Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Murray, Memorial Cup, Fazleev,

just becaus

Good description of Murray, and why I think he's a great choice as an assistant to Hakstol.

The only things potentially lacking from Murray's candidacy -- but these are not deal-breakers -- are that he's not an ideal "good cop" type ala the late E.J. McGuire to soothe players after a tongue-lashing from the head coach and he's not a former forward. Murray is generally soft-spoken but he's a very demanding type who stays a bit personally detached from his players (although many realize later on how much he truly cares and pulls for their success even after he's longer coaching them).
- bmeltzer

Yeah, between Hakstol and Murray, life is gonna get pretty uncomfortable for anybody who has a series of bad mistakes/shifts/games.

Yeah, between Hakstol and Murray, life is gonna get pretty uncomfortable for anybody who has a series of bad mistakes/shifts/games.
- Tomahawk

Isn't that "good cop" role something Lappy would be good at?

Hextall has done a great job keeping us excited despite missing the playoffs this year.

Hextall has done a great job keeping us excited despite missing the playoffs this year.
- PhiFaninEdm

He has.

I think it's just weird with nothing really coming out. Never have they been so quiet. Hell no one had a clue about Hakstol. Just makes it interesting. Curious to see what moves are made to start reshaping the roster.

Looking forward to hearing about Fazleev's progress the next couple seasons, maybe even watching him play in Allentown. Thanks for the write-up, Bill.

Great synopsis of Terry Murray....He was and is a great coach.
If I was starting a franchise today I would want him if not behind the bench then having a hand in working with the head coach.

If Murray is the asst. I could see Gord Murphy moving along. That might mean that Lappy would be staying. He is a patient kid gloves kind of assistant who would make a good balance to Murray's somewhat stoic avuncular manner.

They need a Goalie coach. One who can communicate with Mason and who will not be at odds with the head coach.

Bad cop, worse cop

Maybe some good cop, black cop ala Reno 911?

He has.

I think it's just weird with nothing really coming out. Never have they been so quiet. Hell no one had a clue about Hakstol. Just makes it interesting. Curious to see what moves are made to start reshaping the roster.
- J35Bacher

I am most curious about these moves over the next couple of months:

- Draft Selections
- Back Up Goalie
- Attempt at Cap Space Clear Out (#40, #18, #8, #47, etc)

You are right, the silence and patience that Hextall preaches is not something we are used to.

Maybe some good cop, black cop ala Reno 911?
- hereticpride

I'm not really worried about either of their skill levels, tbh.


- Tomahawk[move from the other thread]

Laughton and Marner are both fast, so they can push the D back w/ their speed and give Schenn a lot of room to snipe from the top of the circles, which was his bread and butter in junior.

Marner being a righty really unlocks a lot of good stuff when it comes to quick-shot options and dynamic positioning in the ozone for the other 2.

I still don't see that.

If they draft Marner, I go with:

Raffl-G-Voracek
Fiala - Schenn - Marner
Read - Couts - Simmonds

If they draft Barzal, I go with:

Raffl - G - Voracek
Fiala - Barzal - Simmonds
Read - Couts - Schenn

Fiala is just a placeholder for a LW acquired in a trade of Laughton. Laughton is a center, not an LW, in my mind.

I still don't see that.

If they draft Marner, I go with:

Raffl-G-Voracek
Fiala - Schenn - Marner
Read - Couts - Simmonds

If they draft Barzal, I go with:

Raffl - G - Voracek
Fiala - Barzal - Simmonds
Read - Couts - Schenn

Fiala is just a placeholder for a LW acquired in a trade of Laughton. Laughton is a center, not an LW, in my mind.
- TheGreat28

I think you're worrying too much about how the mix comes together. By the time these guys become regulars, the forward group will look completely different. Do you really think Schenn, Couts, Voracek, Read and Raffl will all be on the team in 3 years?

I think you're worrying too much about how the mix comes together. By the time these guys become regulars, the forward group will look completely different. Do you really think Schenn, Couts, Voracek, Read and Raffl will all be on the team in 3 years?
- PhillySportsGuy

Schenn, no
Couts, yes
V, yes
Read, no
Raffl, maybe

I still don't see that.

If they draft Marner, I go with:

Raffl-G-Voracek
Fiala - Schenn - Marner
Read - Couts - Simmonds

If they draft Barzal, I go with:

Raffl - G - Voracek
Fiala - Barzal - Simmonds
Read - Couts - Schenn

Fiala is just a placeholder for a LW acquired in a trade of Laughton. Laughton is a center, not an LW, in my mind.
- TheGreat28

Those are both definitely fairly deep top 6's. I'm having trouble believing Nashville ships fiala out for only laughton though. Fiala is one of their more prized forward prospects.

I still don't see that.

If they draft Marner, I go with:

Raffl-G-Voracek
Fiala - Schenn - Marner
Read - Couts - Simmonds

If they draft Barzal, I go with:

Raffl - G - Voracek
Fiala - Barzal - Simmonds
Read - Couts - Schenn

Fiala is just a placeholder for a LW acquired in a trade of Laughton. Laughton is a center, not an LW, in my mind.
- TheGreat28

Barzal's going back to Junior for one if not two more seasons.

anyone have any idea how many contracts the flyers are at and how close to the 50 limit?

Those are both definitely fairly deep top 6's. I'm having trouble believing Nashville ships fiala out for only laughton though. Fiala is one of their more prized forward prospects.
- benjichronic

Yeah I don't see that happening.

Also a lot of young centers start on the wing. Even if they would take Barzal at 7, I think you would first see him on the wing to limit defensive responsibilities.

The draft will be huge. If they get someone like Provorov at 7 then maybe they move a player like Hagg for a young winger in a prospect for prospect trade. If they get someone like Barzal or Marner then maybe it makes a payer like Schenn or Read or Laughton moveable.

anyone have any idea how many contracts the flyers are at and how close to the 50 limit?
- rinaldo

http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/22

EDIT - looks like they're at 42 right now, not including slide rule eligible

I think you're worrying too much about how the mix comes together. By the time these guys become regulars, the forward group will look completely different. Do you really think Schenn, Couts, Voracek, Read and Raffl will all be on the team in 3 years?
- PhillySportsGuy

Actually, I've been worried about the mix of forwards for three years now, well before it was fashionable here. The Flyers have had good pieces, just a bad mix. A big part of that was acquiring centers and expecting them to easily move to wing.

http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/22
- mcefalu

Looks like 42 right now not counting UFA/RFA players. Assuming they resign Zepp, bring a vet backup, and resign MDZ, that brings them to 45.

Meh, Murray. I could take or leave him.

He can teach systems and positioning but does he get the most out of his players and teams? Doubtful at best.

Barzal's going back to Junior for one if not two more seasons.
- Feanor

He plays at least one more in juniors for sure. I think he could make the leap after that given his skill set.