Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Predators Strike at Achilles Heel, WJC, Phantoms Update

The Flyers gave the Predators a belated Christmas present with that 5-on-3 PP in the 2nd. Read's high stick was the kind that happens in a game - and Ribeiro sold the poop out of it, too - but Giroux's was careless, especially considering they were already a man down.

Just butt-ugly.

only if the Flyers had the Preds defense and goaltending

only if the Flyers had the Preds defense and goaltending
- vejim

... and their system and their coach and the patience of their GM.

... and their system and their coach and the patience of their GM.
- Tomahawk

Talk about patience - they gave Trotz 17 years to do something.

This teams biggest problem is CONSISTENCY. They can't seem to put forth a consistent effort. We have seen them be more than capable. They just don't have the leadership or desire. And in some areas the talent. But when only half of the team shows up on a given night...games like that happen. They have a 38 second lapse and mail in the rest of the game.

This teams biggest problem is CONSISTENCY. They can't seem to put forth a consistent effort. We have seen them be more than capable. They just don't have the leadership or desire. And in some areas the talent. But when only half of the team shows up on a given night...games like that happen. They have a 38 second lapse and mail in the rest of the game.
- section32

They're consistently bad at defense

They're consistently bad at defense
- PhillySportsGuy

They are consistently mediocre. It's just what they are: a slightly below average team. When it's all said and done, they will miss the playoffs and end up picking somewhere between 7th and 10th, barring a ping pong ball miracle.

I think Hextall is smart enough to see this and I expect that 1, 2 or perhaps even 3 dmen are moved for picks at the deadline.

This won't get fixed overnight, and I won't be surprised if they are in the lottery again in 2016. However, I do think they are moving in the right direction and I expect them to be a playoff team by 16-17 and a contender not too long after that.

Talk about patience - they gave Trotz 17 years to do something.
- tangent_man

Ok, that may have been a bit too much patience there.

Tough game against a good team when coming off the Christmas break. That loss wasn't exactly surprising all things considered, although the game was a little boring. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back tomorrow night against a struggling Coyotes team.

Combined with their record when scoring two goals, a 2-5-3 mark is unacceptable for a team than fancies itself a contender.

I'm not sure anybody fancies the Flyers a contender at this point in time.

Tough game against a good team when coming off the Christmas break. That loss wasn't exactly surprising all things considered, although the game was a little boring. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back tomorrow night against a struggling Coyotes team.



I'm not sure anybody fancies the Flyers a contender at this point in time.
- wolfhounds

You'd have to be a crackhead to think this team is a contender.

They are consistently mediocre. It's just what they are: a slightly below average team. When it's all said and done, they will miss the playoffs and end up picking somewhere between 7th and 10th, barring a ping pong ball miracle.

I think Hextall is smart enough to see this and I expect that 1, 2 or perhaps even 3 dmen are moved for picks at the deadline.

This won't get fixed overnight, and I won't be surprised if they are in the lottery again in 2016. However, I do think they are moving in the right direction and I expect them to be a playoff team by 16-17 and a contender not too long after that.
- BiggE

They really need some picks

This teams biggest problem is CONSISTENCY. They can't seem to put forth a consistent effort. We have seen them be more than capable. They just don't have the leadership or desire. And in some areas the talent. But when only half of the team shows up on a given night...games like that happen. They have a 38 second lapse and mail in the rest of the game.
- section32

Disagree. The biggest issue is consistent execution. If you can't complete a simple, basic hockey play, it will suddenly appear that you aren't playing hard, because most of the effort is wasted chasing the puck around.

Like last night, I don't think the Flyers got out worked, they got beat by a team that executed better and dominated the puck.

They really need some picks
- PhillySportsGuy

Yup and I think 2 or 3 of Coburn, Grossman, Schultz, Schenn or Del Zotto will be moved. Streit isn't going anywhere because, unless they are absolutely convinced that Ghost will be ready by game 1 next season, he is their only legit pp qb and AMac will be tough to get decent value for because of the length of his deal so he should be safe as well. CC likely stays for the rest of the year because he basically has no trade value.

They are consistently mediocre. It's just what they are: a slightly below average team. When it's all said and done, they will miss the playoffs and end up picking somewhere between 7th and 10th, barring a ping pong ball miracle.

I think Hextall is smart enough to see this and I expect that 1, 2 or perhaps even 3 dmen are moved for picks at the deadline.

This won't get fixed overnight, and I won't be surprised if they are in the lottery again in 2016. However, I do think they are moving in the right direction and I expect them to be a playoff team by 16-17 and a contender not too long after that.
- BiggE

I think we will see some selling at the TDL, but at the same time, I'm not sure we will see the wholesale dumping of the defense.

Hextall might run into a situation where he can simply hang onto a Coburn or Grossmann and actually get more value at next year's TDL, when they are pending UFA, rather than deal a guy with another season left on his deal.

The good take away for me is that they're not lying down and tanking. That says that they have a solid core that can be built upon, and a widespread complete rebuild is probably not necessary.

Disagree. The biggest issue is consistent execution. If you can't complete a simple, basic hockey play, it will suddenly appear that you aren't playing hard, because most of the effort is wasted chasing the puck around.

Like last night, I don't think the Flyers got out worked, they got beat by a team that executed better and dominated the puck.
- Jsaquella

Pretty much, though I would say it all comes down to their lack of skill and speed throughout the lineup. Guys like Umberger, VDV, VLC, and the sadly soon to be returning Rinaldo don't take a regular shift on a good team.

Outside of Voracek and Giroux, they have no other forward with above average or better skill and on D, Streit is the only regular guy with above average skill and he lacks both speed and size. Adding MDZ could help somewhat, but they could really use more skill up front.

I think we will see some selling at the TDL, but at the same time, I'm not sure we will see the wholesale dumping of the defense.

Hextall might run into a situation where he can simply hang onto a Coburn or Grossmann and actually get more value at next year's TDL, when they are pending UFA, rather than deal a guy with another season left on his deal.

The good take away for me is that they're not lying down and tanking. That says that they have a solid core that can be built upon, and a widespread complete rebuild is probably not necessary.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I don't expect a fire sale, but if a strong enough offer is made, I think any of the dmen could be moved. However, if I was going to bet on 2 to go this season, it would be Schultz and Del Zotto. Both are on 1 year, low cost deals.

Ok, that may have been a bit too much patience there.

- BiggE

Are you sure?

Yeah, I don't expect a fire sale, but if a strong enough offer is made, I think any of the dmen could be moved. However, if I was going to bet on 2 to go this season, it would be Schultz and Del Zotto. Both are on 1 year, low cost deals.
- BiggE

FIRE SALLLLEEEEE

Are you sure?
- ob18

Well, lets see. 17 years and never got past the 2nd round. Yeah, that's a pretty fair shot in my book.

FIRE SALLLLEEEEE
- PhillySportsGuy

Come on down to Broad and Pattinson, all DMEN MUST GO!!

Make us an offer! Need a lumbering, stay at home guy? WE GOT EM!!

What, you need a one dimensional pp quarterback, WE HAVE JUST THE GUY!!

Also, we are running a special on overpaid dmen on long term deals and overpaid veteran forwards on overpriced multi year deals. So come on down and see Uncle Ronnie today!!!

8 for 8 on the shoot out? Sign that kid up. 8 years $10 mil per

Well, lets see. 17 years and never got past the 2nd round. Yeah, that's a pretty fair shot in my book.

- BiggE

Ok now we have our control point for patience.

Ok now we have our control point for patience.
- ob18

So, I guess Berube is safe until 2031?

So, I guess Berube is safe until 2031?
- BiggE

Let's not get carried away