Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: AV, Home/Road, Hart, Growing Pains, Lindblom

Amazing read. Thanks Bill.

Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: AV, Home/Road, Hart, Growing Pains, Lindblom
- bmeltzer

add not having Patrick to the equation along with Lindblom causing problems with guys being slotted wrong

I called out sitting on the time out a few blogs ago, should I be coach ?

I called out sitting on the time out a few blogs ago, should I be coach ?
- ClaudeFather

Nope. Because it's only one specific situation where I think AV whiffed in the moment and then didn't self-address it after the game (unless it was said at a point that didn't make the postgame TV coverage).

As much as it sucks with Lindblom and Patrick , look at Pitt... good teams find ways to fight through injuries, no excuses for the Flyers, especially with 4 guys making north of $7M available every night.

Nope. Because it's only one specific situation where I think AV whiffed in the moment and then didn't self-address it after the game (unless it was said at a point that didn't make the postgame TV coverage).
- bmeltzer

Just busting stones, thanks for all the blogs bill. Happy new year!

As much as it sucks with Lindblom and Patrick , look at Pitt... good teams find ways to fight through injuries, no excuses for the Flyers, especially with 4 guys making north of $7M available every night.
- ClaudeFather

I agree. But the Flyers issue is the drop off within the middle six from lines 2 to 3 and then having a 4th line that's been getting caved.

Just busting stones, thanks for all the blogs bill. Happy new year!
- ClaudeFather

Happy new year!

Happy New Year Bill and I count myself among the lucky ones to get to read the best blogger on this site everyday! I loved your portion of the blog dedicated to Oskar and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family throughout this difficult time. I lost my grandfather to cancer and a very good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with leukemia and has been in and out of remission. Your point about the importance of the support system for individuals going through this is spot on as usual. Thanks again for all that you do

Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: AV, Home/Road, Hart, Growing Pains, Lindblom
- bmeltzer

Fantastic blog Bill.

I still see the first goal of the Zona game as being worse than the 3rd.

Even a bouncing puck shot that slowly needs to be stopped especially in view of the fact that those types tend to hurt the already fragile psyche of the team. 3rd was bad mostly because he was back in his net too far. This is a clear indicator of lost confidence from the 2 previous goals.

I agree with you that a timeout was needed after the second goal.

Happy new year!
- bmeltzer

Hi Bill, I'm not sure how to contact you other than sending you a private message. I checked for an email, but couldn't find one. Could you please check your PM? Appreciate it.

Hi Bill, I'm not sure how to contact you other than sending you a private message. I checked for an email, but couldn't find one. Could you please check your PM? Appreciate it.
- mikel33

Responded to your PM. Will follow up later this week.

wow really good poop Bill

Great piece on AV. Everything about AV not using his timeouts in an appropriate manner has merit to it. However as you hinted, if the players didn't find themselves down in such a huge hole, the timeout usage wouldn't be an issue.

These losses squarely lay on the players.

Hey Bill...thank you for an excellent article. I don't post much but as a fan I know we get frustrated with this team and every now and then we need to be reminded that they are human beings. Having lost both my Mom and older brother to lung cancer in the past 18 months I know what a cancer diagnosis does to your life. It's the worst and I do believe that part of the funk this team is in goes back to Oscar's unfortunate situation. It's not the only thing obviously but it has to play a roll in some of the mental things the team is struggling with. I think they'll figure it out eventually but in the mean time I'm just looking for progress. I do agree that AV has been really
good for this team but needs to look in the mirror a bit more for anwers to the debacle that this road trip has turned into...

Even Jonesy felt AV should have called a timeout during the game. I believe it was at 2-0 as well. Lavy always seemed to know when the right time to do it was. It usually worked too.

I think coaches now try and keep it for review purposes now more than ever. Still, sometimes as a coach you need to know when to try and settle things down. I guess the goalie change was supposed to do the same thing.

Hopefully they turn things around tomorrow. It's been a brutal trip.

As much as it sucks with Lindblom and Patrick , look at Pitt... good teams find ways to fight through injuries, no excuses for the Flyers, especially with 4 guys making north of $7M available every night.
- ClaudeFather

Absolutely! Couldn't say it any better.

As much as it sucks with Lindblom and Patrick , look at Pitt... good teams find ways to fight through injuries, no excuses for the Flyers, especially with 4 guys making north of $7M available every night.
- ClaudeFather

I have to give Pitt credit. I thought they'd regress without Cindy for a long stretch but they have improved. Every night I've been hoping they'd lose to a tough opponent and I always notice they are getting it done.

Helps when you have 2 superstar centres I guess, especially when the 2C seems to thrive in the absence of Cindy.

Even Jonesy felt AV should have called a timeout during the game. I believe it was at 2-0 as well. Lavy always seemed to know when the right time to do it was. It usually worked too.

I think coaches now try and keep it for review purposes now more than ever. Still, sometimes as a coach you need to know when to try and settle things down. I guess the goalie change was supposed to do the same thing.

Hopefully they turn things around tomorrow. It's been a brutal trip.
- hockeylover

It's the worst west road trip I can remember and we're lucky to be still be in the playoff mix

Gotta say Bill, this is one of my favorite blogs you have ever written.

Fantastic edition today, Bill.

I have to give Pitt credit. I thought they'd regress without Cindy for a long stretch but they have improved.
- Hextall271

Malkin always steps up when Crosby is out. And usually the team follows his lead.

I have to give Pitt credit. I thought they'd regress without Cindy for a long stretch but they have improved. Every night I've been hoping they'd lose to a tough opponent and I always notice they are getting it done.

Helps when you have 2 superstar centres I guess, especially when the 2C seems to thrive in the absence of Cindy.
- Hextall271

Definitely. also, having the same coach and the familiar system helps. In addition, baby Pens play the same system, therefore, you can call up a player for a specific position and he will fit relatively well.

When was the last time the Flyers won a playoff series. My point is I can’t remember. If the Flyers are a “maybe” playoff team come deadline I say change everything up. I watched what I could during the road trip and I watched vets coast . This has gone on far to long. It’s the same comments, articles, excuses, every single year since Lavy got fired. Not having the Flyers in the playoffs kills me. I’ll watch every game in the playoffs because it’s the best tournament in sports. I’m tired of picking a team to root for since the Flyers are a afterthought once again. Something needs to change big time.