Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Camp wrapup

Great write-up Bill, thanks! Laughton definitely seems like a nice player to have in the organization

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Camp wrapup
- bmeltzer

Excellent summary Bill. Almost feels like I was there reading your first hand account. Sounds like the pipeline has some promise to it for the first time in a while. Funny how that happens, when you hold on to some draft picks.

I'm intrigued reading about Lauridsen. Big, mobile, physical d-men do not grow on trees. Bill- Do you think he has a chance to be an NHL regular?

Laughton and Cousins appear as they can make an NHL impact within perhaps two years, which is fantastic.

Stolarz, I'm still miffed by the pick. With big "project" goaltenders like Hoivenen, and Heeter already on board, that pick made very little sense to me. Especially since he's 5-6 years away from making an impact at the very least. I think Thrower would have been the far more logical, safe pick in the second round from all accounts I have read.

Third.

-The Jersey Gent

Had to share

Excellent summary Bill. Almost feels like I was there from reading your first hand account. Sounds like the pipeline has some promise to it for the first time in a while. Funny how that happens, when you hold on to some draft picks.

I'm intrigued reading about Lauridsen. Big, mobile, physical d-men do not grow on trees. Bill- Do you think he has a chance to be an NHL regular?

Laughton and Cousins appear as they can make an NHL impact within perhaps two years, which is fantastic.

Stolarz, I'm still miffed by the pick. With big "project" goaltenders like Hoivenen, and Heeter already on board, that pick made very little sense to me. Especially since he's 5-6 years away from making an impact at the very least.
- PLindbergh31

Someone said -- and I agree -- that there were fewer potential impact players at this year's camp than in some past camps, but more guys overall who have a chance to play NHL or at least be AHL players who serve as potential callups than in past camps.

Lauridsen still strikes me a 7th defenseman if he makes it to the NHL. Love the size and physicality but he's not very good with the puck on his stick and his skating took a lot of work to get from subpar to passable for a big guy. He can become a 6 or 7 in the NHL if he continues to hone his positional game. One thing is for sure -- if he doesn't make it, it won't be for lack of dedication.

Someone said -- and I agree -- that there were fewer potential impact players at this year's camp than in some past camps, but more guys overall who have a chance to play NHL or at least be AHL players who serve as potential callups than in past camps.

Lauridsen still strikes me a 7th defenseman if he makes it to the NHL. Love the size and physicality but he's not very good with the puck on his stick and his skating took a lot of work to get from subpar to passable for a big guy. He can become a 6 or 7 in the NHL if he continues to hone his positional game. One thing is for sure -- if he doesn't make it, it won't be for lack of dedication.
- bmeltzer

Sounds like Chris McAllister redux. Sigh....

Re: Stolarz, we'll have to wait and see over the next three seasons -- and that's the minimum he'll need at collegiate level, possibly all four seasons -- whether the raw ability is harnessed.

I will say that's the type of person that you really WANT to see make it. Really a nice, down-to-earth, intelligent and personable young man. Very easy to like him.

Hey Bill,

Nice write-up. Do you think Michael Parks has an NHL future? If so, do you think has the offensive potential of Matt Read or more like Eric Wellwood?

Re: Stolarz, we'll have to wait and see over the next three seasons -- and that's the minimum he'll need at collegiate level, possibly all four seasons -- whether the raw ability is harnessed.

I will say that's the type of person that you really WANT to see make it. Really a nice, down-to-earth, intelligent and personable young man. Very easy to like him.
- bmeltzer

He's a Devils, and Mets fan. That's two strikes against him from jump street.

Re: Stolarz, we'll have to wait and see over the next three seasons -- and that's the minimum he'll need at collegiate level, possibly all four seasons -- whether the raw ability is harnessed.

I will say that's the type of person that you really WANT to see make it. Really a nice, down-to-earth, intelligent and personable young man. Very easy to like him.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Do you think the Flyers will sign Heeter to any contract?If so does he have a chance to start with the phantoms?

Thanks.

Bill,

Do you think the Flyers will sign Heeter to any contract?If so does he have a chance to start with the phantoms?

Thanks.
- Philly1980

he signed on March 6 2012

Not that Weber can "demand" anything, but not signing long term with Nashville could basically pave the way for them to trade him, as mentioned here before. Given the proposed CBA changes, it clearly looks like these long term contracts are a priority, not that theyll necessarily be limited to 5 years for sure, but you'd think Weber would want an opportunity to cash in.

The flip side would be signing a big deal with Weber and then having the cap ceiling dropping to a number whered we have to dump salary.

Despite my rambling, anyone think a Weber deal is more likely before a new CBA, or does that not have an impact? Just curious

Not that Weber can "demand" anything, but not signing long term with Nashville could basically pave the way for them to trade him, as mentioned here before. Given the proposed CBA changes, it clearly looks like these long term contracts are a priority, not that theyll necessarily be limited to 5 years for sure, but you'd think Weber would want an opportunity to cash in.

The flip side would be signing a big deal with Weber and then having the cap ceiling dropping to a number whered we have to dump salary.

Despite my rambling, anyone think a Weber deal is more likely before a new CBA, or does that not have an impact? Just curious
- aosplayo

I tend to agree. Eklund thinks a trade may be coming - I am sure a LT contract would follow.

We shall see.

-Jersey Gent

Alex Semin is still unsigned.

Alex Semin is still unsigned.
- bradleyc4

From what I have read it's most likely going to be the KHL.

Alex Semin is still unsigned.
- bradleyc4

I'm a bit surprised. Even with the reputation thing, I thought somebody would take the 'gamble' on him, if only for a year or two. It's not like he's already run off to the K for a couple seasons or something.

If the Flyers are going to make a play for Ryan, the best time would be now, before Doan signs and Before Nash is traded. The reason? Because the runner ups for Nash and Doan are going to be all over Ryan and will drive up the price big time. I say either get Ryan before the ball drops, or don't do anything at all.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Camp wrapup
- bmeltzer

Good stuff Bill. Do you think any of the Flyers family members have a shot at getting a contract? I know TVR looked good yesterday and you mentioned him along with Coburn and Hatcher in your blog. What do you think the future holds for these kids?

From what I have read it's most likely going to be the KHL.
- PLindbergh31

Can't argue with the money he'd get over there.

I'm a bit surprised. Even with the reputation thing, I thought somebody would take the 'gamble' on him, if only for a year or two. It's not like he's already run off to the K for a couple seasons or something.
- BulliesPhan87

I think it was FlySkippy that brought up a good point on Twitter that Homer has taken risks before with Zherdev, Emery and Jagr so why not Semin?

I tend to agree. Eklund thinks a trade may be coming - I am sure a LT contract would follow.

We shall see.

-Jersey Gent
- Daman

That would be quite an amazing turn of events in Nashville, I couldn't imagine being a Predator fan and losing both those guys in the same offseason. Now theyll get great value for Weber, but still that's the face of the franchise. Im sure there will be a buttload of offers out there.

I think it was FlySkippy that brought up a good point on Twitter that Homer has taken risks before with Zherdev, Emery and Jagr so why not Semin?
- NickTheKid87

Those were all 1-year gambles. Semin wants a multi-year contract.

Good stuff Bill. Do you think any of the Flyers family members have a shot at getting a contract? I know TVR looked good yesterday and you mentioned him along with Coburn and Hatcher in your blog. What do you think the future holds for these kids?
- NickTheKid87

I don't think of the "Family Ties" players will be signed, at least not now. All will go back to their collegiate or junior teams. Down the line after another season or two? Who knows.

he signed on March 6 2012
- watsonnostaw

nice ...