Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/3/15 @ NJ, Plus Giroux, Flyers-CAR, WJC, Phantoms, Alumni

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/3/15 @ NJ, Plus Giroux, Flyers-CAR, WJC, Phantoms, Alumni
- bmeltzer

Even a gallon or so of scotch couldn't make the Flyers look good last night, what a boring game. I'm just glad Giroux is ok, though I think it would be smart to hold him out of tonight's game and let him heal a bit before he suits up again.

Even a gallon or so of scotch couldn't make the Flyers look good last night, what a boring game. I'm just glad Giroux is ok, though I think it would be smart to hold him out of tonight's game and let him heal a bit before he suits up again.
- BiggE

This pic is not for the squeamish, but I wouldn't think a night off at minimum would hurt G after a gash like this one... https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6ZH0g8IEAArDQk.jpg

Looks like it just missed the Achilles. Scary.

This pic is not for the squeamish, but I wouldn't think a night off at minimum would hurt G after a gash like this one... https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6ZH0g8IEAArDQk.jpg

Looks like it just missed the Achilles. Scary.
- tangent_man

ouch!

Definitely should take a couple days off after being cut like that. If that was any deeper, his season would have been over.

ouch!

Definitely should take a couple days off after being cut like that. If that was any deeper, his season would have been over.
- BiggE

I can only imagine what that would've looked like if it weren't for the kevlar sock.

If they aren't going to trade anyone bc they feel this team can win, then why is Berube still the HC? People have to be held accountable for the lack of success. The Chief has no track record as a HC, so why is he being given time to right the ship? Lavy should have been given more time bc of Car & NYI. Something has to be done, I'm tired of hearing people say we should be patient and rebuild. Why should we be patient for 3 yrs and then have success for 6 yrs and then have to rebuild again. And maybe Hex was a bad decision, reguardless of the current situation. Again, it's not like he has a track record of being a GM. Go find the right staff for this organization, and if they happen to be former flyers then fine.

you know your team stinks when the Carolina Broadcasters feel sorry for you

If they aren't going to trade anyone bc they feel this team can win, then why is Berube still the HC? People have to be held accountable for the lack of success. The Chief has no track record as a HC, so why is he being given time to right the ship? Lavy should have been given more time bc of Car & NYI. Something has to be done, I'm tired of hearing people say we should be patient and rebuild. Why should we be patient for 3 yrs and then have success for 6 yrs and then have to rebuild again. And maybe Hex was a bad decision, reguardless of the current situation. Again, it's not like he has a track record of being a GM. Go find the right staff for this organization, and if they happen to be former flyers then fine.
- CACannon18

this mess was brought to you by Homer

this mess was brought to you by Homer
- vejim

I understand that, but what I am saying is what in Hexs career has made him qualified to be a GM? I love the fact we take care of our former players, but their is a larger hiring pool than just former flyers. The most success we've had was with Lavy. If the team is not ready to play, then it's on the coaches. If the team is playing hard, but is not physically good enough, then it's on th GM. If it's both, then it's the Owners fault. It will never be the entire teams fault, bc you can't fire the entire team (but in this case I would consider it...)

I understand that, but what I am saying is what in Hexs career has made him qualified to be a GM?
- CACannon18

The same qualifications as many first-time NHL GMs: Long tenures in all the different aspects that a GM deals with, plus being an NHL assistant GM and AHL head GM with successful organizations.

The same qualifications as many first-time NHL GMs: Long tenures in all the different aspects that a GM deals with, plus being an NHL assistant GM and AHL head GM with successful organizations.
- bmeltzer

Bill,
Do you think he is the right man for the job?

I understand that, but what I am saying is what in Hexs career has made him qualified to be a GM? I love the fact we take care of our former players, but their is a larger hiring pool than just former flyers. The most success we've had was with Lavy. If the team is not ready to play, then it's on the coaches. If the team is playing hard, but is not physically good enough, then it's on th GM. If it's both, then it's the Owners fault. It will never be the entire teams fault, bc you can't fire the entire team (but in this case I would consider it...)
- CACannon18

Definitely understand where you are coming from. However, Hextall was brought here because he has a proven track record in managing a hockey club. He was often sought after and it was honestly not a matter of when, but where he took his first GM job. Obviously very fitting it ended up being Philly, but this isn't some old Flyer we brought in for a nostalgia effect.

Hextall helped build the LA Kings roster you still see today. He is much more diligent in his approach to FA signings and trades where as Homer was more gung-ho/react now & ask questions later.

As for drafting, look no further than this summers haul. We are in good hands in all aspects, not a doubt in my mind. It will, however, take some time for Hextall to take the mess he inherited and make it his own.

Glad to hear Giroux is OK.

Definitely understand where you are coming from. However, Hextall was brought here because he has a proven track record in managing a hockey club. He was often sought after and it was honestly not a matter of when, but where he took his first GM job. Obviously very fitting it ended up being Philly, but this isn't some old Flyer we brought in for a nostalgia effect.

Hextall helped build the LA Kings roster you still see today. He is much more diligent in his approach to FA signings and trades where as Homer was more gung-ho/react now & ask questions later.

As for drafting, look no further than this summers haul. We are in good hands in all aspects, not a doubt in my mind. It will, however, take some time for Hextall to take the mess he inherited and make it his own.
- mochoson

I'm not saying he's not the right guy, and I love the draft. But this season seems to be derailing, and either the coach or GM has to be held accountable. The only thing this team does consistently is be inconsistent. This team has enough talent to sneak into the playoffs, if we could make a few moves. I know defensemen are at a premium, but if Read or B Schenn were included, im sure we could get Dman back in return that could be better than most of our defense already.

