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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: A Reminder of What Might Have Been
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aosplayo
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Downingtown, PA
Joined: 01.14.2008

Apr 17 @ 2:57 PM ET
They're saying no one in custody yet...
- phillydentist




http://live.reuters.com/E...Boston_Marathon_Explosion


Lots of reporters outside the Fed Courthouse for no reason apparently......hopefully we hear something soon.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 3:08 PM ET
I agree. I think we want to see them win and play well. And I think that's important. But at this point as a fan, if they lose, the reaction isn't disapointment. It's were getting a higher pick.
- MJL


Exactly, by finishing strong, I mean I want them to be competitive, make the opposing team earn the win. It doesn't necessarily mean I want them to win out.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:10 PM ET
Meszaros is a walking band aid at this point. And i really like Mezzy, but he's not much value to us anymore. Idk if he'll ever be fully healthy again. He's a good 2nd pairing dman dont get me wrong, but just meh.

Homer will be busy this offseason... ill just be sitting back and watching what he does.

- FLYERSROCK!



Didn't address the question. How is offering Meszaros overpaying? And if he's a walking band aid, why do you ask if LA would take him for Bernier?
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:13 PM ET
Not on paper they didn't. They had a bunch of injuries on OL and strange busts (Watkins) but were still very talented. On D they had two terrific cover guys, two terrific DEs, some up and coming D-linemen, a 2nd year safety who could have been as easily a star as a bust (Nate Allen), an all-pro MLB ....



- PT21



I disagree. The Eagles were woefully short on talent. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Most of the roster needs to be rebuilt.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 3:14 PM ET
White gets 5 games for elbow on Huskins
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:16 PM ET
The voice of reason here. There is very little to nothing to draw on on these remaining games In the long run. All it did was hurt lottery chances. Not a Debbie downer just being real.
- Just5



You and the other poster have lost sight on what's important. It's not W's in the win column that will matter going forward. It's the confidence and the lessons learned that will come from it, that will matter going forward.
Don'tForgetTocchet
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Ground Zero Brooklyn
Joined: 02.08.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:17 PM ET
White gets 5 games for elbow on Huskins
- Jsaquella



good.



side note:
i didn't know huskins played with pronger in anaheim
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 3:19 PM ET
good.



side note:
i didn't know huskins played with pronger in anaheim

- Don'tForgetTocchet


Yup. I was pleasantly surprised by Huskins' play. I'd be ok with him back as a 6th/7th defenseman next year, even if it ends up costing the 7th rounder
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:22 PM ET
White gets 5 games for elbow on Huskins
- Jsaquella

good that was dirty
Don'tForgetTocchet
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Ground Zero Brooklyn
Joined: 02.08.2007

Apr 17 @ 3:22 PM ET
Yup. I was pleasantly surprised by Huskins' play. I'd be ok with him back as a 6th/7th defenseman next year, even if it ends up costing the 7th rounder
- Jsaquella



i liked him too and would gladly have him back if he isn't too damaged

*prepares to be further mocked by bc4*
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Apr 17 @ 3:37 PM ET
You and the other poster have lost sight on what's important. It's not W's in the win column that will matter going forward. It's the confidence and the lessons learned that will come from it, that will matter going forward.
- MJL


How's calgarys future looking? How bout Edmonton? I can guarantee over the past 4 years calgarys April record looks much better than edmontons. Whose shoes would you rather be in? Draft position is huge
PT21
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 木糠布丁, PA
Joined: 03.04.2008

Apr 17 @ 3:44 PM ET
I disagree. The Eagles were woefully short on talent. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. Most of the roster needs to be rebuilt.
- MJL



Thats post season analysis. It was largely the same team that was called a dream team 2 years ago. (Except of course that the guy who called it so was himself gone). You didn't know Bell would be a bust, Kelce would be injured, Watkins another bust, Vick so awful at reading coverages and being sensible, Nmadi so bad playing zone/cover 2, Babin so one dimensional, defensive line coach an overaged fratboy, safeties so bad at everything etc. etc.
BulliesPhan87
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: the lone wolf of hockeybuzz
Joined: 07.31.2009

Apr 17 @ 3:45 PM ET
How's calgarys future looking? How bout Edmonton? I can guarantee over the past 4 years calgarys April record looks much better than edmontons. Whose shoes would you rather be in? Draft position is huge
- Just5

And yet Edmonton still can't clinch a playoffs spot. Calgary's problem hasn't so much been that they don't get top picks imo, as they've completely put off rebuilding. Until this season, that is.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 3:55 PM ET
How's calgarys future looking? How bout Edmonton? I can guarantee over the past 4 years calgarys April record looks much better than edmontons. Whose shoes would you rather be in? Draft position is huge
- Just5


Again, Calgary's a largely veteran team, that needed to be torn down and rebuilt. The Flyers are mostly a group of young players that not only benefit from showing pride, but are still learning.

