Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Roast Ducks, 6-2

tampa with the huge regulation win

I posted after the last game I felt Raffl was done, couldn’t complete a pass. So he makes a great behind the goal line pass to set up the first goal and then scored a shorty. Probably his best game in the last 20 today. Lol. Go Rafflcopter.

I posted after the last game I felt Raffl was done, couldn’t complete a pass. So he makes a great behind the goal line pass to set up the first goal and then scored a shorty. Probably his best game in the last 20 today. Lol. Go Rafflcopter.
- Marc D

I like Raffl but he’s probably broken the record as a depth grinder to stay with a team too long. Every dog has his day and he gets his every tenth game. He plays the game right but he gets paid a lot for fourth liner.

tampa with the huge regulation win
- kej83

Must win Monday with a Pens regulation loss tonight and a beat down by the a Canes. I think Pitt has what it takes to slip and miss the post season.

Need a Vegas win in regulation

Need a Vegas win in regulation
- bulet13

And the jackets scored...

They're in such an interesting spot right now -- I think it's great that they've at least given themselves a chance to think about the postseason, though it's frustrating that some of the poor play and team management/coaching have put them where they are

But there's reason to believe again, whether they make it or not -- math says they probably won't. I don't gush over goalies because there's a lot to team defense, but at the same time, when this team gets the saves it's probably supposed to get, they just look like a team that can do so many things

We'll see what Fletcher has in store, as far as moves go -- I do think there's going to be more things, in-season. He talks like someone who still wants to address some things, with my opinion it might be more than a couple

I just don't see them making the playoffs but i do like what Fletcher and Gordon have done so far. Giving young guys opportunities and building chemistry without giving up on the future. Nolan Patrick looks awesome and is playing with tons of confidence. Provy has been better, Sanheim just keeps getting better, Hart is living up to lofty expectations so far. Myers is going to get an opportunity to show us what he's got at the NHL level. Ghost needs to be much better but he knows that and is still in his prime and on a great contract.

Giroux is still a great player and Voracek is still producing despite his defensive deficiencies. I'd look at trading Simmonds at the TDL. If Brian Boyle can fetch a 2nd round pick then Simmonds absolutely can get more. Send him to a real contender and let him have a chance at a cup then if he wants to come back in the summer at a reasonable rate, sure. If someone offers something like a 1st, A prospect, + for Voracek then I wouldn't be too upset to see him go either. Still have Frost, Ratcliffe, and hopefully Farabee in the system as legitimate top 6 prospects. Hope they keep drafting well and fill in the depth as we go. If you can get a guy like Stone in free agency then go for it. Otherwise try to stay away from long term UFA contracts imo.

If/when our 1st round pick ends up in the 8-15 range then maybe explore packaging it with Voracek or something to acquire a top tier young impact player. Longshot, but worth exploring.

Hey Bill,

I have two questions that I hope you might give your opinion on.

1. Do you think that fletcher might entertain the idea of trading Voracek at the deadline or at the draft?

2. Given the status of the team and the push we are making. Does the flyers brass believe in the playoff?

Thanks for taking time and great philly content

Assuming we end up keeping our 1st, here are a few prospects i'd like.

Philip Broberg
Alex Turcotte
Ryan Suzuki
Trevor Zegras
Arthur Kaliyev

Turcotte is probably my favorite of the bunch

Win v Pitt and we have a playoff race, lose and we don’t

Don’t dare to hope

Great win. Not sold on team until they make some sort of existential change to core.

It's not fair to Hart that turnaround coincides with his excellent play. My fear is they turn pumpkin again and it goes South with him as the savior.

On a side note, WTF is with the Stadium Series jersey?
Why why why change it to dominated by that nightmare orange?

I didn't think it could get worse than our black winter classics and those big sleeve #'s.

They need to think outside box, it's like Snider family members still make the shots.

Not saying anyone can't like it, just saying my feelings.

Anyone check on BIGG E? At best he probably has alcohol poisoning

@ mordecai turcotte is a top 5-7 pick in every draft I see. You expect us to pick that low ?

All my Flyer dreams are coming true: Weal, Weise, Lehtera are all gone. Myers, Morin and Hart up. AMac is still here though and he was the list topper, please Chucky let him be next! Awffl is on that list too but he can stay if he agrees to a one year contract at the league minimum, otherwise buh bye. I love Simmonds and was a fan of his before we even traded for him but it is definitely time to part ways. Don’t need another Leclair, Briere, Pronger, Lecavalier type contract that we would regret in a year or three.
What to do with Gordo at the end of the season? He is doing a great job, but do you go with the big name. Will be really interesting.
Stone or Bread please Chucky.

