Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Simmonds, Renberg Then and Now, Phantoms and Prospects
- bmeltzer

You know what Hextall's problem is? He can't find a goalie who can score goals!

wow if the flyers lost this blog would have 500 comments on it by now

wow if the flyers lost this blog would have 500 comments on it by now
- PhillaBully

Yeah.. it's stinkin' slow today.. lol

I would give him a shot on 3rd line and on 2nd PP. He is a better option on PP than #18... ( that is just not right)
- 3flyerkids

I agree.

I am guessing the Berube's line of thinking is that RJ is a better option for the 4th line than Vinny is, and that is why Vinny sits and RJ plays.

The thing of it is, yes, RJ is (that should say WAS) a better defensive player than Vinny could ever hope to be, and at one time could actually contribute offensively.

I'm hoping both are bought out. Even if they have to eat the cap penalties, there are still plenty of players out there who can be signed to provide similar or better performances while still saving money on the cap.

Been out of touch for a couple of days. Anything happening?

All the CHL guys are close to a PPG.

Travis Sanheim - 30GP 10G 21A 31PTS +14
Radel Fazleev - 30GP 11G 17A 28PTS +9
Nicolas Aube-Kubel - 26GP 10G 15A 25PTS -5
Tyrell Goulbourne - 23GP 13G 8A 21PTS +10
Samuel Morin - 11GP 2G 6A 8PTS -1

All the CHL guys are close to a PPG.

Travis Sanheim - 30GP 10G 21A 31PTS +14
Radel Fazleev - 30GP 11G 17A 28PTS +9
Nicolas Aube-Kubel - 26GP 10G 15A 25PTS -5
Tyrell Goulbourne - 23GP 13G 8A 21PTS +10
Samuel Morin - 11GP 2G 6A 8PTS -1
- Feanor

I am guessing the Berube's line of thinking is that RJ is a better option for the 4th line than Vinny is, and that is why Vinny sits and RJ plays.
- MBFlyerfan

Umberger mainly plays on the Couturier line, not the 4th line.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2014-15&sit=5v5

So scratching Vinny means Berube thinks VdV is a better fit for the 4th line than Lecavalier.

Just think in only 2 years we can all whine and female dog that 22 year old Morin and 21 year old Sanheim aren't both Norris trophy finalists!

Just think in only 2 years we can all whine and female dog that 22 year old Morin and 21 year old Sanheim aren't both Norris trophy finalists!
- BiggE

It's what keeps me going through these dark times

Been out of touch for a couple of days. Anything happening?
- BiggE

The Flyers traded John Stevens.

/posts from 2009

Just think in only 2 years we can all whine and female dog that 22 year old Morin and 21 year old Sanheim aren't both Norris trophy finalists!
- BiggE

CMON MORIN HIT SUMBUDDY!

Bill,

Do you think Hagg is a lock to play for Sweden in the WJC this season (I believe he's still eligible).
- jmatchett383

He is eligible but is better off in the AHL than in a third WJC.

Today is a day I wear all black.

I can totally understand if there aren't very Chris Stewart fans here but I'm wondering, if we made a deal for him, shouldn't his cap hit come down to any team that trades for him due to his contract winding down this season?

I want Chris Stewart. I think we could use the toughness and grit. Obviously familiar Simmonds as close friends, so I'm assuming Simmonds should have a positive effect on him in terms of work ethic. I think our second PP unit looks pathetic most nights, so I believe him being a net presence should be an upgrade there. I think he could be a fit with Read and Couturier but if not there, he hastop line experience too, not that I'm forcing Raffl off the top line.

I think Chris Stewart is a fit here. In terms of resigning him. Same approach as Del Zotto and Mason. Stewart can take it or leave it this summer.

Just think in only 2 years we can all whine and female dog that 22 year old Morin and 21 year old Sanheim aren't both Norris trophy finalists!
- BiggE

I can't wait! We'll wanna trade them for something that only might be better in no time!

I'd rather debate about a guy with a lick of offensive talent than for people to come up with valid reasons why Chris VandeVelde and/or Blair Jones are in the lineup. Hell, I'll take Jay Rosehill over those two.
- jmatchett383

Blair Jones is a point-per-game player in the AHL -- different type of player than Akeson (a power forward rather than a finesse playmaker), but he actually outpaces Akeson point wise at the AHL level. He's also by far more physical, better defensively and more of take-charge leadership type at that level.

We have also seen enough of Blair Jones to know he's a full stride too slow to translate that to the NHL. At the preseason pace, he was effective in the NHL. At the regular season pace, he looked bad.

However, if you ask me who is a more valuable player, Jones or Akeson, I would tell you it's Jones because he can do more things. Jones has played 132 NHL games. I hope Akeson proves me wrong, but I don't think he'll make to 50 NHL GP even when he (almost inevitably) changes organizations.

Akeson did score a shootout goal on Saturday and had the huge four-point (2G, 2A) game yesterday. However, he was benched for much of the third period on Friday night. It shouldn't take that to spur him.

