Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: November Wrap, Team Unity, Leier, Morin, Sanheim & More

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: November Wrap, Team Unity, Leier, Morin, Sanheim & More
- bmeltzer

Nice to see the last 2 games & our prospects continuing their development.

bill,

gost got the call, and has fared well so far. obviously they have different games, but where would you put morin right now in terms of being ready?

I think there's a distinction between being a fighting critic & an enforcer critic.

Even though the MacIlrath hit on Schultz was clean, I have zero issue with Luke Schenn fighting him to stand up for his mate. That's a fight born from the game, and it directly involved the "transgressor". It wasn't a case of Jody Shelley fighting Tanner Glass because MacIlrath hit Schultz.

Dead horse alert, but the last two games have shown how good Medvedev is, and I still can't grasp how he was a healthy scratch over guys like Manning, Gudas, Schultz & even Schenn. I kind of hope he had some kind of injury or personal situation that wasn't reported, because in each game this weekend, he was their best-or second best- in both.

quote not working again re Medvedev.


I am also at a loss as to why he hasn't been playing. Maybe they felt he needed some extra time to acclimate himself to all aspects of living in a new country and not knowing the language and sort of gave him an extra "training camp" to help get up to speed.

I'm just throwing crap out there.

He certainly looks like he belongs, and maybe some time watching from on high helped him get some perspective.

I think there's a distinction between being a fighting critic & an enforcer critic.

Even though the MacIlrath hit on Schultz was clean, I have zero issue with Luke Schenn fighting him to stand up for his mate. That's a fight born from the game, and it directly involved the "transgressor". It wasn't a case of Jody Shelley fighting Tanner Glass because MacIlrath hit Schultz.

Dead horse alert, but the last two games have shown how good Medvedev is, and I still can't grasp how he was a healthy scratch over guys like Manning, Gudas, Schultz & even Schenn. I kind of hope he had some kind of injury or personal situation that wasn't reported, because in each game this weekend, he was their best-or second best- in both.
- Jsaquella

i don't see why the flyers would be secretive about an injury...at least with him. personal issue i can see. although he was struggling in certain areas before the scratch, i don't think you can justify the term (if he was indeed healthy or had no other issues going on) when you look at what else is masquerading for defensmen on their blue line. glad to have him back. we'll see if this weekend's results and his return buoys a longer term rebound for the team.

quote not working again re Medvedev.


I am also at a loss as to why he hasn't been playing. Maybe they felt he needed some extra time to acclimate himself to all aspects of living in a new country and not knowing the language and sort of gave him an extra "training camp" to help get up to speed.

I'm just throwing crap out there.

He certainly looks like he belongs, and maybe some time watching from on high helped him get some perspective.
- MBFlyerfan

flyers 2015-16 tag line.

quote not working again re Medvedev.


I am also at a loss as to why he hasn't been playing. Maybe they felt he needed some extra time to acclimate himself to all aspects of living in a new country and not knowing the language and sort of gave him an extra "training camp" to help get up to speed.

I'm just throwing crap out there.

He certainly looks like he belongs, and maybe some time watching from on high helped him get some perspective.
- MBFlyerfan

Those could all be valid, but the veil of secrecy is annoying.

When you have a roster that lacks high end talent, sitting a guy with Medvedev's skills is questionable. This isn't a kid, he's a veteran, an Olympian and an All Star at the pro level in Russia. He shouldn't need a 13 game message sent

i don't see why the flyers would be secretive about an injury...at least with him. personal issue i can see. although he was struggling in certain areas before the scratch, i don't think you can justify the term (if he was indeed healthy or had no other issues going on) when you look at what else is masquerading for defensmen on their blue line. glad to have him back. we'll see if this weekend's results and his return buoys a longer term rebound for the team.
- hammarby31

I just hope, with how good he was this weekend, that he's a fixture from here on out. He's got the skill to be their best defenseman. No need to stifle that.

I really don't care about the secrecy. I'm sure they have their reasons why they don't want to be forthcoming. All I care about is the results from their methods. Just like with Del Zotto, if they feel that they had to do something to get the most from the player, I'm all for it. It worked for Del Zotto, maybe it will for Medvedev. He was excellent yesterday.

