"This year I thought we became a faster team, a more puck-oriented team that got on the forecheck, but we kept the puck a lot more and made a lot more plays coming out of our end. I think that we want to keep the puck. We want to be a puck-oriented team, but at the same time we need to get better without the puck. I think we can check better than we have. I want to get our team to where we don’t have the puck, we’re going to put puck pressure on and get it back. We can be better defensively. "
- Chief

I like that... a lot.

With that said, they need players who can execute that kind of style, particularly on wing and on D. More guys like Akeson and Gus (and Downie before he got hurt), fewer guys who have a penchant for having plays die on their sticks.

AND, they really need to manage the puck better as a team -- way too many blind centering passes from behind the net, cross-ice/back-hand muffins, habitual dumps and chips at the first sign of pressure, and all the other ways that they tend to gift-wrap the puck for the opposition.

You could always tell if they were going to have a good game or not by seeing if there was close puck support and snappy pinpoint passing to start. When they weren't playing with the puck, they were chasing... and we know this team isn't built to chase anyone.

There's always room for jello but I don't run to the market and buy more when I have 12 packages at home
- PhillySportsGuy

That's a nice story, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Flyers.

I like that... a lot.

With that said, they need players who can execute that kind of style, particularly on wing and on D. More guys like Akeson and Gus (and Downie before he got hurt), fewer guys who have a penchant for having plays die on their sticks.

AND, they really need to manage the puck better as a team -- way too many blind centering passes from behind the net, cross-ice/back-hand muffins, habitual dumps and chips at the first sign of pressure, and all the other ways that they tend to gift-wrap the puck for the opposition.

You could always tell if they were going to have a good game or not by seeing if there was close puck support and snappy pinpoint passing to start. When they weren't playing with the puck, they were chasing... and we know this team isn't built to chase anyone.
- Tomahawk

Not even their own tails?

That's a nice story, but it doesn't have anything to do with the Flyers.
- MJL

Don't spend money on a position of strength when you have other areas of weakness

Can't believe they go into the draft with Hextallstill waiting in the wings. I think Homer steps down soon.

I like that... a lot.

With that said, they need players who can execute that kind of style, particularly on wing and on D. More guys like Akeson and Gus (and Downie before he got hurt), fewer guys who have a penchant for having plays die on their sticks.

AND, they really need to manage the puck better as a team -- way too many blind centering passes from behind the net, cross-ice/back-hand muffins, habitual dumps and chips at the first sign of pressure, and all the other ways that they tend to gift-wrap the puck for the opposition.

You could always tell if they were going to have a good game or not by seeing if there was close puck support and snappy pinpoint passing to start. When they weren't playing with the puck, they were chasing... and we know this team isn't built to chase anyone.
- Tomahawk

Neither Akeson or Gustafsson are proven that they can do anything long term in the NHL. So neither of those players are players I would use as an example of what the Flyers need.

The last paragraph I agree with.

Neither Akeson or Gustafsson are proven that they can do anything long term in the NHL. So neither of those players are players I would use as an example of what the Flyers need.

The last paragraph I agree with.
- MJL

I think Akeson deserves a very long look. He looked good in the playoffs and was one of their best possession players on a game by game basis. He's also a guy who can hold the puck. That's something this team desperately needs more of

Vincent Lecavalier: Even before the back problems he suffered in December, Lecavalier was a below-average skater. He's a big and strong guy but is primarily a finesse player who still has good offensive instincts. Lecavalier often seemed to have trouble with the pace of play and was at his most effective in stationary situations, where he could blast power play one-timers from the right side or when he could slide near the right post and collect a puck. The more he had to skate, the more he struggled.
- bmeltzer

He's a howitzer... a semi-stationary artillery piece. At this stage, he's still got the hands, but sadly no feet to go with them.

His being a liability at 5V5 goes back to his final few years in Tampa... unless they're going to use him on the PP (right-circle or point), there's not much else he can do to help the club improve. They could bend over backwards to get him compatible wingers and trade Schenn away, but that might not even jump-start his effectiveness at ES.

