Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/6/24 vs. CGY

Bill, curious your thoughts on cutters tournament. Many trying to label him a playmaker, watching the games that was not the case. Not saying he was bad, he was fine, but I was hoping to see a much more assertive player. Most of his tournament was like the gold medal game, just a guy in the lineup.

I noticed that about Tippett as well. I think TK wanted to ring his neck during that 5 on 3 advantage. Tippett kept shooting from low percentage areas. On a 5 on 3 you want to move the puck around. He just kept shooting. No...no...no... the young guys are fightin it right now as I thought Foerster had a rough game too (lost his check on the first Columbus goal). Cutter and MM to the rescue...oh wait...

I noticed that about Tippett as well. I think TK wanted to ring his neck during that 5 on 3 advantage. Tippett kept shooting from low percentage areas. On a 5 on 3 you want to move the puck around. He just kept shooting. No...no...no... the young guys are fightin it right now as I thought Foerster had a rough game too (lost his check on the first Columbus goal). Cutter and MM to the rescue...oh wait...
- Phillywhiteout

Young guys are going to have some dips in play. You can tell someone on the coaching staff told Tippet to shoot the puck after an ineffective game in EDM…lol. The seasons are long and we are now in the dog days of January…it’s a learning process for some of these guys. Flyers need to stay patient. Look how patience is paying off with Zamula. A month ago everybody was convinced he was a bottom pairing player with no offensive capabilities. Now he’s improved his play, is being put in more offensive situations and playing some really solid games. It takes time.

Bill, curious your thoughts on cutters tournament. Many trying to label him a playmaker, watching the games that was not the case. Not saying he was bad, he was fine, but I was hoping to see a much more assertive player. Most of his tournament was like the gold medal game, just a guy in the lineup.
- ClaudeFather

Here is my take. If he is a goal scorer than that's what I want to see him do at the NHL level. If he is average or below in other areas I can live with this if he becomes an elite goal scorer.

I do not want the flyers trying to turn him into something that isn't his forte. For lack of a better word jack of all trades type. I also want them to play him where he will bring the most value to the team.

I really don't want Torts getting his hands on Cutter or MM to be honest. Though I also hope Torts signs an ext.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/6/24 vs. CGY
- bmeltzer

Billl what team or teams do you see Frost being traded too? I say Chicago.

Young guys are going to have some dips in play. You can tell someone on the coaching staff told Tippet to shoot the puck after an ineffective game in EDM…lol. The seasons are long and we are now in the dog days of January…it’s a learning process for some of these guys. Flyers need to stay patient. Look how patience is paying off with Zamula. A month ago everybody was convinced he was a bottom pairing player with no offensive capabilities. Now he’s improved his play, is being put in more offensive situations and playing some really solid games. It takes time.
- landros 2

Yeah, I agree. Young guys aren't going to be consistent for sure at this level. It takes time. I also think this dreadful PP just needs to get pucks and bodies to the net, but on a 5 on 3 you need to utilize the extra players you have on the ice. Tippett was taking unscreened shots from the top of the circle. That won't do on a 5 on 3 and I think TK was miffed at him cause he wanted the puck down low.

Here is my take. If he is a goal scorer than that's what I want to see him do at the NHL level. If he is average or below in other areas I can live with this if he becomes an elite goal scorer.

I do not want the flyers trying to turn him into something that isn't his forte. For lack of a better word jack of all trades type. I also want them to play him where he will bring the most value to the team.

I really don't want Torts getting his hands on Cutter or MM to be honest. Though I also hope Torts signs an ext.
- hello it's me 2050

That’s a great point, all these posters think he’s turned into a playmaker… he didn’t a magically evolve into a playmaker, I wish someone had a highlight tape of his tournament, think there would be some minds changed. Obviously when you get all these guys together you kind of take on a role for the team, but he didn’t find those soft spots like he did previously. I don’t think he should be play center. His best asset is his shot, and I think that’s best served at wing.

