Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: NHL Awards, Trading Up at Draft and More

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: NHL Awards, Trading Up at Draft and More
- bmeltzer

* Flyers third line center Sean Couturier finished ninth in the Selke Trophy balloting for the NHL's best defensive forward. He received one second-place vote, a pair of third-place votes, one fourth-place vote and 10 fifth place votes for 30 voting points. Boston's Patrice Bergeron (1,288 points) was the unsurprising runaway winner for the second time. Couturier, who turned 21 last December, was the youngest player to finish in the top 20.

* Flyers goaltender Steve Mason garnered a second-place vote and finished seventh in the Vezina Trophy balloting. Last year's winner, ex-Flyer Sergei Bobrovsky, was eighth. Overwhelmingly, NHL general managers gave to the top-spot nod to Boston's Tuukka Rask (103 points, 16 of a possible 30 first-place votes, six votes for second place).

If there guy isn't there at 17 would you move it for a 2015 first and maybe a 2nd this year? Could be good value if a team is desprate to get back into the first this year

If there guy isn't there at 17 would you move it for a 2015 first and maybe a 2nd this year? Could be good value if a team is desprate to get back into the first this year
- J35Bacher

How about 17 and this lovely 4th rounder from Columbus!

paul stasny yes or no

If there guy isn't there at 17 would you move it for a 2015 first and maybe a 2nd this year? Could be good value if a team is desprate to get back into the first this year
- J35Bacher

You don't really see that too often... you'd have to be pretty comfortable parting w/ a known for an unknown. Just look how Snow kept his top-5 pick this year b/c it's just tough to predict next year's standings 10 mos ahead of time -- they could still be bad, or they could make the PO's again like they did in 12-13.

paul stasny yes or no
- Winning

No, even if they do trade Vinny for a pick.

You don't really see that too often... you'd have to be pretty comfortable parting w/ a known for an unknown. Just look how Snow kept his top-5 pick this year b/c it's just tough to predict next year's standings 10 mos ahead of time -- they could still be bad, or they could make the PO's again like they did in 12-13.
- Tomahawk

Yeah. I was more thinking that it would give them 2 first rounders next year and maybe some amuniation to really build in what s percieved a better draft. I don't know if it is but just what they are saying

Thanks, Bill. Hexy is cagey, and I like that. I also like, as you said, his straight-forward answers where appropriate.

And well done to Couts. He should be building some trophy cabinets now, because his time will come.

How about 17 and this lovely 4th rounder from Columbus!
- FlyersGrace

aaaaannnddd... we'll through in Vinnie...

Bill,
What do you think our chances are of dumping Lecav and signing Vanek?
(this would be my dream scenario)

I'm not sure I believe that Vinny can be traded. At least not this offseason.

Bill,
What do you think our chances are of dumping Lecav and signing Vanek?
(this would be my dream scenario)
- MrBigglesworth

No thinks to Vanek. I don't want those long term commitments to guys like Vanek and Moulson and Cammy. Those guys are going to want 4-5 year deals for some money.

No thinks to Vanek. I don't want those long term commitments to guys like Vanek and Moulson and Cammy. Those guys are going to want 4-5 year deals for some money.
- J35Bacher

Vanek is a superstar and would thrive here with Giroux.

I'm not sure I believe that Vinny can be traded. At least not this offseason.
- johndewar

Yeah, probably likelier next summer, after they pay out his last $2M signing bonus.

I'm not sure I believe that Vinny can be traded. At least not this offseason.
- johndewar

Why not? Actually you know how many people on hear said "Hartnell will never go anywhere. He will never waive his NTC and no one wants that deal"

I'm not sure I believe that Vinny can be traded. At least not this offseason.
- johndewar

I have to agree I think he'll be with the team next season. That said, I think he will pleasantly surprise us at the beginning of the year and then fall off the wagon as the season progresses.

I have to agree I think he'll be with the team next season. That said, I think he will pleasantly surprise us at the beginning of the year and then fall off the wagon as the season progresses.
- FlyersGrace

Now he's an alcoholic!?

Now he's an alcoholic!?
- Feanor

And this is how rumors begin.

And this is how rumors begin.
- FlyersGrace

Panochio and Seravelli will have articles about it by this afternoon.

I have to agree I think he'll be with the team next season. That said, I think he will pleasantly surprise us at the beginning of the year and then fall off the wagon as the season progresses.
- FlyersGrace

I just think people need to see Vinny play reasonably well again before any trade can happen.

Panochio and Seravelli will have articles about it by this afternoon.
- MBFlyerfan

"I can't believe Vinny Lecavalier was partying down the shore with Justin Williams and Jeff Carter"

/Kyle Scott clickbait

I just think people need to see Vinny play reasonably well again before any trade can happen.
- johndewar

Vinny and RJ, the bad back brothers.

Vinny and RJ, the bad back brothers.
- wolfhounds

Wheels and his sidecar?

"I can't believe Vinny Lecavalier was partying down the shore with Justin Williams and Jeff Carter"

/Kyle Scott clickbait
- johndewar

That site is aggravating. A buddy of mine sent me the link to the James Neal Twitter Q and A from that site and it was hilarious, so I started browsing it more. I ended up at "Andrew Bynum is selling his Ferrari" or something similar and my browsing stopped there.