Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Olympic Schedule, Deadline Rental D-Men
- bmeltzer

Gilbert would have been a nice add this past summer... he's been providing incredible value to the Panthers at 1-year/$900k:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...edicted-gilberts-breakout

Gilbert would have been a nice add this past summer... he's been providing incredible value to the Panthers at 1-year/$900k:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...edicted-gilberts-breakout
- Tomahawk

"Corsi% knew Gilbert would fly in Florida"

Great headline.

I've always liked Tom Gilbert. I always wondered why he flew under the radar.

I would try to move Mezsaros for anything. I would also move Timmonen if we got a deal that could not be passed up. I want Gustafsson to play the rest of the way. That way they can make a decision on him based from him playing with guys that will probably be here next year.

I do not see the Flyers doing a whole lot. Hold onto the young talent and trade away players that wont be here next year if you can. Continue to build with the young forwards and hope that one or two of the D prospects is top pairing.
- mickel25

If all you would get for Meszaros is a 5th round pick or something like that. Then he has more value in keeping him. But I agree with Gustafsson, he should be playing. Give him a chance to establish himself.

I would try to move Mezsaros for anything. I would also move Timmonen if we got a deal that could not be passed up. I want Gustafsson to play the rest of the way. That way they can make a decision on him based from him playing with guys that will probably be here next year.

I do not see the Flyers doing a whole lot. Hold onto the young talent and trade away players that wont be here next year if you can. Continue to build with the young forwards and hope that one or two of the D prospects is top pairing.
- mickel25

I'd trade Meszaros for one of 2 reasons:
1) The team is not in playoff contention
2) You get some semi-decent return (4th rounder or better).

If you're looking at making the playoffs, keeping him as a 7th defenseman is a pretty nice backup plan. Agree with you on Timonen, it would have to be a good deal, starting with a 1st rounder or a top-tier prospect.

"Corsi% knew Gilbert would fly in Florida"

Great headline.

I've always liked Tom Gilbert. I always wondered why he flew under the radar.
- 2Real

Because he played in Edmonton. Also, plenty of hype in Minni with Suter and that kid in the top pairing.

He's one of those guys that does everything okay, but nothing great.

Gilbert would have been a nice add this past summer... he's been providing incredible value to the Panthers at 1-year/$900k:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...edicted-gilberts-breakout
- Tomahawk

Very well written article in my opinion.

Because he played in Edmonton. Also, plenty of hype in Minni with Suter and that kid in the top pairing.

He's one of those guys that does everything okay, but nothing great.
- Jeropotato

How would you rate his skating?

Honestly, unless it's an overpayment like a 2nd, I would hold on to everyone. This team has what it takes to compete. It's if they want to or not. They are their worst enemy most nights.

Gilbert would have been a nice add this past summer... he's been providing incredible value to the Panthers at 1-year/$900k:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...edicted-gilberts-breakout
- Tomahawk

They signed the wrong Gil.

How would you rate his skating?
- 2Real

Average. He flies under the radar because he doesn't do much that catches ones attention. He's a good player, his corsi% is good, but he doesn't skate above average, hit, have a point shot...etc. He's a good quiet defender that can make a first pass and clear the zone.

Very well written article in my opinion.
- MJL

I don't believe mine eyes, yous two are on the same page. Somebody get me a weather forecast for Hell

Average. He flies under the radar because he doesn't do much that catches ones attention. He's a good player, his corsi% is good, but he doesn't skate above average, hit, have a point shot...etc. He's a good quiet defender that can make a first pass and clear the zone.
- Jeropotato

sounds like someone we need

How would you rate his skating?
- 2Real

He moves fine... above-average mobility across the board.

Think Matt Carle, with less flash, and not quite as good defensively.

Austria is now officially renamed Raffland.

Better get back to Texas, Bill, cause it ooks like more snow for us in the next few days. As if I'm not completely sick of it by now.

I guess it could be worse, like the ice that is apparently going to hit down south.

Still, good hockey and Winter Olympics weather.

Please, no older acquisitions before the TDL. What's the point?
- wolfhounds

it's going to hit 70 later this week in new mexico.

