Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Neuvirth and Gudas, Medvedev, Prospects, Alumni & More

Great to hear about Medvedev's level of dedication. Hopefully the transition to the smaller ice surface goes well. If he can make the adjustment early enough it would really help their chances of making the playoffs. They need to get out of the gate much quicker than in recent years.

Yeah, it is awesome to hear that Medvedev is taking his move to North America as a serious challenge, unlike Jiri Dopita, who seemed to take it as an opportunity to make a cash grab.

I'm also kind of stoked to see Neuvirth play. He's been a solid goalie and having that kind of depth should make things easier, as well as give the team two goalies that can be counted on to turn in good performances.

Also, thanks to Bill for the link to watch Kase and Vorobyov.

Just my own thought process but Medvedev was seen as a leader and a real high work ethic guy. I'm happy but not surprised he's here doing extra work. Hopefully he can be the player hextall brought him in to be

Bill you think the relationships between gudas Jake neuvirth combined with gudas modest salary makes him one the least likely defenseman to be moved ?

Yeah, it is awesome to hear that Medvedev is taking his move to North America as a serious challenge, unlike Jiri Dopita, who seemed to take it as an opportunity to make a cash grab.

I'm also kind of stoked to see Neuvirth play. He's been a solid goalie and having that kind of depth should make things easier, as well as give the team two goalies that can be counted on to turn in good performances.

Also, thanks to Bill for the link to watch Kase and Vorobyov.
- Jsaquella

If Medvedev can be a solid, all situations top 4 guy, they have a shot to at least be a bubble team. If he can't, I really don't think they have a chance. Outside of him, MDZ is the only veteran dman on the roster with above average mobility and the ability to play effectively in all situations. Unless they have at least 2 guys like that, I don't see the playoffs as being a realistic possibility.

Just my own thought process but Medvedev was seen as a leader and a real high work ethic guy. I'm happy but not surprised he's here doing extra work. Hopefully he can be the player hextall brought him in to be

Bill you think the relationships between gudas Jake neuvirth combined with gudas modest salary makes him one the least likely defenseman to be moved ?
- Tfaehner

I'm not Bill, but I'll answer anyway.


Right now, due to his low cap hit, I don't think there is much, if any, chance that they will move Gudas. However, if they aren't looking like a playoff team, he could be very attractive to a club that is short on cap room but looking to add some physicality and depth on D for a playoff run.

Just my own thought process but Medvedev was seen as a leader and a real high work ethic guy. I'm happy but not surprised he's here doing extra work. Hopefully he can be the player hextall brought him in to be

Bill you think the relationships between gudas Jake neuvirth combined with gudas modest salary makes him one the least likely defenseman to be moved ?
- Tfaehner

Not Bill, but on Gudas he has two things in his favor, outside of his relationship with Neuvirth that could keep him in Philly:

1. Cheap
2. Pending RFA, which gives Philly control to some extent.

If Gudas does come in and play no better than a 6-7, they may dump him at the TDL for a pick or whatever. But if he can be a solid third pair guy or more, they're likely to try and keep him on a favorable deal.

Looking at Schenn, he's making $3.6mm now and is a pending UFA. That could be a factor is the Flyers decisions on his future with the team.

Not Bill, but on Gudas he has two things in his favor, outside of his relationship with Neuvirth that could keep him in Philly:

1. Cheap
2. Pending RFA, which gives Philly control to some extent.

If Gudas does come in and play no better than a 6-7, they may dump him at the TDL for a pick or whatever. But if he can be a solid third pair guy or more, they're likely to try and keep him on a favorable deal.

Looking at Schenn, he's making $3.6mm now and is a pending UFA. That could be a factor is the Flyers decisions on his future with the team.
- Jsaquella

Agreed he has to be a reliable third pairing guy but we also don't know what schenns contract expectations are. He could want 2 million a season. Also wonder if his family ties will play a role in Luke schenns future.

A solid 6 7 on 1 million deal who has a good relationship with one your star players and your goalie is valuable. Especially when he has brutal physicality which can help protect your stars verse bigger teams.

Malakhov was a beast in that 2004 postseason, I really feel like that team was the closest of the recent Flyers teams to winning the Cup though obviously 1997 and 2010 were technically closer. Damn injuries.

Yeah, it is awesome to hear that Medvedev is taking his move to North America as a serious challenge, unlike Jiri Dopita, who seemed to take it as an opportunity to make a cash grab.

