Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: A Reminder of What Might Have Been

Looking more and more like a team every day.


Regardless of this season's outcome, that is a positive.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: A Reminder of What Might Have Been
- bmeltzer

I realize that the wins are hurting the Flyers chances of ending up with a higher pick, but it's good to see the young players stepping up and refusing to die quietly. That seemed to be a danger after the previous four losses, where the Flyers couldn't generate much of an attack or even sustained pressure.

If this year's class was like the Kane-JvR-Turris class, the wins would be a bigger issue. As it is, the Flyers are almost certain to get a very solid prospect, regardless of where they pick.

The core group is young enough that it can use a late season run of success to build off of for next season.

media clowns....

Kinda funny how it takes this rag tag fugitive fleet of characters to start winning. Wish our regulars played with this much jam this year.

I realize that the wins are hurting the Flyers chances of ending up with a higher pick, but it's good to see the young players stepping up and refusing to die quietly. That seemed to be a danger after the previous four losses, where the Flyers couldn't generate much of an attack or even sustained pressure.

If this year's class was like the Kane-JvR-Turris class, the wins would be a bigger issue. As it is, the Flyers are almost certain to get a very solid prospect, regardless of where they pick.

The core group is young enough that it can use a late season run of success to build off of for next season.
- Jsaquella

Being they could really use a dman if the chips fall that they draft 9-11, which is where I expected as of a few weeks ago, I can live with it. The thing about this team is they win when I expect them not too and lose when I expect them to win so who knows how the final 5 games will go.

Kinda funny how it takes this rag tag fugitive fleet of characters to start winning. Wish our regulars played with this much jam this year.
- section32

There's a lot of facets to this. First, the kids are just going out and playing and trying to prove themselves. Also, it took a slew of injuries for the coaching staff to make much needed adjustments that would have been a boon to the "regulars" as well.

The other aspect is that the forwards are doing a better job in their own end, and are buying into the team defense concept.

It's good to see Lauridson playing. He admittedly is prone to puck panic and such but he needs to play if he's going to get better. Would be nice for the flyers to exercise some patience with a dman for a change. I am sure some further seasoning in the AHL would help but he should be a callup whenever needed next year.

Kinda funny how it takes this rag tag fugitive fleet of characters to start winning. Wish our regulars played with this much jam this year.
- section32

I see what you did there.

There's a lot of facets to this. First, the kids are just going out and playing and trying to prove themselves. Also, it took a slew of injuries for the coaching staff to make much needed adjustments that would have been a boon to the "regulars" as well.

The other aspect is that the forwards are doing a better job in their own end, and are buying into the team defense concept.
- Jsaquella

That was as clear as day on the Schenn goal.

I said it last night, the comcast Philly broadcast did a great job of showing the support on the breakout and how it transitioned into offense and eventually the goal.

As is always the case, strong 5 man defense leads to transition and scoring chances at the other end.

There's a lot of facets to this. First, the kids are just going out and playing and trying to prove themselves. Also, it took a slew of injuries for the coaching staff to make much needed adjustments that would have been a boon to the "regulars" as well.

The other aspect is that the forwards are doing a better job in their own end, and are buying into the team defense concept.
- Jsaquella

It makes you wonder if they were thinking, "oh crap, with this group we need to help out in our own end now."

Imagine if that mindset was here all season.

can we sign adam hall for his usual 650k for 2 yrs? i know he's not a FA who's over 35 and he's actually had a positive impact in more than one game, but...

Being they could really use a dman if the chips fall that they draft 9-11, which is where I expected as of a few weeks ago, I can live with it. The thing about this team is they win when I expect them not too and lose when I expect them to win so who knows how the final 5 games will go.
- nastyflyergirl

Any defense help for next year will have to come via trade or free agency move. Even Jones is not likely to step in and be a top four guy out of the gate. I like a lot of the kids that will be top 15 picks, I'm not wedded to one in particular.

Obviously, I'd love to see them win the lottery and get a crack and Jones, MacKinnon or Drouin. But I also really like Barkov, Nichushkin and Monahan. Even if they get a guy like Lindholm, it's ok.

Then you have the second tier of defensemen, like Nurse, Pulock, Ristolainen, Zadorov, Morrissey, et al.

