Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Medvedev, Provorov, Alumni and More

Stylistically, however, it seems that a healthy lineup that routinely features Schenn and Gudas would be a great on-paper fit with the system that Hakstol plans to implement.

Bill, did you mean to say that they would NOT be a great on-paper fit for Hakstol's system?

Regarding Schenn and Gudas: I was a bit confused there as well. Med is the wildcard and I never thought of him as a potential trade chip at the TDL. Good point, the signing could end up being even better then I thought. Can we drop the puck already!?!

Stylistically, however, it seems that a healthy lineup that routinely features Schenn and Gudas would be a great on-paper fit with the system that Hakstol plans to implement.

Bill, did you mean to say that they would NOT be a great on-paper fit for Hakstol's system?
- TheGreat28

Yes. Fixed it. Thanks!

Yes. Fixed it. Thanks!
- bmeltzer

Welcome!

Nice read on Morin, and a quote from Ghost.

http://www.philly.com/phi...ense_corps_this_year.html

Gotta love Morin's confidence and work ethic!

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Medvedev, Provorov, Alumni and More
- bmeltzer

I suppose the depressing thing is that Medvedev doesn't even have to be all that great to crack the top-4 as it currently stands -- but hopefully he'll play well enough to help us forget about Jiri Dopita.

Nice read on Morin, and a quote from Ghost.

http://www.philly.com/phi...ense_corps_this_year.html

Gotta love Morin's confidence and work ethic!
- TheGreat28

Thanks for posting, great attitude(s). We'll see, I think Hexy almost Sends them all down no matter what to start the year. Never say never but I think the chances are very slim.

Nice read on Morin, and a quote from Ghost.

http://www.philly.com/phi...ense_corps_this_year.html

Gotta love Morin's confidence and work ethic!
- TheGreat28

Absolutely! While I still think he opens the season in Lehigh Valley, I wouldn't be that surprised to see him earn a spot on the big club. Due to his size and ample Junior experience, I think he has the best shot of all the D prospects to make the team right out of camp.

I suppose the depressing thing is that Medvedev doesn't even have to be all that great to crack the top-4 as it currently stands -- but hopefully he'll play well enough to help us forget about Jiri Dopita.


- Tomahawk

Did you really have to remind us about Dopita?


As long as he can make the adjustment to the smaller ice surface and more physical game, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be one of our top 4. From the little I've seen, he has the potential to easily be one of our better Dmen and a guy that can be used in all situations.

Thanks for posting, great attitude(s). We'll see, I think Hexy almost Sends them all down no matter what to start the year. Never say never but I think the chances are very slim.
- coffee junkie

I agree, but I do think that if a prospect CLEARLY AND BY FAR out plays a majority of the vets in preseason that those player or players should be given a chance to stick. If not, you are sending the message that no matter what you do or how well you play, you have absolutely no chance of making the team and I think that would be a very demoralizing thing to do to these kids.

I suppose the depressing thing is that Medvedev doesn't even have to be all that great to crack the top-4 as it currently stands -- but hopefully he'll play well enough to help us forget about Jiri Dopita.


- Tomahawk

I don't see it that way. Flyers have a solid group of defenseman, they just lack top pairing level players. It's still the NHL, and a player has to play well to get top 4 minutes, as a defenseman. If he doesn't play well, or struggles to adjust early, you might see his minutes reflect that. Rather than being depressed about the Flyers defense, I'm actually excited to watch Medvedev play. Looking at his highlight package, he seems to have some puck skill.

All of the young guys in camp should come in with the idea of making the team. If they show they are ready, I'd be fine with a youngster making the roster.

Does anyone think Provorov or Sanheim get a 9 game tryout this year?

I suppose the depressing thing is that Medvedev doesn't even have to be all that great to crack the top-4 as it currently stands -- but hopefully he'll play well enough to help us forget about Jiri Dopita.


- Tomahawk

haha...I was going to make a Dopita comment, but decided I didn't want to jinx Medvedev

Does anyone think Provorov or Sanheim get a 9 game tryout this year?
- VladDrag

I would say no, but you never know.

