Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: No Energy and No Excuses

Sad all around effort that is for sure ... even with the the back to back days they should have had more get up than what they did have ... I sure hope this isn't the norm for them during the remainder of this shortened season!

There are several factors that need be considered.

The Bolts are a very good team. Strong up front, much better on D than I thought they would be and maybe ok in goal.

More important, the Bolts are very good in a way that makes the Flyers most vulnerable. Tampa dominates the neutral zone and attacks with very high speed with highly skilled finishers. The Flyers D has an enormous foot speed problem, their gap control was virtually non existent and they were as bad as everyone said they looked.

There are several factors that need be considered.

The Bolts are a very good team. Strong up front, much better on D than I thought they would be and maybe ok in goal.

More important, the Bolts are very good in a way that makes the Flyers most vulnerable. Tampa dominates the neutral zone and attacks with very high speed with highly skilled finishers. The Flyers D has an enormous foot speed problem, their gap control was virtually non existent and they were as bad as everyone said they looked.
- spatso

The flyers brutal special teams is 90% the issue so far this season

As always, well said, Bill. I'd stay and chat but I might be tired today at work as its the third day in 4 and 7th in 8 and I don't want my boss being more pissed in case my fatigue does slow me down.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: No Energy and No Excuses
- bmeltzer

Not sure if itwas reported before, the Rangers were looking to sign Arnott, but he failed the physical.

There are several factors that need be considered.

The Bolts are a very good team. Strong up front, much better on D than I thought they would be and maybe ok in goal.

More important, the Bolts are very good in a way that makes the Flyers most vulnerable. Tampa dominates the neutral zone and attacks with very high speed with highly skilled finishers. The Flyers D has an enormous foot speed problem, their gap control was virtually non existent and they were as bad as everyone said they looked.
- spatso

Years previously it was goaltending as the Achilles heel of the Flyers. Now that Bryzgalov is playing well, it's the enormous foot speed problem of the defense. I look at a team like the Devils. Who went to the Cup finals last year, and are undefeated so far this year. I wonder who the speedsters are for them on the defense? Fayne, Volchnkov, Tallinder, Salvador, Greene? There is no doubt that the Flyers could used an offensive minded puck moving 2 way defenseman. But I think stating that the Flyers D has an enormous foot speed problem is drastically overstating it.

And Tampa was able to dominate the neutral zone due to the situation of the game. Flyers were sloppy, took penalties, and failed to kill them off. Tampa clogged up the neutral zone and the Flyers didn't have the energy to fight through it and get back in the game. I'd like to see the Flyers play Tampa when they have more energy and are fresher. My bet is it would be a different game.

The flyers brutal special teams is 90% the issue so far this season
- Just5

Special team problems are the same issue. Just don't have the #1 Dman to control the power play. When protecting their end they get hemmed in and are unable to move just not able to move the puck out.

Special team problems are the same issue. Just don't have the #1 Dman to control the power play. When protecting their end they get hemmed in and are unable to move just not able to move the puck out.
- spatso

You're right, they're missing a point presence. But look at last Season, the Flyers only had Pronger for 13 games. Yet they had one of the top PP's in the League all Season. The PK this year has been for a number of factors. The Flyers have plenty of quality defensive defenseman. Team defense is a team game.

I thought Leighton was not to blame on the 1st three goals. The 4th goal was partially his and partially Giroux's. The 5th was on him alone.

However, if the team played anywhere close to how they played against the Rangers we're talking about another win and not the goalie. For the sixth game, the goalie was the least of their problems. Their problems at PK, PP, hustle, and defense stem from the 18 in front of Bryz & Leighton.

It is fun to read "Angry Bill" blogs, though. Like a shot of caffeine on a cold snowy Monday.

Years previously it was goaltending as the Achilles heel of the Flyers. Now that Bryzgalov is playing well, it's the enormous foot speed problem of the defense. I look at a team like the Devils. Who went to the Cup finals last year, and are undefeated so far this year. I wonder who the speedsters are for them on the defense? Fayne, Volchnkov, Tallinder, Salvador, Greene? There is no doubt that the Flyers could used an offensive minded puck moving 2 way defenseman. But I think stating that the Flyers D has an enormous foot speed problem is drastically overstating it.
- MJL

Apples and oranges. Devils have built their entire system around Brodeur and a shut down style of play that essentially engages the entire 5 man unit in a neutral zone defensive system. The Flyers could try a similar approach but the transition would look pretty ugly in the short term. More important, I seriously doubt that Flyer fans are prepared to accept Devil hockey as their new standard.

