Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: LA prep, York, Frost, Sandin, Phantoms

I like IKE

I hope Ratcliffe comes in and uses his size to his advantage. Im not expecting him to score or be a monster out there in his first game. What I do want to see his a guy who uses what he has to get to the front of the net and stay there. Be hard to move, be hard on the puck in the corners if he needs to go there.

Just don't be big and SOFT.

L

I hope Ratcliffe comes in and uses his size to his advantage. Im not expecting him to score or be a monster out there in his first game. What I do want to see his a guy who uses what he has to get to the front of the net and stay there. Be hard to move, be hard on the puck in the corners if he needs to go there.

Just don't be big and SOFT.
- MBFlyerfan

He doesn't use his size in the AHL. In fact he is easily moved off the puck which for a guy his size isn't good.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: LA prep, York, Frost, Sandin, Phantoms
- bmeltzer

Agree on your York assessment.

God forbid they sit Yandle and let Igor and York play on the 3rd pair. Live with their mistakes. Coach them up. Let them learn which will be more beneficial going into next year.

Bill in your opinion do you think they still believe they can make the playoff?

Do you think they will move Braun or try to resign to another 1 year deal?

He doesn't use his size in the AHL. In fact he is easily moved off the puck which for a guy his size isn't good.
- hello it's me 2050

Definitely not good. Watching him I get the feeling that since he has ALWAYS been bigger than everyone else, at the lower levels he got used to being able to out muscle smaller weaker players all the way through juniors.

Then he gets to the AHL and it is culture shock when he realizes that many of the players are, if not as big as him, are most certainly as strong as he is.

All of the sudden that confidence he had disappeared. And he doesn't know how to adjust nor maybe even he BELIEVE that he can. Confidence is everything, and if he has lost it and cant get it back that is a big problem.

I personally don’t see the point in sitting Yandle at this point. So we sit Yandle on a team that’s already out of the playoffs, than what? Let young players get “experience” on a non-competitive team? Seeler has been getting “experience” all year.

I personally don’t see the point in sitting Yandle at this point. So we sit Yandle on a team that’s already out of the playoffs, than what? Let young players get “experience” on a none competitive team? Seeler has been getting “experience” all year.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't think anyone here considers Seeler a young player. He is 28 years old and has 132 NHL games under his belt.

I don't think anyone here considers Seeler a young player. He is 28 years old and has 132 NHL games under his belt.
- MBFlyerfan

Ok, this furthers my point. Why expose young players to this? Because we as fans want to see them play? York is a different case because he should have made the team out of camp.

Definitely not good. Watching him I get the feeling that since he has ALWAYS been bigger than everyone else, at the lower levels he got used to being able to out muscle smaller weaker players all the way through juniors.

Then he gets to the AHL and it is culture shock when he realizes that many of the players are, if not as big as him, are most certainly as strong as he is.

All of the sudden that confidence he had disappeared. And he doesn't know how to adjust nor maybe even he BELIEVE that he can. Confidence is everything, and if he has lost it and cant get it back that is a big problem.
- MBFlyerfan

very fair assessment. I agree.

That roster for Flyers is half an AHL roster, can we all agree on that?

I personally don’t see the point in sitting Yandle at this point. So we sit Yandle on a team that’s already out of the playoffs, than what? Let young players get “experience” on a non-competitive team? Seeler has been getting “experience” all year.
- SuperSchennBros

It isn't about Seeler in any way shape or form.

Seattle just 2 points behind us now. Ottawa will pass us shortly

The hard tank is on

As an alternative, since both Farabee and the oft-injured Allison are out of the lineup, I wouldn't mind seeing Frost and Laughton switch line assignments at 5-on-5 once the Frost combo with Mayhew and Willman runs its course.
-Bill Meltzer

Hi Bill, I was actually thinking the same thing when I saw the lineup you posted. I would like to see Frost playing with TK and JVR just so we can put to rest this debate about whether Frost's problems are due to unskilled line mates or his own play. I feel even on the line he is on now, with Mayhew and Willman, Frost is not the best Flyers' player on the ice most shifts, and that concerns me. As far as Allison goes, can we even count on him given his injury history? I feel bad for the kid but its doesn't look good for him, I mean how many injuries can one player take at such a young age?

