Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/16/24 @ BOS

Sandstrom starting essentially must win games. Unbelievable. Briere could have added a veteran goaltender for literally nothing and didn't do it.

I'll settle for just being able to watch a full 60 instead of finding something else to do after the 1st like the Tampa Bay and Toronto games.

Sandstrom starting essentially must win games. Unbelievable. Briere could have added a veteran goaltender for literally nothing and didn't do it.
- PLindbergh31

Have to give him a start. I didn’t want to give up any assets to get a backup. It is what it is. If we miss the playoffs (and it looks like they will now) so be it.

For all those who thought that hart was a below average nhl goalie and that we were better off without him, doesn’t look like that assessment was correct now. You need two solid tenders in todays league.

I'll settle for just being able to watch a full 60 instead of finding something else to do after the 1st like the Tampa Bay and Toronto games.
- Pelle31Forever

I expect a destruction.

Have to give him a start. I didn’t want to give up any assets to get a backup. It is what it is. If we miss the playoffs (and it looks like they will now) so be it.

For all those who thought that hart was a below average nhl goalie and that we were better off without him, doesn’t look like that assessment was correct now. You need two solid tenders in todays league.
- Hextall271

It's not if they miss the playoffs after holding a spot all year so be it. It's a collapse. "Rebuilding year" or not. What are they exactly rebuilding with middle to late round first round picks?

Sandstrom starting essentially must win games. Unbelievable. Briere could have added a veteran goaltender for literally nothing and didn't do it.
- PLindbergh31

Do you want a rebuild or do you want to compete?

It's going to be a tough game tonight. Hopefully the Flyers get some help from Giroux and Ottawa vs the islanders? The Flyboys will need more help the rest of the season if they want to hold on to a playoff spot.

Do you want a rebuild or do you want to compete?
- psuhockey

Trading Walker for a pick that will be in the 25-30 range is rebuilding? There is a better chance the player drafted with that pick never plays an NHL game then being a big time contributor.

Trading Walker for a pick that will be in the 25-30 range is rebuilding? There is a better chance the player drafted with that pick never plays an NHL game then being a big time contributor.
- PLindbergh31

If they hope to win a cup they are going to have to hit on those types of picks. If they don’t they won’t.

Both rosters are weak down the middle but the defense on the Flyers side leaves a lot to be desired in the matchup. Add in Pasta and Marchand who are historically Flyers killers, this could very well be over early like Tampa and Toronto unless, as Bill said, they elevate their game. If this portion of the schedule tells us anything, it should tell us all that there is still a LOT of work to be done to add talent to this roster aka “rebuild”.

These next two drafts are vital. Also, the Flyers need to be THAT team to jump in when a young stud/prospect wants to be moved. See Eichel & Gauthier type situations.

Sandstrom starting essentially must win games. Unbelievable. Briere could have added a veteran goaltender for literally nothing and didn't do it.
- PLindbergh31

Should have spent that 4th round pick on a backup tender rather than the slow footed Johnson. I'm really surprised that they didn't get someone else to play in net. You have Ersson (who has looked shaky lately) and no one else. I hope someone proves me wrong!

Didn’t see last game but seems Staal was bad again, not putting this on Staal, 6-2 and the team was bad I assume. Point being, you can trade Walker but no Seeler and your new top 4 have Staal? Then add a rookie to playoff hockey and you have no transition let alone puck possession. I hope if they miss Mc they lose out and they get passed by all possible. Easier to trade up from low teens than 20. Then again, first choice, play your self into the playoffs.

Should have spent that 4th round pick on a backup tender rather than the slow footed Johnson. I'm really surprised that they didn't get someone else to play in net. You have Ersson (who has looked shaky lately) and no one else. I hope someone proves me wrong!
- Phillywhiteout

Exactly.

t’s not a question of rebuilding or tanking or whatever, rather it’s a question of being smart.

Smart GMs move veterans like Keith Allen did with Lonsberry and Bladon to acquire picks that became Linseman and Behn Wilson. They trade for players like Mark Howe when he’s coming off a freak injury plagued season knowing that he can be a #1 Dman.

Smart GMs turn a veteran Darryl Sittler into a 20 year old Murray Craven, they flip an Alexei Zhitnik for a 21 year old Braydon Coburn and they turn an injury plagued Forsberg into a chance to sign Timonen and Hartnell.

The Flyers simply aren’t being smart when they don’t move Laughton last season and they re-up Seeler for 4 years rather than deal him for picks. Wasting even minimal assets on fringe vets is also not being smart.

Until they start making smart moves rather than moves that please the Bully worshipping Hilferty and the mouth breathing authentics, the endless mediocrity will continue.

Exactly.
- PLindbergh31

Shouldn’t have traded that 4th at all.

t’s not a question of rebuilding or tanking or whatever, rather it’s a question of being smart.

Smart GMs move veterans like Keith Allen did with Lonsberry and Bladon to acquire picks that became Linseman and Behn Wilson. They trade for players like Mark Howe when he’s coming off a freak injury plagued season knowing that he can be a #1 Dman.

Smart GMs turn a veteran Darryl Sittler into a 20 year old Murray Craven, they flip an Alexei Zhitnik for a 21 year old Braydon Coburn and they turn an injury plagued Forsberg into a chance to sign Timonen and Hartnell.

The Flyers simply aren’t being smart when they don’t move Laughton last season and they re-up Seeler for 4 years rather than deal him for picks. Wasting even minimal assets on fringe vets is also not being smart.

