Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Roster Moves, WFC Practice, Redden

happy thursday everyone

happy friday everyone
- vejim

http://druptest.dailywav....lt/files/wavs/whatday.wav

I think there's a possibility that Wellwood is one of those players who is a better NHL player, then an AHL player. For whatever reason. We'll see.

Bill,

any chance the Flyers make a play for the near bought out Wade Redden as a 6/7 D-man? He can still log decent time in that slot and could be placed on the PP like his days in Ottawa....I know he isn't what he was, but he isn't worse than what we are peddling in those slots..and could be an upgrade.

Bill,

any chance the Flyers make a play for the near bought out Wade Redden as a 6/7 D-man? He can still log decent time in that slot and could be placed on the PP like his days in Ottawa....I know he isn't what he was, but he isn't worse than what we are peddling in those slots..and could be an upgrade.
- Pyzik

Yes, I think there's a chance the Flyers put in a (modest) offer today. But they'd be among about a half-dozen NHL teams doing it. So he'll have his choice of teams, and I don't the Flyers' offer would be the highest one or for more than just this season.

54 hours til they drop the puck!

Get ready for WAR boys see you saturday!!

I think there's a possibility that Wellwood is one of those players who is a better NHL player, then an AHL player. For whatever reason. We'll see.
- MJL

Very possible. He's played fairly well with the Flyers and then reports are he struggles with the Phantoms. Bizarre.

I would like to see sestito at least start the season with the team. Many times last year when him and ranaldo got their feet moving and their physical game going it changed the flow of the game. You could see the D looking over their shoulder every time they were on the ice. Against the likes of poopsburg and the rangers they could really use that kind of play.

I would like to know if any of you truly view Laughton as a first round pick. I never compared him to Mike Richards. Scott Laughton has never had the offense. John Madden is a very good comparison. I believe Madden was never drafted and I also believe such players can be picked up in the second or third around. So was Laughton ever the best available?

Yes, I think there's a chance the Flyers put in a (modest) offer today. But they'd be among about a half-dozen NHL teams doing it. So he'll have his choice of teams, and I don't the Flyers' offer would be the highest one or for more than just this season.
- bmeltzer

Reunite him with Mezzy!

I would like to know if any of you truly view Laughton as a first round pick. I never compared him to Mike Richards. Scott Laughton has never had the offense. John Madden is a very good comparison. I believe Madden was never drafted and I also believe such players can be picked up in the second or third around. So was Laughton ever the best available?
- SuperSchennBros

I have asked this question a few times, and it depends on what scouting report you read. Im hoping this is another case of the Flyers being smarter than every one else when it comes to drafting forwards.

I don't think it's stunning that Wellwood struggled in returning to the Phantoms. After his play in the NHL last season, and how he was used, I'm sure he wasn't exactly thrilled to be back in the AHL, and perhaps didn't have the best mindset. It's happened to other players, and his recent step up in play and seemingly embracing what Murray is selling says to me that he understands now what he is expected to do.

The Flyers have made it pretty clear that Shelley is staying, at least to start the year. Right now, with the LTIR exemption(Pronger & likely Walker) the cap is not an immediate issue.

Also, with a 23 man roster, the Flyers could carry Sestito if they worry about losing him to waivers. The trouble is that's a lot of bodies at practices and extra cap money

I would like to know if any of you truly view Laughton as a first round pick. I never compared him to Mike Richards. Scott Laughton has never had the offense. John Madden is a very good comparison. I believe Madden was never drafted and I also believe such players can be picked up in the second or third around. So was Laughton ever the best available?
- SuperSchennBros

Look at the players taken after him in the draft. Anybody standout? You might say the defensemen but they are the hardest to predict. Ghost, in the 3rd rd, might be better than any of them.

I would like to know if any of you truly view Laughton as a first round pick. I never compared him to Mike Richards. Scott Laughton has never had the offense. John Madden is a very good comparison. I believe Madden was never drafted and I also believe such players can be picked up in the second or third around. So was Laughton ever the best available?
- SuperSchennBros

Given the Flyers record of drafting forwards in the later part of the 1st round, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on Laughton. There seems to be general consensus that at worst he'll be a solid bottom six guy who can score 10-15 goals and be a good PK & faceoff guy.

But late first round forwards have generally turned out well for the Flyers(Gagne, Williams, Giroux, Downie)

How many tickets were made available for tonights practice?

How many tickets were made available for tonights practice?
- BernieKorch

All of them, regular game seats, they were free. All you had to do was go to the team website.

I would like to know if any of you truly view Laughton as a first round pick. I never compared him to Mike Richards. Scott Laughton has never had the offense. John Madden is a very good comparison. I believe Madden was never drafted and I also believe such players can be picked up in the second or third around. So was Laughton ever the best available?
- SuperSchennBros

I don't think you truly know until he's had somewhat of a career no? Obviously you want to steal some sort of top line talent in the 1st round, but that isn't always possible. IMO, if he turns into a top 9 guy, he's worth the pick. It's quite possible to get nothing in round 1. The Flyers have done well to avoid that lately

Yes, I think there's a chance the Flyers put in a (modest) offer today. But they'd be among about a half-dozen NHL teams doing it. So he'll have his choice of teams, and I don't the Flyers' offer would be the highest one or for more than just this season.
- bmeltzer

Any of those other teams in the same division as the Rangers (to whom he may have something to prove)?

Yes, I think there's a chance the Flyers put in a (modest) offer today. But they'd be among about a half-dozen NHL teams doing it. So he'll have his choice of teams, and I don't the Flyers' offer would be the highest one or for more than just this season.
- bmeltzer

the guy is making 6.5 million regardless so if I were him, I would look at a chance to play and the opportunity to win. Gotta think the Flyers would be appealing but maybe i am bias

the guy is making 6.5 million regardless so if I were him, I would look at a chance to play and the opportunity to win. Gotta think the Flyers would be appealing but maybe i am bias
- nastyflyergirl

And geographically close to where he's been living. Could be a factor considering it's just a shortened season

Another good piece Bill. Murray wasn't given much to work with in Glen Falls aside from the Flyers that were playing there because of the lockout. I'm sure this will be skewed into the Flyers some how having a bleak future.

By the way, what's the word on Harry Z?

I'm pro-Redden being offered a similar deal to the one Kurtis Foster nabbed. One concern is, Redden hasn't played all year. Not sure of his conditioning or readiness to step in and play.

Responding to all the replies to my Laughton question. I know the Flyers model is to draft the best player available but in this case we really need D. Based on the replies I've got from all of you, everyone else was a toss up. I am not at all excited about our prospects.