Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook

I was really hoping to see him in a Flyers sweater, maybe Pronger will be ok?

I was really hoping to see him in a Flyers sweater, maybe Pronger will be ok?
- LeftCoaster

No reason to start the morning with trolls, lefty.

I was really hoping to see him in a Flyers sweater, maybe Pronger will be ok?
- LeftCoaster

Pronger's likely finished, unfortunately.

Pronger's likely finished, unfortunately.
- Jsaquella

Yup. I will hold out some slight hope though, but by no means should we expect any kind of return.

Flyers need to do a deal to improve their back end. They are not nearly as strong as what they were at this time last year.

I made it to one game (in Ottawa) against the Flyers. Spezza and Karlsson dominated Giroux, Karlsson owned the ice, I think he had four points. I love Giroux since his junior days with the Piques.

My point is the problem in that particular game was not Giroux. He plays a puck possession game as does Ottawa. But, he had nobody on his back end to support him. You cannot play up tempo puck possession without Dmen with the foot speed and smarts who can support the play and get back and protect your own end.

Holmgren is going to have to do a deal. Forget about Bobby Ryan for now. His best choice right now is Yendle, second is Boyle, third is J.Bo. Without the upgrade, I suspect the Flyers risk an organizational sophomore slump and are at risk of missing the playoffs.

As much as I would have loved to see Weber in a Flyers' uniform, I didn't buy into the hype that getting him would have made the Flyers the Cup favorite. Think about it, the two defensemen so highly coveted this off-season (and paid like the next Bobby Orr), Suter and Weber, played on the same team in front of one of the best goalies in the league in Renne, and they still got knocked out in the 2nd round - by Phoenix! I know the Flyers are deeper up front, but unless and until the whole team (especially the forwards) buy into a defensive mentality, the fragility of Bryz and the fickleness of the fans will doom this team.

No reason to start the morning with trolls, lefty.
- Daman

I was being serious! Flyers are my second favorite team, and I'd have like to see Weber in the East. Really hope Pronger is ok and he won't be forced to retire! Philly has a bright future in front of them.

I'd stand pat now unless they can get Ryan for a Read, Gus/MAB, pick package.

Flyers need to do a deal to improve their back end. They are not nearly as strong as what they were at this time last year.

I made it to one game (in Ottawa) against the Flyers. Spezza and Karlsson dominated Giroux, Karlsson owned the ice, I think he had four points. I love Giroux since his junior days with the Piques.

My point is the problem in that particular game was not Giroux. He plays a puck possession game as does Ottawa. But, he had nobody on his back end to support him. You cannot play up tempo puck possession without Dmen with the foot speed and smarts who can support the play and get back and protect your own end.

Holmgren is going to have to do a deal. Forget about Bobby Ryan for now. His best choice right now is Yendle, second is Boyle, third is J.Bo. Without the upgrade, I suspect the Flyers risk an organizational sophomore slump and are at risk of missing the playoffs.
- spatso

They will do one if need be at the deadline.

I fully expect Enstrom to be Kimmo's long-term replacement, and perhaps they will trade for him then when his price is significantly lower.

People seem to forget that we added Luke Schenn and will have Grossman for a full season. Meszaros will hopefully be back and healthy too. We don't have much depth, but I like blue-line.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook
- bmeltzer

I'm not convinced that this blue line will hold up, much less compete. There were times last year when they truly got pushed around by opposing forwards, most apparent in the NJ series. Without Pronger back there forwards do not fear enetering the zone, diddling with the puck or skating into the slot. Grossmann is okay as a defensive defenseman, and so is Coburn although I think he doesnt use his size as much. Timmonen IMHO is running low on tread and about finished.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook
- bmeltzer

glad to hear i am not the only one worried about those 3 defensemen,i was told to shut up yesterday when i mentioned it.anyway would love to see the flyers sign del zotto to an offer sheet.i think he is worth big money and the rags must be up against the cap.

I think there may be another option here. I think there might be a deal out there somewhere to get a good defenseman as a 1 year rental. If Visnovsky edns up back with the ducks, maybe he could be included in a package with Ryan... Or maybe we just get him for a 1 year rental. I think the first priority would be to see if you can sign Doan, then you can be free to trade a forward and a defensman and some picks for Ryan and Visnovsky.

The future is bright. I am thankful Homer didn't sell the farm to get Weber. For once I would like a young core of guys grow together and see what happens.
I don't see how anyone can see what the real potential this team has so why trade what are perceived as high end prospects?
Missing pieces can be gotten at the end of this upcoming season.

I hope Lavy adjusts his god damn balls to the wall system.....This defense doesnt have the speed to handle. You should taylor your system around the players that you have.

