Bill Meltzer: Gameday Preview: Flyers vs. WSH

Keep the Ls rolling, boys. I see a top 5 pick in our future

They have to get Willman off the 3rd line. His ES production is as low as MacEwen's.

Give Ratcliffe a chance there until Farabee is back.

Agree he can help a team win a cup. Unfairly blamed for the leafs failures.
- hello it's me 2050

Who was blaming Freddy in Toronto? He got hurt and Campbell stole his net, plain and simple. Freddy wasn't willing to play 1B so he walked.

Freddy Andersen is a solid tender. People think he sucks because he wasn’t able to get it done with the leafs. He was facing 40 shots a game every night with those leafs teams. Without him, they don’t make the playoffs in those seasons. Carolina will be a tough out and I think the leafs will regret letting him walk when Campbell folds like super man on laundry day. You can’t win in the playoffs looking to score 7 goals and give up 5 each game.
- Hextall271

Campbell had a stellar PO last season. Freddy was terrific the two seasons prior that. Goaltending has been the least of TO's issues in the POs.

They have to get Willman off the 3rd line. His ES production is as low as MacEwen's.

Give Ratcliffe a chance there until Farabee is back.
- Feanor

nah why put a young player in a positon to succeed....

Who was blaming Freddy in Toronto? He got hurt and Campbell stole his net, plain and simple. Freddy wasn't willing to play 1B so he walked.




Campbell had a stellar PO last season. Freddy was terrific the two seasons prior that. Goaltending has been the least of TO's issues in the POs.
- Tomahawk

Hasnt been the mantra they will never win with him in goal?

Here is a G trade perspective from StLouisgametime.com:

It’s all well and good for Giroux to want to come to St. Louis - thanks for the compliment! - but is there a need for him here?

Giroux, if he is acquired by Doug Armstrong, would rank third in goals behind Vladimir Tarasenko and Jordan Kyrou; fourth in points behind Tarasenko, Kyrou, and Pavel Buchnevich; and sixth in assists. You can’t deny he’d punch up the offense, but if there’s one area that the Blues don’t need help in, it’s offense.

The Blues would probably have to send a pretty penny back to the Flyers in exchange, have to clear some space, and miss out on an opportunity to upgrade the defense if need be. It’s great for the Blues to be a desired destination for one of the leagues older top rental talents, but deals have to work for both sides. Armstrong will make the best deal that he thinks will work for the Blues, and it would be surprising if Giroux is that deal.

Who was blaming Freddy in Toronto? He got hurt and Campbell stole his net, plain and simple. Freddy wasn't willing to play 1B so he walked.




Campbell had a stellar PO last season. Freddy was terrific the two seasons prior that. Goaltending has been the least of TO's issues in the POs.
- Tomahawk

I know tons of leafs fans that have outright blamed Freddy for their playoff meltdowns. They completely discounted that they mismanaged the cap so badly they couldnt afford a competent backup and therefore Freddy had to basically play every game. They couldn’t afford to just give away 2 points every time one of the backups played so he was basically exhausted come playoffs.

Freddy should never have been asked to play 1b. He’s the better tender. I don’t blame Campbell for the leafs loss last playoff but simply put, he didn’t get it done. Last year the leafs should have tap dance into the final four with the weak Canadian division.

Why do I have to do that? I haven't told you I know who the Flyers are going to or should hire. That's got nothing to do with this discussion.
- MJL

Not going to let you run away from this one!

I am doing to you what you do to me and just about everyone else on this forum that you think threatens you. Many, many, many times I and others have asked your for specifics and you never respond, yet you often challenge other people's opinions and tell them they must provide you unequivocal proof.

But I will give you specifics of my opinion on Carolina regarding their horses. Aho, Svechnikov, Trocheck, DeAngelo and Teravainen are really good players, and Aho is clearly a top end player. However IMO when this group gets deep into the playoffs, I just don't see them being enough to overcome (Vasey, Kucherov, Point, Stamkos and Hedman) or (Huberdeau, Barkov, Reinhart or Ekblad). Just my opinion.

Now, put yourself in the GM chair of the Flyers and tell me who you hire as the next Flyers coach and why.

Rough 24 hours for USA Hockey. Still proud of them though.

I know tons of leafs fans that have outright blamed Freddy for their playoff meltdowns. They completely discounted that they mismanaged the cap so badly they could afford a competent backup and therefore Freddy had to basically play every game. Freddy should never have been asked to play 1b. He’s the better tender. I don’t blame Campbell for the leafs loss last playoff but simply put, he didn’t get it done. Last year the leafs should have tap dance into the final four with the weak Canadian division.
- Hextall271

Some Leafs fans will look for any scape goat, but fact remains that goaltending has been pretty good the past few POs for them.

re: Campbell... 1.81 .934 is gettin' it done. He let in one questionable goal the entire series vs the Habs. Leafs just couldn't score enough goals on Price as the series wore on.

Campbell's having a solid season right now. The guy is a complete champ in the room, everybody loves him and they want to win for him. That's pretty valuable stuff right there. It's not always the case w/ goalies, who are usually weirdos.

