Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/15/12

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/15/12
- bmeltzer

As always, a good read, with a lot of spot on analysis.

With kids like Schenn and Couturier, one has to expect ups and downs. It seems one or the other will get a chance to step up into the top 6 now that JvR is down. Hopefully, they seize it.

As for the goalies, I'm repeating what I said on the gameday blog. I have been one of the biggest supporters, or at least defenders of Bryzgalov on here. I have faith he will turn things around, but at the same time, it's hard to not want to let Bob loose and see what he can do when he's playing the good teams, and not the Isles and Hurricanes.

I think Joe Russomanno has a valid point-Bob has played mostly poor teams, or at least mostly offensively inept teams. He has been better than Bryzgalov, but he's also faced lesser competition.

Looking at his game log, he's gotten the start against one real contender(Rangers twice) and two teams with good firepower(Toronto & Pittsburgh). So far he's started against Ottawa(before they turned things around), Toronto, Winnipeg, Devils, Carolina, Winnipeg, Isles, Montreal, Rangers, Montreal, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Rangers, Carolina, Isles.

That's 2 starts each against Montreal, Carolina, Winnipeg and the Isles. I think it's time to start playing the kid against the better teams. Over the next 4 games, I'd give Bryz the Wild and Devils and Bob the Isles and Bruins. Alternate them in each game.

I'm just hoping that Holmgren doesn't go "all in" and try to land a #1 defenseman in-season. I wonder if Jody Shelly could convert to defense and be a #6/7 defenseman? The Flyers should figure out some way to get some value out of their $1 mill/yr spectator.

I'm just hoping that Holmgren doesn't go "all in" and try to land a #1 defenseman in-season. I wonder if Jody Shelly could convert to defense and be a #6/7 defenseman? The Flyers should figure out some way to get some value out of their $1 mill/yr spectator.
- Flyers_01

I agree that would be a mistake.

Don't know what Jody Shelley has to do with that, since he's not preventing them from adding a defenseman or other piece of the puzzle.

I'm just hoping that Holmgren doesn't go "all in" and try to land a #1 defenseman in-season. I wonder if Jody Shelly could convert to defense and be a #6/7 defenseman? The Flyers should figure out some way to get some value out of their $1 mill/yr spectator.
- Flyers_01

I wouldn't be surprised if a move was made today. The d has been horrible lately

I agree that would be a mistake.

Don't know what Jody Shelley has to do with that, since he's not preventing them from adding a defenseman or other piece of the puzzle.
- Jsaquella

He has nothing to do with that other than it bugs me that he sits in a press box all year. I am just not seeing in him whatever Holmgren sees in him to keep him around.

He has nothing to do with that other than it bugs me that he sits in a press box all year. I am just not seeing in him whatever Holmgren sees in him to keep him around.
- Flyers_01

Holmgren obviously feels that carrying a heavyweight is needed. I happen to disagree with that, but since I'm not writing the checks, it doesn't bother me so much.

I'm sure that if they needed the cap room, Shelley would find himself on waivers and headed to Glens Falls.

I wouldn't be surprised if a move was made today. The d has been horrible lately
- griouxmvp2012

It's a perfect time in the schedule to make one. Three days off, team headed home...it wouldn't surprise me, either.

It's a perfect time in the schedule to make one. Three days off, team headed home...it wouldn't surprise me, either.
- Jsaquella

I don't except a major one but you never know

As always a good summary Bill and pointed observations.

The issues with the "G" line continue to confound. How much is to due to lingering effects of injuries and how much is other teams adjusting.

Bryz was not the issue last night.

The team as a hole has played smaller and smaller lately. There is no push back and no support. 4 of the 6 defense are on the smaller side. That works if the forwards are responsible with the puck in all three zones. And if they come back hard to support in the defensive zone. When that dedication isn't there for 60 minutes, the defense and the goalies are going to get pushed around and exposed.

