Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Fletcher and Flahr on the Draft, 411 Series, TIFH and More

Bill, just a suggestion. You should keep those 411 links at the bottom of all your blogs. Great resources. Thanks.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Fletcher and Flahr on the Draft, 411 Series, TIFH and More
- bmeltzer

Bill,

Next year, outside Frost, Farabee and Ratcliff, who are you eager to watch in Lehigh and who could be a surprise?

Bill, just a suggestion. You should keep those 411 links at the bottom of all your blogs. Great resources. Thanks.
- youarewrong

Good suggestion. Thanks!

Bill,

Next year, outside Frost, Farabee and Ratcliff, who are you eager to watch in Lehigh and who could be a surprise?
- J35Bacher

Eager to see how Sandström does in his first season. Want to see how Rubtsov bounces back from the shoulder injury; he's still essentially a rookie because he was lost for the season in the 14th game. Hoping that Strome can handle the pace of play.

Eager to see how Sandström does in his first season. Want to see how Rubtsov bounces back from the shoulder injury; he's still essentially a rookie because he was lost for the season in the 14th game. Hoping that Strome can handle the pace of play.
- bmeltzer

Agree.


I am actually intrigued how Sushko develops. Feel like he could be a guy that could rise quickly as a bottom 6 guy.

Eager to see how Sandström does in his first season. Want to see how Rubtsov bounces back from the shoulder injury; he's still essentially a rookie because he was lost for the season in the 14th game. Hoping that Strome can handle the pace of play.
- bmeltzer

Has Strome been pro-actively working on his skating? I've only seen him live once, at the rookie game 2 seasons ago, but he was very noticeably the slowest player out there. I went with 2 people who are not huge hockey fans, and they were asking me why he looked so slow. He has the size and hands, but with the way teams emphasize speed today, he needs to be at least an adequate skater if he wants to make the jump.

Love those 411 articles, Bill! I was especially interested in the RFA vs UFA rules and your articles answered my questions perfectly. It's always been nebulous to me about what compensatory picks were owed to a team that signs another team's RFA.

Keep em coming!

Any idea if this press conference will be streamed?

Just looking at Bill's awesome 411 on the expansion draft, then looking at Cap Friendly the only players exempt from expansion are Frost, Farabee, Ratcliffe, Ustimenko, Sushko, Strome, and Zemula and anyone else that is not signed to an ELA.

That being the case here is my take on the current team protection list. Bolded who I think would be selected.

7 Forwards, 3 defense, 1 Goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Lindblom
Konecny
Voracek
JVR

Ghost
Sanheim
Provorov

Hart

Notable left out:
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin
Myers

Sandstrom

8 roster players 1 goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Konecny
Ghost
Sanheim
Myers
Provorov

Hart

Notable left unprotected:
Voracek
JVR
Lindblom
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin

Sandstrom

Its clear that we have to go the route of 7 forwards and 3 defenseman. In addition, any veteran defenseman we get CANNOT have a NMC or we lose one of Ghost, Sanheim, or Provorov.

In fact, I could see this as another reason that we should move ghost. That would allow us to protect Myers or Morin or whatever Vet we get.

Just looking at Bill's awesome 411 on the expansion draft, then looking at Cap Friendly the only players exempt from expansion are Frost, Farabee, Ratcliffe, Ustimenko, Sushko, Strome, and Zemula and anyone else that is not signed to an ELA.

That being the case here is my take on the current team protection list. Bolded who I think would be selected.

7 Forwards, 3 defense, 1 Goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Lindblom
Konecny
Voracek
JVR

Ghost
Sanheim
Provorov

Hart

Notable left out:
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin
Myers

Sandstrom

8 roster players 1 goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Konecny
Ghost
Sanheim
Myers
Provorov

Hart

Notable left unprotected:
Voracek
JVR
Lindblom
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin

Sandstrom

Its clear that we have to go the route of 7 forwards and 3 defenseman. In addition, any veteran defenseman we get CANNOT have a NMC or we lose one of Ghost, Sanheim, or Provorov.

In fact, I could see this as another reason that we should move ghost. That would allow us to protect Myers or Morin or whatever Vet we get.
- youarewrong

Just say that this season doesn't go as planned and the Flyers miss the playoffs again....I could a scenario where they would look to move a Voracek or van Riemsdyk. I don't think missing the playoffs is an option this season.

Just say that this season doesn't go as planned and the Flyers miss the playoffs again....I could a scenario where they would look to move a Voracek or van Riemsdyk. I don't think missing the playoffs is an option this season.
- J35Bacher

If they miss the playoffs this year players will definately need to be held accountable. I would insist on a Voracek and Ghost trade. Possibly Giroux.

Just looking at Bill's awesome 411 on the expansion draft, then looking at Cap Friendly the only players exempt from expansion are Frost, Farabee, Ratcliffe, Ustimenko, Sushko, Strome, and Zemula and anyone else that is not signed to an ELA.

That being the case here is my take on the current team protection list. Bolded who I think would be selected.

