Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Signs of Hope & Concern, Phantoms and Prospect Updates

Good post, Bill.

I think anyone that follows the team was made nervous about the blue line; even had they had Kimmo Timonen back this year.

I'm starting to wonder about the general makeup of forward group. How do you feel about the overall team speed of this year's Flyers? You are right to make the point about keeping their feet moving, but skating seems a constant bone of contention with this team over the last 18 months.

Good post, Bill.

I think anyone that follows the team was made nervous about the blue line; even had they had Kimmo Timonen back this year.

I'm starting to wonder about the general makeup of forward group. How do you feel about the overall team speed of this year's Flyers? You are right to make the point about keeping their feet moving, but skating seems a constant bone of contention with this team over the last 18 months.
- johndewar

Your first point should be clear to anyone who watches the team. We would need a bona fide #1 and #2 dman to slot everyone where theyre supposed to be. I felt uneasy about this last year, and it's gotten much worse with the losss of Timonen. I think this will be their undoing this season.

I generally like the forwards, but some have been all but invisible so far. Love Read's game but he's had a very slow start. Also, it's starting to look like if we don't use BSchenn as a 2 centre, he will not produce. Invisible on wing.

Your first point should be clear to anyone who watches the team. We would need a bona fide #1 and #2 dman to slot everyone where theyre supposed to be. I felt uneasy about this last year, and it's gotten much worse with the losss of Timonen. I think this will be their undoing this season.

I generally like the forwards, but some have been all but invisible so far. Love Read's game but he's had a very slow start. Also, it's starting to look like if we don't use BSchenn as a 2 centre, he will not produce. Invisible on wing.
- Hextall271

The Flyers will pick up their team game, and get better. And they will be a playoff team. B Schenn's issue is not which position he is playing. It's on him that he wasn't moving his feet, not getting on the puck. He was pretty good against Anaheim, and hard on the puck. And his ice time was indicative of that, as he played 20 minutes. Which is a lot for a Winger. If he keeps playing like that, he'll be fine.

Your first point should be clear to anyone who watches the team. We would need a bona fide #1 and #2 dman to slot everyone where theyre supposed to be. I felt uneasy about this last year, and it's gotten much worse with the losss of Timonen. I think this will be their undoing this season.

I generally like the forwards, but some have been all but invisible so far. Love Read's game but he's had a very slow start. Also, it's starting to look like if we don't use BSchenn as a 2 centre, he will not produce. Invisible on wing.
- Hextall271

I don't understand why he was taken off G's wing so fast if the plan is to keep him at LW. I also don't like Berubes comments on the shoutout. It has a significant impact on the game (ie Flyers making it into playoffs a few years ago & NJD not making it last year from it). I don't care if you think it is dumb, I care about the end product and it's not good enough. I'm not calling for Berubes head but give it 5 more games like this and I might be.

I don't understand why he was taken off G's wing so fast if the plan is to keep him at LW. I also don't like Berubes comments on the shoutout. It has a significant impact on the game (ie Flyers making it into playoffs a few years ago & NJD not making it last year from it). I don't care if you think it is dumb, I care about the end product and it's not good enough. I'm not calling for Berubes head but give it 5 more games like this and I might be.
- coffee junkie

When a team is playing poorly in a game, a Coach can leave it be, or switch it up. Schenn and the top line wasn't working, so he switched it up. Not uncommon for a Coach.
I think you're misunderstanding Berube's comments on the shootout. He's not dismissing it as being un-inmportant. He's putting an emphasis on issues during the real game that can be corrected so they don't blow 3-0 third period leads that caused them to have to go to a shootout. And it is infinitely more important for his players to be concerned with the issues during the actual game, then to be consumed with worrying about the shootout.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Signs of Hope & Concern, Phantoms and Prospect Updates
- bmeltzer

I think that plain, old hockey smarts have played a role this year, too.

The Flyers have had issues with execution this year. Guy a step late, a pass a few feet off, a shot that goes just wide, etc. But they have also suffered from some really dumb play.

There's been enough issues that it should be a concern. Whether it's a poorly timed pinch or a blind clear, dumping the puck in when there's an available carry in option and the other forwards are not in good position to chase(by either being stationary or without a clear path to chase the puck. Little things like that build up.

They contribute to the poor 5 on 5 play, expose the team's lack of speed to a greater extent and cause the kind of gap control issues that teams like the Rangers and Devils have exploited for years.

