Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: WJSS, Hextall, Knoblauch and More

Not entirely sold on this years Flyers being better than the last. Only net positives I see are Carter Hart starting in the NHL am Amac moving on.

Braun is just not good and The Caps couldn’t dump Nisky fast enough. I think the absence of Radko on the blue line will hurt a lot more than people think. Especially if Morin doesn’t make the team out of camp.

Hoping the newly minted 2C plays like a 2C and not like the player he has been for 95% of his career.

Hextall? Really? Well at least HE is better than the bottom of the barrel...

Not entirely sold on this years Flyers being better than the last. Only net positives I see are Carter Hart starting in the NHL am Amac moving on.

Braun is just not good and The Caps couldn’t dump Nisky fast enough. I think the absence of Radko on the blue line will hurt a lot more than people think. Especially if Morin doesn’t make the team out of camp.

Hoping the newly minted 2C plays like a 2C and not like the player he has been for 95% of his career.
- acd513

Braun is "just not good" is "just not true." He was given very tough minutes to play as the RD with a lot of D-zone starts on a team that wanted Burns and Karlsson freed up to attack whenever possible. He good without the puck and calm under pressure; two things that were very much needed here. With the puck, he's OK but nothing special. When you are a perennial 20-min a game player on contending teams and there were several teams that had interest in trading for you this offseason (which is why SJ was able to get its trade deadline-like price met to move him this summer), maybe just maybe, the stats don't tell the whole story.

As for Niskanen, I will point out again that he was a tower of strength during the playoffs (25:23 TOI average ) on a Cup-winning team just a year ago, and his own role has started to evolve to one of more and more D-first responsibilities. He still is a very good breakout passer. This past season, Niskanen almost certainly played through a concussion -- that was one scary hit he took -- and it definitely affected him for awhile. January by far was his worst month of the season, and the injury happened in late Dec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLvH1q39U3U

Neither Braun nor Niskanen had their best of seasons last year, but both are upgrades on what was here. That's not a knock on Gudas, but Radko is a 17-18 min player on a good team and Niskanen has been a huge minutes D on top contenders, including a Cup winner. That's not by accident.

As for the "newly-minted 2C", as long as he plays good two-way hockey and remains a clever passer, he's an upgrade. Getting in the neighborhood of 20 goals would be nice, too, but he's always been more of a pass-first guy at the pro level. His presence gets Patrick into more favorable matchups, as well. It's not only about Hayes' points. It's also about building something for the shift that comes after his.

Braun is "just not good" is "just not true." He was given very tough minutes to play as the RD with a lot of D-zone starts on a team that wanted Burns and Karlsson freed up to attack whenever possible. He good without the puck and calm under pressure; two things that were very much needed here. With the puck, he's OK but nothing special. When you are a perennial 20-min a game player on contending teams and there were several teams that had interest in trading for you this offseason (which is why SJ was able to get its trade deadline-like price met to move him this summer), maybe just maybe, the stats don't tell the whole story.

As for Niskanen, I will point out again that he was a tower of strength during the playoffs (25:23 TOI average ) on a Cup-winning team just a year ago, and his own role has started to evolve to one of more and more D-first responsibilities. He still is a very good breakout passer. This past season, Niskanen almost certainly played through a concussion -- that was one scary hit he took -- and it definitely affected him for awhile. January by far was his worst month of the season, and the injury happened in late Dec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLvH1q39U3U

Neither Braun nor Niskanen had their best of seasons last year, but both are upgrades on what was here. That's not a knock on Gudas, but Radko is a 17-18 min player on a good team and Niskanen has been a huge minutes D on top contenders, including a Cup winner. That's not by accident.

As for the "newly-minted 2C", as long as he plays good two-way hockey and remains a clever passer, he's an upgrade. Getting in the neighborhood of 20 goals would be nice, too, but he's always been more of a pass-first guy at the pro level. His presence gets Patrick into more favorable matchups, as well. It's not only about Hayes' points. It's also about building something for the shift that comes after his.
- bmeltzer

When you’re 32 going on 33 at any position, coming off a so-so to bad season, there shouldn’t be a high expectation. I’m hoping for the best but I’m not expecting him to be the player he was when he made a name for himself as a Penguin or won a Cup over a year ago now.

Minus retaining 30% of Gudas’ salary (which I don’t understand why you keep salary for the least expensive player in the deal), it was a good trade off to ship Gudas out and bring Niskanen in. A good deal, not a great deal. I also agree with buying out Andrew MacDonald. Everything else (Hayes, Braun, 30% of Gudas) just seems like away to clog up the cap pips with garbage.

How many pass first guys do we need? We had a Rangers fan come in here and rave about Hayes and though his feedback was positive from his perspective, it was positive to him. How many times have we talked about a guy who doesn’t shoot enough? A pure shooter is what we are missing.

