Hexy has to have some influence
- vejim

are they hoping to showcase him for a trade? Not sure why else he would be playing right now.

We all knew when he acquired rj, the trade wouldn't pay off for a few years. I feel like rj is just going to be bought out at the end of this yr. With 1 yr left on his deal, if we cant trade him there seems almost no reason to keep him for the final yr of his deal.

visions of Kony, Sany and Provy 3×3
- vejim

either way, putting Raffl on that "4th" line will really help, IMO.
- funmaster18

Call it a 4th line or whatever number you want to put on it. What really matters is how much they play. Hakstol has shown all season that if a line is playing well, or better than another line, he will play them more. As you say, Raffl has shown the ability to play all over the lineup, and help to improve lines.

Call it a 4th line or whatever number you want to put on it. What really matters is how much they play. Hakstol has shown all season that if a line is playing well, or better than another line, he will play them more.
- MJL

I agree and I think that the line would get more minutes with Raffl on it.

Bill, do you think the Flyers will trade Medvedev by the deadline? It seems pointless to keep him around as a healthy scratch and then lose him to free agency.

the next couple of weeks will certainly determine that. let's see if they can rise to the occasion or not. while i'd like to get another high pick, it would be really fun to see them in the playoffs again. you kind of take for granted how much fun making the playoffs every year is, regardless of where they finish. I'd love to see them get in. I believe that's where a team really comes together and bonds. I think it would be better for the team to get in this year and head into next season with the bar a little higher.
- funmaster18

Especially with this draft. There seems to be like maybe a top 3 and then everyone else is in another tier. I don't think there is a huge drop from pick 5-20 this year.

I just would like to see them upgrade on guys like Vandevelde and Umberger if they were really going to make a push. Bring up McDonald and let Weal get into the lineup.

I agree and I think that the line would get more minutes with Raffl on it.
- funmaster18

I think so to. They need some balance.

Especially with this draft. There seems to be like maybe a top 3 and then everyone else is in another tier. I don't think there is a huge drop from pick 5-20 this year.

I just would like to see them upgrade on guys like Vandevelde and Umberger if they were really going to make a push. Bring up McDonald and let Weal get into the lineup.
- J35Bacher

knowing that February is a big month for his team, I think Hakstol will do whatever he thinks gives them the best shot in the next few weeks. After a couple games I think we will see what he believes that looks like.

Especially with this draft. There seems to be like maybe a top 3 and then everyone else is in another tier. I don't think there is a huge drop from pick 5-20 this year.

I just would like to see them upgrade on guys like Vandevelde and Umberger if they were really going to make a push. Bring up McDonald and let Weal get into the lineup.
- J35Bacher

You can keep saying that would be an upgrade, but I doubt it makes much difference. McDonald and Weal are AHL players.

are they hoping to showcase him for a trade? Not sure why else he would be playing right now.

We all knew when he acquired rj, the trade wouldn't pay off for a few years. I feel like rj is just going to be bought out at the end of this yr. With 1 yr left on his deal, if we cant trade him there seems almost no reason to keep him for the final yr of his deal.
- flyers4487

The possible reason to keep him for the final year of his deal, is to avoid dead cap money.

I think so to. They need some balance.
- MJL

As much as people rag on the bottom 6, I don't think this team is as far away from being better as some think. They have some interesting players in the bottom 6 and it's just about balancing out the lines a little better. Some of that help could come next year in the form of Konecny or some other young players. And that doesn't include possible FAs or trades. I'm excited about this team moving forward.

You're assuming that Colin MacDonald and Weal gives them a better chance to make a push, than playing Umberger and Vandevelde.
- MJL

And your assuming they don't.

You do this with every opinion. I know there it's possible they might not. But right now Umberger and Vandevelde aren't giving me anything that deems them irreplaceable.

I am just saying if you want to make a push, don't you want to explore every avenue. Especially when these moves aren't something where your giving up an asset. They are in house moves.

And your assuming they don't.

You do this with every opinion. I know there it's possible they might not. But right now Umberger and Vandevelde aren't giving me anything that deems them irreplaceable.

