Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: One Small Step for Flyers, Simmonds Update

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: One Small Step for Flyers, Simmonds Update
- bmeltzer

dont go home with hope

I just can't see Homer taking a page out of the Clarke playbook trading a young promising prospect for a very old forward. At least, I hope not. However, I would not be suprised if there are changes to the forwards before Tuesday's game.

If McGinn did well last night why not see how he does

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: One Small Step for Flyers, Simmonds Update
- bmeltzer

Good write up Bill, glad you keep mentioning the dichotemy L. Schenn has been. I think despite some ill-timed turnovers, he has done more good than bad so far and I still think he will ultimately make us the winners on the JVR trade. I can't get over how young he still is after all those years being buzz-sawed in Toronto.

And regardless of how we are playing now, and although we cannot afford to fall behind in points past the point of no return, I think we will still be in good shape specifically because our goalie is playing good enough to keep us in most games. I really think the goals will come eventually, and if he (hopefully) has not reached his ceiling this year Bryz could carry us on a playoff run despite our seed.

We were a 7th seed in 2010's run. Which is a whole other amazing story that I forget about. How did we face the 8th seed in the conference finals????

Good write up Bill, glad you keep mentioning the dichotemy L. Schenn has been. I think despite some ill-timed turnovers, he has done more good than bad so far and I still think he will ultimately make us the winners on the JVR trade. I can't get over how young he still is after all those years being buzz-sawed in Toronto.

And regardless of how we are playing now, and although we cannot afford to fall behind in points past the point of no return, I think we will still be in good shape specifically because our goalie is playing good enough to keep us in most games. I really think the goals will come eventually, and if he (hopefully) has not reached his ceiling this year Bryz could carry us on a playoff run despite our seed.

We were a 7th seed in 2010's run. Which is a whole other amazing story that I forget about. How did we face the 8th seed in the conference finals????
- DrMidnite

the complexities that resulted in the jvr trade may haunt this team for yrs. if luke is a steady eddie 2nd pair guy, that's his ceiling and tha's a nice add...but not for jvr and not the type of guy we needed to add to this d mix.

the complexities that resulted in the jvr trade may haunt this team for yrs. if luke is a steady eddie 2nd pair guy, that's his ceiling and tha's a nice add...but not for jvr and not the type of guy we needed to add to this d mix.
- isaiah520

What exactly are these complexities? Why does how Schenn turns out in the future matter in assessing the trade, and not the same for JVR. As if JVR is a proven finished commodity in the NHL.

What exactly are these complexities? Why does how Schenn turns out in the future matter in assessing the trade, and not the same for JVR. As if JVR is a proven finished commodity in the NHL.
- MJL

I guess I meant that Schenn is what he is. If he can minimize the turnovers and just focus on D, I think he will be fine. His youth and size are very appealing to me as a player.

JVR however has shown flashes of the 'playing when he wants to' attitude, which I think is a very bad attitude trait.

Just my opinion, could be right time will tell. But ill take the question marks Schenn brings over JVR's in this situation.

I guess I meant that Schenn is what he is. If he can minimize the turnovers and just focus on D, I think he will be fine. His youth and size are very appealing to me as a player.

JVR however has shown flashes of the 'playing when he wants to' attitude, which I think is a very bad attitude trait.

Just my opinion, could be right time will tell. But ill take the question marks Schenn brings over JVR's in this situation.
- DrMidnite

I agree with you. I liked JVR, but he is not proven, nor is he a guarantee. And neither is Schenn. But I'm going to see what happens before labeling the trade a bad trade. So far I like what I see a lot. The growing pains and mistakes that hopefully are occasionally going to happen, is not unexpected.

I guess I meant that Schenn is what he is. If he can minimize the turnovers and just focus on D, I think he will be fine. His youth and size are very appealing to me as a player.

JVR however has shown flashes of the 'playing when he wants to' attitude, which I think is a very bad attitude trait.

Just my opinion, could be right time will tell. But ill take the question marks Schenn brings over JVR's in this situation.
- DrMidnite

Where in texas

JVR never fit on this team and we were never going to start from scratch to build it around him. Unless Luke turns out to be a total bust I'm sick of hearing we'll regret that trade.

Tye McGinn didn't get any points from the game but he did his job nicely as the third member of the top line with Giroux and Briere. He did a lot of effective grunt work on the walls, winning battles and creating space for his linemates.

The role of Scott Hartnell will be played tonight by Tye McGinn. Management apologizes for the lack of tumbling.

JVR never fit on this team and we were never going to start from scratch to build it around him. Unless Luke turns out to be a total bust I'm sick of hearing we'll regret that trade.
- hereticpride

JVR >or= to Zherdev?

I got a lazy vibe from him, those seem to be chronic issues with that characteristic.

Where in texas
- huks99

It is a location from a movie that I thought sounded cool. Not really from there, but would like to get to Austin someday.

That was a real dirty play on simmonds..i know he gets under the skin of players but come on..either square up in a fight or hit him clean.

As Bill has stated Coburn is our most mobile defenseman but he is also 1 of the least defensively responsible, takes too many LAZY penalties, and seems to get beat physically on most battles. I know we are in need of D-men right but I think if he doesn't step up his game and become the 4.5m$ guy we pay him to be it may be time to part ways after this season.