I'm also kind of stoked to see Neuvirth play. He's been a solid goalie and having that kind of depth should make things easier, as well as give the team two goalies that can be counted on to turn in good performances.

Also, thanks to Bill for the link to watch Kase and Vorobyov.
- Jsaquella

You'd expect anything less?

Medvedev is the player I'm most anxious to watch. I'm hoping he can really help out the blueline. Seems to have the right mindset and attitude to be an effective player.

How is Medvedev coming along with the language barrier? Im sure the team has someone to help him out. Are there any Russian speakers on the team?

How is Medvedev coming along with the language barrier? Im sure the team has someone to help him out. Are there any Russian speakers on the team?
-MBFlyersfan

I'm guessing that Provorov will be able to help him during pre season. After that, assuming the kid goes back to Junior, he's likely on his own.

How is Medvedev coming along with the language barrier? Im sure the team has someone to help him out. Are there any Russian speakers on the team?
- MBFlyerfan

nyet

How is Medvedev coming along with the language barrier? Im sure the team has someone to help him out. Are there any Russian speakers on the team?
- MBFlyerfan

Provorov. The Czech guys usually know a bit of Russian (Jagr was fluent, actually 9.

Provorov. The Czech guys usually know a bit of Russian (Jagr was fluent, actually 9.
- bmeltzer

That was what I was wondering. Was just curious to see if Voracek or Gudas, maybe even Streit knew some Russian.

Malakhov was a beast in that 2004 postseason, I really feel like that team was the closest of the recent Flyers teams to winning the Cup though obviously 1997 and 2010 were technically closer. Damn injuries.
- MFC

would have liked to seen desjardin, malakhov, ragnerson, and markov play together that following year. add in timander who also played well.

That's great that there's already some chemistry being built with new players, our free agent signings seem excited about playing here. There's not a (frank)ig thing wrong with that. From the sounds of this article , Medvedev seems like a hard worker & seems dedicated to making a good transition.

And now, my 10 favorite playoff series in Flyers history!! These are not necessarily the best or most important, they are simply my favorites.

Honorable Mentions:
84-85 1st round vs NY Rangers
02-03 1st round vs Toronto

10. 2011-12 1st round vs Pittsburgh
Well, it wasn't pretty, but man was it fun. From MAF having a total meltdown, Couturier's domination of Malkin to Giroux's "The shift" in game 6, this one was just a blast!!

9. 86-87 3rd round vs Montreal
C'mon, a pre-game brawl?!?!? Claude (frank)ing Lemieux drove the Flyers nuts and it led to one of the most infamous moments in NHL playoff history. And, BTW, the hockey was pretty damned good too!

8. 74-75 semis vs NY Islanders
The Isles had rebounded from down 3-0 to beat the Pens in the quarters. However, once the defending champs had em down 3-0 in the semis, everyone thought it was over. Instead the Isles rolled off 3 straight wins and had the Flyers gripping their sticks a little tightly. However Kate Smith and Rick Macleish saved the day as the Flyers cruised on to a 4-1 win in game 7 on the way to the Stanley Cup.

7. 86-87 Stanley Cup finals vs Edmonton
Yeah, they lost, but this was one for the ages. The Oilers were loaded with future hall of famers and the Flyers were decimated with key injuries. Down 3-1 in the series and heading back to Edmonton, most of us thought it was over. Instead, motivated by reading about the Cup parade route in the Edmonton paper, the Flyers came from behind to win game 5. Then, with a huge goal by little used dman J.J. Daigneault, they came from behind yet again to win a game 6 that was perhaps the most exciting game in the history of the Spectrum. Sadly, they couldn't hold on and win game 7, but Ron Hextall took the Conn Smythe Trophy and the boys in orange and black had nothing to be ashamed about.

6. 86-87 2nd round vs NY Islanders
Yup, we are once again going back to the spring of 1987. The Flyers led by a flak jacketed Dave Poulin (he was playing with broken ribs!), stepped up and defeated the Isles in a game 7 that topped off a fantastic series. The Flyers were deep and loaded and Hextall was a beast in net, but the Isles, who still had a lot of proven playoff warriors on their roster, took em to the limit.

5. 75-76 semis vs Boston
The Flyers defeated the Bruins in 5 on their way to a 3rd straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. This was the true last hurrah for the Broad Street Bullies. This series will always be remembered for a badly hungover Reggie Leach scoring 5 goals in the deciding game!! Leach would go on to have one of the greatest playoff runs in NHL history and would win the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort that season.

