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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Silver Linings Get Old
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stayinthefnnet
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 01.12.2012

Oct 16 @ 8:37 PM ET
I agree on your points about the suggested position change. He's not being asked to be a shutdown Center. But he has to play well in both ends if the Flyers are going to be a good team. When a player isn't scoring, his defensive miscues are magnified.
- MJL

definitely true. in normal circumstances, the flyers dont need him to be datsyuk but at least not be a liability. however, right now i would be inclined to tell him to just focus more on offense to get him out of his funk. those defensive miscues wont be as glaring if for every one he has two or three quality opportunities the other way.
KGBflyers10
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: United States, PA
Joined: 10.28.2007

Oct 16 @ 8:38 PM ET
i'm sure voracek just meant it as a compliment to mcginn... i don't know if now is a good time for players and coach to get into any wars of words
- -davies-


I doubt Voracek is hurt by that comment. They've been under Berube's tutelage, to some extent, for two/three seasons. What he's saying now is new to us, not to them.
exlund
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Manywhere, NJ
Joined: 02.16.2007

Oct 16 @ 8:40 PM ET
totally agree. its nice to see the lesser known guys contribute through hustle, but if you need someone else to provide "energy" for you, that is a problem. jake has really been struggling, and while i dont necessarily root for him in the orange, it does stink to see as an objective fan of hockey. i love his game when he is on. speedy, slick, creative
- stayinthefnnet


I wouldn't be too hard on Jake...he's probably just expressing what most of the team feels/felt. When you're playing in such a rut, the malaise can sneak in and fester as each loss mounts...this is more or less where the Flyers are. McGinn was called up and didn't have any of that "loser" baggage and was noticeably more aggressive and energetic than anyone else on the roster...that got the others up to play better....say what you will, but and "energy guy", especially a new addition or younger guy like that really can have a contagious effect and wake other players up...it'd be great if all the players were like robots and could overcome emotional and psychological forces to and ride their talents to victory each game, but the human element comes into play and sometimes that kind of energy/skating/hitting from a player can help raise the energy of his teammates, helping them warm to the task. You'd think they get paid enough to not need this kind of thing to make them play hard and committed each night, but that's not always how it works out.

MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 8:46 PM ET
I doubt Voracek is hurt by that comment. They've been under Berube's tutelage, to some extent, for two/three seasons. What he's saying now is new to us, not to them.
- KGBflyers10


Good point.
exlund
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Manywhere, NJ
Joined: 02.16.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:09 PM ET
Good stuff. Also, if the Flyers struggle for a few years, we could get stronger via the draft, save on cap hits, and retain a lot of the team. Small silver lining for what could be a long year or two.
- wolfhounds


Yes...I'd be on board with this. We don't tank, but we move carefully given the current roster and prospect makeup, and with an eye toward the window opening wider some 2-4 years from now and staying open for the following 10. The fans and the organization have to be willing to take those short term struggles with the kind of patience and understanding they haven't really demonstrated in the past, if that is the course to be taken...we're talking giving more responsibility to the youth, letting them learn on the fly, putting them in positions to produce if they can, despite the mistakes they will undoubtedly make...it also means being on the lookout for deals that ship overpaid vets for select, high value (younger) assets when it makes sense, it means making prudent deals, not locking into pricey 4+ year NMC deals with aging players, but being somewhat budget conscious and staying in the race for the top young players that might come onto the market while leaving room to sign your own to reasonable deals..it means keeping an eye on the coaching market, to see if no-brainer upgrades become available...

As fans, we have to be patient with the younger players and expect some growing pains...don't assume they're busts after a year or two. Keep an eye on the prize and stay with the team.

Also, I think the GM has to be given some time for things to play out before he's judged to be a failure and fired. This whole transition from the Carter/Richards/Pronger/Briere (Timonen) era to the younger core led by G wasn't going to be an instant turnaround. We went younger and took a step or two back near term, but there are some really good young players/prospects in the organization now, brought here by Holmgren and co. I think it's shortsighted and ignorant to run the guy out of town because that youth isn't ready to take on the league's best just yet. I could see Homer being fired in and then Hextall or whoever being the beneficiary of much of his work in a few years. Holmgren has made his mistakes, but he's not on a path to ruin here...yeah there's a couple overpriced aging vets and some expendables, but they (some) will likely be gone soon...otherwise, he's set up the team with a fairly good youth movement that's lost on most of the Flyers mainstream media types.

