Still wish they would have traded down to get Goulbourne. So many systemic needs and they grab a 4th liner.

Trade that 3rd rounder and add a 4th or 4th, and take him then.
- Jsaquella

But hey, now we have a Ghost and a Ghoul so there is that

This! When a player moves that much it can either be a really good thing or a Mamula. I don't think you go high risk high reward with the 11th pick. I think he will be a decent player. But to me when you have the rare opportunity to draft this high you need to get a more skilled guy, not a taller Luke Schenn (and that isn't to discredit Schenn)
- TheGreat28

It's not like they just saw him raise in the rankings very quickly and said "oh that's the guy we must pick". They were fortunate enough to have been scouting him all year. Before his skyrocket, during it, and in the aftermath of the season, they saw the before and after. They personally watched him grow at a very fast rate, and decided it was more than just a good half-season. Pronger even scouted the kid and gave Homer his blessing ( ) to get Morin, as there are a lot of raw aspects to Morin's game that obviously reminded Pronger of what he looked like in juniors.

Still wish they would have traded down to get Goulbourne. So many systemic needs and they grab a 4th liner.

Trade that 3rd rounder and add a 4th or 4th, and take him then.
- Jsaquella

Takes 2 to tango. You say that assuming Homer didn't try to move down.

Ok, cause I'm bored, here are a list of teams the Flyers could most likely deal Mezaros to for some cap relief.

Anaheim: 6 defensemen signed, and one of them is Ben Lovejoy! They have over 9 million in cap space and might be willing to take a chance on Mez.

Calgary: Has a ton of room and they are really thin on D. With not much left on the free agent market, Mez may start looking pretty good to them.

Columbus: 10 million in space and could also use another good defenseman.

Dallas: 9 million in space with only 5 legit defensemen signed.

Islanders: While they have a TON of D prospects, few if any are ready to step in now. They have over 20 million in cap space and would be a logical destination for Mez.

Ottawa: 14.9 million in cap space and could use another solid defenseman. Maybe Mez goes back to where it all started for him.

Washington: 6.7 million in cap space and could use more depth on D.

Either way, Mez is going somewhere between now and September, as I don't see any other defenseman being dealt at this point.

Totally agree with you on this mornings blog. I guess if a dman was going to be picked I am okay with Morin even though I liked Zadorov and Puhlock better. Personally I would have taken Domi, Rychel, Shinkaruk or Manthat instead of Morin. These are all quality forwards that will probably be stars. How Shinkaruk dropped to #24 when rated #6 is mind boggling. This kid can fly and the Canucks stole are star in the making with that pick. As for picking the Kelowna Rocket so early is a little puzzling. I seen him play in Kelowna four times this year and yes he is a fan favourite and a Rinaldo clone but does not have the speed or tenacity of Rinaldo and will never be as good as Zack. He could develop into a fourth line grinder but that would be his ceiling as he is not good enough with the puck to advance past a bottom six. I think we could have gotten him a round or two later and would have certainly chosen some of the higher ranked players that were available. I think next year Bill Meltzer and I should be in charge of drafting for the Flyers, lol. Good blog as usual Mr. Meltzer.

Takes 2 to tango. You say that assuming Homer didn't try to move down.
- JAKEw1234

Looks like you done your homework as to what other teams need but unfortunatley Meszaros is too expensive, injury prone and these teams are not likely too interested in him. He just keeps bouncing around picking up huge paydays while he recovers in sick bay. Just my opinion but Mez has never excited me since he left Ottawa for Tampa. Overpaid, injury prone, inconsistent, and to me I just don't care for him. I sure hope he goes instead of Coburn.

It's not like they just saw him raise in the rankings very quickly and said "oh that's the guy we must pick". They were fortunate enough to have been scouting him all year. Before his skyrocket, during it, and in the aftermath of the season, they saw the before and after. They personally watched him grow at a very fast rate, and decided it was more than just a good half-season. Pronger even scouted the kid and gave Homer his blessing ( ) to get Morin, as there are a lot of raw aspects to Morin's game that obviously reminded Pronger of what he looked like in juniors.
- JAKEw1234

If Pronger said let's take this guy, then let's do it. Pronger would be the best guy in the organization to decide how good a dman is in my opinion. The Pronger blessing makes me very happy to get Morin, hopefully he was involved in the decision.

But hey, now we have a Ghost and a Ghoul so there is that
- TheGreat28

Despite saying Goulbourne could have been had in a later round I have personally seen him play four home games in Kelowna this past year and he certainly is a fan favourite. He is gritty, can scrap anyone and plays his butt off. If he continues to work and I am sure he will he is a sure pro one day and likely a bottom six flyer. He will never be top six material but a strong heart does go a long way.

The perfect flyer in this draft would have been Kirby Reichel in place of Morin but I realize the need for big tough dmen in the organization.

If Pronger said let's take this guy, then let's do it. Pronger would be the best guy in the organization to decide how good a dman is in my opinion. The Pronger blessing makes me very happy to get Morin, hopefully he was involved in the decision.
- flyerdude17

He frequented the Draft War Room a lot before the draft, was at the drafting table during the draft, went up on stage with Homer and Ed to make the pick... he was really involved.

He frequented the Draft War Room a lot before the draft, was at the drafting table during the draft, went up on stage with Homer and Ed to make the pick... he was really involved.
- JAKEw1234

Like I said, I trust Chris Pronger's evaluation of Morin and am confident this pick will be a good one, thanks Jake.

