Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Road Trip, Recalls, Phantoms

Take Mike Smith

we are not in trouble yet....haven't hit the 10 game losing streak

The list of items missing in the flyers game is quite extensive.
Not a good sign 11 games in and that many holes to fix.

While everyone seems to point at the goaltending...which as been mediocre at best, until at least some of the other glaring issues are going to be addressed it is impossible to get a real read on the goalies. Elliot may be fine, even with his seemingly diminished mobility, if the team in front of him isn't off playing mumblypeg.

If the 5 on 5 gap control continues to be horrible, and the back side coverage, Dominik Hasek would be hard pressed to survive with this team. Never mind the PK...which IMHO comes down to execution and work effort as much as it does to the schemes. But you can say that about the entire mess that they are in right now.

It is both frustrating and sad...they looked so good in Pre Season...and look SO bad now.

Take Mike Smith
- Squilliam-

Take him where?

Take Mike Smith
- Squilliam-

I love a good Jedi mind trick.

Defensively this team should still be a mess, they were last season. Difference was they were getting goal support.

Right now:

Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds and Ghost are pointless in 2+ games straight

Provorov and Couturier are showing sign of life

Our young players are not providing secondary support(Konecny, Lindblom, Patrick)

Its really just everything going wrong at the same time.

Take him where?
- bmeltzer

On a date obviously!

Wine and dine him and maybe, just maybe, he will put out

On a date obviously!

Wine and dine him and maybe, just maybe, he will put out
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

No thanks.

Bill, in your opinion what happens if this team goes 0-4 on this road trip? Or perhaps, what do you think should happen?

It really is a trickle down effect. Bad turnover or missed coverage leads to first goal and we get down and stop playing with energy. Or goalie fails to make routine save after a failed clear or bad turnover. Bad passes or pinches leading to odd man rushes... Can't fault the goalies on those goals.

Bottom line is EVERYONE needs to be better. Every aspect of our game needs to be better. Our attitude needs to be better. We need to play with energy for 60 minutes.

We win faceoffs but then immediately turn the puck over. Fantastic.

Sanheim slowly sliding past his man on that 2 on 1 the other day pretty much sums up the season thus far.

Bill, in your opinion what happens if this team goes 0-4 on this road trip? Or perhaps, what do you think should happen?
- arichardson22

More snot and balls.

I like the two call-ups. I really like the Goul call up since he's done everything the coaches ask of him, corrected tendencies and works his a$$ off. He may not be as talented as others, but apparently he known for his energy and effort. Good for him.
The problem is that in order for him to play, who will they sit? To send a real message, sit a core player for 1 game. Playing him on the 4th line is only sending a half a message since the 4th line has been the better one the last few games.

I love a good Jedi mind trick.


- johndewar

General Kenobi!

- Doctor DOOM

Defensively this team should still be a mess, they were last season. Difference was they were getting goal support.


- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That's false. The Flyers were one of the better 5 on 5 defensive teams in the league last season. They were top 5 for most of the season until slipping and finishing 9th overall I believe.

- Doctor DOOM

The longer I look at this, the harder I start laughing

Ok long road trip now...so nothing happens until they get back. Awesome.

I expect the Flyers to do just enough for nothing to happen.

- Doctor DOOM

The longer I look at this, the harder I start laughing
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Pure comic gold, I teared up laughing.

This is probably a garbage rumor but possibly the reason they're calling up Goulborne is to showcase him for EDM. Kassian for Goulborne and picks.

What do you think?

- Doctor DOOM

This is probably a garbage rumor but possibly the reason they're calling up Goulborne is to showcase him for EDM. Kassian for Goulborne and picks.

What do you think?
- Doctor DOOM

Done deal. The 4 minutes Goulbourne might see in a game is going to seal the deal for EDM.