Even a gallon or so of scotch couldn't make the Flyers look good last night, what a boring game. I'm just glad Giroux is ok, though I think it would be smart to hold him out of tonight's game and let him heal a bit before he suits up again.
- BiggE

The Flyers made the Canes look pretty good...that was both depressing and amusing. At this point in time I just want the Flyers to hold steady with the losing, make some trades, get a high draft pick, and build for next year.

I'm not saying he's not the right guy, and I love the draft. But this season seems to be derailing, and either the coach or GM has to be held accountable. The only thing this team does consistently is be inconsistent. This team has enough talent to sneak into the playoffs, if we could make a few moves. I know defensemen are at a premium, but if Read or B Schenn were included, im sure we could get Dman back in return that could be better than most of our defense already.
- CACannon18

I just think that Hextall realizes that one trade, however big, would not miraculously fix this team. I'm sure Holmer would've tried something for some short-term bump in the standings, but I prefer Hextalls approach (so far). Hexy will probably get some flak from fans due to what you put forth above, but it just shows that a lot of fans still has the Holmer mindset. Will Hexy be able to withstand the criticism from fans and media to mould (sp?) his own team? I hope so.

I'm not saying he's not the right guy, and I love the draft. But this season seems to be derailing, and either the coach or GM has to be held accountable. The only thing this team does consistently is be inconsistent. This team has enough talent to sneak into the playoffs, if we could make a few moves. I know defensemen are at a premium, but if Read or B Schenn were included, im sure we could get Dman back in return that could be better than most of our defense already.
- CACannon18

I think the GM responsible for this team was held accountable: Homer.

Glad to hear Giroux is OK.
- powerhouse

Yup, was definitely good news. It looked bad.

Bill,
Do you think he is the right man for the job?
- CACannon18

We will see but I think he is pretty sharp.

you know your team stinks when the Carolina Broadcasters feel sorry for you
- vejim

Carolina Hurricanes be like...

I'd really like to know what Berube has changed that sets him worlds apart from Laviolette. Using the Power Play for example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to replace Hartnell and Timonen for Schenn and Streit. It's still the same old set up. What about five on five pairs of Giroux/Voracek, Schenn/Simmonds and Couturier/Read. Some might think the Laviolette time outs were overrated but that guy was always coaching. This team could use a Laviolette time out the first 10 to 30 minutes of each game this season.

Without G there would not be much reason to watch this team. Jake has been great but he would be less effective without G. Thank God he is ok.
Let's just hope Hexy can now see this team is going no where and make some smart hockey trades ( prospects and picks)
Mr DeBoer would be a great start to retool

I just think that Hextall realizes that one trade, however big, would not miraculously fix this team. I'm sure Holmer would've tried something for some short-term bump in the standings, but I prefer Hextalls approach (so far). Hexy will probably get some flak from fans due to what you put forth above, but it just shows that a lot of fans still has the Holmer mindset. Will Hexy be able to withstand the criticism from fans and media to mould (sp?) his own team? I hope so.
- PhillySteen

Nail on the head

I'm not saying he's not the right guy, and I love the draft. But this season seems to be derailing, and either the coach or GM has to be held accountable. The only thing this team does consistently is be inconsistent. This team has enough talent to sneak into the playoffs, if we could make a few moves. I know defensemen are at a premium, but if Read or B Schenn were included, im sure we could get Dman back in return that could be better than most of our defense already.
- CACannon18

There is nothing Hextall can do except acquire draft assets. The old way is dead. The NHL is exactly like the NFL has been for years under the hard salary cap. Good players are locked up thru their prime since GMs rather sign their own players they know then to overpay for someone else they don't. They are never available thru trade since it costs too much money to replace them. Top prospects are also seldom traded since having productive cheap talent is too valuable. So the only way to get players in their prime is thru a massive overpayment.

If you look at the league the last few years, you will see this in action. Free agency is dead except for 2nd tier players seeking 1st tier money. The only trades are salary related: player makes too much money for his production, is one year away from UFA status or the team trading him is in cap trouble. The only other players traded are lockerroom issues like with Phanuef or Perron who not too long ago called out the team.

The one difference between the NFL and NHL is guaranteed contracts. In the NFL you can cut prior gms mistakes to make salary cap room. Hextall on the other hand must wait out Holmgrens bad contracts.

There is nothing Hextall can do except acquire draft assets. The old way is dead. The NHL is exactly like the NFL has been for years under the hard salary cap. Good players are locked up thru their prime since GMs rather sign their own players they know then to overpay for someone else they don't. They are never available thru trade since it costs too much money to replace them. Top prospects are also seldom traded since having productive cheap talent is too valuable. So the only way to get players in their prime is thru a massive overpayment.

If you look at the league the last few years, you will see this in action. Free agency is dead except for 2nd tier players seeking 1st tier money. The only trades are salary related: player makes too much money for his production, is one year away from UFA status or the team trading him is in cap trouble. The only other players traded are lockerroom issues like with Phanuef or Perron who not too long ago called out the team.

The one difference between the NFL and NHL is guaranteed contracts. In the NFL you can cut prior gms mistakes to make salary cap room. Hextall on the other hand must wait out Holmgrens bad contracts.
- psuhockey

Pretty much. The occasional "hockey" trade is still made, but they are becoming few and far between. This will be a longterm fix, there is no magic overnight cure that is going to make this team a contender.