Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Hart and Flyers/Phantoms Goalies, All-Star Weekend, Prospects

Great write up Bill. I think Frost is the most exciting prospect we have now that Hart is here.

What are your thoughts on who will be the Phantoms goalie next year. I would really like to see Sandstrom come over for more ice time and adjusting to the North American game.

Great write up Bill. I think Frost is the most exciting prospect we have now that Hart is here.

What are your thoughts on who will be the Phantoms goalie next year. I would really like to see Sandstrom come over for more ice time and adjusting to the North American game.
- youarewrong

Sandström will be here next year, in all likelihood, even though he was a Hexy draftee and ELC signing:

1) Assuming Hart is in the NHL and at least one of Stolarz or Lyon will be elsewhere next season, there will be a spot available on the Phantoms.

2) Sandström will be in year two of his ELC. The contract did not slide for this season because he has aged out of slide-rule eligibility.

3) He needs the playing time, because he's never been more than split-time starter or a backup so far in his SHL career.

Man our goalie prospects are deeeeeep. Loving it

I like that Frost added weight over the summer, I think it showed his commitment to make the team. With a year of playing with the added weight he should be better.

Curious Bill, when Frost was sent back do you know what the Flyers told him to work on or add to his game?

Last season was the weight but I would think if he is 185, that is about right for him.

G, Frost, TK - top line next season. You heard it here first.

Provy / Myers top d pair.

G, Frost, TK - top line next season. You heard it here first.

Provy / Myers top d pair.
- cdearth23

G at Center...Frost at wing. Frost learns on the fly while watching G in his office

G, Frost, TK - top line next season. You heard it here first.

Provy / Myers top d pair.
- cdearth23

I want a 3rd line of Lindblom-Patrick-Frost

JVR-Giroux-Konecny
UFA-Couturier-Voracek
Lindblom-Patrick-Frost
Laughton-and 2 young players from the Phantoms... Voroboyov, NAK, Rubstov, or maybe a surprise.

Sandström will be here next year, in all likelihood, even though he was a Hexy draftee and ELC signing:

1) Assuming Hart is in the NHL and at least one of Stolarz or Lyon will be elsewhere next season, there will be a spot available on the Phantoms.

2) Sandström will be in year two of his ELC. The contract did not slide for this season because he has aged out of slide-rule eligibility.

3) He needs the playing time, because he's never been more than split-time starter or a backup so far in his SHL career.
- bmeltzer

The league isn't as aware of Sandstrom as much as Flyers fans are right? Is there much of a chance him getting picked up by Seattle? I would imagine they would rather go after one of our young defenseman or a name like Voracek or JVR.

I like that Frost added weight over the summer, I think it showed his commitment to make the team. With a year of playing with the added weight he should be better.

Curious Bill, when Frost was sent back do you know what the Flyers told him to work on or add to his game?

Last season was the weight but I would think if he is 185, that is about right for him.
- wcorvette

They told him to focus on playing quicker, in order to better take advantage of his natural speed. Also has room to better deal with tight checking.

The league isn't as aware of Sandstrom as much as Flyers fans are right? Is there much of a chance him getting picked up by Seattle? I would imagine they would rather go after one of our young defenseman or a name like Voracek or JVR.
- youarewrong

Flyers will likely have much more attractive options for Seattle than an unproven goalie, plus there will be plenty of solid, legit NHL goalies available for them to choose from. Unless Sandstrom comes into the AHL and puts up Hasek like numbers, I don't think there is any chance the Flyers lose him.

Flyers will likely have much more attractive options for Seattle than an unproven goalie, plus there will be plenty of solid, legit NHL goalies available for them to choose from. Unless Sandstrom comes into the AHL and puts up Hasek like numbers, I don't think there is any chance the Flyers lose him.
- BiggE

Not sure why people are so worried about the expansion draft. I am sure things will be worked out by then.

Bill,

Excluding Brendan Warren, who's extremely unlikely to ever play a second in the NHL, where would you rank the NCAA prospects on chances of making the NHL. For example, a guy like Cates may not have top-6 or top-line NHL potential, but could leapfrog some other players based on his forechecking and 2-way prowess.

Would just like to see how you view it.

Not sure why people are so worried about the expansion draft. I am sure things will be worked out by then.
- J35Bacher

It is what it is. They are going to likely lose a decent player. However, it's only one player and it's not going to be one of their best players. I think people worry about this way too much

It is what it is. They are going to likely lose a decent player. However, it's only one player and it's not going to be one of their best players. I think people worry about this way too much
- BiggE

I can see them doing what some others team did, trading draft assets to Seattle in order to take specific players.