Yeah, I agree. Young guys aren't going to be consistent for sure at this level. It takes time. I also think this dreadful PP just needs to get pucks and bodies to the net, but on a 5 on 3 you need to utilize the extra players you have on the ice. Tippett was taking unscreened shots from the top of the circle. That won't do on a 5 on 3 and I think TK was miffed at him cause he wanted the puck down low.
- Phillywhiteout

at what point do we stop saying "young" guys. Yes age why young, nhl experience well not so much.

tippet soon to be 25 - 230+ nhl games
Frost soon to be 25 - 185 nhl games
Joel - soon to be 24 - 290 games

Tippet is a guy who I wonder what his trade value would be. If it was high I would def explore moving him. Now that being said they probably have zero interest in trading him.

That’s a great point, all these posters think he’s turned into a playmaker… he didn’t a magically evolve into a playmaker, I wish someone had a highlight tape of his tournament, think there would be some minds changed. Obviously when you get all these guys together you kind of take on a role for the team, but he didn’t find those soft spots like he did previously. I don’t think he should be play center. His best asset is his shot, and I think that’s best served at wing.
- ClaudeFather

I don't know what his best position is at the moment.

Hopefully the flyers do not force him to be a center. Them being dead set on that is my concern as they are thin as can be at center. They may have tunnel vision when it comes to where he should play.

at what point do we stop saying "young" guys. Yes age why young, nhl experience well not so much.

tippet soon to be 25 - 230+ nhl games
Frost soon to be 25 - 185 nhl games
Joel - soon to be 24 - 290 games

Tippet is a guy who I wonder what his trade value would be. If it was high I would def explore moving him. Now that being said they probably have zero interest in trading him.
- hello it's me 2050

The young guys I was referring to was Brink, Foerster, Tippett and Zamula. I don't really consider Frost and Farabee to be young guys although I guess Tippett falls in line with them age/experience wise. I didn't realize Tippett played that many NHL games to be honest. There were rumors awhile ago that his agent wants a big/long term contract for him. If that's the case and he wants to break the bank I would certainly look into trading him, but not sure what kind of package he would fetch.

at what point do we stop saying "young" guys. Yes age why young, nhl experience well not so much.

tippet soon to be 25 - 230+ nhl games
Frost soon to be 25 - 185 nhl games
Joel - soon to be 24 - 290 games

Tippet is a guy who I wonder what his trade value would be. If it was high I would def explore moving him. Now that being said they probably have zero interest in trading him.
- hello it's me 2050

I was more referring to Foerster. Perhaps Brink and Zamula as well. I wouldn’t be so quick to move Tippet….he does so many things very well….it’s frustrating some nights, but I still think there’s much more there….maybe one day it will all click…then again maybe it won’t….but I’m not selling yet.

I was more referring to Foerster. Perhaps Brink and Zamula as well. I wouldn’t be so quick to move Tippet….he does so many things very well….it’s frustrating some nights, but I still think there’s much more there….maybe one day it will all click…then again maybe it won’t….but I’m not selling yet.
- landros 2

He gets a hundred chances and doesnt bury many of them. I don’t think that’s gonna change. Not advocating to trade him but I don’t see him all of a sudden converting more frequently.

I don't know what his best position is at the moment.

Hopefully the flyers do not force him to be a center. Them being dead set on that is my concern as they are thin as can be at center. They may have tunnel vision when it comes to where he should play.
- hello it's me 2050

I was impressed with his play at Center in the World Juniors….but that doesn’t mean that his best position won’t be at W in the future. We’ll see.

The young guys I was referring to was Brink, Foerster, Tippett and Zamula. I don't really consider Frost and Farabee to be young guys although I guess Tippett falls in line with them age/experience wise. I didn't realize Tippett played that many NHL games to be honest. There were rumors awhile ago that his agent wants a big/long term contract for him. If that's the case and he wants to break the bank I would certainly look into trading him, but not sure what kind of package he would fetch.
- Phillywhiteout

no fn way do you pay tippet with what he was allegedly asking for which was 6+ I think. Nice player not a diff maker and also disappears for stretches.

Danny boy needs to use his wharton skills to sell high on players.

I was more referring to Foerster. Perhaps Brink and Zamula as well. I wouldn’t be so quick to move Tippet….he does so many things very well….it’s frustrating some nights, but I still think there’s much more there….maybe one day it will all click…then again maybe it won’t….but I’m not selling yet.
- landros 2

I wouldn't hesitate t move anyone on this roster if it is a good deal. Not saying move tippet just wondering what his value may be and if someone would overpay.

I don't know what his best position is at the moment.

