Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Big Test on Tuesday, Prospects, Alumni and More

Any word on how close White is to getting healthy. Would much rather see him in over either Rinaldo or Vandevelde. I know it isn't a huge deal but I like his game and think he can bring more then both of those guys.

Just finished reading Tim's blog and almost stormed out of there before reading the comments on the message board that really hit the mark.

I think it's unlikely Morin reaches the Chris Pronger status in terms of play on the ice but I also think we can still cross our fingers. While I truly believe Travis Sanheim is more likely to develop into a true number one, they could become a true number one pair starting at this World Juniors, which I'll be watching closely if I can. With this said as well, it took a little while for Zdeno Chara to become what he is today. He wasn't am impact guy right away as an Islander and was in Wade Redden's shadow (if this is even possible) near the beginning of his career as a Senator. I do buy into Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin becoming one of the best pairs in the NHL down the road.

Another interesting thought is Robert Hagg. Total wild card here. We know Shyne Gostisbehere could be the next Mark Streit, on what level will Hagg max out? These four remind me of the Rangers top four.

Just finished reading Tim's blog and almost stormed out of there before reading the comments on the message board that really hit the mark.

I think it's unlikely Morin reaches the Chris Pronger status in terms of play on the ice but I also think can still cross our fingers. While I truly believe Travis Sanheim is more likely to develop into a true number one, they could become a true number one pair starting at this World Juniors, which I'll be watching closely if I can. With this said as well, it took a little while for Zdeno Chara to become what he is today. He wasn't am impact guy right away as an Islander and was in Wade Redden's shadow (if this is even possible) near the beginning of his career as a Senator. I do buy into Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin becoming one of the best pairs in the NHL down the road.

Another interesting thought is Robert Hagg. Total wild card here. We know Shyne Gostisbehere could be the next Mark Streit, on what level will Hagg max out? These four remind me of the Rangers top four.
- SuperSchennBros

Unfortunately Sanheim was cut from team canadas roster yesterday.

Just finished reading Tim's blog and almost stormed out of there before reading the comments on the message board that really hit the mark.

I think it's unlikely Morin reaches the Chris Pronger status in terms of play on the ice but I also think can still cross our fingers. While I truly believe Travis Sanheim is more likely to develop into a true number one, they could become a true number one pair starting at this World Juniors, which I'll be watching closely if I can. With this said as well, it took a little while for Zdeno Chara to become what he is today. He wasn't am impact guy right away as an Islander and was in Wade Redden's shadow (if this is even possible) near the beginning of his career as a Senator. I do buy into Travis Sanheim and Samuel Morin becoming one of the best pairs in the NHL down the road.

Another interesting thought is Robert Hagg. Total wild card here. We know Shyne Gostisbehere could be the next Mark Streit, on what level will Hagg max out? These four remind me of the Rangers top four.
- SuperSchennBros

Well Sanheim was cut from Canada yesterday.

But I agree. I think Sanheim will be the best of the bunch when considering everything he can do. But pair him with Morin and you have the making of a nice top pair. I think Hagg will be a steal as he can be the calming influence to Gostisbiehre since he will be joining the rush.

But I like what i see so far in the prospects.

Well Sanheim was cut from Canada yesterday.

But I agree. I think Sanheim will be the best of the bunch when considering everything he can do. But pair him with Morin and you have the making of a nice top pair. I think Hagg will be a steal as he can be the calming influence to Gostisbiehre since he will be joining the rush.

But I like what i see so far in the prospects.
- J35Bacher

Fro everything I've read, including quotes from both Sweden and over here, Hagg has all of the tools to be an impact player, but he needs to work on his consistency. I saw part of that in the WJC last year, where he'd make a fantastic play one shift, and then completely blow the play the next shift. It seems like simplifying his game and focusing on just making good defensive reads may help him work on his consistency. Maybe going to the WJC will help give him a boost.

Edit: Good example on what he needs to work on is the Ristolainen WJC OT winner last year. Hagg looks almost lazy out there, takes a high-risk play to poke it away which allow Risto to walk right around him and score the Gold medal winner. It's a nice play and a great finish for Risto, but Hagg really overplayed the puck. I hope he is able to iron things like that out as he gets older.

Well Sanheim was cut from Canada yesterday.

But I agree. I think Sanheim will be the best of the bunch when considering everything he can do. But pair him with Morin and you have the making of a nice top pair. I think Hagg will be a steal as he can be the calming influence to Gostisbiehre since he will be joining the rush.

But I like what i see so far in the prospects.
- J35Bacher

That's the thing everyone seems to be forgetting... We all talk about "which one will be the best".. but it isn't all about which one will come out as the best... the fact is, they have a handful of good young D prospects now that could potentially create an awesome D core. Sanheim could end up being the "best" overall... but look who would(could) be flanking him, and backing him up... a possibility of Ghost, Morin, and Hagg, just to start things off?

Heck, I'm not overly concerned about which one will be the "best"... I'm just excited that there is even talk of such things.. I'm excited to see what this core will do in a few years, assuming they don't trade them away..

Unfortunately Sanheim was cut from team canadas roster yesterday.
- Girouxsalem90

Still just 18 and weighs about 180 pounds, so it's not a big surprise given the field of competition. Sanheim will go next year and may be even be a top-pairing guy for Canada next year. Just making it to this stage shows how highly regarded he is.

