Bill Meltzer: Flyers Preseason Game Day: 9/230/14 vs. NYR, Devils-Flyers Wrap and More

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Preseason Game Day: 9/230/14 vs. NYR, Devils-Flyers Wrap and More
- bmeltzer

I'm guessing the Flyers will be dressing a more NHL ready line up tonight.

Mason looked a bit shaky on a couple goals, but also made several ten bell stops. I'm wondering how well the defense pairs will gel, because thus far they haven't fared too well.

Rekt

Rekt
- RAGSareDANGERus

The sheer creativity you show in this post has us all waiting with baited breath for your next utterance.

The most concerning part of last night's game was how poorly the Flyers' top defensive pairing of Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald performed throughout the game. Both members of the pair were beaten off the rush by Haggerty on the second New York goal and were part of a weak penalty killing effort that ended in Mueller's power play goal after a virtual shooting gallery of rubber got fired on Mason's net from all angles.
- bmeltzer

If your two best skating, and defensible 'able' dmen are getting beaten to the outside by prospects, you're in for a long night.

Some things I have noticed so far. Please chime in if I am way off.

1) More and more I feel a fourth line with Leirer and Laughton and some mix of Jones/Rinaldo would be a solid line to play. They all seem to skate well and Laughton and Leirer can kill penalties and play both sides of the puck. Might also chip in some goals.

2)As much as I want to see Gostisbiere in the AHL, every game he plays he seems to make something happen. I know he will make mistakes but he is a player that seems to make more good plays then bad.

3) Was not thrilled with top d pairing. Would like to see Schenn with Coburn. Both looked not agressive or physicall and would prefer a thumper with Coburn.

4)Blair Jones has been a quiet suprise. Seems to get up and down the ice quickly and play a greasy game but creates some offensive chances.

5) I don't know if Akeson is pressing. Yes he scored but he seems to be forcing a lot of plays. He actually had the turnover that started the Haggerty goal i believe because he tried making a move to get out of the zone and turned it over.


Just some of my observations. Would be nice to see a more compplete team iced for a game but understand the condensed schedule

My thoughts on the veterans play last night in the pre season game, is, did any of them get hurt? If no, then good game!

Bill, is it crazy to start viewing Ghost as a blue chip prospect? I mean the level of skill he shows with the puck is starting to make me think he has the tools to becone a legit top pairing pick mover. I know ge still needs to bulk up a little and improve his defensive play some but maybe in a few years you pair him with Coburn and you have a pretty sound pairing.

If your two best skating, and defensible 'able' dmen are getting beaten to the outside by prospects, you're in for a long night.


- Tomahawk

Maybe not just a long night, but I hope it is not a " long year"
I am very worried about the defense as from what I have seen Ghost has been the best one during preseason and he will be sent down. I know it is ONLY preseason but you want your "top" Dman to look better than what they have.

Bill, is it crazy to start viewing Ghost as a blue chip prospect? I mean the level of skill he shows with the puck is starting to make me think he has the tools to becone a legit top pairing pick mover. I know ge still needs to bulk up a little and improve his defensive play some but maybe in a few years you pair him with Coburn and you have a pretty sound pairing.
- hereticpride

I don't think so, mainly because he has an offensive skillset most defensemen do not possess. Guys with his ability with the puck are not a common commodity and it's a huge benefit to a team if they have a defenseman that has his skills.

My thoughts on the veterans play last night in the pre season game, is, did any of them get hurt? If no, then good game!
- MJL

I guess that is true but... I would like them to look better than what they have shown.

Some things I have noticed so far. Please chime in if I am way off.

1) More and more I feel a fourth line with Leirer and Laughton and some mix of Jones/Rinaldo would be a solid line to play. They all seem to skate well and Laughton and Leirer can kill penalties and play both sides of the puck. Might also chip in some goals.

