Panthers sign Zack Phillips

[Pies]

www.panthers.co.uk/content/panthers-sign-first-round-draft-pick-zack-phillips

[Panthers44]

www.panthers.co.uk/content/panthers-sign-first-round-draft-pick-zack-phillips

[kezypanther]

Stats
www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=44594

[Deleted]

Please not 1st line centre !!

[Ghost]

Jul 3, 2017 20:04:20 GMT @pidge said:

Please not 1st line centre !!

Cant quite get my head around this??

[Kovalchuk17]

This is a good signing. Proven at putting up points in difficult leagues, only 24 and fits the mould of someone wanting to put up points, impress and move on.

[panthers_nyr]

Not sure how to feel, slightly impressed but also not overly excited. Must be something about him to have played that many AHL games at just 24 and being selected in the first round. However he seems like a 1st round bust and doesn't really have an amazing points production so I don't like the sounds of relying on him for offence too much.

[Deleted]

I can't get my head round the fact he's left the Swedish 2nd tier (which is a good standard) at a young age

[Kovalchuk17]

Jul 3, 2017 20:09:17 GMT @pidge said:

I can't get my head round the fact he's left the Swedish 2nd tier (which is a good standard) at a young age

2nd top point scorer on his fairly average side too.

[Ghost]

Jul 3, 2017 20:07:52 GMT panthers_nyr said:

Not sure how to feel, slightly impressed but also not overly excited. Must be something about him to have played that many AHL games at just 24 and being selected in the first round. However he seems like a 1st round bust and doesn't really have an amazing points production so I don't like the sounds of relying on him for offence too much.

The fact a guy was a bust being selected in the 1st round means very little in terms of the EIHL!

[Pies]

Without knowing his role on the AHL, his numbers don't scream impressive but seemed to have a better season in Sweden last year
And still young enough to be able to forge a career in Europe

[Ghost]

Jul 3, 2017 20:09:17 GMT @pidge said:

I can't get my head round the fact he's left the Swedish 2nd tier (which is a good standard) at a young age

So we get a young guy from a good league and you still complain! Seriously, what do you want???

[Deleted]

Few years back but a nice little highlights package.

[iginla]

There you go Pidge,some decent quality at last.

Not top line centre material though,need better for that position.

[Pies]

Jul 3, 2017 20:09:17 GMT @pidge said:

I can't get my head round the fact he's left the Swedish 2nd tier (which is a good standard) at a young age

Perhaps we've thrown some money at him or Sweden wasn't for him. Who knows.

[PantherB]

Phillips is a cerebral offensive forward and primarily a playmaker. He was a goal scorer at the junior level, displaying great on ice vision and loads of hockey sense with the ability to anticipate the play. Playing against better skating and more skilled players at the pro level he has not had that same offensive success. He is only average-sized and is not particularly physical and his mobility is a liability at times — limiting his ability to play a defensive, checking role.

Strange one. Ripped it at Junior level, alongside Jonathan Huberdeau but being thrown straight into the deep in the AHL hasn't seen him re-find his form. Lots of AHL experience for a 24 year old however which is positive. Allsvenskan stats are pretty good for a guy that young too I guess.

Personally, I see him as another guy who has the talent but requires it to brought out of him rather than him naturally being productive. At a level lower than the AHL, and probably a bit more homely than the Allsvenskan, he could re-capture his offensive side. Though it all depends who is around him. Wait and see for sure but if Corey has had the information about him being as good as touted then we've got to give the guy a chance. I'm looking forward to seeing him play. Young, hopefully has a bit of speed and will like the others, fight for his spot on the team.

[Deleted]

Jul 3, 2017 20:12:01 GMT Pies said:

Jul 3, 2017 20:09:17 GMT @pidge said:

I can't get my head round the fact he's left the Swedish 2nd tier (which is a good standard) at a young age

Perhaps we've thrown some money at him or Sweden wasn't for him. Who knows.

The former mate I guarantee this guy has come at a price if he's not on a uni deal

[Deleted]

Jul 3, 2017 20:11:51 GMT iginla said:

There you go Pidge,some decent quality at last.

Not top line centre material though,need better for that position.

Hold your horses Iginla this guy is seen as first line material , read the OS,


This is a strange signing for me. Wait and see one

[kezypanther]

Corey says on the report that he will play 1st line, not sure how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong I think he looks a good young player but I think we need more experience up there. From the highlight reel of his junior years he does know how to pick a pass so put him on a line with a sniper and he could do well. Another wait and see imo.

[Adi]

Looks like he has good hands and still very young at 24. He should get a few points in our league as long as they pair him with a sniper. Welcome to Nottingham Zack!!!

[Ghost]

Jul 3, 2017 20:18:15 GMT kezypanther said:

Corey says on the report that he will play 1st line, not sure how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong I think he looks a good young player but I think we need more experience up there. From the highlight reel of his junior years he does know how to pick a pass so put him on a line with a sniper and he could do well. Another wait and see imo.

Experienced teams haven't exactly served us well recently.

[calv]

Jul 3, 2017 20:11:01 GMT Pies said:

Without knowing his role on the AHL, his numbers don't scream impressive but seemed to have a better season in Sweden last year
And still young enough to be able to forge a career in Europe

He was Iowa's top points scorer in 2013-14, they were a really poor lowscoring team back then. By the sounds of things his skating has let him down in the AHL and led him to be used as a defensive forward, although he was second top points scorer in Tingsryds.

Some notes on him here:
www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/zack_phillips/
www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/117027/offense-hard-come-minnesota-wilds-ahl-affiliate/

Phillips is a cerebral offensive forward and primarily a playmaker. He was a goal scorer at the junior level, displaying great on ice vision and loads of hockey sense with the ability to anticipate the play. Playing against better skating and more skilled players at the pro level he has not had that same offensive success. He is only average-sized and is not particularly physical and his mobility is a liability at times — limiting his ability to play a defensive, checking role.

In his third full season Phillips seems to be running in place. He was last season’s team offensive leader, but it was a miserable squad when it came to putting up points. His growth at this stage seems stagnant at the moment, with just 13 points on the season. While in theory something could still click, Phillips has yet to show that he can produce points at the AHL level of competition.

His puck skills and poise are signs that he could still prove a useful player, but lack of strength and mobility are still apparent weaknesses. Though it is a little too soon to judge the 2011 draft class, there are several players taken after Phillips already making a mark on the NHL. Every month that goes by at his current pace makes it less likely that he will cover the first-round bet the Wild made.

[kezypanther]

Jul 3, 2017 20:19:51 GMT Ghost said:

Jul 3, 2017 20:18:15 GMT kezypanther said:

Corey says on the report that he will play 1st line, not sure how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong I think he looks a good young player but I think we need more experience up there. From the highlight reel of his junior years he does know how to pick a pass so put him on a line with a sniper and he could do well. Another wait and see imo.

Experienced teams haven't exactly served us well recently.

That's true but I also think in those times we went only with experience. Now we seem to have only youth, we need a bit of both. I think (and hope) this will come in the next signings.

[Bagheera]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say I think he will tear it up in the EIHL(If we manage to keep hold him all the way through).

[pantherlee]

Its another one that still leaves you thinking 'hmmm'. Yes, he could be really good but there's still that slight doubt especially as he's touted as the top liner.

I get that we've gone for a different approach this year signing younger guys but surely not EVERY guy should be an up and comer. You've got to some experience guys in to lead these younger players. I'm not against going for younger guys but i think a couple of early 30's guys are needed on the top line to lead and set the example.