Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Defense Pairs, Blocked Shots, Callup Candidates and More

First. I weigh in on the side of letting things play out a bit and not panic.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Defense Pairs, Blocked Shots, Callup Candidates and More
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Do you think there are some young defensemen around the league that have #1 potential that could be had? I suppose they'd have to look for fallen stars or guys in the doghouse.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Defense Pairs, Blocked Shots, Callup Candidates and More
- bmeltzer

Almost hate to say it, but LA looks like it could be a good trade partner for the Flyers.

The Kings really seem to be missing stay at home defensemen Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. They have big winger and pancake aficionado Dustin Penner who isn't playing much and a couple of younger, fairly mobile defensemen(Slava Voynov, Alec Martinez) that could fit the Flyers needs.

Not sure what a deal for Penner & one of those two defensemen would cost, but as I mentioned, Penner's been a spare part at best in LA. I can't see it being a massive expense. Not that Voynov or Martinez would be a number one defenseman, but they bring mobility and youth.

I remember before the start of last season when some people were calling the Flyers defense one of, if not the deepest in all of the NHL. They would not have been wrong either. Seems like the team just ran into a boatload of bad luck on the blueline.

Well, so, just .... ..ehhm .. trade for Iginla??
Just kidding

Bill,

Do you think there are some young defensemen around the league that have #1 potential that could be had? I suppose they'd have to look for fallen stars or guys in the doghouse.
- bradleyc4

I think Keaton Ellerby has "Coburn potential" if he can put things together. He could probably be had, because he's really struggled in Florida for pretty much his entire pro career to date.

Zach Bogosian is solidly entrenched in Winnipeg but has yet to play this season due to a wrist injury, plus is an RFA after the season, and is going to get paid more based on potential (which is still sky high) rather than actual performance in the NHL. He's had his share of growing pains, but appeared to be blossoming as last season progressed. If he struggles when he returns to the lineup AND if the Jets continue to be so inconsistent, it will be interesting to see what the Jets do over the summer with him when he's an RFA.

Winnipeg has already signed Tobias Enström to a long-term deal, which pre-empted him becoming a UFA this summer (which is a shame, because he'd have made for a good heir apparent to Timonen if he was interested in coming here). So they'll keep Enström and they'll keep Bogosian. But what about Byfuglien? Something in that team's mix needs to change.

Good write-up, Bill!

As far as the Phantoms 'dark horses -

I agree with Noebels and Bordson... Bordson is a high intensity guy who hustles every second he's on the ice... and Noebels has a lot of potential as well, although I'd like to see him get more aggressive..

As far as Akeson and Lauridson... Akeson makes a lot of mental mistakes, and tries to force things that aren't there. he needs to get smarter on and off the puck in my opinion. He has a lot of energy, and I think he's a good puck handler, but he needs to play smart every time he's on the ice. And I like Lauridson's size, and puck handling... but he needs to learn to play smarter. He is constantly taking bad penalties, or being "over aggressive" in the aspect of cross checking guys half way across the ice after the whistle, or dangerous hits along the boards, or just lazy stick penalties. I think he has great potential, and his size and awareness is a plus.. but he needs to stop taking the bad penalties. Those can be a killer.

Almost hate to say it, but LA looks like it could be a good trade partner for the Flyers.

The Kings really seem to be missing stay at home defensemen Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. They have big winger and pancake aficionado Dustin Penner who isn't playing much and a couple of younger, fairly mobile defensemen(Slava Voynov, Alec Martinez) that could fit the Flyers needs.

Not sure what a deal for Penner & one of those two defensemen would cost, but as I mentioned, Penner's been a spare part at best in LA. I can't see it being a massive expense. Not that Voynov or Martinez would be a number one defenseman, but they bring mobility and youth.
- Jsaquella

I was interested in Penner this offseason when he was an UFA. I thought he would be a good linemate for Giroux or Danny and now with Hartnell out, he might be a perfect fit. 29/23/17/32/23 goals from 2006-2011 with Anaheim, Edmonton/LA. As for Voynov and Martinez, I would love either one but the price won't be low.

I was interested in Penner this offseason when he was an UFA. I thought he would be a good linemate for Giroux or Danny and now with Hartnell out, he might be a perfect fit. 29/23/17/32/23 goals from 2006-2011 with Anaheim, Edmonton/LA. As for Voynov and Martinez, I would love either one but the price won't be low.
- NickTheKid87

Agreed, although I doubt that the price for one of them, plus Penner would be massive. The Kings seem to be really struggling without Greene & Mitchell. I'm not suggesting that it could be done for Harry Z, Lilja, Foster and a 3rd rounder.

Good update on the call-ups.

Was really hoping Harry Z would pick it up, offensively, at the AHL level, because I do like his speed and his willingness to stir the pot.

Well, so, just .... ..ehhm .. trade for Iginla??
Just kidding
- Ondrej F

Yup, when a struggling team's biggest need is a bonafide top-pairing defenseman in his prime (at least a #2 if no #1 candidate is available), it's always best to burn up a lot of trade and salary resources to go after an impending UFA winger whom, even if you DO manage to re-sign, will be on one of those dreaded over-35 contracts in his next deal .

Iginla is one of my favorite NHL players, regardless of team, in the last 20 years. Great player on the ice. Great leader by example; tone-setter, scorer, drops the gloves when it makes sense, great forechecker, etc. Great guy off the ice. He'd be the perfect addition to help put a team over the top.

Unfortunately, adding Iginla right now to the Flyers would be like doing a really good job on a seasonal roof repair when you've got a major crack in the home's foundation.

I think Keaton Ellerby has "Coburn potential" if he can put things together. He could probably be had, because he's really struggled in Florida for pretty much his entire pro career to date.

