Bill Meltzer: Quick Hit: WJC Semis, Ratcllife and More

I really like Foerster's game. Always at the net and seems to have a good idea of where to be in his own zone.

Andrae is just a solid player.

Desnoyers did a very good job when he got his extra ice time except for a glaringly bad decision with the puck in the last few minutes of the game when Switzerland had an empty net.

I really like Foerster's game. Always at the net and seems to have a good idea of where to be in his own zone.

Andrae is just a solid player.

Desnoyers did a very good job when he got his extra ice time except for a glaringly bad decision with the puck in the last few minutes of the game when Switzerland had an empty net.
- MBFlyerfan

Yes... never go backwards with the puck there.

I really like Foerster's game. Always at the net and seems to have a good idea of where to be in his own zone.

Andrae is just a solid player.

Desnoyers did a very good job when he got his extra ice time except for a glaringly bad decision with the puck in the last few minutes of the game when Switzerland had an empty net.
- MBFlyerfan

Nice to see these two having a good tournament, I amount others were quick to jump on Foerester early on. Could Andrae be that Timmonen type guy, small but stocky, nothing overly flashy but just a really poised smart hockey player.

I want to see how Andrae performs in the higher league this season. Hard to get excited about what he did last season at the lower end league.

Isaac will likely get waived. Don't see him getting a spot even if he outplays others. He will have to significantly outplay them.

Bill if he is waived when do you think the best time to waive hi would be? At then end of camp when teams have rosters pretty much set? Or the beginning?

tu

I really like Foerster's game. Always at the net and seems to have a good idea of where to be in his own zone.

Andrae is just a solid player.

Desnoyers did a very good job when he got his extra ice time except for a glaringly bad decision with the puck in the last few minutes of the game when Switzerland had an empty net.
- MBFlyerfan

I do think the system has some talent in it, some talent that should be a part of a winning team. With how bad the team has been managed it is easy to think there is ZERO talent. As a fan I am hoping for a healthy year for the whole system

Connor Bedard has an interesting skill set. Was not his best game last night, not good at all defensively, but he's very good with the puck and plays with a bit of an edge.

Bill, was there a reason why Tuomaala was left off the Finnish roster at the WJC?

Other than he is 19?

Connor Bedard has an interesting skill set. Was not his best game last night, not good at all defensively, but he's very good with the puck and plays with a bit of an edge.
- backfire

It looked like he was getting a bit frustrated. Teams have been being very physical with him, hacking at him, bumping him after the whistle. Even 18, 19, and 20 year olds are more physically mature than him. (he just turned 17)

He is powering through it and still making plays. But I think that will be the book on him moving forward. Especially in the NHL. His size, or lack thereof, will be the one thing he needs to overcome. The skill is no doubt.

Bill, was there a reason why Tuomaala was left off the Finnish roster at the WJC?

Other than he is 19?
- MBFlyerfan

Coming off a lousy season where he barely played. He will make the tourney in Dec.

I do think the system has some talent in it, some talent that should be a part of a winning team. With how bad the team has been managed it is easy to think there is ZERO talent. As a fan I am hoping for a healthy year for the whole system
- wcorvette

Plenty of good talent in the system as well as fairly young players on the Flyers. Just no current elite players or players that seem to project as possibly elite. I don't know enough about Gauthier to know what his upside is.

Plenty of good talent in the system as well as fairly young players on the Flyers. Just no current elite players or players that seem to project as possibly elite. I don't know enough about Gauthier to know what his upside is.
- MJL

you could get lucky and end up being able to fill out the 2nd line, though still lite at Center, unless Frost surprises. Leaves them looking for top line talent, they need to fill that, at some point Coots needs to be considered 2C. I like their current depth on D, if the prospects continue to develop.

We could ruin his potential with 2 seasons of philadelphia style development.

you could get lucky and end up being able to fill out the 2nd line, though still lite at Center, unless Frost surprises. Leaves them looking for top line talent, they need to fill that, at some point Coots needs to be considered 2C. I like their current depth on D, if the prospects continue to develop.
- wcorvette

I don't think Frost needs to "surprise" so much as play with confidence and be put in position to succeed.