P.S. in my prior long rant from this afternoon when I was going over the youth movement, I didn't even mention Hagg or Simmonds as part oft he future, but absolutely they are...Simmer is caught in the same muck as the rest of the team, but he's shown he can be a threat when he's on his game, which will be at some point when the team is seeing better days.
LJF
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Jersey Baby Jersey
Joined: 04.17.2009

Oct 16 @ 9:10 PM ET
No question about that. And this team's issue is all mental. That's the biggest issue. If they get over that hurdle, this is a solid team.
- MJL


I agree. If they get their heads on straight things turn around. They have the skills, but mentally they are a wreck.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:12 PM ET
Regarding the Coburn hemsky proposal. Yes I absolutely do it to get out of his contract. 4.5 freed up and a look at hemsky to see if he can fit in
JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Oct 16 @ 9:16 PM ET
Regarding the Coburn hemsky proposal. Yes I absolutely do it to get out of his contract. 4.5 freed up and a look at hemsky to see if he can fit in
- Just5

Ales has a $5 mil cap hit...
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:18 PM ET
Ales has a $5 mil cap hit...
- JAKEw1234


He's a pending UFA I believe. I also want to lauridsen up in this new system. It's closer to the style he played last year and had success. I totally believe he's a better puck mover than coburn, gross, or schenn
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:19 PM ET
He's a pending UFA I believe. I also want to lauridsen up in this new system. It's closer to the style he played last year and had success. I totally believe he's a better puck mover than coburn, gross, or schenn
- Just5


What makes you totally believe that he's a better puck mover then those three? Or that he's even an NHL player, or that he's better then those three at anything?
ob18
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: That matters less than you hope it does
Joined: 07.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:20 PM ET
Final

Chicoutimi - 6
Rimouski - 4

Morin finished with a goal.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:20 PM ET
He's a pending UFA I believe. I also want to lauridsen up in this new system. It's closer to the style he played last year and had success. I totally believe he's a better puck mover than coburn, gross, or schenn
- Just5


And if Hemsky walks then what? You just gave Coburn away. Bad deal.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:21 PM ET
What makes you totally believe that he's a better puck mover then those 3? Or that he's even an NHL player, or that he's better then those 3 at anything?
- MJL


From what I saw last year. I want to see more. Coburn has regressed and we need to get out of that contract
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM ET
And if Hemsky walks then what? You just gave Coburn away. Bad deal.
- MJL


That's fine. There should be UFAs that will bring at least what he does for cheaper.

MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:23 PM ET
From what I saw last year. I want to see more. Coburn has regressed and we need to get out of that contract
- Just5


No we don't. Coburn other then making a few mistakes that have been costly, has played well. He played two strong periods in the last game. Those mistakes can be fixed.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:23 PM ET
That's fine. There should be UFAs that will bring at least what he does for cheaper.
- Just5


It's not fine. If you're going to trade a good defenseman like Coburn, get something out of it besides Cap space.
Just5
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: PA
Joined: 05.22.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:25 PM ET
No we don't. Coburn other then making a few mistakes that have been costly, has played well. He played two strong periods in the last game. Those mistakes can be fixed.
- MJL


Coburn has regressed over the last 4 years. There's no question about that

Scuderi was had for 1 mil per cheaper this offseason.

We didn't pay him for this game he's bringing
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:28 PM ET
Coburn has regressed over the last 4 years. There's no question about that

Scuderi was had for 1 mil per cheaper this offseason.

We didn't pay him for this game he's bringing

- Just5


Coburn is still a solid defenseman. Why do we want to get older and swap a 28 year old defenseman for a 34 year old one? To save 1M on the Cap? No thanks.
Steelmanpa
Joined: 08.31.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:28 PM ET
I wish the season was physically over and we were getting ready for 14-15. The frightening thing is how bad they are and how this malaise continued from last season. Its like groundhog day and there is little reason to think it will get better as it seems to be almost the same bad day/ season over and over and over.
At least since we moved out of the city we can go royals echl games and see the game and young guys trying instead of veterans with fat contracts unable to do more than be multi million dollar cement head stone hand chokers
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Oct 16 @ 9:28 PM ET
If Hemsky is a ufa a pick better be coming back. Coburn is a solid 2nd pair guy. And we know what the cost is for that all too well.
Marc D
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees
Joined: 03.28.2008

Oct 16 @ 9:30 PM ET
Final

Chicoutimi - 6
Rimouski - 4

Morin finished with a goal.

- ob18

I like the names of the teams.
ob18
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: That matters less than you hope it does
Joined: 07.20.2007

Oct 16 @ 9:32 PM ET
I like the names of the teams.
- Marc D


Interesting.
-davies-
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: A medical emergency involving you.
Joined: 08.05.2013

Oct 16 @ 10:10 PM ET
I doubt Voracek is hurt by that comment. They've been under Berube's tutelage, to some extent, for two/three seasons. What he's saying now is new to us, not to them.
- KGBflyers10


did not mean ro imply i think his widdle feelers are hurt


i would prefer it not being in the media.

JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Oct 16 @ 10:23 PM ET
Final

Chicoutimi - 6
Rimouski - 4

Morin finished with a goal.

- ob18

Why are we not rushing this guy
Crimsoninja
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Dude, I am so sorry about whatever made you like this. Take it easy.
Joined: 07.06.2007

Oct 16 @ 10:25 PM ET
Why are we not rushing this guy
- JAKEw1234

a(frank)ingmen brother
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