Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gut-Check 3rd pd deconstructed, goalies, CHL Playoffs

Thanks for the update, Bill!👍

Re Neuvirth:

I think, barring Hexy finding a way to trade him this Spring (highly unlikely), you bite the bullet and buy him out. Carrying the buyout hit next season isn’t the end of the world as they should have plenty of cap room in 18-19. The 750k in 19-20 shouldn’t be too severe of a hindrance either, especially if the cap ceiling by that point is north of 80 million.

Even if Hextall absorbs half the cap hit, I don’t see any team having any interest in Neuvirth even at 1.25 million, and I can’t see Hextall spending an asset to get a deal done.

The mistake was giving a guy with his injury history a 2 year deal, but what’s done is done. Time to suck it up and move on.

Really the only thing that concerns me is the goaltending. Tough spot for Elliott to come back into without a lot of playing time before the playoffs. I don't trust Mrazek or Neuvirth.

I'd take Ghost to close out the final 40 seconds over Manning any day of the week. Hopefully Hextall lets him walk as a UFA like he did with VdV last summer. Then we can see which NHL team he ends up on and how he's used by another coach.

On another topic, is it fair to start being concerned about the lack of production from German Rubtsov. He’s obviously got the wheels and supposedly has very good hockey sense, but he just doesn’t seem to be putting up the numbers you would expect from a guy who is so highly rated by many scouts.

I really hope he has a monster year next season wherever he ends up playing, he’s been pretty underwhelming so far.

Re Neuvirth:

I think, barring Hexy finding a way to trade him this Spring (highly unlikely), you bite the bullet and buy him out.
- BiggE

Can't buy out an injured player.

Bill,

You are, and it isn’t even debatable, the best blobber on this site!!!

Thank you for the coverage and insight you provide to us the fans!

Thanks for being the voice of reason, especially regarding the ice time in the 3rd. I think a few too many people tend to go off half cocked about such things without viewing the context simply because they see it as an opportunity to rip Hakstol.

However, with Carter Hart on his way and one of Alex Lyon or Anthony Stolarz -- both restricted free agents this summer -- likely to serve as an NHL/AHL swingman and split-time goalie with Lehigh Valley, that may not be a good option, either.

I'm not sure how much swinging Lyon and Stolarz will be able to do between the AHL and NHL next season. According to CapFriendly, they are both waiver eligible at the start of the 18-19 season.

If the Flyers buy out Neuvirth, make one of Lyon and Stolarz the backup to Elliott, and try get the other one thru waivers, they could end up with just Carter Hart left in the AHL.

I'd take Ghost to close out the final 40 seconds over Manning any day of the week. Hopefully Hextall lets him walk as a UFA like he did with VdV last summer. Then we can see which NHL team he ends up on and how he's used by another coach.
- Feanor

Can't buy out an injured player.
- Feanor

I know, I’m hoping he’s medically cleared by June.

Yeah, I get it, it’s a long shot

Bill,

You are, and it isn’t even debatable, the best blobber on this site!!!

Thank you for the coverage and insight you provide to us the fans!
- ggunky

X10000000000
👍👍

Thanks for being the voice of reason, especially regarding the ice time in the 3rd. I think a few too many people tend to go off half cocked about such things without viewing the context simply because they see it as an opportunity to rip Hakstol.
- MBFlyerfan

👍
Exactly. Not much the coach can do when they are hemmed in the zone forever and/or they ice the puck.

Now if you want to talk about his dressing Weise while there are other live humans on the roster, that’s a different story!

I'm not sure how much swinging Lyon and Stolarz will be able to do between the AHL and NHL next season. According to CapFriendly, they are both waiver eligible at the start of the 18-19 season.

If the Flyers buy out Neuvirth, make one of Lyon and Stolarz the backup to Elliott, and try get the other one thru waivers, they could end up with just Carter Hart left in the AHL.
- Feanor

Do you really see another team wanting either so bad that they are going to keep them on an NHL roster? I don’t. I think chances are extremely slim that they’d lose even one of them on waivers, let alone both.

Can't buy out an injured player.
- Feanor

Not possible for him to be healthy by the buy out period?

Bill,

You are, and it isn’t even debatable, the best blobber on this site!!!

Thank you for the coverage and insight you provide to us the fans!
- ggunky

we are truly #blessed

Can't buy out an injured player.
- Feanor

So....do it when he's healthy again

:shrug:

Bill,

You are, and it isn’t even debatable, the best blobber on this site!!!

Thank you for the coverage and insight you provide to us the fans!
- ggunky

Yup
Goes without saying, but it's nice that people say it.

👍
Exactly. Not much the coach can do when they are hemmed in the zone forever and/or they ice the puck.

Now if you want to talk about his dressing Weise while there are other live humans on the roster, that’s a different story!
- BiggE

Provorov having a 3:27 shift is freakin insane. And Weise, dont get me started.

Today @ 4:59 PM ET
On another topic, is it fair to start being concerned about the lack of production from German Rubtsov. He’s obviously got the wheels and supposedly has very good hockey sense, but he just doesn’t seem to be putting up the numbers you would expect from a guy who is so highly rated by many scouts.

I really hope he has a monster year next season wherever he ends up playing, he’s been pretty underwhelming so far.
BiggE


I’m not sure it’s fair to be concerned about Rubtsov at this point. This late in the season, he could have a nagging injury, or he could be playing w line mates who aren’t complimentary to his game. Look what happens to guys who look mediocre until they get linemates who make them better. I’d give him the benefit if the doubt til we see him in camp and/or sone AHL time.

Do you really see another team wanting either so bad that they are going to keep them on an NHL roster? I don’t. I think chances are extremely slim that they’d lose even one of them on waivers, let alone both.
- BiggE

As 24/25 year old goalies on two-way contracts with some NHL experience and upside, I think they could well be claimed by other teams. Vegas claimed Subban when he went on waivers this season. Pickard cleared waivers, but he had a one-way contract with a salary of $1,075,000.

Not possible for him to be healthy by the buy out period?
- MJL

Possible, but not guaranteed. The buyout window is only the second half of June.

Possible, but not guaranteed. The buyout window is only the second half of June.
- Feanor

Two and a half months from now.

Today @ 4:59 PM ET
On another topic, is it fair to start being concerned about the lack of production from German Rubtsov. He’s obviously got the wheels and supposedly has very good hockey sense, but he just doesn’t seem to be putting up the numbers you would expect from a guy who is so highly rated by many scouts.

I really hope he has a monster year next season wherever he ends up playing, he’s been pretty underwhelming so far.
BiggE


I’m not sure it’s fair to be concerned about Rubtsov at this point. This late in the season, he could have a nagging injury, or he could be playing w line mates who aren’t complimentary to his game. Look what happens to guys who look mediocre until they get linemates who make them better. I’d give him the benefit if the doubt til we see him in camp and/or sone AHL time.
- Hokeeguy9

https://www.courierposton...st-year-junior/304245002/