Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers In Cape Cod, Phantoms, Prospects, Rookie Renberg

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers In Cape Cod, Phantoms, Prospects, Rookie Renberg
- bmeltzer

Travis Sanheim hit the ground running. Two more assists tonight along with 6 SOG. 3G, 4A in 5 games for the Hitmen. From all accounts he's as poised and polished as a teenager could be. I'm really excited for this kid. Fellow 2014 Flyers pick Radel Fazleev scored his first goal of the season, as well.

Morin got an assist for Rimouski, too. Good night for Flyers prospects

Looks like Ghost and Hagg are going to get used to it early down there. Phantoms are insanely weak at the skilled forward position. I cant wait til they get Aube Kuble and some other skill guys in there.

Looks like Ghost and Hagg are going to get used to it early down there. Phantoms are insanely weak at the skilled forward position. I cant wait til they get Aube Kuble and some other skill guys in there.
- hereticpride

c'mon. powe is going to go all jon sim on everyone.

I really think this Bellemare guy is going to be really good for us this year. Him and Akeson may even make something of Rinaldo this year. It really seems like a 4th line that can be as good or better than any other 4th line in the league. As long as the defense can be just be average I think the Flyers are in for a big year.

Edit: And by "big year" I mean make the playoffs and win a round or maybe 2. Not expecting a cup or anything

I really think this Bellemare guy is going to be really good for us this year. Him and Akeson may even make something of Rinaldo this year. It really seems like a 4th line that can be as good or better than any other 4th line in the league. As long as the defense can be just be average I think the Flyers are in for a big year.

Edit: And by "big year" I mean make the playoffs and win a round or maybe 2. Not expecting a cup or anything
- JonnyHammerstix

this team in 3-5 years, look out.

So who is going to score goals for the Phantoms this year?

Obvious answers appear to be in this order: Straka, Laughton, the defence, Leirer, Cousins, Alderson......

Not too concerned in the pre-season but could this team be lacking offense? Akerson was their number one scorer last year and he is now on the big club.

I hate writing this but would the Flyers have interest in Franson if they struggle out the gate? Big R hander that could potentially play next to Coburn.

The idea of a trade with TOR for another D man is enough to make me

I hate writing this but would the Flyers have interest in Franson if they struggle out the gate? Big R hander that could potentially play next to Coburn.

The idea of a trade with TOR for another D man is enough to make me
- coffee junkie

He brings no physicality despite his size and is very ordinary in his own zone. Does have a big shot.

He brings no physicality despite his size and is very ordinary in his own zone. Does have a big shot.
- bmeltzer

Meh, not interested.

There is no "1magic move" that will make this team a legit Stanley Cup contender this season, so I'd rather not expend any picks, prospects or young players for any cheap fixes.

Now if VLC plays well and someone wants to take his contract off our hands this season, I'm listening. Likewise, if they feel Ghost is ready to come up by the trade deadline and they can find a taker for Streit, again I'm listening.

I think the Flyers have a better than 50/50 shot of making the playoffs but no shot st the cup this season. And if they miss the playoffs, I'm ok with having a lottery pick in what looks like a very deep draft.

Patience.

Meh, not interested.

There is no "1magic move" that will make this team a legit Stanley Cup contender this season, so I'd rather not expend any picks, prospects or young players for any cheap fixes.

Now if VLC plays well and someone wants to take his contract off our hands this season, I'm listening. Likewise, if they feel Ghost is ready to come up by the trade deadline and they can find a taker for Streit, again I'm listening.

I think the Flyers have a better than 50/50 shot of making the playoffs but no shot st the cup this season. And if they miss the playoffs, I'm ok with having a lottery pick in what looks like a very deep draft.

Patience.
- BiggE

I know nobody likes to sound like a homer or an idiot for that matter... But i dont like to say this team has no shot at anything with this goaltender. If mason is healthy and gets hot snything is possible, i mean he missed half the first round and almost carried this team to a series win when he returned. Rolling 4 lines that are a threat to score helps too. Now having said that, i dont want them squandering assets on any moves u mentioned.

I know nobody likes to sound like a homer or an idiot for that matter... But i dont like to say this team has no shot at anything with this goaltender. If mason is healthy and gets hot snything is possible, i mean he missed half the first round and almost carried this team to a series win when he returned. Rolling 4 lines that are a threat to score helps too. Now having said that, i dont want them squandering assets on any moves u mentioned.
- JoeRussomanno

It's not Mason I'm concerned about; the defensive play of the forwards will be the key to any type of success this year. If they don't support the D - and let's face it, they're gonna need help back there - it's gonna be a long, ugly season.