It's good to see Lauridson playing. He admittedly is prone to puck panic and such but he needs to play if he's going to get better. Would be nice for the flyers to exercise some patience with a dman for a change. I am sure some further seasoning in the AHL would help but he should be a callup whenever needed next year.
- bird_dog

I agree. Will also add that he has improved in the course of each of his two seasons since turning pro. At start of 2011-12, I was concerned he'd be ECHL-bound and never heard from again. Now he's a player who has shown he is a worthy callup. With another year of improvement, he'd be a viable third-pairing option in a full NHL season.

can we sign adam hall for his usual 650k for 2 yrs? i know he's not a FA who's over 35 and he's actually had a positive impact in more than one game, but...
- isaiah520

Ive had interest in him before. Lost cost, strong on faceoffs, defensively sound for the most part. A guy we have needed for a few seasons now.

That was as clear as day on the Schenn goal.

I said it last night, the comcast Philly broadcast did a great job of showing the support on the breakout and how it transitioned into offense and eventually the goal.

As is always the case, strong 5 man defense leads to transition and scoring chances at the other end.
- ggunky

Yep. They did a good job playing 200 feet on that goal. Good puck support, very good movement and they were aggressive without being reckless.

Gustafsson also had another strong night, even apart from his goal. The Swede has played well since being moved up in the rotation to play with Timonen while Schenn anchors the second pairing.

Gus has to be in the discussion for next year's blue line. He's earned it.

I agree. Will also add that he has improved in the course of each of his two seasons since turning pro. At start of 2011-12, I was concerned he'd be ECHL-bound and never heard from again. Now he's a player who has shown he is a worthy callup. With another year of improvement, he'd be a viable third-pairing option in a full NHL season.
- bmeltzer

He also has shown a little more jam in his game than I expected. I like to see a bigger guy use his size and power to be more like Pronger, less like Therien.

Im encouraged.

It makes you wonder if they were thinking, "oh crap, with this group we need to help out in our own end now."

Imagine if that mindset was here all season.
- MBFlyerfan

I was a guy who actually was OK with the defensemen heading into the season, because I assumed there'd be tweaks to the system from the start. One of my big concerns with Laviolette remaining coach is that he tries to do the square peg into the round hole routine again, if they can't land a more mobile solution on the back end.

Any defense help for next year will have to come via trade or free agency move. Even Jones is not likely to step in and be a top four guy out of the gate. I like a lot of the kids that will be top 15 picks, I'm not wedded to one in particular.

Obviously, I'd love to see them win the lottery and get a crack and Jones, MacKinnon or Drouin. But I also really like Barkov, Nichushkin and Monahan. Even if they get a guy like Lindholm, it's ok.

Then you have the second tier of defensemen, like Nurse, Pulock, Ristolainen, Zadorov, Morrissey, et al.
- Jsaquella

Totally agree, JS. Yesterday, I likened Lindholm to P.J. Axelsson with higher offensive upside. A better comparison player might be Loui Eriksson at the same age, except Lindholm plays center as well as wing.

I agree. Will also add that he has improved in the course of each of his two seasons since turning pro. At start of 2011-12, I was concerned he'd be ECHL-bound and never heard from again. Now he's a player who has shown he is a worthy callup. With another year of improvement, he'd be a viable third-pairing option in a full NHL season.
- bmeltzer

Two words: Barb Underhill. Or Laura Stamm. Get Olly to a power skating coach, and he'd be a very solid third pair guy.

Does anyone else see a young Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) when they look at Larudsin?

Gus has to be in the discussion for next year's blue line. He's earned it.
- johndewar

I'd like to see the Flyers experiment with a Grossmann-Gustafsson pairing next year in camp. He's done really well with Timonen but over the long haul, I'm concerned about how undersized they both are. That said, Timonen can play with just about anyone and find a way to make it work.

Totally agree, JS. Yesterday, I likened Lindholm to P.J. Axelsson with higher offensive upside. A better comparison player might be Loui Eriksson at the same age, except Lindholm plays center as well as wing.
- bmeltzer

The one guy I'm wary of is Hunter Shinkaruk, but it has nothing to do with his skill level. I've seen too many CHL guys say that he can be neutralized by physical play, which seems odd for a WHL kid.

I realize that the wins are hurting the Flyers chances of ending up with a higher pick, but it's good to see the young players stepping up and refusing to die quietly. That seemed to be a danger after the previous four losses, where the Flyers couldn't generate much of an attack or even sustained pressure.

If this year's class was like the Kane-JvR-Turris class, the wins would be a bigger issue. As it is, the Flyers are almost certain to get a very solid prospect, regardless of where they pick.

The core group is young enough that it can use a late season run of success to build off of for next season.
- Jsaquella

Exactly!