MELTZER'S MUSINGS: AUGUST 14, 2016
1) Hobey Baker Award winning former Harvard University forward Jimmy Vesey will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round (66th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Vesey spurned both the Predators and the Buffalo Sabres, who acquired his rights. Entry-level contract limits apply wherever he ultimately signs, so money will not be the determining factor.
The Flyers appear to be a dark horse in the race for the 23-year-old winger. Philadelphia has never been listed among the widely reported front-runners. While that does not necessarily mean anything -- for example, the Flyers at one point were among the reported top candidates to sign the likes of Christian Folin (2014) and Drake Caggiula earlier this year, but both players signed elsewhere -- it would hard to fly in under the radar in this case.
Keep this in mind, however. The lesson of history is to always be a little skeptical -- not dismissive, but also not to get caught up in the hype -- about junior and collegiate offensive statistics. That's especially true for junior league overagers and collegiate seniors (including Hobey Baker Award winners). Some of these forwards become bonafide top six NHLers, a more significant number eventually settle in as future top nine role players, and many fall by the wayside at some point.
The reality: there's a lot more future Scott Pellerin and Brad Jones types that come out of the collegiate scorng star ranks than future Paul Kariyas (Kariya was a first-round pick in the first place and was NHL ready by age 19).
In Vesey's case, the player is certainly a good prospect. He is probably NHL ready. Is he a franchise changer? Probably not, but that's setting the bar unfairly high for all but the Connor McDavid types. Could he be a nice piece of a supporting cast? Yes, if his game translates from the collegiate to pro game as many think it will.
Vesey is dangerous off the rush and has good hands. He's always been more of a finisher than a passer. In terms of his two-way game, Vesey has been a work in progress during his collegiate career in his play without the puck. He won't hurt a team in that regard in this point but further improvements can always been made, and his two-way game is not why so many NHL teams are interested.
During this whole process with Vesey, it has been hard not to wonder a little bit if all the supposed leaks about "a wide open field" of potential landing spots has been legitimate or staged. The fact that the player's father is a scout for Toronto and he also has ties to Boston
would otherwise set up a minefield of potential tampering accusations.
The more wide-open the field supposedly is and the more the reported front-runners are clubs with no close personal or geographic ties, the easier it is to avoid the minefield of tampering accusations. By NHL rule, no organization in the NHL other than Buffalo (and, previously Nashville) should have had any contact with the player at this point in making contract pitches nor should the player's father have been advising him due to his clear-cut conflict of interests.
In other words, right now, there shouldn't BE a front-runner if the player does not intend to sign with Buffalo. There should be a wide open field for other teams to make their pitches starting tomorrow. In the real world, it doesn't always work that way, of course, especially in a year where the "prettiest girl at the dance" effect is in full force with this particular player.
If the Flyers are the team to sign him, it would be a nice little boost that could potentially help the NHL roster to a degree. If not, the organizational long-term outlook does not change at all. In either event, Vesey alone would not represent the difference between making or missing the playoffs next season.
2) Speaking of former collegiate stars, ex-Flyers center/right winger Adam Hall celebrates his 36th birthday today. The player, who evolved over time in the NHL into mostly a penalty killing and faceoff-taking fourth line specialist, lasted 682 games by embracing his changing role. He is a classic case of a player finding a niche in the game at the top level.
During his early years in the US National Team Development Program, his four-year collegiate career at Michigan State and even his early pro career, Hall was used in scoring situations as well as in a defensive role. Even in mid-30s, if you put Hall in the AHL or a European league -- he spent the last two seasons in Switzerland --he can still chip in a bit offensively. In the NHL, his skating became a liability over time and a barrier to more ice time but he survived on guile and his physical strength.
Hall, and many others like him, are a reminder that NHL players truly are the best of the best. Even the fourth liners and seventh defensemen are usually former standouts at every other level of the game. Just to play, and to last, in the NHL means that the guy is a much better hockey player than all but a very small percentage of players worldwide. That is something worthy of respect, because these guys generally make it by outworking others who fall short, even if the other guy is more naturally gifted.
The ultimate example: Ian Laperriere. Look up his junior hockey and even IHL scoring numbers some time. Next, recall the NHL role that he played for over 1,000 games in the league. Despite his gaudy pre-NHL offensive numbers, Lappy realized he wasn't going to make it as a scoring liner at the top level because there were others who were better suited -- faster, bigger, shot harder -- to fill those spots in the NHL. He became a checker and energy player, embraced it enthusiastically, and turned out tobe one of the best in his particular role for many years.
3)
Flyers Alumni: 2016 Faceoff Against Cancer
The annual Faceoff Against Cancer fundraiser featuring the Flyers Alumni to directly benefit selected Delaware Valley cancer patients and their families will be held on September 9-10, 2016 at
Hatfield Ice (350 County Line Road, Colmar, PA 18915). In addition to the new location the event has a new two-day format.
On September 9, there will be an all-day men's hockey tournament. The next day, the main event will be held from noon to 4 p.m., featuring food, on-ice and carnival games, live music, beer and prizes. At 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, the Flyers Alumni Team game will start.
Last year's event raised approximately $88,000 that was divided among its selected beneficiaries. All recipients are local cancer patients who have unpaid medical bills related to cancer treatments and a connection to the local hockey community. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, and the proceeds will be donated directly to pay for their medical expenses.
For more information on tickets, donation, schedules, sponsorship and the list of prizes available this year, visit
FaceoffAgainstCancer.net.
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