It's not like they just saw him raise in the rankings very quickly and said "oh that's the guy we must pick". They were fortunate enough to have been scouting him all year. Before his skyrocket, during it, and in the aftermath of the season, they saw the before and after. They personally watched him grow at a very fast rate, and decided it was more than just a good half-season. Pronger even scouted the kid and gave Homer his blessing ( ) to get Morin, as there are a lot of raw aspects to Morin's game that obviously reminded Pronger of what he looked like in juniors.
- JAKEw1234

Actually i thought Pronger said he never saw him play

Actually i thought Pronger said he never saw him play
- TheGreat28

'...in person' --- I did as well. but he did say he watched a lot of video on the kid.

'...in person' --- I did as well. but he did say he watched a lot of video on the kid.
- moylander

Thanks. I just googled that as well and saw tht he said he watched film on him.

That s a fair point. And believe me, I would much rather that he turn into a great player than me having some stupid moral victory on a chat site. I'm just frustrated that the Flyers always seem to keep doing the same thing which hasn't exactly brought us a cup in 40 years.
- TheGreat28

Believe me, I wasn't all that enamored with the Morin pick, and thought Hradek was nuts when he kept saying that is who they would take. But I am going to defer to the team. Big guys who are mean and can skate are usually going to do well. If he turns out to be a top 6 dman for 8-10 years Ill call it a good pick.
I think with Hagg and Morin they got two guys in this draft who WILL play for this team. And in the end, that is usually a pretty successful draft.

'...in person' --- I did as well. but he did say he watched a lot of video on the kid.
- moylander

That cheeses me off! If they were so high on him Pronger should have been sent to watch this kid in action and to have some sort of dialogue with him. I can watch you tube videos too but that is not good enough. Sounds like the Flyers could have done more to be certain of this pick. Geesh.

Still wish they would have traded down to get Goulbourne. So many systemic needs and they grab a 4th liner.

Trade that 3rd rounder and add a 4th or 4th, and take him then.
- Jsaquella

Yep. Trade down and still get that 1 in 10 chance AND Goulbourne.

Yep. Trade down and still get that 1 in 10 chance AND Goulbourne.
- jstross

For the 3rd time, trading down requires a team that wants to trade up and it's incorrect to just assume Homer didn't try to move down.

For the 3rd time, trading down requires a team that wants to trade up and it's incorrect to just assume Homer didn't try to move down.
- JAKEw1234

THere were tons of teams that traded down this year and received multiple picks...many three for ones or picks in higher rounds next year. If they wanted to the Flyers easily could have found a partner.

Believe me, I wasn't all that enamored with the Morin pick, and thought Hradek was nuts when he kept saying that is who they would take. But I am going to defer to the team. Big guys who are mean and can skate are usually going to do well. If he turns out to be a top 6 dman for 8-10 years Ill call it a good pick.
I think with Hagg and Morin they got two guys in this draft who WILL play for this team. And in the end, that is usually a pretty successful draft.
- MBFlyerfan

It will be very interesting to watch how Buffalo does with Ristolainen and Zadarov vs. Morin and Hagg. Also how the Isles do with Pulock. I don't think they do a great job developing talent...wonder if that hurts Pulock.

THere were tons of teams that traded down this year and received multiple picks...many three for ones or picks in higher rounds next year. If they wanted to the Flyers easily could have found a partner.
- TheGreat28

Homer is a look at all options type of GM. I truly in my heart doubt he didn't try at all to try and move down. It'd be uncharacteristic of him to have not at least kicked tires with some teams.

Believe me, I wasn't all that enamored with the Morin pick, and thought Hradek was nuts when he kept saying that is who they would take. But I am going to defer to the team. Big guys who are mean and can skate are usually going to do well. If he turns out to be a top 6 dman for 8-10 years Ill call it a good pick.
I think with Hagg and Morin they got two guys in this draft who WILL play for this team. And in the end, that is usually a pretty successful draft.
- MBFlyerfan

You know I love the flyers but I will be the first to tell you their management team seem dumber that dog poop. Hot Lava's on ice system must change or we will never be a contender. Take Bobrovsky for example, he would never have got a Vezina in Philly, as our system is not goalie friendly,lol

Thanks Bill. You just had to bring up this stupid draft selection again and piss me off all over again haha. In what was supposed to be such an incredibly deep draft you simply don't take a forward like that in the 1st 100 picks overall. The Flyers draft record after the 1st round has been terrible in the last decade. For as good as they do in the first maybe it's time to change their philosophy in rounds 2 on

That cheeses me off! If they were so high on him Pronger should have been sent to watch this kid in action and to have some sort of dialogue with him. I can watch you tube videos too but that is not good enough. Sounds like the Flyers could have done more to be certain of this pick. Geesh.
- flyerdude17

pretty sure other flyers scouts were watching him as well

It will be very interesting to watch how Buffalo does with Ristolainen and Zadarov vs. Morin and Hagg. Also how the Isles do with Pulock. I don't think they do a great job developing talent...wonder if that hurts Pulock.
- TheGreat28

Hope I am wrong but I think the Sabres won the lottery with those two players! Both of the Sabre picks are huge and the Finn has enormous talent and plays with an edge.

That cheeses me off! If they were so high on him Pronger should have been sent to watch this kid in action and to have some sort of dialogue with him. I can watch you tube videos too but that is not good enough. Sounds like the Flyers could have done more to be certain of this pick. Geesh.
- flyerdude17

really pronger is a former player with little experience scouting. it was the scouting dept that was following this kid and were high on him. seems to me the flyers are trying to involve pronger with the organization and inviting him to be a part of the draft activities was one way to do that. In reality pronger probably had very little to do with this pick other than give his blessing and hopefully be a mentor along the way.