SHOOOOT!
- MBFlyerfan

DO SUMTHIN' WIDDIT!

Just trying to create thinking but are there any teams that "NEED" to make the playoffs this year. I can think of the Islanders and Winnipeg so far. Places that haven't done much and need to bring something to thier fan base for one reason or another. These are teams that I would look at for trades. Could get prospects and picks because they need more immediate help.
- J35Bacher

It would be nice for the Islanders to make it in order to get the new fanbase in Brooklyn more on board with the team plus make the current fans happy. I think they will make it too. Pound for pound they are a better team than the Flyers. They finished last in the division in 2013-14 and haven't had a winning history of late but it seems like these biases cloud people's judgment in the same way that the Flyers having been a playoff team so often has clouded people's judgment on them.

John Tavares is just as good as Giroux and Halak is just as good as Mason, IMO. Plus their defense is a little deeper and they have a solid supporting cast. Before the season started, I expected them to be better than the Flyers and I still believe that.

Evidence that the crowd impacts organizational policy
- JoeRussomanno

So we were right after all.

I can't wait for the Avs to sign Marty Brodeur so Roy can jerk him around.
- Tomahawk

Is this a Lucic hand gesture joke?

Two of Bill's observations jumped out at me...

"...Craig Berube was asked by the beat writers about the team's issues with getting pinned in their own end of the ice. He responded, "I think what happens a lot of times, it starts from the D-zone coverage. You break a play up and we get the puck and we don’t execute the play and now we’re in our zone longer. That’s what really puts you on your heels. Play good defense and you break pucks up and when you get the puck you have to make a play. It’s important."

A comment on the inability of the D to make that good first pass? The inability/unwillingness of the forwards to place themselves in the proper position to assist the breakout? Or perhaps it's simply poor coaching?

One thing that Berube does not want to dwell on right now is the team's struggles in shootouts. "Don’t put so much emphasis on it," Berube said. "We need to win a regulation game."

Yep. NJ agrees.

Guess what Craig? There will, at times, be tie games at the end of regulation and there will be S/O's unless the league decides it is a bad idea, which won't be happening anytime soon. So until the rule changes, spend a little time dwelling on it. Please?
- 77rams

They have practiced shootouts. Bill has already stated that. He can't go out there and do it for them though. I think he is saying that there is more to worry about right now then that. And they need to be better at ingame things the skills compatition

Is this the offseason again? I haven't seen a game in a while...

DO SUMTHIN' WIDDIT!
- johndewar

HIT SUMBUDDY!

to borrow a soccer term, the flyers first touch is generally very bad. almost like they are not expecting to get the puck and are not in a good position to accept it. i watched 3 games last night and all 6 teams were whipping the puck around and guys were taking airborne passes and hard pucks off the board in stride and the play just looked much smoother than the flyers do.
- hogweed

It's an excellent point. It's on the entire team. If the Dman gets the puck he needs to move it smartly. If he has no passing option that's not on him. In the case of the Flyers it's both.

The gap is bad & the puck support not there which limits options and the defense definitely doesn't always execute well when the gap control is good and the support is there

In addition there's almost zero possibility of a Flyers D man simply racing up up with the puck and generating offense from his legs. That gives the opposing forecheck free run to press hard knowing the defenseman won't deke and burn them

It would be nice for the Islanders to make it in order to get the new fanbase in Brooklyn more on board with the team plus make the current fans happy. I think they will make it too. Pound for pound they are a better team than the Flyers. They finished last in the division in 2013-14 and haven't had a winning history of late but it seems like these biases cloud people's judgment in the same way that the Flyers having been a playoff team so often has clouded people's judgment on them.

John Tavares is just as good as Giroux and Halak is just as good as Mason, IMO. Plus their defense is a little deeper and they have a solid supporting cast. Before the season started, I expected them to be better than the Flyers and I still believe that.
- NickTheKid87

That is what i was thinking. Might be more willing to move prospects if they need something. Need to bring in a fanbase in brooklyn and a nice playoff run would help. Just like it is about time WPG moves forward and GM might be willing to deal for more immediate help

It's an excellent point. It's on the entire team. If the Dman gets the puck he needs to move it smartly. If he has no passing option that's not on him.