Meh, not interested.

There is no "1magic move" that will make this team a legit Stanley Cup contender this season, so I'd rather not expend any picks, prospects or young players for any cheap fixes.

Now if VLC plays well and someone wants to take his contract off our hands this season, I'm listening. Likewise, if they feel Ghost is ready to come up by the trade deadline and they can find a taker for Streit, again I'm listening.

I think the Flyers have a better than 50/50 shot of making the playoffs but no shot st the cup this season. And if they miss the playoffs, I'm ok with having a lottery pick in what looks like a very deep draft.

Patience.
- BiggE

I agree and have said before- no young assets for question marks. Franson is younger then what I think they NEED to stay away from but still I agree. Now a VL for Franson would be interesting though. Patience will be needed, I'm not sold they will stick to their guns once the chips are down, we'll see. I also like the idea of moving out a vet contrac if possible.

Travis Sanheim hit the ground running. Two more assists tonight along with 6 SOG. 3G, 4A in 5 games for the Hitmen. From all accounts he's as poised and polished as a teenager could be. I'm really excited for this kid. Fellow 2014 Flyers pick Radel Fazleev scored his first goal of the season, as well.

Morin got an assist for Rimouski, too. Good night for Flyers prospects
- Jsaquella

He really impressed me in his short stint with the big club. Ghost and morin too. And there's still Hägg. Future looks really bright on blue line and that is awesome

It's good to see the Flyer's prospects do well and it's also good that Hextall is committed to keeping draft picks and developing young players. But, it was a big mistake to waive Rosehill and go with such a small line-up. Regarding he small line-up, one of the Flyers biggest problems is that they constantly lose battles in the corners and in front of the other team's goal. If the puck is In the corner, there is an excellent chance that the other team is going to come out with the puck. This is a direct result of their lack of size at forward. As far as Rosehill is concerned, with him out of the line-up, their smaller forwards are going to get run and that does affect their play, make no mistake about it. Either Simmonds, the team's top goal scorer or Rinaldo, who is 169lbs will have to fight. It's ridiculous to rely on your team' top goal scorer to protect your players or have a 169lb player fight the other team' top fighter who is frequently 50 or 60 lbs heavier.

If I was going to build an NHL team, the Kings would be my prototype since they have won two cups in the last three years. Last year, the Kings had the heaviest team in the league, the Flyers had the 24th heaviest. And, if you look at the Flyers forwards, and take out their defensemen, they probably have the smallest set of forwards in the league. The Kings have 9 forwards over 200 lbs, the Flyers have 4 and 2 of them - Jones and Lecavilier probably won't get huge ice time. Last year, the Kings had two enforcers on their team - Kyle Clifford who had 9 fights and Jordan Nolan who had 8 fights plus for the first half of the year, they also had Carcillo. Against the Rangers, the Kings' dominated in the corners. While the Flyers constantly lost board battles against the Rangers, the Kings won those same battles. Now, I know the Flyers don't have Quick or Doughty, but in building your team, you need to look at what is successful and the Kings with the heaviest team and 2 enforcers have been successful. I hear all this stuff about team toughness and copying the Red Wings. The Red Wings haven't won a cup in 6 years and when they did, they had Aaron Downey, like Jay Rosehill, an enforcer. Why not emulate a team that has had some recent success like the Kings?

One final thought - talent wise, the Flyers are not that great. They have Giroux, Simmonds, and Vorachek. The jury is still out on Schenn and on Courtier, at least offensively. Why not go with a more physical line-up instead a small, finesse line-up and see if that works. Right now, with the present line-up as constituted, they are going to have the same problems they had last year where their forwards constantly lose board battles and their skill players are going to get run. This is definitely not a formula for success.

It's good to see the Flyer's prospects do well and it's also good that Hextall is committed to keeping draft picks and developing young players. But, it was a big mistake to waive Rosehill and go with such a small line-up. Regarding he small line-up, one of the Flyers biggest problems is that they constantly lose battles in the corners and in front of the other team's goal. If the puck is In the corner, there is an excellent chance that the other team is going to come out with the puck. This is a direct result of their lack of size at forward. As far as Rosehill is concerned, with him out of the line-up, their smaller forwards are going to get run and that does affect their play, make no mistake about it. Either Simmonds, the team's top goal scorer or Rinaldo, who is 169lbs will have to fight. It's ridiculous to rely on your team' top goal scorer to protect your players or have a 169lb player fight the other team' top fighter who is frequently 50 or 60 lbs heavier.