Hexy took a bare cupboard and filled it as well as anyone could have. He was a rising star coming up as a successful Lombardi acolyte, and in just a few short years after returning to the Flyers, assembled a top-tier pipeline of talent in the league. The farm was so bad before that it couldn’t even grow weeds. Defensive corps were especially embarrassing. The Wild have to be excited with the prospect that someone can fix their own. They haven’t exactly been blessed with the most exciting upcoming players since...?

One thing he isn’t is “Minnesota Nice”, though. That’ll be worth checking out. Philadelphia is more his speed when it comes to folks and atmosphere. Hopefully he will see how his micromanagement of others and foreboding cloud of tension in the workplace held him back from being one of the most favored GMs to work under.

He still has a glut of fans in Philly who wish him nothing but the best, that’s for sure. I don’t think any number of fans are upset with him, are there? He kind of got the boot right when all of the intriguing young players were (hopefully) about to come to fruition.

I have little doubt that he’ll have similar success choosing futures for the Wild.

Not entirely sold on this years Flyers being better than the last. Only net positives I see are Carter Hart starting in the NHL am Amac moving on.

Braun is just not good and The Caps couldn’t dump Nisky fast enough. I think the absence of Radko on the blue line will hurt a lot more than people think. Especially if Morin doesn’t make the team out of camp.

Hoping the newly minted 2C plays like a 2C and not like the player he has been for 95% of his career.
- acd513

Carter Hart being our start is a very positive thing but it doesn’t guarantee he won’t struggle. I think Fletcher should have come with a better back up plan. In the past two seasons when we’ve been forced to rely on Elliott and Neuvirth, both have been unreliable. It’s not a matter of ability, it’s a matter of health. I saw Mike Smith and Curtis mcelhinney this summer. You have to feel for Cam Talbot who has been stead his entire career and we sit him for weeks before giving him a shot and he poops the bed. Nobody should be shocked that he was rusty, he should have played right away.

ttt

Braun is "just not good" is "just not true." He was given very tough minutes to play as the RD with a lot of D-zone starts on a team that wanted Burns and Karlsson freed up to attack whenever possible. He good without the puck and calm under pressure; two things that were very much needed here. With the puck, he's OK but nothing special. When you are a perennial 20-min a game player on contending teams and there were several teams that had interest in trading for you this offseason (which is why SJ was able to get its trade deadline-like price met to move him this summer), maybe just maybe, the stats don't tell the whole story.

As for Niskanen, I will point out again that he was a tower of strength during the playoffs (25:23 TOI average ) on a Cup-winning team just a year ago, and his own role has started to evolve to one of more and more D-first responsibilities. He still is a very good breakout passer. This past season, Niskanen almost certainly played through a concussion -- that was one scary hit he took -- and it definitely affected him for awhile. January by far was his worst month of the season, and the injury happened in late Dec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLvH1q39U3U

Neither Braun nor Niskanen had their best of seasons last year, but both are upgrades on what was here. That's not a knock on Gudas, but Radko is a 17-18 min player on a good team and Niskanen has been a huge minutes D on top contenders, including a Cup winner. That's not by accident.

As for the "newly-minted 2C", as long as he plays good two-way hockey and remains a clever passer, he's an upgrade. Getting in the neighborhood of 20 goals would be nice, too, but he's always been more of a pass-first guy at the pro level. His presence gets Patrick into more favorable matchups, as well. It's not only about Hayes' points. It's also about building something for the shift that comes after his.
- bmeltzer

this should save us from a lot of unnecessary posts, still don't understand how people can't see both sides of a trade, risk is part of the equation with no guarantees.

On Hexy, I am sure he had regrets and I am sure he will adjust after learning from them. It is what good business executives do, have to do or they become obsolete.

The next team will get a better Hexy.

this should save us from a lot of unnecessary posts, still don't understand how people can't see both sides of a trade, risk is part of the equation with no guarantees.

On Hexy, I am sure he had regrets and I am sure he will adjust after learning from them. It is what good business executives do, have to do or they become obsolete.

The next team will get a better Hexy.
- wcorvette

I've been told that Hexy did nothing wrong, and it doesn't matter one iota how you act within a corporation, and that the only thing that mattered was sticking to your plan.

If Hexy gets the Wild job he better not fleece Fletcher with bad contracts for our prospects.

I can't see the Wild taking on Hexy unless they are committed to a rebuild, Wild is a mess

If Hexy gets the Wild job he better not fleece Fletcher with bad contracts for our prospects.

I can't see the Wild taking on Hexy unless they are committed to a rebuild, Wild is a mess
- MrPerfect316

The Wild are one of those teams that is always good but never seems really dangerous. They're also by far the most vanilla team in the NHL.

The Wild are one of those teams that is always good but never seems really dangerous. They're also by far the most vanilla team in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

They don’t even have a guy of Schenn’s caliber to with which to restock. I mean, Zucker is nice, but the Wild won’t get back in trade what Brayden brought us.

