Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/20/13 @ Penguins

Morning Bill

Hopefully the previous game was a sign of things to come for the Flyers. They will need the same type of effort in order to compete with the Pens. If they play how they are capable of, there is no reason why they won't come away with 2 points. Let's go Flyers!

Pitt is ripe for a loss. If Philly plays with any type of energy they will win. Problem is with core so young you never no what your going to get. I have a feeling Philly puts a nice little run together in the next few weeks. Hopefully some teams ahead of us lose a few and we can move up in the standings a little.

Pitt is ripe for a loss. If Philly plays with any type of energy they will win. Problem is with core so young you never no what your going to get. I have a feeling Philly puts a nice little run together in the next few weeks. Hopefully some teams ahead of us lose a few and we can move up in the standings a little.
- SMS4016

Tonight is a good test. I believe the Flyer forward lines are really good. The goaltending has been solid and some nights outstanding. I think that every Flyer problem starts and ends with the defense not being able to clear their own zone or support the attack. No team exploits a vulnerable defense more than the Pens. If the Pens exploit the D tonight, I believe Holmgren will make a big move for a #1 Dman.

This is a very good Flyer team. They have the assets to get a guy who can make a difference. Holmgren will not disappoint.

Couts for bob Ryab and sbisa

Couts for bob Ryab and sbisa
- Philly1980

No no no. Coots for Bernier straight up. Right after we buy out Bryz.

Tonight is a good test. I believe the Flyer forward lines are really good. The goaltending has been solid and some nights outstanding. I think that every Flyer problem starts and ends with the defense not being able to clear their own zone or support the attack. No team exploits a vulnerable defense more than the Pens. If the Pens exploit the D tonight, I believe Holmgren will make a big move for a #1 Dman.

This is a very good Flyer team. They have the assets to get a guy who can make a difference. Holmgren will not disappoint.
- spatso

Hmm funny. I got crucified on here the other day saying they need pieces and to trade some assets for puck mover. Some people dont realize just what puck moving dman does. Or the fact Philly d doesnt really join the attack. Maybe some people should go watch an oilers game. Gonna be deadly in a few years. I agree 100% with you.

No no no. Coots for Bernier straight up. Right after we buy out Bryz.
- hereticpride

I never said coots for bernier strait up. Get facts straight. I said trade assets( coots picks use buyout for cap space ) to get #1puck moving dman young up and coming goalie ie bernier and top#1 winger. You fools twisted into coots for bernier. Keep dreaMing thinking this team is winning a cup with this team. They will be competitive yes. They will be fun to watch yes. But the core will be wasted and we wi

No no no. Coots for Bernier straight up. Right after we buy out Bryz.
- hereticpride

I never said coots for bernier strait up. Get facts straight. I said trade assets( coots picks use buyout for cap space ) to get #1puck moving dman young up and coming goalie ie bernier and top#1 winger. You fools twisted into coots for bernier. Keep dreaMing thinking this team is winning a cup with this team. They will be competitive yes. They will be fun to watch yes. But the core will be wasted and we will be waiting50 years for another cup. Sorry to say

Bill, I'm curious about McGinn. He took a couple of 'welcome to the NHL' hits in some games...is he dinged up (or worse), did he fall out of favor somehow - I know there was a late for practice rumor floating around - or is Laviolette just getting Z some playing time and mixing things up a bit?

Hmm funny. I got crucified on here the other day saying they need pieces and to trade some assets for puck mover. Some people dont realize just what puck moving dman does. Or the fact Philly d doesnt really join the attack. Maybe some people should go watch an oilers game. Gonna be deadly in a few years. I agree 100% with you.
- SMS4016

When Holmgren does the deal a bunch of guys will say he paid way too much. These will be the same guys who a month later said they always wanted him to do the big deal for a #1. This is a very sound team that is going to be good for a very long time. Everyone in the dressing room knows exactly what is missing. Nobody knows it better than Holmgren.

I smell typical Cindy's PP goal in 5mins.

Tonight is a good test. I believe the Flyer forward lines are really good. The goaltending has been solid and some nights outstanding. I think that every Flyer problem starts and ends with the defense not being able to clear their own zone or support the attack. No team exploits a vulnerable defense more than the Pens. If the Pens exploit the D tonight, I believe Holmgren will make a big move for a #1 Dman.

This is a very good Flyer team. They have the assets to get a guy who can make a difference. Holmgren will not disappoint.
- spatso

How many times are you going to predict that Holmgren will make a big move for a #1 D man? Holmgren already knows he needs a #1 D man. The outcome of this game isn't going to open any ones eyes to that. And what #1 D man is available now in a trade?