Ok, this furthers my point. Why expose young players to this? Because we as fans want to see them play? York is a different case because he should have made the team out of camp.
- SuperSchennBros

Why? Because Igor is a better player than Yandle at this point is one reason. You let Igor get acclimated to the intricacies of the NHL so he is more prepared next season when they want to "contend" is another reason. Maybe you showcase him to other teams to increase his trade value could be another.

Nah lets just keep Yandle out there who had zeo future with this team. Never mind the fact he is a liability.

Seattle just 2 points behind us now. Ottawa will pass us shortly

The hard tank is on
- Just5

Who is the Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid at the end of this two year poop sandwich we are being subjected to?

I personally don’t see the point in sitting Yandle at this point. So we sit Yandle on a team that’s already out of the playoffs, than what? Let young players get “experience” on a non-competitive team? Seeler has been getting “experience” all year.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree, the only reason you sit Yandle is if you have a better option, including playing a young kid that you think is ready. Who in the Flyers system besides Cam York is ready for a chance at the NHL level? I know we keep saying Zamula but the kid is 175lbs soaking wet, he needs to add muscle if he is going to play consistently in the NHL. I would rather Zamula stay with the Phantoms in an expanded role and get stronger and more experience there.

I agree, the only reason you sit Yandle is if you have a better option, including playing a young kid that you think is ready. Who in the Flyers system besides Cam York is ready for a chance at the NHL level? I know we keep saying Zamula but the kid is 175lbs soaking wet, he needs to add muscle if he is going to play consistently in the NHL. I would rather Zamula stay with the Phantoms in an expanded role and get stronger and more experience there.
- jd250

Help me understand how he will add more muscle as opposed to playing in the AHL than the NHL? do they have diff food or milk in the AHL?

He needs NHL experience.

I agree, the only reason you sit Yandle is if you have a better option, including playing a young kid that you think is ready. Who in the Flyers system besides Cam York is ready for a chance at the NHL level? I know we keep saying Zamula but the kid is 175lbs soaking wet, he needs to add muscle if he is going to play consistently in the NHL. I would rather Zamula stay with the Phantoms in an expanded role and get stronger and more experience there.
- jd250

I think players are just as strong in the AHL than the NHL. I don't think his strength is the issue. But it couldnt hurt for everyone to get a little stronger. I thought he was playing better than York was in the AHL. They just dont want to pull Yandle for whatever reason. Maybe the top 5 pick is the goal

I want them to focus on the future and drafting and developing players in order to build the team into a contender with an open window for a significant time.
What I don't want Management to do is get into high priced long term FA, trade youth and draft picks for older players to try and win now. Pretty simple.
- MJL

Then you and I agree

Will this be just like last season where they added older players who didn't get them over the hump? Are you not paying attention to that?
Yes, I don't want Fletcher to spend the cap space that they get on UFA's in an attempt to win now.

Let me ask you a question. How did the Avalanche get Devin Toews? After you answer that question. Then we'll proceed with my next point
- MJL

Devon Toews was traded to the Colorado Avalanche by the New York Islanders on Monday for a second-round pick in the 2021 and 2022 NHL Draft. The 26-year-old defenseman, who is a restricted free agent and filed for salary arbitration on Oct. 10, scored 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 68 games last season.

I think players are just as strong in the AHL than the NHL. I don't think his strength is the issue. But it couldnt hurt for everyone to get a little stronger. I thought he was playing better than York was in the AHL. They just dont want to pull Yandle for whatever reason. Maybe the top 5 pick is the goal
- bradster

Yes, well Yandle will certainly help the Flyers get a higher pick. Man does he suck in own end. I have never seen an NHL defenseman that bad, or at least I can't remember seeing one as bad as Yandle in his own end.

He doesn't use his size in the AHL. In fact he is easily moved off the puck which for a guy his size isn't good.
- hello it's me 2050

Like JVR. Always missing that physicality you want to see from a player his size.

Yes, well Yandle will certainly help the Flyers get a higher pick. Man does he suck in own end. I have never seen an NHL defenseman that bad, or at least I can't remember seeing one as bad as Yandle in his own end.
- jd250

Just play him the rest of the year, and then let him go. It is what it is, awful. But he is helping our goal right now.

Like JVR. Always missing that physicality that you want to see from a player his size.
- dubc55

Yes, and I think Fletcher talked about this on Wednesday when he stated though this team needs top-end talent they also need more size and physicality. That statement points directly to players like JVR and Sanheim who have size but don't use it.