Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: Exit Day, Phantoms, Alumni and More

Great write up Bill, what a laundry list of issues. This is going to be quite an off-season.

Nice postmortem.

It's a young team, the kids will get it together. It's important not to overreact when it comes to them.

The veterans could use a refresh. Seattle will take care of one body, but they could probably use a veteran 1-for-1 swap on top of that.

And let's not kid ourselves. As Carter Hart goes, so goes the 2021-22 Philadelphia Flyers. If Hart can't turn a sharp 180, they're screwed no matter what they do this summer.

Thanks, Bill. Great read.

Nice postmortem.

It's a young team, the kids will get it together. It's important not to overreact when it comes to them.

The veterans could use a refresh. Seattle will take care of one body, but they could probably use a veteran 1-for-1 swap on top of that.

And let's not kid ourselves. As Carter Hart goes, so goes the 2021-22 Philadelphia Flyers. If Hart can't turn a sharp 180, they're screwed no matter what they do this summer.
- Tomahawk

Really tough to find that one for one swap without giving up production. Folks might not like Jake but he gets his points. Obviously doesn’t play a perfect game but he produces.

Really tough to find that one for one swap without giving up production. Folks might not like Jake but he gets his points. Obviously doesn’t play a perfect game but he produces.
- ClaudeFather

Voracek played the best two-way season of his NHL career last year. Really busted it on the back check, weak-side coverage , shift discipline buy-in and helping clear the D-zone, although he didn't get much attention for it. That was not consistently the case this year. He had a lot of company.

Quinn out with Rags. They cleaned house.

Really tough to find that one for one swap without giving up production. Folks might not like Jake but he gets his points. Obviously doesn’t play a perfect game but he produces.
- ClaudeFather

True. I think the only way to shake up the core the way a lot of posters here want is to have Seattle take Jake or to trade him. Either way the forward group gets worse to me.

Really tough to find that one for one swap without giving up production. Folks might not like Jake but he gets his points. Obviously doesn’t play a perfect game but he produces.
- ClaudeFather

Maybe it's just something around the edges, like Hagg or Braun for a vet. They don't necessarily have to pull a Lucic for Neal, or something like that.

Voracek played the best two-way season of his NHL career last year. Really busted it on the back check, weak-side coverage , shift discipline buy-in and helping clear the D-zone, although he didn't get much attention for it. That was not consistently the case this year. He had a lot of company.
- bmeltzer

I personally don’t need him out, he is what he is and he contributes. I would like a fresh face brought in though leadership wise. The $50M prankster in Hayes ain’t it.

Maybe it's just something around the edges, like Hagg or Braun for a vet. They don't necessarily have to pull a Lucic for Neal, or something like that.
- Tomahawk

Yea true

Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: Exit Day, Phantoms, Alumni and More
- bmeltzer

It is unfathomable that both av and cf blamed covid and Canadian-born players for the lackluster season.

Bill,

Thanks for all your insight. Terrific writing even if the subject was the terrible season.

I tried to watch some of the press conference, but I don’t remember hearing about special teams. Was there questions asked related to the PP or PK? And was there any other reference made to special teams?

You are right, of course, it is more about what is done now and not what was said.

Thanks, as always!

True. I think the only way to shake up the core the way a lot of posters here want is to have Seattle take Jake or to trade him. Either way the forward group gets worse to me.
- Ftown19125

The thing is everybody wants this but that doesn’t shake things up, it’s just Jake is gone. You still need a fresh face to shake up the core.

Nice postmortem.

It's a young team, the kids will get it together. It's important not to overreact when it comes to them.

The veterans could use a refresh. Seattle will take care of one body, but they could probably use a veteran 1-for-1 swap on top of that.

And let's not kid ourselves. As Carter Hart goes, so goes the 2021-22 Philadelphia Flyers. If Hart can't turn a sharp 180, they're screwed no matter what they do this summer.
- Tomahawk

What is the worst case scenario for the Flyers expansion draft wise? Seattle takes a player making no money, opening up no cap space. I fully expect this to happen.

It is unfathomable that both av and cf blamed covid and Canadian-born players for the lackluster season.
- corduroy

Who exactly is that, the entire D besides Provy? Coots and G were fine and both Canadian.

Voracek played the best two-way season of his NHL career last year. Really busted it on the back check, weak-side coverage , shift discipline buy-in and helping clear the D-zone, although he didn't get much attention for it. That was not consistently the case this year. He had a lot of company.
- bmeltzer

Did anyone ask Voracheck to explain why he regressed in those areas? Did anyone ask any player?

Bill, this is by far the best post I think I have ever read from you. Really nice job!

You nailed it honestly but compassionately when you recognized that in the end these are more than players we are talking about, these are people whose lives, like ours, have been turned sideways. But the NHL is a business and you either fold or you succeed in business depending on how well you adapt to changing market conditions. The Flyers unfortunately folded big time in just about every phase of game, except Corsi as you correctly pointed out. I agree it does not matter what is said, it matters what is actually done. And IMO, if there are not major changes to this roster and coaching approach, we can expect the same results next year, whether next year is a "normal" year or not!

The thing is everybody wants this but that doesn’t shake things up, it’s just Jake is gone. You still need a fresh face to shake up the core.
- ClaudeFather

I said core, but I actually meant "leadership group."

I said core, but I actually meant "leadership group."
- Ftown19125

And my response would be the same

Quinn out with Rags. They cleaned house.
- PLindbergh31

This is a classic case of why big market teams don't end up being contenders. They are so impatient. Even when they have what may turn out to be a winning ticket, they cannot wait to show their hand (sorry about the mixed metaphor, countreeman). Rangers are still a couple of seasons away. They took + steps this year.
Same thing happened with the Tavares signing in Toronto.

Voracek played the best two-way season of his NHL career last year. Really busted it on the back check, weak-side coverage , shift discipline buy-in and helping clear the D-zone, although he didn't get much attention for it. That was not consistently the case this year. He had a lot of company.
- bmeltzer

Its not about points with Jake, its whether the bad out weighs the good. I believe the bad great out weighs the good in Jake's case and thus the Flyers need to move on from him. Too many times he was caught up ice and not back checking. Too many times he turned the puck over is really bad areas. Too many times he is pass happy and doesn't shoot the puck. Too many times he does not get off the ice when its clear he is gassed. Jake can skate and he is an excellent passer. But is this enough to justify $8.25M/season with all the deficiencies I just mentioned? If the Flyers can cover some salary and move on from him, I would.

Quinn out with Rags. They cleaned house.
- PLindbergh31

Its a shame for their fans, because I think they were really building something special there. It may be good for the Flyers though, we'll see.

This is a classic case of why big market teams don't end up being contenders. They are so impatient. Even when they have what may turn out to be a winning ticket, they cannot wait to show their hand (sorry about the mixed metaphor, countreeman). Rangers are still a couple of seasons away. They took + steps this year.
Same thing happened with the Tavares signing in Toronto.
- PT21

I'm seeing reports that Messier and Tortorella are going to be candidates? I can't see that at all. I don't see the Rags being able to sell Tortorella to the fanbase. And Messier what coaching experience does he have?

The thing is everybody wants this but that doesn’t shake things up, it’s just Jake is gone. You still need a fresh face to shake up the core.
- ClaudeFather

Ridding yourself of Jake, JVR and Ghost (which if I were GM is what I would do) is only half the equation. With all that cap space you can sign some veteran FAs and trade for some good players. That will shake things up quite a bit in terms of leadership and voices in the room.