I don't understand why he was taken off G's wing so fast if the plan is to keep him at LW. I also don't like Berubes comments on the shoutout. It has a significant impact on the game (ie Flyers making it into playoffs a few years ago & NJD not making it last year from it). I don't care if you think it is dumb, I care about the end product and it's not good enough. I'm not calling for Berubes head but give it 5 more games like this and I might be.
- coffee junkie

Schenn was playing poorly on the first line wing spot, but I agree he should have gotten a few more games.

I'm guessing Berube was worried about a poor start snowballing and getting even worse if he stayed there.

Bill (or anyone for that matter),

What's your take on the prospects in the NCAA? Have any of them shown potential to be future pro hockey players? I read a while ago that Wilcox was becoming a pleasant surprise.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Signs of Hope & Concern, Phantoms and Prospect Updates
- bmeltzer

Great stuff as always Bill, thank you very much!!

LOL, the Pens in the 70s, they were so bad. Much like the Scouts and Golden Seals the Pens of that era were so bad you couldn't even hate em cause you were too busy laughing!

I think that plain, old hockey smarts have played a role this year, too.

The Flyers have had issues with execution this year. Guy a step late, a pass a few feet off, a shot that goes just wide, etc. But they have also suffered from some really dumb play.

There's been enough issues that it should be a concern. Whether it's a poorly timed pinch or a blind clear, dumping the puck in when there's an available carry in option and the other forwards are not in good position to chase(by either being stationary or without a clear path to chase the puck. Little things like that build up.

They contribute to the poor 5 on 5 play, expose the team's lack of speed to a greater extent and cause the kind of gap control issues that teams like the Rangers and Devils have exploited for years.
- Jsaquella

Good points!

Re the Flyers forwards:
To paraphrase Dean Wormer- Slow, small and stupid is no way to succeed in the NHL son!

Good points!

Re the Flyers forwards:
To paraphrase Dean Wormer- Slow, small and stupid is no way to succeed in the NHL son!
- BiggE

That's my biggest concern, there's no easy way to fix dumb.

You can adjust the system for slow. You can generally make adjustments for size. But dumb...dumb can be a mother(frank)er.

Re the Flyers forwards:
Outside of Couturier, Read, Bellemare, Umberger and to a lesser extent Raffl, they really need to work on their defensive game. Some of that is just playing smarter away from the puck and some of it is just working harder. Also they could still really use some more speed and a lot more size up front. A couple more wingers with decent wheels and who weigh over 200 lbs would greatly help the forechecking game.

That's my biggest concern, there's no easy way to fix dumb.

You can adjust the system for slow. You can generally make adjustments for size. But dumb...dumb can be a mother(frank)er.
- Jsaquella

Ron White said it best, you can't fix stupid!

I think that plain, old hockey smarts have played a role this year, too.

The Flyers have had issues with execution this year. Guy a step late, a pass a few feet off, a shot that goes just wide, etc. But they have also suffered from some really dumb play.

There's been enough issues that it should be a concern. Whether it's a poorly timed pinch or a blind clear, dumping the puck in when there's an available carry in option and the other forwards are not in good position to chase(by either being stationary or without a clear path to chase the puck. Little things like that build up.

They contribute to the poor 5 on 5 play, expose the team's lack of speed to a greater extent and cause the kind of gap control issues that teams like the Rangers and Devils have exploited for years.
- Jsaquella

As bill parcels once said, I don't want dumb players on my team. (Even tho several ended up in prison, I'm sure he spoke in football context.)

Anyway I dont want to beat a dead horse on a certain set of siblings but decision making has been lacking there.

Moving forward I think it's imperative berube starts scratching and reducing ice time for players who make dumb plays. Will he? We'll see.

Schenn was playing poorly on the first line wing spot, but I agree he should have gotten a few more games.

I'm guessing Berube was worried about a poor start snowballing and getting even worse if he stayed there.
- Jsaquella

He looked pretty good in pre-season and the POs/end of the year last year in that position. Just seemed brief, especially for such an important part of the team. I won't pretend to have a solution to this team but I'm starting to think Berube doesn't either. Again, I'll give it a month or two to start calling for his removal.

If the choice is to make a poor trade with our youth sending them out of town or can the coach I would pack Berubes bags. Realistically, I just need to adjust my expectations for this team and ride it out.

As bill parcels once said, I don't want dumb players on my team. (Even tho several ended up in prison, I'm sure he spoke in football context.)

