Bill Meltzer: Flyers Preseason Gameday: 10/8/2021 vs. WSH; Fletcher, HOF & More

Who is Garret Wilson? Did he even play any preseason games? Sandin isn’t an option to start opening day?

Who is Garret Wilson? Did he even play any preseason games? Sandin isn’t an option to start opening day?
- bird_dog_pa

Wilson has been around a long time by this point; mostly in the minors but has played about 85 games in the NHL. Strictly a 4th liner in the NHL; has played a bit higher in AHL lineups at time. Played 4th line for the Phantoms last year. Was a big scorer in junior hockey but, like so many others, had to find a different niche as a pro. Big frame, physical, not a bad skater but he has to play a very simple north-south game. Will hit. He'll drop the gloves, too.

The Flyers have internally talked about adding more size and physicality. Wilson is not an old-school enforcer but he's not shy about throwing his weight around or dropping the gloves.

He's more of an AHL-type of player ability wise but AV seems to like him. They actually moved him up in the lineup mid-game in the game in Bridgeport. He can score a little in the AHL given skilled linemates but not a ton, and he won't give you offense in the NHL.

Who is Garret Wilson? Did he even play any preseason games? Sandin isn’t an option to start opening day?
- bird_dog_pa

Re: Sandin, he was sent to the Phantoms earlier this week. If Lindblom in particular were to get injured, I think you might see Sandin come up.

You should read the meltdown Comments on Broadstreethockey about Frost being Sent down. He could used the extra time in the AHL he didn't impress during the preseason and they're not going to use him as a 3-4 Line checker. How much longer is Hays out 3 more weeks?

I think Fletch's comments pretty much bear out the opinion that they always were leaning towards Frost starting out in the AHL. Hayes injury complicated that in some ways. In the end it seems they felt they needed to evaluate Frost outside of that factor and do what is best for the individual player despite the circumstances.

You should read the meltdown Comments on Broadstreethockey about Frost being Sent down. He could used the extra time in the AHL he didn't impress during the preseason and they're not going to use him as a 3-4 Line checker. How much longer is Hays out 3 more weeks?
- RichardHead

Well, he didn't create much offense; a play here and here but not more than that (shootout goal aside). But he was quite solid defensively and even uncharacteristically physical. Sometimes, as long as a player isn't hurting the team -- and he wasn't -- you let someone just play through it while they are trying to get him going again offensively. But perhaps going to the AHL, playing PP1 and centering a top line in a lower-pressure environment might help. He clearly wasn't in any sort of offensive rhythm or very confident trying to make plays after Rookie Camp turned to NHL camp. There were flashes here and there but nothing in volume.

You should read the meltdown Comments on Broadstreethockey about Frost being Sent down. He could used the extra time in the AHL he didn't impress during the preseason and they're not going to use him as a 3-4 Line checker. How much longer is Hays out 3 more weeks?
- RichardHead

Let me guess killing the GM and coach over the decision? They love their Frostsky.

Well, he didn't create much offense; a play here and here but not more than that (shootout goal aside). But he was quite solid defensively and even uncharacteristically physical. Sometimes, as long as a player isn't hurting the team -- and he wasn't -- you let someone just play through it while they are trying to get him going again offensively. But perhaps going to the AHL, playing PP1 and centering a top line in a lower-pressure environment might help. He clearly wasn't in any sort of offensive rhythm or very confident trying to make plays after Rookie Camp turned to NHL camp. There were flashes here and there but nothing in volume.
- bmeltzer

The flipside is what if he goes down and doesn't produce...

I still believe he will be traded at some point this season.

Let me guess killing the GM and coach over the decision? They love their Frostsky.
- hello it's me 2050

Probably acting like it's a permanent move. He'll be up at some point.

The flipside is what if he goes down and doesn't produce...

I still believe he will be traded at some point this season.
- hello it's me 2050

He was an AHL All-Star as a rookie in 2019-20. He's added some muscle since then. There's also some guys in LV now who can actually finish plays at that level -- something he lacked two seasons ago when Andy Andreoff and David Kase alone probably took seven points off Frost's production stats because they really struggled to finish off even Grade A chances.

He'll produce down there. Whether that's right off the bat or takes a couple weeks, I don't know. And whether he'll be assertive when he returns up here at some point also remains to be seen.

