Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Fall to 1-2-1 in Preseason

Thanks for the quick update Mr. Meltzer. I sure hope Couter and Schenn 10 turn the corner this year and rack up some points. Lot of good signs for our Flyers this year if everything works out. Three scoring lines is a real possibilty and the D should be better. I have confidence in Emery but am hoping for the best from Mason but will have to see him get it done before I get too excited about him.

4 games in 3 nights?
I missed something?

4 games in 3 nights?
I missed something?
- sloppyseconds2

Split squad last night, one game the other night.

Split squad last night, one game the other night.
- BulliesPhan87

I see,
Where is Giroux?

I see,
Where is Giroux?
- sloppyseconds2

golfing

Morin is an exciting prospect. He's like a French Braydon Coburn but without the nose.

I see,
Where is Giroux?
- sloppyseconds2

sipping pina coladas and earning 5%

I see,
Where is Giroux?
- sloppyseconds2

Cut tendons in index finger at a golf outing. Surgery. Has been shooting pucks and swears he'll be ready opening night.

Thanks for the quick update Mr. Meltzer. I sure hope Couter and Schenn 10 turn the corner this year and rack up some points. Lot of good signs for our Flyers this year if everything works out. Three scoring lines is a real possibilty and the D should be better. I have confidence in Emery but am hoping for the best from Mason but will have to see him get it done before I get too excited about him.
- flyerdude17

- i kind of feel we have 4 scoring lines... Talbot - Hall - Rinaldo.. as your forth line... I feel people underestimate the hands and speed Rinaldo has and Talbot has a nice snap shot as we saw in his game tonight. I havent seen much of Hall but i know from what i have seen i like him. I think the BIG x-factor of this year isnt the acquisitions each team has made, but the fact that the goalies pads have shrunk! That should result in more scoring.

Voracek's shot went high glove and he failed to pick the corner. Talbot got a piece of it. But not before it was deflected by Hjalmarsson.

I get the feeling that Streit is going to be this seasons whipping boy.

Early favorite to replace Matt Carle in the hearts and minds of fans.

Morin looked good again. Just hate heaping the expectations on him. Give him 2 more years in the Q and he should be up to 225 and ready to go. His potential as a top pairing is exciting.

I would like to see a fourth line out of the gate of

Raffl-Laughton-Rinaldo. Give them 10-12 mins a night. They would be fun to watch.

Voracek's shot went high glove and he failed to pick the corner. Talbot got a piece of it. But not before it was deflected by Hjalmarsson.
- wilsonecho91

i was impressed by Morin...nice game by the new kid.

Hybrid icing is big "MEH"...a work in progress.

- i kind of feel we have 4 scoring lines... Talbot - Hall - Rinaldo.. as your forth line... I feel people underestimate the hands and speed Rinaldo has and Talbot has a nice snap shot as we saw in his game tonight. I havent seen much of Hall but i know from what i have seen i like him. I think the BIG x-factor of this year isnt the acquisitions each team has made, but the fact that the goalies pads have shrunk! That should result in more scoring.
- Flyers-All-Day

Last night the commentators said Lundqvist lost 2.5 inches off each pad.

I get the feeling that Streit is going to be this seasons whipping boy.

Early favorite to replace Matt Carle in the hearts and minds of fans.
- Marc D

I'm very interested to see what he can bring to the table. I haven't seen enough of him yet to determine if he will help us or not. I think Vinny is a solid pickup, and I am still glad we brought in Razor to help Mason.

Last night the commentators said Lundqvist lost 2.5 inches off each pad.
- Feanor

I honestly always wondered why he was allowed to have pads that extended to the bottom of his jersey as it covers the five hole without any effort. Glad they changed that. I can tell Emery's pads are diffferent.

Was at the game last night.
Positives:
- Couturier was the most noticeable player on the ice. Was able to use his size quite a few times, and was much more involved than he seemed to be last year.
- First time I've really watched Morin, and, despite a few small issues, he played pretty well for a kid. Had a great chance to rifle on, but whiffed. But he seemed to have a lot of confidence out there.
- Raffl didn't look out of place either, and the puck seemed to find him quite a bit. Not sure exactly what role he'd be best for, but he seems like a less physical Tye McGinn.

