Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits, Practice Updates

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits, Practice Updates
- bmeltzer

Mason did a nice job keeping most rebounds out of the slot against the Habs. Looking back he did have some potentially dangerous rebounds against the Coyotes, but yet again, he got the job done.

He's been doing that, pretty much since day one of his tenure with the Flyers. I liked Bryz, but I have far fewer "Oh poop" reactions with Mason back there.

I'm thinking Bill ended up slapping Mason across the face. No one gives Bill a quizzical look.

Bill, did you make him apologize afterward?

Mason did a nice job keeping most rebounds out of the slot against the Habs. Looking back he did have some potentially dangerous rebounds against the Coyotes, but yet again, he got the job done.

He's been doing that, pretty much since day one of his tenure with the Flyers. I liked Bryz, but I have far fewer "Oh poop" reactions with Mason back there.
- Jsaquella

I really like what Mason has done for the team and for his career -- I respect guys who take "prove it" contracts and then go out and then do just that.

There's still some season to go, and from what I've read, Paul Holmgren's not going to give out too many years on Mason's next contract, which is totally fine. There's no need for five, six years. Some wouldn't even consider three or four, which I also understand.

But I'm not one of those guys who keeps telling myself that what I'm seeing isn't what I'm seeing, after I've observed a guy enough. Mason's been nothing but strong for the Flyers, and as you said, I just don't worry when he's back there.

I can't remember the last time I've said that -- now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I never really have, though I will say that I thought Roman Cechmanek was a better goaltender than he got credit for being and had he been a better teammate, I would have been curious to see what he would've done for a few more years.

Mason- the way he battles hard on second chance shot opportunities and his exceptional handling of the puck are what seperates him from what we had in Bryz.

Big fan of his puck handling, that makes the whole team better.

John Michael-Liles scores tonight against Toronto. Suck it Leafs

Mason did a nice job keeping most rebounds out of the slot against the Habs. Looking back he did have some potentially dangerous rebounds against the Coyotes, but yet again, he got the job done.

He's been doing that, pretty much since day one of his tenure with the Flyers. I liked Bryz, but I have far fewer "Oh poop" reactions with Mason back there.
- Jsaquella

Hell, there's more "oh poop" reactions with Mason because he makes some incredible saves.

The "oh poop" reactions for Bryz were not of that class

Mason was probably not ready for a question with any hint of depth or observation. Can't blame him. Likely ready for the hard hitting question about what he knows about Danny and Claude's time sharing a dwelling.

I think one of the other reasons the team is playing so well right now is the play of Brayden Schenn. He has been arguably the best player for the last couple weeks. I think he has to stay at center and should never see the wing again. I love his character and he is slowly developing into the player we had hoped for.

I think one of the other reasons the team is playing so well right now is the play of Brayden Schenn. He has been arguably the best player for the last couple weeks. I think he has to stay at center and should never see the wing again. I love his character and he is slowly developing into the player we had hoped for.
- flyerdude17

B. Schenn was drafted 5th overall with the expectations of being a top line center. I've always said his upside is a bigger, more skilled, better version of Mike Richards. To me, he's playing just like that right now. What we've been seeing the past couple of weeks is what B Schenn is all about. He's a gritty, skilled, fast, smart, confident, legitimate NHL center that is a fearless leader and has ELITE potential. Players like him don't grow on trees. He's scored a lot of clutch goals in his career already, as well. It stinks that Lecavalier is playing 3rd line RW because of Schenn's great play when Vinny got hurt, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. All three of the Flyers lines are rolling.

My guess is they call up Newbury and simply slot him into Rinaldo's spot. It's not like Zac is getting a ton of ice right now, so putting Newbury there (typically cast as an energy player in the NHL) seems like the right thing to do.

Also - Really hope to see Mez build off of Wednesday's game. He's played some brain dead hockey this year at times, so hopefully, this is a sign of his game rounding into form.

Fun fact: If the season ended today, the Bruins and Red Wings would meet in the first round. They last met in 1957!! To put this in perspective, the Wings star player was 29 year old Gordie Howe and the U.S. President was Eisenhower!

