Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Which Forwards Stay? Who Goes ? PLUS Draft Thoughts

wow Im first, thats pretty cool.
Great blog as always Bill!!

Bill, among defensemen, I also think that Nikita Zadarov of the London Knights is a real possibility for the Flyers at the 11th pick, if he makes it there. He 6'5, can punish forwards, isn't afraid to drop the gloves, and is actually pretty skilled offensively. I like him better than Nurse, who I think is a bit of a tweener -- good offensively, good defensively, but not great at either.

Rusty Feds signed with KHL.
https://twitter.com/IgorEronko

Read must stay.

Ristolainen or Nurse at 11th pick.

Rusty Feds signed with KHL.

https://twitter.com/IgorEronko
- MrBigglesworth

not a surprise. bookends his nhl career in philly with disappointing ends to both. that ottawa series where they scored 2 goals and not making the playoffs.

good luck to him. at least he won't score against us anymore.

not a surprise. bookends his nhl career in philly with disappointing ends to both. that ottawa series where they scored 2 goals and not making the playoffs.

good luck to him. at least he won't score against us anymore.
- hammarby31

lol didnt he have an OT winner against the sens in that series?

lol didnt he have an OT winner against the sens in that series?
- Crimsoninja

Game 1, 1-0 Win I believe.

Great write up, Bill. Thanks.

Common theme among the keeper forwards: defensive issues

Game 1, 1-0 Win I believe.
- aightwebang17

yes ty

not a surprise. bookends his nhl career in philly with disappointing ends to both. that ottawa series where they scored 2 goals and not making the playoffs.
- hammarby31

But we all know whose fault that series really was.

I hate being all draft focused while the playoffs are just starting... this sucks.

But we all know whose fault that series really was.
- Scoob

The goalie who didnt speak much gooder english.

I hate being all draft focused while the playoffs are just starting... this sucks.
- flyler

If only we had a better goalie we wouldnt be talking draft at all.

Pretty much agree with everything you wrote, with respect to who stays and who goes.

Life is about timing and it sucks for Ben Holmstrom that he wasn't healthy this year. He would have had gobs of ice time with all the injuries this team has had; especially after Max Talbot went down.

Also, the anecdote about Peter Forsberg was pretty great.

So much uncertainty with the NHL draft. Very similar to college football recruiting, where a fan base gets all excited about an 18 YO, not fully developed talent, that comes to their program only to find that, at that age, the kid can fall on his face in a couple of years and be a non-factor or not as good as hoped (despite the hype).

Bill,
With several holes to fill, do you see any one of the following flyers prospects making the team full-time for next season?
Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Shayne Gostisbehere, Brandon Manning, someone else?

Rinaldo backed up his brashness with hard work this year. He cut down on his bad penalties, created a lot of power plays for Philly and referees gave him fewer "reputation penalties" on marginal infractions.
- bmeltzer

He had a couple of penalties called because of the name on his jersey early in the year, but he was talking to the refs and making sure they knew he was trying to change his game. It was great to see the difference from last year...absolutely a keeper.

Rusty Feds signed with KHL.
https://twitter.com/IgorEronko


- MrBigglesworth

Thanks for your service, Rusty.

Respectfully, the KHL is the best you're gonna do if you want a full time top 6 role playing paid ice hockey nowadays.

lol didnt he have an OT winner against the sens in that series?
- Crimsoninja

yep. game 1.

But we all know whose fault that series really was.
- Scoob

Bill,
With several holes to fill, do you see any one of the following flyers prospects making the team full-time for next season?
Jason Akeson, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Shayne Gostisbehere, Brandon Manning, someone else?
- MrBigglesworth

Im not Bill, but the two names that I think have the best shot at nailing down a full time job are Holmstrom and Gusty.. This will be Gustys first full time job, from start to finish. I dont think we have many holes to fill really.. Most of the bigger ones will be addressed during the draft and FA.

I hate being all draft focused while the playoffs are just starting... this sucks.
- flyler

it's horrendous. i keep throwing up in my mouth with every tweet and msm piece i'm seeing about the playoffs. unfamiliar and very dissatisfying position.

He had a couple of penalties called because of the name on his jersey early in the year, but he was talking to the refs and making sure they knew he was trying to change his game. It was great to see the difference from last year...absolutely a keeper.
- tangent_man

became one of my favorites very quickly this season. one of the few bright spots.

Who is this Forsberg player you speak of?

Im not Bill, but the two names that I think have the best shot at nailing down a full time job are Holmstrom and Gusty.. This will be Gustys first full time job, from start to finish. I dont think we have many holes to fill really.. Most of the bigger ones will be addressed during the draft and FA.
- jak521

wouldn't it be great if pronger made this miraculous recovery and was able to play next year?

wouldn't it be great if pronger made this miraculous recovery and was able to play next year?
- hammarby31

please god yes