Bill Meltzer: Flyers Exhibition Gameday @TOR: 7/28/20 vs. PIT
- bmeltzer

Game Day blog

I don't disagree, but look at some key contributors for recent Cup teams. Letang, Subban, Parayko, Krug, Burns, Carlson. None of these guys are known as shutdown defenders; heck, I'd argue that a lot of them are actually WORSE that Ghost defensively (Burns, Suabbn). However, all of them played a critical role in their team's run to the Finals/winning a Cup.

And while I don't disagree that defense wins championships, that doesn't mean you need 6 shutdown defenders, it means you need a good team defense. That means all 5 skaters committing to a system that emphasizes responsibility away from the puck. An offensively-oriented defenseman can still be part of a good defense if he buys in and commits to being responsible.
- jmatchett383

I would take most on the list over ghost. Personally. Some maybe not at the stage of their career or for the money. But I wouldn’t put ghost in letang or Carlson category. Sub an was a beast but causes problems. He is a poor and smaller mans burns. I think kris is just a little better.

I would take most on the list over ghost. Personally. Some maybe not at the stage of their career or for the money. But I wouldn’t put ghost in letang or Carlson category. Sub an was a beast but causes problems. He is a poor and smaller mans burns. I think kris is just a little better.
- Peter Richards

I'm not saying Ghost was better, just stating that these were guys who are not known for their defensive play who played huge roles on SCF teams/winners to refute the "defense wins championship" knock on Ghost.

This Zamula kid must be good if they are putting him in the lineup today. Not sure what type of back surgery he’s coming back from but the fact that he’s in the lineup is amazing. Hopefully, he’s and gem like Myers!

This Zamula kid must be good if they are putting him in the lineup today. Not sure what type of back surgery he’s coming back from but the fact that he’s in the lineup is amazing. Hopefully, he’s and gem like Myers!
- HockeyLifer

He had a breakout season in the WHL, much like Myers in the Q. I doubt he seems any time in the real playoff games unless they get decimated on the blue line

If (big IF) Ghost can get back closer to his 17/18 form, he needs to be kept. That season, playing on a pair with Provorov, he actually was playing defense well, and had a physical aspect to his game.

For whatever reason, he regressed like crazy on both sides of the puck the next season, and never found his footing this year. And Provorov, while not as dynamic as Ghost, has done a good job QBing the PP this year. Of all the defensemen on the team, he probably is the most expendable, even though I'd prefer they keep him.

I think that Provorov, Sanehim, and Myers are here to stay. Hagg is what he is, could be moved. Braun may not be back. Niskanen would be great to extend but he's creeping closer to 35. York and Zamula will be pushing for jobs soon. Ghost may be the odd man out, and it's on him to force the Flyers to keep him.
- jmatchett383

I think Ghost is the perfect player to move in the offseason. If he isn’t posting points, he doesn’t offer much. His points can be made up for by committee on defense.

He had a breakout season in the WHL, much like Myers in the Q. I doubt he seems any time in the real playoff games unless they get decimated on the blue line
- jmatchett383

I agree! I’m sure they want to give him a look with real competition. Should be fun! Go Flyers!

I think Ghost is the perfect player to move in the offseason. If he isn’t posting points, he doesn’t offer much. His points can be made up for by committee on defense.
- SuperSchennBros

People seem to forget we will be losing someone to Seattle, if we move him and then lose another Dman to Seattle we could be looking rather thin on D.

People seem to forget we will be losing someone to Seattle, if we move him and then lose another Dman to Seattle we could be looking rather thin on D.
- ClaudeFather

Yes. Depending on the return.

This Zamula kid must be good if they are putting him in the lineup today. Not sure what type of back surgery he’s coming back from but the fact that he’s in the lineup is amazing. Hopefully, he’s and gem like Myers!
- HockeyLifer

It’s basically a preseason game. See what he can do and how he fairs against nhl competition.

Yes. Depending on the return.
- Peter Richards

Ghosts return at the moment would probably be very underwhelming.

Ghosts return at the moment would probably be very underwhelming.
- ClaudeFather

Agreed...but how long do you hold onto a depreciating asset?

I'm a big Ghost fan, have been since he was drafted and first saw him play. But at what point do you say he's lost it?

Agreed...but how long do you hold onto a depreciating asset?

I'm a big Ghost fan, have been since he was drafted and first saw him play. But at what point do you say he's lost it?
- jmatchett383

I think Seattle throws a wrench in things, if a decent offer is there Go for it but I think having capable defenders is very important. Teams seem to find forwards for cheap to plug in like the Tyler ennis’ of the world. D is much harder.

Agreed...but how long do you hold onto a depreciating asset?