4. 94-95 2nd round vs NY Rangers
The Flyers, led by an on fire Eric Lindros, dominate the hated Rangers and sweep the champs in 4 straight! This was particularly sweet for goaltender Ron Hextall who was mercilessly taunted by Ranger fans in games 3 and 4. Lindros completely owned Mark Messier in this series and it was a joy to behold.

3. 73-74 Stanley Cup finals vs Boston
The Flyers would win the Stanley Cup by defeating the powerful Bruins in 6. The key was Bobby Clarke's OT goal in game 2 which gave the Flyers their 1st victory in Boston since 1967. Freddie Shero was at his masterful best when, instead of avoiding him, he encouraged his players to dump the puck in Bobby Orr's corner as much as possible and wear the Bruins superstar down. It was a brilliant strategy as Orr was clearly spent by the latter stages of the final game.

2. 73-74 semis vs NY Rangers
This was the series, IMO, that convinced the Flyers that they had what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers were a very deep and talented team, but they just didn't have the heart of a champion. The Flyers simply wanted it more and they crushed the Rangers, both physically and on the ice, in a fantastic game 7.

1. 09-10 2nd round vs Boston
What? You were expecting the 2001 1st round vs Buffalo??? THE COMEBACK!!!! You all know the story, down 3-0 in games, the Flyers roared back to win the next 3 and square it up. However, game 7 did not start so well as the Flyers quickly fell into a 3-0 hole and things were looking bleak. However, coach Peter Laviolette would call a timeout, fire up the troops and a little while later, JVR would score a huge goal to draw the Flyers within 2. Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere would go on to score in the 2nd period to tie it up and silence the crowd. Then, in a 3rd period owned by the Flyers, Simon Gagne would score on the powerplay and the greatest comeback in Philly sports history would be complete. It was the highlight of the Peter Laviolette era and one of the greatest games of all time.

1. 09-10 2nd round vs Boston
What? You were expecting the 2001 1st round vs Buffalo??? THE COMEBACK!!!! You all know the story, down 3-0 in games, the Flyers roared back to win the next 3 and square it up. However, game 7 did not start so well as the Flyers quickly fell into a 3-0 hole and things were looking bleak. However, coach Peter Laviolette would call a timeout, fire up the troops and a little while later, JVR would score a huge goal to draw the Flyers within 2. Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere would go on to score in the 2nd period to tie it up and silence the crowd. Then, in a 3rd period owned by the Flyers, Simon Gagne would score on the powerplay and the greatest comeback in Philly sports history would be complete. It was the highlight of the Peter Laviolette era and one of the greatest games of all time.
- BiggE

*sigh*Good times, man. Good times.

I really thought they had a sufficient amount of destiny to go all the way.

*sigh*Good times, man. Good times.

I really thought they had a sufficient amount of destiny to go all the way.
- BulliesPhan87

Yeah, they just lacked a sufficient goalie and a 5th dman.

And now, my 10 favorite playoff series in Flyers history!! These are not necessarily the best or most important, they are simply my favorites.

Honorable Mentions:
84-85 1st round vs NY Rangers
02-03 1st round vs Toronto

10. 2011-12 1st round vs Pittsburgh
Well, it wasn't pretty, but man was it fun. From MAF having a total meltdown, Couturier's domination of Malkin to Giroux's "The shift" in game 6, this one was just a blast!!

9. 86-87 3rd round vs Montreal
C'mon, a pre-game brawl?!?!? Claude (frank)ing Lemieux drove the Flyers nuts and it led to one of the most infamous moments in NHL playoff history. And, BTW, the hockey was pretty damned good too!

8. 74-75 semis vs NY Islanders
The Isles had rebounded from down 3-0 to beat the Pens in the quarters. However, once the defending champs had em down 3-0 in the semis, everyone thought it was over. Instead the Isles rolled off 3 straight wins and had the Flyers gripping their sticks a little tightly. However Kate Smith and Rick Macleish saved the day as the Flyers cruised on to a 4-1 win in game 7 on the way to the Stanley Cup.

7. 86-87 Stanley Cup finals vs Edmonton
Yeah, they lost, but this was one for the ages. The Oilers were loaded with future hall of famers and the Flyers were decimated with key injuries. Down 3-1 in the series and heading back to Edmonton, most of us thought it was over. Instead, motivated by reading about the Cup parade route in the Edmonton paper, the Flyers came from behind to win game 5. Then, with a huge goal by little used dman J.J. Daigneault, they came from behind yet again to win a game 6 that was perhaps the most exciting game in the history of the Spectrum. Sadly, they couldn't hold on and win game 7, but Ron Hextall took the Conn Smythe Trophy and the boys in orange and black had nothing to be ashamed about.

