Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gill, Practice Updates

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gill, Practice Updates
- bmeltzer

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.
- Jsaquella

well at least he's not gettin hurt

Any word on Downie's smashed face?

I don't have faith in Homer to get the most out of trading any of our younger guys. So, if homer stays, I'd rather they just suck and see how the kids develop and get another nice draft pick.

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.
- Jsaquella

Bill
Nice update on Hal Gill. I had only ever heard good things about him as a team player and locker room pressence. It is nice to see that he has gotten some time on ice as well.

As a question. While Schenn's play has been subpar, and his conditioning was not really where the coaching staff wanted it too be, is it really just him? Timonen has been just aweful at times...worse either because we expect more from him than Schenn or just that bad...not sure. But his play has warranted some press box time. So has Giroux's. He certainly can't score when triple clutching the stick. Maybe sitting and watching will relax him?

How do coaches decide who gets/ can get benched and who cannot? Why is it the 2nd and 3rd defensive pair that seems to always be the first target?

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.
- Jsaquella

He isn't playing that much worse than many others on the team. At a minus 7, only G and Simmer have a worse +/- rating. Sad to say he has more goals than Streit, Grossmann and Timonen combined. Yikes!

Bill, I would love to see a blog that focuses on the theories behind Giroux's slow start. Not just the fact that he has 6 points and no goals. But more along the lines of why he has seemingly forgotten that there is ice between the slots in front of the opposing goalies net, and that he IN FACT CAN skate to this area without being penalized. And that he really hasnt shown any signs of breaking out, at least not consistently.

Why he has shown no creativity or grit in any of the games so far?

Is he injured?

Crisis of confidence?

Weight of the C?

Inability to overcome the focus of other teams because he is "the man" and has no one else to take some of the focus away?

All of the above?

What are the sources around the team saying? Other hockey people around the league?

He seems like a completely different player so far.

Bill, I would love to see a blog that focuses on the theories behind Giroux's slow start. Not just the fact that he has 6 points and no goals. But more along the lines of why he has seemingly forgotten that there is ice between the slots in front of the opposing goalies net, and that he IN FACT CAN skate to this area without being penalized. And that he really hasnt shown any signs of breaking out, at least not consistently.

Why he has shown no creativity or grit in any of the games so far?

Is he injured?

Crisis of confidence?

Weight of the C?

Inability to overcome the focus of other teams because he is "the man" and has no one else to take some of the focus away?

All of the above?

What are the sources around the team saying? Other hockey people around the league?

He seems like a completely different player so far.
- MBFlyerfan

Good idea.... hopefully for his and Flyers sake, it won't be a viable blog topic come Wed (AKA, breakout game tomorrow). Right now, it certainly is.

Bill, I would love to see a blog that focuses on the theories behind Giroux's slow start. Not just the fact that he has 6 points and no goals. But more along the lines of why he has seemingly forgotten that there is ice between the slots in front of the opposing goalies net, and that he IN FACT CAN skate to this area without being penalized. And that he really hasnt shown any signs of breaking out, at least not consistently.

Why he has shown no creativity or grit in any of the games so far?

Is he injured?

Crisis of confidence?

Weight of the C?

Inability to overcome the focus of other teams because he is "the man" and has no one else to take some of the focus away?

All of the above?

What are the sources around the team saying? Other hockey people around the league?

He seems like a completely different player so far.
- MBFlyerfan

You forgot "alien abduction/replacement"

Bill, I would love to see a blog that focuses on the theories behind Giroux's slow start. Not just the fact that he has 6 points and no goals. But more along the lines of why he has seemingly forgotten that there is ice between the slots in front of the opposing goalies net, and that he IN FACT CAN skate to this area without being penalized. And that he really hasnt shown any signs of breaking out, at least not consistently.

Why he has shown no creativity or grit in any of the games so far?

Is he injured?

Crisis of confidence?

Weight of the C?

Inability to overcome the focus of other teams because he is "the man" and has no one else to take some of the focus away?

All of the above?

What are the sources around the team saying? Other hockey people around the league?

He seems like a completely different player so far.
- MBFlyerfan

It is starting to enter crisis territory I agree. Are his wrists still injured? Maybe but what does that have anything to do with him not going to the slot area?

Bill, I would love to see a blog that focuses on the theories behind Giroux's slow start. Not just the fact that he has 6 points and no goals. But more along the lines of why he has seemingly forgotten that there is ice between the slots in front of the opposing goalies net, and that he IN FACT CAN skate to this area without being penalized. And that he really hasnt shown any signs of breaking out, at least not consistently.