I am just saying if you want to make a push, don't you want to explore every avenue. Especially when these moves aren't something where your giving up an asset. They are in house moves.
- J35Bacher

The thing is, I think he is exploring this in practice and based on what he sees, goes with Umberger and Vandevelde. Hard to know what would be better when we don't see the team every day in practice. I get what you are saying and personally don't think it would be a bad idea to try Weal in for a few games over Umberger. I just think Hakstol has a better picture of the team than we do.

Bill, you're just about the only Flyers beat writer I can stand without shaking my head and rolling my eyes in annoyance after reading your work. You really put a lot of effort into your writing, and it shows. Most of our other beats just mail it in most of the time, and often write articles about absolutely nothing. Thank you for going that extra mile (not to mention writing our opponents' outlook heading into the game too). I can safely speak for the other Flyers' fans and myself in that we really appreciate it. You're the man. Quality stuff.

And on that note, let's hope the Flyers get on the good foot for the second half and do some damage!


*Long-time reader, first time chiming in!

Bill, you're just about the only Flyers beat writer I can stand without shaking my head and rolling my eyes in annoyance after reading your work. You really put a lot of effort into your writing, and it shows. Most of our other beats just mail it in most of the time, and often write articles about absolutely nothing. Thank you for going that extra mile (not to mention writing our opponents' outlook heading into the game too). I can safely speak for the other Flyers' fans and myself in that we really appreciate it. You're the man. Quality stuff.

And on that note, let's hope the Flyers get on the good foot for the second half and do some damage!


*Long-time reader, first time chiming in!
- kygermo

I think the biggest difference is Bill is an objective writer, as opposed to emotional.

And your assuming they don't.

You do this with every opinion. I know there it's possible they might not. But right now Umberger and Vandevelde aren't giving me anything that deems them irreplaceable.

I am just saying if you want to make a push, don't you want to explore every avenue. Especially when these moves aren't something where your giving up an asset. They are in house moves.
- J35Bacher

No, I'm not assuming they don't at all. Nor did I say that Umberger and Vandevelde are irreplaceable. Contrary to some opinions, coaches and GM's just don't take shots in the dark, and throw poop at the wall and see if it sticks. I'm confident that if Ron Hextall thought that MacDonald was an upgrade, he'd make that change. I'm confident that if Hakstol thinks Weal could help the team, he'd put him in the lineup. Coaches and GM's certainly aren't infallible.
The context of your post was that the Flyers weren't icing the best lineup by not playing Weal and MacDonald. Other than just exploring an avenue, what is that based on?

I want to see Weal play also, but that's just a fan's perspective, and I admittedly know very little about Weal as a player.

Bill, you're just about the only Flyers beat writer I can stand without shaking my head and rolling my eyes in annoyance after reading your work. You really put a lot of effort into your writing, and it shows. Most of our other beats just mail it in most of the time, and often write articles about absolutely nothing. Thank you for going that extra mile (not to mention writing our opponents' outlook heading into the game too). I can safely speak for the other Flyers' fans and myself in that we really appreciate it. You're the man. Quality stuff.

And on that note, let's hope the Flyers get on the good foot for the second half and do some damage!


*Long-time reader, first time chiming in!
- kygermo

No, I'm not assuming they don't at all. Nor did I say that Umberger and Vandevelde are irreplaceable. Contrary to some opinions, coaches and GM's just don't take shots in the dark, and throw poop at the wall and see if it sticks. I'm confident that if Ron Hextall thought that MacDonald was an upgrade, he'd make that change. I'm confident that if Hakstol thinks Weal could help the team, he'd put him in the lineup. Coaches and GM's certainly aren't infallible.
The context of your post was that the Flyers weren't icing the best lineup by not playing Weal and MacDonald. Other than just exploring an avenue, what is that based on?

I want to see Weal play also, but that's just a fan's perspective, and I admittedly know very little about Weal as a player.
- MJL

I understand they aren't throwing poop against the wall and seeing if it sticks. But then don't tell me that your going to make a legit playoff push. Right now the Flyers are a 1 maybe 2 line team if Couturier comes back strong. You can't win like that. Umberger and Vandevelde bring zero offense to this team. And I know Vandevelde kills penalties but he seems to have struggled doing that this year.(Yes I know the whole team has struggled but for a player that is really a 4th line PK guy he needs to do something well).

