Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Power Play Units, Rookie Camp Updates

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Power Play Units, Rookie Camp Updates
- bmeltzer

Great stuff Bill, thank you!!

I'm starting to think that Aube-Kubel is going to end up being one of the steals of the 2014 draft. I'm also feeling really good about the future of the Flyers D too!

Here's how I view it: There is nothing wrong with making safe, smart plays with the puck and then hanging back. Every NHL team has room for a big, mobile defenseman who makes a good first pass and is reliable in defensive coverages. However, if a player has the mentality that he doubts he will ever be a little more that and become a significant point producer as well, he probably won't even if he has potential to develop into one.
- bmeltzer

It sounds as if Haag has set his sights on being an average, 'just don't hurt the team' Dman (which, as you say here, is not a bad thing). You asked the right questions in the right way, and the answers just weren't there.

Very interesting, Bill. He's only 19, so hopefully someone - either inside the organization or out - can get him to change his train of thought and he can strive to better things.

Yesterday, when he partially shanked a puck on a retrieve-and-pass segment of practice, Morin was visibly upset with himself. For the rest of the drill, he didn't so much patrol his area of the ice as he stalked it. Even his skates made a louder sound.
- bmeltzer

I love it! I got goosebumps reading this!

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Power Play Units, Rookie Camp Updates
- bmeltzer

Bill you said morin was now a monsterous 6'7 what's this kid weighing in at ?

Bill you said morin was now a monsterous 6'7 what's this kid weighing in at ?
- blizzzard

About 225 LBS right now. He was 6-6, 202 last June. Now officially 6-foot-7, 224 LBS at this year's camp.

About 225 LBS right now. He was 6-6, 202 last June. Now officially 6-foot-7, 224 LBS at this year's camp.
- bmeltzer

That's awesome I always liked the big guys ! Won't be fun for my devils but that's alright. Also hell of a read I wish Lou wasn't so tight lipped it's good to hear about the kids and what not

I would like to see this as the PP units.

Simmonds-Giroux-Lecavalier
Streit-Voracek

Umberger-Couturier-Schenn
Read-Del Zotto

Can't help but be excited for ghost and Morin

We need a before/after shot of Morin from when he was drafted to now

Great stuff Bill, thank you!!

I'm starting to think that Aube-Kubel is going to end up being one of the steals of the 2014 draft. I'm also feeling really good about the future of the Flyers D too!
- BiggE

One of the biggest reasons I have confidence in Hextall is the draft and his refusal to dump picks. Reading up, there's a lot of analysts that really like the Flyers draft class, and Craig Button thinks they did a great job.

They added a ton of skill and skating ability. I'm really pumped about Sanheim. I think he's got the potential to be a top pair guy, who plays all situations. Aube Kubel looks like he's going to be an exciting player-maybe a Justin Williams type guy. Friedman is a smallish defenseman, but he's skilled and seems to be a smart kid.

I also think Oskar Lindblom is a steal in round 5. I think they got value and skill in every round, which is what they needed.

That's awesome I always liked the big guys ! Won't be fun for my devils but that's alright. Also hell of a read I wish Lou wasn't so tight lipped it's good to hear about the kids and what not
- blizzzard

Well, Lou had good news this morning. Tom Gulitti reports that Lou confirmed the Devils re-signed Eric Gelinas.

While Hagg's intensity is sometimes called into question, I think he is probably the best prepared mentally of the Flyer's defensive prospects to play with the big club. He has poise that most players his age do not.

Great blog. This part stood out since I thought I had read Alderson was kind of slow.

Second season Phantoms forward Brandon Alderson also showed good wheels in yesterday's session. The 6-foot-4 forward did not have as much success as Straka, 2012 first-round pick Scott Laughton, Nick Cousins or Aube-Kubel in finishing plays yesterday but it was hard not to notice the big guy's fleet feet.

I would like to see this as the PP units.

Simmonds-Giroux-Lecavalier
Streit-Voracek

Umberger-Couturier-Schenn
Read-Del Zotto
- GOA88

If Akeson is on the team I would like to see him on the second PP unit in the Giroux spot on the left wall.

If Akeson is on the team I would like to see him on the second PP unit in the Giroux spot on the left wall.
- Feanor

I'm not opposed to that. Umberger is just a fill in on that line for me.... Would have Read there but I would rather have him play point instead of AMac.

Well, Lou had good news this morning. Tom Gulitti reports that Lou confirmed the Devils re-signed Eric Gelinas.
- Jsaquella

I'm glad kid has all the tools and some nice size I hope it's a good deal and for some reason I hope it's multiple year instead of a one year but either way glad to have him on a one way and Larsson so they will both be with the big club this year all season

If Akeson is on the team I would like to see him on the second PP unit in the Giroux spot on the left wall.
- Feanor

It could be a good spot for him. One good thing is that it seems as though there will be some competition for spots on the PP, especially the 2nd unit.

I'm glad kid has all the tools and some nice size I hope it's a good deal and for some reason I hope it's multiple year instead of a one year but either way glad to have him on a one way and Larsson so they will both be with the big club this year all season
- blizzzard

Yeah, so far Larsson has only shown flashes, I haven't been a fan of how the Devils have handled him, either.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Power Play Units, Rookie Camp Updates
- bmeltzer

If only they could fuse Hagg and Morin into one player... Morin has that essential hates to lose quality and Hagg has all the requisite puck skills and fluidity.

If only they could fuse Hagg and Morin into one player... Morin has that essential hates to lose quality and Hagg has all the requisite puck skills and fluidity.
- Tomahawk

While we're at it lets put a dash of Ghosts offensive play as well.

If Akeson is on the team I would like to see him on the second PP unit in the Giroux spot on the left wall.
- Feanor

I agree, Akeson deserves a long look on the second PP unit. He can finish at the AHL level and did so in the POs. No idea if he sticks but he deserves a good long look.

Good and interesting analysis on Hagg, Bill. Thanks for that.

As for the powerplay units, I'm thinking:

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Streit-Voracek

Umberger-Lecavalier-Read
Del Zotto-Couturier

The second unit is suspect defensively given MDZ's ability and Couturier being a forward. I think Couts could still be effective from the point should a shorthanded opportunity present itself though.

Yeah, so far Larsson has only shown flashes, I haven't been a fan of how the Devils have handled him, either.
- Jsaquella

I agree they have handled him poorly and Gelinas should never of been sent down last year. Larsson was the best defence man at camp and pre season last season and him and Gelinas was easily the best pair but they got screwed by Lou not moving out a d man last year and them both having two way contracts. I personally could of handled losing volchenkov for nothing last year instead of buying him out in the off season hell I would of liked to see Salvador gone as well but it's a little different when you make him your captain lol

I agree they have handled him poorly and Gelinas should never of been sent down last year. Larsson was the best defence man at camp and pre season last season and him and Gelinas was easily the best pair but they got screwed by Lou not moving out a d man last year and them both having two way contracts. I personally could of handled losing volchenkov for nothing last year instead of buying him out in the off season hell I would of liked to see Salvador gone as well but it's a little different when you make him your captain lol
- blizzzard

Yeah, kind of hard to name a dude captain and then buy him out or bury him on the bench.

Those two, along with Jon Merrill give the Devils some solid looking young defensemen.

+


=

confident player

'Merica!