Csn Philly had an article saying laughton for iginla. I'm not enthused about that trade. The ltir pronger and walker. I hope not

What exactly are these complexities? Why does how Schenn turns out in the future matter in assessing the trade, and not the same for JVR. As if JVR is a proven finished commodity in the NHL.
- MJL

ive posted here several times about the opportunities that presented themselves to homer at the beginning of last season. the situation on d at that time and the amt of assets the flyers had made adding a dman at that time much more favorable. instead homer stood pat and rolled the dice with the ufa mkt and came up snake eyes. we all know our situation on D these days and you also know that i have nothing against the player himself. however, it's clear that homer has left us short of scoring on the wing and puck moving ability on d.

i posted last nite that we are down 4 top 6 pwr forwards from last yr and 2 of them, jagr and jvr, had the best hands and aren't coming back. instead, we are counting a lot on 2nd yr plyrs & guys that had career yrs. our only proven finisher is briere...all of these decisions are about cap utilization and asset mgmt and are interrelated.

i'm not going to get into a 20 pg back-and-forth about these issues. i just want to put my views out there so you can argue with me the next time homer squanders assets to make up for poor past decisions.

As Bill has stated Coburn is our most mobile defenseman but he is also 1 of the least defensively responsible, takes too many LAZY penalties, and seems to get beat physically on most battles. I know we are in need of D-men right but I think if he doesn't step up his game and become the 4.5m$ guy we pay him to be it may be time to part ways after this season.
- ICUBB

The D on the whole is taking bad call after bad call. How about Kimo with cross checks the last two games?

They all need to get their butts in gear and stop screwing around. Getting rid of Coburn would be a huge mistake tho. You already have enough holes to fill heading into FA anyway.

ive posted here several times about the opportunities that presented themselves to homer at the beginning of last season. the situation on d at that time and the amt of assets the flyers had made adding a dman at that time much more favorable. instead homer stood pat and rolled the dice with the ufa mkt and came up snake eyes. we all know our situation on D these days and you also know that i have nothing against the player himself. however, it's clear that homer has left us short of scoring on the wing and puck moving ability on d.

i posted last nite that we are down 4 top 6 pwr forwards from last yr and 2 of them, jagr and jvr, had the best hands and aren't coming back. instead, we are counting a lot on 2nd yr plyrs & guys that had career yrs. our only proven finisher is briere...all of these decisions are about cap utilization and asset mgmt and are interrelated.

i'm not going to get into a 20 pg back-and-forth about these issues. i just want to put my views out there so you can argue with me the next time homer squanders assets to make up for poor past decisions.
- isaiah520

I would say that Roux is also a proven finisher, but your point about how we are down quite a bit of depth at forward is well taken. A return of Hartnell and Simmonds to health will help a lot.

Also, I am interested to see Gus called up and what he can provide for moving the puck. Who would he be paired with? Bruno?

Csn Philly had an article saying laughton for iginla. I'm not enthused about that trade. The ltir pronger and walker. I hope not
- Deasr1

It would be utterly retarded period.

ive posted here several times about the opportunities that presented themselves to homer at the beginning of last season. the situation on d at that time and the amt of assets the flyers had made adding a dman at that time much more favorable. instead homer stood pat and rolled the dice with the ufa mkt and came up snake eyes. we all know our situation on D these days and you also know that i have nothing against the player himself. however, it's clear that homer has left us short of scoring on the wing and puck moving ability on d.

i posted last nite that we are down 4 top 6 pwr forwards from last yr and 2 of them, jagr and jvr, had the best hands and aren't coming back. instead, we are counting a lot on 2nd yr plyrs & guys that had career yrs. our only proven finisher is briere...all of these decisions are about cap utilization and asset mgmt and are interrelated.

i'm not going to get into a 20 pg back-and-forth about these issues. i just want to put my views out there so you can argue with me the next time homer squanders assets to make up for poor past decisions.
- isaiah520

There is a large contingent of holmgren haters that say he should of signed someone for less or traded someone for more but his record speaks for itself. He is one of the top gms in the league and will have the benefit if the doubt in my book.

As Bill has stated Coburn is our most mobile defenseman but he is also 1 of the least defensively responsible, takes too many LAZY penalties, and seems to get beat physically on most battles. I know we are in need of D-men right but I think if he doesn't step up his game and become the 4.5m$ guy we pay him to be it may be time to part ways after this season.
- ICUBB

Coburn is defensively streaky. He can be lights out defensively for multiple games at a time. Other times he can be mistake prone for extended stretches.

But on this team, he is arguably the club's most important defenseman after Timonen -- who is aging, ailing and a UFA after the season. So I'd be surprised if Coburn is going anywhere.

Due to the injury to Andrej Meszaros, Coburn has been saddled with Bruno Gervais as his defensive partner. Gervais looked fine in easier matchup while he was on the third pairing but, IMO, has been cringeworthy defensively since moving up a pairing to keep him away from Foster. Meanwhile, to keep the L/R balance and spread the "wealth" (such as it is), Grossmann has had to make due with Foster as his five-on-five partner.

That puts all the onus on a declining Timonen and Luke Schenn to be the "glue" pairing. Not a pretty picture at all.

There is a large contingent of holmgren haters that say he should of signed someone for less or traded someone for more but his record speaks for itself. He is one of the top gms in the league and will have the benefit if the doubt in my book.
- psuhockey

Im telling you, people expected him to get guys to turn down 100 million to play in their home state. It wasn't happening. Get over it. If you judge him on that I cant take your opinion seriously. If you want to bring up other moves ie Versteeg, Zherdev fine. But the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to Homer.

Im telling you, people expected him to get guys to turn down 100 million to play in their home state. It wasn't happening. Get over it. If you judge him on that I cant take your opinion seriously. If you want to bring up other moves ie Versteeg, Zherdev fine. But the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to Homer.
- hereticpride

Can't fault him for rolling dice from time to time and versteeg went in to have a good year in Florida. Every GM gets burnt. One thing I think people don't realize is just because they or some analyst covets a player doesn't mean other Gms do or as much.