Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Too Little Size Among Forward Prospects?

Go Felix Go!

EDIT: Taylor Leier

not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean....what happened to those big slow forwards the organization always liked?

Flyers have put themselves in a pretty good position to draft for need moving forward. It would not surprise me to see a big, hulking LW taken in the first next year. Maybe they can make a move to grab one a little further along in the development process...

I have noticed this trend for the past couple years, especially with the roster make-up of the Phantoms. Add Nick Cousins and Cole Bardreau to the list of sub 6-foot players. To compound the trend, undersized AHL vet, Andrew Gordon was replaced with 5'7" Chris Conner.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Too Little Size Among Forward Prospects?
- bmeltzer

I think with the really small players - Konecny, Kase, Martel - you just hope that one of them pans out. So it's more of having more tickets in the drawing.

I think from a lineup perspective, it would be difficult to have two smallish wingers on one line. Realistically, Konecny seems a natural fit with Couturier because of his speed and playmaking skill. If he doesn't pan out, then maybe NAK is slotted there.

Maybe Kase or Martel could play with G given Jake's size on the other side.

Either way, I can see the organization targeting a big/fast winger next year. Assuming he's the BPA of course

2001: Unrestricted free agent forward Marty Murray signs a one-year contract with the Flyers.
- bmeltzer

Speaking of small forwards...

not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean....what happened to those big slow forwards the organization always liked?
- vejim

Talks with Jon Scott and Garrett Klotz are ongoing.

Let's face it--the lesson learned in the years following the last trip to the Stanley Cup was slow in coming, but it amounts to this: the goalies were okay--it was what was in front of them that didn't work. Not saying any of the goalies would have been mistaken for a Lundqvist, Price, Rinne, or Quick, but those guys can't do it alone, and they have/had strong blue liners in front of them--which the key element missing in the Flyers organization.

The model was, don't draft them--trade for them or overpay. It didn't too well. So the philosophy shifts--focus on drafting top defenders, and, knowing it takes a bit longer for them to develop, addressing offensive needs becomes secondary--or something that can be put off.

Then there's the fact the game has sped up considerably. Drafting an agile player with size becomes a challenge. Still, look to next year's draft. With the knowledge that the Flyers will be carrying a roster that is not a marked improvement over last year's, it's likely they will miss the playoffs again and be in the hunt for a top 10 pick. Going based on top mock drafts there's some size to be had in the top 15 picks. Of course, things can change a lot in one year. (Few people saw the Flyers going after Morin or Sanheim.)

Yeah, there's a lack of size in the system, but Hextall has proven astute enough to acknowledge weaknesses and work to remedy them--all while prioritizing. Case in point--he was not going to pass up on Provorov just to get a winger. The lack of goalie depth was a considerable issue, and he made smart moves by hiring a top goalie coach, drafting three goalies, and signing Neuvirth. Just like that, the goalie outlook is much brighter. But again, worth noting that, just like defensemen, it takes longer to develop a goalie.

So I have faith in his system--he has blueliners who *try* to model their games after Orr (Ghost), Pronger (Morin), and Lidstrom (Provorov)--and that doesn't include Sanheim.

As for improving the size issue, my guess is, pending on draft position, Hextall might trade down (unless the Flyers are *really* bad and draft forwards with size, or, pending cap space, pursue a free agent.

I think with the really small players - Konecny, Kase, Martel - you just hope that one of them pans out. So it's more of having more tickets in the drawing.

I think from a lineup perspective, it would be difficult to have two smallish wingers on one line. Realistically, Konecny seems a natural fit with Couturier because of his speed and playmaking skill. If he doesn't pan out, then maybe NAK is slotted there.

Maybe Kase or Martel could play with G given Jake's size on the other side.

Either way, I can see the organization targeting a big/fast winger next year. Assuming he's the BPA of course
- TheGreat28

Without having seen him much, I see NAK as a top-6 or bust type of player. As I said before, he kind of seems like a better-skating version of Akeson: he will need to be able to score enough to offset seeming deficiencies in his defensive game. Granted, he's still 2 seasons away from the NHL and has ample time to work on his all-around game, but that's how I perceive him: a player who will need top-6 play to maximize his skills.

