Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The Week Ahead, Phantoms, Pelle, Puck Talks & More

Is this just a problem at the NHL level right now ? I know the flyers have some nice chips coming up so I was a little curious but are the phantoms supposed to be better then their record shows ? Or are some of the guys I'm thinking of not quite at the A yet ? Thought it was weird that Albany was off to a better start ( can't say I follow the A to often)

R.I.P Pelle, you are missed.

RE the Phantoms struggles: They have been hit hard by injuries, give em some time.

Is this just a problem at the NHL level right now ? I know the flyers have some nice chips coming up so I was a little curious but are the phantoms supposed to be better then their record shows ? Or are some of the guys I'm thinking of not quite at the A yet ? Thought it was weird that Albany was off to a better start ( can't say I follow the A to often)
- blizzzard

The Flyers top 3 prospects , Sanheim, Provorov and Konecny are all still in junior, also the team has been hit with a lot of early season injuries.

Is this just a problem at the NHL level right now ? I know the flyers have some nice chips coming up so I was a little curious but are the phantoms supposed to be better then their record shows ? Or are some of the guys I'm thinking of not quite at the A yet ? Thought it was weird that Albany was off to a better start ( can't say I follow the A to often)
- blizzzard

Load of injuries, and most of the higher tier prospects are CHLers or play in Europe.

They're starting to get healthy, but it's going to be a work in progress.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The Week Ahead, Phantoms, Pelle, Puck Talks & More
- bmeltzer

I remember the day of Pelle's accident like it was yesterday. Amazing it's been 30 years. Far too many members of those wonderful mid-1980s teams are missed. Pelle, Beast. Zezel. Cookie. Still my favorite teams in Flyers history

R.I.P Pelle, you are missed.

RE the Phantoms struggles: They have been hit hard by injuries, give em some time.
- BiggE

He is the #1 goalie in heaven

There is simply no other writer I enjoy reading about the Flyers than Bill. Easily the best writer on this website. I was born in 87, so the Pelle tragedy was not something I lived through. The same story has played out multiple times since Pelle's death so the feelings are understood. I logged in just to hear about my flyers and got so much more. Thank you, Bill

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The Week Ahead, Phantoms, Pelle, Puck Talks & More
- bmeltzer

Excellent read Bill. Thanks for all you do and especially your efforts to give us details about Pelle. I was only 11 when it happened but remember hearing about Pelles death as I was already a big hockey fan.

I can't see that things would have worked out the same for Hexy here had Pelle not died. He prob would have either backed up or been dealt. Interesting to ponder however.

I wonder, is there any thought of the flyers organizing a moment of silence before the game Tuesday to mark 30 years since his passing? I think that would be most appropriate. Just my 2 cents.

I remember the day of Pelle's accident like it was yesterday. Amazing it's been 30 years. Far too many members of those wonderful mid-1980s teams are missed. Pelle, Beast. Zezel. Cookie. Still my favorite teams in Flyers history
- Jsaquella

One thing I always forget is that they were that good and were still the youngest team in the league. I still wonder how we didn't win 2 cups in the 80s even with the dynasty oilers

One thing I always forget is that they were that good and were still the youngest team in the league. I still wonder how we didn't win 2 cups in the 80s even with the dynasty oilers
- Hextall271

i'm convinced if Kerr's shoulder wasn't torn to shreds we would have at least one

Thanks Bill. Nice tribute to Lindbergh. Salute.
Bill, what is your analysis on our line changes of late? It seems like the players are slow to get off the ice, and this creates a gap between the tired D, and the fresh forwards. I also noticed that the other teams have been quicker to get off the ice than we are.
Also, when is Manning due for a change of scenery? Is McD that much worse than Manning?
I guess Straka is on his way out. I thought that he might be a good fit for the first line. He has speed, and good hands, but I realize that his two-way play may need some work. However, he could spark some scoring 5 on 5.

i'm convinced if Kerr's shoulder wasn't torn to shreds we would have at least one
- Briere

Some of those playoff runs also featured Dave Poulin practically being kept together with duct tape.

I feel they should just make it official already and hoist 31 up in the rafters.

I feel they should just make it official already and hoist 31 up in the rafters.
- Pelle31Forever

I know what you mean, but the org doesn't do that unless the player is in the HHOF. I've said that Hexy's 27 should be there too..

One thing I always forget is that they were that good and were still the youngest team in the league. I still wonder how we didn't win 2 cups in the 80s even with the dynasty oilers
- Hextall271

Came close, cursed by injuries. In 1987, the Flyers had so many injuries it was ridiculous. Tim Tookey & Darryl Stanley played as many games as Kerr & Murray Craven did. Even in 1985, injuries took a big toll. Poplin missed time with broken ribs, Kerr & McCrimmon both missed significant time and Lindbergh missed the last game of the final with a leg injury.

Even being a young team, there were a lot of key guys who were older and who broke down and never replaced. McCrimmon was lost and never replaced. Lindbergh's passing left them with Froese & Jensen for the 1986 playoffs. Howe's back issues plagued him. Kerr's shoulder. Hextall's groin. Several of the younger guys never took the next step.

Came close, cursed by injuries. In 1987, the Flyers had so many injuries it was ridiculous. Tim Tookey & Darryl Stanley played as many games as Kerr & Murray Craven did. Even in 1985, injuries took a big toll. Poplin missed time with broken ribs, Kerr & McCrimmon both missed significant time and Lindbergh missed the last game of the final with a leg injury.

Even being a young team, there were a lot of key guys who were older and who broke down and never replaced. McCrimmon was lost and never replaced. Lindbergh's passing left them with Froese & Jensen for the 1986 playoffs. Howe's back issues plagued him. Kerr's shoulder. Hextall's groin. Several of the younger guys never took the next step.
- Jsaquella

The trade of mccrimmon was an epic fail.

Labarbera has been awful. I really question why he got two of the three starts this weekend. Is it too late to demote him to the ECHL and sign Zepp?

Stolarz and Labarbera have received almost the same amount of minutes, and one is at .925 and the other is .855.

http://theahl.com/stats/s...4&division_id=-1&confId=0

The trade of mccrimmon was an epic fail.
- Hextall271

Yes it was. Just awful.

Here is that Stortini - Goulbourne fight Bill referenced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgOr5HYF3ik

Bryz is available haha

Here is that Stortini - Goulbourne fight Bill referenced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgOr5HYF3ik
- johndewar

Holy God what a destruction..

The trade of mccrimmon was an epic fail.
- Hextall271

That still haven't really replaced him

That still haven't really replaced him
- Jsaquella

That really signalled the end of the competitive window for the Flyers, and it wouldn't re open until 1994-95.

I remember the day of Pelle's accident like it was yesterday. Amazing it's been 30 years. Far too many members of those wonderful mid-1980s teams are missed. Pelle, Beast. Zezel. Cookie. Still my favorite teams in Flyers history
- Jsaquella

Me too. We took a ride over there the next day since it was only about 2 miles from my Dads house. The skid marks (which were startlingly short) and the red paint on the wall remained for quite a while.