Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Connor, Timonen, Stolarz, Bernie, Flyers 5K and More

At this time last year, HockeyProspect (the people who bring us our beloved NHL Draft Black Book) had Connor as the #4 talent. Granted, one year out, its really hard to predict where kids will be when everyone still has another year of development ahead of them.

But it has been interesting to see Connor get picked apart, slide and now start to rise again.

Is there a player currently in the NHL that Connor reminds you of?

- Pixote Andolini

I'd be happy with that outcome.

Is there a player currently in the NHL that Connor reminds you of?
- MatveiDmitrii

Only time I've seen him play was on streams of the U18 Worlds last year.

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5


Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.

- Pixote Andolini

if marner drops down to the devils, and they select him, I'm going to flip poop.

- Pixote Andolini

I'd be more than fine with that. I'd like Barzal, rantanen, connor, werenski or provorov.

Is there a player currently in the NHL that Connor reminds you of?
- MatveiDmitrii

To me, he seems like a smaller rick nash, or james neal/ iginla

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5


Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.
- J35Bacher

ask yourself this simple question. if your Carolina do you make that trade?

from earlier:



I think the Leafs want Strome. NJ will be a surprise. I know they have NJ taking Marner but I could see them taking Crouse or Ratnanen. They could use some size with Zubrus being old and Clowe probably done.

I think Carolina would be an interesting team to trade with if say the Flyers really wanted someone. Could you move 7, a 3rd rounder and maybe Luke Schenn? Might not be enough. What if the Flyers take on Semin's deal?


To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5


Now you can take Marner and then possibly Provorov at 7.

Boom. How exciting would that be. Yes I know Semins cap hit. I figure that out later.
- J35Bacher

I'm guessing that Carolina would hang up on that phone call.

I think Jersey is taking Zacha, unless a guy like Strome or Marner drops

Is there a player currently in the NHL that Connor reminds you of?
- MatveiDmitrii

Not current, but in some highlights, he reminds me of a bigger Recchi.

I'm guessing that Carolina would hang up on that phone call.
- Jsaquella

Plus that Semin cap hit. Holy crap he might be the most over paid player in the NHL.

Thanks Bill. I apologize for not knowing much about the Phantoms coaching staff, but may I ask who the goalie coach is for the team? It will be interesting to see how Stolarz develops. I know that the organization is hoping that he will be the future goalie for the Flyers, but isn't it going to be a while before he is moved up? Thus, I really hope that the Flyers bring Zepp up. It looks like that the goalie market this summer is quite middling, if you ask me. And of the better goalies that are available, I don't think that we can afford them. We know what we are getting with Zepp, he comes at a cap friendly hit, and why bother looking elsewhere if there isn't much to choose from? I admire Razor for making a come back after his surgery, but he seems to have movement issues; understandably of course. So, I don't think that the Flyers will be bringing him back. Any thoughts about a back up goalie for the team?

Plus that Semin cap hit. Holy crap he might be the most over paid player in the NHL.
- MBFlyerfan

I'd stay far faaaaaaar away from semin. I'd prefer umberger over him honestly. You know you're gonna get 200 ft play from umby, semin won't score, won't defend, and he'll just glide around like a pixie fairy.

Plus that Semin cap hit. Holy crap he might be the most over paid player in the NHL.
- MBFlyerfan

Yeah, the contract is horrible. This dude is why Russians get stereotyped.

Thanks Bill. I apologize for not knowing much about the Phantoms coaching staff, but may I ask who the goalie coach is for the team? It will be interesting to see how Stolarz develops. I know that the organization is hoping that he will be the future goalie for the Flyers, but isn't it going to be a while before he is moved up? Thus, I really hope that the Flyers bring Zepp up. It looks like that the goalie market this summer is quite middling, if you ask me. And of the better goalies that are available, I don't think that we can afford them. We know what we are getting with Zepp, he comes at a cap friendly hit, and why bother looking elsewhere if there isn't much to choose from? I admire Razor for making a come back after his surgery, but he seems to have movement issues; understandably of course. So, I don't think that the Flyers will be bringing him back. Any thoughts about a back up goalie for the team?
- OrangeAndBlack1

There's actually a lot of decent options, who should be cheap. Zepp is an option, but I'd rather him as the AHL starter & available to be a mentor for Stolarz.

Contrary to a published report in Tuesday's Philadelphia Daily News, Lehigh Valley Phantoms rookie goaltender Anthony Stolarz did not have a sub 90 percent season save percentage at any point in the 2014-15 campaign, much less "for most of the season."

Fact Checkers...who needs em?

@wolfie -

Frank announces he's leaving and the whole place turns to crap.

To Carolina:29 pick, 3rd rounder and Luke Schenn

To Flyers: Semin and 5

The only thing I can say for sure in regards to this year's draft is that McDavid is going 1st, Eichel 2nd and the fans will boo the poop out of Bettman.

- Pixote Andolini

Soooooooooo close

Soooooooooo close
- Tomahawk

LOL nice team there bub.

Soooooooooo close
- Tomahawk

so close, yet so far