Until they start making smart moves rather than moves that please the Bully worshipping Hilferty and the mouth breathing authentics, the endless mediocrity will continue.
- BiggE

Nailed it BiggE

t’s not a question of rebuilding or tanking or whatever, rather it’s a question of being smart.

Smart GMs move veterans like Keith Allen did with Lonsberry and Bladon to acquire picks that became Linseman and Behn Wilson. They trade for players like Mark Howe when he’s coming off a freak injury plagued season knowing that he can be a #1 Dman.

Smart GMs turn a veteran Darryl Sittler into a 20 year old Murray Craven, they flip an Alexei Zhitnik for a 21 year old Braydon Coburn and they turn an injury plagued Forsberg into a chance to sign Timonen and Hartnell.

The Flyers simply aren’t being smart when they don’t move Laughton last season and they re-up Seeler for 4 years rather than deal him for picks. Wasting even minimal assets on fringe vets is also not being smart.

Until they start making smart moves rather than moves that please the Bully worshipping Hilferty and the mouth breathing authentics, the endless mediocrity will continue.
- BiggE

Those were the days. Homer's tenure started out well, but didn't end so well. And since then it has been close the curtains type GMs. I just hope DB proves us wrong. Not looking great, but I want to see what happens this summer. That Gauthier trade makes me cringe. Could be sitting on the top two prospects in the NHL, but now have a soft/injury plagued defenseman instead.

I expect a destruction.
- Hextall271

It'll be 3-0 before I finish my first beer.

It'll be 3-0 before I finish my first beer.
- Pelle31Forever

Might have to go with the Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA tonight. It's 14% ALC, so after one beer you can forget that it's 3-0 already.

Those were the days. Homer's tenure started out well, but didn't end so well. And since then it has been close the curtains type GMs. I just hope DB proves us wrong. Not looking great, but I want to see what happens this summer. That Gauthier trade makes me cringe. Could be sitting on the top two prospects in the NHL, but now have a soft/injury plagued defenseman instead.
- Phillywhiteout

And he'd still beat the bejesus out of you


have you cleaned up the piss dribble from your leg yet or is it still flowing

t’s not a question of rebuilding or tanking or whatever, rather it’s a question of being smart.

Smart GMs move veterans like Keith Allen did with Lonsberry and Bladon to acquire picks that became Linseman and Behn Wilson. They trade for players like Mark Howe when he’s coming off a freak injury plagued season knowing that he can be a #1 Dman.

Smart GMs turn a veteran Darryl Sittler into a 20 year old Murray Craven, they flip an Alexei Zhitnik for a 21 year old Braydon Coburn and they turn an injury plagued Forsberg into a chance to sign Timonen and Hartnell.

The Flyers simply aren’t being smart when they don’t move Laughton last season and they re-up Seeler for 4 years rather than deal him for picks. Wasting even minimal assets on fringe vets is also not being smart.

Until they start making smart moves rather than moves that please the Bully worshipping Hilferty and the mouth breathing authentics, the endless mediocrity will continue.
- BiggE

I think this post is unfair and premature. The Ivan Provorov trade is still the gift that keeps giving. Essentially one player got us 2 first round picks, 2 second picks and a prospect, even with one cap dump. The Claude Giroux trade isn’t finished. Owen Tippett has been a pretty good player and we’ll see what the final piece is in June.

Just because they didn’t move Laughton at the deadline, doesn’t mean they won’t move Laughton at the draft. Laughton is still a useful player to the Flyers until he sees this season through.

t’s not a question of rebuilding or tanking or whatever, rather it’s a question of being smart.

Smart GMs move veterans like Keith Allen did with Lonsberry and Bladon to acquire picks that became Linseman and Behn Wilson. They trade for players like Mark Howe when he’s coming off a freak injury plagued season knowing that he can be a #1 Dman.

Smart GMs turn a veteran Darryl Sittler into a 20 year old Murray Craven, they flip an Alexei Zhitnik for a 21 year old Braydon Coburn and they turn an injury plagued Forsberg into a chance to sign Timonen and Hartnell.

The Flyers simply aren’t being smart when they don’t move Laughton last season and they re-up Seeler for 4 years rather than deal him for picks. Wasting even minimal assets on fringe vets is also not being smart.

Until they start making smart moves rather than moves that please the Bully worshipping Hilferty and the mouth breathing authentics, the endless mediocrity will continue.
- BiggE

A great historical perspective.👏 Let us hope Brière reads it. But flyers & nomansland seems to be set in stone.

Have to give him a start. I didn’t want to give up any assets to get a backup. It is what it is. If we miss the playoffs (and it looks like they will now) so be it.

For all those who thought that hart was a below average nhl goalie and that we were better off without him, doesn’t look like that assessment was correct now. You need two solid tenders in todays league.
- Hextall271

I can't speak for others but only for myself. Hart is a below average or average at best goaltender. My focus is what is best for the future and how this team can become a legit contender. Signing Hart to a long term deal was not the right move. Nothing that happens the rest of the season or so far, changes that outlook in any way in my opinion.

I can't speak for others but only for myself. Hart is a below average or average at best goaltender. My focus is what is best for the future and how this team can become a legit contender. Signing Hart to a long term deal was not the right move. Nothing that happens the rest of the season or so far, changes that outlook in any way in my opinion.
- MJL

I know your opinion and we disagree which is fine. Do you feel our goaltending situation is better now with Ersson as the clear number one with Petersen and sandy? Do you feel those two are better goaltenders than hart?