In all seriousness, though, Thoresen has been a very good offensive player everywhere -- junior hockey, AHL, Europe, major international hockey -- but the NHL. For whatever reason, when he was playing in the NHL, he couldn't shot the puck into the ocean when he had scoring chances. But he's always had speed and hands.
- bmeltzer

it's a shame. he was valuable but just couldn't put the puck in the net here.

But he was instrumental in checking a Caps' defenseman into Huet in Game 7 in 2008, leading to Kapanen's goal. And he may have done that with just one fully-functional testicle.
- jmatchett383

i didn't remember that. reminds me of timander being the left dman in game 6 against tampa that kept st. louis' hand pass up the wall inside the zone and got the shot on goal that turned into primeau's goal that tied it with under 2 minutes to go. it's amazing to me that he was on the ice in that situation, but then again, sami played defense that run, so....

He moves fine... above-average mobility across the board.

Think Matt Carle, with less flash, and not quite as good defensively.
- Tomahawk

Above average? He's a slender guy so I suppose he's faster than some, but still pretty average for a player his size.

Honestly, unless it's an overpayment like a 2nd, I would hold on to everyone. This team has what it takes to compete. It's if they want to or not. They are their worst enemy most nights.
- Deasr1

i agree. keep what we have. we're going to need the depth on d...as flawed as it may be.

i didn't remember that. reminds me of timander being the left dman in game 6 against tampa that kept st. louis' hand pass up the wall inside the zone and got the shot on goal that turned into primeau's goal that tied it with under 2 minutes to go. it's amazing to me that he was on the ice in that situation, but then again, sami played defense that run, so....
- hammarby31

Yeah, it was a weird play. The defenseman (maybe Steve "first rounder" Eminger) was standing right in front of Huet with the puck on his stick. Thoresen laid a clean hit on him, and the defenseman got knocked into Huet. The puck squirted out to Sami who had a wide open net.

Given the options that are out there, the Flyers may ultimately decide their best option is to hope Erik Gustafsson has a good stretch drive and carries it over to the postseason. The club may also elect to hang onto Andrej Meszaros for depth and occasional offensive pop, since defense injuries have a way of piling up.

This is the only option, quite frankly, for the Flyers.

There is little cap maneuverability and really, as you said, Bill, everyone is re-signing the guys everyone wants anyway.

Defense is just one of those areas that, I think, will be best built from within for economic reasons as well as the dearth of supply of good defensemen on the open market (unless you are willing to take someone's problem for your problem).

i agree. keep what we have. we're going to need the depth on d...as flawed as it may be.
- hammarby31

I actually think the Flyers have defensive depth.

It's just not particularly good defensive depth.

They still have Manning and Lauridsen, and even Max Talbot's BFF down in Adirondack, in addition to the Battleship Gill and whatever defenseman (Gus or Mez) is in Chief's doghouse this week

In a pinch, can they call up Bruno Gervais from ADK?

This is the only option, quite frankly, for the Flyers.

There is little cap maneuverability and really, as you said, Bill, everyone is re-signing the guys everyone wants anyway.

Defense is just one of those areas that, I think, will be best built from within for economic reasons as well as the dearth of supply of good defensemen on the open market (unless you are willing to take someone's problem for your problem).
- johndewar

The Flyers are going to have plenty of cap space to work with this off season.

it's going to hit 70 later this week in new mexico.
- hammarby31

Kick me while I'm down...

I just read over some of the rules of Olympic hockey and did not realize that goalies to can play the puck wherever, trapezoid does not exist.

This would be awesome to see

I actually think the Flyers have defensive depth.

It's just not particularly good defensive depth.

They still have Manning and Lauridsen, and even Max Talbot's BFF down in Adirondack, in addition to the Battleship Gill and whatever defenseman (Gus or Mez) is in Chief's doghouse this week

In a pinch, can they call up Bruno Gervais from ADK?
- johndewar

This is not a lie per se, but it IS, however, incorrect. To me, Gervais would get called up due to...I don't even know what sort of catastrophic event would need to occur.