Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Hold Off Vegas, 2-1; Phantoms Blanked in Hershey

Carter Hart for HOF

Hart is worsening flyers draft bingo odds

31 times out of 56 games scoring 2 goals or less.
By comparison the Panthers have scored 2 goals or less 11 times.

was wondering when was the last time FLyers led 2-0 at 1st intermission.

Hart is worsening flyers draft bingo odds
- THE EVIL WITHIN

At least Montreal, NJ and Arizona are on winning "streaks" too

Frost needs to get his head out of his ass and realize every game he plays needs to be like game 7 in the SCF and if he dont score his family dies.

Frost needs to get his head out of his ass and realize every game he plays needs to be like game 7 in the SCF and if he dont score his family dies.
- MBFlyerfan

Sounds like Frost is really lighting it up in the AHL. Oh, I get it. It's not on him. It's because he's playing with bad players. How long are people going to keep up this mantra as an excuse for this kid? Growing concerns about York as well. Really glad that Fletcher skipped over Caufield twice for this guy.

Remember when Provorov was a reliable/steady defender that looked like he had a tremendous upside(possibly even as a Norris trophy contender)? Either do I. It's like every time he touches the puck you are waiting for the inevitable mistake. Stellar ending to his game last night. Makes a mistake on a bad icing play and then the next time he touches the puck he shoots it over the glass. Yippee!!

This was a perfect example of a goalie stealing you a game, because Hart literally had to stand on his head to make a save when Risto and Pach went crashing into him in the 3rd period. One thing that really jumped out at me is the speed and skill of Vegas in their top 6, especially with Eichel now and when Stone comes back. The Flyers are no where close to this and to me this has to be Fletcher's top priority, to rebuild the team's top 6. Hayes, Laughton and Cam should be the Flyers 3rd line. That leaves Couts and Bee as your only top 6 players, and thus Fletcher needs 1 top 6 center and 3 wingers. Maybe Frost is your 2C next season? He either is or needs to be traded to bolster the Flyers top 6. With Hart playing well, a defense next season anchored by Ellis, Provey, Sanheim and York, and with a plethora of 4th line players, Fletcher has got to focus all his energy on rebuilding the Flyers top 6.

Sounds like Frost is really lighting it up in the AHL. Oh, I get it. It's not on him. It's because he's playing with bad players. How long are people going to keep up this mantra as an excuse for this kid? Growing concerns about York as well. Really glad that Fletcher skipped over Caufield twice for this guy.

Remember when Provorov was a reliable/steady defender that looked like he had a tremendous upside(possibly even as a Norris trophy
contender)? Either do I. It's like every time he touches the puck you are waiting for the inevitable mistake. Stellar ending to his game last night. Makes a mistake on a bad icing play and then the next time he touches the puck he shoots it over the glass. Yippee!!
- Phillywhiteout

Ended up w York and Brink for the 11 pick. York appears to have serious top 4 puck moving potential and Brink is arguably the best forward in college hockey this year who might be in orange and black next year if not this spring.

The jury is still out on if they did the right thing there, but their choices in that draft seem like the least of our worries.

Sounds like Frost is really lighting it up in the AHL. Oh, I get it. It's not on him. It's because he's playing with bad players. How long are people going to keep up this mantra as an excuse for this kid? Growing concerns about York as well. Really glad that Fletcher skipped over Caufield twice for this guy.

Remember when Provorov was a reliable/steady defender that looked like he had a tremendous upside(possibly even as a Norris trophy contender)? Either do I. It's like every time he touches the puck you are waiting for the inevitable mistake. Stellar ending to his game last night. Makes a mistake on a bad icing play and then the next time he touches the puck he shoots it over the glass. Yippee!!
- Phillywhiteout

Provey is doing his part to tank, but Hart and he were not on the same page last night. I would not worry about York, he IMO has already proved he is ready for the NHL and I confident he will be in lineup and playing well next year. With Frost not so sure, but if I'm Fletcher, he either lights it up the remainder of the season in the AHL or he is trade bait in the off season.

Ended up w York and Brink for the 11 pick. York appears to have serious top 4 puck moving potential and Brink is arguably the best forward in college hockey this year who might be in orange and black next year if not this spring.

The jury is still out on if they did the right thing there, but their choices in that draft seem like the least of our worries.
- Joe Nardone

I agree, it was a good trade and two excellent picks.

Kudos to Carter Hart and it’s always great to see Oskar score. The rest of the team was hot garbage and the guy running the pp is actually starting to make me miss Therrien.

