Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Three-Goal Comeback Not Enough vs. Jets; Quick Hits

Thanx Bill

Typical Kevin Hayes 2 PP goals and a minus 3. His total refusal to back check on that 2nd Jets goal was so bad. Just coasted all the way back. Shocked that Torts put him back on the ice after that.

That Jonsson-Fjällby block did not look fun. Risto nearly killed him.

Both Gauthier and Kaplan playing well for their respective Boston teams. I like their size, both 6'2" and about 200 lbs and scoring above or close to a point/game. I have no issues with them staying in college another year but there is some good promise here. The Flyers need to hit on some picks, especially on a player like Kaplan who was drafted in the lower rounds. On the Phantoms I think there are 4 young players that have a chance for the Flyers next season: Lyksell, Foerster, Desnoyers and Brink. Add Andrae coming over next season and at least there is hope in the players within the Flyers system.

Typical Kevin Hayes 2 PP goals and a minus 3. His total refusal to back check on that 2nd Jets goal was so bad. Just coasted all the way back. Shocked that Torts put him back on the ice after that.
- hfc355

I don't think he coasted, first it was near the end of his shift but also Hayes is not a fast straight line skater so its not that he is coasting, that is pretty much his top speed in that scenario.

Typical Kevin Hayes 2 PP goals and a minus 3. His total refusal to back check on that 2nd Jets goal was so bad. Just coasted all the way back. Shocked that Torts put him back on the ice after that.
- hfc355

Hayes wasn't on the ice for the 2nd Jets goal. It was the Farabee-Cates-Konecny line and Sanheim-DeAngelo pair. On the play, all three forwards and Sanheim were below the dots and Farabee's attempting centering pass missed the mark and resulted in a 2-on-1.

Hayes was on the ice for the third: the one where DeAngelo chased Ehlers all the way around the net (needlessly, because Sanheim had the other side covered) and Scheifele was all alone at the back door. Hayes had a potential scoring chance at the other net. I agree that it took him a long time to get back but the goal was scored on the DeAngelo (and Allison) side of the ice. Also TBF it was a pretty long shift.

Hayes' other two minuses came from being on the ice for the Kuhlman dribbler on the GWG and then ENG. Hard to blame Hayes.

Thought he had a good overall game last night.

I thought De Angelo has a terrible night defensively.
That 4th goal Sandstorm gave up was not a good goal. Very soft.

The Good: The apparent development/progress of players such as Frost, Tippett, Cates, TK, Hart, & Ersson; Some unexpected entertaining hockey;

The Bad: Still no discernible plan for the foreseeable future (unless the plan is to finish just between playoff contender and top 5-10 draft pick); a bunch of injuries and bad contracts hand in hand; CF is still GM;

The Ugly: This team will be mired in mediocrity for years to come even if the aforementioned continue to develop. They have not hit big time on their draft picks on most levels, have squandered picks in lieu of trading for Risto, taking OBrien, Morin, Rubstov, Patrick, and some others; and have clearly not made any big hockey trades to improve the team, acquire high end talent/picks. Typical to have a long losing streak, tease us with a nice run, then return to being .500 to just sub-500 team.

I guess it could be worse… we could be Canucks fans.

I don't think he coasted, first it was near the end of his shift but also Hayes is not a fast straight line skater so its not that he is coasting, that is pretty much his top speed in that scenario.
- jd250

Watch the replay. My 7 yr old grandson could have skated harder. He absolutely coasted

Hayes wasn't on the ice for the 2nd Jets goal. It was the Farabee-Cates-Konecny line and Sanheim-DeAngelo pair. On the play, all three forwards and Sanheim were below the dots and Farabee's attempting centering pass missed the mark and resulted in a 2-on-1.

Hayes was on the ice for the third: the one where DeAngelo chased Ehlers all the way around the net (needlessly, because Sanheim had the other side covered) and Scheifele was all alone at the back door. Hayes had a potential scoring chance at the other net. I agree that it took him a long time to get back but the goal was scored on the DeAngelo (and Allison) side of the ice. Also TBF it was a pretty long shift.

Hayes' other two minuses came from being on the ice for the Kuhlman dribbler on the GWG and then ENG. Hard to blame Hayes.