Negatives:
- Hal Gill looked bad. Real bad. He didn't do much at all, and he skates with the grace of a crippled elephant. I'd be shocked if he makes it, barring 2+ injuries.
- Akeson had a pretty forgettable game. Took the kneeing penalty early, and had a few glaring turnovers. He made a nice little play in the 3rd, but otherwise was a non-factor for a guy who's pretty much a 1-dimensional offensive player.
- And finally, Mark Streit. I don't know if he's just not trying or what, but man, he looked bad. Seemed afraid to shoot, and the shots he did take got blocked high in the slot. Did a horrible job of coverage down low on multiple occasions. I have a feeling we're really going to regret signing him.

I'm very interested to see what he can bring to the table. I haven't seen enough of him yet to determine if he will help us or not. I think Vinny is a solid pickup, and I am still glad we brought in Razor to help Mason.
- Hextall271

I think that is the concern. For a 5.2 million dollar cap hit, a player should be a given that he will help.

The worry is if Streit isn't very good on the PP, he brings little else to the table.

Was at the game last night.
Positives:
- Couturier was the most noticeable player on the ice. Was able to use his size quite a few times, and was much more involved than he seemed to be last year.
- First time I've really watched Morin, and, despite a few small issues, he played pretty well for a kid. Had a great chance to rifle on, but whiffed. But he seemed to have a lot of confidence out there.
- Raffl didn't look out of place either, and the puck seemed to find him quite a bit. Not sure exactly what role he'd be best for, but he seems like a less physical Tye McGinn.

Negatives:
- Hal Gill looked bad. Real bad. He didn't do much at all, and he skates with the grace of a crippled elephant. I'd be shocked if he makes it, barring 2+ injuries.
- Akeson had a pretty forgettable game. Took the kneeing penalty early, and had a few glaring turnovers. He made a nice little play in the 3rd, but otherwise was a non-factor for a guy who's pretty much a 1-dimensional offensive player.
- And finally, Mark Streit. I don't know if he's just not trying or what, but man, he looked bad. Seemed afraid to shoot, and the shots he did take got blocked high in the slot. Did a horrible job of coverage down low on multiple occasions. I have a feeling we're really going to regret signing him.
- jmatchett383

Gill basically has zero chance to make the team, and isn't under contract. The fact he looks terrible may actually be a blessing.

Bill,

Some suprises in the 3 games I have now watched....
Brayden Schenn looks quicker, and more poised...This may be a breakout year for this kid.
Couturier's added weight seems to have boosted his confidence on the Ice....his projection for a third line center this year may end up being off the mark...he definately has more...although I did only see him in last nights game, its a marked improvement.
Morin looks way better then a 18 year old should look.....Im in the minority, but I really hope the kid sticks around....even if for only the first 9 games or so....what ever the sliding rule allows.
the key for me is the on the job learning this kid can get up here from guys like Timmo and Streit...although it is very true most D take a while to develop and should be brought along slow.
I also hope Laughton is the teams 4th line center....he has proved everything there is to prove in JR....
I also see the Flyers moving a D and perhaps a forward to clear cap space and allow this team to add more youth.

over all, I see a marked improvement with the youth this team now seems to be developing....something this team has not done well for the last decade.

I am actually encouraged about our D prospects for once. The vets have been throwing some praise their way (Alt, Morin). May not mean much for this year but, the future is looking bright at D...so far. It would be great to have the young forwards take another step forward and start racking up some points. Filter in some young D over the next couple of years and I think we may have ourselves a contender sooner than later. I guess a lot can happen between now and then but for now, I am excited.

With both Flyers defensemen behind the net and no forwards helping out.......

If we keep seeing this happening game in and game out. Lavi will not be long for this team, and this team will not make the playoffs.......

Bill, can you please clarify something for me:
If a player (let's just call the player "S. Morin") plays a 9-game tryout, is he not able to have a tryout in the next years (in other words, if he plays 9 games this year, does his ELC kick the first time he plays a game in the following years)? I was under the impression that Laughton's (prorated) tryout last year made him ineligible for a tryout this year, and that his ELC would kick in if he plays 1 game.

If that is indeed the case, I'd prefer they not give Morin any regular season games this year, and instead give him 9 games either next year or, more likely, 2 years from now, where it can actually be an evaluation tryout as opposed to a "give him a taste" tryout.