Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Practice Updates, Morin, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

what's the deal with this vaseliev kid? did you do a summer bit on him and i missed it?

I am really encouraged by what I see in couturier this year and the chiefs use of him. I think this is the beginning of coutts making his mark on the NHL. His rookie year was not a flash in the pan, rather a glimpse of the future.
- funmaster18

You can see the offensive potential starting to bubble up slowly as well.

A truly special player who should not be traded.
- bradleyc4

Ovie out tomorrow night.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers seem to be getting a lot of breaks with the schedule, other teams injuries, etc. Here we are at 3-8.

what's the deal with this vaseliev kid? did you do a summer bit on him and i missed it?
- -davies-

He was playing fairly well but sprained/broke his arm/wrist/hand in the first game of the season. Bill did a write-up a while back.

HFBoards would so love you.
- Tomahawk

Your not getting rid of me that easy. Besides, I'm already loved on ProSportsDaily.

HFBoards would so love you.
- Tomahawk

lol yes indeed

He was playing fairly well but sprained/broke his arm/wrist/hand in the first game of the season. Bill did a write-up a while back.
- jmatchett383

google is my friend


http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=53424#.UnJ3YvmTgkI

Let's be honest here. Next year Timonen is retiring. Even if he doesnt, I dont want him back. The only Top Pairing UFA defenseman are Phaneuf and Markov. Montreal will resign Markov. Do you want the Flyers to get into a bidding war for Phaneuf? Do you want to take the chance that you put all your eggs in the Phanuef basket and he decides to go to Detroit instead?

There aren't very many options for top pairing defensemen on the market. I think you can get Campbell for a lower trade value then Buff because of his age and contract. Florida is looking to make the transition from rebuilding to contending much like Islanders are doing. They are struggling offensively and need a young forward like SImmonds. Include Coburn and maybe a 2nd and I think you have enough to get Campbell and FLA 1.

So next year, Yes Campbell is 35 and Streit is 37 or whatever but Timonen wont be back. Campbell will be able to hold down that top pairing spot until our young defenseman are ready to take over... 3-4 years. And can you imagine if the FLA and Flyers 1st become lottery picks..... Now that would be incredable.
- youarewrong

The Flyers need to back up the brinks truck for Phaneuf. I think they resign him though...they have something going over there.

The Flyers seem to be getting a lot of breaks with the schedule, other teams injuries, etc. Here we are at 3-8.
- Just5

This has me worried as well.

I like the strides that have been taken, but will they be enough?

Things can get worse in a hurry.

The Flyers need to back up the brinks truck for Phaneuf. I think they resign him though...they have something going over there.
- Just5

They also have a lot of young defensemen coming up, and an 8 year Phaneuf extension doesnt help that. I think they try to resign him, but will be unable. Likely will see a trade of right after the playoffs.

They also have a lot of young defensemen coming up, and an 8 year Phaneuf extension doesnt help that. I think they try to resign him, but will be unable. Likely will see a trade of right after the playoffs.
- youarewrong

I honestly wouldn't be opposed to dumping Mez, Coburn, Kimmo and Grossy and bring some of the younger guys up. Only issue is that they are a few years away from the show.

Your not getting rid of me that easy. Besides, I'm already loved on ProSportsDaily.
- youarewrong

Lol, why would I ever want to get rid of you?

I just meant that your trade scenarios would go over well there.

For those of you interested in the later round picks:


Terrance "Bread" Amorosa (18, D, Sioux City Musketeers, USHL) has 3 assists and a +6 rating in 8 games so far.

Merrick Madsen (18, G, Minot Minotauros, NAHL) has gone 1-3 in 4 games posting a 2.78 GAA and 89.7% Save %.

David Drake (18, D, Des Moines Buccaneers, USHL) has posted 1 assist and a -1 rating in 9 games.

I don't know about the level of competition of the NAHL, but I can say the USHL is pretty low in terms of overall league skill.

I honestly wouldn't be opposed to dumping Mez, Coburn, Kimmo and Grossy and bring some of the younger guys up. Only issue is that they are a few years away from the show.
- justahockeyguy2

I wouldn't "dump" the entire defense and throw 4 AHL kids into the fire of a full NHL season. They'd quickly be overwhelmed and their confidence would be shot to hell. I'm not opposed to moving one of them (preferably Meszaros) and having Alt or Lauridsen as a #1 callup (depending on what type of player you needed). But icing an AHL defense would not be a good idea.

The Flyers seem to be getting a lot of breaks with the schedule, other teams injuries, etc. Here we are at 3-8.
- Just5

Panthers, Talbot, and Poulin.

Panthers, Talbot, and Poulin.
- PLindbergh31

On a good note, guys like Talbot and Poulin were surefire losses in past years.

The Flyers need to back up the brinks truck for Phaneuf. I think they resign him though...they have something going over there.
- Just5

Suck it Phaneuf. Hate that guy. Gets to play hockey for a living and has Elisha Cuthbert locked down?

Suck it Phaneuf. Hate that guy. Gets to play hockey for a living and has Elisha Cuthbert locked down?
- Rocktane

Daigle had it better. Got paid like crazy, didn't have to exert much effort, and had Pam Anderson.

Daigle had it better. Got paid like crazy, didn't have to exert much effort, and had Pam Anderson.
- jmatchett383

And her herpes

Daigle had it better. Got paid like crazy, didn't have to exert much effort, and had Pam Anderson.
- jmatchett383

No, no, no. Valeri Bure...

The Flyers need to back up the brinks truck for Phaneuf. I think they resign him though...they have something going over there.
- Just5

Phaneuf plays a hollow undisciplined game. juuuuuust what we need on the back end for a big cap hit........

dion will be retained by TOR

dion will be retained by TOR
- isaiah520

I'm not so sure. I think they would like to keep him but it would have to be on thier terms. Not max term. They have Rielly and Gardiner that are going to be top notch offensive d-men soon. Liles isn't bad ofensively either. Then Paul Rangers seems like a gem they just found. Unless Phaneuf signs for short term like 4 years, or doesnt take a NMC or NTC then I think they let him walk.

edit. Well not walk, but either traded at deadline which is unlikely due to thier position or traded in offseason for his rights.

Phaneuf plays a hollow undisciplined game. juuuuuust what we need on the back end for a big cap hit........
- Ferrarimn7

Why in God's name would we want Phaneuf?

Thanks for the 12:15 PM Practice Update, Bill. I want to hear why Berube thinks Rosehill should be dressed over someone with hockey skills in Adam Hall.