Bill Meltzer: 2019 Worlds Open in Slovakia; Quick Hits

Bill, do you ever take a vacation?

As a side question:

As much hate as Hagg gets, why does he always seem to be selected for international play by Sweden?

Opinions on the Hamilton roughing penalty last night?

https://985thesportshub.c...bruins-hurricanes-game-1/

Opinions on the Hamilton roughing penalty last night?

https://985thesportshub.c...bruins-hurricanes-game-1/
- NC Flyers Fan

Interference- yes, roughing- no.

Check the schedule for the World's. Here is today's schedule via IIHF's website:

10 MAY
UPCOMING
FIN vs CAN
Steel Arena, Group A
16:15
(10:15)

10 MAY
UPCOMING
RUS vs NOR
Ondrej Nepela Arena, Group B
16:15
(10:15)


10 MAY
UPCOMING
USA vs SVK
Steel Arena, Group A
20:15
(14:15)

10 MAY
UPCOMING
CZE vs SWE
Ondrej Nepela Arena, Group B
20:15
(14:15)

I find it very interesting that Ghost and Giroux are not playing.

Is it just me or is team Canada looking pretty weak? So is team USA. I mean where is McDavid, Crosby, Stamkos, etc. Russia has most of their top players. They are going to run away with it.

I find it very interesting that Ghost and Giroux are not playing.
- youarewrong

Giroux turned down the invite. He wants to spend the time with his wife, who is 6+ months pregnant.

I find it very interesting that Ghost and Giroux are not playing.
- youarewrong

Giroux turned down the invite. He wants to spend the time with his wife, who is 6+ months pregnant.

Giroux turned down the invite. He wants to spend the time with his wife, who is 6+ months pregnant.
- bmeltzer

shesh... most guys try to get away at 6 months... lol

RE: question about Hagg getting hate but getting chosen to play for Sweden


They like him for what he does well. We nitpick him for what he doesn't do well.

Personally, at a $1.15 cap hit, I think the Flyers get great value from him and he's still getting better.

Bill, do you ever take a vacation?

As a side question:

As much hate as Hagg gets, why does he always seem to be selected for international play by Sweden?
- Glak18

Because luckily the people offering the most hate of Hagg, know the least about player development. Is Hagg a great player so far? No. However, not many defense prospects are finished products before they've played 5 NHL seasons. I would expect (but certainly not guarantee) Hagg to improve in the next couple of years.

Because luckily the people offering the most hate of Hagg, know the least about player development. Is Hagg a great player so far? No. However, not many defense prospects are finished products before they've played 5 NHL seasons. I would expect (but certainly not guarantee) Hagg to improve in the next couple of years.
- BOSS_TWEED

He's been pigeonholed as a hit-em defenseman here. I think he's internalized it.

He's got puck skill and a decent point shot. His wheels aren't awful. He seems like a smart enough player. I think he could round out into more of a Hjalmarsson type, but it might not be w/ the Flyers.

I don't think it was ever "hate", but when you have guys like Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, and when he's on his game Ghost, yeah he might be the lesser of those.

What he provides he does well. And as stated above no reason he can't get better. Heck even in those moments when he was up with Provorov it wasn't that bad. Wasn't ideal, but not a total train wreck.

I don't think it was ever "hate", but when you have guys like Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, and when he's on his game Ghost, yeah he might be the lesser of those.

What he provides he does well. And as stated above no reason he can't get better. Heck even in those moments when he was up with Provorov it wasn't that bad. Wasn't ideal, but not a total train wreck.
- Pelle31Forever

There always has to be a scapegoat player on the Flyers. Many just don't understand what a role playing defenseman is and why teams use them. They are limited players who add attributes that a team needs. By definition they have weaknesses to their game or they wouldn't be role players.

What he provides he does well. And as stated above no reason he can't get better. Heck even in those moments when he was up with Provorov it wasn't that bad. Wasn't ideal, but not a total train wreck.
- Pelle31Forever

He spends way too much time trying to nail people to the boards. I mean 260 hits is impressive and all, but I'd like to see him be more of a positional stick defender.