I get that we are not there every day. But your not going to sell me that having Umberger and Vandevelde in the lineup right now give you the best chance to make this last push for a playoff spot.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/2/16 vs. MTL; Flyers Alumni Game Rosters
- bmeltzer

I don't care for the changes in the line up at all. Raffl being demoted to 4th line center makes zero scene after having so much success with Couturier and Schenn, especially with Gagner being a consistent healthy scratch. Laughton probably deserves some sit time but so does Umberger. Again no Weal in site, who in my opinion played pretty well in his first game as a Flyer.

Dave Hakstol to me is a knuckle head. Too many questionable decisions. Read really needs to be further up in the line up if any drastic changes are made. If any players are to be swopped, it's gotta be one of Weal or Gagner for Umberger or Laughton, leaving the rest of the chemistry alone.

I just don't understand this guy.

I understand they aren't throwing poop against the wall and seeing if it sticks. But then don't tell me that your going to make a legit playoff push. Right now the Flyers are a 1 maybe 2 line team if Couturier comes back strong. You can't win like that. Umberger and Vandevelde bring zero offense to this team. And I know Vandevelde kills penalties but he seems to have struggled doing that this year.(Yes I know the whole team has struggled but for a player that is really a 4th line PK guy he needs to do something well).

I get that we are not there every day. But your not going to sell me that having Umberger and Vandevelde in the lineup right now give you the best chance to make this last push for a playoff spot.
- J35Bacher

We all know what depth issues the Flyers have. Your not going to sell me that adding Weal and MacDonald to the lineup is going to change things. That's the point. Maybe they will, maybe the won't. But I'm not going to state that the Flyers are failing to ice the best lineup because they're not playing Colin MacDonald and Weal.

Bill, you're just about the only Flyers beat writer I can stand without shaking my head and rolling my eyes in annoyance after reading your work. You really put a lot of effort into your writing, and it shows. Most of our other beats just mail it in most of the time, and often write articles about absolutely nothing. Thank you for going that extra mile (not to mention writing our opponents' outlook heading into the game too). I can safely speak for the other Flyers' fans and myself in that we really appreciate it. You're the man. Quality stuff.

And on that note, let's hope the Flyers get on the good foot for the second half and do some damage!


*Long-time reader, first time chiming in!
- kygermo

I don't care for the changes in the line up at all. Raffl being demoted to 4th line center makes zero scene after having so much success with Couturier and Schenn, especially with Gagner being a consistent healthy scratch. Laughton probably deserves some sit time but so does Umberger. Again no Weal in site, who in my opinion played pretty well in his first game as a Flyer.

Dave Hakstol to me is a knuckle head. Too many questionable decisions. Read really needs to be further up in the line up if any drastic changes are made. If any players are to be swopped, it's gotta be one of Weal or Gagner for Umberger or Laughton, leaving the rest of the chemistry alone.

I just don't understand this guy.
- SuperSchennBros

he is trying to be creative with a one line team

No, I'm not assuming they don't at all. Nor did I say that Umberger and Vandevelde are irreplaceable. Contrary to some opinions, coaches and GM's just don't take shots in the dark, and throw poop at the wall and see if it sticks. I'm confident that if Ron Hextall thought that MacDonald was an upgrade, he'd make that change. I'm confident that if Hakstol thinks Weal could help the team, he'd put him in the lineup. Coaches and GM's certainly aren't infallible.
The context of your post was that the Flyers weren't icing the best lineup by not playing Weal and MacDonald. Other than just exploring an avenue, what is that based on?

I want to see Weal play also, but that's just a fan's perspective, and I admittedly know very little about Weal as a player.
- MJL

I am confident Ron Hextall won't accept that RJ is not a productive NHL player any longer.

Beat it, that is our pick! I have been praying for a healthy Price when is he coming back?
- killercam

lol, hopefully not this year.

Medvedev in for manning, weal in for gagner. That's what I'd like to see