Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Ratcliffe's Junior Career Ends, IIHF Worlds Semis, '97 ECF

Watched a few games in this series and Ratcliffe really disappointed me with his lack of physical play. This game he had MULTIPLE chances to drill people and he didn't even make contact

Watched a few games in this series and Ratcliffe really disappointed me with his lack of physical play. This game he had MULTIPLE chances to drill people and he didn't even make contact
- twpguy

Next year he won’t be beating up on a midget league anymore

Well I understand twpguy is saying that simply is not his game. Maybe as he physically matures he will be somewhat more physical. As Bill alluded too, his foot speed out of the gate needs work to succeed at the next level, but he’s improving already. I think after he adjusts to the speed at the next level, builds some confidence he’ll fill the net....already has a pro shot and a nose for the net.

Renberg at 9:50 😍😍😍. Man on a mission against that chump beukaboom.

Well I understand twpguy is saying that simply is not his game. Maybe as he physically matures he will be somewhat more physical. As Bill alluded too, his foot speed out of the gate needs work to succeed at the next level, but he’s improving already. I think after he adjusts to the speed at the next level, builds some confidence he’ll fill the net....already has a pro shot and a nose for the net.
- landros 2

Watching this cup finals he better make it part of his game.

Watched a few games in this series and Ratcliffe really disappointed me with his lack of physical play. This game he had MULTIPLE chances to drill people and he didn't even make contact
- twpguy

He doesn't typically "play mean" but can when he wants to.

Watching this cup finals he better make it part of his game.
- Just5

They all better.

Hopefully Ratcliffe can learn to use his size to bring another dimension to his game. His physicality is like JVR, has the size and you wish he'd use it more. Make no mistake, Ratcliffe can get nasty when he wants to.
I believe he's a couple of years away from a role on the Flyers. Two full seasons in the AHL to work on his physicality and skating.

I know people are highlighting the Cup finals as two big teams that like to hit but most of the teams I saw in the East had some bangers and finished their checks. That's a key to a 7 game series. CBJ, Isles, and Carolina had some bangers. Didn't see much of the West besides Blues. Bottom line, we need to get tougher. Finish checks. Play physical. Old time hockey. 😀

I know people are highlighting the Cup finals as two big teams that like to hit but most of the teams I saw in the East had some bangers and finished their checks. That's a key to a 7 game series. CBJ, Isles, and Carolina had some bangers. Didn't see much of the West besides Blues. Bottom line, we need to get tougher. Finish checks. Play physical. Old time hockey. 😀
- cdearth23

It’s what is winning until proven otherwise. When the whistles are swallowed it’s what prevails. The blues flat out bullied the sharks

How is Wayne Simmonds doing for Team Canada?

If Isaac pans out and is a productive player thats all that matters. If he doesnt play physical so be it; of course you want him to though they will survive if he doesn't.

Bill since you know the inner workings of an organization; when they identify a deficiency in a prospects game how to they address it when the season is over?

Lets just use skating as an example. Do they set up programs or advise them to use certain coaches to work on certain things? Or do they leave it up to the player to do what they want?

How is Wayne Simmonds doing for Team Canada?
- uofcguy

killing it, great leader and locker room policeman. Intangibles are off the charts.

Holy crap that final minute of the Fin/Russia game was crazy

Next season, Ratcliffe could be on a line with his off-ice friend and now-former OHL rival Morgan Frost. The combination of Frost's outstanding ice vision and surgical passing ability and Ratcliffe's size and finish could make for a deadly duo if they can refine the elements of their respective junior games into polished professionals. Meanwhile, incoming rookie forward Joel Farabee may be the most well-rounded prospect of the three.

This paragraph made me so aroused

Next season, Ratcliffe could be on a line with his off-ice friend and now-former OHL rival Morgan Frost. The combination of Frost's outstanding ice vision and surgical passing ability and Ratcliffe's size and finish could make for a deadly duo if they can refine the elements of their respective junior games into polished professionals. Meanwhile, incoming rookie forward Joel Farabee may be the most well-rounded prospect of the three.

This paragraph made me so aroused
- bulet13

i wonder if either Ratcliffe of Farabee can switch to RW and then we have a Line of Frost centering Ratcliffe and Farabee...

Damn, now I am getting aroused too....

i wonder if either Ratcliffe of Farabee can switch to RW and then we have a Line of Frost centering Ratcliffe and Farabee...

Damn, now I am getting aroused too....
- MBFlyerfan

Farabee strikes me as a player that at some point could play either side

I wouldnt worry about farabee or ratcliffe switching to rw because I firmly believe farabee makes the NHL team. Frost ratcliffe will highlight a prospect filled phantoms roster.

I wouldnt worry about farabee or ratcliffe switching to rw because I firmly believe farabee makes the NHL team. Frost ratcliffe will highlight a prospect filled phantoms roster.
- Tfaehner

If they had signed Allison and laczynski man I’d have to get AHLtv

He doesn't typically "play mean" but can when he wants to.
- bmeltzer

I guess last night wasn’t the right time

If they had signed Allison and laczynski man I’d have to get AHLtv
- Just5

Hopefully you'll see them the following year. Hoping frost will graduate but ratcliffe strome Kase bunnaman etc may all still be around

Watched a few games in this series and Ratcliffe really disappointed me with his lack of physical play. This game he had MULTIPLE chances to drill people and he didn't even make contact
- twpguy

The Flyers should trade him now. Any player who passes up an opportunity for a hit should never play for the Flyers. Hit somebody for crying out loud!

Haha. Yeah, that is what we hear to much from fans.

What sticks out to me about Ratcliffe is the fact that they say he works like a pro already and is consistently getting better. I read somewhere where he wanted to shoot better when he was younger and not be pigeon hold into a big oaf. Seems like he is a kid who will work to improve his game. They have given him some things to work in and I would be surprised if I didn’t see those areas improve.

Size wise he doesn’t need to run around hitting everything he sees. Just learn how to protect the puck better like Bill mentioned and finish a timely check here and there.

Interesting comment regarding Ghost. Down around #30. Is he tough to coach?

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