Garrett Wilson? Wow this team is thin at the forward position. They really need to start hitting on some of these forward draft picks!! Too many misses in the last 5 drafts or so! This just won't do. Looks like another year where they will be a playoff bubble team at best.

Garrett Wilson? Wow this team is thin at the forward position. They really need to start hitting on some of these forward draft picks!! Too many misses in the last 5 drafts or so! This just won't do. Looks like another year where they will be a playoff bubble team at best.
- Phillywhiteout

Let's look at reality. There are 3 players who are not in the lineup, two due to a current injury, that would be Hayes and Allison. One player who is not in the lineup due to an injury last season causing some rustiness in his play and they want him to regroup in the AHL in Frost. That's means that they're into the upper teens in terms of depth among forwards currently in the organization. No team has an endless supply of NHL players to draw from.
It's not different from any other year or any other team. Teams rely on AHL vets for depth.

Unless there are more injuries….what will Wilson really play though. Maybe 10 games? If he gets a nhl deal.

The flipside is what if he goes down and doesn't produce...

I still believe he will be traded at some point this season.
- hello it's me 2050

I do t think after Patrick was traded. Unless it’s a younger type center being returned.

After reading the transcript (thanks Bill for posting!) from Fletcher, I feel better about Frost. To be honest, I have not seen the top 6 potential forward that maybe the coaching staff sees, but its good to hear that the coaches liked him and wanted to him to stay, but that Fletcher is looking out for the player and wants to give him every opportunity to get his game in gear and not rush him. Again, the more I hear from Fletcher, the more I really like him as GM for this team.

It’s preseason and one game. But I don’t think Patrick won the 1 c position last night.

He was an AHL All-Star as a rookie in 2019-20. He's added some muscle since then. There's also some guys there who can actually finish plays at that level -- something he lacked two seasons ago when Andy Andreoff and David Kase alone probably took seven points off Frost's production stats because they really struggled to finish off even Grade A chances.

He'll produce down there. Whether that's right off the bat or takes a couple weeks, I don't know. And whether he'll be assertive when he returns up here at some point also remains to be seen.
- bmeltzer

I think it would be really fun to watch Frost playing on a top line with Foerster and Ratcliff (if that is the combo the go with), not just to see how Frost gets his game back but also to see how Foerster finishes.

After reading the transcript (thanks Bill for posting!) from Fletcher, I feel better about Frost. To be honest, I have not seen the top 6 potential forward that maybe the coaching staff sees, but its good to hear that the coaches liked him and wanted to him to stay, but that Fletcher is looking out for the player and wants to give him every opportunity to get his game in gear and not rush him. Again, the more I hear from Fletcher, the more I really like him as GM for this team.
- jd250

Do you now recant your claims that Frost was not playing like a player who wanted to earn a spot on the team? That he is a player who showed no signs of being a player and caused you to state that you "don't see it"?

Let me guess killing the GM and coach over the decision? They love their Frostsky.
- hello it's me 2050

Yes they are calling for Fletchers Head right now.

It’s preseason and one game. But I don’t think Patrick won the 1 c position last night.
- Peter Richards

Patrick is no more a #1 center in the NHL than I am. If Vegas is sincerely trying him at the #1 center position they aren't Cup contenders.

in a salary cap world how good do we really expect our 14th forward to be, especially with how deep our D is and us not going cheap on our backup goalie


imho our #10 and #11 forwards are top 9 worthy players so our 4th line won't worry me if it's carrying a borderline AHLer as the 12th forward

It’s preseason and one game. But I don’t think Patrick won the 1 c position last night.
- Peter Richards

Did he suck last night? The Vegas blogger was hyping him up

I do t think after Patrick was traded. Unless it’s a younger type center being returned.
- Peter Richards

disagree. The GM has made win "now" moves he cant afford to wait. Especially if they get off to a slow start. He will want a "proven" guy. The GM needs results this year

I think it would be really fun to watch Frost playing on a top line with Foerster and Ratcliff (if that is the combo the go with), not just to see how Frost gets his game back but also to see how Foerster finishes.
- jd250

so funny you keep pushing the the Ratcliff. What has he done to even remotely suggest he should be on the phantoms top line?