Question for hockey players:

I have a pair of CCM skates with T-Blades. If I want to replace them with a traditional blade, do I need to remove the rivets and, if so, how do I do so? Should I just take it to a pro shop and have it done?

Bill,

Excluding Brendan Warren, who's extremely unlikely to ever play a second in the NHL, where would you rank the NCAA prospects on chances of making the NHL. For example, a guy like Cates may not have top-6 or top-line NHL potential, but could leapfrog some other players based on his forechecking and 2-way prowess.

Would just like to see how you view it.
- jmatchett383

I’ll jump in here. My top 5 to make the nhl in any capacity from ncaa are

1. Farabee
2. Lacyzinski
3. Cates
4. Allison
5. O’Brien

I'm fine with Hart playing one AHL game, but I think it should be tonight at home in lovely Allentown. Don't make him take the bus to Connecticut with the rest of the AHL riffraff.

Bill,

Excluding Brendan Warren, who's extremely unlikely to ever play a second in the NHL, where would you rank the NCAA prospects on chances of making the NHL. For example, a guy like Cates may not have top-6 or top-line NHL potential, but could leapfrog some other players based on his forechecking and 2-way prowess.

Would just like to see how you view it.
- jmatchett383

Farabee is pretty much a lock to play in the NHL. I think Laczynski and Cates, a couple years apart, have a shot as bottom 6 types. Wade Allison has barely played in the last calendar year due to the ACL tear and the upper-body injury from he's likely to return tonight, but was very much on an NHL track before that and probably still is if he can stay healthy. With O'Brien, it may take another year to have a good sense, but his upside is very high.

Kalynuk is an older sophomore who looks like a future pro but still has room to improve without the puck. St. Ivany is having a strong freshman season for Yale but struggled in his limited WJC role, so we will see in a year or two.

I'm dubious on Hain but he's a true freshman at UND and he has time. Warren and Tomek are non--prospects at this point.

I can see them doing what some others team did, trading draft assets to Seattle in order to take specific players.
- jmatchett383

I hope not, that backfired for a lot of teams. Again, it's one guy. It's not going to be any of your top 8 or 9 guys and guys like Frost, Farabee and anyone else not yet playing professionally will be exempt.

Sandström will be here next year, in all likelihood, even though he was a Hexy draftee and ELC signing:

1) Assuming Hart is in the NHL and at least one of Stolarz or Lyon will be elsewhere next season, there will be a spot available on the Phantoms.

2) Sandström will be in year two of his ELC. The contract did not slide for this season because he has aged out of slide-rule eligibility.

3) He needs the playing time, because he's never been more than split-time starter or a backup so far in his SHL career.
- bmeltzer

I think they should sign a solid veteran to play with Hart, keep Stolarz and Lyon and hope they get thru waivers to start the season, and also bring Sandstrom over.

Hart
Howard (for example)

Lyon
Stolarz
Sandstrom

5 goalies isn't too many, it's probably too few.

I wouldnt be so sure we are just going to let Seattle have their pick. We have a lot of valuable assets. I get they'll only get one but who is to say it wont have a huge negative impact on the NHL team ? Taking a ready NHL guy vs a prospect etc.

Flyers will likely have much more attractive options for Seattle than an unproven goalie, plus there will be plenty of solid, legit NHL goalies available for them to choose from. Unless Sandstrom comes into the AHL and puts up Hasek like numbers, I don't think there is any chance the Flyers lose him.
- BiggE

Yes, if they protect

Giroux, Couturier, Konency, Patrick
Ghost, Provorov, Sanheim, Myers
Hart

there will be much better options for Seattle than Sandstrom

I think they should sign a solid veteran to play with Hart, keep Stolarz and Lyon and hope they get thru waivers to start the season, and also bring Sandstrom over.

Hart
Howard (for example)

Lyon
Stolarz
Sandstrom

5 goalies isn't too many, it's probably too few.
- Feanor

I hear what you're saying and odds are, someone will get hurt, but if all stay healthy, having 3 goalies with either the Flyers or the Phantoms is not a good situation to have.

I wouldnt be so sure we are just going to let Seattle have their pick. We have a lot of valuable assets. I get they'll only get one but who is to say it wont have a huge negative impact on the NHL team ? Taking a ready NHL guy vs a prospect etc.
- Tfaehner

you honestly think losing a guy like Morin, Hagg, Lindblom or Rubtsov, will have a huge negative impact on the team? I think that's a bit of an overreaction. You have a lot of good prospects in the system, plus a likely top 10 pick in this years draft. By 2021-22, at least a few, if not several of these kids will be NHL ready.

I don't want to give up a good prospect or a 2nd round pick just to have Seattle take JVR or whomever you're thinking they should take. It's not worth it.