Shenn is having the growing pains now that Cooter had much earlier in the season. When all is said and done he will be fine. The thought of both of them on this team is a sweet thing.

I don't want Homer to go all in, but some physical veteran physical presence in the D zone would be nice....But not at too high a cost.

As always a good summary Bill and pointed observations.

The issues with the "G" line continue to confound. How much is to due to lingering effects of injuries and how much is other teams adjusting.

Bryz was not the issue last night.

The team as a hole has played smaller and smaller lately. There is no push back and no support. 4 of the 6 defense are on the smaller side. That works if the forwards are responsible with the puck in all three zones. And if they come back hard to support in the defensive zone. When that dedication isn't there for 60 minutes, the defense and the goalies are going to get pushed around and exposed.

Shenn is having the growing pains now that Cooter had much earlier in the season. When all is said and done he will be fine. The thought of both of them on this team is a sweet thing.

I don't want Homer to go all in, but some physical veteran physical presence in the D zone would be nice....But not at too high a cost.
- wbon22

I don't think Bryzgalov was the issue, but he was one of them. That third goal would have been a difficult stop, but it's the kind of save that a very good goalie makes.

The Flyers did get pushed around last night. The top two lines need to be more effective, as well. Team defense need to be a lot better overall.

our d was horrible, i also beleive in bryz, for some reason he and the d are not geling, bob has better chemistry with the d because he was playing all of last year as our starter.

the news on pronger last night leads me to beleive is career is over, and whether its now or this offseason our d will need a makeover and will need a new cornerstone.

the preds d was far superior to ours, weber is unbeleiveably awesome in his own end, has good speed and has a bazooka of a shot, suter is good also, but imo carle is the same skill set as suter and would rather keep carle for 1 mil less and go after weber

I don't except a major one but you never know
- griouxmvp2012

Nor do I.

This team has a good, long window, with all the young talent it has. Selling that future, or even part of it, for a better shot now is being short sighted. Even if they had a Shea Webber, can they beat Boston in a 7 game series? Nevermind what it'd take off the roster to acquire him.

Add a Gleason or Beauchemin if they're cheap enough. If not look at a Hal Gill type guy to provide stability. Let the kids get experience.

our d was horrible, i also beleive in bryz, for some reason he and the d are not geling, bob has better chemistry with the d because he was playing all of last year as our starter.

the news on pronger last night leads me to beleive is career is over, and whether its now or this offseason our d will need a makeover and will need a new cornerstone.

the preds d was far superior to ours, weber is unbeleiveably awesome in his own end, has good speed and has a bazooka of a shot, suter is good also, but imo carle is the same skill set as suter and would rather keep carle for 1 mil less and go after weber
- mydoglicks

That news on Pronger wasn't news. It was Tim being baffled at the obvious.

Shenn is having the growing pains now that Cooter had much earlier in the season. When all is said and done he will be fine. The thought of both of them on this team is a sweet thing.
- wbon22

The only "growing pains" I may remember Couturier having was when he was thrust into the 1st line center role when Giroux was concussed. Outside of that, when he's been in the role he's asked to fulfill, I'm not sure he's really been down at all this season. That's one of the things about him so far that's the most amazing IMO.

That news on Pronger wasn't news. It was Tim being baffled at the obvious.
- Jsaquella

, i was not sure if that was a new comment from pronger or a regurgatated one from a month ago.

