Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: Practice Day, Phantoms, Leadership and Much More

Thanks Bill for this encouraging update on prospects, really good to see the depth the organization built up within the last 5 years.
What I think will be really crucial is to see a strong depth in goaltending department. Really eager to see how Sandstrom does this year. Do you have any latest update on his progress, please?

Thanks Bill for this encouraging update on prospects, really good to see the depth the organization built up within the last 5 years.
What I think will be really crucial is to see a strong depth in goaltending department. Really eager to see how Sandstrom does this year. Do you have any latest update on his progress, please?
- Keith25

Added to the end of the blog. Had his first shutout yesterday.

Frost is gonna be a good one.

If Patrick is unable to play this season, I expect Frost to be up by early January at the latest.

Frost is gonna be a good one.
- Tomahawk

At what point do we call him up and ask him to step into the Nolan Patrick role?

Bill, do you think guys like Shusko and Cates have a clearer path to the NHL than a guy like Frost? They seem like they could be dropped into an NHL 4th line roll pretty easily. I think Cates could be a Raffl type bottom-6 player within a year.

Year 3 for a young player is a huge year in development. If Patrick misses this entire season what a setback that is. At this point, how can he be counted on to be a regular going forward? He's not even skating with the team now. So I assume there was a setback. Get lucky in the draft and move up to # 2 and these are the results. Unbelievable.

Was at the game Sunday, this quote form Bill stuck out to me the most "Frost needs to dictate the pace not just a few times a game when he sniffs out a scoring chance but with greater consistency"
At times he seems not dialed in at all, coasting around looking for a bounce. That being said, he was clearly the most skilled player on the ice. Also, check out Cal O'rielly's goal, the way he corralled the pass and sniped, it was a beauty.

Bill, do you think guys like Shusko and Cates have a clearer path to the NHL than a guy like Frost? They seem like they could be dropped into an NHL 4th line roll pretty easily. I think Cates could be a Raffl type bottom-6 player within a year.
- jmatchett383

I'd agree with that. It's a little easier for a winger, especially a bottom-six type, than for a mid/upper lineup center. Cates is another player in that mold. I also think Laczynski at the pro level (for Ohio State, he's been a first-liner the last couple years) will be a 3rd/4th line type as a pro, but a good one.

Regarding migraine treatments, there are 2 sides to it.

There is the acute management of the severe headache pain, and more importantly, especially for a pro athlete, the prevention side.

Many folks with migraine headache disorder are on an everyday regimen of meds, diet, and sleep management to prevent the migraines from even starting. Sleep deprivation is a huge migraine trigger for some, and certain foods are migraine triggers for some. There is a lot of progress in medicine regarding this. Hopefully Patrick gets on a regimen where he is headache free and can start to play hockey again.

Still it’s a big opportunity for Frost to step in until Patrick can play again. You hope it’s when Frost is ready and he is not rushed because the team goes on a nosedive in the standings.

Regarding migraine treatments, there are 2 sides to it.

There is the acute management of the severe headache pain, and more importantly, especially for a pro athlete, the prevention side.

Many folks with migraine headache disorder are on an everyday regimen of meds, diet, and sleep management to prevent the migraines from even starting. There is a lot of progress in medicine regarding this. Hopefully Patrick gets on a regimen where he is headache free and can start to play hockey again.

Still it’s a big opportunity for Frost to step in until Patrick can play again. You hope it’s when Frost is ready and he is not rushed because the team goes on a nosedive in the standings.
- Marc D

I just hope that Farabee and Forst (when given his chance) give the Flyers a problem with Laughton and (hopefully) Patrick are cleared to return.

I just hope that Farabee and Forst (when given his chance) give the Flyers a problem with Laughton and (hopefully) Patrick are cleared to return.
- jmatchett383

Laughton is a pretty important player for them in his role of bottom six, PK play I think.

They miss his combination of speed and grit and 2 way play currently.

It’s a nice problem to have when they get healthy and the prospects get more and more nhl ready.

If they are worried about Frost's defense, stick him with Lindblom. And put G back with Couturier so Coots can avoid taking faceoffs till he's good.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecny
JVR-Hayes-Farabee
Lindblom-Frost-Voracek
Raffl-Rubtsov-Pitlick
Stewart

Send Twarynski down to make room for Frost since Stewart cannot be waived for the same absurd reason he was signed in the first place.

Laughton is a pretty important player for them in his role of bottom six, PK play I think.

They miss his combination of speed and grit and 2 way play currently.

It’s a nice problem to have when they get healthy and the prospects get more and more nhl ready.
- Marc D

I'm not saying push Laughton out, just give them hard decisions about usage and who stays/goes.

If they are worried about Frost's defense, stick him with Lindblom. And put G back with Couturier so Coots can avoid taking faceoffs till he's good.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecy
JVR-Hayes-Farabee
Lindblom-Frost-Voracek
Raffl-Rubtsov-Pitlick
Stewart

Send Twarynski down to make room for Frost since Stewart cannot be waived for the same absurd reason he was signed in the first place.
- Feanor

I like the balance here, Voracek seemed to be dialed in Saturday, think he got the message AV sent.

I wouldn't split TK and Oscar. They are playing well together.

Can you imagine Frost centering those two?? Not saying it will happen this year, but Christ, the possibilities.

I'm hoping Patty gets back soon and is able to have a career.

Love Laughton, Pitlick, Raffl, Stewart, Carsen T., Rubstov as fourth line guys. When we are forced to play them up in the line-up we are much weaker.

I'm liking Farabee's game as well. The points will come. Just keep Hayes onside!!

Frost is not a 4 th line player. I could see if another winger goes down on the 3 rd line but don’t rush the kid. No need to.

I'm not saying push Laughton out, just give them hard decisions about usage and who stays/goes.
- jmatchett383

Yeah. Next year pitlick and Stewart won’t be here (probably). It will be interesting when/ if everyone is healthy. Who knows what will happen at the trade deadline and draft and expansion.

I wouldn't split TK and Oscar. They are playing well together.

Can you imagine Frost centering those two?? Not saying it will happen this year, but Christ, the possibilities.

I'm hoping Patty gets back soon and is able to have a career.

Love Laughton, Pitlick, Raffl, Stewart, Carsen T., Rubstov as fourth line guys. When we are forced to play them up in the line-up we are much weaker.

I'm liking Farabee's game as well. The points will come. Just keep Hayes onside!!
- cdearth23

Farabee must have slept with his wife.

Farabee must have slept with his wife.
- jmatchett383

This is obvious. And Patrick doesn’t have migraines. He’s gs new babysitter.

ffff

If they are worried about Frost's defense, stick him with Lindblom. And put G back with Couturier so Coots can avoid taking faceoffs till he's good.

Giroux-Couturier-Konecy
JVR-Hayes-Farabee
Lindblom-Frost-Voracek
Raffl-Rubtsov-Pitlick
Stewart

Send Twarynski down to make room for Frost since Stewart cannot be waived for the same absurd reason he was signed in the first place.
- Feanor

LIndblom the Flyers version of the Swiss army knife

Frost can play all three forward positions. His future isn't tied to NP or anybody else. When they decide he's ready, he can be plugged in anywhere.

Frost can play all three forward positions. His future isn't tied to NP or anybody else. When they decide he's ready, he can be plugged in anywhere.
- Tomahawk

Yes, but a lot of people have been saying he projects as a wing. With Patrick out, that may change.