I just hope, with how good he was this weekend, that he's a fixture from here on out. He's got the skill to be their best defenseman. No need to stifle that.
- Jsaquella

agree completely. head scratcher for sure.

flyers 2015-16 tag line.
- hammarby31

Nice write up. I really liked reading about Leier, making the best and staying positive after being sent down. Good on him. With his speed and 2 way game and hockey sense I have a feeling he has a real shot at an NHL career.

Bill, if you were coaching them, where would you play Voracek?
I know the coach loves the effort of his role guys like Bellemare and VDV, but I think Voracek is a set up winger and will thrive with a finisher on his line.

Back with G?
Maybe with Laughton or with BSchenn?

It might be weird to say this after their line won the game, but if Couturier and Simmonds both need to get to the net to score maybe they should be on different lines. I would like to see the Flyers with three lines that are offensive threats if possible. He earned his way off the first line, but Jake is wasted with VdV and PEB.

Laughton-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-BSchenn
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VdV-Bellmare-McDonald

Continuing to be the answer to a question nobody asked...

One other thought, if Schultz is out for awhile who do they recall from Lehigh Valley? I would think MacDonald, but perhaps they try something like they did with Leier & Cousins, get a kid a look see for 5 games or so, and then recall another prospect.

Might bear watching if Schultz is out for an extended period

bill,

gost got the call, and has fared well so far. obviously they have different games, but where would you put morin right now in terms of being ready?
- hammarby31

I think he could be ready before the end of this season, with a very good shot at the start of next season.

I think there's a distinction between being a fighting critic & an enforcer critic.

Even though the MacIlrath hit on Schultz was clean, I have zero issue with Luke Schenn fighting him to stand up for his mate. That's a fight born from the game, and it directly involved the "transgressor". It wasn't a case of Jody Shelley fighting Tanner Glass because MacIlrath hit Schultz.

Dead horse alert, but the last two games have shown how good Medvedev is, and I still can't grasp how he was a healthy scratch over guys like Manning, Gudas, Schultz & even Schenn. I kind of hope he had some kind of injury or personal situation that wasn't reported, because in each game this weekend, he was their best-or second best- in both.
- Jsaquella

So...do you think there is any truth to Hexy shopping Schenn, Couts, or Simmer?

It might be weird to say this after their line won the game, but if Couturier and Simmonds both need to get to the net to score maybe they should be on different lines. I would like to see the Flyers with three lines that are offensive threats if possible. He earned his way off the first line, but Jake is wasted with VdV and PEB.

Laughton-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-BSchenn
Raffl-Cousins-Simmonds
VdV-Bellmare-McDonald
- Feanor

I like those, Schenn & Couturier had success last season, and Raffl & Simmonds could be good wingers for a kid like Cousins.

So...do you think there is any truth to Hexy shopping Schenn, Couts, or Simmer?
- section32

No idea. I'm sure he's had discussions. I can buy him shopping Luke Schenn, but reputable people mention Brayden, as well.

I really don't care about the secrecy. I'm sure they have their reasons why they don't want to be forthcoming. All I care about is the results from their methods. Just like with Del Zotto, if they feel that they had to do something to get the most from the player, I'm all for it. It worked for Del Zotto, maybe it will for Medvedev. He was excellent yesterday.
- MJL

He was good against Nashville too, not sure if you got to see the game.

Hope he keeps playing at this level because with him and Ghost and Del Zotto they have some pretty good offensive threats at the blueline now.

Continuing to be the answer to a question nobody asked...

One other thought, if Schultz is out for awhile who do they recall from Lehigh Valley? I would think MacDonald, but perhaps they try something like they did with Leier & Cousins, get a kid a look see for 5 games or so, and then recall another prospect.

Might bear watching if Schultz is out for an extended period
- Jsaquella

do they need to recall anyone?

medvedev-manning-gudas-gost-mdz-schenn

MDZ and the Russian played some of the best defense I recall seeing over the last season or so in yesterday's game

They were that good, and that is no hyperbole -- the Russian was a monster yesterday

do they need to recall anyone?

medvedev-manning-gudas-gost-mdz-schenn
- hammarby31

isn't manning still hanging around?

pls no manning

pls no manning
- Giroux_Is_God

but that guy on yesterday thread said he's awesome