Zach Bogosian is solidly entrenched in Winnipeg but has yet to play this season due to a wrist injury, plus is an RFA after the season, and is going to get paid more based on potential (which is still sky high) rather than actual performance in the NHL. He's had his share of growing pains, but appeared to be blossoming as last season progressed. If he struggles when he returns to the lineup AND if the Jets continue to be so inconsistent, it will be interesting to see what the Jets do over the summer with him when he's an RFA.

Winnipeg has already signed Tobias Enström to a long-term deal, which pre-empted him becoming a UFA this summer (which is a shame, because he'd have made for a good heir apparent to Timonen if he was interested in coming here). So they'll keep Enström and they'll keep Bogosian. But what about Byfuglien? Something in that team's mix needs to change.
- bmeltzer

What do you think the availability of RFAs like Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk and Ekman-Larsson will be this offseason? I fully expect them to be re-signed (especially Pietrangelo. You don't let a guy like that go) but they intrigue me all the same. And what're your thoughts on Keith Yandle?

Agreed, although I doubt that the price for one of them, plus Penner would be massive. The Kings seem to be really struggling without Greene & Mitchell. I'm not suggesting that it could be done for Harry Z, Lilja, Foster and a 3rd rounder.
- Jsaquella

I don't think you could give away Lilja or Foster.

Good article, Bill.

I personally like Manning over Gus, and I hope he gets another chance. I just feel he has more of a long-term upside than Gus does.

I don't think you could give away Lilja or Foster.
- NickTheKid87

I'd be amazed. I'd rather go after another target, but you have to look at the teams struggling as well as what's out there.

I just hit on LA because I know that they have to be a bit itchy, with their struggles and that they could use a solid stay at home type guy-I'm thinking Grossmann, although I'm loathe to move him as his game has rounded back into form after a rough start.

The main target would obviously be Voynov or Martinez. I added Penner simply because both Simmonds and Hartnell are out. He'd simply be a throw in to address a short term need.

Winnipeg has already signed Tobias Enström to a long-term deal, which pre-empted him becoming a UFA this summer (which is a shame, because he'd have made for a good heir apparent to Timonen if he was interested in coming here). So they'll keep Enström and they'll keep Bogosian. But what about Byfuglien? Something in that team's mix needs to change.
- bmeltzer

Another reason why you don't bring 18-year-old defensemen to the NHL. They're still not fully developed when their team control years are up. Then you have to gamble/overpay on their future to not lose them.

With Hainsey coming off the books this summer, they should be able to keep all three long-term, imo.

I'd be amazed. I'd rather go after another target, but you have to look at the teams struggling as well as what's out there.

I just hit on LA because I know that they have to be a bit itchy, with their struggles and that they could use a solid stay at home type guy-I'm thinking Grossmann, although I'm loathe to move him as his game has rounded back into form after a rough start.

The main target would obviously be Voynov or Martinez. I added Penner simply because both Simmonds and Hartnell are out. He'd simply be a throw in to address a short term need.
- Jsaquella

I know Penner scored some big goals for LA, but isn't he rumored to be kind of always out of shape?

I'd be amazed. I'd rather go after another target, but you have to look at the teams struggling as well as what's out there.

I just hit on LA because I know that they have to be a bit itchy, with their struggles and that they could use a solid stay at home type guy-I'm thinking Grossmann, although I'm loathe to move him as his game has rounded back into form after a rough start.

The main target would obviously be Voynov or Martinez. I added Penner simply because both Simmonds and Hartnell are out. He'd simply be a throw in to address a short term need.
- Jsaquella

I'm still intrigued by Bouwmeester as well. If Calgary continues to suck, I'm sure they'd LOVE to move him. Maybe even they'd eat some of that horrendous cap hit. I'm sure they ask a lot for him though.

I know Penner scored some big goals for LA, but isn't he rumored to be kind of always out of shape?
- johndewar

Yes. As I said, he'd literally be a throw in as a body to help out while Simmonds and Hartnell get healthy. As soon as they return, I'd be willing to Penner or trade him for a bag of pucks to avoid using the LTIR exemption.

The main target for me would be one of the two young defensemen.

On the plus side with the Flyers defense. They got the RH shots that everyone always wanted!

I'm still intrigued by Bouwmeester as well. If Calgary continues to suck, I'm sure they'd LOVE to move him. Maybe even they'd eat some of that horrendous cap hit. I'm sure they ask a lot for him though.
- NickTheKid87

I think Bouwmeester would cost an arm and a leg in trade, plus his contract is fairly large. I was looking at cheap alternatives that would solidify the defense short term, rather than trading for a big ticket when the team has obvious struggles and injury woes.

I agree that defense is the issue that needs to be solved but I'd rather not see a panic move. Panic moves are almost always very expense and very often don't work out. I don't think this team is going to win the Cup this year anyway. I'd rather see them stand pat and make an off season move with clearer heads.

PS: Whatever caused that virus warning for me gave me the blue screen of death. Couple of virus scans later I'm back.

Good update on the call-ups.

Was really hoping Harry Z would pick it up, offensively, at the AHL level, because I do like his speed and his willingness to stir the pot.
- johndewar

I thought he played decent in his time with the Flyers and was surprised he was sent down. I think Wellwoods emergance had something to do with it plus some backchecking issues i think.

I'm still intrigued by Bouwmeester as well. If Calgary continues to suck, I'm sure they'd LOVE to move him. Maybe even they'd eat some of that horrendous cap hit. I'm sure they ask a lot for him though.
- NickTheKid87

If you could get Calgary to retain say, 2.68M of his cap hit. So the Flyers would be resonsible for 4M for him. I might be interested. But I'm sure getting them to do that drives up the cost in a trade.