Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Philly Flies Into Break, Quick Hits

Good morning! Thank you Bill, for your tireless work day after day! My mornings aren't complete without your blog. I hope everyone enjoys the Olympics!!

Looking forward to another day of CORGI talk. Glad Ill be at the movies. I like these dogs but I still have no idea what it has to do with hockey.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Philly Flies Into Break, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Looking forward to another day of CORGI talk. Glad Ill be at the movies. I like these dogs but I still have no idea what it has to do with hockey.





- MBFlyerfan

So it's settled then. Hallelujah.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Philly Flies Into Break, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Excellent work.

Excellent work.
- ob18

Yes!

Great article

Overuse of stats becomes paralysis by analysis.
The game is played on a slippery surface by humans with limb extensions and coverings, not in a perfect digital world. A gouge in the ice causing a puck to bounce can decide a championship.

I don't follow statistics, or the arguments surrounding them, so it is a little bizarre to hear that anyone would have to defend the value of someone like Grossmann. But I certainly agree with Bill and ASF.
Grossmann may be a bit slow, but he's not stiff, and has reasonably good closing speed. He is no puck-carrier, but can make a good first pass provided a supporting forward has given him a clear route for that pass. If he has to make a tough pass because no one has provided support, it will probably be a turnover. Creativity is not part of his game. His shot is generally strong and near the net, but he is not often up on the play or in the offensive zone, so he doesn't get many opportunities to use it.
But his real value is in making smart defensive decisions that limit quality chances by the opposition. When he is on his game, he is like a magnet, drawing players closer and delivering crushing hits. He makes life uncomfortable for players who want to hang out in the crease. He plays a team game, sacrificing his body, and not trying to play outside of his role. These players are so important for a sustained playoff run. It's easy to dismiss them during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different game. The ice gets smaller, and the skating lanes are blocked with arms and sticks. My only real concern with Grossmann is that he, like many who play his style, is susceptible to injury. For Grossmann, games played might be the most valuable stat.

The dmen as a whole are pretty good, that are going to have their ups and downs but by keeping them fresh they will win more than they will lose. I would love for them to find a young stud puck mover I don't think they are in a position to make a trade for one right now. If they can get lucky in a draft and find a Tory Krug in later rounds that would be great, but the way it stands they draft too late most years to get the obvious stud damn. I would not be opposed to them making a move for the first overall pick this year to get ekblad. Both schenn's and first rounder

I don't follow statistics, or the arguments surrounding them, so it is a little bizarre to hear that anyone would have to defend the value of someone like Grossmann. But I certainly agree with Bill and ASF.
Grossmann may be a bit slow, but he's not stiff, and has reasonably good closing speed. He is no puck-carrier, but can make a good first pass provided a supporting forward has given him a clear route for that pass. If he has to make a tough pass because no one has provided support, it will probably be a turnover. Creativity is not part of his game. His shot is generally strong and near the net, but he is not often up on the play or in the offensive zone, so he doesn't get many opportunities to use it.
But his real value is in making smart defensive decisions that limit quality chances by the opposition. When he is on his game, he is like a magnet, drawing players closer and delivering crushing hits. He makes life uncomfortable for players who want to hang out in the crease. He plays a team game, sacrificing his body, and not trying to play outside of his role. These players are so important for a sustained playoff run. It's easy to dismiss them during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different game. The ice gets smaller, and the skating lanes are blocked with arms and sticks. My only real concern with Grossmann is that he, like many who play his style, is susceptible to injury. For Grossmann, games played might be the most valuable stat.
- hobo

Very good analysis!
in bold, and he is susceptible to speedy skating, creative attacking forwards, whereas his only defense is a WWE clothesline & takedown.

So how does the team keep up any rhythm that they have build up over the break?

Very good analysis!
in bold, and he is susceptible to speedy skating, creative attacking forwards, whereas his only defense is a WWE clothesline & takedown.
- puckhead17

All I know is that the Corgi says Grossmann couldnt even play in the AHL. That is enough for me.

So how does the team keep up any rhythm that they have build up over the break?
- LJF

I think their success hinges on how hard they decide to work every game....It is as simple as that.

