Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: Game 1 @ CBJ (10/12/23)

Provorov must be so proud that Pride tape is banned.

Hi Bill,

What is your take on why so many analysts are predicting the Flyers for dead last, not only in the division, but the league ? Every indication to me is that they have improved areas that were surely lacking. The most important of those is team speed. They made improvements in the puck possession area during the offseason that was evident in the preseason.

Of course that was preseason, and I do see a period of adjustment with them early on due to so many changes in the roster, to achieve chemistry against the other teams' regulars. Yes, they started to show chemistry in the preseason, but once again, was without playing against starters.

But when they do get their timing, and chemistry, I see this roster to be better than last year's. Thoughts ?

Thanks,
Dan

Hi Bill,

What is your take on why so many analysts are predicting the Flyers for dead last, not only in the division, but the league ? Every indication to me is that they have improved areas that were surely lacking. The most important of those is team speed. They made improvements in the puck possession area during the offseason that was evident in the preseason.

Of course that was preseason, and I do see a period of adjustment with them early on due to so many changes in the roster, to achieve chemistry against the other teams' regulars. Yes, they started to show chemistry in the preseason, but once again, was without playing against starters.

But when they do get their timing, and chemistry, I see this roster to be better than last year's. Thoughts ?

Thanks,
Dan
- BluehorseShoe64

I’ll ask you this, what teams are they better than? Even if our team improved, so did most of the teams towards the bottom of the league outside of San Jose

Provorov must be so proud that Pride tape is banned.
- Feanor

Not sure he cares about that tape until he is forced to use it.

I’ll ask you this, what teams are they better than? Even if our team improved, so did most of the teams towards the bottom of the league outside of San Jose
- ClaudeFather

Yup, pretty much.
Definitely worse than the Flyers: Sharks
Possibly worse than the Flyers: Ducks, Coyotes, Black Hawks, Blues, Bluejackets, Habs

This game will be amazing tonight. Two teams that are undefeated. It should be a burner.

Yup, pretty much.
Definitely worse than the Flyers: Sharks
Possibly worse than the Flyers: Ducks, Coyotes, Black Hawks, Blues, Bluejackets, Habs
- BiggE

and a few of those possibles are more than likely better than the flyers, in the jackets blues and Yotes

Not sure he cares about that tape until he is forced to use it.
- mickel25

It is amazing that a guy gets bashed because he stands up for what HE believes in and does not cower to the oppressors

I’ll ask you this, what teams are they better than? Even if our team improved, so did most of the teams towards the bottom of the league outside of San Jose
- ClaudeFather

Fair question. And like any new season, it all has to be proven on the ice. Comments this early are all based on "paper", as to how good each roster is. Like you said, most teams have also improved . Therefore we will find out.
I stopped doing those comparisons of what teams are better than others. Other factors weigh in to wins and losses. One of the biggest impacts is the schedule. Teams playing back-to-back on the road or having multiple games over a 5-6 day period. Injuries, or key players playing with unknown injuries. Prospects not hitting their potential or veterans losing some of their ability due to aging.
Areas that improved for them is team speed, a better backup goalie and young players entering years 2 & 3 of their careers with more experience than last year like Frost and Cates and Farabee. Working against them is their defense, and the sheer number of changes on the roster. They have to adjust to playing with different players, at a much higher pace than preseason. Is why I suggested they might start slowly. It might not kick in for them for 2-3 weeks or more.

Fair question. And like any new season, it all has to be proven on the ice. Comments this early are all based on "paper", as to how good each roster is. Like you said, most teams have also improved . Therefore we will find out.
I stopped doing those comparisons of what teams are better than others. Other factors weigh in to wins and losses. One of the biggest impacts is the schedule. Teams playing back-to-back on the road or having multiple games over a 5-6 day period. Injuries, or key players playing with unknown injuries. Prospects not hitting their potential or veterans losing some of their ability due to aging.
Areas that improved for them is team speed, a better backup goalie and young players entering years 2 & 3 of their careers with more experience than last year like Frost and Cates and Farabee. Working against them is their defense, and the sheer number of changes on the roster. They have to adjust to playing with different players, at a much higher pace than preseason. Is why I suggested they might start slowly. It might not kick in for them for 2-3 weeks or more.