I agree, it was a good trade and two excellent picks.
- jd250

My worry of these two players is simple. Are they gonna be physical enough to play on a regular basis in the NHL? York has looked okay when he has played, but yet another guy who gets easily knocked off the puck. I hear the same issues about Brink. A small guy that is easily pushed around. We shall see I suppose. When/if the Flyers trade Giroux I hope they bring Frost up and throw him into the fire! Let him play with Atkinson and Farabee. He then can sink or swim. I have no faith in the kid personally and it takes all my power to not suggest that he is going to be a bust.

Sounds like Frost is really lighting it up in the AHL. Oh, I get it. It's not on him. It's because he's playing with bad players. How long are people going to keep up this mantra as an excuse for this kid? Growing concerns about York as well. Really glad that Fletcher skipped over Caufield twice for this guy.

Remember when Provorov was a reliable/steady defender that looked like he had a tremendous upside(possibly even as a Norris trophy contender)? Either do I. It's like every time he touches the puck you are waiting for the inevitable mistake. Stellar ending to his game last night. Makes a mistake on a bad icing play and then the next time he touches the puck he shoots it over the glass. Yippee!!
- Phillywhiteout

Frost was outstanding -- by far the best player on the ice for either team-- in his first game back against Providence. All the more impressive because Providence is a top defensive team in the league.

His next two games against Charlotte were OK. Nothing special. Played well defensively. Created a couple chances. Didn't dominate the way he did in the Providence game although he scored a goal in the second game.

Frost had a poor game in Hershey last night. But so did the entire team: York, Laczynski, Ratcliffe and most everyone else, vet or prospect. When your best players are Connor Bunnaman and Cooper Zech, because at least they had their feet moving and made second and third effort plays, it's been a bad night.

It's not good enough for Frost to play one great game, two OK ones and a poor one out of four. He was flying in the Providence game: winning battles, turnstiling defenders, threading gorgeous passes, finding the seams, backchecking like crazy, directing teammates on faceoffs and winning it cleanly to him. No one can do that every night but he has to be much closer to THAT player with consistency than someone who blends into the background of a low-energy game teamwide.

There’s some absurd record Hart has when facing 38+ shots, he’s like 15-3 or something. Saw a graphic a few games ago and thought that was odd. Bill not sure if you have the actual breakdown

This was a perfect example of a goalie stealing you a game, because Hart literally had to stand on his head to make a save when Risto and Pach went crashing into him in the 3rd period. One thing that really jumped out at me is the speed and skill of Vegas in their top 6, especially with Eichel now and when Stone comes back. The Flyers are no where close to this and to me this has to be Fletcher's top priority, to rebuild the team's top 6. Hayes, Laughton and Cam should be the Flyers 3rd line. That leaves Couts and Bee as your only top 6 players, and thus Fletcher needs 1 top 6 center and 3 wingers. Maybe Frost is your 2C next season? He either is or needs to be traded to bolster the Flyers top 6. With Hart playing well, a defense next season anchored by Ellis, Provey, Sanheim and York, and with a plethora of 4th line players, Fletcher has got to focus all his energy on rebuilding the Flyers top 6.
- jd250

Fletcher needs to focus on the future. If Atkinson is not going to play in the top 6, he'll probably wind up a 30 goal scorer this year, then he should be traded. Do teams normally have a 30 goal scorer play on the 3rd line?

Frost was outstanding -- by far the best player on the ice for either team-- in his first game back against Providence. All the more impressive because Providence is a top defensive team. In the league.

His next two games against Charlotte were OK. Nothing special. Played well defensively. Created a couple chances. Didn't dominate the way he did in the Providence game although he scored a goal in the second game.

Frost had a poor game in Hershey last night. But so did the entire team: York, Laczynski, Ratcliffe and most everyone else, vet or prospect. When your best players are Connor Bunnaman and Cooper Zech, because at least they had their feet moving and made second and third effort plays it's, it's been a bad night.

It's not good enough for Frost to play one great game, two OK ones and a poor one out of four. He was flying in the Providence game: winning battles, turnstiling defenders, threading gorgeous passes, finding the seams, backchecking like crazy, directing teammates on faceoffs and winning it cleanly to him. No one can do that every night but he has to be much closer to THAT player with consistency than someone who blends into the background of a low-energy game teamwide.
- bmeltzer

What do you think is the deal with him? Is it a confidence thing or does he just not have that level of compete to be the player that he could be talent wise? I mean, something seems amiss and he's been around for awhile now.

Frost was outstanding -- by far the best player on the ice for either team-- in his first game back against Providence. All the more impressive because Providence is a top defensive team. In the league.