Finishing strong, whether it means wins or just being competitive helps them break bad habits. Going out, meekly, only re-enforces those bad habits that helped to get them into the mess they're in.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Apr 17 @ 3:59 PM ET
Again, Calgary's a largely veteran team, that needed to be torn down and rebuilt. The Flyers are mostly a group of young players that not only benefit from showing pride, but are still learning.

Finishing strong, whether it means wins or just being competitive helps them break bad habits. Going out, meekly, only re-enforces those bad habits that helped to get them into the mess they're in.

- Jsaquella



Ok. But when lava comes back don't look at me! I just wanted them to tank. Don't think the 2007 season left Any lingering effects on Richards, carter, unberger, robitaille etc.
steelydan
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philly, PA
Joined: 04.16.2009

Apr 17 @ 3:59 PM ET
Agreed. Little good can come from tanking or not giving 100%. Think about it. Many of these guys are playing for a chance to make the team next year, knowing that their position will be filled with healthy vets. Do you think Laurisden or Gus care about getting a better draft pick? How about Hall and Rosehill? Either way you slice it, the players need to play hard because that's how they reached the NHL in the first place. Expecting them to take it down a notch is embarrassing. Expecting Lavy to ice a team that isn't the best available team is equally embarrassing. This isn't a video game. There is money, pride, and careers at stake here.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 4:08 PM ET
Ok. But when lava comes back don't look at me! I just wanted them to tank. Don't think the 2007 season left Any lingering effects on Richards, carter, unberger, robitaille etc.
- Just5


No, it didn't leave lingering effects, but that team also was massively overhauled the following summer. The Flyers will likely face some changes, but they might not be completely overhauled.

In fact, they might only make a couple of significant moves-buying out Briere & trading for/signing a defenseman
PT21
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 木糠布丁, PA
Joined: 03.04.2008

Apr 17 @ 4:09 PM ET
Again, Calgary's a largely veteran team, that needed to be torn down and rebuilt. The Flyers are mostly a group of young players that not only benefit from showing pride, but are still learning.

Finishing strong, whether it means wins or just being competitive helps them break bad habits. Going out, meekly, only re-enforces those bad habits that helped to get them into the mess they're in.

- Jsaquella



I want them to play really really hard and ...lose. Or have coach give younger players a chance and reduce ice time of stars. Let Cout center Voracek and Harts, gets some points. Let Gus qb the first pp unit.

Losing does not have to mean players themselves tanking.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 4:13 PM ET
I want them to play really really hard and ...lose. Or have coach give younger players a chance and reduce ice time of stars. Let Cout center Voracek and Harts, gets some points. Let Gus qb the first pp unit.

Losing does not have to mean players themselves tanking.

- PT21


If they're competitive and work hard, I wouldn't be totally upset if they lost out. I just want competitive, hard working efforts.
exlund
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Manywhere, NJ
Joined: 02.16.2007

Apr 17 @ 4:16 PM ET
Again, Calgary's a largely veteran team, that needed to be torn down and rebuilt. The Flyers are mostly a group of young players that not only benefit from showing pride, but are still learning.

Finishing strong, whether it means wins or just being competitive helps them break bad habits. Going out, meekly, only re-enforces those bad habits that helped to get them into the mess they're in.

- Jsaquella


Regardless of what happens in the remaining games they're going to have to put this season's mess behind them and get a new start with a new attitude come next fall. A few inconsequential wins at the end of a season to be forgotten isn't going to change that dynamic much imo.

Also, I have to raise the possibility, that we don't know if it would be more psychologically beneficial to go out meekly, bottom out mentally at the end with a bad taste in their mouths, and over the summer, finding their pride and resolving never to be that bad again.. or conversely, perhaps going out strong could give them a counterproductive sense of satisfaction, leaving them a little less motivated to change some things in the offseason. Nobody knows for sure, what would be best, but I tend to think this season is this season and next season is a new beginning...these games won't matter much imo. With that said, we have no bearing on how the team will play out the string. As a fan watching these last games, few if any of us will root for losses, but we all know in the back of our heads that if we do lose, there's some consolation in that it could help our draft position.

