Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Honoring Boston, Beating the Bruins

Bill, hoping you could give me your thoughts on the following:

1) What do you think is a fair contract for Gagne to return next season?
2) Any word on Hall being re-signed?

Going into next season with 4th line of Rosehill - Hall - Rinaldo would bring high energy, good forecheck, size, and toughness.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Honoring Boston, Beating the Bruins
- bmeltzer

My only question is does ANYONE want to win the Northeast division??

Well said, Bill, about the media narrative with respect to Philadelphia fans.

It's a lazy narrative and it's rare that anyone (including local "mainstream" media types) defends Philadelphia sports fans. Well done.

My only question is does ANYONE want to win the Northeast division??

- BiggE

I hope Boston is playing better than they played last night in the playoffs.

I think even an injured Pittsburgh team could take them out with the way they played last night.

Good game by the Flyers and thankfully Devils and Sabres won.

2) Any word on Hall being re-signed?
- PhiFaninEdm

I might be in the minority here, but I hope they pass on re-signing Hall. Yes, he's been good on faceoffs, on the PK and has been generally effective at ES, but they've got several guys in the pipeline who are under contract who could fill that role. Re-signing Hall would only add redundancy and contribute to the perennial smash against the 50-contract-limit.

Ben Holmstrom is more than primed for the 4th-line pivot spot. He's everything that Hall is, but younger. If he hadn't been hurt at the beginning of this season, he might have made the squad.

Laughton is another candidate... ideally you don't want him to be on the 4th-line, but there's nothing wrong with initiating him in baby steps.

Then there's Talbot, whom Hall was brought here to fill in for... he'll be healthy next season, and while he's probably more ideal as a winger, he's definitely capable of centering an energy line.

Bill, hoping you could give me your thoughts on the following:

1) What do you think is a fair contract for Gagne to return next season?
2) Any word on Hall being re-signed?

Going into next season with 4th line of Rosehill - Hall - Rinaldo would bring high energy, good forecheck, size, and toughness.
- PhiFaninEdm

It would add an interesting dynamic:

Hartnell/Gagne - Giroux - Vorachek
Simmonds - Coots - Schenn
Read - Laughton - Talbot
Rosehill – Hall – Rinaldo

McGinn as a 13th or in place of Rosehill who I’m still not in love with.
I personally think we won’t be keeping everyone though. I think one of our young guns is gone in a trade this season. I doubt it’s Scorachek though.

I might be in the minority here, but I hope they pass on re-signing Hall. Yes, he's been good on faceoffs, on the PK and has been generally effective at ES, but they've got several guys in the pipeline who are under contract who could fill that role. Re-signing Hall would only add redundancy and contribute to the perennial smash against the 50-contract-limit.

Ben Holmstrom is more than primed for the 4th-line pivot spot. He's everything that Hall is, but younger. If he hadn't been hurt at the beginning of this season, he might have made the squad.

Laughton is another candidate... ideally you don't want him to be on the 4th-line, but there's nothing wrong with initiating him in baby steps.

Then there's Talbot, whom Hall was brought here to fill in for... he'll be healthy next season, and while he's probably more ideal as a winger, he's definitely capable of centering an energy line.
- Tomahawk

All good points, I just think Hall is a better faceoff guy than all you mentioned. And that is something this team really needs.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Honoring Boston, Beating the Bruins
- bmeltzer

frustrating to watch a patchwork squad with a new goalie play a pretty complete game and beat one of the better teams in the league when it's mostly meaningless. this team was capable of so much more.

frustrating to watch a patchwork squad with a new goalie play a pretty complete game and beat one of the better teams in the league when it's mostly meaningless. this team was capable of so much more.
- hammarby31

Very true. I think they need to take a look at where the issue truly lies. I do see them playing a more defensive game. Is that the coach adjusting and the players listening or the players not listening and playing to protect their D? Who knows... But Holmgren needs to figure out what the helll. Because the squad he put together at the beginning of this season should have made the play-offs.
And they still have some issues with turnovers and crazy bad passes...