Why he has shown no creativity or grit in any of the games so far?

Is he injured?

Crisis of confidence?

Weight of the C?

Inability to overcome the focus of other teams because he is "the man" and has no one else to take some of the focus away?

All of the above?

What are the sources around the team saying? Other hockey people around the league?

He seems like a completely different player so far.
- MBFlyerfan

This.

Something isn't right with Giroux and it can't be just a crisis of confidence.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gill, Practice Updates
- bmeltzer

Berube must be delighted with the veritable buffet of quality players at his disposal when he goes to make his lineup before every game.

Hmmmm, who to insert put into the lineup... 38-year-old Hal Gil... out-of-shape Luke Schenn... Jekyll & Hyde Gustafsson... or Meszaros, a guy who's only dressed in 18-games over the past 18-months?

What a delightful assortment of riches.

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.
- Jsaquella

I disagree, I think rather they are sending a wake up call to young player who was a high 1st round draft pick that his play needs to improve if he wants to stay in the lineup. Hopefully he will get the message, get back in the lineup soon, and start to play well.

If he takes this the right way, and improves his play, 2 things are bound to happen. First, he will start to see an increase in his ice time and second, he will increase his trade value. Come March, if Luke Schenn has been playing well for 3 and a half months and is routinely seeing 20 minutes per night, no GM is really going to care that he was benched for 2, 3 or 4 games at the beginning of November.

Since the 6 day break, the team is 3-2, there is no need to rush into any further trades, rather let them be patient for another month or 2 and reassess at that time.

This may be looking to far ahead but I don't think the Devils play another game between now and thursday when the Flyers play them.

It's been more than 2 games since the Devils have scored a goal and in that time they are averaging 16 SOG a game. If any team looks worse than the Flyers on offense right now it's the Devils and yet they are 2 points ahead of them in the standings.

The Flyers are trying the novel approach of increasing Luke Schenn's trade value by benching him.
- Jsaquella

is there any good luke schenn trade rumors?

It is starting to enter crisis territory I agree. Are his wrists still injured? Maybe but what does that have anything to do with him not going to the slot area?
- Just5

I have always seen Giroux as a pretty gritty player. He lacks size but always seem to get involved physically and scored just as many ugly goals as pretty ones.

It is like his grit has been completely removed. That seems to be where it all starts. Now, what is the reason for it?

is there any good luke schenn trade rumors?
- mydoglicks

Schenn + 3rd + Konan + Akeson for Nichsushkinainenovlovich from Dallas.

I have always seen Giroux as a pretty gritty player. He lacks size but always seem to get involved physically and scored just as many ugly goals as pretty ones.

It is like his grit has been completely removed. That seems to be where it all starts. Now, what is the reason for it?
- MBFlyerfan

The entire team has lost its grit. Our 4th line can cycle the puck and get sustained o pressure better than any other line. Rinaldo is our fastest skater so far this year. Its sad.

I disagree, I think rather they are sending a wake up call to young player who was a high 1st round draft pick that his play needs to improve if he wants to stay in the lineup. Hopefully he will get the message, get back in the lineup soon, and start to play well.
- BiggE

Ron Wilson already tried that approach w/ Schenn... all he got was the kid caught in a endless downward spiral.

Season's on the brink anyway... just let the kid play out of the current funk.

I have always seen Giroux as a pretty gritty player. He lacks size but always seem to get involved physically and scored just as many ugly goals as pretty ones.

It is like his grit has been completely removed. That seems to be where it all starts. Now, what is the reason for it?
- MBFlyerfan

good point, thats exactly what i was thinking, didnt he used get the puck and drive the net? go into corners and fight for the puck? i remember all these attributes but have not seen them since he dumped crosby and scored in the playoffs 2 years ago

Schenn + 3rd + Konan + Akeson for Nichsushkinainenovlovich from Dallas.
- jmatchett383

sounds about right, is this a real rumor or your offer

I have always seen Giroux as a pretty gritty player. He lacks size but always seem to get involved physically and scored just as many ugly goals as pretty ones.

It is like his grit has been completely removed. That seems to be where it all starts. Now, what is the reason for it?
- MBFlyerfan

He's not shooting the puck. It's painfully obvious.

sounds about right, is this a real rumor or your offer
- mydoglicks

My offer. I'll even throw in a nice steak dinner and a truck that gets 7 or less MPG (Texas, so...yeah).