Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Blank Kings, Phantoms Win at WFC
- bmeltzer

great to see Bourdon healthy and playing well. Would love to see him make the big club next year, what a feel good story that would be!

Couturier is a different animal.....he has bad stretches but he always stays with it...always shows up shift after shift.....guys that play like that are the ones that get better and better....if you like him now....give it two years....his potential is through the roof.
- landros 2

I've been saying that this kid is gonna win a Selke trophy someday since his rookie season. His game reminds me of Guy Carbonneau big time.

Couturier is a different animal.....he has bad stretches but he always stays with it...always shows up shift after shift.....guys that play like that are the ones that get better and better....if you like him now....give it two years....his potential is through the roof.
- landros 2

I've always struggled with which one of either he or Braden Schenn should/could go, if it came to getting a defenseman, (because we also have Laughton), and thinking Schenn has a bigger offensive upside.
But he is a warrior, and he's noticeable on every shift, (you know how some guys will take a shift & you don't notice them or they coast?), definitely not him!
Just bursting inside for him to get on another offensive hot streak.

I was at this game, so awesome quite a few Philly fans too. Mason was on his game for sure, Kings imo got away with a lot of obstruction/interference type plays.

I was at this game, so awesome quite a few Philly fans too. Mason was on his game for sure, Kings imo got away with a lot of obstruction/interference type plays.
- flyerfan28

I mentioned that yesterday, it looked like a pre 2004 playoff game, their style sets a lot of pick plays that do not get called.

I mentioned that yesterday, it looked like a pre 2004 playoff game, their style sets a lot of pick plays that do not get called.
- puckhead17

I think they're very good at taking away time and space in a way that doesn't generate penalty calls. And another thing, their puck management is outstanding. All of their defenseman are not outstanding puck movers, yet the forward support is there. They have to make short little high percentage passes because the forwards come back deep and they always play as a 5 man unit with the gaps tight.

I've always struggled with which one of either he or Braden Schenn should/could go, if it came to getting a defenseman, (because we also have Laughton), and thinking Schenn has a bigger offensive upside.
But he is a warrior, and he's noticeable on every shift, (you know how some guys will take a shift & you don't notice them or they coast?), definitely not him!
Just bursting inside for him to get on another offensive hot streak.
- puckhead17

I flip back and forth on this one as well. I have concluded that schenn is a better center than winger though which means the call is not as easy as just moving schenn to wing down the road.

I flip back and forth on this one as well. I have concluded that schenn is a better center than winger though which means the call is not as easy as just moving schenn to wing down the road.
- moylander

Just out of curiosity, why do you think Schenn is a better center then winger?

Two great things.

Mason's performance, especially after he was pulled from a couple of games right after getting his new deal. He is a fighter and has good athletic ability. I feel good about the goalie position and this is a nice feeling.

Return of MAB. Wow what a nice story.

OK one more. Nice to see them win without Kimmo.
For the past several years he seemed like the player they could not lose, and I think it's a huge boost of confidence for the team to win a tight game without him. I know G is the captain but I don't think it would be off the mark to call Kimmo their leader.

Just out of curiosity, why do you think Schenn is a better center then winger?
- MJL

Its my opinion but hes hardly noticeable at wing... Its like he is out of place (or lost in the woods as bryz would say). He does need to improve faceoffs but his production overall seems to be best at center.

I think they're very good at taking away time and space in a way that doesn't generate penalty calls. And another thing, their puck management is outstanding. All of their defenseman are not outstanding puck movers, yet the forward support is there. They have to make short little high percentage passes because the forwards come back deep and they always play as a 5 man unit with the gaps tight.
- MJL

Flyer forwards were excellent with their puck support yesterday.
Wingers circling back to the hash marks. Getting back quickly on D.
Not getting 3 forwards caught deep.

Excellent team D for the most part.

I think they're very good at taking away time and space in a way that doesn't generate penalty calls. And another thing, their puck management is outstanding. All of their defenseman are not outstanding puck movers, yet the forward support is there. They have to make short little high percentage passes because the forwards come back deep and they always play as a 5 man unit with the gaps tight.
- MJL

Yes, they would have to play with constant forward support, outside of doughty voyanov & muzzin they have a few of the "slower moving" D men as well.
In fact Darryl Sutter is the one coach Berube was highest on when he was asked about his experiences, I wouldn't mind seeing us play that style, it would be more condusive for some of the defensemen we have, as well as getting the forwards to consistently come back. Our biggest problem, (I think), is giving the opposition too much time and space & relying too much on our goaltender to stand on his head.
But I think we could have had a few more power plays yesterday as well, as that style does tend to get more leeway with setting picks.

