Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/24/2024 vs. FLA; Phantoms Update

It looks like more scouts than prospects at the Phantom’s game last night. Was it a scouts bonding event?

On a serious note… Bill your articles are always a pleasure to read, thank you very much for your work!

Huge win against the Bruins last night but as in most playoff races the next game is the most important one. Today could be a big turning point with a point or better for the Flyers and NYI and Caps regulation loss would be very helpful. Until the next game. Meaningful games the rest of the way, great experience for everyone!

It’s been fun to watch Flyers games again!!

we're seeing frost start to break out

With those injuries to there high end talent we can win this game. It is all about getting to there defense and using our rush game.


This is a winnable game.
Goaltending will be the deciding factor.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/24/2024 vs. FLA; Phantoms Update
- bmeltzer

Sandstrom must have his A-Game tonight... needless to say, another win against the Panthers would be a huge step towards making the dance.

It would be great going into it with Washington losing to the Peg... but a Caps win shifts the pressure right back to Flyers.

Personally, I'd be happy with merely making the playoffs... but grabbing the 3rd spot would be fantastic, and it would be wonderful of the Flyers didn't have to win their last game of the season at home against the Caps... but oh what an exciting game that would be if ot came down to it; Picture this... Wachovia Center, Philadelphia... 2010... Boosche net for Final Game Shootout vs Ranger clinches playoffs for O&B. Fast forward to 2024... Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Flyers must beat Capitals to advance to playoffs... Boosche at the Mike doing color for Flyers... emotions run wild in booth. Fast forward again to a team that has once more captured lightning in a bottle and greatly overachiever expectations. 🤔🤞

I just listened to Dan Breire interview and he mentioned Alex Kolosov coming over might be getting closer. Has anyone heard any updates about him? I would assume he would join the Phantoms and not the Flyers if he come to North America.
It would be great to see him start his transition to North America hockey.

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/24/2024 vs. FLA; Phantoms Update
- bmeltzer

Unfortunately, the 21-year-old blueline prospect (drafted by the Flyers in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft) had to leave Saturday's game early with an undisclosed injury. McDonald exited after his second shift of the first period and did not return.

Flyers gonna flyer

Sandstrom must have his A-Game tonight... needless to say, another win against the Panthers would be a huge step towards making the dance.

It would be great going into it with Washington losing to the Peg... but a Caps win shifts the pressure right back to Flyers.

Personally, I'd be happy with merely making the playoffs... but grabbing the 3rd spot would be fantastic, and it would be wonderful of the Flyers didn't have to win their last game of the season at home against the Caps... but oh what an exciting game that would be if ot came down to it; Picture this... Wachovia Center, Philadelphia... 2010... Boosche net for Final Game Shootout vs Ranger clinches playoffs for O&B. Fast forward to 2024... Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia Flyers must beat Capitals to advance to playoffs... Boosche at the Mike doing color for Flyers... emotions run wild in booth. Fast forward again to a team that has once more captured lightning in a bottle and greatly overachiever expectations. 🤔🤞
- ForeverFlyer16

What did Al Michaels say? …. Do you believe in miracles?

What does Dave Brown have to offer at this point? Is he responsible for the Flyers acquiring any pro players? Has he unearthed any gems or diamonds in the rough during is tenure?

we're seeing frost start to break out
- 2Real

Tippett has been a stud lately. Crazy how much he creates for himself out there. And that line has clicked. Not sure how anyone complains about his contract. Back to back years now of 25+ goals and 50 points. Pretty damn good value at his number.

What did Al Michaels say? …. Do you believe in miracles?
- Hosher12

I do... I really, REALLY DO.

... I maybe should have worked Danny Briere into that 2010/2024 scenario, huh?

Not only will this team make the playoffs, I can see them winning a round.

I just listened to Dan Breire interview and he mentioned Alex Kolosov coming over might be getting closer. Has anyone heard any updates about him? I would assume he would join the Phantoms and not the Flyers if he come to North America.
It would be great to see him start his transition to North America hockey.
- Hosher12

They are waiting on a work visa. He be here ASAP.

