Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: The AHL Win-or-Develop Dilemma, Phantoms Updates

Promising prospects.
I still can't get over what a great job hexy has done to restock our defensive options.
Happy Boxers Day.

Drives me nuts when they draft a kid on his talent and what they see on ice, then they try and neuter him to play a different style so soon. Of course a kid's going to struggle when you tell him, "We want you to play this way" and not the way that got you taken by us.

Flyers screwed themselves with Zubrus doing that and possibly the same thing with Couturier, among others. Let the kids play for god's sake !

Coots doesn't have the wheels or hands to put up serious points in the NHL

He can easily put up 45+ though, imo

Best part about his game coming out of the Q was his D. They didn't change his play style at all.

NEXT

In response to twpguy

It's not so much that they want to change the players style, rather it's having them work on what they need to improve to succeed in the NHL. Sanheim is a perfect example of this. They know he can play the offensive game in the NHL, however, until his defensive play improves, he will not be able to succeed in a top 4 role in the NHL. Rather than rush him up in a sheltered, limited minutes, 3rd pairing role, they are trying to improve his game and prepare him to be a top 4 guy.

I think what they are doing is smart. Sanheim is not going to forget how to make offensive plays just because he's getting limited powerplay time. He'll be a better player once he comes up because he has worked on his all around game.

All in all, I'm very happy with organizations approach to developing prospects under Hextall and I think we will see a huge return on their investment as we move forward over the next couple of seasons. The patient approach can be hard for fans to digest, but, in a salary cap league, it's the smart way to go.

Haven't been this excited about the state of the team since 04-05 when every position had so much future potential. Especially with their defensive and goaltending depth. Now if the Flyers could just get a bit of luck getting a forward to breakout more than expected (NAK, Lindblom, German, Laberge or my darkhorse Marody).

This could be the most exciting era for the Flyers since the early 90's when they drafted Ricci. The next 3 years will be a very interesting time.

Have a wonderful Holidays All!


(even MJL)

In response to twpguy

It's not so much that they want to change the players style, rather it's having them work on what they need to improve to succeed in the NHL. Sanheim is a perfect example of this. They know he can play the offensive game in the NHL, however, until his defensive play improves, he will not be able to succeed in a top 4 role in the NHL. Rather than rush him up in a sheltered, limited minutes, 3rd pairing role, they are trying to improve his game and prepare him to be a top 4 guy.

I think what they are doing is smart. Sanheim is not going to forget how to make offensive plays just because he's getting limited powerplay time. He'll be a better player once he comes up because he has worked on his all around game.

All in all, I'm very happy with organizations approach to developing prospects under Hextall and I think we will see a huge return on their investment as we move forward over the next couple of seasons. The patient approach can be hard for fans to digest, but, in a salary cap league, it's the smart way to go.
- BiggE

They are showing great patience and being smart giving Morin all the time he needs to get to the NHL.

When there are inevitable injuries and likely some D trades there will be more pressure to bring him up.

Really like how they are going about this, but also I am looking forward to seeing big Sam play for the Flyers.

The forward prospects are less exciting but they have some potential. Fixing the D was the priority. Also the depth of goalie prospects right now is amazing.

They are showing great patience and being smart giving Morin all the time he needs to get to the NHL.

When there are inevitable injuries and likely some D trades there will be more pressure to bring him up.

Really like how they are going about this, but also I am looking forward to seeing big Sam play for the Flyers.

The forward prospects are less exciting but they have some potential. Fixing the D was the priority. Also the depth of goalie prospects right now is amazing.
- Marc D

What an understatement!

Sandstrom will be the next Bob, hopefully his success is with the Flyers. Stolarz has made so much progress then you have Lyons playing great and this kid Hart. Just WoW.

Would love to see them add another quality center with their 1st rounder this year, that would really help. They look pretty deep on D and in goal, and while they could use more top end wingers in the system, wing is usually the easiest position to upgrade by trade or in FA. Their overall position by position depth chart of prospects is pretty damned impressive though.

My own top 5 at each position would be:
(players are rated by who has the highest ceiling, not who is closest to being NHL ready)

GOAL
1. Hart
2. Stolarz
3. Sandstrom
4. Lyon
5. Tomek

DEFENSE
1. Sanheim
2. Myers
3. Morin
4. Hagg
5. Friedman

CENTER
1. Rubtsov
2. Vorobyov
3. Laberge
4. Kase
5. Laughton

WING
1. Lindblom
2. Allison
3. Aube-Kubel
4. Laczynski
5. Leier

I'm probably forgetting someone, but, in my defense, I drink a lot!

