Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Mason Stonewalls LA

I wish I had stayed at home and watched the game instead of seeing the E level farm team. Shows you about matchups and concentration and to an extent confidence making the difference. A win in Columbus would make this an over .500 trip.

Does anyone have a means of getting a message to the Flyers GM about how lousy the affiliate team has turned out to be in the ECHL.

They went from a team with always solid goaltending, a reasonably executed passive defensive team system and a well executed power play with creative players though too undersized to a larger team that supposedly had more goal scorers. NOT

The goaltending is terrible..... constantly not getting the glove up on high shots, butterflying too early and get beating high and not freezing the puck when they are down mushroom farming on the ice. There is no creativity on the power play as they have not replaced their playmaking center, the team is reacting too much in the D zone rather instead of initiating and smothering players, poor d coverage.

I figure I can save $700-$900 by staying home the rest of the season and shredding the season tickets and mailing them to the team president who needs to fire the Royals coach, GM and maybe himself. Being an amateur player who has regional corporate success doesnt translate into to being good at hockey operations. You can give away hats and have Mountain Man and Sargent Slaughter signing autographs and have a play area for the kiddies and other specials, BUT
The product on the ice must be good and its not

They may have done better sticking with the Caps-Hershey Affiliation as the Phantoms Flyers affiliation with the Royals new owners is turning out to be a disaster and the record on ice shows it. All the other teams go through the same amount of roster churn and turn out better.

I wish I had stayed at home and watched the game instead of seeing the E level farm team. Shows you about matchups and concentration and to an extent confidence making the difference. A win in Columbus would make this an over .500 trip.

Does anyone have a means of getting a message to the Flyers GM about how lousy the affiliate team has turned out to be in the ECHL.

They went from a team with always solid goaltending, a reasonably executed passive defensive team system and a well executed power play with creative players though too undersized to a larger team that supposedly had more goal scorers. NOT

The goaltending is terrible..... constantly not getting the glove up on high shots, butterflying too early and get beating high and not freezing the puck when they are down mushroom farming on the ice. There is no creativity on the power play as they have not replaced their playmaking center, the team is reacting too much in the D zone rather instead of initiating and smothering players, poor d coverage.

I figure I can save $700-$900 by staying home the rest of the season and shredding the season tickets and mailing them to the team president who needs to fire the Royals coach, GM and maybe himself. Being an amateur player who has regional corporate success doesnt translate into to being good at hockey operations. You can give away hats and have Mountain Man and Sargent Slaughter signing autographs and have a play area for the kiddies and other specials, BUT
The product on the ice must be good and its not

They may have done better sticking with the Caps-Hershey Affiliation as the Phantoms Flyers affiliation with the Royals new owners is turning out to be a disaster and the record on ice shows it. All the other teams go through the same amount of roster churn and turn out better.
- Steelmanpa

I live 5 minutes from the royals staduim. I think Ive gone to only 5 games since they arrived.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Mason Stonewalls LA
- bmeltzer

Mason was a beast. The manner in which the Kings took over the game after the first period is a concern, because no goalie is going to be able to consistently do what Mase did yesterday.

I've been critical of him, but Nick Grossmann played well yesterday, as did Couturier. The PK did some good work, which is the most encouraging aspect of the game, at least from a team perspective.

In the end, it was a needed two points. The team should be buying Mason drinks for a month after the way he played on this California leg of the road trip.

I wish I had stayed at home and watched the game instead of seeing the E level farm team. Shows you about matchups and concentration and to an extent confidence making the difference. A win in Columbus would make this an over .500 trip.

Does anyone have a means of getting a message to the Flyers GM about how lousy the affiliate team has turned out to be in the ECHL.

They went from a team with always solid goaltending, a reasonably executed passive defensive team system and a well executed power play with creative players though too undersized to a larger team that supposedly had more goal scorers. NOT

The goaltending is terrible..... constantly not getting the glove up on high shots, butterflying too early and get beating high and not freezing the puck when they are down mushroom farming on the ice. There is no creativity on the power play as they have not replaced their playmaking center, the team is reacting too much in the D zone rather instead of initiating and smothering players, poor d coverage.

I figure I can save $700-$900 by staying home the rest of the season and shredding the season tickets and mailing them to the team president who needs to fire the Royals coach, GM and maybe himself. Being an amateur player who has regional corporate success doesnt translate into to being good at hockey operations. You can give away hats and have Mountain Man and Sargent Slaughter signing autographs and have a play area for the kiddies and other specials, BUT
The product on the ice must be good and its not

They may have done better sticking with the Caps-Hershey Affiliation as the Phantoms Flyers affiliation with the Royals new owners is turning out to be a disaster and the record on ice shows it. All the other teams go through the same amount of roster churn and turn out better.
- Steelmanpa

Part of that is probably due to the shallow talent pool the Flyers have systemically. The Phantoms are a middle of the road AHL team, and the injuries that have hit them and the Flyers have hurt the depth of the Royals.

Mason really was on. It was nice to see that the there was a concerted effort from Giroux, Cooter and Laughton to keep their lanes controlled in the defensive zone.