I don't think Frost needs to "surprise" so much as play with confidence and be put in position to succeed.
- bmeltzer

agree, I was stating from the standpoint of the fanbase, it feels are large portion just gave up on the kids potential. I still think he can make a difference

Plenty of good talent in the system as well as fairly young players on the Flyers. Just no current elite players or players that seem to project as possibly elite. I don't know enough about Gauthier to know what his upside is.
- MJL

Flyers have the market cornered on bottom 6 level prospects.

you could get lucky and end up being able to fill out the 2nd line, though still lite at Center, unless Frost surprises. Leaves them looking for top line talent, they need to fill that, at some point Coots needs to be considered 2C. I like their current depth on D, if the prospects continue to develop.
- wcorvette

What do you like about their current depth on defense?

The athletic had an article and placed teams in order by how confident fans are about their teams front office and surprisingly the flyers came in... dead last!!
We are literally the joke of the NHL for many, many reasons

Good times

Regarding Forrester.... I think it has been harder for him to standout based on how his line mates play. Kent Johnson circles around so much in the offensive zone it would make Hayes jealous. Then Stankhoven gets it and wants to prove he has dangles too...poor Forrester at times is just left standing in the spots he should be in but it isnt normal cycling through passes, it's one on one like he's teamed up with James Harden!

The one game where Canada was cycling their lines and it wasn't special teams heavy, that line got in a rhythm and he really started showing his complete game. I think he's handcuffed somewhat because Johnston and Stankhoven are trying to "keep up" with the displays Beddard and McT are making and he gets lost playing positional hockey. Think he'll really show what he can do in some non tournament style games where there arent so many guys trying to make highlight reel plays every time they get a sniff of the puck.

The athletic had an article and placed teams in order by how confident fans are about their teams front office and surprisingly the flyers came in... dead last!!
We are literally the joke of the NHL for many, many reasons

Good times
- Bob Habib

The fanbase is pissed

Flyers have the market cornered on bottom 6 level prospects.
- furio16

I think they have a good number of top 6 prospects also. Hopefully adding more.

Regarding Forrester.... I think it has been harder for him to standout based on how his line mates play. Kent Johnson circles around so much in the offensive zone it would make Hayes jealous. Then Stankhoven gets it and wants to prove he has dangles too...poor Forrester at times is just left standing in the spots he should be in but it isnt normal cycling through passes, it's one on one like he's teamed up with James Harden!

The one game where Canada was cycling their lines and it wasn't special teams heavy, that line got in a rhythm and he really started showing his complete game. I think he's handcuffed somewhat because Johnston and Stankhoven are trying to "keep up" with the displays Beddard and McT are making and he gets lost playing positional hockey. Think he'll really show what he can do in some non tournament style games where there arent so many guys trying to make highlight reel plays every time they get a sniff of the puck.
- juiced

Interesting observation. Would this freestylin'/showboating of linemates diminish as the competition gets tighther? And hopefully then we will see Foerster's positional strength pay off more (if what you are saying is indeed true)?

I think they have a good number of top 6 prospects also.
- MJL

In the minors:
Foerster, Gauthier, Allison, Brink. Not sure about Tuomaala, he seems like a project. I get an Alexander Daigle vibe from him in that he has great speed but doesn't seem to "get it"....

Might include Ratcliffe in there but he is also a project

In the NHL:

Frost, Tippett.


Guys like Noah Cates, Laczynski, O'Brien, Wisdom, Kase, Ratcliffe all have NHL ability but I see them as bottom 6 guys in the long run.

Just my opinion.

Interesting observation. Would this freestylin'/showboating of linemates diminish as the competition gets tighther? And hopefully then we will see Foerster's positional strength pay off more (if what you are saying is indeed true)?
- PT21

I've watched every Canadian game thus far (also every USA and Sweden) and it happens quite a bit. I get it though....Johnston is uniquely talented and his edges are crazy, he can pivot on a dime and lose no momentum. Likewise Stankhoven is pretty water bug like himself.

IMO...It seems like open lanes were getting passed on, perhaps because the puck carrier was fearful of it getting picked off and wanted to "create" a more open hole to get it through. Problem seemed to be Forrestor would get to where he should be for the original pass....but then the dangle changes the lane and passing zone/angle and he'd be holding his Johnson trying to figure out where the heck the skater was going to go so he could find a hole in the ice to be at. It's just that Johnston/Stank have been pretty successful with the roving so I think it depends on coaching...do they want to simplify the game or keep taking advantage of the individual mobility of those 2. Forrester is still producing despite that and his size makes him a decent pick so I wouldnt be confident it changes that much. Maybe if the US hadn't screwed the pooch and blew their opportunity...they had the defense to put a stamp on the roving and maybe force more of a passing environment. Maybe Sweden will tighten it up and do the same.

Again...these are my observations...others may see something different.