@ mordecai turcotte is a top 5-7 pick in every draft I see. You expect us to pick that low ?
- Tfaehner

maybe. who knows at this point.

maybe. who knows at this point.
- Mordecai

Yeah I think only way we have a shot at someone like that is winning the lottery. Which in that case we would be going a much different direction. I see us in the 12+ range.

All my Flyer dreams are coming true: Weal, Weise, Lehtera are all gone. Myers, Morin and Hart up. AMac is still here though and he was the list topper, please Chucky let him be next! Awffl is on that list too but he can stay if he agrees to a one year contract at the league minimum, otherwise buh bye. I love Simmonds and was a fan of his before we even traded for him but it is definitely time to part ways. Don’t need another Leclair, Briere, Pronger, Lecavalier type contract that we would regret in a year or three.
What to do with Gordo at the end of the season? He is doing a great job, but do you go with the big name. Will be really interesting.
Stone or Bread please Chucky.
- darkerens

MacDonald has been a solid player for the Flyers in the past 4 years overall. I'd have no issue with him finishing out his contract here in a reduced role next season.

MacDonald has been a solid player for the Flyers in the past 4 years overall. I'd have no issue with him finishing out his contract here in a reduced role next season.
- MJL

I dont either. We have plenty of cap space. His contract isnt a burden. And several young players have talked about his leadership on and off ice. He can fade into a 7th man and still give us value more than a trade would.

Would any of you trade Jake for McDavid, Gaudreau, Draisaitl, Aho, Barkov, Pastrnak, Barzal, or Hoffman?

If you said yes to any of these, and your reason for wanting Jake gone is he turns the puck over too much... congratulations. Every single one of the guys I listed has been credited with more turnovers than Jake. Gaudreau has almost twice the number of turnovers.

Playmakers turn the puck over. It's a necessary consequence of creativity. These guys are threading needles and taking chances.

We all complain this team has too many puck pushers, and 200-footers... yet some seem eager to chase one of the top playmakers in the league out of town. And replace him with whom exactly? 19-yo Morgan Frost? Draft picks? /shrug

MacDonald has been a solid player for the Flyers in the past 4 years overall. I'd have no issue with him finishing out his contract here in a reduced role next season.
- MJL

No question about it. Perfect #7 for next year

Would any of you trade Jake for McDavid, Gaudreau, Draisaitl, Aho, Barkov, Pastrnak, Barzal, or Hoffman?

If you said yes to any of these, and your reason for wanting Jake gone is he turns the puck over too much... congratulations. Every single one of the guys I listed has been credited with more turnovers than Jake. Gaudreau has almost twice the number of turnovers.

Playmakers turn the puck over. It's a necessary consequence of creativity. These guys are threading needles and taking chances.

We all complain this team has too many puck pushers, and 200-footers... yet some seem eager to chase one of the top playmakers in the league out of town. And replace him with whom exactly? 19-yo Morgan Frost? Draft picks? /shrug
- Tomahawk

McDavid- yes
Johnny- probably
Drasailt - wash
Aho- yeah
Barkov- yes
Pastrnak- probably
Hoffman - heck no
Barzal - yes please

Turnovers is one metric. Jake skates into nothing. Makes bad defensive reads. Takes plays and stretches of games off. Is on a big contract. And is honestly a 2nd tier play maker not a top. I would take the guys on the lost who are goal scorers, centers and can actually do something defensively. To suggest McDavid wouldnt be a huge upgrade over Jake is absolutely obsurd. Turnovers is just one issue people have of Jake's entire game.

Would any of you trade Jake for McDavid, Gaudreau, Draisaitl, Aho, Barkov, Pastrnak, Barzal, or Hoffman?

If you said yes to any of these, and your reason for wanting Jake gone is he turns the puck over too much... congratulations. Every single one of the guys I listed has been credited with more turnovers than Jake. Gaudreau has almost twice the number of turnovers.

Playmakers turn the puck over. It's a necessary consequence of creativity. These guys are threading needles and taking chances.

We all complain this team has too many puck pushers, and 200-footers... yet some seem eager to chase one of the top playmakers in the league out of town. And replace him with whom exactly? 19-yo Morgan Frost? Draft picks? /shrug
- Tomahawk

No question he is a highly skilled player. His brains when he backchecks leave plenty to be desired. I don’t get these guys. It’s the easiest part of the game to find a guy and check him on the backcheck instead of just getting back and waving your stick around. That’s what frustrates me and I’d guess most people. The simplest things he makes seem impossible.