P.S. I guess we can loosely project a position and how many losses or wins will move them where...like now they are on pace to be say, 9th... for every one of the five games they lose they will pick a spot higher...for every game they win they'll pick a spot lower...just a thought as we get to the end...I know there are a few variations.
77rams
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: There's a kind of freedom in being completely screwed...
Joined: 09.12.2006

Apr 17 @ 4:17 PM ET
Agreed. Little good can come from tanking or not giving 100%. Think about it. Many of these guys are playing for a chance to make the team next year, knowing that their position will be filled with healthy vets. Do you think Laurisden or Gus care about getting a better draft pick? How about Hall and Rosehill? Either way you slice it, the players need to play hard because that's how they reached the NHL in the first place. Expecting them to take it down a notch is embarrassing. Expecting Lavy to ice a team that isn't the best available team is equally embarrassing. This isn't a video game. There is money, pride, and careers at stake here.
- steelydan


That said, if the brass intend to buy out, say, Briere, should they play him the rest of the way, or use the opportunity to take a look at a younger player?

Do you play Mason from now on knowing what you have in Breeze?

Do you give younger players on the team bigger roles to see if they can handle them - move Coots up to 2nd line center, BSchenn? Let up on Timo's throttle (he has to last another entire year after all) and give more minutes to Ollie?

Is that taking it down a notch or being responsible to your future?
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Apr 17 @ 4:21 PM ET
That said, if the brass intend to buy out, say, Briere, should they play him the rest of the way, or use the opportunity to take a look at a younger player?

Do you play Mason from now on knowing what you have in Breeze?

Do you give younger players on the team bigger roles to see if they can handle them - move Coots up to 2nd line center, BSchenn? Let up on Timo's throttle (he has to last another entire year after all) and give more minutes to Ollie?

Is that taking it down a notch or being responsible to your future?

- 77rams


Ride Mason
exlund
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Manywhere, NJ
Joined: 02.16.2007

Apr 17 @ 4:23 PM ET
Agreed. Little good can come from tanking or not giving 100%. Think about it. Many of these guys are playing for a chance to make the team next year, knowing that their position will be filled with healthy vets. Do you think Laurisden or Gus care about getting a better draft pick? How about Hall and Rosehill? Either way you slice it, the players need to play hard because that's how they reached the NHL in the first place. Expecting them to take it down a notch is embarrassing. Expecting Lavy to ice a team that isn't the best available team is equally embarrassing. This isn't a video game. There is money, pride, and careers at stake here.
- steelydan




While as a fan I can rationalize losses as benefitting the team's draft position, I fully expect the actual team to play hard to the end...It is not acceptable for anything less. Each player has their motivations and Lavy certainly has no incentive to see them tank. Having said that, the team hasn't put together a long stretch of consistently good play all season and I wouldn't expect it to happen now, especially given triage on D (not to slight the efforts of those playing admirably under tough coniditons). I expect the team to go maybe 2-3 or 2-2-1...
PT21
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 木糠布丁, PA
Joined: 03.04.2008

Apr 17 @ 4:23 PM ET
If they're competitive and work hard, I wouldn't be totally upset if they lost out. I just want competitive, hard working efforts.
- Jsaquella



I would be very pleased myself. Just not during the games.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Apr 17 @ 4:25 PM ET
Regardless of what happens in the remaining games they're going to have to put this season's mess behind them and get a new start with a new attitude come next fall. A few inconsequential wins at the end of a season to be forgotten isn't going to change that dynamic much imo.

Also, I have to raise the possibility, that we don't know if it would be more psychologically beneficial to go out meekly, bottom out mentally at the end with a bad taste in their mouths, and over the summer, finding their pride and resolving never to be that bad again.. or conversely, perhaps going out strong could give them a counterproductive sense of satisfaction, leaving them a little less motivated to change some things in the offseason. Nobody knows for sure, what would be best, but I rend to think this season is this season and next season is a new beginning...these games won't matter much imo. With that said, we have no bearing on how the team will play out the string. As a fan watching these last games, few if any of us will root for losses, but we all know in the back of our heads that if we do lose, there's some consolation in that it could help our draft position.

P.S. I guess we can loosely project a position and how many losses or wins will move them where...like now they are on pace to be say, 9th... for every one of the five games they lose they will pick a spot higher...for every game they win they'll pick a spot lower...just a thought as we get to the end...I know there are a few variations.

- exlund


I see it's an opportunity to continue to eradicate the bad habits.

But I also agree that losses now don't have the sting they normally would. I just worry that folding could be an issue in the future. Maybe it's being overly analytical. Maybe it's just that I want to see them play well and make other teams at least work hard to get wins against them.
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