If I was going to build an NHL team, the Kings would be my prototype since they have won two cups in the last three years. Last year, the Kings had the heaviest team in the league, the Flyers had the 24th heaviest. And, if you look at the Flyers forwards, and take out their defensemen, they probably have the smallest set of forwards in the league. The Kings have 9 forwards over 200 lbs, the Flyers have 4 and 2 of them - Jones and Lecavilier probably won't get huge ice time. Last year, the Kings had two enforcers on their team - Kyle Clifford who had 9 fights and Jordan Nolan who had 8 fights plus for the first half of the year, they also had Carcillo. Against the Rangers, the Kings' dominated in the corners. While the Flyers constantly lost board battles against the Rangers, the Kings won those same battles. Now, I know the Flyers don't have Quick or Doughty, but in building your team, you need to look at what is successful and the Kings with the heaviest team and 2 enforcers have been successful. I hear all this stuff about team toughness and copying the Red Wings. The Red Wings haven't won a cup in 6 years and when they did, they had Aaron Downey, like Jay Rosehill, an enforcer. Why not emulate a team that has had some recent success like the Kings?

One final thought - talent wise, the Flyers are not that great. They have Giroux, Simmonds, and Vorachek. The jury is still out on Schenn and on Courtier, at least offensively. Why not go with a more physical line-up instead a small, finesse line-up and see if that works. Right now, with the present line-up as constituted, they are going to have the same problems they had last year where their forwards constantly lose board battles and their skill players are going to get run. This is definitely not a formula for success.
- Bergey

I watch plenty of Flyers games in the past couple of seasons--at no point have 'I seen Voracek or Giroux being constantly targeted and run at by opposing players.

Rosehill does nothing. He doesn't. He skates, at most, four minutes a night and maybe has a stage fight or two. He doesn't patrol the ice and make sure the star players don't get run at.

Hextall said it best, you don't see many fights in the playoffs and the teams--the really skilled, cup contenders do not have an enforcer dressed. The blackhawks, the bruins, the Red Wings (when they were contending)--they don't have enforcers constantly dressed. They have good fourth lines. The Flyers need a good fourth line.

I know nobody likes to sound like a homer or an idiot for that matter... But i dont like to say this team has no shot at anything with this goaltender. If mason is healthy and gets hot snything is possible, i mean he missed half the first round and almost carried this team to a series win when he returned. Rolling 4 lines that are a threat to score helps too. Now having said that, i dont want them squandering assets on any moves u mentioned.
- JoeRussomanno

I can buy Mason getting red hot and getting them to the finals, but I don't see anyway they can beat a team like Chicago or LA in a finals series with their D corps.

I watch plenty of Flyers games in the past couple of seasons--at no point have 'I seen Voracek or Giroux being constantly targeted and run at by opposing players.

Rosehill does nothing. He doesn't. He skates, at most, four minutes a night and maybe has a stage fight or two. He doesn't patrol the ice and make sure the star players don't get run at.

Hextall said it best, you don't see many fights in the playoffs and the teams--the really skilled, cup contenders do not have an enforcer dressed. The blackhawks, the bruins, the Red Wings (when they were contending)--they don't have enforcers constantly dressed. They have good fourth lines. The Flyers need a good fourth line.
- KGBflyers10

Could the Flyers use more size up front? Sure. However having a goon skate 4-5 minutes on the 4th line is not the solution.

He brings no physicality despite his size and is very ordinary in his own zone. Does have a big shot.
- bmeltzer

Poor skater, too. Like a young Kurtis Foster.

I can buy Mason getting red hot and getting them to the finals, but I don't see anyway they can beat a team like Chicago or LA in a finals series with their D corps.
- BiggE

No, they can't. But stranger things have happened.

Presently, the most important thing fans need to do is have no expectations for this season. Let's face it, they're not going to do anything fast until they have a solidified #1 defenseman. Whether that d-man is home grown or is acquired through a trade or FA remains to be seen.