Its my opinion but hes hardly noticeable at wing... Its like he is out of place (or lost in the woods as bryz would say). He does need to improve faceoffs but his production overall seems to be best at center.
- moylander

B Schenn was leading the team in scoring while playing the Wing for a significant part of the early Season, before Lecavalier got hurt. In my opinion he can play either position, and has had both success and droughts playing in both spots. Currently, Schenn has 3 points in the last 10 games playing predominantly at Center. I personally feel that his skill set and style of play is better suited for the Wing. The Flyers may feel differently. But I think the most important thing is to just decide what position they want him to play, and leave him there.

Flyer forwards were excellent with their puck support yesterday.
Wingers circling back to the hash marks. Getting back quickly on D.
Not getting 3 forwards caught deep.

Excellent team D for the most part.
- Marc D

I agree.

I flip back and forth on this one as well. I have concluded that schenn is a better center than winger though which means the call is not as easy as just moving schenn to wing down the road.
- moylander

Yeah, I'm not so sure either, it just seems he's maybe more involved or noticed at center, someone like Read is a good example of this, as he's a very involved winger in all 3 zones as well.

Funny I always thought he was more a physical kid....not particularly fleet a foot....avg fighter.....solid build.....you aren't suggesting that Schenn Isn't a bonafide NHL d man are you ?

- landros 2

Schenn is. I just like MAB's puck skills and skating ability better. A poor man's Luke schenn would have zero shot in this league

B Schenn was leading the team in scoring while playing the Wing for a significant part of the early Season, before Lecavalier got hurt. In my opinion he can play either position, and has had both success and droughts playing in both spots. Currently, Schenn has 3 points in the last 10 games playing predominantly at Center. I personally feel that his skill set and style of play is better suited for the Wing. The Flyers may feel differently. But I think the most important thing is to just decide what position they want him to play, and leave him there.
- MJL

Hard to do that (the latter part) after lecavalier was signed

Hard to do that (the latter part) after lecavalier was signed
- puckhead17

I don't see why. Either Schenn plays Center or Lecavalier does. Make a decision there and let them acclimate.

Schenn is. I just like MAB's puck skills and skating ability better. A poor man's Luke schenn would have zero shot in this league
- Just5

MAB has a long road ahead of him to make it back to the NHL.

I don't see why. Either Schenn plays Center or Lecavalier does. Make a decision there and let them acclimate.
- MJL

Because of the struggles for consistency I guess, if it was that easy then the lines, barring injuries wouldn't have changed, probably stemming around Vinnie's struggles mostly

Edit. On a different note big props to Raffl as well, he's a very underrated 2 way player!

Because of the struggles for consistency I guess, if it was that easy then the lines, barring injuries wouldn't have changed, probably stemming around Vinnie's struggles mostly
- puckhead17

Probably. Lecavalier has been getting better lately, hopefully getting back to where he was before the injury.

Edit to comment on your Raffl comment. I couldn't agree more. I liked Raffl since day one. Looks like another good find by Holmgren.

Thought the D did a great job of clearing the lanes and allowing Mason to see the puck....thought the forward did a much better job in their own end which to me has been a major issue as to why this team loses tight games.
- landros 2

I've always struggled with which one of either he or Braden Schenn should/could go, if it came to getting a defenseman, (because we also have Laughton), and thinking Schenn has a bigger offensive upside.
But he is a warrior, and he's noticeable on every shift, (you know how some guys will take a shift & you don't notice them or they coast?), definitely not him!
Just bursting inside for him to get on another offensive hot streak.
- puckhead17

Laughton is more a couturier type....he definitely projects to NHL talent wise at a 2 or 3 center which focuses on both ends of the ice.....he is the wild card ...because if he arrives sooner then later then one of these two may be on the move....honestly there worth is only going rise...

Laughton is more a couturier type....he definitely projects to NHL talent wise at a 2 or 3 center which focuses on both ends of the ice.....he is the wild card ...because if he arrives sooner then later then one of these two may be on the move....honestly there worth is only going rise...
- landros 2

I guess it would be Schenn, I don't want Laughton playing 8 minutes a night on the 4th line, but he'll probably get a year in the AHL first

Flyer forwards were excellent with their puck support yesterday.
Wingers circling back to the hash marks. Getting back quickly on D.
Not getting 3 forwards caught deep.

Excellent team D for the most part.
- Marc D

they looked so patient which was strange...