I can totally understand if there aren't very Chris Stewart fans here but I'm wondering, if we made a deal for him, shouldn't his cap hit come down to any team that trades for him due to his contract winding down this season?

I want Chris Stewart. I think we could use the toughness and grit. Obviously familiar Simmonds as close friends, so I'm assuming Simmonds should have a positive effect on him in terms of work ethic. I think our second PP unit looks pathetic most nights, so I believe him being a net presence should be an upgrade there. I think he could be a fit with Read and Couturier but if not there, he hastop line experience too, not that I'm forcing Raffl off the top line.

I think Chris Stewart is a fit here. In terms of resigning him. Same approach as Del Zotto and Mason. Stewart can take it or leave it this summer.
- SuperSchennBros

Meh.

I'd be fine with getting Chris Stewart for nothing. Not trading an asset for him.

So scratching Vinny means Berube thinks VdV is a better fit for the 4th line than Lecavalier.
- Feanor

Which sadly he is.

I really don't care if Vinny sits for the rest of the season... unless somebody in the top-6 gets hurt, he shouldn't be on the ice. Even then, it's debatable.

All the CHL guys are close to a PPG.

Travis Sanheim - 30GP 10G 21A 31PTS +14
Radel Fazleev - 30GP 11G 17A 28PTS +9
Nicolas Aube-Kubel - 26GP 10G 15A 25PTS -5
Tyrell Goulbourne - 23GP 13G 8A 21PTS +10
Samuel Morin - 11GP 2G 6A 8PTS -1
- Feanor

Shouldnt he be leading the WHL in scoring...I mean hes on 30 yrs old playing with 17 year olds

Meh.

I'd be fine with getting Chris Stewart for nothing. Not trading an asset for him.
- johndewar

Umberger and Stewart virtually have the same stats. They're both not playing well at all. The advantage however is in Buffalo's favour because Stewart is a pending UFA and 4 or 5 years young. I'd really have to know what the asking price is considering they only gave up Steve Ott to get Stewart. Who also was a pending UFA and much older player at the time. I know this is a low ball but I'd start with offering Umberger and maybe a second round pick just to move the bad contract.

I can totally understand if there aren't very Chris Stewart fans here but I'm wondering, if we made a deal for him, shouldn't his cap hit come down to any team that trades for him due to his contract winding down this season?

I want Chris Stewart. I think we could use the toughness and grit. Obviously familiar Simmonds as close friends, so I'm assuming Simmonds should have a positive effect on him in terms of work ethic. I think our second PP unit looks pathetic most nights, so I believe him being a net presence should be an upgrade there. I think he could be a fit with Read and Couturier but if not there, he hastop line experience too, not that I'm forcing Raffl off the top line.

I think Chris Stewart is a fit here. In terms of resigning him. Same approach as Del Zotto and Mason. Stewart can take it or leave it this summer.
- SuperSchennBros

I would take a look at him if the price is right. He would bring some grit but who would you move from your top 9.

Shouldnt he be leadint the WHL in socring...I mean hes on 30 yrs old playing with 17
- PhillaBully

Also take into account that he only ranks 6th on his team (currently the 2nd-highest scoring team in the Dub):

1. Rourke Chartier (F) 27GP 29G 19A 48P +24
2. Nick Merkley (F) 28GP 8G 38A 46P +18
3. Tyson Baillie (F) 27GP 19G 14A 33P +13
4. Madison Bowey (D) 25GP 8G 22A 30P +21
5. Justin Kirkland (F) 21GP 8G 12A 20P +11
6. Tyrell Goulbourne (F) 20GP 12G 7A 19P +8
7. Jesse Lees (D) 25GP 6G 13A 19P +11

Chartier and Merkley are 18 and 17 yo respectively.

1)Umberger mainly plays on the Couturier line, not the 4th line.

http://stats.hockeyanalys...ue&season=2014-15&sit=5v5

2)So scratching Vinny means Berube thinks VdV is a better fit for the 4th line than Lecavalier.
- Feanor

1)I know this. I was trying to make a point. Ill do better next time.


2)I think he is too.

If Vinny cant play center on the top 3 lines he is useless.

Also take into account that he only ranks 6th on his team (currently the 2nd-highest scoring team in the Dub):

1. Rourke Chartier (F) 27GP 29G 19A 48P +24
2. Nick Merkley (F) 28GP 8G 38A 46P +18
3. Tyson Baillie (F) 27GP 19G 14A 33P +13
4. Madison Bowey (D) 25GP 8G 22A 30P +21
5. Justin Kirkland (F) 21GP 8G 12A 20P +11
6. Tyrell Goulbourne (F) 20GP 12G 7A 19P +8
7. Jesse Lees (D) 25GP 6G 13A 19P +11

Chartier and Merkley are 18 and 17 yo respectively.
- Tomahawk

didnt duclair get picked after him?