- Jsaquella

Balderdash. We'll rip that guy for turning it over or for lack of "puck moving skills."

This team's defense is a train wreck. I agree with that opinion.
- bradleyc4

TEAM defense at times certainly has been.

Balderdash. We'll rip that guy for turning it over or for lack of "puck moving skills."
- jmatchett383

I've seen Grossmann miss a forward 8 feet away, stationary, with an outlet pass

I've seen Grossmann miss a forward 8 feet away, stationary, with an outlet pass
- Jsaquella

He wasn't on his horse yet.

I've seen Grossmann miss a forward 8 feet away, stationary, with an outlet pass
- Jsaquella

talking about Akeson. that guy is always stationary on the breakout.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Signs of Hope & Concern, Phantoms and Prospect Updates
- bmeltzer

Thanks for all of the prospect updates, Bill. You're the best

For any of you in the Philly area lookin for something to do tonight, my acoustic duo, Fake ID, is playing from 7-10 at Malelani Cafe, 6734 Germantown Ave in the Mt Airy section of town. Its a new, cool little byob.

Hope to see ya there!!

I've seen Grossmann miss a forward 8 feet away, stationary, with an outlet pass
- Jsaquella

Without Timonen, I don't think any player on the defense consistently delivers a catchable pass. Maybe MDZ.

TEAM defense at times certainly has been.
- MJL

Agreed.

And additionally, it is my opinion that this is one of the worst collections of defensemen in the NHL this season.

Balderdash. We'll rip that guy for turning it over or for lack of "puck moving skills."
- jmatchett383

i would say the defense is average at moving the puck but the forwards are below average in being able to control the puck when they get a crisp pass or a puck that isn't perfectly placed.

Two of Bill's observations jumped out at me...

"...Craig Berube was asked by the beat writers about the team's issues with getting pinned in their own end of the ice. He responded, "I think what happens a lot of times, it starts from the D-zone coverage. You break a play up and we get the puck and we don’t execute the play and now we’re in our zone longer. That’s what really puts you on your heels. Play good defense and you break pucks up and when you get the puck you have to make a play. It’s important."

A comment on the inability of the D to make that good first pass? The inability/unwillingness of the forwards to place themselves in the proper position to assist the breakout? Or perhaps it's simply poor coaching?

One thing that Berube does not want to dwell on right now is the team's struggles in shootouts. "Don’t put so much emphasis on it," Berube said. "We need to win a regulation game."

Yep. NJ agrees.

Guess what Craig? There will, at times, be tie games at the end of regulation and there will be S/O's unless the league decides it is a bad idea, which won't be happening anytime soon. So until the rule changes, spend a little time dwelling on it. Please?
- 77rams

While I understand your point, I would rather he spends more time on winning games in regulation so shootouts are moot. I think that was the point, however inelegant, he was trying to make.

As for making the play to get it out of the zone, from what I see it is as much a forward problem as it is a defense problem.

Agreed.

And additionally, it is my opinion that this is one of the worst collections of defensemen in the NHL this season.
- bradleyc4

Individually, the defensemen are OK. As a mix, they don't fit with each and this forward collection, IMO.

Yet, Tyler Seguin was traded for being immature.

Never change, NHL front office types.
- bradleyc4

Awful, awful trade by Boston.

It would be nice for the Islanders to make it in order to get the new fanbase in Brooklyn more on board with the team plus make the current fans happy. I think they will make it too. Pound for pound they are a better team than the Flyers. They finished last in the division in 2013-14 and haven't had a winning history of late but it seems like these biases cloud people's judgment in the same way that the Flyers having been a playoff team so often has clouded people's judgment on them.

John Tavares is just as good as Giroux and Halak is just as good as Mason, IMO. Plus their defense is a little deeper and they have a solid supporting cast. Before the season started, I expected them to be better than the Flyers and I still believe that.
- NickTheKid87

i agree with you, i just cannot believe we are now comparing our team to the islanders, never thought i would live to see the day

Awful, awful trade by Boston.
- MJL

i agree, dallas won that one

i agree with you, i just cannot believe we are now comparing our team to the islanders, never thought i would live to see the day
- mydoglicks

I am old enough to remember when it was actually a compliment.