Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Rookies Blank Caps, Holmgren, Quick Hits

I thought cousins was a bright spot too. Seemed to be involved in everything. It's really to bad that Morin, Sanheim and NAK aren't with the phantoms because today's team was a fun team to watch.

Nice to see some flyers hockey.

Great blog, Bill.

Three takeaways from yesterday's game:

1) Livestreams arent much fun for me to watch.

2)the Flyers kids looked pretty promising. Its good to see we might actually be looking at a franchise with some depth at D and in goal going forward.

3)Gostisbehere is going to have to adjust to not being several gears faster than everyone else if he's going to be a solid contributor in the NHL.


and on a last note, I want to whine about how wonky the boards have been since last night, failing to load more often than not.

*whine*

Takeaways from the rookie game:

- Morin is the next Chara, Sanheim is the next Doughty, Ghost is the next Karlsson
- Aube-Kubel will be a perennial 40 goal scorer
- The Phantoms will win the Calder Cup
- Stolarz will win the Vezina within 5 years
- Flyers will be hoisting the Cup in June of 2015, 2018 and 2020
- LGF

Some thoughts of the game yesterday. Yes, I realize it is only one game, so I'm not making judgements yet:

1. First, I completely agree with Tomahawk's assessment yesterday.

2. My first mea culpa. I was mildly disappointed when they picked Sanheim. I really thought they needed a skilled forward. They still do. But Sanheim looks like a really, really good pick up. Props to Hexy and team on that one. I was wrrrrr. I was wrrrr. Cue Fonzie gif here. I was wrong.

3. I don't post a lot, but when I do, I drink Dos Equis. Kidding. I've been critical of the Flyers drafting after the 1st round. Now, my criticism goes back at least 3 or 4 years, so I think it was fair at the time. But Holmgren really gets some props for the 2012 & 2013 drafts, and of course Hexy for last year. They got a lot of talent across the board in those drafts.

4. Now it's up to Hextall to develop it. I've really liked what I've heard so far from him on the topic. But there were some picks that I thought were good at the time - Marshall, Bourdon, Nodl, Bodrov to name a few, that never really developed. Hopefully that trend changes.

5. A lot of people are saying Morin had a strong game, and point to the fight, crosschecks and sticking up for his teammates. That's all well and good, but based on what I saw he has a long way to go to be a viable option in the NHL. Hopefully he progresses, but I could easily see him being a whipping boy here for fumbling pucks, turnovers, bad pinches and missplaying odd man rushes - many of which will end up in the back of the net against better competition.

6. Laughton played good for what he does, but I was hoping he would dominate a little more. Again, only one game, but based on yesterday, I question whether he'll provide enough offense to be more than a 3rd center. By all accounts, Couturier is going to get a fair chance with good linemates to develop his offensive game. If he is not a viable 2nd line center, then Laughton might be better as trade bait. I still wish we would have taken Maata.

I wish the Phantoms played a bit closer, they look like they're gonna be a good, competitive team

I wish the Phantoms played a bit closer, they look like they're gonna be a good, competitive team
- Jsaquella

They are playing a game at Boardwalk hall in AC. I want to put a group together to go as soon as possible. Interested?

The Phantoms have a game at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Friday night, November 28th. Anyone interested in going? If so, please message me. It would be fun to go with a group of fellow miscreants!

Just give aube kubel his 9 games to start the year with giroux. Also give morin his games as well. He looked like a man against boys yesterday. Ghost was like the flash on the ice, he is going to a lot of fun to watch very soon.

did we sign with bobby ryan yet?

did we sign with bobby ryan yet?
- BulliesPhan87

Of course.

Just give aube kubel his 9 games to start the year with giroux. Also give morin his games as well. He looked like a man against boys yesterday. Ghost was like the flash on the ice, he is going to a lot of fun to watch very soon.
- 28Girouxsalem28

You can't read too much into yesterday's game. It's a huge difference when you are playing games that count against NHL players. Unless they are hit with a bunch of preseason injuries, I very much doubt they keep any of the "Juniors" around once camp ends.

great write-up on Homer, Bill.

Of course.
- 28Girouxsalem28

leier

did we sign with bobby ryan yet?
- BulliesPhan87

Next year bud, next year. Rumor has it he turned down a 7yr/49mil contract from ott.

Next year bud, next year. Rumor has it he turned down a 7yr/49mil contract from ott.
- jmdodgeser4

My insiderr sources tell me he turned this down to sign with the Flyers, and to seriously expect him to ink a long extension here within 48 here

(edit: I am joking and please don't ban me)

My insiderr sources tell me he turned this down to sign with the Flyers, and to seriously expect him to ink a long extension here within 48 here
- BulliesPhan87

1 yr 1 mil

onesies

Morning. Thanks for the write-up Bill, for those of us who missed it I appreciate hearing about it.
I cannot WAIT for the season to get started.

1 yr 1 mil
- Streit2ThePoint

He might take that if we throw in Vinny to carry his bags for him.

He might take that if we throw in Vinny to carry his bags for him.
- FlyersGrace

hahahaha. Ill carry his bags for him. Ill drive him back and forth everywhere he wants to go!!! To flyers next summer 7yrs/42.5 mil. This is a transition year I believe. Another year for the young dmen to grow in the minors and in Jr. Then trade a vet dman and allow one or maybe two youngins up to play d buy out umberber or vinny and free up more space.

You can't read too much into yesterday's game. It's a huge difference when you are playing games that count against NHL players. Unless they are hit with a bunch of preseason injuries, I very much doubt they keep any of the "Juniors" around once camp ends.
- BiggE

I know, just really excited about aube kubel. He is impressive.

Is Goumas going to get an AHL contract? I thought he was quite impressive on the 4th line yesterday.

This is NAK's goal. I missed the first goal yesterday so if anyone has a link to it, please post it

http://www.gfycat.com/IncompleteDependableAcouchi

f te kids were playing the system Berube wants to play with the big club I really liked it. They didn't seem to get hemmed in their own zone too often and a lot of short passes to get out, not just a dump high off the borads.

Also the commitment out of tyhe forwards to help on the d was nice to see. I hope this is what the big club looks like because the looked faster getting up and down the rink and looked good supporg the puck

After watching today's game here is a list of players I want to see get some preseason action in order:

Laughton
Straka
Cousins
Leier
Alderson

Alt
Morin
Ghost
Haag
Sanheim

Stolie

So pretty much the first 2 lines again. The reason why I left NAK out is that I don't see him pushing for a spot in next two years.

f te kids were playing the system Berube wants to play with the big club I really liked it. They didn't seem to get hemmed in their own zone too often and a lot of short passes to get out, not just a dump high off the borads.

Also the commitment out of tyhe forwards to help on the d was nice to see. I hope this is what the big club looks like because the looked faster getting up and down the rink and looked good supporg the puck
- J35Bacher

All of this is due to having d man who are good skaters and move the puck well