Talks with Jon Scott and Garrett Klotz are ongoing.
- jmatchett383

and with vcl. apparently he wants the assorted flavoring shakers for the popcorn.

and with vcl. apparently he wants the assorted flavoring shakers for the popcorn.
- jmdodgeser4

He'll get caramel and like it!

Flyers have put themselves in a pretty good position to draft for need moving forward. It would not surprise me to see a big, hulking LW taken in the first next year. Maybe they can make a move to grab one a little further along in the development process...
- hereticpride

The Flyers aren't going to change their BPA approach in my opinion.

It would be nice to have one top forward prospect who had size, ( e.g. Rantanen or Crouse) but not at the expense of Provorov.

It's a small point, but David Kase was measured at 5'11" at the combine a month ago.

http://bleacherreport.com...hlights-and-top-prospects

I have noticed this trend for the past couple years, especially with the roster make-up of the Phantoms. Add Nick Cousins and Cole Bardreau to the list of sub 6-foot players. To compound the trend, undersized AHL vet, Andrew Gordon was replaced with 5'7" Chris Conner.
- AHLTraveler

The Phantoms also added Colin MacDonald who is 6'3", 203.

The Flyers aren't going to change their BPA approach in my opinion.
- MJL

Obviously. But the way it tends to work is they have guys pretty nexk and neck on their boards. I'm saying if they pick 15 and have a D man and an LW neck and neck on their board I'm assuming they will go for the LW.

He'll get caramel and like it!
- jmatchett383

He is also demanding assigned seats. He doesn't want L schenn or McDonald to sit in his seat while he is up preparing the popcorn for the evening.

and with vcl. apparently he wants the assorted flavoring shakers for the popcorn.
- jmdodgeser4

tough job getting paid 4.5 mill to eat popcorn

Without having seen him much, I see NAK as a top-6 or bust type of player. As I said before, he kind of seems like a better-skating version of Akeson: he will need to be able to score enough to offset seeming deficiencies in his defensive game. Granted, he's still 2 seasons away from the NHL and has ample time to work on his all-around game, but that's how I perceive him: a player who will need top-6 play to maximize his skills.
- jmatchett383

I think NAK is much more like Read than Akeson.

The Flyers aren't going to change their BPA approach in my opinion.
- MJL

The only thing I would say is if a forward and defenseman was equal they might take the forward because of need.

But I agree they would still take a defenseman if he was BPA.

He'll get caramel and like it!
- jmatchett383

Love snickers

Without having seen him much, I see NAK as a top-6 or bust type of player. As I said before, he kind of seems like a better-skating version of Akeson: he will need to be able to score enough to offset seeming deficiencies in his defensive game. Granted, he's still 2 seasons away from the NHL and has ample time to work on his all-around game, but that's how I perceive him: a player who will need top-6 play to maximize his skills.
- jmatchett383

Generally, I agree. I'm ok with rolling three true lines though. But either way, Kase, NAK, Martel and guys like that will have to put the biscuit in the basket if they're going to make the club. Konecny too, though he'll likely get a bit of a break due to draft status.

It would be nice to have one top forward prospect who had size, ( e.g. Rantanen or Crouse) but not at the expense of Provorov.

It's a small point, but David Kase was measured at 5'11" at the combine a month ago.

http://bleacherreport.com...hlights-and-top-prospects
- Feanor

Bittner was still there when we WOULD have picked if not for the AMac trade.

Just saying

I think NAK is much more like Read than Akeson.
- Feanor

Read is (and has almost been since his rookie season) a top-flight NHL PKer. Granted, he entered the league in his mid-20's, I don't think NAK has that kind of defensive upside, but I could be wrong.

Obviously. But the way it tends to work is they have guys pretty nexk and neck on their boards. I'm saying if they pick 15 and have a D man and an LW neck and neck on their board I'm assuming they will go for the LW.
- hereticpride

Absolutely. It's just like if 2 players are neck-and neck in most attributes and one is bigger, you take the bigger guy. But it's very rare in the first round when you are presented with the opportunity where you have a forward and defenseman ranked 1A and 1B when you're called.