Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 4/11/13 vs. Senators

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 4/11/13 vs. Senators
- bmeltzer

Remember when we were looking forward to this season? Back in November, hoping the lockout would end, man, those were good times.

Remember when we were looking forward to this season? Back in November, hoping the lockout would end, man, those were good times.
- Jsaquella

I liked when we made an offer sheet for Weber after trading for Schenn....I couldn't believe we'd get both, and well. But man that week was fun, my Pens friends were nervous

The more I watch Huskins play the more I think he should be our #6 defenseman next season. What does everybody else think?

And I think Lauridsen still needs a lot of time before we can count on him as a defensive defenseman.

Remember when we were looking forward to this season? Back in November, hoping the lockout would end, man, those were good times.
- Jsaquella

The more I watch Huskins play the more I think he should be our #6 defenseman next season. What does everybody else think?

And I think Lauridsen still needs a lot of time before we can count on him as a defensive defenseman.
- Coburns_Nose

i've been pleasantly surprised by huskins. when do those 6th, 7th, 8th throw away dmen acquisitions ever turn out? basically never. i'd like to keep him.

The more I watch Huskins play the more I think he should be our #6 defenseman next season. What does everybody else think?

And I think Lauridsen still needs a lot of time before we can count on him as a defensive defenseman.
- Coburns_Nose

Given the recent injury history of both Mezaros and Grossmann, he might end up being #5.

i wouldn't let briere play another game. what's the point? knowing he could get injured and that could hold up a buyout or ruin the slim chance at a trade would be enuf for me.

i wouldn't let briere play another game. what's the point? knowing he could get injured and that could hold up a buyout or ruin the slim chance at a trade would be enuf for me.
- isaiah520

he's been MIA all year anyway, so you have a good point. i guess they could just make him a "healthy" scratch. i'm sure their plan is to buy him out, and after this season, they should.

i've been pleasantly surprised by huskins. when do those 6th, 7th, 8th throw away dmen acquisitions ever turn out? basically never. i'd like to keep him.
- hammarby31

he was a 7-8 guy in DET, but he has more mobility/ puck skill than a guy like lilja. he'd be ok.

Bill, love your blog but you really have to stop mentioning the word playoffs. I know you feel the need because they aren't officially eliminated but you know they aren't getting in. Looking like top 5 pick. This team will not win more than 1 maybe 2 games rest of season.

anything is possible at this time...
the sixers could even win a game or two

he's been MIA all year anyway, so you have a good point. i guess they could just make him a "healthy" scratch. i'm sure their plan is to buy him out, and after this season, they should.
- hammarby31

too big of a risk for me. homer doesn't have that kind of margin for error.

Bill, love your blog but you really have to stop mentioning the word playoffs. I know you feel the need because they aren't officially eliminated but you know they aren't getting in. Looking like top 5 pick. This team will not win more than 1 maybe 2 games rest of season.
- SMS4016

Thought I said just that in the lede today

"Coming off regulation losses in each of the last two games, the already-faint playoff hopes of the Philadelphia Flyers (17-19-3) have all but been extinguished. The Flyers are not yet mathematically eliminated. Practically speaking, though, they are. At this point of the season, the Flyers are pretty much in the role of spoilers while fans have an eye on the club's potential lottery odds in the 2013 NHL Draft. "

Briere should not play for this team again. The Flyers need to protect their cap situation by keeping him healthy and then buying him out. They will have paid him $50 million for six years of work; they don't owe him the chance to play in a few meaningless games.

Bill, can you, please, project Gagne in the 1st line instead of Hartnell? I know it won't happen, but maybe someone will read it here and get an idea..

Bill, can you, please, project Gagne in the 1st line instead of Hartnell? I know it won't happen, but maybe someone will read it here and get an idea..
- Ondrej F

i wouldn't mind seeing him there. lord knows hartnell doesn't deserve it.

here are some interesting nuggets from Friedman's column the other day....


22. Other teams thought Philadelphia wrapped up a deal with Ryane Clowe a day before he went to the Rangers. Wonder if it fell apart because the Flyers didn't want to deal a 2014 first-rounder. They are hosting that draft.

23. If anyone doubted Steven Mason's sincerity in trying to restart his NHL career, taking a 50 per cent pay cut to facilitate a trade should end that. I think a few teams were given permission to talk before Philly closed the deal. I thought Calgary was one of those teams, but Flames GM Jay Feaster denied it.

24. I'm curious to see if Mason becomes kind of a Ray Emery II, ie. a goalie who gets serious about using his talents to the fullest of his abilities. He didn't have the greatest work ethic, but, by all accounts, that has changed. On Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Siriux XM, Mason confirmed there was a misunderstanding about the size of gear he used to wear. It was not as big as it could have been and he was getting hurt by some of the shots he was taking. Philly will give him the opportunity to revitalize his career.


you can read the rest here:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...pics-wont-come-cheap.html

i've been pleasantly surprised by huskins. when do those 6th, 7th, 8th throw away dmen acquisitions ever turn out? basically never. i'd like to keep him.
- hammarby31

Homer will have him signed to a 6 year 24 million deal by the end of the season.

Given the recent injury history of both Mezaros
- Feanor

I'm worried about that guy. He's had some pretty bad injuries in the last 18 months or so.

Bill, can you, please, project Gagne in the 1st line instead of Hartnell? I know it won't happen, but maybe someone will read it here and get an idea..
- Ondrej F

I wouldn't mind it. At least he'd bring some speed and two-way presence. I've actually liked Gagne's line with Knuble and Fedotenko, though. Other forwards on this team could learn from their communication, shift management (support each other, keep shifts short and get off the ice) and commitment to defense.

Thought I said just that in the lede today

"Coming off regulation losses in each of the last two games, the already-faint playoff hopes of the Philadelphia Flyers (17-19-3) have all but been extinguished. The Flyers are not yet mathematically eliminated. Practically speaking, though, they are. At this point of the season, the Flyers are pretty much in the role of spoilers while fans have an eye on the club's potential lottery odds in the 2013 NHL Draft. "
- bmeltzer

I think their only chance to sneak into the playoffs is if Sens lose the rest of their games and Philly manages to get another small streak going. They have 2 games vs Ottawa. If they want a shot at making it, it is in their hands.

Thought I said just that in the lede today

"Coming off regulation losses in each of the last two games, the already-faint playoff hopes of the Philadelphia Flyers (17-19-3) have all but been extinguished. The Flyers are not yet mathematically eliminated. Practically speaking, though, they are. At this point of the season, the Flyers are pretty much in the role of spoilers while fans have an eye on the club's potential lottery odds in the 2013 NHL Draft. "
- bmeltzer

I'm worried about that guy. He's had some pretty bad injuries in the last 18 months or so.
- Scoob

Yes.... lower back surgery, Achilles tendon surgery, rotator cuff surgery all since last March.

Yes.... lower back surgery, Achilles tendon surgery, rotator cuff surgery all since last March.
- bmeltzer

He's still young enough to recover from all of that but jeez, that's gotta take a toll on a guy. Here's to hoping he can get healthy by September.