Not even their own tails?
- PhillySportsGuy

They'd chase their own tails and then watch as it split the D and went in on Mason alone.

Don't spend money on a position of strength when you have other areas of weakness
- PhillySportsGuy

Seems to me that offense from the Center position is still a weakness. When assessing the signing, all the variables need to be considered. There was a different Coach with a different style of play in place. And I think that they saw Schenn as a winger then. Laviolette was dismissed, and Berube came in. And I think he wants a certain kind of player at center then Lecavalier is. So going forward they have to determine the fit. No doubt Lecavalier can still play if he can get healthy. And is used in the right situation. He was probably looking at a 25-30 goal season without the injury and the position switch. They have to decide what they want going forward, and if Lecavalier is a fit.

I think Akeson deserves a very long look. He looked good in the playoffs and was one of their best possession players on a game by game basis. He's also a guy who can hold the puck. That's something this team desperately needs more of
- PhillySportsGuy

I think Akeson has shown that he can make plays with the puck, when it's on his stick. If he can do that consistently, he may have a spot. Because there isn't much else to his game.

He's a howitzer... a semi-stationary artillery piece. At this stage, he's still got the hands, but sadly no feet to go with them.

His being a liability at 5V5 goes back to his final few years in Tampa... unless they're going to use him on the PP (right-circle or point), there's not much else he can do to help the club improve. They could bend over backwards to get him compatible wingers and trade Schenn away, but that might not even jump-start his effectiveness at ES.
- Tomahawk

If he's healthy, and playing in the right spot with the right complimentary players, there is no doubt that he is still a very good player. And still can be effective at ES.

Hey, Bill thanks thanks for the great work you do!

I female doged and moaned ad nauseam about the lecavalier and streit signings last summer cause i knew they were bad, Vinny doesnt fit and Streit altho played well overall this year, imo is not going to have the longevity of say a timmonen. Probably just a gut feeling but i think deals like those two hurt this team worse than dumb penalties or weak goals in bad games.

Now for the good. Ive been vocal about the Giroux extension being bad, but i think if the depth of the team becomes more viable he will get better. I thought game 6 he showed me something, nevermind the empty netter, he was very good with the puck and asserted himself out there. Those are things i needed to see from him in a big game that i hadnt seen since the penguins series. Much to the chagrin of everyone tho, i think he couldve been dealt for a certain number 1 defenseman. With Giroux hitting his prime now i dont think waiting for that player to develop is feasible for this group, that is not to say the organization should abandon the development of such players either.

Brayden schenn took a big step imo, this season. Some more work and the player staying commited to his regimen should produce a very good player which he is now anyway. Couturier is a strong defensive player and i feel he showed some good setup ability of his own. Still needs tp work on finishing. Voracek looked a lot like that poor man's jagr i dubbed him two years ago and imo is the team's best offensive forward. If he can take his game up a notch or two he can be an elite forward imo.

Wayne simmonds is the epitome of a flyers winger. Unfortunately i think he might be the one of the pieces Homer has to use that can be spent to shore up some weaknesses, i.e speed and defenseman. I suspect a big move this summer, as set this team cannot compete 5v5 as you illustrated, Bill.

There are some more brightspots to this team but i cant stop without mentioning Mason. Damn! What a move that was bringing him here... Homer should be in jail for robbing Columbus. This team has finally found that franchise goalie. Had he started the series or game three for that matter, lord only knows what happens.

So in closing the team finished about what i thought at the season's start, a first round exit but we have some hope in some key pieces. A lot of youth with some growth should get better and some smart tweaking by the front office, this team can get back to being a cup contender. We had to know when Richards and Carter got dealt then losing Pronger this was gonna take a few years to recover and so it has.

I think Akeson deserves a very long look. He looked good in the playoffs and was one of their best possession players on a game by game basis. He's also a guy who can hold the puck. That's something this team desperately needs more of
- PhillySportsGuy

The puck tends to find him... and he makes good decisions with it once he gets it.

I love that he seems to always be ahead of the play, in the right place, at the right time. And I love his decision-making with the puck... so good at driving play and keeping plays alive.

