MELTZER'S MUSINGS: MARCH 14, 2016
1) While the rest of the team took an off-day to participate in the 39th edition of the Flyers' Wives Carnival at the Wells Fargo Center, Jakub Voracek skated briefly during the day according to general manager Ron Hextall. The team resumes practice on Monday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ. Practice is slated for 10:30 a.m. EDT. The Detroit Red Wings come to town on Tuesday for a game that is critical to the Flyers' playoff hopes.
2) The Flyers got some unexpected help on the out-of-town scoreboard on Sunday, as the Red Wings got blanked on 38 shots by Jonathan Bernier and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Michael Grabner's goal in the final minute of the second period was the lone marker of the game for either team.
On the other hand, the New York Rangers did the Flyers no favors at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon. Matt Cullen broke a 3-3 tie as he put the puck out in front from behind the net, and in went off Rangers' defenseman Marc Staal's left skate, then his right skate, then through the five hole of startled goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. It was the second goal of the game -- Patric Hörnqvist banked in a first-period power play tally off Lundqvist himself -- that was scored from behind the net. Sidney Crosby later added an empty-net goal to seal a 5-3 Pittsburgh win.
As a result of Sunday's outcomes, the Flyers remain three points behind Detroit for the lower wildcard seed with two games in hand after Tuesday's head-to-head meeting. The Flyers are four points behind the Penguins with a game in hand.
3) Voracek remains questionable for Tuesday's game. Monday's practice will be telling as to whether he is at least a game-day decision (which I suspect will be his official status unless his recovery has a setback). When he re-enters the lineup, which player will sit out?
Given how offensively productive Sam Gagner has been of late -- five goals, seven points in his last 10 games -- I think his lineup spot is finally safe for awhile after being one of head coach Dave Hakstol's likeliest healthy scratch candidates for much of the season. While Gagner has worked hard not to be defensive liability-- he's been no worse than adequate in that aspect -- and his recent point production has been critical to the team picking up some crucial wins as they've hung in the playoff chase.
Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol is not one to say much of anything about his lineup plans. However, with any coach in any league, the number one way to tell who is in danger of a being the next healthy scratch is to look at recent ice times.
Gagner played 19:55 against the Panthers in Saturday's 65-minute game and his overall ice times have been up about five minutes per game with Voracek out. That does not suggest a player who is about to be scratched.
My prediction: Scott Laughton is the healthy scratch if Voracek plays Tuesday and there are no other injuries. He played 9:27 on Saturday and 9:37 in the front end of the home-and-home with Tampa Bay. Ever since his monster game in Carolina, he's been pretty quiet -- not bad but not especially notable -- except for a game where he had two-thirds of a Gordie Howe hat trick against Arizona.
Following that pathway, a healthy Voracek might go back to left wing with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds or else play on Sean Couturier's line. In the first scenario, Brayden Schenn might move to play with Sean Couturier and Gagner. Michael Raffl would be with Nick Cousins and Matt Read. The line of Pierre-Edouard Bellemare centering Chris VandeVelde and Ryan White would remain intact.
4) Several readers have asked me about whether the Flyers will be in the hunt for any prominent collegiate free agents. While there is no way to know whom they're actually in the hunt to sign -- there is choice on both sides, after all -- I have heard since last year that the Flyers have had scouting interest in Yale University junior goalie Alex Lyon. The player certainly did not hurt his stock this season with a stellar campaign. Philly will have plenty of competition if they are among the bidders.
The Flyers name is also being tied to University of North Dakota senior forward Drake Caggiula. I suspect, because of the Dave Hakstol connection, pretty much any sought-after undrafted UND player is going to be tied to the Flyers. I have no idea where the Flyers stand relative to Caggiula. I would think there is some interest but Philly already has quite a few undersized forwards within the system. That's not a reason to overlook Caggiula if they think he can potentially play in the NHL, but it's the type of thing that comes up in assessments of organizational needs. Signing a college free agent or CHL overager isn't quite the same as approaching the NHL Draft. The latter is about taking the best available player. The former is often done with specific organizational needs in mind.
Final thoughts: One thing I have learned in recent years is to put no stock in media speculation as to which team is the "frontrunner" for a certain prospect. For instance, the Flyers were said to have the inside track on defenseman Christian Folin a couple years ago, but the UMass-Lowell player ended up signing with Minnesota. As it has turned out, Folin has been kind of a fringe NHL defenseman, which is often how these things wind up after all the hand-wringing. Remember the disappointment when Quinnipiac goalie Eric Hartzell signed with the Penguins rather than the Flyers (with whom he appeared in a development camp)? That subsided fast because Hartzell didn't pan out.
That's not say Lyon, a fine goaltending prospect, and Caggiula won't make some NHL organization happy at some point. It's just a reminder to wait and see what happens and not to get too caught up in the hype.
5) Flyers 2014 first-round draft pick Travis Sanheim had a goal and an assist in the Calgary Hitmen's 4-3 regulation loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday. Medicine Hat struck for three unanswered goals in the third period to win the game. With three regular season games remaining, Calgary is already in the playoffs and will open on the road against the Red Deer Rebels when the postseason starts.