Absolutely! While I still think he opens the season in Lehigh Valley, I wouldn't be that surprised to see him earn a spot on the big club. Due to his size and ample Junior experience, I think he has the best shot of all the D prospects to make the team right out of camp.
- BiggE

I personally would like to see him start at LV. Yes, he'll bring physicality even at the NHL level. But I worrying about positioning, angles, taking the body at the wrong time, footwork. He could easily turn to the whipping boy of 2015 if he struggles out of the gate.

He's a confident lad, I'll give you that. But so was Jesse Biddle (for Phillies fans).

I personally would like to see him start at LV. Yes, he'll bring physicality even at the NHL level. But I worrying about positioning, angles, taking the body at the wrong time, footwork. He could easily turn to the whipping boy of 2015 if he struggles out of the gate.

He's a confident lad, I'll give you that. But so was Jesse Biddle (for Phillies fans).
- TheGreat28

Even with AMac on the roster?

Even with AMac on the roster?
- VladDrag

OK, he can turn into a whipping boy.

Why be satisfied with just one?

I don't see it that way. Flyers have a solid group of defenseman, they just lack top pairing level players. It's still the NHL, and a player has to play well to get top 4 minutes, as a defenseman. If he doesn't play well, or struggles to adjust early, you might see his minutes reflect that. Rather than being depressed about the Flyers defense, I'm actually excited to watch Medvedev play. Looking at his highlight package, he seems to have some puck skill.
- MJL

The Flyers D is like the Blue Jays pitching staff before they got Price. They have a bunch of "ok" guys but lacked a stud! Once they got that player it simply made every one else better. Now... The Flyers just have to go out and get that stud

Does anyone think Provorov or Sanheim get a 9 game tryout this year?
- VladDrag

The sheer numbers kind of work against them. There's a lot of bodies, and I'm not sure that there are any set pairs right now, so Hakstol may well need to use the early going to muddle through that and try different pairs to see what works and what doesn't.

Balancing that with trying to see if a rookie should stick could be a needlessly difficult task, especially given the 9 game rule and the implications of keeping a guy like Sanheim or Provorov past 9 games, both in burning a year off an ELC and in getting them to free agency a year earlier.

If a guy like Morin or Hagg forces his way onto the roster it's easier, because they're slated for Lehigh Valley and there's no 9 game rules. Sanheim and Provorov don't have the luxury of being recalled after being sent back

The sheer numbers kind of work against them. There's a lot of bodies, and I'm not sure that there are any set pairs right now, so Hakstol may well need to use the early going to muddle through that and try different pairs to see what works and what doesn't.

Balancing that with trying to see if a rookie should stick could be a needlessly difficult task, especially given the 9 game rule and the implications of keeping a guy like Sanheim or Provorov past 9 games, both in burning a year off an ELC and in getting them to free agency a year earlier.

If a guy like Morin or Hagg forces his way onto the roster it's easier, because they're slated for Lehigh Valley and there's no 9 game rules. Sanheim and Provorov don't have the luxury of being recalled after being sent back


-Jsquack

I think the only way Sanheim or Prov end up with the Flyers is if they literally make it impossible to send them back. Thats it. No 9 game trials, no in and out of the lineup. They either play themselves on to the team or they go back right off the bat. Hell, I wouldnt be surprised if they only get limited pre-season looks. Like a game and boom back to the CHL.

Like you said, numbers make keeping them around a heck of a lot less tempting, strictly because you will need to make roster moves to do so. Why?? Are we a cup team this year? Nope. Let them continue to slow roast.

I think the only way Sanheim or Prov end up with the Flyers is if they literally make it impossible to send them back. Thats it. No 9 game trials, no in and out of the lineup. They either play themselves on to the team or they go back right off the bat. Hell, I wouldnt be surprised if they only get limited pre-season looks. Like a game and boom back to the CHL.

Like you said, numbers make keeping them around a heck of a lot less tempting, strictly because you will need to make roster moves to do so. Why?? Are we a cup team this year? Nope. Let them continue to slow roast.
- jak521

Yep. Unless they come in and right off the bat are among the 4 best guys and leave you with no choice but to keep them and use them in significant roles, send them right back.

Jiri latal the original Gus.....

The Flyers D is like the Blue Jays pitching staff before they got Price. They have a bunch of "ok" guys but lacked a stud! Once they got that player it simply made every one else better. Now... The Flyers just have to go out and get that stud
- 3flyerkids

That's a very good analogy