Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Patience vs. Inaction

"I don't care who the coach is or what trades are made. If the Flyers don't work through the assorted team-wide issues that have cost them dearly in the early going of the season, they aren't going to win many hockey games this season."

That's what it comes down to. I completely agree with everything you said, Bill. I think people need to stop panicking about making drastic changes, and instead this core needs to learn to work together for a full 60 minutes. Other than the Tampa game, they have been looking better the last few games. They just aren't getting the scoring they need from guys like G, Voracek.. heck, anyone from the top 2 lines. Saddest thing is, Bryz has been a beast in net, but is getting no support. Putting up a Vezina-type effort, but has a 2-4 record... If he'd be getting the help he needs, there's no reason this team can't be 5-2, 6-1, or even 7-0...

Tweet of the night:

@notbryzgoalie30: we be fine once Jagr get back

Has anyone photoshoped Giroux holding a giant stone C yet?

I agree it is important not to overreact to situation. The Flyers have great young talent and they need to make choices based on the long term.

There is a long term problem that time will not repair. They need a #1 D. Now, next year or whenever, they need to deal for a specific asset.

Anyone got a white Flyers jersey they don't want?

It was good to see Briere buzzing around out there last night, but he was about the only one.

And Voracek needs a good shake. He's been very lackluster so far, and should be off the point on the PP.

Anyone got a white Flyers jersey they don't want?
- MunsterMike

Hopefully Lilja.

It was good to see Briere buzzing around out there last night, but he was about the only one.

And Voracek needs a good shake. He's been very lackluster so far, and should be off the point on the PP.
- tangent_man

Danny B did everything but finish. 10 shots on goal, he was all over the place. He and Bryz were the only two players who showed up.

I agree it is important not to overreact to situation. The Flyers have great young talent and they need to make choices based on the long term.

There is a long term problem that time will not repair. They need a #1 D. Now, next year or whenever, they need to deal for a specific asset.
- spatso

Fail for Jones.......Unfortunately Bryz is trying to mess that up....

Hopefully Lilja.
- PLindbergh31

No names, makes life easier.

Danny B did everything but finish. 10 shots on goal, he was all over the place. He and Bryz were the only two players who showed up.
- PLindbergh31

Yep, but to be fair, he's not as worn down as the rest of 'em.

The draft lottery may be a way for the Flyers to get the D-man they are looking for. Seth Jones anyone? It's only a short season, it's over in 3 months, less pain more gain.

As I said last night, I believe if the Flyers have a poor weekend, changes will be in the offing. Usually changes made out of panic, and impatience don't work out very well.

Yep, but to be fair, he's not as worn down as the rest of 'em.
- tangent_man

Exactly.

It was good to see Briere buzzing around out there last night, but he was about the only one.

And Voracek needs a good shake. He's been very lackluster so far, and should be off the point on the PP.
- tangent_man

Giroux, Voracek, B. Schenn, Couturier, Coburn and Talbot have severely underachieved, Timonen, Fedotenko, Read and Grossmann have had good moments as well as bad ones and Simmonds, Bryzgalov and L. Schenn have been good for the most part. If the Flyers can get consistently good play like the usually do from these guys, the problems will fix themselves.

It was good to see Briere buzzing around out there last night, but he was about the only one.

And Voracek needs a good shake. He's been very lackluster so far, and should be off the point on the PP.
- tangent_man

I thought Danny was gonna tie it ... and then win it. He was the lone forward who showed any intensity.

All in all, it could be worse. Bryz could be struggling as well.

I agree it is important not to overreact to situation. The Flyers have great young talent and they need to make choices based on the long term.

There is a long term problem that time will not repair. They need a #1 D. Now, next year or whenever, they need to deal for a specific asset.
- spatso

A #1 d-man would certainly be a huge help. But it's not like the Devils are exactly running out a bunch of all-stars on the blueline, yet they are defensively solid. I think it's clear that the Flyers need to add pieces to their blueline -- ideally, a two-way D-man with mobility or, failing that, an offensive specialist with mobility.

But beyond that, they REALLY need to get their forwards scoring goals. Read, who had a hat trick against Florida and is otherwise goalless, leads the team with 3 goals. Giroux, Simmonds and Couturier have two apiece. Voracek has one. Brayden Schenn, Briere and Knuble have not scored a goal as of yet.

Score 14 goals in 7 games (and that includes a 7-goal outburst in one game), and your team is actually somewhat fortunate to have won even two. Adding a D-man who can make stretch passes and get shots on net with any degree of reliability would help open things up a bit but the forwards need to step up regardless.

The draft lottery may be a way for the Flyers to get the D-man they are looking for. Seth Jones anyone? It's only a short season, it's over in 3 months, less pain more gain.
- hexy2827

I don't see the Flyers being bad enough to have a good shot at landing Seth Jones. They can win the lottery as a non-playoff team but the chances would be slim without being one of the worst 5 or so teams in the league.

briere is skating fine but it is obvious his wrists are not good, he has been struggling to keep the puck on his stick...g needs to get his head out of his a$$, bryz has been there best player thus far and has handled the media perfectly, its a shame we cannot combine our o from last year with bryzs play this year.

guys im a optimist but man i just dont seeing this team all of sudden snap out of this and become a contender, guys like timmo, rusty and knuble will get worse as the season goes on.

trading for a #1 d or firing the coach at this point will not change how were playing or put us over the top, our pp its embarassing, we dont have the right personal on pk or pp to be effective, besides schenn and grossman our d needs a full overhaul, coburn seemed to have peeked 2 years ago and is degressing.

if this continues, id say keep lavvy and just sell off veteren assets at the tdl for a poopload of pics and just stock up like crazy and retool for next season, guys like timmo, briere, coburn might bring a good return at the tdl to a contender and give danny and kimmo a hance at winning it all.

I thought Danny was gonna tie it ... and then win it. He was the lone forward who showed any intensity.

All in all, it could be worse. Bryz could be struggling as well.

- FlyerGuy

I still think Briere's wrist is bothering him a little when doing certain things. He can shoot the puck again, but he's not getting a lot of zip on them or elevated pucks (something he's shown himself to be very good at). He's had some issues receiving passes, handling the puck and passing. He took his first two faceoffs last night.

Last night was a step forward for him, though. He was really buzzing around the net, and was just about the only Flyer who was doing so.

I don't see the Flyers being bad enough to have a good shot at landing Seth Jones. They can win the lottery as a non-playoff team but the chances would be slim without being one of the worst 5 or so teams in the league.
- NickTheKid87

I think Edmontom magically wins the lottery as long as they are in the bottom 14...

I'm a conspiracy guy...

Giroux, Voracek, B. Schenn, Couturier, Coburn and Talbot have severely underachieved, Timonen, Fedotenko, Read and Grossmann have had good moments as well as bad ones and Simmonds, Bryzgalov and L. Schenn have been good for the most part. If the Flyers can get consistently good play like the usually do from these guys, the problems will fix themselves.
- NickTheKid87

That's really it. Collectively, their heads just don't seem to be in the game.

Last night, on one of the PPs, Giroux and Timonen damn near took each other out in the high slot while switching point positions, and Giroux almost lost the puck in the process. That's the kind of poop that just doesn't normally happen.

I think about the only change that makes any sense right now is to maybe shake up the assistant coaches. A fresh voice to work with the PK might help. It certainly can't get any worse.

John Boruk tweeted last night how Bryzgalov has done a complete role reversal. He was trying to calm the team down last night which would have been ridiculous at the beginning of last year. Shows you how comfortable he's gotten here. Now we just need the players in front of him to chill out as well.