The dmen as a whole are pretty good, that are going to have their ups and downs but by keeping them fresh they will win more than they will lose. I would love for them to find a young stud puck mover I don't think they are in a position to make a trade for one right now. If they can get lucky in a draft and find a Tory Krug in later rounds that would be great, but the way it stands they draft too late most years to get the obvious stud damn. I would not be opposed to them making a move for the first overall pick this year to get ekblad. Both schenn's and first rounder
- MrPerfect316

Most people would complain about trading away youth, but I would do that trade in a heartbeat. Either Buffalo or Edmonton would get needed depth and Flyers could get a solid 2 way guy on the blue line. My hit list for the draft:

Aaron Ekblad
Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/216 lbs
Position: D
Team: Barrie (OHL)

Sam Bennett
Ht/Wt: 6' 0"/178 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kingston (OHL)

William Nylander
Ht/Wt: 5' 11"/175 lbs
Position: C
Team: Rogle (SWE)

Julius Honka
Ht/Wt: 5'10"/178 lbs
Position: D
Team: Swift Current (WHL)

Brendan Perlini
Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/205 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Niagara (OHL)

Jake Virtanen
Ht/Wt: 6' 1"/190 lbs
Position: C/LW
Team: Calgary (WHL)

Not a big fan of Reinhart, his release is soooo slow. I'd be pretty happy with Willy Nylander or Virtanen, guys I could see playing with G & Jake.

Most people would complain about trading away youth, but I would do that trade in a heartbeat. Either Buffalo or Edmonton would get needed depth and Flyers could get a solid 2 way guy on the blue line. My hit list for the draft:

Aaron Ekblad
Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/216 lbs
Position: D
Team: Barrie (OHL)

Sam Bennett
Ht/Wt: 6' 0"/178 lbs
Position: C
Team: Kingston (OHL)

William Nylander
Ht/Wt: 5' 11"/175 lbs
Position: C
Team: Rogle (SWE)

Julius Honka
Ht/Wt: 5'10"/178 lbs
Position: D
Team: Swift Current (WHL)

Brendan Perlini
Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/205 lbs
Position: LW
Team: Niagara (OHL)

Jake Virtanen
Ht/Wt: 6' 1"/190 lbs
Position: C/LW
Team: Calgary (WHL)

Not a big fan of Reinhart, his release is soooo slow. I'd be pretty happy with Willy Nylander or Virtanen, guys I could see playing with G & Jake.
- Glak18

William Nylander has fallen word is he's a very selfish player who tends to forget he has teammates.

I have watched all the others but you are missing a few to talk about

So how does the team keep up any rhythm that they have build up over the break?
- LJF

They don't. They hit the reset button, put in a few good practices as they reconvene and then treat it essentially like a sprint to the finish line.

William Nylander has fallen word is he's a very selfish player who tends to forget he has teammates.

I have watched all the others but you are missing a few to talk about
- ob18

There are a lot of others, I just didn't add them because I did MY list.

* For the second straight game, there were two scouts from the Dallas Stars (Les Jackson and Dan O'Brien) in the Wells Fargo Center pressbox. Ditto the Tampa Bay Lightning (Pat Verbeek and Jamie Pushor).

Bill, You're tied into Dallas; what do they need and who's available that the Flyers might need? Unless its a minor deal, I can't see the Flyers upsetting the Forward line up. Defense on the other hand has been an issue. I'd love to see any upgrade but not sure who they'd want from the Stars.

I don't doubt TB being there. Sure it's all business... But, there's got to be some bad blood between the Flyers and Stevie Y. They're not going to trade Hedman. So, who do the Flyers want? (Maybe Stamkos is worst than published...S. Downie back to TB???)

There are a lot of others, I just didn't add them because I did MY list.
- Glak18

That's fair I'd add

Michael Dal Colle (LW/C) - Oshawa
Leon Draisaitl (C/LW) - Prince Albert
Nick Ritchie - (RW) Peterborough
Haydn Fleury (D) - Red Deer
Jared McCann (C) - Sault Ste. Marie
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW) - Halifax
Adrian Kempe (C) - Modo

That's fair I'd add

Michael Dal Colle (LW/C) - Oshawa
Leon Draisaitl (C/LW) - Prince Albert
Nick Ritchie - (RW) Peterborough
Haydn Fleury (D) - Red Deer
Jared McCann (C) - Sault Ste. Marie
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW) - Halifax
Adrian Kempe (C) - Modo
- ob18

Good catch, I would like to add Ehlers on my list. The others I kept off for one reason or another.

Good catch, I would like to add Ehlers on my list. The others I kept off for one reason or another.
- Glak18

Well it's your list.

Rithcie is one I wasn't sure about but the more I watch him the more I like him.....His 5 goal & 6 point effort the other night didn't hurt

Well it's your list.

Rithcie is one I wasn't sure about but the more I watch him the more I like him.....His 5 goal & 6 point effort the other night didn't hurt
- ob18

I just would like the Flyers to add some speed and creativity to the team, tired of the good ol' Canadian boys who are 2-way grinders down the middle.

I just would like the Flyers to add some speed and creativity to the team, tired of the good ol' Canadian boys who are 2-way grinders down the middle.
- Glak18

Some on your list & what I added to it aren't likely to make it that far down the draft.