Bill Meltzer: Flyers 2015 Training Camp Preview

Bill, great job finding great topics to keep us entertained all summer.

Let's Go Flyers!!!!!!!!!

"Andrew MacDonald, despite an injury-marred and overall disappointing 2014-15 season, would have to play himself out of a job in camp not to have a starting lineup spot when the season opens."

I wonder how many other teams have dmen on 6 year 30 million dollar contracts who aren't locks to make the roster out of camp?

"Andrew MacDonald, despite an injury-marred and overall disappointing 2014-15 season, would have to play himself out of a job in camp not to have a starting lineup spot when the season opens."

I wonder how many other teams have dmen on 6 year 30 million dollar contracts who aren't locks to make the roster out of camp?
- PLindbergh31

Great question.. But sad to say the answer would ZERO!

Let's get it done, can't wait. Unless an un-forseen trade is made, MacDonald is a lock to make the team. Go Flyers.

How bad is MacDonald that it would be even an option to have $4 million in dead space just to get him off the roster and waived to the AHL.

"Andrew MacDonald, despite an injury-marred and overall disappointing 2014-15 season, would have to play himself out of a job in camp not to have a starting lineup spot when the season opens."

I wonder how many other teams have dmen on 6 year 30 million dollar contracts who aren't locks to make the roster out of camp?
- PLindbergh31

I think when Bill says he has to play himself out of the lineup to not have a starting spot it means he's a lock, barring an unforeseen epic collapse.

So pumped. A televised game on Tuesday, camp starts today, Fall is here!

LET'S GO FLYERS!

*looks for ggunk*

I think when Bill says he has to play himself out of the lineup to not have a starting spot it means he's a lock, barring an unforeseen epic collapse.
- funmaster18

It doesn't mean he's a lock at all. If he performs in camp at the same level he played at last year then what? He's handed a spot because he's got a big contract?

How bad is MacDonald that it would be even an option to have $4 million in dead space just to get him off the roster and waived to the AHL.
- psuhockey

No one is saying it's an option. Bill made a comment that he'd have to basically play horribly to not have a spot. You could say that about any player. I think people are reading too much into that comment.

It doesn't mean he's a lock at all. If he performs in camp at the same level he played at last year then what? He's handed a spot because he's got a big contract?
- PLindbergh31

If any player plays poorly in camp their spot would be in jeopardy. If Read plays the same level, he won't have a spot either. But no one is making a big deal about that.

No one is saying it's an option. Bill made a comment that he'd have to basically play horribly to not have a spot. You could say that about any player. I think people are reading too much into that comment.
- funmaster18

Umm if Giroux plays horrible this preseason would he be waived? How about Voracek? Or Streit? Simmonds? Or perhaps you can't say that about any player, just the really bad ones.

It's a day one of camp. Let's try to avoid complaining before the players even hit the ice. Can we try that? Killin' my buzz here!!

Fantastic full rundown on training camp. So excited to see the puck drop right around the corner!!

No question is that this this will be a transition year for the D. Just hoping that the top 4 can play well enough to help this team exceed expectations.

Umm if Giroux plays horrible this preseason would he be waived? How about Voracek? Or Streit? Simmonds? Or perhaps you can't say that about any player, just the really bad ones.
- psuhockey

Way to take it to the extreme

I think you can understand what I am saying. MacDonald is slightly overpaid, sure, but I don't think he will play poorly enough to lose a spot. He had a bad year, it happens. But hey, training camp started so let's female dog about MacDonald some more!

It's a day one of camp. Let's try to avoid complaining before the players even hit the ice. Can we try that? Killin' my buzz here!!
- funmaster18

Exactly. Let the Eagles do all of the buzz killing. Let's go flyers!!

Exactly. Let the Eagles do all of the buzz killing. Let's go flyers!!
- FlyersFirst

I'm going clean slate on everyone. Let's see what happens this year. It's better for my mental health.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers 2015 Training Camp Preview
- bmeltzer

*I don't buy that Luke Schenn and Radko Gudas are battling against one another for a spot. Yes they are similar players but I also think both provide a physical presence necessary to the blue line and I just watched a blue line that featured Schenn and Grossmann the last three season. It hasn't been a perfect defense but I don't expect this coming season to feature a perfect team.

*I don't buy Sam Gagner's comments about being able to play anywhere up front including either wing. Gagner when traded here was looking to avoid being bought out. His wife is or was pregnant, so you say what you must to keep a job. He's a natural center. He believes he can play center. Arizona's GM tends to harshly disagree. With this said, regardless of shortcomings, I think he'll be tried at center until Scott Laughton proves he can preform and continue to play at the NHL level.

*Vincent Lecavalier is gonna need to proove he's a top 6 forward to be useful at all to the Flyers.

*I'm hoping for stand out production from Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn this season. I wouldn't even think of moving either guy unless their production jumps off a clip like Matt Read's kind of did last season. These are our babies and we are raising them. They have time as long as they continue to be above average players. Better than minor league players.