Hextall appeared to do a very fine job with our farm system. The Wild might prove to be a tad tougher.

I still think he could pull it off if given the leash required. He’s a calculating man, not a quick-fixer

I think Hextall would be a good fit in Minny, the breakdown by Bill is spot on. There are some things he would need to approach a bit differently, but in comparison to some, Hextall has a chance to build a very good team. That should be very appealing to a team like Minny.

Carter Hart being our start is a very positive thing but it doesn’t guarantee he won’t struggle. I think Fletcher should have come with a better back up plan. In the past two seasons when we’ve been forced to rely on Elliott and Neuvirth, both have been unreliable. It’s not a matter of ability, it’s a matter of health. I saw Mike Smith Curtis and mcelhinney this summer. You have to feel for Cam Talbot who has been stead his entire career and we sit him for weeks before giving him a shot and he poops the bed. Nobody should be shocked that he was rusty, he should have played right away.
- SuperSchennBros

I was hoping Talbot would have seen the ice a bit more as well. Never had the chance to really get his feet under him here. No wonder he felt it best for his career to apply his trade elsewhere.

I've been told that Hexy did nothing wrong, and it doesn't matter one iota how you act within a corporation, and that the only thing that mattered was sticking to your plan.
- jmatchett383

No you weren't.

The Wild are one of those teams that is always good but never seems really dangerous. They're also by far the most vanilla team in the NHL.
- jmatchett383

This is a perfect description of them.

They are there. that is about all we can say about them.

Not entirely sold on this years Flyers being better than the last. Only net positives I see are Carter Hart starting in the NHL am Amac moving on.

Braun is just not good and The Caps couldn’t dump Nisky fast enough. I think the absence of Radko on the blue line will hurt a lot more than people think. Especially if Morin doesn’t make the team out of camp.

Hoping the newly minted 2C plays like a 2C and not like the player he has been for 95% of his career.
- acd513

Not sure how anyone can honestly say they dont see this years team being better than last years team.

These are the facts:

1. Proven winner of a head coach with an experience coaching staff
2. Full year of Hart
3. 2C allowing NoPa to slot back in 3c and get some favorable matchups.

These are the should happen:
1. Bounce back years from one or both of Provy and Ghost
2. Continued development of misc other young players

Not sure how anyone can honestly say they dont see this years team being better than last years team.

These are the facts:

1. Proven winner of a head coach with an experience coaching staff
2. Full year of Hart
3. 2C allowing NoPa to slot back in 3c and get some favorable matchups.

These are the should happen:
1. Bounce back years from one or both of Provy and Ghost
2. Continued development of misc other young players
- opeth_pa

On paper, absolutely the Flyers should be better. However a lot can happen in a season. There are still many ifs. With the quality of the teams in the Metro, you can be better and still miss the playoffs. Injuries are always a factor. It's going to come down to what it was always going to come down to. How fast will the young players develop and advance?

Never saw that hit Niskanen took which resulted in a concussion. Jesus. Not that I have been against his trade here; I liked it.

That hit def will impact your season. You also have to consider this: Niskanen had several long and deep playoff runs with the Caps. That’s a few seasons in a row with shorter offseason rest compared to most players. Hopefully the Caps early exist this season allowed him to enjoy the longer season and have a strong year.

Never saw that hit Niskanen took which resulted in a concussion. Jesus. Not that I have been against his trade here; I liked it.

That hit def will impact your season. You also have to consider this: Niskanen had several long and deep playoff runs with the Caps. That’s a few seasons in a row with shorter offseason rest compared to most players. Hopefully the Caps early exist this season allowed him to enjoy the longer season and have a strong year.
- arichardson22

link?

link?
- jmatchett383

Bill posted it above in his longer comment, it’s in the middle of it. Didn’t catch it at first myself.

Bill posted it above in his longer comment, it’s in the middle of it. Didn’t catch it at first myself.
- arichardson22

Yow. It actually didn't look like a bad hit (or hits), just a play gone wrong.

I like how Tom Wilson's immediate reaction is to skate right next to his teammate laying on the ice and try to fight a guy.

Yow. It actually didn't look like a bad hit (or hits), just a play gone wrong.

I like how Tom Wilson's immediate reaction is to skate right next to his teammate laying on the ice and try to fight a guy.
- jmatchett383

Yeah just a bad unfortunate play and then there’s the 2nd contact with the head from Bishop’s momentum. Not surprising coming from Wilson lol.

Yeah just a bad unfortunate play and then there’s the 2nd contact with the head from Bishop’s momentum. Not surprising coming from Wilson lol.
- arichardson22

Sometimes, in a game like hockey, things just happen. I mean, I remember John Carlson injuring Scott Laughton and thinking Laughton was paralyzed...but it was just 2 players getting tangled up and one falling awkwardly. Wasn't a dirty play, just happened.