Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Wednesday Quick Hits

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Wednesday Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Wouldn't mind at all if Morin were shipped back to juniors again next season. Still very many raw elements about his game. No need to rush him.

Wouldn't mind at all if Morin were shipped back to juniors again next season. Still very many raw elements about his game. No need to rush him.
- bradleyc4

I could see Morin not only playing another year in Juniors. But also spending significant time in the AHL before starting his Flyers career.

I could see Morin not only playing another year in Juniors. But also spending significant time in the AHL before starting his Flyers career.
- MJL

Yep. I agree with your assertion in the previous thread that these defensive prospects, while promising, are probably at least 3 (if not 5) years away from making a big impact on this team -- if they're to make one at all.

There's still an immediate need for the Flyers to acquire a top pairing defenseman from free agency or another organization.

I think they will end up just re-siging Kimmo to a cheaper deal and rolling the same defense we finished the season with. But Alt and Gostisbehere will get a real good look in camp and get some NHL games during the season.

Hagg and Morin seem like they won't be ready till 15-16 or 16-17.

I think they will end up just re-siging Kimmo to a cheaper deal and rolling the same defense we finished the season with. But Alt and Gostisbehere will get a real good look in camp and get some NHL games during the season.

Hagg and Morin seem like they won't be ready till 15-16 or 16-17.
- Feanor

I would like that move. It might be interesting to see a Timonen-Alt or Timonen-Ghost pairing as long as it wasn't the top pairing.

The Alt profile was a good read.

Hey Bill,
Could you talk about the possible D line-up for next season? I really think Coby should be traded while he still has some value. He seems to be a north/south kind of guy, and hits well. However, if forwards can get him to move east/west, he seems to slow down, and his decision making skills seem to have declined. A few seasons ago, he seemed to be doing the right things, but now I really question his ability to read plays on the ice. Also, someone should tell him not to gingerly pass to the center of the ice; I scream at the screen when I see those dumb turnovers.
Also, who can we replace him with? I really liked the way Belov played for Russia this year. He seems to be a competitor, who just got tired of waiting for the Oilers to come together. What is your opinion on Ceci? He has looked good to me when he was up with the Sens this season.
Anyway, penny for your thoughts.
Thanks.

Hey Bill,
Could you talk about the possible D line-up for next season? I really think Coby should be traded while he still has some value. He seems to be a north/south kind of guy, and hits well. However, if forwards can get him to move east/west, he seems to slow down, and his decision making skills seem to have declined. A few seasons ago, he seemed to be doing the right things, but now I really question his ability to read plays on the ice. Also, someone should tell him not to gingerly pass to the center of the ice; I scream at the screen when I see those dumb turnovers.
Also, who can we replace him with? I really liked the way Belov played for Russia this year. He seems to be a competitor, who just got tired of waiting for the Oilers to come together. What is your opinion on Ceci? He has looked good to me when he was up with the Sens this season.
Anyway, penny for your thoughts.
Thanks.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Trading Coburn for that reason, would be an incredibly bad decision for the Flyers to make. I think Coburn had a strong season.

One experiment I would like to see the Flyers undertake next season is to try to work Brayden Schenn onto the top power play unit in the spot currently occupied by Scott Hartnell. Schenn has a better shot than Hartnell's and the play in which Hartnell moves inside the left hash marks for a shot opportunity might translate well with Schenn being the one to pull the trigger instead. At this point, Hartnell is still the more reliable of the two players in winning battles along the walls and creating room (which is why the spot still belongs to him) but if Schenn can slightly improve his consistency in that area, it might be something worth trying.
- bmeltzer

Really good suggestion... Schenn is at his deadliest taking one-timers or snappers from the high slot.

IMO, they aren't getting the most out of him by asking him to play net-front on the 2nd-unit. He can bang in loose pucks around the net w/ aplomb, but playing him from 20-30 ft out would be putting him in a better position to do more.

I know it's a long shot, but I hope it's similar to the Gomez for Higgins/McDonagh trade. Same situation, Montreal wasn't impressed with McDonagh after using a high pick on him and included him as a throw-in for the deal, much like Carolina did.

Like I said, it's a long shot, but if he ends up even being a competent NHL bottom-pair player, that trade is a steal, and from the little I saw of him, he looked good.

Wouldn't mind at all if Morin were shipped back to juniors again next season. Still very many raw elements about his game. No need to rush him.
- bradleyc4

If he plays next year at all, it should only be for the up-to-9 game tryout. Traveling with the team and maybe getting into a few would be good for him, but he should be shipped back to juniors for the year. Afterwards, he should probably spend at least 1 full season in the AHL to adjust to the pro game. Right now, he can manhandle most guys in juniors but will have to learn to do it against men. I have no problem with waiting with him.