I'm a big Ghost fan, have been since he was drafted and first saw him play. But at what point do you say he's lost it?
- jmatchett383

Even if he regains his ways, what if Myers and Sanheim take huge steps forward? You have 3 guys capable, well one proven un Ghost, who could/can QB a PP.

It's a good problem to have but you still need the Brauns and Haags of the world in your lineup.

It's tough to say who I'd move if Braun stays.

Ghosts return at the moment would probably be very underwhelming.
- ClaudeFather

I was referring to draft picks or prospects that wouldn’t be eligible for the expansion draft. But yeah unless he has a good playoff run. Then everyone will want to keep him anyway.

I think Seattle throws a wrench in things, if a decent offer is there Go for it but I think having capable defenders is very important. Teams seem to find forwards for cheap to plug in like the Tyler ennis’ of the world. D is much harder.
- ClaudeFather

I wouldn't shop him around, but he's no longer on the untouchable list, either. But I don't think he's going to be one of our protected defenders (Provy, Sanheim, Myers) come expansion, so moving him for an exempt asset wouldn't be terrible.

It would be the opposite of what I wanted the Flyers to do, We didn't have 3 defenders warranting protection so we protected Manning. I would have tried to go to a team like Anaheim or Chicago, who had too many defenders to protect, and try to acquire one of the cheap, and add him to our protected list. Maybe this time around, there's another team out there who only has 2 defenders to protect who would like to trade for Ghost to add to his list.

Even if he regains his ways, what if Myers and Sanheim take huge steps forward? You have 3 guys capable, well one proven un Ghost, who could/can QB a PP.

It's a good problem to have but you still need the Brauns and Haags of the world in your lineup.

It's tough to say who I'd move if Braun stays.
- Pelle31Forever

Then you move Ghost before the expansion draft for the largest return you can find and reap the benefits next season

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Exhibition Gameday @TOR: 7/28/20 vs. PIT
- bmeltzer

Where’s ggunky??

Even if he regains his ways, what if Myers and Sanheim take huge steps forward? You have 3 guys capable, well one proven un Ghost, who could/can QB a PP.

It's a good problem to have but you still need the Brauns and Haags of the world in your lineup.

It's tough to say who I'd move if Braun stays.
- Pelle31Forever

Those two are why he is less valued. Travis has improved basically every year. Myers has had better health and is better defensively. His offense will hopefully continue to trend up. Egor will be here in one or two years. York in two to three if all pans out. Then you have the attard and ginning with a shot not to mention other dark horses out there. They did well in restocking some home grown defenders.

im a big fan of justin gostisbehere

Great to be game day and love all the dialog...have missed that for a while...Where is GGUNKY with the Let's go Flyers chant!!!

I don't disagree, but look at some key contributors for recent Cup teams. Letang, Subban, Parayko, Krug, Burns, Carlson. None of these guys are known as shutdown defenders; heck, I'd argue that a lot of them are actually WORSE that Ghost defensively (Burns, Suabbn). However, all of them played a critical role in their team's run to the Finals/winning a Cup.

And while I don't disagree that defense wins championships, that doesn't mean you need 6 shutdown defenders, it means you need a good team defense. That means all 5 skaters committing to a system that emphasizes responsibility away from the puck. An offensively-oriented defenseman can still be part of a good defense if he buys in and commits to being responsible.
- jmatchett383

The thing about Ghost is, he is so sheltered by our coaches. He gets so many of his starts in the offensive zone. Much more than PK.

As for Burns, dude is essentially a forward. His ppg production over the last 4 years would probably be in the top 10% of ALL players in the league.

Agreed...but how long do you hold onto a depreciating asset?

I'm a big Ghost fan, have been since he was drafted and first saw him play. But at what point do you say he's lost it?
- jmatchett383

I would give him another half season at least. His upside is much higher than Hagg, of course, so lets see how he does in AV's system with fully healthy knees.

The thing with Ghost is the relation of his usefulness to the Flyers is comparative to the player that would supplant him in the lineup (Hagg) and the return of assets you would be able to get for him via trade (not much) Those who do not like him have certain legs to stand on in his play for the last two seasons but the notion of simply trading him seems to be the consensus from those in this line of thought, while in reality the situation is much more nuanced.

The thing with Ghost is the relation of his usefulness to the Flyers is comparative to the player that would supplant him in the lineup (Hagg) and the return of assets you would be able to get for him via trade (not much) Those who do not like him have certain legs to stand on in his play for the last two seasons but the notion of simply trading him seems to be the consensus from those in this line of thought, while in reality the situation is much more nuanced.
- Lip_Out

You forgot the expansion draft as a factor.

We may not get "much" for him, but if he shows flashes, he is gone for nothing for sure because he is the kind of player who can fill seats.