Anyway I dont want to beat a dead horse on a certain set of siblings but decision making has been lacking there.

Moving forward I think it's imperative berube starts scratching and reducing ice time for players who make dumb plays. Will he? We'll see.
- JoeRussomanno

Apparently he only scratches small skilled players when they make mistakes. If you are big and/or agressive feel free to screw up all you want.

See
Hartnell, Scott
Rinaldo, Zac
Schenn, Luke

Re the Flyers forwards:
Outside of Couturier, Read, Bellemare, Umberger and to a lesser extent Raffl, they really need to work on their defensive game. Some of that is just playing smarter away from the puck and some of it is just working harder. Also they could still really use some more speed and a lot more size up front. A couple more wingers with decent wheels and who weigh over 200 lbs would greatly help the forechecking game.
- BiggE

Yeah, there's 210 lb wingers with good speed and smarts all over the place, roaming free as Buffalo once did

Agreed, guys could stand to be a lot more attentive to their own end of the ice. 200 foot game, gap control, puck support...whatever aspect of the game it is, fall under the umbrella of two way play. I think they get stuck a lot of times because they're simply not on the same page as the defense.

He looked pretty good in pre-season and the POs/end of the year last year in that position. Just seemed brief, especially for such an important part of the team. I won't pretend to have a solution to this team but I'm starting to think Berube doesn't either. Again, I'll give it a month or two to start calling for his removal.

If the choice is to make a poor trade with our youth sending them out of town or can the coach I would pack Berubes bags. Realistically, I just need to adjust my expectations for this team and ride it out.
- coffee junkie

I really don't expect any significant trades this season.
Sure they'd likely move VLC if he's willing to go where someone wants him and if they are out of it look for a vet or 2 to be dealt at the deadline but thats likely it.

Also I think Berube is safe at least til the end of the season

He looked pretty good in pre-season and the POs/end of the year last year in that position. Just seemed brief, especially for such an important part of the team. I won't pretend to have a solution to this team but I'm starting to think Berube doesn't either. Again, I'll give it a month or two to start calling for his removal.

If the choice is to make a poor trade with our youth sending them out of town or can the coach I would pack Berubes bags. Realistically, I just need to adjust my expectations for this team and ride it out.
- coffee junkie

Agreed, but while I don;t agree with his decision to move Schenn, I can understand it. The guy was not moving his feet. He wasn't being a very active player. That's on him and it's something I don't think a coach should have to bring out.

I'm not a fan of Berube. I don't think he's an especially good coach and I doubt he'll be the coach here in a year or two. That said, I don't see another coach coming in and doing much better. A new guy will be under total pressure to turn it around and may compound the issues with the younger players.

I really don't expect any significant trades this season.
Sure they'd likely move VLC if he's willing to go where someone wants him and if they are out of it look for a vet or 2 to be dealt at the deadline but thats likely it.

Also I think Berube is safe at least til the end of the season
- BiggE

As long as they avoid panic trades. I don't want to see them make a trade where they deal a young asset for a 33 year old in an effort to get into the playoffs this year. I don't think it will happen, but obviously the possibility exists.

If they are still scuffling along in December, we might see some sort of shakeup deal. If it's lasting until January or February, we might get a bit of a purge.

I don't understand why he was taken off G's wing so fast if the plan is to keep him at LW. I also don't like Berubes comments on the shoutout. It has a significant impact on the game (ie Flyers making it into playoffs a few years ago & NJD not making it last year from it). I don't care if you think it is dumb, I care about the end product and it's not good enough. I'm not calling for Berubes head but give it 5 more games like this and I might be.
- coffee junkie

Call for Berube's head all you want. It won't fix the shootout problems which have been going on here since 2005.

wonder why they have to play back to back chi/pitt when there isn't even anything else scheduled that week at the consol center in pittsburgh

wonder why they have to play back to back chi/pitt when there isn't even anything else scheduled that week at the consol center in pittsburgh
- -davies-

Never question the logic of the NHL schedule maker.

There is no logic to question.

Yeah, there's 210 lb wingers with good speed and smarts all over the place, roaming free as Buffalo once did

Agreed, guys could stand to be a lot more attentive to their own end of the ice. 200 foot game, gap control, puck support...whatever aspect of the game it is, fall under the umbrella of two way play. I think they get stuck a lot of times because they're simply not on the same page as the defense.
- Jsaquella

somebody keeps shooting them from trains, making em scarce these days