than otherwise.

 

[Deadpool8812]

Meanwhile, our AHL team doesn't even run the same system

 

[CerpinTaxt]

Meanwhile, our AHL team doesn't even run the same system

Run by Mr hockey-puck-face. Nothing against lappy as a person but g dangit they shouldn't have made him a coach.

 

[Strawberry Fields]

This is Hershey's 20th year as Washington's affiliate. In that time, the Bears have missed the playoffs twice, had one losing season, and won five Calder Cups. Agree with Appleyard that having a competent farm system is crucial in developing your developing beyond your core. None of Washington's top talent besides Carlson or Holtby (unless you count McMichael and Protas) spent significant time here but they've supplied plenty of their complementary pieces and depth over the past two decades.

Meanwhile the Phantoms have made the playoffs six times in the last 20 years and, save for the 2018 Conference Finals run, have been largely mediocre at best since leaving Philadelphia in 2009.

I know they get poo-pooed here but having a good veteran core is important in the AHL too. Unfortunately the Flyers haven't targeted the best ones in recent years.