Hmm funny. I got crucified on here the other day saying they need pieces and to trade some assets for puck mover. Some people dont realize just what puck moving dman does. Or the fact Philly d doesnt really join the attack. Maybe some people should go watch an oilers game. Gonna be deadly in a few years. I agree 100% with you.
- SMS4016

You didn't get crucified for saying that they need to add pieces. You got objections to the specific moves that you proposed.

How many times are you going to predict that Holmgren will make a big move for a #1 D man? Holmgren already knows he needs a #1 D man. The outcome of this game isn't going to open any ones eyes to that. And what #1 D man is available now in a trade?
- MJL

I will predict it until he does.

Available is relative term. Availability is influenced by what an offer might be.

As a starting point, I hope Holmgren is having regular discussions with Phoenix. They have a strong roster of Dmen. Maybe Holmgren can find a formula of players and $000 that would see him consider OEL as his first target.

We start another 3 games in 4 right? This schedule is nuts then they have a week break in late march. Hopefully we will continue to get healthy

I will predict it until he does.

Available is relative term. Availability is influenced by what an offer might be.

As a starting point, I hope Holmgren is having regular discussions with Phoenix. They have a strong roster of Dmen. Maybe Holmgren can find a formula of players and $000 that would see him consider OEL as his first target.
- spatso

The problem is any talks with dmen of that caliber start and end with coots.

I will predict it until he does.

Available is relative term. Availability is influenced by what an offer might be.

As a starting point, I hope Holmgren is having regular discussions with Phoenix. They have a strong roster of Dmen. Maybe Holmgren can find a formula of players and $000 that would see him consider OEL as his first target.
- spatso

And if it you keep predicting it, eventually you'll be right. Everyone who watches the Flyers is aware of what they need. Unless the Flyers are getting OEL, who is a potential #1 defenseman down the line. They're not getting a #1 defenseman from Phoenix.

If the Flyers lose tonight, what other #1 defenseman is available to the Flyers?

I will predict it until he does.
- spatso

Ah, the Eklund lockout attack. Just keep predicting it, and then when it happens, you're right!

Also, Bill, being that we're now in the regular swing on things as opposed to opening day, do you think the Flyers (Simmonds maybe) might challenge Neal for the Coots/Giroux shots last year?

I will predict it until he does.

Available is relative term. Availability is influenced by what an offer might be.

As a starting point, I hope Holmgren is having regular discussions with Phoenix. They have a strong roster of Dmen. Maybe Holmgren can find a formula of players and $000 that would see him consider OEL as his first target.
- spatso

Exactly my point. The players are out there. Everyone is tradedable. No one had a problem with what we gave up to get pronger. I'd gladly overpay a little for Oel it the like. You trade from your strength (forwards ) to get the dman. As far buy out of bryz. I love him for maybe 4 years. 9 was STUPID! Everyone sees that but flyer fans. I don't know why. Yes he's playing great but I'd rather not be in bad position cap wise in Goal when the core hits there prime.

The problem is any talks with dmen of that caliber start and end with coots.
- Just5

That's fine. I love coots but we have 5 centers. #3 center on our team not as valualabe as a #1 dman or #1 line winger

Bill, I'm curious about McGinn. He took a couple of 'welcome to the NHL' hits in some games...is he dinged up (or worse), did he fall out of favor somehow - I know there was a late for practice rumor floating around - or is Laviolette just getting Z some playing time and mixing things up a bit?
- tangent_man

I was thinking the same thing. Very curious decision. Coming off the best game of the year you would think Laviolette would keep the lineup the same.

I thought McGinn was the best Flyer on the ice the game in Winnipeg.

On a lighter note. Gotta love the way b schenn is coming along.

Exactly my point. The players are out there. Everyone is tradedable. No one had a problem with what we gave up to get pronger. I'd gladly overpay a little for Oel it the like. You trade from your strength (forwards ) to get the dman. As far buy out of bryz. I love him for maybe 4 years. 9 was STUPID! Everyone sees that but flyer fans. I don't know why. Yes he's playing great but I'd rather not be in bad position cap wise in Goal when the core hits there prime.
- SMS4016

Who exactly is everyone? And that's what I want the Flyers to base their moves on. On what "everyone" thinks. What would you give up for OEL?
You're not in bad shape Cap wise if the Golaie continues to play well throughout his contract. If he does, it's the opposite. You're in great cap shape for it.