Bill Meltzer: Flyers End Preseason with 1-0 OT Loss in Boston

The regular season cannot get here soon enough! As always, thanks for the Sunday morning/everyday great read Bill!

Bill, do you really see Hexy sending either of the kids back to Junior? They sure seem to have both earned spots on the big club.

Bill, do you really see Hexy sending either of the kids back to Junior? They sure seem to have both earned spots on the big club.
- BiggE

I think both make the team but only after a lot of discussion today.

Gudas hit was late and he made head contact. He may miss a game or two for this.
With Del Zotto out it puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the D if he gets suspended.

Provorov had the puck picked from him right in front of the net late in the game. They were lucky the Bs didn't score there. Good learning experience.

With Schenn out I'm worried they will become a one line team at 5 on 5.
Giroux with Raffl and Simmer didn't look much above average.
Couts line looks great, if Konecny sticks. But G without Schenn or Jake does not look dangerous. The bottom six may be improved but they don't look like they are going to score a bunch to me.

One dangerous line and over reliance on PP scoring could be a real thing for them. At least until Schenn is back.

Goalies should be great again.

Sending Provorov or Konecny back to junior would be idiotic at best. They BOTH have shown they belong, please Hextall don't give me, their not ready. You played that with Ghost and how did that work for ya

If gudas is suspended and Manning is unable to go what are the team options for the defense ? Alt ?

Sending Provorov or Konecny back to junior would be idiotic at best. They BOTH have shown they belong, please Hextall don't give me, their not ready. You played that with Ghost and how did that work for ya
- twpguy

I wish my wife's cooking were more like flyer prospects. Can't be overcooked

If gudas is suspended and Manning is unable to go what are the team options for the defense ? Alt ?
- Tfaehner

Alt's dead too

Alt's dead too
- Just5

Forgot.. would Morin be too expensive ?

I think both guys will make the team.
Likely both will have their share of struggles and rookie mistakes, but both make the team better. Hopefully it will not adversely effect their long term development when they hit the wall and struggle with inevitable adversity.

It's a tricky thing. But for me it's obvious the team needs both guys this season.
Long term just hope it works out for the best.

gudas you idiot we're running out of defensemen

Everything is literally terrible.

Except the second line

I think both guys will make the team.
Likely both will have their share of struggles and rookie mistakes, but both make the team better. Hopefully it will not adversely effect their long term development when they hit the wall and struggle with inevitable adversity.

It's a tricky thing. But for me it's obvious the team needs both guys this season.
Long term just hope it works out for the best.
- Marc D

You look at cousins who was given ample time to develop and he turned into a solid bottom 6 guy. Laughton was in my opinion rushed and he hasn't seemed to be able to find himself since. On the flip side ghost was given a shot cause of injury and never looked back. Moral of the story is nobody really knows when someone is truly ready I'm more concerned that we have the fortitude to do what's best for a player. Even if it means sending someone like Laughton with over 100 nhl games back down to ahl for a while.

Everything is literally terrible.

Except the second line
- Giroux_Is_God

And the goaltending, and Provy, and the PK

You look at cousins who was given ample time to develop and he turned into a solid bottom 6 guy. Laughton was in my opinion rushed and he hasn't seemed to be able to find himself since. On the flip side ghost was given a shot cause of injury and never looked back. Moral of the story is nobody really knows when someone is truly ready I'm more concerned that we have the fortitude to do what's best for a player. Even if it means sending someone like Laughton with over 100 nhl games back down to ahl for a while.
- Tfaehner

Great points.

It's going to take fortitude to send Konecny down because short term he makes the team better. Long term what's best for Konecny, is speculation and guesswork.

My guess is Provorov will thrive this year in the NHL and will learn from mistakes and get better.

I feel less sure about Konecny.
I think if they had better top 6 depth Hexy would send him back.
They don't and he has the skills the team sorely needs

Very tough decisions for the GM.

nothing wrong with the gudas hit it's just a hockey play

Great points.

It's going to take fortitude to send Konecny down because short term he makes the team better. Long term what's best for Konecny, is speculation and guesswork.

My guess is Provorov will thrive this year in the NHL and will learn from mistakes and get better.

I feel less sure about Konecny.
I think if they had better top 6 depth Hexy would send him back.
They don't and he has the skills the team sorely needs

Very tough decisions for the GM.
- Marc D

My argument for konecny making it is that his areas of opportunity are not mental. They want him to get stronger on the puck and win more battles there. Not necessarily an opportunity that he needs to be in juniors to work on.

Also weal on waivers.

Everything is literally terrible.

Except the second line
- Giroux_Is_God

Voracek looks like he could have an 80 point season if he stays healthy and Couts looks like he is primed to have a career year scoring wise.

With both goalies in contract years their play may be really special too.

Streit is going to be better then last year.

Ghost may not reach the same amazing level but should be great.

2nd year under Haks system should help too.

Lots of positives I think.

Weal on waivers

Voracek looks like he could have an 80 point season if he stays healthy and Couts looks like he is primed to have a career year scoring wise.

With both goalies in contract years their play may be really special too.

Streit is going to be better then last year.

Ghost may not reach the same amazing level but should be great.

2nd year under Haks system should help too.

Lots of positives I think.
- Marc D

+1

Weal on waivers
- PLindbergh31

Think anyone claims him?

Voracek looks like he could have an 80 point season if he stays healthy and Couts looks like he is primed to have a career year scoring wise.

With both goalies in contract years their play may be really special too.

Streit is going to be better then last year.

Ghost may not reach the same amazing level but should be great.

2nd year under Haks system should help too.

Lots of positives I think.
- Marc D

Absolutely. I'm pretty excited for this season. If provorov and MDZ can bring good 2 way play to the back end, watch out. Seriously.

I'll be bummed after this season though not having both these goalies. That's of course going off the assumption that both want raises (and Neuvirth wants a substantial one) Maybe Neuvirth gets a nice draft pick at the deadline? Who knows.

And the goaltending, and Provy, and the PK
- BiggE

Think anyone claims him?
- Marc D

Maybe. He's probably nothing more than a guy who puts up points in the minors and is a fringe NHLer.

Still would suck to lose a depth player for nothing.