6. 86-87 2nd round vs NY Islanders
Yup, we are once again going back to the spring of 1987. The Flyers led by a flak jacketed Dave Poulin (he was playing with broken ribs!), stepped up and defeated the Isles in a game 7 that topped off a fantastic series. The Flyers were deep and loaded and Hextall was a beast in net, but the Isles, who still had a lot of proven playoff warriors on their roster, took em to the limit.

5. 75-76 semis vs Boston
The Flyers defeated the Bruins in 5 on their way to a 3rd straight trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. This was the true last hurrah for the Broad Street Bullies. This series will always be remembered for a badly hungover Reggie Leach scoring 5 goals in the deciding game!! Leach would go on to have one of the greatest playoff runs in NHL history and would win the Conn Smythe Trophy in a losing effort that season.

4. 94-95 2nd round vs NY Rangers
The Flyers, led by an on fire Eric Lindros, dominate the hated Rangers and sweep the champs in 4 straight! This was particularly sweet for goaltender Ron Hextall who was mercilessly taunted by Ranger fans in games 3 and 4. Lindros completely owned Mark Messier in this series and it was a joy to behold.

3. 73-74 Stanley Cup finals vs Boston
The Flyers would win the Stanley Cup by defeating the powerful Bruins in 6. The key was Bobby Clarke's OT goal in game 2 which gave the Flyers their 1st victory in Boston since 1967. Freddie Shero was at his masterful best when, instead of avoiding him, he encouraged his players to dump the puck in Bobby Orr's corner as much as possible and wear the Bruins superstar down. It was a brilliant strategy as Orr was clearly spent by the latter stages of the final game.

2. 73-74 semis vs NY Rangers
This was the series, IMO, that convinced the Flyers that they had what it takes to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers were a very deep and talented team, but they just didn't have the heart of a champion. The Flyers simply wanted it more and they crushed the Rangers, both physically and on the ice, in a fantastic game 7.

1. 09-10 2nd round vs Boston
What? You were expecting the 2001 1st round vs Buffalo??? THE COMEBACK!!!! You all know the story, down 3-0 in games, the Flyers roared back to win the next 3 and square it up. However, game 7 did not start so well as the Flyers quickly fell into a 3-0 hole and things were looking bleak. However, coach Peter Laviolette would call a timeout, fire up the troops and a little while later, JVR would score a huge goal to draw the Flyers within 2. Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere would go on to score in the 2nd period to tie it up and silence the crowd. Then, in a 3rd period owned by the Flyers, Simon Gagne would score on the powerplay and the greatest comeback in Philly sports history would be complete. It was the highlight of the Peter Laviolette era and one of the greatest games of all time.
- BiggE

I wish I was alive/old enough to remember the majority of these series. I was born in June '86 but I've watched a lot of them, just missed out on seeing them live. Great list

10. 2011-12 1st round vs Pittsburgh
Well, it wasn't pretty, but man was it fun. From MAF having a total meltdown, Couturier's domination of Malkin to Giroux's "The shift" in game 6, this one was just a blast!!
- biggE

1. 09-10 2nd round vs Boston
What? You were expecting the 2001 1st round vs Buffalo??? THE COMEBACK!!!! You all know the story, down 3-0 in games, the Flyers roared back to win the next 3 and square it up. However, game 7 did not start so well as the Flyers quickly fell into a 3-0 hole and things were looking bleak. However, coach Peter Laviolette would call a timeout, fire up the troops and a little while later, JVR would score a huge goal to draw the Flyers within 2. Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere would go on to score in the 2nd period to tie it up and silence the crowd. Then, in a 3rd period owned by the Flyers, Simon Gagne would score on the powerplay and the greatest comeback in Philly sports history would be complete. It was the highlight of the Peter Laviolette era and one of the greatest games of all time.
- biggE

"WE JUST NEED ONE. GOAL. ONE GOAL. WE HAVE 5 MINUTES TO DO IT. ONE GOAL."

It's good to hear about Medvedev as he is a bit of a question mark coming into this year. Not about his play, but about how it might translate to the North American rink. He sounds like a bit of a throwback to the old Soviet players with conditioning. Likewise with Neurvirth and Gudas bonding. That will be important down the road.

Honestly if Hakstol can get someone to take the reigns on that second scoring line, I think we could have a good year.