Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Opener prep, Ersson, Fedotov, York, prospect updates & more

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Opener prep, Ersson, Fedotov, York, prospect updates & more
- bmeltzer

Thanks bill. I’m looking forward to the opener. Be hard to get any points and van city will want to rebound from last nights loss. Surprised to see the Penguins and oilers also got slaughtered in home openers. Wow.

TOR couldn't muster up 1 goal. Also surprising.

Thanks bill. I’m looking forward to the opener. Be hard to get any points and van city will want to rebound from last nights loss. Surprised to see the Penguins and oilers also got slaughtered in home openers. Wow.
- Hextall271

The Penguins are the over the hill gang trying to hold on to past glory. They should be looking for their next Lemieux or Crosby but I wonder if current ownership has the stomache to do what they've done in the past.

Thanks bill. I’m looking forward to the opener. Be hard to get any points and van city will want to rebound from last nights loss. Surprised to see the Penguins and oilers also got slaughtered in home openers. Wow.
- Hextall271

Here's the thing: While opening-night is high visibility, it's really just like any other random regular season night. The worst team in the league will still win about one out of every four games statistically. But especially with Edmonton, it's not uncommon for there to be a bit of a hangover effect early the next season after a deep playoff run.

Example: The Flyers lost their opener (also the home opener) to LA, 5-3, to start the 1974-75 season after winning the Cup. Ultimately, they only lost six home games ALL SEASON and went on to win their 2nd straight Cup. Another rare home loss that season was to the Atlanta Flames, whom Philly had just swept in the QFs the previous year.

Some things change with the times, other things don't. Never read too much into one game, good or bad, especially an opener.

The Penguins are the over the hill gang trying to hold on to past glory. They should be looking for their next Lemieux or Crosby but I wonder if current ownership has the stomache to do what they've done in the past.
- Flyers_01

I wonder if they’ll consider expediting a reset by trading a Crosby or malkin. That’d be the right play. I do take joy in the fact that Dubas certainly hasn’t been the saviour. He’s under the same restrictions hextall was and he’s had no better results this far.

My bold prediction for how the Metro and Atlantic divisions will end up this year

Atlantic -- Metro
Leafs --- Devils
Panthers --- Rangers
Bruins --- Hurricanes
Lightning --- Flyers
Redwings --- Capitals
Sabres --- Islanders
Senators --- Penguins
Canadiens --- Blue Jackets

Yup, I'm picking the Flyers and Redwings to fight for the final wildcard spot. I just don't believe is any Metro team after the Devils, Rangers and Carolina. I think the Flyers are better than the rest.

Here's the thing: While opening-night is high visibility, it's really just like any other random regular season night. The worst team in the league will still win about one out of every four games statistically. But especially with Edmonton, it's not uncommon for there to be a bit of a hangover effect early the next season after a deep playoff run.

Example: The Flyers lost their opener (also the home opener) to LA, 5-3, to start the 1974-75 season after winning the Cup. Ultimately, they only lost six home games ALL SEASON and went on to win their 2nd straight Cup. Another rare home loss that season was to the Atlanta Flames, whom Philly had just swept in the QFs the previous year.

Some things change with the times, other things don't. Never read too much into one game, good or bad, especially an opener.
- bmeltzer

With Edmonton, I do wonder if they are indeed the Florida of this year. pundits here in Canada almost unanimously have them as making it back and winning it all. I’m not so sure, as good as they are, last years poor start actually worked to their advantage. Where they were seeded allowed them to avoid Vegas and Colorado and only take on a beaten down Dallas team in the conf finals. They had a very favourable path to the cup even though they still had to beat good teams in the first two rounds. It will be interesting to see what kind of hangover they have. From game one, Florida looked pretty strong and no hangover.

TOR couldn't muster up 1 goal. Also surprising.
- Richard_wilderness

47 shots, it was just one of those nights. Montreal was extremely lucky.

This Luchanko scenario is dumber than folks think, Torts is going to play that fourth line more than he plays the third

47 shots, it was just one of those nights. Montreal was extremely lucky.
- jd250

Whole lot of nothing shot wise, if you watched the game

Whole lot of nothing shot wise, if you watched the game
- ClaudeFather

I watched the Phillies instead. Boy am I a bozo.