Bill,

Do you see Lindbolm on Flyers roster next year, or will he need time w/Phantoms, assuming he comes over?

Bill,

Do you see Lindbolm on Flyers roster next year, or will he need time w/Phantoms, assuming he comes over?
- flyguy12

I'm not Bill, LOL, but, from the little I've seen of him and from how well he was able to step right in and be an impact player for the Phantoms at the end of the previous season, I'd have to guess that he has a better than 50/50 shot of being with the Flyers right out of camp. The only question mark was his skating, but he seems to have improved to the point where it is no longer an issue.

The rest of his game seems to already be there. He has an NHL build and good size, plays well defensively, can handle physical play, has good hands and makes good decisions with the puck. I can't wait to see him in Philly!

In response to twpguy

It's not so much that they want to change the players style, rather it's having them work on what they need to improve to succeed in the NHL. Sanheim is a perfect example of this. They know he can play the offensive game in the NHL, however, until his defensive play improves, he will not be able to succeed in a top 4 role in the NHL. Rather than rush him up in a sheltered, limited minutes, 3rd pairing role, they are trying to improve his game and prepare him to be a top 4 guy.

I think what they are doing is smart. Sanheim is not going to forget how to make offensive plays just because he's getting limited powerplay time. He'll be a better player once he comes up because he has worked on his all around game.

All in all, I'm very happy with organizations approach to developing prospects under Hextall and I think we will see a huge return on their investment as we move forward over the next couple of seasons. The patient approach can be hard for fans to digest, but, in a salary cap league, it's the smart way to go.
- BiggE

If some of these players who are better known for their offensive ability, don't improve their all around game, and play without the puck, they won't make it to the NHL. They'll just be another Akeson or Weal.
Agree completely on how they're handling Sanheim.

If some of these players who are better known for their offensive ability, don't improve their all around game, and play without the puck, they won't make it to the NHL. They'll just be another Akeson or Weal.
Agree completely on how they're handling Sanheim.
- MJL

Exactly. Even guys with elite skills like Ghost still needed to improve their play away from the puck in order to succeed at the NHL level. Sure, if you are truly a generational talent like Crosby or McDavid, you don't worry about their D game, you just let em play. But lets face it, those guys are few and far between.

Heck the reason that Provorov is so amazing has nothing to do with his skills, though they are formidable. Rather it's his play away from the puck and the fact that he has the patience and poise of a 10 year vet that make him such a remarkable player and already a top pair Dman at 19.

Coots doesn't have the wheels or hands to put up serious points in the NHL

He can easily put up 45+ though, imo

Best part about his game coming out of the Q was his D. They didn't change his play style at all.

NEXT
- Giroux_Is_God

So easy he has never done it

I agree that with how we are handling these young guys...
Being patient and teaching them what it takes to be a pro is an investment in their future. It is also nice that they learn to win!
Throwing a kid out because they score a goal but are minus 3 is not a good recipe.
I must admit though at times I did love the go for broke on a free agent signings.
But now I would never go back to that approach.
I like how Hexy is building this team slow and steady will win the Cup SOON!!

Snow day it is.

Forward prospects are kind of meh, but excited for Sanheim, Morin and Myers.

It's nice to see things on the upswing after years of stagnant turd.

Bill,

Do you see Lindbolm on Flyers roster next year, or will he need time w/Phantoms, assuming he comes over?
- flyguy12

he'll need time to adjust to his 4th line grinder role

he'll need time to adjust to his 4th line grinder role
- -davies-

Lindblom has a shot at playing a Raffl type role and could end up bringing a bit more skill than Raffl. Definitely wouldn't write him off as a 4th liner.

Lindblom has a shot at playing a Raffl type role and could end up bringing a bit more skill than Raffl. Definitely wouldn't write him off as a 4th liner.
- pinkfloydfreak

i was being a jerk

he'll need time to adjust to his 4th line grinder role
- -davies-

Front of Net guy for PP2 also
Happy holidays Davies

Lindblom has a shot at playing a Raffl type role and could end up bringing a bit more skill than Raffl. Definitely wouldn't write him off as a 4th liner.
- pinkfloydfreak

Knuble version two?

Is that accurate?

Front of Net guy for PP2 also
Happy holidays Davies
- Marc D

you too, marc

So easy he has never done it
- rinaldo

Came close in the 13-14 and 14-15 seasons. Was on pace to break 45 points last year too but only played in 63 regular season games.