Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers at Worlds Daily Roundup, QF Previews

FIRST.

First post in awhile.

GO USA

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers at Worlds Daily Roundup, QF Previews
- bmeltzer

Yesterday was a very sloppy game for USA... Bishop looked terrible... especially when handling the puck. The first two goals were directly on him... The 3rd goal was on the PK and Matt Carle, who forgot about the his back post, and allowed an easy open net goal...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers at Worlds Daily Roundup, QF Previews
- bmeltzer

Hi Bill,

Just a quick question about Gustafsson. Do you think he could actually adequately replace Timonen, or be more of a Timonen-lite? I agree that he looks very promising, but I always saw his ceiling as maybe more top a top-4, as opposed to a top-2.

Yesterday was a very sloppy game for USA... Bishop looked terrible... especially when handling the puck. The first two goals were directly on him... The 3rd goal was on the PK and Matt Carle, who forgot about the his back post, and allowed an easy open net goal...
- jak521

Need to trade that guy.

Yesterday was a very sloppy game for USA... Bishop looked terrible... especially when handling the puck. The first two goals were directly on him... The 3rd goal was on the PK and Matt Carle, who forgot about the his back post, and allowed an easy open net goal...
- jak521

I think Tampa Bay is going to find out quickly that Bishop isn't as good as his numbers in Ottawa. I'd say they'll miss Conacher but they're going to end up with Drouin or MacKinnon so no big deal.

More Bryz news...

"In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest there is a possibility that the Flyers may already have what they are looking to add for next season -- a reliable two-way puck-mover to supplement the soon-to-retire Kimmo Timonen -- on their current roster. It's still a stretch to say that Gustafsson can be the heir apparent to the four-time NHL All-Star and four-time Barry Ashbee Trophy winner. But there is legitimate reason for hope that Gustafsson is now ready to take on a full-time NHL role if he can stay healthy (which has been one of his main bugaboos the last two seasons)."

I echoed this sentiment albeit with more optimism and less eloquence the other day. Good to see we see the same thing in Gustafsson.

Now if we can just find the replacement for Pronger, we'd be a contender again.

Wow. This was in depth for sure

"In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest there is a possibility that the Flyers may already have what they are looking to add for next season -- a reliable two-way puck-mover to supplement the soon-to-retire Kimmo Timonen -- on their current roster. It's still a stretch to say that Gustafsson can be the heir apparent to the four-time NHL All-Star and four-time Barry Ashbee Trophy winner. But there is legitimate reason for hope that Gustafsson is now ready to take on a full-time NHL role if he can stay healthy (which has been one of his main bugaboos the last two seasons)."

I echoed this sentiment albeit with more optimism and less eloquence the other day. Good to see we see the same thing in Gustafsson.

Now if we can just find the replacement for Pronger, we'd be a contender again.
- phillydentist

They may not be a contender for a looooooooooooooooooooooong time then.

I think Tampa Bay is going to find out quickly that Bishop isn't as good as his numbers in Ottawa. I'd say they'll miss Conacher but they're going to end up with Drouin or MacKinnon so no big deal.
- NickTheKid87

To be honest, I was never sure why ANYONE on this board was even sold on Bishop? Yes, he does have the raw talent and huge size, but he has only EVER put up small sample sizes... He hasn't proven he is legit for a full season, or even in junior...

Time will tell I guess...

Hi Bill,

Just a quick question about Gustafsson. Do you think he could actually adequately replace Timonen, or be more of a Timonen-lite? I agree that he looks very promising, but I always saw his ceiling as maybe more top a top-4, as opposed to a top-2.
- jmatchett383

Addressed that near end of blog. Right now, it's still a stretch to say Gustafsson is the heir apparent to Timonen but he definitely looks capable of staking down a full-time starting job.

Overall, his goals against average is 1.33 and save percentage is .934 in his three outings.

w00t! Go Bryz!

More Bryz news...
- NickTheKid87

I couldn't get through the interview, the translation was awful.

They just need to shake up the defense a bit. There are too many big slow d-man, and not enough mobil speedy guys. Meszaros, Grossmann, and Schenn are definately below average skaters. Coburn and Timonen (at this age) are just about average. The only guy with any kind of speed is Gus. The Flyers really need to address balancing the defense more then they need to worry about "replacing" anyone.

More Bryz news...
- NickTheKid87

What was worse?