7 Forwards, 3 defense, 1 Goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Lindblom
Konecny
Voracek
JVR

Ghost
Sanheim
Provorov

Hart

Notable left out:
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin
Myers

Sandstrom

8 roster players 1 goalie
Giroux NMC
Couturier
Patrick
Konecny
Ghost
Sanheim
Myers
Provorov

Hart

Notable left unprotected:
Voracek
JVR
Lindblom
Raffl
Hartman
Hayes
Laughton
Rubtsov

Gudas
Hagg
Morin

Sandstrom

Its clear that we have to go the route of 7 forwards and 3 defenseman. In addition, any veteran defenseman we get CANNOT have a NMC or we lose one of Ghost, Sanheim, or Provorov.

In fact, I could see this as another reason that we should move ghost. That would allow us to protect Myers or Morin or whatever Vet we get.
- youarewrong

I don't think JvR is a lock to be protected. Not saying he's a bad player, I just don't see it. Also, this is a projection using the current roster for 2 years from now. But I agree, no NMCs.

If they miss the playoffs this year players will definately need to be held accountable. I would insist on a Voracek and Ghost trade. Possibly Giroux.
- youarewrong

So if Ghost puts up 15G/40A/55P, gets the power play back on track, and improves his defensive play but they miss the playoffs, you'll insist on trading him?

I think Bill has said in the past that he's not a big mock guy, but I'm totally looking forward to his mock draft!!

Also, doesn't the schedule come out around or just after the draft?

So if Ghost puts up 15G/40A/55P, gets the power play back on track, and improves his defensive play but they miss the playoffs, you'll insist on trading him?
- jmatchett383

I'd just move the whole team. Relocate the Seattle team here.

I'm not too high on this Krebs kid tbh and the Achilles's injury is just one more thing to worry about.

I think the injury is going to affect him in the draft. If they want to get a second 1st and take him later in the round, fine but I'm hesitant to take him at 11.

He has been the Flyers pick on a ton of mock drafts though so who knows. Maybe he's their guy regardless.

I think Bill has said in the past that he's not a big mock guy, but I'm totally looking forward to his mock draft!!

Also, doesn't the schedule come out around or just after the draft?
- hockeylover

I'm not a big mock draft guy but I am asked to do one. In my mock draft last year, I had Farabee off the board at 13 so I went with K'Andre Miller. With the pick they used on Jay O'Brien (Miller was still on the board in the actual draft), I went with and Lundeström. So I was wrong on both counts .

I'm not too high on this Krebs kid tbh and the Achilles's injury is just one more thing to worry about.

I think the injury is going to affect him in the draft. If they want to get a second 1st and take him later in the round, fine but I'm hesitant to take him at 11.

He has been the Flyers pick on a ton of mock drafts though so who knows. Maybe he's their guy regardless.
- hereticpride

What don't you like about him?

I actually would be happy with him at 11. I am also starting to like the things i read about Broberg's game.

So if Ghost puts up 15G/40A/55P, gets the power play back on track, and improves his defensive play but they miss the playoffs, you'll insist on trading him?
- jmatchett383

If all of those things happen and they still miss the playoffs... then something is VERY wrong. If its a matter of G V and a few others miss a ton of time... then maybe they get a pass. But if its the same streaky play, 10 games on fire, 10 game of terrible play then something has to change. Even if Ghost becomes the best player in the world, if his "I'm just going to do things my way" attitude is leading the rest of the team down the wrong path, then yea I'm trading him and cashing in while the value is high.

I don't think JvR is a lock to be protected. Not saying he's a bad player, I just don't see it. Also, this is a projection using the current roster for 2 years from now. But I agree, no NMCs.
- jmatchett383

I totally see JVR as bait to stay away from other players and agree he might be unprotected. Might help us keep either Sandstrom, Myers, or Rubtsov

If all of those things happen and they still miss the playoffs... then something is VERY wrong. If its a matter of G V and a few others miss a ton of time... then maybe they get a pass. But if its the same streaky play, 10 games on fire, 10 game of terrible play then something has to change. Even if Ghost becomes the best player in the world, if his "I'm just going to do things my way" attitude is leading the rest of the team down the wrong path, then yea I'm trading him and cashing in while the value is high.
- youarewrong

Man, you're really harping on that out non-contextual quote.

Bill,

Is there anyone in this draft that is kind of a Josh Anderson or Tom Wilson type? i know Wilson can do some bone head things but both of those guys skate well, play a very heavy game and can score some goals.

Feel like that is something the Flyers could use. Not a goon by any means but just a mean as (frank) skilled player.

Man, you're really harping on that out non-contextual quote.
- jmatchett383

That was one quote, but I believe there was also a quote by Wilson which I think when talking about the defense he totally left Ghost out of the conversation, and when asked about him just said the minimal he had too which kind of backs that up a bit.

Here was the section on Gostisbehere from Friedman's piece:

"Wilson did not mention Shayne Gostisbehere, so I brought him up. He was careful."

'I would just say that I'm a little disappointed I couldn't help him bring more of his best on a consistent basis … he is very talented and it is in there.'

That was one quote, but I believe there was also a quote by Wilson which I think when talking about the defense he totally left Ghost out of the conversation, and when asked about him just said the minimal he had too which kind of backs that up a bit.
- youarewrong

Okay. So Wilson didn't have much to say about him. And that makes him a terrible, uncoachable player?

Ghost's value is that he will push the play and take chances. He's a dynamic player. If you want him to change him game, become a player who doesn't take chances and becomes primarily a defensive player, what value does he bring to the team? I, personally, am glad that he's not going to change how he plays. He can't if he wants to be effective and help the team win.