Mason did a nice job keeping most rebounds out of the slot against the Habs. Looking back he did have some potentially dangerous rebounds against the Coyotes, but yet again, he got the job done.

He's been doing that, pretty much since day one of his tenure with the Flyers. I liked Bryz, but I have far fewer "Oh poop" reactions with Mason back there.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, I agree and know what you mean about Bryz. I watched the Tampa vs Wash game last night. Lindback did not look very good at all IMO. He was lumbering around his crease very awkwardly and was giving up huge rebounds on long shots. I thought to myself, Mason does a much better job for us and that's a testament to how well he's played.

Bill, Morin has 22 points (6G) in 32 games this season with 67 PIM. How does that compare to any preseason expectations you had? I seem to remember a lot of his points earlier on. It seems he's been pretty dry since his big suspension, at least offensively.

Bill, Morin has 22 points (6G) in 32 games this season with 67 PIM. How does that compare to any preseason expectations you had? I seem to remember a lot of his points earlier on. It seems he's been pretty dry since his big suspension, at least offensively.
- jmatchett383

I think he's coming along at a decent clip but it's going to be a lengthy process with him. Offensively, he had a goal and assist in game prior to sitting out last night with the flu. Lost an assist due to a change in scoring the previous game.

Mason has been leaps and bounds better than Bryz, no doubt about it. I cringed every time the puck was in our zone with Bryz in net. The KING of soft goals.

Mason has been leaps and bounds better than Bryz, no doubt about it. I cringed every time the puck was in our zone with Bryz in net. The KING of soft goals.
- GOA88

The problem with Bryz was consistency...never knew which Bryz you were going to get-and not just game to game, it was shift to shift.

The problem with Bryz was consistency...never knew which Bryz you were going to get-and not just game to game, it was shift to shift.
- Jsaquella

Mason is definitely more focused, or at least doesn't express his frustration when things get crazy. If a bad one gets by him, you can almost see him put it in the past and move on. Bryz would shake his head, toss his stick, give his mates a hard time...

I guess the word I'm looking for with Mason is 'composed'.

Mason is definitely more focused, or at least doesn't express his frustration when things get crazy. If a bad one gets by him, you can almost see him put it in the past and move on. Bryz would shake his head, toss his stick, give his mates a hard time...

I guess the word I'm looking for with Mason is 'composed'.
- tangent_man

And all of this for 4 million less than bryz, couldn't ask for a better bargain

Tye McGinn's the recall, per Anthony SanFilippo on Twitter.

Good luck to him -- while you don't want to sound to dire, you almost get the vibe that it just might be now or never for McGinn in the organization, with this recall.

Tye McGinn's the recall, per Anthony SanFilippo on Twitter.

Good luck to him -- while you don't want to sound to dire, you almost get the vibe that it just might be now or never for McGinn in the organization, with this recall.
- AllInForFlyers

A 4th line of Hall, VDV, and McGinn would be fine. Rinaldo brings energy, but he's really regressed this year discipline wise. He's been a liability for the most part. Unfortunate that he gets injured in his best game of the season.

Tye McGinn's the recall, per Anthony SanFilippo on Twitter.

Good luck to him -- while you don't want to sound to dire, you almost get the vibe that it just might be now or never for McGinn in the organization, with this recall.
- AllInForFlyers

I admit, I'm a little surprised. I was expecting Newbury.

I admit, I'm a little surprised. I was expecting Newbury.
- johndewar

McGinn had been getting PK time in Adirondack. Newbury hadn't. So McGinn gives them more options, especially if another forward gets injured during a game.

McGinn had been getting PK time in Adirondack. Newbury hadn't. So McGinn gives them more options, especially if another forward gets injured during a game.
- bradleyc4

McGrinn is also our leading goal scorerer.

McGinn had been getting PK time in Adirondack. Newbury hadn't. So McGinn gives them more options, especially if another forward gets injured during a game.
- bradleyc4

Ah, that does explain it.

Thanks!