Hopefully the flyers do not force him to be a center. Them being dead set on that is my concern as they are thin as can be at center. They may have tunnel vision when it comes to where he should play.
~hello it’s me

Correct. If you want a natural center, then draft one. Don’t try to force him in that role because of your deficiencies in your lineup.

Bill, curious your thoughts on cutters tournament. Many trying to label him a playmaker, watching the games that was not the case. Not saying he was bad, he was fine, but I was hoping to see a much more assertive player. Most of his tournament was like the gold medal game, just a guy in the lineup.
- ClaudeFather

First of all, I didn't watch a single game. I have a few questions for you though. He played what, 6 games? He had 10 assists in those games. How was he not a playmaker? He led the tournament in scoring and was a +9. He was voted the most outstanding player in the tournament. How was he just a guy in the tournament for most of his tournament. Something doesn't add up.

I noticed that about Tippett as well. I think TK wanted to ring his neck during that 5 on 3 advantage. Tippett kept shooting from low percentage areas. On a 5 on 3 you want to move the puck around. He just kept shooting. No...no...no... the young guys are fightin it right now as I thought Foerster had a rough game too (lost his check on the first Columbus goal). Cutter and MM to the rescue...oh wait...
- Phillywhiteout

I don't want them to move the puck around on the PP. They can do that. I want them to score. To score, they need to shoot. I would tell Tippett to keep shooting. Eventually they're going to start going in.

That’s a great point, all these posters think he’s turned into a playmaker… he didn’t a magically evolve into a playmaker, I wish someone had a highlight tape of his tournament, think there would be some minds changed. Obviously when you get all these guys together you kind of take on a role for the team, but he didn’t find those soft spots like he did previously. I don’t think he should be play center. His best asset is his shot, and I think that’s best served at wing.
- ClaudeFather

In my opinion, that's not what they think. What they think is that he showed another element to his game. Another ability that he has. The ability to make a pass and create chances for linemates is an element to his game that can make him better as a player. Others see it as a good thing rather than a negative. The best goal scorer in the NHL right now plays center. Pasternak is a goal scorer but he can make a good pass also. The more versatility in a players game, the more value he has.

He gets a hundred chances and doesnt bury many of them. I don’t think that’s gonna change. Not advocating to trade him but I don’t see him all of a sudden converting more frequently.
- ClaudeFather

The Flyers need to find a center that he can form chemistry with. It's been Frost in the past. When Cates is ready to play, I would reunite Cates with Frost and Tippett.

I don't want them to move the puck around on the PP. They can do that. I want them to score. To score, they need to shoot. I would tell Tippett to keep shooting. Eventually they're going to start going in.
- MJL

You missed my point. Yes, on a 5 on 4 PP I say just get pucks and bodies to the net, but on a 5 on 3 your strategy needs to change. I mean, you have 2 extra bodies on the ice. Puck movement should free someone up. Like I said, at one juncture TK was openly miffed at Tippett cause he wanted the puck down low to make a play. Tippett just kept shooting. Not the play on a 5 on 3 IMO.

First of all, I didn't watch a single game. I have a few questions for you though. He played what, 6 games? He had 10 assists in those games. How was he not a playmaker? He led the tournament in scoring and was a +9. He was voted the most outstanding player in the tournament. How was he just a guy in the tournament for most of his tournament. Something doesn't add up.
- MJL

Someone needs to post his highlights from the tournament

You missed my point. Yes, on a 5 on 4 PP I say just get pucks and bodies to the net, but on a 5 on 3 your strategy needs to change. I mean, you have 2 extra bodies on the ice. Puck movement should free someone up. Like I said, at one juncture TK was openly miffed at Tippett cause he wanted the puck down low to make a play. Tippett just kept shooting. Not the play on a 5 on 3 IMO.
- Phillywhiteout

I didn't miss your point. This team has the league worst PP. They obviously don't have the PP facilitators to make the pretty and exciting PP plays. The best thing they can do whether it is 5 on 4 or 5 on 3 is to shoot the puck. Rather than just move the puck around the perimeter and kill the clock, like they often do. Most of the time I would agree with you but not on this team. They need to be a shooting PP because that gives them the best chance to score. Strategy has to be tailored to the makeup of your team.

Someone needs to post his highlights from the tournament
- ClaudeFather

Why?