Thought he had a good overall game last night.
- bmeltzer

I stand corrected it was the 3rd goal they came so quick. Watch his back check effort on that goal. Was pathetic

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Three-Goal Comeback Not Enough vs. Jets; Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Excluding JVR and Braun, do you see any hockey deals out there the Flyers can make? If so any speculation?

They really only have a few trade chips and do not seem interested in moving any of them.

Typical Kevin Hayes 2 PP goals and a minus 3. His total refusal to back check on that 2nd Jets goal was so bad. Just coasted all the way back. Shocked that Torts put him back on the ice after that.
- hfc355

Kevin Hayes is incredibly talented. We’ve seen the creative offense all week, especially on the Laughton goal Saturday night. He’s just lazy in my opinion. I’ll give credit when it’s due, it’s not like I don’t cheer when he scores. I just think he’s a lazy player.

Bill, I know you didn’t ask Fahr about Ginning but I’m wondering what your assessment is. He leads the team by a mile with +16 and 11P in 31 games isn’t bad for a defensive guy. I remember reading where some thought his game would be more effective on the small ice. What kind of NHL potential do you see?

That 4th goal let in by Sandstrom was just brutal.

Excluding JVR and Braun, do you see any hockey deals out there the Flyers can make? If so any speculation?

They really only have a few trade chips and do not seem interested in moving any of them.
- hello it's me 2050

Had a discussion about that in the pressbox last night. Someone said the Flyers could get peak value right now for Laughton -- having a career year, moderate cap hit, term remaining and still 28 years old, highly respected leaguewide -- but they also know that Tortorella loves the player and management already once opted to extend him rather than trade him when he was an impending UFA drawing multiple offers.

I personally don't think it will happen. But was worthy of discussion. I brought it up on Flyers Daily. That's definitely a player they'd get competing bids on at full value because of the cap/term and the year he's having.

Had a discussion about that in the pressbox last night. Someone said the Flyers could get peak value right now for Laughton -- having a career year, moderate cap hit, term remaining and still 28 years old, highly respected leaguewide -- but they also know that Tortorella loves the player and management already once opted to extend him rather than trade him when he was an impending UFA drawing multiple offers.

I personally don't think it will happen. But was worthy of discussion. I brought it up on Flyers Daily. That's definitely a player they'd get competing bids on at full value because of the cap/term and the year he's having.
- bmeltzer

Agree all around. They will not move him. Mind boggling to me. He has been injury prone as well last few years.

Bill, I know you didn’t ask Fahr about Ginning but I’m wondering what your assessment is. He leads the team by a mile with +16 and 11P in 31 games isn’t bad for a defensive guy. I remember reading where some thought his game would be more effective on the small ice. What kind of NHL potential do you see?
- Djapana

I think he's working his way into the discussion to compete for a 3rd pair/ 7th D role in camp. He still isn't great with the puck but he surprises you sometimes. Defends well in close, competes, doesn't get intimidated. If he becomes a viable NHL third pair guy, that's a not-bad outcome from a 50th overall pick.

The final Winnipeg goal was an empty netter. To add further insult to injury, three of the Jets' five goals, including the game-winner, were scored by their fourth line.

A 4th line that can score the odd goal. What a concept.

Nic D with the NTC is currently the least effective offensive forward in the entire league at ES (minimum 290 minutes).

https://www.naturalstattr...ines=single&draftteam=ALL

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Three-Goal Comeback Not Enough vs. Jets; Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I am getting good at watching games on FF

Laughton is not an untouchable player to me. If a legitimate bidding war for his services gets going, I'd seriously think about moving him.

Bill,

Could Laughton get you the Brendan Hagle package or something close? Seemed like Chicago cashed in well on that deal with him having a career year.

Laughton is not getting moved. He is needed for the stretch run.

"If" Laughton gets traded then there is a glimmer of hope the team is taking the right path to eventually getting back to being a true contender. On a top 4 team, Laughton is a 3rd or 4th liner. The likelihood of the Flyers even competing for a top 4 spot over the next 2 seasons is remote. At that point TK and Provy will be UFAs. I agree Laughton's value will be at is highest right now. "If" Coots returns and Gauthier is in the NHL next season, Laughton's usage will dramatically change. As others, I do not feel they have any intention to trade him. Ashame

Laughton is not getting moved. He is needed for the stretch run.
- StepfordSam

I'm sure that's what CF envisions. Don't screw this up, Fletcher.