The puck tends to find him... and he makes good decisions with it once he gets it.

I love that he seems to always be ahead of the play, in the right place, at the right time. And I love his decision-making with the puck... so good at driving play and keeping plays alive.
- Tomahawk

He does have a knack with the puck. I was impressed with his poise with the puck. But I don't agree that he drives anything. He's a complimentary player, not a player who carries the play and creates. He can make plays with the puck. And he's going to have to produce offensively to stay in the lineup.

The puck tends to find him... and he makes good decisions with it once he gets it.

I love that he seems to always be ahead of the play, in the right place, at the right time. And I love his decision-making with the puck... so good at driving play and keeping plays alive.
- Tomahawk

Yeah. He has his limitations but I think he can be a top 9 player and his salary will help fill a spot without having to pay a lot in free agency.

He does have a knack with the puck. I was impressed with his poise with the puck. But I don't agree that he drives anything. He's a complimentary player, not a player who carries the play and creates. He can make plays with the puck. And he's going to have to produce offensively to stay in the lineup.
- MJL

However you want to phrase it, he was a good addition to the team. They need more players who have creativity and are good with the puck on their stick. Those are things Akeson can bring

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Disssecting Flyers' Even-Strength Issues
- bmeltzer

Good summary as always Bill. The blog speaks to the Flyers lack of team speed. There are very few players on this current roster that have above average skating ability.

He does have a knack with the puck. I was impressed with his poise with the puck. But I don't agree that he drives anything. He's a complimentary player, not a player who carries the play and creates. He can make plays with the puck. And he's going to have to produce offensively to stay in the lineup.
- MJL

5 pts in 9 career games ain't bad for a kid who was too small/slow/soft to play in the league.

7 of those games he was being used exclusively on a checking line, buried in the defensive zone, yet still playing well against the Rangers' top-line.

I think the kid has showed a lot. It's not like he's sponging points of 28 and 93 against fluff competition.

However you want to phrase it, he was a good addition to the team. They need more players who have creativity and are good with the puck on their stick. Those are things Akeson can bring
- PhillySportsGuy

He can, and he is one of the few players that anything negative can't be said about in the series. He came up and contributed, in a positive manner. But saying that was a driver of play is getting carried away. He's shown that he has puck skills that are NHL level. But let's see if he can do it over a full season, and do it well enough to offset his weaknesses.

5 pts in 9 career games ain't bad for a kid who was too small/slow/soft to play in the league.

7 of those games he was being used exclusively on a checking line, buried in the defensive zone, yet still playing well against the Rangers' top-line.

I think the kid has showed a lot. It's not like he's sponging points of 28 and 93 against fluff competition.
- Tomahawk

He did show a lot. And he deserves credit. But he did not play the same amount of ES minutes that Couturier and Read did. But he wasn't driving play, more like he was a beneficiary and a passenger, and he was able to make some plays with the puck, when he had the opportunity. Which he deserves full marks for.

3rd year down....3 more to go

Meh they won't fire homer. They'll just promote him to president of hockey operations. I'm sure he'll still have a lot of input.

He did show a lot. And he deserves credit. But he did not play the same amount of ES minutes that Couturier and Read did. But he wasn't driving play, more like he was a beneficiary and a passenger, and he was able to make some plays with the puck, when he had the opportunity. Which he deserves full marks for.
- MJL

These analogies are stupid. The only point I want to get across is that Akeson should be given a legitimate opportunity to make the Flyers next season. I would almost pencil him into the top 9 right now and see how he does to start next season

He did show a lot. And he deserves credit. But he did not play the same amount of ES minutes that Couturier and Read did. But he wasn't driving play, more like he was a beneficiary and a passenger, and he was able to make some plays with the puck, when he had the opportunity. Which he deserves full marks for.
- MJL

Couturier was pointless, playing pretty poorly, and now we found out he had a sports hernia... Read also didn't have the strongest series, either, as Bill alluded to in his blog.

Neither guy was driving anything. Akeson was making that line go.