Any word on how close White is to getting healthy. Would much rather see him in over either Rinaldo or Vandevelde. I know it isn't a huge deal but I like his game and think he can bring more then both of those guys.
- J35Bacher

He would be nice addition. I honestly can't see what's so great about Vandevelde. I know he's a big body presence but for Christ sake Berube put him on the first line at a point. And as for rinaldo. He's hit or miss in my book. He either does great drawing a penalty or two or does the opposite and takes pointless penalties.

Still just 18 and weighs about 180 pounds, so it's not a big surprise given the field of competition. Sanheim will go next year and may be even be a top-pairing guy for Canada next year. Just making it to this stage shows how highly regarded he is.
- bmeltzer

Bill, do you think Canada needs to rethink its WJC roster selection? The last few years, they seem to be trying to assemble a CHL All-Star team and they have players out there who seem to be playing roles they're not accustomed to. It seems like the rest of the top teams have players pegged for certain roles even if they're giving up some offensive production, and have better overall teams due to the players' fit.

That's the thing everyone seems to be forgetting... We all talk about "which one will be the best".. but it isn't all about which one will come out as the best... the fact is, they have a handful of good young D prospects now that could potentially create an awesome D core. Sanheim could end up being the "best" overall... but look who would(could) be flanking him, and backing him up... a possibility of Ghost, Morin, and Hagg, just to start things off?

Heck, I'm not overly concerned about which one will be the "best"... I'm just excited that there is even talk of such things.. I'm excited to see what this core will do in a few years, assuming they don't trade them away..
- WarriorHockey21

I'm just excited for the day all of them are in the flyers sweater starting their first game together. I love that photo from the summer of the four of them together.

He would be nice addition. I honestly can't see what's so great about Vandevelde. I know he's a big body presence but for Christ sake Berube put him on the first line at a point. And as for rinaldo. He's hit or miss in my book. He either does great drawing a penalty or two or does the opposite and takes pointless penalties.
- arichardson22

I'd take White over Rinaldo, and Rinaldo over VdV. I'd also take Dan Kordic over Scott Daniels and Scott Daniels over Daniel Lacroix, as a comparison.

I'm just excited for the day all of them are in the flyers sweater starting their first game together. I love that photo from the summer of the four of them together.
- arichardson22

That will likely be one of the preseason games next year. As much as we're all hoping, it's unlikely that all 4 of them become NHL regulars. That's why you need prospect depth, so that if only 1-2 of your top prospects make it, you have some more guys in the pipeline who will get their chance in another 1-2 years.

well the eagles d was yet another giant embarrassment

Bill, I know I'm biased, but I'd disagree on your assessment that Sanheim is as good as or better than Fleury.

I feel Fleury has a bit better mobility for his size, though they're very similar.

Unfortunately Sanheim was cut from team canadas roster yesterday.
- Girouxsalem90

No way! What a stupid move!!

Bill, do you think Canada needs to rethink its WJC roster selection? The last few years, they seem to be trying to assemble a CHL All-Star team and they have players out there who seem to be playing roles they're not accustomed to. It seems like the rest of the top teams have players pegged for certain roles even if they're giving up some offensive production, and have better overall teams due to the players' fit.
- jmatchett383

I think that's why they took Leier last year over some other more accomplished players. People ridicule Canada whenever they lose because they could put together 5 teams that could compete. It's not easy to predict chemistry.

Bill, I know I'm biased, but I'd disagree on your assessment that Sanheim is as good as or better than Fleury.

I feel Fleury has a bit better mobility for his size, though they're very similar.
- BINGO!

How dare you

Bill, I know I'm biased, but I'd disagree on your assessment that Sanheim is as good as or better than Fleury.

I feel Fleury has a bit better mobility for his size, though they're very similar.
- BINGO!

get out

Well Sanheim was cut from Canada yesterday.

But I agree. I think Sanheim will be the best of the bunch when considering everything he can do. But pair him with Morin and you have the making of a nice top pair. I think Hagg will be a steal as he can be the calming influence to Gostisbiehre since he will be joining the rush.

But I like what i see so far in the prospects.
- J35Bacher

I think developing these four together mean that they should know what is expected of them together. They should also push one another when the time comes.

How dare you
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm a monster.

get out
- -davies-

I think that's why they took Leier last year over some other more accomplished players. People ridicule Canada whenever they lose because they could put together 5 teams that could compete. It's not easy to predict chemistry.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, IF Canada keeps Morin and plays him as Bill predicted, I think that could be a move in the right direction. Players like Sanheim likely offer more in the way of scoring and puck movement, but Morin's game is more made for penalty killing/5v5 shutdown that most of the higher-profile CHL players.

But even Leier last year, he was a 37-goal scorer on a stacked Portland team. And what was he? He was the spare forward who got spot shifts here and there. Much like Laughton, who was near the OHL scoring leaders (if you throw away his games missed due to suspension), they preferred to play the "name" guys repeatedly, even if they weren't showing up in the score sheet. It seemed like Drouin and McDabid played close to 25 minutes/game and everyone else was just thrown in randomly.

Bill, I know I'm biased, but I'd disagree on your assessment that Sanheim is as good as or better than Fleury.

I feel Fleury has a bit better mobility for his size, though they're very similar.
- BINGO!

I'm a huge fan of Fleury, but I don't think his overall game is better than Sanheim's, to be honest. I think Sanheim is better defensively, and that should only continue as he adds more muscle.

well the eagles d was yet another giant embarrassment
- 2Real