I don't know who Rinaldo has compromising pictures of, but if HE is dressing and Belemare was benched? The only thing he brings is some skating ability. His ole' stick checking defense and reckless penalties in the offensive zone are simply too costly for this team to risk...there are so many players who take those 8+ minutes and make them work.

Really like watching Laughton play.

When did Mike Richards get so slow? He always needed a half step to get up to speed, but he just looked slow. He was still working...but at the wrong speed.

Mason was the reason they were in the game...what I take from this game is the continued amount of mistakes they make.....and you really see the system break downs they have when they play a team with a suburb system like LA.
You can see where the Flyers need to get to as a team....talent wise and system wise they do not currently have the pieces to get there.

Mason was the reason they were in the game...what I take from this game is the continued amount of mistakes they make.....and you really see the system break downs they have when they play a team with a suburb system like LA.
You can see where the Flyers need to get to as a team....talent wise and system wise they do not currently have the pieces to get there.
- landros 2

Mason has been great all year IMO. The all round team defense e is just not close to being where it has to be. Our blueline is way too soft. I guy like Morin will help that but we are going to need some mean mothers that can patrol the front of the net
( missing Pronger). The Flyers only had 16 shots on net. They truly did hang on for dear life.

I wish I had stayed at home and watched the game instead of seeing the E level farm team. Shows you about matchups and concentration and to an extent confidence making the difference. A win in Columbus would make this an over .500 trip.

Does anyone have a means of getting a message to the Flyers GM about how lousy the affiliate team has turned out to be in the ECHL.

They went from a team with always solid goaltending, a reasonably executed passive defensive team system and a well executed power play with creative players though too undersized to a larger team that supposedly had more goal scorers. NOT

The goaltending is terrible..... constantly not getting the glove up on high shots, butterflying too early and get beating high and not freezing the puck when they are down mushroom farming on the ice. There is no creativity on the power play as they have not replaced their playmaking center, the team is reacting too much in the D zone rather instead of initiating and smothering players, poor d coverage.

I figure I can save $700-$900 by staying home the rest of the season and shredding the season tickets and mailing them to the team president who needs to fire the Royals coach, GM and maybe himself. Being an amateur player who has regional corporate success doesnt translate into to being good at hockey operations. You can give away hats and have Mountain Man and Sargent Slaughter signing autographs and have a play area for the kiddies and other specials, BUT
The product on the ice must be good and its not

They may have done better sticking with the Caps-Hershey Affiliation as the Phantoms Flyers affiliation with the Royals new owners is turning out to be a disaster and the record on ice shows it. All the other teams go through the same amount of roster churn and turn out better.
- Steelmanpa

This is like trying to send back a steak at Denny's.

About 10-12 years ago my friend's dad had tickets to the ECHL All Star game. It was the saddest excuse for hockey I've ever seen. I can only imagine what the regular season games look like. The ECHL serves such little purpose for the NHL anyway that I don't see why its worth getting so upset over. Don't a good number of NHL teams not even have affiliates at that level?

This is like trying to send back a steak at Denny's.

About 10-12 years ago my friend's dad had tickets to the ECHL All Star game. It was the saddest excuse for hockey I've ever seen. I can only imagine what the regular season games look like. The ECHL serves such little purpose for the NHL anyway that I don't see why its worth getting so upset over. Don't a good number of NHL teams not even have affiliates at that level?
- hereticpride

Only one NHL team has no ECHL affiliation. The New Jersey Devils used to share the Trenton Titans with the Flyers.

Thanks Bill. I watched the game, and I was waiting for the last minute goal against the Flyers...oh the stress it caused me. Both Mason, and Emery have played well this season, so much for the goalie issues of the past. However, there are three key issues for me right now.
One, Coby. His play has been horrible. He seems to be on the ice for every goal against, and yet the coach continues to play him a lot of minutes, while sitting everyone else down. Is this a trade ploy? Is this the typical Flyer fascination with size over quality of play? I would bring in Carlo immediately.
Two, what happened to Jones? I would rather have him playing than Rinaldo or Vandebum. I guess he has fallen out of favor with the organization. It will be interesting to see what the Flyers do with White, and him once White returns.
Three, is G's play. Yes, he has been scoring. Good thing he has been. His defensive play has been weak most of the season. Where G goes, the team follows. So, why not play every shift, and every minute like he cares? If the team Captain takes time off, then the others will see this, and follow in his steps. Every time he is on the ice, and a goal is scored, he is not picking up his player, is watching the puck, or is waiting up ice to receive the outlet pass. Oh, and why is he on the PK unit? He is not a defensive guy that I would want on the ice at that particular time.
Thanks for listening.

WHAT A GAME from Couturier.
He showed some real offensive assertiveness the way he was carrying the puck into the offensive zone and holding on to it to make a play afterwards. I've really liked the progression I've seen from him this year.

before the season started i said this team could get into the playoffs and sneak into the ecf's, i still believe that, especially with the way mason is capable of playing. you cant fill all the holes at the deadline but you could trade the schenn's and read maybe see if someone will take umberger, to get aat least a winger with some speed for the top 6, and defenseman that wont give away our blueline with ease.... cue the spreadsheet experts and advanced stat guys telling me no.

