Bill Meltzer: May 21st Quick Hits: Worlds, Memorial Cup, TIFH

Jake really ramping up the freewheeling on that big ice. Good for him

I know Hart has faced easier competition, but between Murray and Hart, who has looked more "sharp". Was it a close call for AV at least?

7D is a good spot for Hagg.

7D is a good spot for Hagg.
- Feanor

With that roster that is probably where he slots in the depth chart.

If I'm not mistaken 1985 was the final year for the 2-3-2 format. No better example of the unfairness of that format in that series. Unless the series goes 7 games, the team without home ice advantage has the home ice advantage.

Would like Hägg to get more ice time but that roster is pretty good. Excited for Rattclif to get a lot of high pressure experience. Now if summer trading and the draft would just happen...

Bill, do you think the Flyers would consider moving Voracek to center? He is more of a shooter than passer and with the right wings it might work. Also, he would give them some size in the middle. Giroux to wing worked Voracek to center might also.

and FlyerzBuzz implodes in 3, 2,....

Bill, do you think the Flyers would consider moving Voracek to center? He is more of a shooter than passer and with the right wings it might work. Also, he would give them some size in the middle. Giroux to wing worked Voracek to center might also.
- 54fightin

Not Bill.....


Thing is Giroux was a wing until he came to the NHL, and played wing early in his pro career, so it wasn't all that big a change for him.


I don't believe Voracek has ever played center in any substantial league. (Perhaps when he was a kid)

Voracek is simply not good enough in his own zone to play center IMO. And I don't see him having the mentality for the position.

Not Bill.....


Thing is Giroux was a wing until he came to the NHL, and played wing early in his pro career, so it wasn't all that big a change for him.


I don't believe Voracek has ever played center in any substantial league. (Perhaps when he was a kid)

Voracek is simply not good enough in his own zone to play center IMO. And I don't see him having the mentality for the position.
- MBFlyerfan

Pretty sure that was a troll job but i guess credit for an honest answer.

Bill, do you think the Flyers would consider moving Voracek to center? He is more of a shooter than passer and with the right wings it might work. Also, he would give them some size in the middle. Giroux to wing worked Voracek to center might also.
- 54fightin

Not Bill.....


Thing is Giroux was a wing until he came to the NHL, and played wing early in his pro career, so it wasn't all that big a change for him.


I don't believe Voracek has ever played center in any substantial league. (Perhaps when he was a kid)

Voracek is simply not good enough in his own zone to play center IMO. And I don't see him having the mentality for the position.
- MBFlyerfan

This season I don’t think it’s set in stone where Giroux will play. We know he can play wing or center. New coaching staff. Like all of you, I did read that the Flyers are looking into second line centers. My problem is, Duchene and down the list will get paid like a top center but won’t produce as Couturier and I believe Patrick could be around the corner from blossoming.

If I'm not mistaken 1985 was the final year for the 2-3-2 format. No better example of the unfairness of that format in that series. Unless the series goes 7 games, the team without home ice advantage has the home ice advantage.

You are not mistaken. The Flyers split the first two games of the series at home, but still didn't see home again.

This season I don’t think it’s set in stone where Giroux will play. We know he can play wing or center. New coaching staff. Like all of you, I did read that the Flyers are looking into second line centers. My problem is, Duchene and down the list will get paid like a top center but won’t produce as Couturier and I believe Patrick could be around the corner from blossoming.
- SuperSchennBros

I certainly hope they are able to get a 2c on a short term deal.(2-3 years) as sort of a bridge to Patrick and Frost.

I take the long view with Giroux (I know you disagree and your POV has a lot of merit) but I feel like the move to wing has and will prolong Giroux's effectiveness as we move forward and become true contenders in the next few years.

In a perfect world I would love to see them sign Justin Williams to a 2 year deal but I know that wont happen. But it serves to illustrate how I want it to play out. Rather than overpay and blow up the future by signing someone to a high cap, long term deal that will hurt them when the kids start making the big bucks. But that is just me.

This season I don’t think it’s set in stone where Giroux will play. We know he can play wing or center. New coaching staff. Like all of you, I did read that the Flyers are looking into second line centers. My problem is, Duchene and down the list will get paid like a top center but won’t produce as Couturier and I believe Patrick could be around the corner from blossoming.
- SuperSchennBros

I can see a trade for granlund as a stopgap 2C

The upgrade at center I think is coming via a trade

3 goals and 12 apples in the tournament would suggest you mistakenly got "shooter" and "passer" flip flopped.

I know Hart has faced easier competition, but between Murray and Hart, who has looked more "sharp". Was it a close call for AV at least?
- youarewrong

Hart wasn't tested at all by GB but was tested a bit both by France (periods 2 and 3) and the second period of the Denmark game. He was very good. No chance on 1st of 2 goals he allowed, the other was a tough but not impossible save from the slot that went off the top of his glove and in. Has handled all the routine shots routinely; hasn't turned them into adventures. On his angles. Poised in a few scrambles around the net. Tracking well through traffic. Pretty much all you can ask from any goalie, and not something that is opponent-specific.

Murray was strong in two of his starts, just OK in the other. He's starting against USA and in the medal round primarily because he's the more experienced goalie including Cup rings and hasn't played himself out of the job for Canada.

I can see a trade for granlund as a stopgap 2C

The upgrade at center I think is coming via a trade
- Just5

So the guy who got fired from Minnesota is going to trade for a guy drafted by Minnesota to improve his new team that is kind of like Minnesota?

Hart wasn't tested at all by GB but was tested a bit both by France (periods 2 and 3) and the second period of the Denmark game. He was very good. No chance on 1st of 2 goals he allowed, the other was a tough but not impossible save from the slot that went off the top of his glove and in. Has handled all the routine shots routinely; hasn't turned them into adventures. On his angles. Poised in a few scrambles around the net. Tracking well through traffic. Pretty much all you can ask from any goalie, and not something that is opponent-specific.

Murray was strong in two of his starts, just OK in the other. He's starting against USA and in the medal round primarily because he's the more experienced goalie including Cup rings and hasn't played himself out of the job for Canada.
- bmeltzer

Thanks for the answer. That's what I assumed. I wish just because Hart has played so well AV would have given him the chance against USA since it's still the preliminary round. I know it has some impact to the seeding, but I think he earned the look against top competition to see if he should be the goalie. Yes Murray has 2 cups and a Bronze in WJC. Hart has a Gold and Silver in WJC.

I hope we see Hart at some point... As an American I can honestly hope US team lights Murray up for 5 goals in the first period, Hart gets the call and shuts them down and is named goalie for the remainder...lol

This season I don’t think it’s set in stone where Giroux will play. We know he can play wing or center.
- SuperSchennBros

It is more or less set in stone. He'll play LW. For the first time, Giroux expressed a specific preference at his end-of-season Exit Day, saying he feels LW is his best position at this point. Would be very surprised if Vigneault doesn't honor that, except if team is in a pinch.

what do we think of Colin Miller and what would give for him?

what do we think of Colin Miller and what would give for him?
- wcorvette

How many 3rd round picks do the Flyers have this year?

How many 3rd round picks do the Flyers have this year?
- Glak18

1

what do we think of Colin Miller and what would give for him?
- wcorvette

Right now, the Flyers have:

Provorov
Sanheim
Myers
Gostisbehere
Morin
Gudas
Hagg

Considering this, not a ton. He's a decent player, and an in-prime RHD is never a bad thing to have, but I don't see a severe need for him given our current roster. I think he'd be the RHD on the 2nd pair (above Gudas) so maybe a 2nd and one of Gudas/Hagg, which LV wouldn't accept.