Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Better But Still Not Good Enough

Calgary's win last night puts Philly in 27th.

I really don't understand what the problem is with this squad in the third period. They can't come back to save their lives and can't seem to add on to a lead if they have one. Thankfully Bryz was stellar last night or it would've been a lot worse...

I wouldn't say anyone was really "missing" Briere.

At what point will people stop getting shocked by the losses or sports media hosts stop talking about the Flyer's "desperate need for points"?

I wouldn't say anyone was really "missing" Briere.

At what point will people stop getting shocked by the losses or sports media hosts stop talking about the Flyer's "desperate need for points"?
- shekkie

April 28

I wasn't able to see the game because of having to attend a family function. But if they indeed played a tight checking game. Even though they lost in OT. That's a start. Playing like they normally do, they would have gotten blown out last night.

I wouldn't say anyone was really "missing" Briere.

At what point will people stop getting shocked by the losses or sports media hosts stop talking about the Flyer's "desperate need for points"?
- shekkie

With the way Danny has been this season, he was just as effective not being in the lineup.

I wasn't able to see the game because of having to attend a family issue. But if they indeed played a tight checking game. Even though they lost in OT. That's a start. Playing like they normally do, they would have gotten blown out last night.
- MJL

I agree, I also think this is the "story" not "Flyers miss chance at more worthless points".

I wouldn't say anyone was really "missing" Briere.

At what point will people stop getting shocked by the losses or sports media hosts stop talking about the Flyer's "desperate need for points"?
- shekkie

They are in desperate need of points. Giving up on a season for purposes of a "better" draft pick rather than fighting for the postseason as long as possible is a disgraceful mentality. Even if you don't have a playoff team, you want to see as much compete level as possible.

Getting pretty tight. Playoff cutoff is likely 53 points. Rangers hold down final playoff spot with 17 games remaining and 33 points. Rangers would need to go 10-7-0 to hit the 53 point total



Rangers 17 10-7-0
Carolina. 18 10-7-1
Washington 16 11-5-0
NYI 16 11-5-0
Buffalo 16 11-5-1
Flyers 17 12-4-1

I wasn't able to see the game because of having to attend a family issue. But if they indeed played a tight checking game. Even though they lost in OT. That's a start. Playing like they normally do, they would have gotten blown out last night.
- MJL

It was not a good game in comparison to the earlier ones from this year and past years.

Flyers seemed tight and tentative all night. Their work ethic was very good. But the cautious, safe play took away from creativity and spontaneity.

They are in desperate need of points. Giving up on a season for purposes of a "better" draft pick rather than fighting for the postseason as long as possible is a disgraceful mentality. Even if you don't have a playoff team, you want to see as much compete level as possible.
- bmeltzer

I wouldn't condone tanking a season but I would say the more desperate need is for defensively responsible play or effective offensive output, I'd rank either above the need for points.

Anyone else notice that in any Pitts game, they always seem to get those penalty calls when the clock is short and they need goals. I am not saying that the penalties weren't deserved but there were MUCH worse offenses out there last night that went uncalled, to have 2 calls right after one other to put up a convienient Pens 5-3. I am not just talking about the Flyers I have seen it in games against other clubs as well.

I wouldn't condone tanking a season but I would say the more desperate need is for defensively responsible play or effective offensive output, I'd rank either above the need for points.
- shekkie

If they were scoring 5 goals a game and winning would you feel the same way?

Anyone else notice that in any Pitts game, they always seem to get those penalty calls when the clock is short and they need goals. I am not saying that the penalties weren't deserved but there were MUCH worse offenses out there last night that went uncalled, to have 2 calls right after one other to put up a convienient Pens 5-3. I am not just talking about the Flyers I have seen it in games against other clubs as well.
- Pyzik

Oh you mean like the blatant cross check to Voracek that was flat out missed with one ref staring right at it? I'm fine with letting the teams play, but to allow Jake to get drilled like that then called a slash on Simmer is ridiculous.

If they were scoring 5 goals a game and winning would you feel the same way?
- aantny88

Winning makes everything feel better but I'm not sure what your question is.

They are in desperate need of points. Giving up on a season for purposes of a "better" draft pick rather than fighting for the postseason as long as possible is a disgraceful mentality. Even if you don't have a playoff team, you want to see as much compete level as possible.
- bmeltzer

This!

Anyone else notice that in any Pitts game, they always seem to get those penalty calls when the clock is short and they need goals. I am not saying that the penalties weren't deserved but there were MUCH worse offenses out there last night that went uncalled, to have 2 calls right after one other to put up a convienient Pens 5-3. I am not just talking about the Flyers I have seen it in games against other clubs as well.
- Pyzik

Both were obvious penalties the refs had to call.

But the game was a lot more enjoyable to watch than some of their recent stinkers. Funny how much better Schenn and Simmonds looked without Briere dragging them down.

Oh you mean like the blatant cross check to Voracek that was flat out missed with one ref staring right at it? I'm fine with letting the teams play, but to allow Jake to get drilled like that then called a slash on Simmer is ridiculous.
- aantny88

Thats one that comes to mind.

Winning makes everything feel better but I'm not sure what your question is.
- shekkie

My question is if they were winning games by scoring a lot of goals and subsequently yielding a larger number, would this "defensive style" still be what you would want to see them using?

They are in desperate need of points. Giving up on a season for purposes of a "better" draft pick rather than fighting for the postseason as long as possible is a disgraceful mentality. Even if you don't have a playoff team, you want to see as much compete level as possible.
- bmeltzer

Building for the future and laying the ground work for future Seasons, and continuing to develop the players on the team, is what is most important.

Oh you mean like the blatant cross check to Voracek that was flat out missed with one ref staring right at it? I'm fine with letting the teams play, but to allow Jake to get drilled like that then called a slash on Simmer is ridiculous.
- aantny88

Coburn also got away with a blatant boarding penalty right at the end of the game.

It was not a good game in comparison to the earlier ones from this year and past years.

Flyers seemed tight and tentative all night. Their work ethic was very good. But the cautious, safe play took away from creativity and spontaneity.
- spatso

If a team is going to adjust their style of play, which is what I hope happened last night. It's not going to happen overnight. It's a process.

Obviously by the score and going to OT ties 1-1, it was not as exciting and fun to watch as previous games. It wasn't River Hockey. The Flyers can't play that way and expect to go far.

They are in desperate need of points. Giving up on a season for purposes of a "better" draft pick rather than fighting for the postseason as long as possible is a disgraceful mentality. Even if you don't have a playoff team, you want to see as much compete level as possible.
- bmeltzer

This is always the issue when thinking about doing a deal at the deadline. If you offer veteran players for picks, prospects or younger roster players it is usually labelled as tanking.

As soon as a team does that kind of deal the remaining players know management is giving up on the season and they will begin to let up as well. I think there is a balance that allows you to make responsible deals and still remain competitive.

My question is if they were winning games by scoring a lot of goals and subsequently yielding a larger number, would this "defensive style" still be what you would want to see them using?
- aantny88

It's hard to say because I"m just a fan not a hockey professional, my amends to anyone that is here if i'm offending, but I've seen all sorts of play work in my time watching hockey. I don't know all the ends and outs of hockey but I've seen some of these same players play a more defensively responsible game than they have in recent games and I think that seems like a good thing. You put a term in quotation marks that I didn't use, which is not how quotes work.

As a fan though, what the Flyers have been trying most of this year, mostly doesn't seem to be working so yes I'd like to see something different.