WHAT A GAME from Couturier.
He showed some real offensive assertiveness the way he was carrying the puck into the offensive zone and holding on to it to make a play afterwards. I've really liked the progression I've seen from him this year.
- Coburns_Nose

Indeed.

I predict general pendulum of impatience/frustration is about to swing Baby Schenn's way again?

Thanks Bill. I watched the game, and I was waiting for the last minute goal against the Flyers...oh the stress it caused me. Both Mason, and Emery have played well this season, so much for the goalie issues of the past. However, there are three key issues for me right now.
One, Coby. His play has been horrible. He seems to be on the ice for every goal against, and yet the coach continues to play him a lot of minutes, while sitting everyone else down. Is this a trade ploy? Is this the typical Flyer fascination with size over quality of play? I would bring in Carlo immediately.
Two, what happened to Jones? I would rather have him playing than Rinaldo or Vandebum. I guess he has fallen out of favor with the organization. It will be interesting to see what the Flyers do with White, and him once White returns.
Three, is G's play. Yes, he has been scoring. Good thing he has been. His defensive play has been weak most of the season. Where G goes, the team follows. So, why not play every shift, and every minute like he cares? If the team Captain takes time off, then the others will see this, and follow in his steps. Every time he is on the ice, and a goal is scored, he is not picking up his player, is watching the puck, or is waiting up ice to receive the outlet pass. Oh, and why is he on the PK unit? He is not a defensive guy that I would want on the ice at that particular time.
Thanks for listening.
- OrangeAndBlack1

people have mentioned how the team misses timonen, if theyre referring the guy from 2010 i agree but really Coburn is the one who misses him cause without kimo he does does seem to have cancer.

Indeed.

I predict general pendulum of impatience/frustration is about to swing Baby Schenn's way again?
- Tomahawk

Yep, it's coming.

I'd actually like to swap Couturier & Laughton on their current lines, as much as I like Laughton with Simmonds.

Indeed.

I predict general pendulum of impatience/frustration is about to swing Baby Schenn's way again?
- Tomahawk

even when hes on im not overly impressed with the one time supposed "best player not playing in the nhl"

before the season started i said this team could get into the playoffs and sneak into the ecf's, i still believe that, especially with the way mason is capable of playing. you cant fill all the holes at the deadline but you could trade the schenn's and read maybe see if someone will take umberger, to get aat least a winger with some speed for the top 6, and defenseman that wont give away our blueline with ease.... cue the spreadsheet experts and advanced stat guys telling me no.
- JoeRussomanno

I also thought they could sneak into the playoffs, but I just don't see it anymore. They get outworked by most teams every night. Mason was spectacular yesterday and was the ONLY reason they won. They are going to have to go on a 8-2 , 7-3 kind of stretch soon... To keep pace. I want them to win but I have totally accepted that there is just too much work to be done here..especially on that wussy soft blueline.
I guess we will see where they are at the mid point but I can't see anyone taking Bumberger unless it is a mortician

even when hes on im not overly impressed with the one time supposed "best player not playing in the nhl"
- JoeRussomanno

Dopita?

I thought Umberger had a decent game, apart from firing that puck over the glass. Raffl was outstanding defensively.

But I do think Berube is kind of wasting Bellemare by not giving him any time with good players.

Dopita?
- jmdodgeser4

here i didnt make that up as u implied
http://www.broadstreethoc...-the-wing-brayden-schenns

Great win yesterday. Couldn't watch the whole thing but in the highlights, Mase looked fantastic. Really need to go on a run here if they want to make the playoffs.. 1-1-1 road trip isn't that bad.

Actually the ECHL level can be very good, especially when teams actually have good coaches, motion and coverage systems and players that play within the system.A lot of the teams have 2 NHL/AHL affiliates and are loaded. With a 12,000 per week salary cap sometimes better players can choose to go play in places where the location makes life better when things are all considered. Reading is not like warm weather places where the players can golf, get better puck beach bunnies, etc.

People do make it to the NHL from there- Fedotenko and Fedoruk for the Flyers.
You have to remember Quick, and a few other NHL goalies came up through the Royals.

They are not suffering from callups, they are suffering from 2 stiffs for goalies that Hextall signed to be callups for Stolarz and Zepp, when they are injured or called up to the Flyers.

Meh, the All Star game is like any All Star game, nothing worth watching. An excuse to sell jersies, give the home city extra revenue from hotels and taxes and a break for the average guys

Mason was tremendous. Great to see him playing well again this year. I don't think there is any question about it, you can win with Steve Mason. Flyers played a solid first period, then were eaten alive in periods 2 & 3.

Great win yesterday. Couldn't watch the whole thing but in the highlights, Mase looked fantastic. Really need to go on a run here if they want to make the playoffs.. 1-1-1 road trip isn't that bad.
- Hextall271

think the leafs will pull their usual implode act?