2)As much as I want to see Gostisbiere in the AHL, every game he plays he seems to make something happen. I know he will make mistakes but he is a player that seems to make more good plays then bad.

3) Was not thrilled with top d pairing. Would like to see Schenn with Coburn. Both looked not agressive or physicall and would prefer a thumper with Coburn.

4)Blair Jones has been a quiet suprise. Seems to get up and down the ice quickly and play a greasy game but creates some offensive chances.

5) I don't know if Akeson is pressing. Yes he scored but he seems to be forcing a lot of plays. He actually had the turnover that started the Haggerty goal i believe because he tried making a move to get out of the zone and turned it over.


Just some of my observations. Would be nice to see a more compplete team iced for a game but understand the condensed schedule
- J35Bacher

1)I think back to the days of Zezel, Tocchet and Derek Smith....I would love to see this happen...but I don't think it will...I think they feel all these guys will develop better with some time in the A.
2)Both him and Morin have played well enough to make this team...but see answer above.
3) I would love to see Schenn on a top pairing.....playing for Edmonton!!!!
4)and the part that matters...Berube seems to like Jone's play as well...
5) this kid really has been given every opprotunity this camp to make impression...I think he's still a bubble player...could go either way. I hope he shows everyone he deserves to stay in one of the next couple of games....

some good points...

Bill, is it crazy to start viewing Ghost as a blue chip prospect? I mean the level of skill he shows with the puck is starting to make me think he has the tools to becone a legit top pairing pick mover. I know ge still needs to bulk up a little and improve his defensive play some but maybe in a few years you pair him with Coburn and you have a pretty sound pairing.
- hereticpride

He's been blue chip for awhile now

Our kids are legit.

My thoughts on the veterans play last night in the pre season game, is, did any of them get hurt? If no, then good game!
- MJL

that appeared to be last years approach...didn't go to well at start of season....I get your point, but this team has NOTHING to be over confident about...bad habits in pre-season lead to bad habits when the games matter.

Some things I have noticed so far. Please chime in if I am way off.

1) More and more I feel a fourth line with Leirer and Laughton and some mix of Jones/Rinaldo would be a solid line to play. They all seem to skate well and Laughton and Leirer can kill penalties and play both sides of the puck. Might also chip in some goals.

2)As much as I want to see Gostisbiere in the AHL, every game he plays he seems to make something happen. I know he will make mistakes but he is a player that seems to make more good plays then bad.

3) Was not thrilled with top d pairing. Would like to see Schenn with Coburn. Both looked not agressive or physicall and would prefer a thumper with Coburn.

4)Blair Jones has been a quiet suprise. Seems to get up and down the ice quickly and play a greasy game but creates some offensive chances.

5) I don't know if Akeson is pressing. Yes he scored but he seems to be forcing a lot of plays. He actually had the turnover that started the Haggerty goal i believe because he tried making a move to get out of the zone and turned it over.


Just some of my observations. Would be nice to see a more compplete team iced for a game but understand the condensed schedule
- J35Bacher

1. Everyone knows my views on a good fourth line.


2. I hope that they do not rush Gostisbehere. He still has stuff to work on, but he's so much fun to watch. I'm not sold he needs a ton of AHL time. That said the weak areas do need work. He needs to be better without the puck, especially in his own end and get a bit stronger. Still the skills are drool inducing.

3. Not a fan of Schenn & Coburn, but also not a fan of MacDonald & Coburn. There's not really an ideal set up here.

4. Jones has impressed, but I'm always wary of guys who have been around having good camps/pre-seasons. I always go back to Jon Sim or Mike Maneluk.

