Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Happy Homecoming, Briere

Welcome back #12!!!!

Noticed a few moments of hesitation by Gagne last night that cost him puck control but I think that was just a byproduct of playing with new teammates/linemates. Overall I think he's going to bring more to the table than Knuble or Fedetanko are going to bring, especially in creating a "shut down" line with Couts and Talbot that will on occasion pot some goals.


Off topic....I don't like to jump on the Pierre hate but man, I thought he was going to come through the TV with his excitement about how great that referee was. That was exactly what people are talking about when they bring up his fawning ways.

A very good showing by gagne. If he is consistently playing like he did last night. It is a good trade. He made talbot and cooter instantly better

Noticed a few moments of hesitation by Gagne last night that cost him puck control but I think that was just a byproduct of playing with new teammates/linemates. Overall I think he's going to bring more to the table than Knuble or Fedetanko are going to bring, especially in creating a "shut down" line with Couts and Talbot that will on occasion pot some goals.


Off topic....I don't like to jump on the Pierre hate but man, I thought he was going to come through the TV with his excitement about how great that referee was. That was exactly what people are talking about when they bring up his fawning ways.
- shekkie

I liked what he had to say about Philly being a hockey town not just a flyer town

I don't think Harry Z meant to do anything other than throw a clean, hard hit. Sometimes clean hits go wrong at the last moment.

God it's nice to see that #12 back on Gagne's back! With him and Talbot on Couturier's wings I LOVE our third line.

Give credit to our 4th line, too. Rinaldo, Fedotenko and Zolnierczyk have put together a long stretch of solid play lately.

Looks like Hartnell is gonna help Giroux get back on track too!

Time to get over .500!

Bye bye Coots. Hope you guys are ready to ride the Smid train.

Bill, sometimes I really wish you would call out other bloggers on their stupidity. But I guess that's what we're here for.

Off topic....I don't like to jump on the Pierre hate but man, I thought he was going to come through the TV with his excitement about how great that referee was. That was exactly what people are talking about when they bring up his fawning ways.
,

he and doc cling onto someone every game and go on and on, there favorite is sid

Great work as always Bill! I really look forward to reading your blog first thing in the morning...incredibly insightful and informative! Now that Gus is hurt, the possible third pairing of Foster and Gervais scares me, especially with how poorly Gervais has been playing the last few games. He looks like he's participating in a Chinese firedrill out there, especially in the defensive zone. I hope Gus isn't out long if at all!

Clean hit by Zolnierczyk, team looked ok but Washington played like crap. Did just what we needed to win.
As for Briere, he may say he will not accept a trade but if the trading team re-ups him for 2 more years and offer a no buyout clause I'm sure he would go wherever he needed.
NBCSports has got to keep Cock Emrick and his lackies away from Flyers broadcasts. And keep you your
- ICUBB

crappy Pitbull Bud-light commercials too

.

A very good showing by gagne. If he is consistently playing like he did last night. It is a good trade. He made talbot and cooter instantly better
- Just5

As long as he avoids injury, he'll do very well here.

I don't know what went on in LA, but from his comments he was clearly confused about his role with the team, which just sounds strange. He only played 33 or so regular season games last year with the Kings... and I don't know if any of those were after Murray was fired. They obviously played their best hockey of the season after he was injured, and came together as a team, and had the amazing playoff run we all witnessed. He was not a part of what made the Kings special last year, and maybe that was just hard to walk back into or something. Just not one of Sutter's "guys"?

Welcome back #12!!!!
- FlyersFirst

I only got to watch the 3rd, but gagne actually looked better than I thought he would. Hustling in the O zone and creating. If he keeps this up, looks like a solid trade IMO.

As for the Z hit.. I think maybe 2 mins would have been fine. 5 and a game was excessive. I bet Shanny spins the magic wheel of NHL justice and gives him 10 games for leaving the bench in order to set Karma straight for Clowe's incident!

Bye bye Coots. Hope you guys are ready to ride the Smid train.

Bill, sometimes I really wish you would call out other bloggers on their stupidity. But I guess that's what we're for.

- hereticpride

I refuse to read his blog anymore,does he think smid is going to land coots?

I refuse to read his blog anymore,does he think smid is going to land coots?
- twotoekenn

Yes, he wants Ovi or Coots and the Oilers best 6 guys are off the table for both.

Noticed a few moments of hesitation by Gagne last night that cost him puck control but I think that was just a byproduct of playing with new teammates/linemates. Overall I think he's going to bring more to the table than Knuble or Fedetanko are going to bring, especially in creating a "shut down" line with Couts and Talbot that will on occasion pot some goals.


Off topic....I don't like to jump on the Pierre hate but man, I thought he was going to come through the TV with his excitement about how great that referee was. That was exactly what people are talking about when they bring up his fawning ways.
- shekkie

I agree with him that McCauley is usually one of the better young refs out there. But to go on an on about how he had the confidence and decisiveness to rule the puck went in the net on Talbot's goal -- fast as it went in and out, it was dead center in the net and a very easy call from he was (properly) positioned -- was rather much.

Yes, he wants Ovi or Coots and the Oilers best 6 guys are off the table for both.
- hereticpride

I think he's the worst blogger on this site, even worse than dee.

Flyers played a great game but Capitals played an awful. Let's string some wins together now.

Also, Gags.

I think he's the worst blogger on this site, even worse than dee.
- twotoekenn

You should have read his work during the lockout. Pretty brutal.

Yes, he wants Ovi or Coots and the Oilers best 6 guys are off the table for both.
- hereticpride

Why does this man have a job?

Flyers played a great game but Capitals played an awful. Let's string some wins together now.

Also, Gags.
- NickTheKid87

Gagne couldn't have looked better. He had just flown all night as well as not playing in a game for what two weeks?

I think there is plenty of tread left on Gagne's tires, only question is can he stay healthy.

Saw a few times where the Caps were really headhunting.

Loved the crowd all over Ovi too. Wonderful.

You should have read his work during the lockout. Pretty brutal.
- MJL

I used to read it and found it pretty funny. He got ridiculous and I posted something that I thought was funny he came back with something even dumber and then I checked out.
We really should be thankful that we have bill as our blogger.

Gagne couldn't have looked better. He had just flown all night as well as not playing in a game for what two weeks?

I think there is plenty of tread left on Gagne's tire, only question is can he stay healthy.
- PLindbergh31

He had a few nice chances last night offensively aside from the goal. He might have another 20 goal season left in that stick. It'll be interesting to see what they do with him this offseason. If he is consistent through the end of the year, I'd say extend him for a year or 2.

A very good showing by gagne. If he is consistently playing like he did last night. It is a good trade. He made talbot and cooter instantly better
- Just5

He could play at about 1/6th of that level and its still a good trade. He looked like a legit top 6 winger last night.

Few points on last night:
I think this top line is special. Voracek may not have had a point in last nights game but he was yet again outstanding. Giroux has also looked like himself again. He was involved all over the place. Hartnell is a fan favorite for a reason.. the clown of the group played a very solid "dirty game" and has done so since returning. Great to have him back..

Both Schenn brothers played great games last night... as did Grossmann. B. Schenn could have had a hatty had it not been for bad luck and solid goal tending.

Happy birthday Simon Gagne... and WELCOME BACK!