Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: All-Star Game, Flyers, Phantoms and More a

It will be interesting to see how if Isaac Ratcliffe stays in the lineup or again is in the pressbox after taking the penalty that resulted in a PP goal.

It will be interesting to see how if Isaac Ratcliffe stays in the lineup or again is in the pressbox after taking the penalty that resulted in a PP goal.
- MBFlyerfan

Also had a breakaway but was unable to score.

ooo

Also had a breakaway but was unable to score.
- bmeltzer

who makes the playoffs in the AHL? How many games are left?

Kandre Miller would have been the best defenseman, by a long shot, now if Flyers had drafted him. That kid has tremendous skills and is only going to get better. Wish you had been in charge of that draft Bill

It will be interesting to see how if Isaac Ratcliffe stays in the lineup or again is in the pressbox after taking the penalty that resulted in a PP goal.
- MBFlyerfan

Doesnt matter much he wont be in the organization after this year

Nice to see Kaplan playing well
He may be an undercover sneaky good draft pick!
He should be joining this team about the time we are relevant again

Kandre Miller would have been the best defenseman, by a long shot, now if Flyers had drafted him. That kid has tremendous skills and is only going to get better. Wish you had been in charge of that draft Bill
- hfc355

I'd have to see him play with the Flyers before believing that statement. No doubt he would improve the defense core but I don't know that he's a top pairing defenseman any more than Provorov is.

Bill thanks for the O’Brien discussion. You echoed pretty much what I’ve felt for a long time. I heard your interview with Flahr and the non enthusiasm seemed obvious. I believe in the decade before O’Brien was picked only 1 NE prep school player, Chris Krieder, was chosen in the first round. So it was definitely a high gamble.

I understand there is a scenario where the Flyers could relinquish his rights before June 1st and get the 2nd round pick in this years draft. Otherwise if they wait til august it will be in the 2024 draft. Is that correct?

It will be interesting to see how if Isaac Ratcliffe stays in the lineup or again is in the pressbox after taking the penalty that resulted in a PP goal.
- MBFlyerfan

I believe Ratcliffe was a healthy scratch for the preceding 13 games. I don’t think he is registering on the prospect radar any longer. IMO Ratcliffe, Wilman and Barrett do not get extensions in order to make room for the new blood.

I understand there is a scenario where the Flyers could relinquish his rights before June 1st and get the 2nd round pick in this years draft. Otherwise if they wait til august it will be in the 2024 draft. Is that correct?
- Djapana

Yes, exactly.

I'd have to see him play with the Flyers before believing that statement. No doubt he would improve the defense core but I don't know that he's a top pairing defenseman any more than Provorov is.
- MJL

Miller had accelerated development at Wisconsin and the Nationals. When he was 17 he was considered a B prospect(2nd or 3rd round) with huge potential upside. His minutes are 2nd to Fox on the blue line but he usually plays 2nd pair with Trouba.

I believe Ratcliffe was a healthy scratch for the preceding 13 games. I don’t think he is registering on the prospect radar any longer. IMO Ratcliffe, Wilman and Barrett do not get extensions in order to make room for the new blood.
- Djapana

Mason Millman won't get a new contract. Seems headed that way with Ratcliffe and Wylie. Högberg and Willman, too.

Andrae will likely be coming over next season. Samson's ELC starts next season. Gauthier may be turning pro by the end of this season.

Mason Millman won't get a new contract. Seems headed that way with Ratcliffe and Wylie. Högberg and Willman, too.

Andrae will likely be coming over next season. Samson's ELC starts next season. Gauthier may be turning pro by the end of this season.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill, agree with all of that. I believe JR Avon will also be on the Phantoms next year.

Miller had accelerated development at Wisconsin and the Nationals. When he was 17 he was considered a B prospect(2nd or 3rd round) with huge potential upside. His minutes are 2nd to Fox on the blue line but he usually plays 2nd pair with Trouba.
- Minnyhock

What I'm really trying to say is that I think there is a big difference between playing high minutes on the Rangers versus doing so on the Flyers. Not a knock on Miller.

What I'm really trying to say is that I think there is a big difference between playing high minutes on the Rangers versus doing so on the Flyers. Not a knock on Miller.
- MJL

Yeah, Miller could have a bigger impact on the Flyer defense today if he was a RD.

I'd have to see him play with the Flyers before believing that statement. No doubt he would improve the defense core but I don't know that he's a top pairing defenseman any more than Provorov is.
- MJL

See him play slot. He is better than Provy now and he will only improve. His offensive game is so much better also this year.

Gauthier may be turning pro by the end of this season.
- bmeltzer

Flyers never met a top prospect that they didn't wanna chuck into the deep end right away.

"Kevin, he's really in a good place. Loves Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers' organization," York said. "I think they're going to turn this thing around and have a great stretch drive here. I think there are a lot of good things going on there. Their record might not tell you that, but I like what's happening.

"I shared some thoughts with Chuck about the future of the Flyers. Everything looks really good. I think it's going to be a franchise to closely watch over the next couple of years."
-Former BC coach Jerry York

- jd250

ooo


just hope he is right, no reason to believe him but HOPE is all we have

The pick has not worked out as hoped; again, that's primarily due to repeated injuries leading to too much lost developmental time and not because the player was a "stiff" or a "massive reach" or whatever other pejoratives get used by people who either have no clue what they're talking about or simply enjoy the selective 20/20 nature of retro-drafting. But it's absolutely untrue that the Flyers were the only team considering O'Brien. They stepped up on him early, but not THAT early.
-Meltzer

I am happy someone other than I is saying this, thanks Bill!

Also, I think Cutter has been less than stellar the past 4 or 5 games for BC. I went to the first BU game and respectfully felt he was lack-luster to say the least, and then again this weekend against U-Mass Lowell he was also just meh. I am interested to see how he performs in the Beanpot tonight, and I will be there live to watch it. As must as I would like to see Cutter on the Flyers next season, unless he ends this season strong I would tend to agree that another year at BC might be best for him. Its also not helping that BC is not a good team this year.

ooo


just hope he is right, no reason to believe him but HOPE is all we have
- wcorvette

No, I'm fine with hoping for the future, I'm just crying because it sounds like Hayes is staying with the Flyers and I think that is a big mistake. Hopefully York is just spinning to make things sound good between Hayes and the Flyers.

I am happy someone other than I is saying this, thanks Bill!

Also, I think Cutter has been less than stellar the past 4 or 5 games for BC. I went to the first BU game and respectfully felt he was lack-luster to say the least, and then again this weekend against U-Mass Lowell he was also just meh. I am interested to see how he performs in the Beanpot tonight, and I will be there live to watch it. As must as I would like to see Cutter on the Flyers next season, unless he ends this season strong I would tend to agree that another year at BC might be best for him. Its also not helping that BC is not a good team this year.
- jd250

Special players make the players around them better. He needs to buck up although it sounds as if he is destined for another year at the college level which might not be a bad thing.

What I'm really trying to say is that I think there is a big difference between playing high minutes on the Rangers versus doing so on the Flyers. Not a knock on Miller.
- MJL

I agree. 2nd pair alongside Trouba sounds like an ideal situation.