Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Phantoms; Titans; Bryzgalov; Hovinen

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Phantoms; Titans; Bryzgalov; Hovinen
- bmeltzer

Hovinen's confidence in himself has to be slipping

Hovinen's confidence in himself has to be slipping
- ob18

Could be. But if he's going to advance, he has to deal with the adversity.

The Flyers organization will exercise some patience with Hovinen through his struggles, and I suggest fans try to do the same (tempting as it may be to already declare his signing a failure).

What fun is that?

I only say this because I have already seen a few posts touting Hovinen as a bust..as is typical in the town that refers to itself (ridiculously) sometimes as knowledgeable about sports.

What fun is that?

I only say this because I have already seen a few posts touting Hovinen as a bust..as is typical in the town that refers to itself (ridiculously) sometimes as knowledgeable about sports.
- MBFlyerfan

He sucks, trade him for Robert Esche

Hovinen's confidence in himself has to be slipping
- ob18

Meanwhile, in Skellefteå, Joacim Eriksson is still looking all kinds of terrific.

Meanwhile, in Skellefteå, Joacim Eriksson is still looking all kinds of terrific.
- Tomahawk

Markus Svensson has been the better goalie (and slightly more regular starter) of late. But the two SAIK goalies' season stats are eerily identical.

Eriksson 18 GP, 11-7 record, 1.90 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 SO
Svensson 15 GP, 9-5 record, 1.91 GAA, .928 SV%, 2 SO

It should also be reiterated that Elitserien has become the lowest scoring league in Europe over the last couple seasons. The 11th best goalie save percentage stats in the 12-team league belong to former NHLer Fredrik Norrena. On a weak Lakers team, he's still managed a 2.05 GAA and .922 SV%.

With all that said, I do think Eriksson is still a prospect to play in North America if he's willing to take a two-way contract as a free agent and spend at least one season in the AHL.

What fun is that?

I only say this because I have already seen a few posts touting Hovinen as a bust..as is typical in the town that refers to itself (ridiculously) sometimes as knowledgeable about sports.
- MBFlyerfan

What round was he selected? I don't have stats, but I don't get the feeling that the majority of 2nd and 3rd round picks turn into great players.

Regardless, Hovinen isn't a make or break player for the Flyers over the next 5 years.

nhl.com's front page links to an article/video of Hextall's goal.

What round was he selected? I don't have stats, but I don't get the feeling that the majority of 2nd and 3rd round picks turn into great players.

Regardless, Hovinen isn't a make or break player for the Flyers over the next 5 years.
- Daman

He was a 5th-round (#132) pick by Minnesota in 2006 but never came over to North America until the Flyers signed him as a UFA this past summer.

Overly-tall goaltenders are the rage right now it seems... Rinne's emergence has really captured the imaginations of GMs and scouts and now everybody wants their own giant in net. The Flyers decided they had to have no less than two, with Hovinen being one, and Stolarz being the other. I don't think either one of them gets the same kind of attention without that kind of backdrop.

What round was he selected? I don't have stats, but I don't get the feeling that the majority of 2nd and 3rd round picks turn into great players.

Regardless, Hovinen isn't a make or break player for the Flyers over the next 5 years.
- Daman

With goalies especially, it truly doesn't matter what round they're selected in. You are just as likely/unlikely to find a future Vezina Trophy candidate beyond the first round as you are by taking the consensus top goalie before a particular draft.

Hovinen was originally a 5th round pick by Minnesota (in 2006) but never signed. The Flyers signed him as a free agent in the summer of 2011.

Overly-tall goaltenders are the rage right now it seems...
- Tomahawk

This alone will keep Michael Leighton employed.

With goalies especially, it truly doesn't matter what round they're selected in. You are just as likely/unlikely to find a future Vezina Trophy candidate beyond the first round as you are by taking the consensus top goalie before a particular draft.

Hovinen was originally a 5th round pick by Minnesota (in 2006) but never signed. The Flyers signed him as a free agent in the summer of 2011.
- bmeltzer

Keep dropping knowledge like a boss, Bill.
As for things like a boss, I remember last season when Bryz got the flu and shortly after broke out like a boss! Now if only this damn Cba would get settled!

This alone will keep Michael Leighton employed.
- johndewar

It's all Pekka Rinne's fault....