*Dave Hakstol is gonna have to be accountable to every player on the team and avoid playing favourites. Craig Berube over played his hand by over playing RJ Umberger and Matt Read, who both should have sat at times. I get both were playing hurt but both were also prone to massive mistakes and could have benefitted from rest.

*Andrew MacDonald is here. Deal with it.

No one is saying it's an option. Bill made a comment that he'd have to basically play horribly to not have a spot. You could say that about any player. I think people are reading too much into that comment.
- funmaster18

Pretty simple.

*I don't buy that Luke Schenn and Radko Gudas are battling against one another for a spot. Yes they are similar players but I also think both provide a physical presence necessary to the blue line and I just watched a blue line that featured Schenn and Grossmann the last three season. It hasn't been a perfect defense but I don't expect this coming season to feature a perfect team.

- I could see this going either way. If both play well enough then maybe they both make it. There does seem to be a lack of physical presence on the blue line, so it would nice for both of them to force their way into the lineup.

*I don't buy Sam Gagner's comments about being able to play anywhere up front including either wing. Gagner when traded here was looking to avoid being bought out. His wife is or was pregnant, so you say what you must to keep a job. He's a natural center. He believes he can play center. Arizona's GM tends to harshly disagree. With this said, regardless of shortcomings, I think he'll be tried at center until Scott Laughton proves he can preform and continue to play at the NHL level.

- Agree. Maybe he can, maybe he can't, but he's going to say whatever gets him a job right now. We will see when he takes the ice what he can really do. Hopefully he can be solid addition. It would go a long way.

*Vincent Lecavalier is gonna need to proove he's a top 6 forward to be useful at all to the Flyers.

- I'm not sure where else he fits in. Maybe on the 3rd line, but he's useless on the 4th line. He's going to need a big increase in production and ability to stick on the roster. The odds are against him.

*I'm hoping for stand out production from Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn this season. I wouldn't even think of moving either guy unless their production jumps off a clip like Matt Read's kind of did last season. These are our babies and we are raising them. They have time as long as they continue to be above average players. Better than minor league players.

- Completely agree here. I'm not ready to run away from them if they don't take big steps forward this year, but I'd be very disappointed.

*Dave Hakstol is gonna have to be accountable to every player on the team and avoid playing favourites. Craig Berube over played his hand by over playing RJ Umberger and Matt Read, who both should have sat at times. I get both were playing hurt but both were also prone to massive mistakes and could have benefitted from rest.

- I hope this is true. I like what I hear about Hakstol, but I don't know enough of him or seen enough of his teams play to know exactly what we are getting. I'm very excited to find out, though.

*Andrew MacDonald is here. Deal with it.

- Are you sure you wouldn't rather continue complaining and making the same comments over and over and beating the horse to a pulp?

Great post, Bill and I can't wait for games to start!

LET'S DO THIS!

Pretty simple.
- MJL

If you through a piece of raw meat to a pack of wild dogs, I guess you can expect the result.

Great post, Bill and I can't wait for games to start!

LET'S DO THIS!


- johndewar

*I don't buy that Luke Schenn and Radko Gudas are battling against one another for a spot. Yes they are similar players but I also think both provide a physical presence necessary to the blue line and I just watched a blue line that featured Schenn and Grossmann the last three season. It hasn't been a perfect defense but I don't expect this coming season to feature a perfect team.

Hakstol's team usually play a very high tempo, push the pace type of game. It's hard to see both Gudas and Schenn in the lineup on that type of club.


*I don't buy Sam Gagner's comments about being able to play anywhere up front including either wing. Gagner when traded here was looking to avoid being bought out. His wife is or was pregnant, so you say what you must to keep a job. He's a natural center. He believes he can play center. Arizona's GM tends to harshly disagree. With this said, regardless of shortcomings, I think he'll be tried at center until Scott Laughton proves he can preform and continue to play at the NHL level.

Actually, I think Hextall and Hakstol likely plan on at least trying Gagner on wing, but he certainly could end up at center.


*Vincent Lecavalier is gonna need to proove he's a top 6 forward to be useful at all to the Flyers.

Extremely unlikely that Vinny plays a top 6 role, or any regular role on this team.


*I'm hoping for stand out production from Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn this season. I wouldn't even think of moving either guy unless their production jumps off a clip like Matt Read's kind of did last season. These are our babies and we are raising them. They have time as long as they continue to be above average players. Better than minor league players.

Agreed.

*Dave Hakstol is gonna have to be accountable to every player on the team and avoid playing favourites. Craig Berube over played his hand by over playing RJ Umberger and Matt Read, who both should have sat at times. I get both were playing hurt but both were also prone to massive mistakes and could have benefitted from rest.

Agreed.


*Andrew MacDonald is here. Deal with it.

Yeah, he's here for now, mainly due to his crappy contract. Hopefully they can move him in the next year or 2.

Sold my islanders pope preseason tickets.. fandom has finally reached full level