That the Russian media asked him about Josef Stalin or that Bryz actually tried to answer the question.

link: http://deadspin.com/ilya-...lfare-queens-an-506623110

"In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest there is a possibility that the Flyers may already have what they are looking to add for next season -- a reliable two-way puck-mover to supplement the soon-to-retire Kimmo Timonen -- on their current roster. It's still a stretch to say that Gustafsson can be the heir apparent to the four-time NHL All-Star and four-time Barry Ashbee Trophy winner. But there is legitimate reason for hope that Gustafsson is now ready to take on a full-time NHL role if he can stay healthy (which has been one of his main bugaboos the last two seasons)."

I echoed this sentiment albeit with more optimism and less eloquence the other day. Good to see we see the same thing in Gustafsson.

Now if we can just find the replacement for Pronger, we'd be a contender again.
- phillydentist

I would just add that Bill is not saying that Gustafsson is a replacement for Timonen. He's saying that the Flyers are hopefully adding a mobile puck moving type defenseman to help offset the future loss of Timonen. They still need a replacement for Timonen, even if Gustafsson plays well.

They just need to shake up the defense a bit. There are too many big slow d-man, and not enough mobil speedy guys. Meszaros, Grossmann, and Schenn are definately below average skaters. Coburn and Timonen (at this age) are just about average. The only guy with any kind of speed is Gus. The Flyers really need to address balancing the defense more then they need to worry about "replacing" anyone.
- youarewrong

Meszaros if healthy, is not a below average skater. He skates well for a defenseman. And has shown in the past his ability to move up on the play for offensive chances.

Meszaros if healthy, is not a below average skater. He skates well for a defenseman. And has shown in the past his ability to move up on the play for offensive chances.
- MJL

And when he pinches there is no chance of him getting back in the play. You can say he is average for his size, but in the over scheme of things, he is slightly below average in speed.

Anthony SF has an excellent interview with Marc-Andre Bourdon on the Flyers' official site. Lots of in-depth stuff on the hell MAB has been going through in his attempt to recover from post-concussion syndrome:

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=670514

They just need to shake up the defense a bit. There are too many big slow d-man, and not enough mobil speedy guys. Meszaros, Grossmann, and Schenn are definately below average skaters. Coburn and Timonen (at this age) are just about average. The only guy with any kind of speed is Gus. The Flyers really need to address balancing the defense more then they need to worry about "replacing" anyone.
- youarewrong

To me, it's less about pure foot speed than it is about being able to move the puck quickly and efficiently. Mez skates pretty well and Coburn has fantastic mobility, but both have been known to make questionable decisions with the puck.

To me, it's less about pure foot speed than it is about being able to move the puck quickly
and efficiently. Mez skates pretty well and Coburn has fantastic mobility, but both gave been known to make questionable decisions with the puck.
- Tomahawk

I wouldnt mind seeing the Flyers trade both Coburn and Meszaros at the draft if they are able to land a mobil defenseman. Schenn and Grossmann are great shut down, shot blocking, heavy hitting d-men. Timonen is good at passing, and playing smart. He is prone to taking penalities when he gets beat now. Gustefsson is ready for a 2nd pairing spot. Maybe you can somehow get Shattenkirk and Ehroff to really balance the team.

Timonen-Ehroff
Shattenkirk-Schenn
Grossmann-Gustefsson

IMO that is balance and depth. And hopefully you get a D-man in the draft that might be ready to step in when Timonen retires.

I couldn't get through the interview, the translation was awful.
- twotoekenn

It was just Google translate. He didn't say anything about Philadelphia you won't hear from plenty of New Jerseyites. And in a Russian interview, it makes perfect sense to discuss Stalin with a Russian who has an interest in history. It's like asking Papelbon about gun control.

Addressed that near end of blog. Right now, it's still a stretch to say Gustafsson is the heir apparent to Timonen but he definitely looks capable of staking down a full-time starting job.
- bmeltzer

Forget Timonen, even if Gus only manages to get close to adequately replacing Matt Carle, we'd have to consider him a grand slam college UFA signing. I'd be content with him just holding down a job as a 5/6 puck mover and secondary PP contributor.

And when he pinches there is no chance of him getting back in the play. You can say he is average for his size, but in the over scheme of things, he is slightly below average in speed.
- youarewrong

He's actually a pretty good skater. And as long as he's healthy, he doesn't have an issue playing his position as far as skating is concerned.