Bill Meltzer: Flyers Exhibition Gameday @TOR: 7/28/20 vs. PIT

Told my wife and kids that I own the TV today from 4-7. I don't care if it's the sloppiest game of shinny ever, this will be awesome.

I really hope this all works out. Very excited with a bit of cautious optimism.

Bill, if you had to wager a guess, who do you think will play on the 4th line? I'd prefer Farabee, if for no other reason than to see how he's held up; however, I think NAK has also earned a spot, which would make Raffl the odd man out.

I really think Ghost should be in the line up, especially if he is healed up and moving well.

I really think Ghost should be in the line up, especially if he is healed up and moving well.
- kennygarcon

Agreed. As strongly as they played without him down the stretch, I think a healthy, productive Ghost would be a huge add.

I think Laughton is a very capable 3C, but he seems to be more effective on the wing and has earned the 2LW spot IMO. And as others have pointed out on here, he did seem to have nice chemistry when playing with Hayes.
I admittedly don't know much about Thompson. And can't help but wonder if playing Laughton at 3C, bumping Grant to 4C and removing Thompson from the lineup gives you more flexibility with the wingers that would create a better lineup overall. But I do like the lineup as is. As long as NAK is playing. Also think Raffl should be in there.
I would be fine with Farabee sitting for now. His time will come.

Great to hear that Ghost has looked good in camp. I've been a harsh critic of his in recent years, but I truly hope he can regain some of his offensive game. And having defensive depth, especially under these circumstances would be huge.

Told my wife and kids that I own the TV today from 4-7. I don't care if it's the sloppiest game of shinny ever, this will be awesome.

I really hope this all works out. Very excited with a bit of cautious optimism.

Bill, if you had to wager a guess, who do you think will play on the 4th line? I'd prefer Farabee, if for no other reason than to see how he's held up; however, I think NAK has also earned a spot, which would make Raffl the odd man out.
- jmatchett383

It'll work itself out. There are bound to be injuries.

I think Laughton is a very capable 3C, but he seems to be more effective on the wing and has earned the 2LW spot IMO. And as others have pointed out on here, he did seem to have nice chemistry when playing with Hayes.
I admittedly don't know much about Thompson. And can't help but wonder if playing Laughton at 3C, bumping Grant to 4C and removing Thompson from the lineup gives you more flexibility with the wingers that would create a better lineup overall. But I do like the lineup as is. As long as NAK is playing. Also think Raffl should be in there.
I would be fine with Farabee sitting for now. His time will come.

Great to hear that Ghost has looked good in camp. I've been a harsh critic of his in recent years, but I truly hope he can regain some of his offensive game. And having defensive depth, especially under these circumstances would be huge.
- Big_E_88

I agree about Thompson. I get that he's here to fill a role (win faceoffs, be consistent, play physical), I just don't know if that role couldn't be filled better if they play Laughton at 3C and move Grant to 4C like you said. Grant maybe not be as physical as Thompson, and I don't know their respective FO% numbers, but I just feel that Grant's game is better than Thompson's, and I'd prefer to have all 3 of Farabee, NAK, and Raffl in the lineup.

Then again, I'm not a fan in general of Thompson..

I cant believe we actually have hockey today. Ill be driving home from work as fast as I can to catch the end of the first period.

I cant believe we actually have hockey today. Ill be driving home from work as fast as I can to catch the end of the first period.
- MBFlyerfan

I can start work any time between 6 and 9. I'm been working at 6 and skipping lunch so I'm out by 2. If you have a smart TV/DVR, could always just rewind.

Good to hear ghost is skating better.
Probably called upon if the run gets deep.

But ready to move on with him in the off-season. May be pick up kapanen from toronto...their D is just brutal.

Beauty of WFM is it will be on regardless, according to SSB I don’t have a job but that’s ok.

Good to hear ghost is skating better.
Probably called upon if the run gets deep.

But ready to move on with him in the off-season. May be pick up kapanen from toronto...their D is just brutal.
- bruceflyers

Toronto doesn't need offense from the back end, they need better defense. And Ghost's current trade value isn't anywhere near enough to get Kapanen, plus that would add $1.3M to their cap (if no $$ is retained).

Agreed. As strongly as they played without him down the stretch, I think a healthy, productive Ghost would be a huge add.

I like the idea of Ghost. Seem's like a nice guy, good in the locker room, etc... Hell, Concy brewery named a beer after him. He is fun to watch when he is on his game.... But, Defense wins Cups... They don't need Ghost's production - Claude and company will provide. They need to keep the shot against low and pucks out of the net. We have others that can play better defense.

LETS DO THE HOCKEY

I like the idea of Ghost. Seem's like a nice guy, good in the locker room, etc... Hell, Concy brewery named a beer after him. He is fun to watch when he is on his game.... But, Defense wins Cups... They don't need Ghost's production - Claude and company will provide. They need to keep the shot against low and pucks out of the net. We have others that can play better defense.
- leon neon

They could certainly use Ghosts production, and I’d argue Ghost at his best is superior to Provorov running the point on the PP. A guy that can move the puck, get up in the play, and create offense is always welcome on my team. Is he back to that? Idk I guess we will see.

Productivity for ghost is key and has been lacking. I hope Egor gets in some reps. With him and a couple others in the pipeline, I don’t know if ghost is in the long term plans anymore. However the new cap situation...,, could make him more or less attractive.

Productivity for ghost is key and has been lacking. I hope Egor gets in some reps. With him and a couple others in the pipeline, I don’t know if ghost is in the long term plans anymore. However the new cap situation...,, could make him more or less attractive.
- Peter Richards

If (big IF) Ghost can get back closer to his 17/18 form, he needs to be kept. That season, playing on a pair with Provorov, he actually was playing defense well, and had a physical aspect to his game.