5. Akeson had some iffy moments last night. I think he sticks because he's been decent overall and they face losing him on waivers if they send him down.

that appeared to be last years approach...didn't go to well at start of season....I get your point, but this team has NOTHING to be over confident about...bad habits in pre-season lead to bad habits when the games matter.
- landros 2

I think we'll see a difference in the final two pre season games. Last year had more to do with the Coach then the players.

that appeared to be last years approach...didn't go to well at start of season....I get your point, but this team has NOTHING to be over confident about...bad habits in pre-season lead to bad habits when the games matter.
- landros 2

I don't expect the veterans to be at full speed, but for the most part, they have looked downright horrible. Both the 1st and 3rd pairs have turned in really putrid efforts this pre-season.

It's not a "Let's all jump off the Walt Whitman Bridge" level of worry, but it is a concern, because of how badly they've looked at times.

5. Akeson had some iffy moments last night. I think he sticks because he's been decent overall and they face losing him on waivers if they send him down.
- Jsaquella

Saddled w/ Z1 and a guy fresh off a LIB, still adjusting to NA... can't blame the guy for over-handling the puck.

Saddled w/ Z1 and a guy fresh off a LIB, still adjusting to NA... can't blame the guy for over-handling the puck.
- Tomahawk

That's a factor, too. It's hard to get a gauge on guys when the team is icing a roster full of AHLers.

I think we'll see a difference in the final two pre season games. Last year had more to do with the Coach then the players.
- MJL

hope so.

What is the deal with this schedule? It seems like the Flyers would have some sort of grievance against the NHL.

Even taking the Saturday game out of it, scheduling three games in three nights......That makes no sense.

Some things I have noticed so far. Please chime in if I am way off.

1) More and more I feel a fourth line with Leirer and Laughton and some mix of Jones/Rinaldo would be a solid line to play. They all seem to skate well and Laughton and Leirer can kill penalties and play both sides of the puck. Might also chip in some goals.

2)As much as I want to see Gostisbiere in the AHL, every game he plays he seems to make something happen. I know he will make mistakes but he is a player that seems to make more good plays then bad.

3) Was not thrilled with top d pairing. Would like to see Schenn with Coburn. Both looked not agressive or physicall and would prefer a thumper with Coburn.

4)Blair Jones has been a quiet suprise. Seems to get up and down the ice quickly and play a greasy game but creates some offensive chances.

5) I don't know if Akeson is pressing. Yes he scored but he seems to be forcing a lot of plays. He actually had the turnover that started the Haggerty goal i believe because he tried making a move to get out of the zone and turned it over.


Just some of my observations. Would be nice to see a more compplete team iced for a game but understand the condensed schedule
- J35Bacher

Not far off at all. But it seems like the best tandem ive seen coburn in the past few years was when he got paired with grossmann. With these prospects having a serious drool factor i think one of our dmen gets moved in the near future.

I think we will see what we our blueline is all about after the first 10 games. That is a murderous stretch playing A great mix of some very good teams in the NHL. I would be happy to get 5 wins

What is the deal with this schedule? It seems like the Flyers would have some sort of grievance against the NHL.

Even taking the Saturday game out of it, scheduling three games in three nights......That makes no sense.
- MBFlyerfan

It's completely asinine. It doesn't give you a real look at the team, it's a situation that could easily lead to injuries and it limits the amount of time the team can spend working in practice.

1. Everyone knows my views on a good fourth line.


2. I hope that they do not rush Gostisbehere. He still has stuff to work on, but he's so much fun to watch. I'm not sold he needs a ton of AHL time. That said the weak areas do need work. He needs to be better without the puck, especially in his own end and get a bit stronger. Still the skills are drool inducing.

3. Not a fan of Schenn & Coburn, but also not a fan of MacDonald & Coburn. There's not really an ideal set up here.

4. Jones has impressed, but I'm always wary of guys who have been around having good camps/pre-seasons. I always go back to Jon Sim or Mike Maneluk.

5. Akeson had some iffy moments last night. I think he sticks because he's been decent overall and they face losing him on waivers if they send him down.
- Jsaquella

Why can't the answer be

Streit coburn
Macdonald schenn
Grossman MDZ

If this were the SATs I'd skip the question. But this is my best answer