He's SO GOOD though....

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Phantoms; Titans; Bryzgalov; Hovinen
- bmeltzer

I attended all three Phantoms games this weekend. The most alarming trend I am seeing is the lack of effort being shown by Couturier and Rinaldo. What is not mentioned in Bill's synopsis is that Rochester's SH goal was the result of Couts ( playing right point) giving a half-hearted effort in keeping the puck in, falling down and allowing the Amerk a breakaway on Heeter. The shot total makes it look like Rochester's Knapp stole the show, but in reality, it was the Phantoms poor effort that gave the kid his first pro win. The overtime goal scored by Providence yesterday was scored by his man while Couturier stood flatfooted at the blue line. ZERO defensive responsibility.

Neither player seems interested in playing hard unless there is an imminent chance to get on the scoresheet. I know this will sound harsh, but watching Couturier this weekend reminded me of Pavel Brendl.

Hopefully this lockout is solved soon, one way or the other. By no means are the Phantoms the only team with this problem. Luke Adam seemed completely disinterested Friday night as well.

Oh boy. Commence "Fluketurier" talk...

I attended all three Phantoms games this weekend. The most alarming trend I am seeing is the lack of effort being shown by Couturier and Rinaldo. What is not mentioned in Bill's synopsis is that Rochester's SH goal was the result of Couts ( playing right point) giving a half-hearted effort in keeping the puck in, falling down and allowing the Amerk a breakaway on Heeter. The shot total makes it look like Rochester's Knapp stole the show, but in reality, it was the Phantoms poor effort that gave the kid his first pro win. The overtime goal scored by Providence yesterday was scored by his man while Couturier stood flatfooted at the blue line. ZERO defensive responsibility.

Neither player seems interested in playing hard unless there is an imminent chance to get on the scoresheet. I know this will sound harsh, but watching Couturier this weekend reminded me of Pavel Brendl.

Hopefully this lockout is solved soon, one way or the other. By no means are the Phantoms the only team with this problem. Luke Adam seemed completely disinterested Friday night as well.
- AHLTraveler

Couturier did not have a good game yesterday and had an up-and-down game on Saturday. But he was, far and away, the team's best player on its homestand as well as on Friday. On Saturday, Schenn broke out of a four game pointless, minus-seven stretch. It happens.

Oh boy. Commence "Fluketurier" talk...
- Flyskippy

I would have given him up for Weber but still ecstatic that he's a Flyer!

I attended all three Phantoms games this weekend. The most alarming trend I am seeing is the lack of effort being shown by Couturier and Rinaldo. What is not mentioned in Bill's synopsis is that Rochester's SH goal was the result of Couts ( playing right point) giving a half-hearted effort in keeping the puck in, falling down and allowing the Amerk a breakaway on Heeter. The shot total makes it look like Rochester's Knapp stole the show, but in reality, it was the Phantoms poor effort that gave the kid his first pro win. The overtime goal scored by Providence yesterday was scored by his man while Couturier stood flatfooted at the blue line. ZERO defensive responsibility.

Neither player seems interested in playing hard unless there is an imminent chance to get on the scoresheet. I know this will sound harsh, but watching Couturier this weekend reminded me of Pavel Brendl.

Hopefully this lockout is solved soon, one way or the other. By no means are the Phantoms the only team with this problem. Luke Adam seemed completely disinterested Friday night as well.
- AHLTraveler

1.) Couturier is barely 20 years old. I'm willing to give him a bit of a pass for uneven play in a league that below his skill level.

2.) Terry Murray likely has these guys playing a system they may not be used to.

3.) Comparing Sean Couturier to Pavel Brendl might be the single craziest thing I will have read on the Internet all day.

more games cut and no one even mentions it...has everyone just lost interest?

more games cut and no one even mentions it...has everyone just lost interest?
- Dkos

More like numb at this point.

3 road games in 3 days for a young kid playing tons of minutes... Cooter was tired.

Oh boy. Commence "Fluketurier" talk...
- Flyskippy

SHOULD HAVE TAKEN DOUGIE!!!!

Could be. But if he's going to advance, he has to deal with the adversity.
- bmeltzer

No doubt, for him hope he finds some soon.

more games cut and no one even mentions it...has everyone just lost interest?
- Dkos

It was mostly the long road trip.