All good points, I just think Hall is a better faceoff guy than all you mentioned. And that is something this team really needs.
- MBFlyerfan

Holmstrom's was a 50% guy in a limited sampling last season, and he was known as a faceoff maven in college and minors. With some experience and increased familiarity with linesmen, he could be in the mid-50's if not higher.

frustrating to watch a patchwork squad with a new goalie play a pretty complete game and beat one of the better teams in the league when it's mostly meaningless. this team was capable of so much more.
- hammarby31

And add the mon and nyr games to boot. Wtf

frustrating to watch a patchwork squad with a new goalie play a pretty complete game and beat one of the better teams in the league when it's mostly meaningless. this team was capable of so much more.
- hammarby31

I think it just goes to show that it's less about the individual talent on the ice and systems than it is about having all 21-guys dialed in, pulling in the same direction, and supporting each other on the ice.

Running up against a slew of struggling teams doesn't hurt, either.

Holmstrom's was a 50% guy in a limited sampling last season, and he was known as a faceoff maven in college and minors. With some experience and increased familiarity with linesmen, he could be in the mid-50's if not higher.
- Tomahawk

With Holmstrom, next season is probably his shot to make the big show on a more full-time basis (as the 12th or 13th forward). I think either he or Hall stick, not both. Either is fine, as Hall won't cost you a lot, and you pretty much know what you're getting.

Holmstrom's was a 50% guy in a limited sampling last season, and he was known as a faceoff maven in college and minors. With some experience and increased familiarity with linesmen, he could be in the mid-50's if not higher.
- Tomahawk

That would be great. And Im sure if he is healthy he will get a good shot. If the Flyers do resign Hall that may also give us an insight in to where they believe Benny's health is. ACL reconstruction is a pretty serious thing for a guy who skates for a living.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Honoring Boston, Beating the Bruins
- bmeltzer

has voracek been put in the shootout rotation this season?

the much maligned lilja did indeed play a solid game... i don't get all the hate on him.

I might be in the minority here, but I hope they pass on re-signing Hall. Yes, he's been good on faceoffs, on the PK and has been generally effective at ES, but they've got several guys in the pipeline who are under contract who could fill that role. Re-signing Hall would only add redundancy and contribute to the perennial smash against the 50-contract-limit.

Ben Holmstrom is more than primed for the 4th-line pivot spot. He's everything that Hall is, but younger. If he hadn't been hurt at the beginning of this season, he might have made the squad.

Laughton is another candidate... ideally you don't want him to be on the 4th-line, but there's nothing wrong with initiating him in baby steps.

Then there's Talbot, whom Hall was brought here to fill in for... he'll be healthy next season, and while he's probably more ideal as a winger, he's definitely capable of centering an energy line.
- Tomahawk

faceoffs are a big concern for me, i want hall to stay

has voracek been put in the shootout rotation this season?

the much maligned lilja did indeed play a solid game... i don't get all the hate on him.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Sometimes people just like to be Richards and complain.

has voracek been put in the shootout rotation this season?

the much maligned lilja did indeed play a solid game... i don't get all the hate on him.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

The issue with Lilja is that he's lost a step after losing a step after never having great foot speed to start with. Add that to the fact that there's nothing that makes him standout (even Foster is know for having a cannon), and you get a poor man's Sean O'Donnell. There's just not much about his game that makes him stand out from the other 7th/8th dmen across the league. So he gets a ton of hate because he's doesn't bring anything to the table that stands out.

i see i'm leight again

faceoffs are a big concern for me, i want hall to stay
- Don'tForgetTocchet

ACL reconstruction is a concern for me. I want Hall to stay.

The issue with Lilja is that he's lost a step after losing a step after never having great foot speed to start with. Add that to the fact that there's nothing that makes him standout (even Foster is know for having a cannon), and you get a poor man's Sean O'Donnell. There's just not much about his game that makes him stand out from the other 7th/8th dmen across the league. So he gets a ton of hate because he's doesn't bring anything to the table that stands out.
- jmatchett383

he's way better than foster, and foster doesn't get nearly the hate on here that lilja did.

ACL reconstruction is a concern for me. I want Hall to stay.
- MBFlyerfan

also, he looks like a weird elf

Sometimes people just like to be Richards and complain.



- MBFlyerfan

complainers are nothing to whine about