I think, as you alluded to Bill, most of it is an attitude problem. With the exception of a few, the rest haven't been hustling, they've been taking stupid penalties, they've been making bad turnovers.... basically, anything they can do bad, they are. Worst part is, seeing it from Giroux, Timonen, etc..

I thought Leighton was not to blame on the 1st three goals. The 4th goal was partially his and partially Giroux's. The 5th was on him alone.

However, if the team played anywhere close to how they played against the Rangers we're talking about another win and not the goalie. For the sixth game, the goalie was the least of their problems. Their problems at PK, PP, hustle, and defense stem from the 18 in front of Bryz & Leighton.

It is fun to read "Angry Bill" blogs, though. Like a shot of caffeine on a cold snowy Monday.
- Flyskippy

Do not discount the possibility that this Tampa team is very, very good.

Clunker...abysmal effort. They almost all took the night off. Lavy usually doesn't take too well to that. But you can't ride a tired horse. A day of rest and move on. This D is pretty bad right now though and they were exposed last night. They miss Carle. They miss Pronger. And the forwards didn't help the cause.

Do not discount the possibility that this Tampa team is very, very good.
- spatso

Sure, which is why I didn't blame Leighton for the third goal. That's a great shot from a fantastic shooter, Lecavalier. But the Flyers should be able to hang with any team if they out forth the same effort we saw against New York on Thursday.

Apples and oranges. Devils have built their entire system around Brodeur and a shut down style of play that essentially engages the entire 5 man unit in a neutral zone defensive system. The Flyers could try a similar approach but the transition would look pretty ugly in the short term. More important, I seriously doubt that Flyer fans are prepared to accept Devil hockey as their new standard.
- spatso

Every team has a defensive system and strategy. The current Devils team is not the Devils team with Stevens and Neidermayer. They play as aggressively as any team. I would love for the Flyers to play a cohesive team game, regardless of what style they play. We saw last playoffs in game 6 what the Flyers can do when they play as they're capable of playing

Flyers defense.

Flyers defense.


- BuffaloHardHat

Wait a minute. Those legs are actually getting that guy somewhere.

Wait a minute. Those legs are actually getting that guy somewhere.
- Flyskippy

I honestly dont know why they didnt play Leighton vs Florida and Bryz vs Tampa. I understand that sometimes you want your starter to have an easier game, but right now, this season, you just cant think that way.

I thought Leighton was not to blame on the 1st three goals. The 4th goal was partially his and partially Giroux's. The 5th was on him alone.

However, if the team played anywhere close to how they played against the Rangers we're talking about another win and not the goalie. For the sixth game, the goalie was the least of their problems. Their problems at PK, PP, hustle, and defense stem from the 18 in front of Bryz & Leighton.

It is fun to read "Angry Bill" blogs, though. Like a shot of caffeine on a cold snowy Monday.
- Flyskippy

Mike Richards is no longer with the team! Time to let it go Skip!!!




(sarcasm)

Probably a moot point, but why didn't Leights play against Florida instead? We clearly needed the better goaltending against Tampa?

Edit:Leight

Probably a moot point, but why didn't Leights play against Florida instead? We clearly needed the better goaltending against Tampa?

Edit:Leight
- Jimmygrazz

I thought of that as well, but maybe Lavy was hoping to get 2 of the 4 points all things considered. Also, i think they said that Leighton has had good success vs Tampa in his career.

I thought of that as well, but maybe Lavy was hoping to get 2 of the 4 points all things considered. Also, i think they said that Leighton has had good success vs Tampa in his career.
- Hextall271

I love it when they say that. The (frank)ing guy hasn't played since 2010. It's a totally different Tamps team. Oh well.

I hope Homer doesnt panic, just keep the team as is and get a high pick...sign a D man and maybe trade a center not named Coots in the off season