True and sad



Would Giroux be worth the likely cost for Colorado?
O’Connor: My perhaps slightly biased opinion? Absolutely. Giroux has spent the past two years trying to carry a limited Flyers lineup on his back with little help, and in truth, that’s been the story of the bulk of his tenure in Philadelphia. It would be fascinating to see how he would perform given the luxury of playing more of a secondary role. I wouldn’t at all be shocked to see his efficiency rates jump even higher, given lesser responsibilities and a more reasonable workload.

But even if he simply remains what he is right now in Philadelphia — a first-line-caliber play-driver and second-line-caliber scorer who can play all three positions, contribute on the power play, kill penalties, and win a ton of faceoffs — he’s still one of the top rental options in the marketplace, and certainly worth a first-round pick and more from a contender looking to load up for a playoff push.

True and sad



Would Giroux be worth the likely cost for Colorado?
O’Connor: My perhaps slightly biased opinion? Absolutely. Giroux has spent the past two years trying to carry a limited Flyers lineup on his back with little help, and in truth, that’s been the story of the bulk of his tenure in Philadelphia. It would be fascinating to see how he would perform given the luxury of playing more of a secondary role. I wouldn’t at all be shocked to see his efficiency rates jump even higher, given lesser responsibilities and a more reasonable workload.

But even if he simply remains what he is right now in Philadelphia — a first-line-caliber play-driver and second-line-caliber scorer who can play all three positions, contribute on the power play, kill penalties, and win a ton of faceoffs — he’s still one of the top rental options in the marketplace, and certainly worth a first-round pick and more from a contender looking to load up for a playoff push.
- wcorvette

plus you have to figure he will be like a kid in a candy store. Lots of initial adrenaline. As a secondary option he may very well thrive.

True and sad



Would Giroux be worth the likely cost for Colorado?
O’Connor: My perhaps slightly biased opinion? Absolutely. Giroux has spent the past two years trying to carry a limited Flyers lineup on his back with little help, and in truth, that’s been the story of the bulk of his tenure in Philadelphia. It would be fascinating to see how he would perform given the luxury of playing more of a secondary role. I wouldn’t at all be shocked to see his efficiency rates jump even higher, given lesser responsibilities and a more reasonable workload.

But even if he simply remains what he is right now in Philadelphia — a first-line-caliber play-driver and second-line-caliber scorer who can play all three positions, contribute on the power play, kill penalties, and win a ton of faceoffs — he’s still one of the top rental options in the marketplace, and certainly worth a first-round pick and more from a contender looking to load up for a playoff push.
- wcorvette

Not sad at all ... G is worth it so its time to fleece an organization with Cup aspirations.

Not going to let you run away from this one!

I am doing to you what you do to me and just about everyone else on this forum that you think threatens you. Many, many, many times I and others have asked your for specifics and you never respond, yet you often challenge other people's opinions and tell them they must provide you unequivocal proof.


- jd250

Not going to let me run away? LOL. When have I ever ran away from any discussion? I don't respond with specifics when I don't have any. For example, I recently stated that I want the Flyers to hire the next "Brind'Amour" as the next coach. I also stated that I don't know who that is. I can tell you who I don't want.
I didn't ask you for anything close to unequivocal proof. I asked you for more than just a generalization for why you don't think Carolina is a top team.

But I will give you specifics of my opinion on Carolina regarding their horses. Aho, Svechnikov, Trocheck, DeAngelo and Teravainen are really good players, and Aho is clearly a top end player. However IMO when this group gets deep into the playoffs, I just don't see them being enough to overcome (Vasey, Kucherov, Point, Stamkos and Hedman) or (Huberdeau, Barkov, Reinhart or Ekblad). Just my opinion.


- jd250

Okay. To get to the bottom if it, I have no issue with you liking Florida or TB better. Florida is a powerhouse team and TB has won back to back Cups. What I have an issue with is you saying that Carolina is not a top team and a Cup favorite in this league.

Bill Meltzer: Gameday Preview: Flyers vs. WSH
- bmeltzer

Bill what direction do you think they go in terms of a coach?

1. unknown highly thought of junior/college coach.

2. highly though of assistant.

3. the usual retread route.

any update on Farabee, Allison or RR?

Bill what direction do you think they go in terms of a coach?

1. unknown highly thought of junior/college coach.

2. highly though of assistant.

3. the usual retread route.
- hello it's me 2050

Someone with previous NHL head coaching experience.

Someone with previous NHL head coaching experience.
- bmeltzer

Is that the route you would take?

Mike Yeo said that the hope is to get Patrick Brown and Rasmus Ristolainen cleared to play after the game tonight. That would allow them to return on Monday. Both are out tonight.

any update on Farabee, Allison or RR?
- wcorvette

Ristolainen should be back by the next game. Farabee on track to return late this month. No update on Allison timetable.

Ristolainen should be back by the next game. Farabee on track to return late this month. No update on Allison timetable.
- bmeltzer

what about Nate!!!!!

Is that the route you would take?
- hello it's me 2050

Depends on the coach.

Bill what direction do you think they go in terms of a coach?

1. unknown highly thought of junior/college coach.

2. highly though of assistant.

3. the usual retread route.
- hello it's me 2050

If Fletcher has his way it will Yeo's bench next year. He is chuckles guy

Ristolainen should be back by the next game. Farabee on track to return late this month. No update on Allison timetable.
- bmeltzer

Bill,

What happened with Morin? There is no logical reason a loose bodies correction bleeds into this long a layoff. Did they get in there and find they had to do a full repair to one of the ligaments?