Hey Bill,
Could you talk about the possible D line-up for next season? I really think Coby should be traded while he still has some value. He seems to be a north/south kind of guy, and hits well. However, if forwards can get him to move east/west, he seems to slow down, and his decision making skills seem to have declined. A few seasons ago, he seemed to be doing the right things, but now I really question his ability to read plays on the ice. Also, someone should tell him not to gingerly pass to the center of the ice; I scream at the screen when I see those dumb turnovers.
Also, who can we replace him with? I really liked the way Belov played for Russia this year. He seems to be a competitor, who just got tired of waiting for the Oilers to come together. What is your opinion on Ceci? He has looked good to me when he was up with the Sens this season.
Anyway, penny for your thoughts.
Thanks.
- OrangeAndBlack1

I struggle with trading Coburn, only because I think he is the Flyers best defensemen right now.

Hey Bill,
Could you talk about the possible D line-up for next season? I really think Coby should be traded while he still has some value. He seems to be a north/south kind of guy, and hits well. However, if forwards can get him to move east/west, he seems to slow down, and his decision making skills seem to have declined. A few seasons ago, he seemed to be doing the right things, but now I really question his ability to read plays on the ice. Also, someone should tell him not to gingerly pass to the center of the ice; I scream at the screen when I see those dumb turnovers.
Also, who can we replace him with? I really liked the way Belov played for Russia this year. He seems to be a competitor, who just got tired of waiting for the Oilers to come together. What is your opinion on Ceci? He has looked good to me when he was up with the Sens this season.
Anyway, penny for your thoughts.
Thanks.
- OrangeAndBlack1

Coburn is the best defenseman on the roster. Unless it's a trade for a true, proven #1 defenseman, it makes zero sense to move him.

I think they will end up just re-siging Kimmo to a cheaper deal and rolling the same defense we finished the season with. But Alt and Gostisbehere will get a real good look in camp and get some NHL games during the season.

Hagg and Morin seem like they won't be ready till 15-16 or 16-17.
- Feanor

1-year, more modest cap-hit, with a fraction in p-bonuses would be nice... like what Iginla, Alfredsson, Koivu and Zidlicky operated under last season.

Barry Smith, Modo assistant coach - regarding Hagg

I think if Robert works hard, plays with confidence and plays within himself, he can be a fifth or sixth defenseman at the NHL level eventually


far cry from the projections Button gave him.

1-year, more modest cap-hit, with a fraction in p-bonuses would be nice... like what Iginla, Alfredsson, Koivu and Zidlicky operated under last season.
- Tomahawk

I'd be down with this. Have some games played/offensive incentives with a $3M base salary.

Barry Smith, Modo assistant coach - regarding Hagg

I think if Robert works hard, plays with confidence and plays within himself, he can be a fifth or sixth defenseman at the NHL level eventually


far cry from the projections Button gave him.
- nastyflyergirl

If that's what he turns into as a second round pick, then fine.

Barry Smith, Modo assistant coach - regarding Hagg

I think if Robert works hard, plays with confidence and plays within himself, he can be a fifth or sixth defenseman at the NHL level eventually


far cry from the projections Button gave him.
- nastyflyergirl

Barry has concerns with Hägg's decision-making and compete level, which are two things that really can't be taught. We'll see.

I struggle with trading Coburn, only because I think he is the Flyers best defensemen right now.
- ManCity

He's the only top pairing defenseman on the roster right now. He cannot be traded.

Hexy needs to fix the farm system, the Flyers organization is loaded with 5/6 Dmen and 3rd and 4th line forwards. Homer loved those third pairing D guys and 4th line energy guys

He's the only top pairing defenseman on the roster right now. He cannot be traded.
- bradleyc4

Unless you are getting a younger immediate or near-future upgrade over him, you've gotta keep him. Like if WPG wanted him as part of a deal for Bogo, or Edmonton for Klefbom/Marincin, or PHX for Gormley, I might have to really consider it. Other than that, his name is etched on the roster in stone as far as I'm concerned.

1-year, more modest cap-hit, with a fraction in p-bonuses would be nice... like what Iginla, Alfredsson, Koivu and Zidlicky operated under last season.
- Tomahawk

I'm not in favor of a contract like that, and using the bonus cushion for Timonen. The Iginla contract was not a good deal for the Bruins. And I'm sure the fanbase is going to be thrilled with the approximate 4M bonus overage they're going to have to carry for Iginla on next years cap.

Flyers Facebook page says draft tickets for the public go on sale tomorrow, but don't give a time. Wtf.

I'm not in favor of a contract like that, and using the bonus cushion for Timonen. The Iginla contract was not a good deal for the Bruins. And I'm sure the fanbase is going to be thrilled with the approximate 4M bonus overage they're going to have to carry for Iginla on next years cap.
- MJL

As long as you budget/plan around the overage, as the Bruins seem to have, it shouldn't be much of a problem. Even if it's only $500k-1M in bonuses, that could mean room for an extra roster player or enough to make call-ups for the year.

As long as you budget/plan around the overage, as the Bruins seem like they have, it shouldn't be much of a problem. Even if it's only $500k-1M in bonuses, that could mean room for an extra roster player or enough to make call-ups for the year.
- Tomahawk

Budget and planning around the overage means what? What it means is that there is 4M of dead cap space. There's no planning around it. If they can't fit him in, then don't re-sign him. I don't think the Flyers should play that game with Timonen, and write in some easily obtainable bonuses, and use the bonus cushion. They paid him 6M last year. And he said it's not about the money. I would see how serious he is about that.