Caps up 2-0, 15 mins left in 3rd

Not only will this team make the playoffs, I can see them winning a round.
- StepfordSam

I think it’s possible the caps take the third seed and we still get in by the last wild card spot, taking on the Rangers, Bruins or Panthers.

I think it’s possible the caps take the third seed and we still get in by the last wild card spot, taking on the Rangers, Bruins or Panthers.
- roenick97

Pick your poison 🤣

3rd would be a feather in the Flyers cap for the season... and actually, for the post-covid era. They've played the Panthers, Canes, and Bruins well over mixed periods of time/stretches... Rags IIRC have been the toughest of the options this season. The Capitals season final should be a real good warm-up for the Flyers to build their confidence; but don't want to put the cart before the horse, I suppose.

They are waiting on a work visa. He be here ASAP.
- bmeltzer

Great news hopefully no snags. Can we assume he would go to the AHL first?
Would be then start next year here (AHL or NHL) to full fill the rest of his ELC?
I still have some Fedotov PTSD!

Thank you as always for your articles and responses!!

I do... I really, REALLY DO.

... I maybe should have worked Danny Briere into that 2010/2024 scenario, huh?
- ForeverFlyer16

Hey positive mojo always helps!!!!

The mighty West is crapping the bed this season it seems... especially when it comes to helping the Flyers.

Walker just scored a nice goal on the Pens... I honestly wouldn't have much problem with bringing him back over the off-season in a reasonable deal, fair to both sides... with limited term... but I'm thinking Avs might be interested in re-signing him also.

The mighty West is crapping the bed this season it seems... especially when it comes to helping the Flyers.

Walker just scored a nice goal on the Pens... I honestly wouldn't have much problem with bringing him back over the off-season in a reasonable deal, fair to both sides... with limited term... but I'm thinking Avs might be interested in re-signing him also.
- ForeverFlyer16

Why would Walker want to take a limited term when this is likely his last chance at a big contract?

Caps up 2-0, 15 mins left in 3rd
- TheFreak

I just saw that it’s a final 3-0 Capitals win

…. And we have a playoff race with all of the nerve racking fun! 11 games to go and the most important game will be the next one.
It’s been a few year since the team and fans have had this experience. There is a lot the young player will learn about themselves, get pumped but keep your mind and body on the task ( next play or next game)

Fun times and it’s awesome to see the young players leading the way in these games.

What a difference from 2 years ago!!!!!

Why would Walker want to take a limited term when this is likely his last chance at a big contract?
- furio16

and i'm sure if all things are equal he'd choose the Avs over the Flyers unless we overpay. He's been good but we should take the 1st we got and run.

I like the Ginning/Attard combo. just like Seeler and Walker worked together (both playing for contracts) they were a set-it-and-forget-it type of pair. I like how its seems Ginning and Attard have each others backs, are familiar with each other and both play with the sense of urgency to stay in the lineup. I'd love to say waiting to put them into the lineup now was intentional but it's possible things like this just fall in our laps. They are both in a situation where they are fighting for their spot here and they both seem to work well together because of this. they are playing for each other as much as they are playing for themselves. ya love to see it.

i know, small sample size, but now is the time for things like this to click.

here is a hypothetical for everyone:

of course Coots deserves to be captain. but the contract term is rough. Keith Jones has said he himself was made a captain to make himself more tradeable. This situation with Coots isn't remotely similar in that one of these guys actually should be a captain. however, lets pretend we made Coots the captain to make him more attractive to a team like, say Boston.

if you can trade Coots and that contract - do you then feel better about resigning TK and making him captain?

Why would Walker want to take a limited term when this is likely his last chance at a big contract?
- furio16

By limited... I actually mean one that is not too long for Flyers rebuilding. Actually... Will teams want to give him extended term, with his limited sample size? It's not just what he wants... I suppose there are teams that will bump up term on open market though.

Bill, I've been meaning to ask about Elliot Desnoyers regression this season. Is it physical, mental, or something else?