For whatever reason, he regressed like crazy on both sides of the puck the next season, and never found his footing this year. And Provorov, while not as dynamic as Ghost, has done a good job QBing the PP this year. Of all the defensemen on the team, he probably is the most expendable, even though I'd prefer they keep him.

I think that Provorov, Sanehim, and Myers are here to stay. Hagg is what he is, could be moved. Braun may not be back. Niskanen would be great to extend but he's creeping closer to 35. York and Zamula will be pushing for jobs soon. Ghost may be the odd man out, and it's on him to force the Flyers to keep him.

I like the idea of Ghost. Seem's like a nice guy, good in the locker room, etc... Hell, Concy brewery named a beer after him. He is fun to watch when he is on his game.... But, Defense wins Cups... They don't need Ghost's production - Claude and company will provide. They need to keep the shot against low and pucks out of the net. We have others that can play better defense.
- leon neon

I don't disagree, but look at some key contributors for recent Cup teams. Letang, Subban, Parayko, Krug, Burns, Carlson. None of these guys are known as shutdown defenders; heck, I'd argue that a lot of them are actually WORSE that Ghost defensively (Burns, Suabbn). However, all of them played a critical role in their team's run to the Finals/winning a Cup.

And while I don't disagree that defense wins championships, that doesn't mean you need 6 shutdown defenders, it means you need a good team defense. That means all 5 skaters committing to a system that emphasizes responsibility away from the puck. An offensively-oriented defenseman can still be part of a good defense if he buys in and commits to being responsible.

They could certainly use Ghosts production, and I’d argue Ghost at his best is superior to Provorov running the point on the PP. A guy that can move the puck, get up in the play, and create offense is always welcome on my team. Is he back to that? Idk I guess we will see.
- ClaudeFather

Why do you say that they need his production? They haven't needed his production this season? Yes, he can move the puck. But, he is terrible at defense which does not make up for his offensive gifts.

Why do you say that they need his production? They haven't needed his production this season? Yes, he can move the puck. But, he is terrible at defense which does not make up for his offensive gifts.
- leon neon

So you felt this way during his rookie season and when he was 4th in league D scoring? Or is this in regards to his last 2 regular seasons? In 17/18, he actually showed that he could play defense well, although that went away the last 2 years.

As for "not needing his production," I'd argue that you can never have enough production.

Why do you say that they need his production? They haven't needed his production this season? Yes, he can move the puck. But, he is terrible at defense which does not make up for his offensive gifts.
- leon neon

You could argue they don’t need Hägg, you could argue they don’t need someone else. Why would an effective Ghost not be wanted? He’s not the beat defender in the world but he’s not a liability out there.

Why do you say that they need his production? They haven't needed his production this season? Yes, he can move the puck. But, he is terrible at defense which does not make up for his offensive gifts.
- leon neon

Add... Similar games, similar points, etc... Except +/-... I know that some don't like this stat - especially looking at players on different teams - +14 to -4 is a huge difference on the same team and basically playing the same role (3rd line defense). And, not to forget Ghost played some PP and Hagg didn't.

18. Robert Hägg (D) 49 3 10 13 30 14
19. Shayne Gostisbehere (D) 42 5 7 12 20 -4

Add... Similar games, similar points, etc... Except +/-... I know that some don't like this stat - especially looking at players on different teams - +14 to -4 is a huge difference on the same team and basically playing the same role (3rd line defense). And, not to forget Ghost played some PP and Hagg didn't.

18. Robert Hägg (D) 49 3 10 13 30 14
19. Shayne Gostisbehere (D) 42 5 7 12 20 -4
- leon neon

No one is arguing his production hasn't gone down drastically. The argument is IF he can rekindle his game, the word "If" being a conjunction meaning "in the event that." So "if" he gets his game back to where it was prior to 18/19, then he would not have a stat line like the one you presented.

If (big IF) Ghost can get back closer to his 17/18 form, he needs to be kept. That season, playing on a pair with Provorov, he actually was playing defense well, and had a physical aspect to his game.

For whatever reason, he regressed like crazy on both sides of the puck the next season, and never found his footing this year. And Provorov, while not as dynamic as Ghost, has done a good job QBing the PP this year. Of all the defensemen on the team, he probably is the most expendable, even though I'd prefer they keep him.

I think that Provorov, Sanehim, and Myers are here to stay. Hagg is what he is, could be moved. Braun may not be back. Niskanen would be great to extend but he's creeping closer to 35. York and Zamula will be pushing for jobs soon. Ghost may be the odd man out, and it's on him to force the Flyers to keep him.
- jmatchett383

Agreed and am fine with hagg as the 6 th d. I could see keeping niskanen even at 35. He may not be a top pair guy then but could do wonders for some of the young kids you mentioned. Braun it will get interesting if he is retained. But didn’t mind hagg and him as the shut down. Think they did well actually.

The trade for kapanen has been mentioned for years now. Funny how kap used to not be enough. Fast forward a year and a half and ghost isn’t enough. Oh how I wanted the karma return with Toronto.

Agreed and am fine with hagg as the 6 th d. I could see keeping niskanen even at 35. He may not be a top pair guy then but could do wonders for some of the young kids you mentioned. Braun it will get interesting if he is retained. But didn’t mind hagg and him as the shut down. Think they did well actually.

The trade for kapanen has been mentioned for years now. Funny how kap used to not be enough. Fast forward a year and a half and ghost isn’t enough. Oh how I wanted the karma return with Toronto.
- Peter Richards

Yeah, last offseason would have been the time when the trade would have been most even. But now, unless Ghost has a resurgence, no way they'd do the trade.