Ron Hextall addresses Sam Morin's status with Flyers, goalie situation, more

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VOORHEES, N.J. -- Unless Brandon Manning's back issue flares up again -- he went through a full practice on Thursday -- don't look for Sam Morin to return to the Flyers for their final two games this weekend.
 
The Phantoms have not clinched a playoff spot and have games Friday and Saturday.
 
"We've talked about a couple of things," general manager Ron Hextall said on Thursday. "They are playing meaningful games there.
 
"We'll continue to think and look at it. If we think it's appropriate, we'll make a move and if not, we won't.
 
"I thought [Morin] did well. A little bit nervous early, like everybody in their first game, but I thought he made a nice account for himself."
 
Does Morin, who was paired with Shayne Gostisbehere, bring a certain element moving forward that was missing this season?
 
"You can always use more size and physical play, right?" Hextall replied. "That's still a part of the game and Sam brings that also.
 
"He's a solid player. You can't bring those guys in any more that are borderline players. Sam's a big, physical player, that's his foundation."

What about Mike Vecchione's debut at center between Chris VandeVelde and Colin McDonald?
 
Hextall said he was pleased with Vecchione's play during a 1-0 overtime loss in New Jersey.

"I thought he got better as the game went on," he said. "He did some things. He is a responsible player. Defensively, he was good. Couple things showed up late in the game and I thought he was same as Sam. Solid debut."
 
Hextall said he would wait until after the season to discuss whether the team will bring back goalie Steve Mason (more on him here).
 
He did announce that Michal Neuvirth, who collapsed from a severe sinus infection and chest cold last weekend, is done for the season with a separate "upper-body injury."
 
Neuvirth has concussion symptoms from falling backwards and striking his head on the ice.
 
"Being a little cautionary there," Hextall said. "Our feeling is, what's the sense trying to bring him back? In saying that, if we had another week or two in our season, I'm comfortable in saying he'd be back playing. But trying to bring him back one game."
 
Similarly, Radko Gudas (concussion) is being shut down, as well.
 
Hextall said he was pleased with rookie Travis Konecny's season and didn't regret not sending him back to junior. He declined to get specific about the NHL-readiness of Travis Sanheim or Robert Hagg.
 
He also declined, for now, to talk about whether the club needs to break up or remove someone from its core group of players, one that has been here for the three playoff absences over the last five years (more on that here).
 
Hextall said he would address that next week in his postmortem news conference after breakup day.
 
Hextall has been GM now since May of 2014 but has been solely responsible for the past two drafts and all free agents/trades since that spring.
 
This is his group and has been for a while.
 
"Well, I'm responsible for it," he said. "We missed the playoffs. It's my responsibility. I get it. We're just going to continue to get better. Year over year.
 
"That's the whole thing. We didn't this year. We're going to work at it this summer and bring back the best team possible in September."

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