@ NC Flyers fan, after the debacle with that roughing penalty and Svechnikov getting buried from behind I turned the game off. The Bruins are extremely favorited by the league and always get away with calls, I will not be watching the East final.

He spends way too much time trying to nail people to the boards. I mean 260 hits is impressive and all, but I'd like to see him be more of a positional stick defender.
- Tomahawk

He's the best shot blocker on the team.

I find it very interesting that Ghost and Giroux are not playing.

Is it just me or is team Canada looking pretty weak? So is team USA. I mean where is McDavid, Crosby, Stamkos, etc. Russia has most of their top players. They are going to run away with it.
- youarewrong

if i'm remembering correctly, ghost was playing with a knee injury for most of the season. that might be why he isn't playing, i'm not sure if he's still feeling it.

RE: question about Hagg getting hate but getting chosen to play for Sweden


They like him for what he does well. We nitpick him for what he doesn't do well.

Personally, at a $1.15 cap hit, I think the Flyers get great value from him and he's still getting better.
- Coburns_Nose

agree, I think we forget how young he is...

I hope he has an outstanding tournament and then we trade him at his top value.

@ NC Flyers fan, after the debacle with that roughing penalty and Svechnikov getting buried from behind I turned the game off. The Bruins are extremely favorited by the league and always get away with calls, I will not be watching the East final.
- ClaudeFather

hate hate hate Boston, right behind Pitt for me.

He's the best shot blocker on the team.
- MJL

Nah, that's still your boy Amac. 0.123 blocks per min.

(oh nvm, Folin was 0.146)

Nah, that's still your boy Amac. 0.123 blocks per min.

(oh nvm, Folin was 0.146)
- Tomahawk

I'm going with the bigger sample size. The point is that Haag's shot blocking numbers show that he reads plays well and gets in shooting lanes positionally. There is always room for improvement with a player.

Those blocked shots for AMAC and Folin were in the offensive zone

I'm going with the bigger sample size. The point is that Haag's shot blocking numbers show that he reads plays well and gets in shooting lanes positionally. There is always room for improvement with a player.
- MJL

I mean just financially, you can't pay every defender in the 4-6 range.

Hagg fits moving forward as a defensman who probably won't cost much but can bring a physical game and shot blocking. Maybe we see more next year in his passing and transitioning out of the zone.

I do remember his draft year he was a projected first rounder. And a lot of that was due to having a pretty good passer coming out of his zone. So maybe we see some development there. I think there is more to his game.

Here are some things from his draft year:

Hagg is a really gifted defenseman who progressed as the season went on, going from the junior league to playing in the SEL although his performance was up and down throughout the campaign. Hagg has a real easiness to his game. He is a high-end skater, possessing an effortless stride and quick acceleration. He appears to glide when he is on the ice, with a high amount of offensive ability. He makes quality rushes, and he displays great puck movement in every zone. He is not a flashy puck handler, but he has good subtle hands, with the ability to make open ice maneuvers. He has a big shot from the point, and several NHL sources indicate that he frequently relies on that asset. Scouts are divided on Hagg's defensive play. One thinks it is his best asset, while another calls him a very well-rounded player, and yet others say his defense needs work. From my assessment, I do not think he is an exceptional defensive player. He is quality in his own end, but he does make the odd bad decision here and there. Still, there is a lot to like about Hagg. He has a great hockey brain, mobility, and solid physicality.
Submitted by: Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus. Click here for Pronman's draft rankings

Has split the season between the SuperElit and Elitserien… Has enticing skills but doesn’t show any consistent offense… Smart defender who is plays a steady game… Prone to inconsistency which makes him a bit of a gamble… Will need a couple more seasons of development overseas.
Submitted by: The Scouting Report

I don’t get the full on hate for Hägg. Especially when there were major questions a year or two after being drafted whether he’d even make it to the NHL. His work ethic was questioned and he bounced back with his progression during his time with the Phantoms. A lot of our fans say This dman prospect (Sanheim/Myers) or young forward (TK) will get better, but write Hägg off as someone who can’t improve. He’s in the same age group.