My bold prediction for how the Metro and Atlantic divisions will end up this year

Atlantic -- Metro
Leafs --- Devils
Panthers --- Rangers
Bruins --- Hurricanes
Lightning --- Flyers
Redwings --- Capitals
Sabres --- Islanders
Senators --- Penguins
Canadiens --- Blue Jackets

Yup, I'm picking the Flyers and Redwings to fight for the final wildcard spot. I just don't believe is any Metro team after the Devils, Rangers and Carolina. I think the Flyers are better than the rest.
- jd250

Predictions are for fun and in my opinion, aren't something that should be held against someone. Too many variables that come up during a season to predict. For example, the Devils missing the playoffs last season.
Just curious, why do you think the Flyers are better than the Caps?

This Luchanko scenario is dumber than folks think, Torts is going to play that fourth line more than he plays the third
- ClaudeFather

I wouldn't be surprised if the line juggling starts early if the Flyers fall behind.

I watched the Phillies instead. Boy am I a bozo.
- mickel25

Infuriating. They were beaten the same way as last season. I don't know how but that team needs to be broken up.

Infuriating. They were beaten the same way as last season. I don't know how but that team needs to be broken up.
- MJL

For sure. They had "it" in 2022 but they have lost "it". Need a better approach at the plate and a bullpen that doesn't implode in the playoffs. The rotation is fine.

For sure. They had "it" in 2022 but they have lost "it". Need a better approach at the plate and a bullpen that doesn't implode in the playoffs. The rotation is fine.
- mickel25

Hard to explain the bullpen but it's concerning. Guys that were unhittable in the regular season, were suddenly batting practice pitchers. Looked like they were scared.

I wonder if they’ll consider expediting a reset by trading a Crosby or malkin. That’d be the right play. I do take joy in the fact that Dubas certainly hasn’t been the saviour. He’s under the same restrictions hextall was and he’s had no better results this far.
- Hextall271

it will be up to the holy trinity if they want to be traded. if one decides he wants out it may push the other 2 to follow

My bold prediction for how the Metro and Atlantic divisions will end up this year

Atlantic -- Metro
Leafs --- Devils
Panthers --- Rangers
Bruins --- Hurricanes
Lightning --- Flyers
Redwings --- Capitals
Sabres --- Islanders
Senators --- Penguins
Canadiens --- Blue Jackets

Yup, I'm picking the Flyers and Redwings to fight for the final wildcard spot. I just don't believe is any Metro team after the Devils, Rangers and Carolina. I think the Flyers are better than the rest.
- jd250

gotta love the stuck in the middle strategy the flyers employ

Predictions are for fun and in my opinion, aren't something that should be held against someone. Too many variables that come up during a season to predict. For example, the Devils missing the playoffs last season.
Just curious, why do you think the Flyers are better than the Caps?
- MJL

Do you think the caps are better? why?

Hard to explain the bullpen but it's concerning. Guys that were unhittable in the regular season, were suddenly batting practice pitchers. Looked like they were scared.
- MJL

the offense disappeared. that was the main culprit

Is Michkov on the LW a concern? I thought in Russia he was always a RW, and kind of played like Jagr.

the offense disappeared. that was the main culprit
- hello it's me 2050

It seemed the mets wanted them to chase pitches and that is exactly what they did

This Luchanko scenario is dumber than folks think, Torts is going to play that fourth line more than he plays the third
- ClaudeFather

See, I think he takes ice time away from Frost (fairly quickly as long as Luchanko is her) and gives it to Luchanko, while using Farabee and Brink about as much as last year... AKA short leash for Brink and Tortorella getting down on Farabee again if he has a so-so start.

See, I think he takes ice time away from Frost (fairly quickly as long as Luchanko is her) and gives it to Luchanko, while using Farabee and Brink about as much as last year... AKA short leash for Brink and Tortorella getting down on Farabee again if he has a so-so start.
- bmeltzer

I don't know, if he takes ice time away from Frost, which I don't doubt, he's also taking it away from Tippet and Foerster.