His next two games against Charlotte were OK. Nothing special. Played well defensively. Created a couple chances. Didn't dominate the way he did in the Providence game although he scored a goal in the second game.

Frost had a poor game in Hershey last night. But so did the entire team: York, Laczynski, Ratcliffe and most everyone else, vet or prospect. When your best players are Connor Bunnaman and Cooper Zech, because at least they had their feet moving and made second and third effort plays it's, it's been a bad night.

It's not good enough for Frost to play one great game, two OK ones and a poor one out of four. He was flying in the Providence game: winning battles, turnstiling defenders, threading gorgeous passes, finding the seams, backchecking like crazy, directing teammates on faceoffs and winning it cleanly to him. No one can do that every night but he has to be much closer to THAT player with consistency than someone who blends into the background of a low-energy game teamwide.
- bmeltzer

Totally agree Bill, and for the most part his entire tenure here has been riddled with inconsistency. Maybe not as up and down as the last 4 games he’s played but it’s got to click for the kid some point soon or he’s going to be another never was.

Fletcher needs to focus on the future. If Atkinson is not going to play in the top 6, he'll probably wind up a 30 goal scorer this year, then he should be traded. Do teams normally have a 30 goal scorer play on the 3rd line?
-MJL

Yes, this year Cam is on pace to score 30 and maybe if Fletcher brings in some true top end talent Cam score even more next year, so yes, it may work out that Cam is still top 6 next year. But over the life of the contract, I don't see him keeping this pace up but instead becoming more of a 3rd line player that scores that timely goal from time to time and kills penalties.

It's not good enough for Frost to play one great game, two OK ones and a poor one out of four. He was flying in the Providence game: winning battles, turnstiling defenders, threading gorgeous passes, finding the seams, backchecking like crazy, directing teammates on faceoffs and winning it cleanly to him. No one can do that every night but he has to be much closer to THAT player with consistency than someone who blends into the background of a low-energy game teamwide.
- bmeltzer

This is in a nutshell what Frost has demonstrated he is. He gives you just enough to tease what he is capable of but for whatever reason he is not wired to do it consistently. Maybe its a maturity thing, maybe its confidence, or maybe this is just who he is. I have seen many players like Frost over my lifetime, player that have all the skill necessary to make an impact and players that demonstrate the skill occasionally just to keep you interested and hopeful, but 99% of the time these type of players break your heart. If I am Fletcher and this continues on the Phantoms, I include Frost as a trade chip either at the deadline or in the off season. The Flyers just don't have the time any more to mess around with players like this.

Yes, this year Cam is on pace to score 30 and maybe if Fletcher brings in some true top end talent Cam score even more next year, so yes, it may work out that Cam is still top 6 next year. But over the life of the contract, I don't see him keeping this pace up but instead becoming more of a 3rd line player that scores that timely goal from time to time and kills penalties.
- jd250

That would make the acquisition a bad trade then. Atkinson is a top 6 winger, not a 3rd liner.

This is in a nutshell what Frost has demonstrated he is. He gives you just enough to tease what he is capable of but for whatever reason he is not wired to do it consistently. Maybe its a maturity thing, maybe its confidence, or maybe this is just who he is. I have seen many players like Frost over my lifetime, player that have all the skill necessary to make an impact and players that demonstrate the skill occasionally just to keep you interested and hopeful, but 99% of the time these type of players break your heart. If I am Fletcher and this continues on the Phantoms, I include Frost as a trade chip either at the deadline or in the off season. The Flyers just don't have the time any more to mess around with players like this.
- jd250

The Flyers don't have time to mess around with a player who is essentially an NHL rookie in terms of games played? What is the rush? The impending Stanley Cup run?

This was a perfect example of a goalie stealing you a game, because Hart literally had to stand on his head to make a save when Risto and Pach went crashing into him in the 3rd period. One thing that really jumped out at me is the speed and skill of Vegas in their top 6, especially with Eichel now and when Stone comes back. The Flyers are no where close to this and to me this has to be Fletcher's top priority, to rebuild the team's top 6. Hayes, Laughton and Cam should be the Flyers 3rd line. That leaves Couts and Bee as your only top 6 players, and thus Fletcher needs 1 top 6 center and 3 wingers. Maybe Frost is your 2C next season? He either is or needs to be traded to bolster the Flyers top 6. With Hart playing well, a defense next season anchored by Ellis, Provey, Sanheim and York, and with a plethora of 4th line players, Fletcher has got to focus all his energy on rebuilding the Flyers top 6.
- jd250

trolling early, nice.

yeah trading frost will def get you a top 6 talent. Maybe Josh Ho Sang they can sign.

A defense anchored by those 4 isnt all that great.