They have to find ways of stealing games from better teams when they are on the 2nd game of a back-to-back, or one of the goalies steal a game or a player like Brink has a breakout game to carry them to a win. It surely won't be consistent until they overcome those headwinds mentioned above
- BluehorseShoe64

Good sign for Brink, they let him have #10.

It is amazing that a guy gets bashed because he stands up for what HE believes in and does not cower to the oppressors
- corduroy

I think it's amazing that Provorov claims to be a deeply religious orthodox Christian while living in sin. Maybe they have seperate bedrooms, though

Fair question. And like any new season, it all has to be proven on the ice. Comments this early are all based on "paper", as to how good each roster is. Like you said, most teams have also improved . Therefore we will find out.
I stopped doing those comparisons of what teams are better than others. Other factors weigh in to wins and losses. One of the biggest impacts is the schedule. Teams playing back-to-back on the road or having multiple games over a 5-6 day period. Injuries, or key players playing with unknown injuries. Prospects not hitting their potential or veterans losing some of their ability due to aging.
Areas that improved for them is team speed, a better backup goalie and young players entering years 2 & 3 of their careers with more experience than last year like Frost and Cates and Farabee. Working against them is their defense, and the sheer number of changes on the roster. They have to adjust to playing with different players, at a much higher pace than preseason. Is why I suggested they might start slowly. It might not kick in for them for 2-3 weeks or more.
- BluehorseShoe64

The defense being among the worst in the entire league is going to be a huge hurdle to overcome. The forward group is below average at very best. It’s going to be a struggle to score as well as keep pucks out of our net. And if hart goes down or is suspended, it’s going to be bad

"I think it's amazing that Provorov claims to be a deeply religious orthodox Christian while living in sin".

Being a hypocrite is a prerequisite for being a religious person in like 99% of cases.

Yup, pretty much.
Definitely worse than the Flyers: Sharks
Possibly worse than the Flyers: Ducks, Coyotes, Black Hawks, Blues, Bluejackets, Habs
- BiggE

I think the Blues and yotes will be better.

Jackets will just as bad

Sharks, Ducks and Hawks will be worse.

I think the Blues and yotes will be better.

Jackets will just as bad

Sharks, Ducks and Hawks will be worse.
- WhiskeyMan

The game tonight is won they need to play well but lose in regulation.

It is amazing that a guy gets bashed because he stands up for what HE believes in and does not cower to the oppressors
- corduroy

love the ivan

Provorov must be so proud that Pride tape is banned.
- Feanor

I doubt he even gave it a second thought.

The defense being among the worst in the entire league is going to be a huge hurdle to overcome. The forward group is below average at very best. It’s going to be a struggle to score as well as keep pucks out of our net. And if hart goes down or is suspended, it’s going to be bad
- ClaudeFather

sharsk only team worse imo than flyers. Several in the same ballpark I suppose.

This is where the torst effect comes into play to grind out those meaningless wins to pump up his resume.

Hi Bill,

What is your take on why so many analysts are predicting the Flyers for dead last, not only in the division, but the league ? Every indication to me is that they have improved areas that were surely lacking. The most important of those is team speed. They made improvements in the puck possession area during the offseason that was evident in the preseason.

Of course that was preseason, and I do see a period of adjustment with them early on due to so many changes in the roster, to achieve chemistry against the other teams' regulars. Yes, they started to show chemistry in the preseason, but once again, was without playing against starters.

But when they do get their timing, and chemistry, I see this roster to be better than last year's. Thoughts ?

Thanks,
Dan
- BluehorseShoe64

What players have they added that have increased team speed? What players have they added to improve puck possession?

I think it's amazing that Provorov claims to be a deeply religious orthodox Christian while living in sin. Maybe they have seperate bedrooms, though


- Feanor

He is from Russia, being gay is against the law. Would you F with Russian authorities if you have family still in the country. They make parents die in ponds.

Just drop the self righteous crap.

I think it's amazing that Provorov claims to be a deeply religious orthodox Christian while living in sin. Maybe they have seperate bedrooms, though


- Feanor

You also going go after Muslim players?

He is from Russia, being gay is against the law. Would you F with Russian authorities if you have family still in the country. They make parents die in ponds.

Just drop the self righteous crap.
- WhiskeyMan

Is this sarcasm? Do you think his parents would be killed for wearing a pride tape warm up jersey?

Looks like we're in mid-season form here. Great job coming to camp in political-argument shape and carrying that hard work through to game one.