I'm not convinced that this blue line will hold up, much less compete. There were times last year when they truly got pushed around by opposing forwards, most apparent in the NJ series. Without Pronger back there forwards do not fear enetering the zone, diddling with the puck or skating into the slot. Grossmann is okay as a defensive defenseman, and so is Coburn although I think he doesnt use his size as much. Timmonen IMHO is running low on tread and about finished.
- edmac812

So why did Kimmo make the all-star game last year then?

He was fantastic yet again last season.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook
- bmeltzer

It's disappointing, but not really that amazing that the Preds matched. Weber would have been great for the Flyers.

The one mildly surprising thing was after making an unprecedented bid to Weber as a RFA was not followed by more proactive efforts to guarantee that the Predators wouldn't match.

It sure seem that Holmgren and the Flyers figured that the contract was enough to kill the horse and that they'd get Weber and keep the roster intact. That view, especially in hindsight, seems very cavalier.

That said, I like the core that the Flyers have. I liked it prior to the Weber offer sheet. As you point out, the key is health on the blue line. Right now, I think I'd stand pat, unless a good deal came down the pike.

Sure I'd be bidding on Doan, but without Weber, there's little reason to go long term and big bucks on an over 35 deal for him. Also, right now I see no reason to run out and overpay for Bobby Ryan or Keith Yandle, either.

Columbus trading Nash for a less than expected package isn't going to drop Ryan's asking price, and besides, it seems the noise of him being dealt has subsided.

I hope Lavy adjusts his god damn balls to the wall system.....This defense doesnt have the speed to handle. You should taylor your system around the players that you have.
- Philly1980

Coburn, Meszaros, and Kimmo are all smooth skating d-man. And Schenn and Grossman are by no means trees.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook
- bmeltzer

Very disappointed no Weber. Not gonna lie. I still don't know how Nash makes this work financially but whatever.

I'd re sign Jake, and then look at Doan if we can get him.

D is where I worry a lot as I think we are thin and as Bill said.. we will need some luck that all come back healthy.

Also, if we go into the season as is, I see us nowhere near the Rangers now that they stole Nash for spare parts. Maybe even with Pitt and NJ who also seemed to get weaker like we did.

Coburn, Meszaros, and Kimmo are all smooth skating d-man. And Schenn and Grossman are by no means trees.
- LordStanley88

true...im not a fan of his system. It seems by the second series in playoffs his teams are gased.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Post-Weber Outlook
- bmeltzer

Enstrom and Edler are the two prized defensemen of the 2013 UFA class. Would be wise to try to acquire either one prior to that, if possible.

i think he is worth big money and the rags must be up against the cap.
- richiewinthecup

The Rangers have 20 players under contract and $13.4 million free to fill the last three roster slots. Two of those will be Del Zotto and Stralman, most likely, and the third... well, they want Doan, but we'll see what happens.

It's disappointing, but not really that amazing that the Preds matched. Weber would have been great for the Flyers.

The one mildly surprising thing was after making an unprecedented bid to Weber as a RFA was not followed by more proactive efforts to guarantee that the Predators wouldn't match.

It sure seem that Holmgren and the Flyers figured that the contract was enough to kill the horse and that they'd get Weber and keep the roster intact. That view, especially in hindsight, seems very cavalier.
- Jsaquella

Or, Nashville wasn't interested in such a trade.

It's disappointing, but not really that amazing that the Preds matched. Weber would have been great for the Flyers.

The one mildly surprising thing was after making an unprecedented bid to Weber as a RFA was not followed by more proactive efforts to guarantee that the Predators wouldn't match.

It sure seem that Holmgren and the Flyers figured that the contract was enough to kill the horse and that they'd get Weber and keep the roster intact. That view, especially in hindsight, seems very cavalier.

That said, I like the core that the Flyers have. I liked it prior to the Weber offer sheet. As you point out, the key is health on the blue line. Right now, I think I'd stand pat, unless a good deal came down the pike.

Sure I'd be bidding on Doan, but without Weber, there's little reason to go long term and big bucks on an over 35 deal for him. Also, right now I see no reason to run out and overpay for Bobby Ryan or Keith Yandle, either.

Columbus trading Nash for a less than expected package isn't going to drop Ryan's asking price, and besides, it seems the noise of him being dealt has subsided.
- Jsaquella

I suspect that Homer gave his best offer before the OS. Poile probably said.. we will match, which was true and said I want Giroux 2 firsts + + or cooter Schenn 2 firsts + +. Homer balked and said then I'll call your bluff and Nash came up with the match.

I'm not convinced that this blue line will hold up, much less compete. There were times last year when they truly got pushed around by opposing forwards, most apparent in the NJ series. Without Pronger back there forwards do not fear enetering the zone, diddling with the puck or skating into the slot. Grossmann is okay as a defensive defenseman, and so is Coburn although I think he doesnt use his size as much. Timmonen IMHO is running low on tread and about finished.
- edmac812

Outside of Coburn, no one was healthy in the playoffs.