Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 10/25/14 vs DET, Phantoms and Prospect Updates

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Looking forward to see the ghost play tonight.

Looking forward to see the ghost play tonight.
- FlyersFirst

Whoa, Streit, MDZ and Ghost in the lineup at once = FIREWORKS!

(for or against, who knows)

Whoa, Streit, MDZ and Ghost in the lineup at once = FIREWORKS!

(for or against, who knows)
- Tomahawk

all of the above

Whoa, Streit, MDZ and Ghost in the lineup at once = FIREWORKS!

(for or against, who knows)
- Tomahawk

Final Score: Philly 14- Detroit 13, the missed extra point dooms the Wings

The nameplate thing cracks me up. Not the first time I've read about it. Does Ron notify the equipment guys first about his call ups? Are they first in line?

Ghost to the show!

Of all the games I miss, it has to be the one where Ghost is playing.

Damn you Hershey Bears home opener

Curious to see Ghost, like most of us, I would think.

I have long wondered what an infusion of pure hockey sense and skating would do on the back end, and while I know that he won't be a finished product, I am hopeful that we see what this defense might look like in the future.

Curious to see Ghost, like most of us, I would think.

I have long wondered what an infusion of pure hockey sense and skating would do on the back end, and while I know that he won't be a finished product, I am hopeful that we see what this defense might look like in the future.
- AllInForFlyers

He didn't look too out of place in the preseason, which is obviously a different animal, but I am really excited to see what he can do tonight with this opportunity.

Of all the games I miss, it has to be the one where Ghost is playing.

Damn you Hershey Bears home opener
- Pelle31Forever

Isn't Tom Wilson on that team? Is that the MOAT development method?

Curious to see Ghost, like most of us, I would think.

I have long wondered what an infusion of pure hockey sense and skating would do on the back end, and while I know that he won't be a finished product, I am hopeful that we see what this defense might look like in the future.
- AllInForFlyers

I think we got a glimpse of that with some of the elements that Del Zotto has brought to the defense. But honestly, I expect to see a player with obvious raw skills and talent, that isn't quite ready for this level, but will be soon.

I think we got a glimpse of that with some of the elements that Del Zotto has brought to the defense. But honestly, I expect to see a player with obvious raw skills and talent, that isn't quite ready for this level, but will be soon.
- MJL

I'm one of the what feels like a relative minority who has liked what Del Zotto has brought to the team, but since he's on a one-year deal, I'm not too attached.

I think we all realize that Ghost likely isn't quite ready, but at some point, you gotta get out there and play, make mistakes, learn. Live NHL games will hopefully give everyone, including the player, a sense of exactly what he needs to be working on to (hopefully) become an impact player.

I'm one of the what feels like a relative minority who has liked what Del Zotto has brought to the team, but since he's on a one-year deal, I'm not too attached.

I think we all realize that Ghost likely isn't quite ready, but at some point, you gotta get out there and play, make mistakes, learn. Live NHL games will hopefully give everyone, including the player, a sense of exactly what he needs to be working on to (hopefully) become an impact player.
- AllInForFlyers

There are elements to Del Zotto's game that the Flyers badly need in the lineup. He just needs to button up some correctable errors.

CSN trying to cause a goalie controversy. Saying Mason's status as the #1 is unclear because Emery has won the only two games so far.

I'm one of the what feels like a relative minority who has liked what Del Zotto has brought to the team, but since he's on a one-year deal, I'm not too attached.

I think we all realize that Ghost likely isn't quite ready, but at some point, you gotta get out there and play, make mistakes, learn. Live NHL games will hopefully give everyone, including the player, a sense of exactly what he needs to be working on to (hopefully) become an impact player.
- AllInForFlyers

With the puck on his stick, Del Zotto has brought a needed element and has been a definite upgrade. Without the puck, he has been a downgrade thus far.

There are elements to Del Zotto's game that the Flyers badly need in the lineup. He just needs to button up some correctable errors.
- MJL

Absolutely; I think if the Flyers could just get him slotted properly at 16-18 minutes per night against weaker forwards...but that just isn't where they are right now.

For me, though, I think Del Zotto is still a Top 6 defenseman in the NHL. I don't know what he's like in the dressing room, what his practice habits are. But all I've seen in these seven games is a guy who plays with an offensive mindset, has a decent-enough stick, is an above-average skater, passes well.

His strength down low isn't tremendous, and his spatial awareness defensively isn't, either.

But I love how he reads offensive plays and creates chances. Maybe if the Flyers like him, he earns another deal, but I do think he's better than defensemen I've seen on a few other teams I've watched thus far.

With the puck on his stick, Del Zotto has brought a needed element and has been a definite upgrade. Without the puck, he has been a downgrade thus far.
- bmeltzer

What's your general feel on how competitive he's been? I've seen him be a little more physical along the wall than I thought he was, but I do agree that overall, he's net-neutral at best when you consider all of what he is.

CSN trying to cause a goalie controversy. Saying Mason's status as the #1 is unclear because Emery has won the only two games so far.
- MBFlyerfan

Mason's season thus far has been a like a pitcher with an unsightly ERA because of loose defense that doesn't get scored as an error. Of course, in hockey, there are only goals against, no such thing as an "unearned goal" or "savable save percentage" category.

Mason's stats this season are skewed because of the Devils and Dallas games -- and there was only one goal in those two games where he could be in any way blamed. He could be stealing a few more non-routine saves but he hasn't been nearly as much of a problem as the team D (or too frequent lack therof).

Emery was excellent in the Canadiens game but still allowed a three-spot in the third period through no fault of his own; much like Mason in Chicago in the first period. Emery was only tested twice -- one went in -- in his Dallas relief appearance. He was solid in Pittsburgh.

What's your general feel on how competitive he's been? I've seen him be a little more physical along the wall than I thought he was, but I do agree that overall, he's net-neutral at best when you consider all of what he is.
- AllInForFlyers

His competitiveness level is average, IMO. He gets outmuscled at times but I don't think he gives up on plays.

- KGBflyers10

What's the general feeling on Sam Morin? When he does come over from the Q, what are people's thoughts on his future with the Flyers?

Granted he's a bBig kid but he's still working on his offense though. Any chance he's a better prospect than Ghost on the blueline?

Thanks!

Preseason is a whole different animal than the regular season (which is also different in shift-to-shift focus and intensity from the playoffs). In the preseason, the guys who have something to play for -- an NHL job, an entry-level contract, etc -- tend to stand out more than many of the established guys who are simply putting in some work to get their game legs back.

Case in point: Blair Jones. In the preseason, he absolutely looked like a no-brainer NHL player who could pretty much play on any line or role as needed. He scored goals. He delivered hits. He fought a few times. He won board battles. He killed penalties and played on power plays.

Now that the season has begun, you can see why he's spent more time in the AHL than the NHL in his career. That's the difference of the regulars -- both on his team and the opposition -- starting to bring their real games when the Ws and Ls start to count.