Last season, Sanheim led all Western Hockey League defensemen with 65 points (15 goals, 50 assists) in 67 games. In fact, he was third among defensemen in all of Canadian Hockey League's three circuits (WHL, OHL, QMJHL).
This season, due to injury and the World Junior Championships, Sanheim has missed 20 games. However, he has posted just one fewer point - 14 goals, 50 assists, 64 points -- in 49 games. He's tied for third in points among defensemen but far and away leads on a points-per-game (1.31) basis.
Calgary does not have a lot of offensive depth up front. Flyers prospect Radel Fazleev plays a top end offensive role -- and has racked up 19 goals, 50 assists and 69 points in 57 games -- despite being projected as a bottom six forward if he eventually makes it to the NHL. The team relies heavily on Sanheim and fellow defenseman Jake Bean (a likely high-end first round pick in this year's NHL Draft) to create offense.
To adapt to the professional level, there are areas of Sanheim's game -- risk management in when to game offensively, avoiding being the one to lead the rush end-to-end, using his size better on the defensive end. He is not a bad defender from a containment standpoint but he will concede a few too many shots and could stand to improve in taking away time and space. As he refines his game, Sanheim will probably have to undergo a pro-level learning curve and need American Hockey League experience.
It could take a full AHL year and possibly a year-plus into 2017-18 with some NHL growing pains. There's much to work on with Sanheim to navigate the transition to pro hockey, whereas Ivan Provorov already plays more a "pro style" game -- and even he could get better from a defending standpoint.
However, Sanheim's smooth skating and ability to be a threat with the puck on his stick are the real deal. At the WHL level, he is a sight to behold when he simply takes the puck in his defensive zone and speeds up the ice with it or makes difficult passes look easy as he threads the needle. A trio of Provorov, Sanheim and Shayne Gostisbehere comprising half of the Flyers' blueline by around the 2017-18 season is a very enticing thought.
Opposing teams already have a book on Gostisbehere by now, but knowing what he likes to do and stopping him from doing it are two different things. Both Provorov and Sanheim also force other clubs to be alert at all times, which opens up the ice for forwards.
Patience is not easy, especially when one looks at the offensive impact Gostisbehere has had. Just keep in mind that every player develops at his own rate, and Gostibehere is a few years older than Provorov or Sanheim.
The future looks bright. That is not even factoring in the potential down-the-line impact of someone such as Samuel Morin as a shutdown defender. It's premature to speculate on where the development of a player such as Philippe Myers or Mark Friedman could take him in the long range or to hastily write off Robert Hägg at age 21.
Incidentally, Provorov has 69 points in 59 games this season (1.17 points per game). That ranks him just one point behind Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Andrew Nielsen (Lethbridge Hurricanes) for the league lead among defensemen this season. Keep in mind that Provorov has played 10 fewer games. Both players are on first-place teams, but Provorov's Brandon Wheat Kings club on paper is more of a threat to win the championship and make noise if they reach the Memorial Cup in Red Deer.
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FLYERS ALUMNI: OFFICER HARTNETT BENEFIT
On Sat. March 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET at the Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia, the Flyers Alumni Team will play the Philly's Finest team in a
benefit game for Officer Jesse Hartnett and his family.
This game was not originally on the Flyers Alumni game calendar, but when the Philadelphia police officers on the Philly's Finest team contacted the Alumni about the possibility of setting up
a benefit for Officer Hartnett, the Alumni acted quickly to add it to the schedule.
On January 7, 2016, Philadelphia police officer Jesse Hartnett, 33, was traveling on his police cruiser at 60th and Spruce Streets. According to reports, 30-year-old Edward Archer approached the vehicle and opened fire on the driver's side. Archer fired 11 shots, three of which struck officer Hartnett.
The story initially received widespread media attention, not only in the Delaware Valley but also on a national level because Archer claimed to be acting in the name of Islam and on behalf of ISIS. Subsequent investigation revealed that he had no direct affiliation with any terrorist group, and was acting alone. When that fact was learned -- combined with the fact that Officer Hartnett survived the senseless attempt on his life -- the story dropped out of media focus despite the ongoing hardships that the policeman faces.
Officer Hartnett has had to undergo multiple surgeries to repair severe damage to his arm. He still faces an arduous road to recovery. Thus, the Philly's Finest Hockey Team approached the Flyers Alumni Association and asked if a game could be set up to raise money for his needs as well to raise awareness of the dangers policemen face on a daily basis.
Admission on the day of the game is $20, with all proceeds going directly to provide assistance for Officer Hartnett's needs. The admission includes the game, beer donated by the Fraternal Order of Police and food donated by Mission BBQ. The Flyers Alumni with meet and take pictures with fans after the game. However, be aware that space is limited.
For more information on the Flyers Alumni vs. Philly's Finest benefit for Officer Hartnett,
click here.
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2016 Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp Registration
Registration is now open for the 2nd annual Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp (Aug. 19 -22) in Atlantic City. The Alumni have assembled an excellent group of instructor/coaches this year, including Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Parent and Mark Howe, along with the likes of Danny Briere and Flyers assistant coach Ian Laperriere.
For more information,
click here.
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