The only "growing pains" I may remember Couturier having was when he was thrust into the 1st line center role when Giroux was concussed. Outside of that, when he's been in the role he's asked to fulfill, I'm not sure he's really been down at all this season. That's one of the things about him so far that's the most amazing IMO.
- eayost

yeah it was obvious the pressure hit him in the face when they put him on the top line, the best that happened to him was he got hurt for a couple games and got right back to his role and has grown each game to me.

his shot is waayy better then carters was and it actually goes in and seems to without much effort, wonder what his shot looks like when he actually brings it back with a thrust

I wouldn't be surprised if a move was made today. The d has been horrible lately
- griouxmvp2012

Agreed, but to get value you need to trade value. Most on here agreed that JVR was the most probable odd man out as far as a valuable enough piece to let go to bring back value. I wouldn't want to include B. Schenn. Cooter, or Read with the value they have been bringing. Now JVR is hurt...Obviously picks are an option as far as what we use for a rental, and with the strength in our youth I could imagine that being a significant part of any deal. But we aren't going to get a Weber or Suter at the deadline without sending back enough value.

Bryz wasn't the issue but I wouldn't mind if he was the reason the Flyers won a game.

Maybe I'm off on this but it sure seems there are a ton of tipped goals that go in when Bryz is in net. Tips are almost impossible to save and many times a tip might go wide, hit the goal etc but against Bryz they seem to be going in. Hopefully this trend stops very soon.

The outcome last night was very predictable and the score was a good indicator of the play I thought.

The only "growing pains" I may remember Couturier having was when he was thrust into the 1st line center role when Giroux was concussed. Outside of that, when he's been in the role he's asked to fulfill, I'm not sure he's really been down at all this season. That's one of the things about him so far that's the most amazing IMO.
- eayost

How would you rank our rookies in order?

Here is my list based on play so far:

Couturier
Read
Harry Z
Schenn
Gustafsson
Rinaldo
Bourdon

his shot is waayy better then carters was and it actually goes in and seems to without much effort, wonder what his shot looks like when he actually brings it back with a thrust
- mydoglicks

This is the stuff that totally cracks me up. Carter has one of the best wrist shots in the entire League, and Couturier's actually goes in? Carter didn't score 46 goals one Season and for a 4 year span was one of the top goals scorers in the entire League. Where do these statements come from?

How would you rank our rookies in order?

Here is my list based on play so far:

Couturier
Read
Harry Z
Schenn
Gustafsson
Rinaldo
Bourdon
- stveshdy

In terms of contribution yjus far or skill level that they provide today or what they can be in the future?

Bryz wasn't the issue but I wouldn't mind if he was the reason the Flyers won a game.

Maybe I'm off on this but it sure seems there are a ton of tipped goals that go in when Bryz is in net. Tips are almost impossible to save and many times a tip might go wide, hit the goal etc but against Bryz they seem to be going in. Hopefully this trend stops very soon.

The outcome last night was very predictable and the score was a good indicator of the play I thought.
- Buts16

The 3rd Nashville goal is a save that a Goalie has to make. It wasn't a high velocity shot that was deflected. It was a pass attempt that deflected in on him, at a saveable speed. It was clear on the replay to me that Bryzgalov didn't see the puck until it was past him. That's why it went in. If he sees it, he makes the save. The problem is why he didn't pick up the puck.

How would you rank our rookies in order?

Here is my list based on play so far:

Couturier
Read
Harry Z
Schenn
Gustafsson
Rinaldo
Bourdon
- stveshdy

Ha, that's a pretty tough question so early in the morning. I agree with your first 2 picks no matter how it's sliced. After that though, do you rank them just how "good" each player has played or do you consider the role they're asked to play in as well? For example, while Rinaldo isn't a "great" player, I think he's fulfilled his role better than I expected him to. Frankly, all these guys have exceeded my expectations. Obviously the injuries to Schenn all Gus have made it difficult to evaluate them against the others.

Bottom line though is that I think all these guys have done fantastic through the season.

This is the stuff that totally cracks me up. Carter has one of the best wrist shots in the entire League, and Couturier's actually goes in? Carter didn't score 46 goals one Season and for a 4 year span was one of the top goals scorers in the entire League. Where do theses statements come from? What World?
- MJL

carter did score many, many goals, the ones i remeber are the wide open misses in the playoffs, or him flying down the right side with a huge wrister that goes wide and the other team picks it up coming around with full force and scores.