It's not Mason I'm concerned about; the defensive play of the forwards will be the key to any type of success this year. If they don't support the D - and let's face it, they're gonna need help back there - it's gonna be a long, ugly season.
- tangent_man

Oh I'm sure nobody's worried bout mason, I'm just saying a hot goalie can take a team far. As for the forwards I'm anxious to see how they play as well. The D-corps looks to be more mobile and last year Amac made them all look a bit better. I'm not worried about the preseason, it seemed to be status quo around the league that vets mailed it in. Seeing that hextall is doing things different than his predecessors like, not keeping an enforcer, not overpaying ufa's, and most importantly (even tho I will admit I wanted to see morin make it) not rushing prospects, makes a possible "bad yea" a bit more tolerable.

Poor skater, too. Like a young Kurtis Foster.
- Tomahawk

And we already have an offensive Dman with a great shot they could play with Coburn if they wanted to move him to the left side. And he's actually a decent skater. Franson would do nothing for this team.

Travis Sanheim hit the ground running. Two more assists tonight along with 6 SOG. 3G, 4A in 5 games for the Hitmen. From all accounts he's as poised and polished as a teenager could be. I'm really excited for this kid. Fellow 2014 Flyers pick Radel Fazleev scored his first goal of the season, as well.

Morin got an assist for Rimouski, too. Good night for Flyers prospects
- Jsaquella

Holy.. Im sure he'll be in the running for team Canada at the WJC this year...

Looks like Ghost and Hagg are going to get used to it early down there. Phantoms are insanely weak at the skilled forward position. I cant wait til they get Aube Kuble and some other skill guys in there.
- hereticpride

NAK may never play for the Phantoms. Next year he won't be eligible, and two years from now he could be on the Flyers 3rd or 4th line.

It's good to see the Flyer's prospects do well and it's also good that Hextall is committed to keeping draft picks and developing young players. But, it was a big mistake to waive Rosehill and go with such a small line-up. Regarding he small line-up, one of the Flyers biggest problems is that they constantly lose battles in the corners and in front of the other team's goal. If the puck is In the corner, there is an excellent chance that the other team is going to come out with the puck. This is a direct result of their lack of size at forward. As far as Rosehill is concerned, with him out of the line-up, their smaller forwards are going to get run and that does affect their play, make no mistake about it. Either Simmonds, the team's top goal scorer or Rinaldo, who is 169lbs will have to fight. It's ridiculous to rely on your team' top goal scorer to protect your players or have a 169lb player fight the other team' top fighter who is frequently 50 or 60 lbs heavier.

If I was going to build an NHL team, the Kings would be my prototype since they have won two cups in the last three years. Last year, the Kings had the heaviest team in the league, the Flyers had the 24th heaviest. And, if you look at the Flyers forwards, and take out their defensemen, they probably have the smallest set of forwards in the league. The Kings have 9 forwards over 200 lbs, the Flyers have 4 and 2 of them - Jones and Lecavilier probably won't get huge ice time. Last year, the Kings had two enforcers on their team - Kyle Clifford who had 9 fights and Jordan Nolan who had 8 fights plus for the first half of the year, they also had Carcillo. Against the Rangers, the Kings' dominated in the corners. While the Flyers constantly lost board battles against the Rangers, the Kings won those same battles. Now, I know the Flyers don't have Quick or Doughty, but in building your team, you need to look at what is successful and the Kings with the heaviest team and 2 enforcers have been successful. I hear all this stuff about team toughness and copying the Red Wings. The Red Wings haven't won a cup in 6 years and when they did, they had Aaron Downey, like Jay Rosehill, an enforcer. Why not emulate a team that has had some recent success like the Kings?

One final thought - talent wise, the Flyers are not that great. They have Giroux, Simmonds, and Vorachek. The jury is still out on Schenn and on Courtier, at least offensively. Why not go with a more physical line-up instead a small, finesse line-up and see if that works. Right now, with the present line-up as constituted, they are going to have the same problems they had last year where their forwards constantly lose board battles and their skill players are going to get run. This is definitely not a formula for success.
- Bergey

Rinaldo is not 169 pounds now. That's an old weight that's lower than the listed weights of Giroux and Briere.

Rosehill skating five minutes and being a defensive liability does nothing but hurt a team with a weak defense. The Flyers do not need a guy like him more than five or six times a season, if that. Just cause he's tough doesnt make him good at winning board battles.