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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Power Play Units, Rookie Camp Updates
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hammarby31
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: it's been 84 years, AZ
Joined: 01.02.2007

Sep 15 @ 11:55 PM ET
I didn't see that coming.
- Dkos


i did.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 16 @ 12:02 AM ET
While I'm a believer that Del Zotto is on a tryout, even though he's making guaranteed money, I think he should have equal opportunity with offensive chances as Streit. Reason being, it's both their bread and butter to be offense defenseman but also the interesting point to expect Streit to adjust to both sides in a game. Streit is a pro but still have his shortcomings when paying attention to details defensively. If Del Zotto is a natural on the left side, give him PP opportunity with Giroux. Allow Del Zotto to succeed here.

I am somewhat excited to see how can replace Hartnell in the middle of the umbrella. I remember Gagne being effective there for along time. If Schenn has a more dangerous shot then Hartnell, give it a go. Schenn is a gritty forward, he'll learn and will have to learn to dig in those corners. He might end up on the wing anyway, which might help.

If Lecavalier is as useless as some make him out to be 5 on 5, I want him to see as much first unit time as possible to make the money worth it. Problem is, Voracek and Lecavalier play close to the same area on the PP. Voracek and Lecavalier might work together if they can get away from the umbrella, which I'd consider doing depending on the personnel being used this season on the first unit. I don't see much of a change up coming though. It's also a tough choice because I love Lecavalier shot but Voracek's puck management and playmaking is too good to remove from the first unit.

- SuperSchennBros


Del Zotto isn't here on a try out. The Flyers, according to Hextall, had interest in him all along, but didn't have a spot until Timonen suffered his blood clots.

That said, Del Zotto has to show that last year was a fluke.

Schenn should be able to replace Hartnell, he just has to stay involved more and keep up his physical involvement. He does have a good shot, when he decides to use it.

In terms of Vinny and the PP, he's going to have to be the one to adjust. They can't change a highly effective system just so one guy might be a better fit. If Vinny can't adjust, put him on the second unit.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 16 @ 12:03 AM ET
I didn't see that coming.
- Dkos


Horrible play calling by the Colts after the Birds tied it at 27. Why take ball out of Luck's hands?
SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Sep 16 @ 12:10 AM ET
Del Zotto isn't here on a try out. The Flyers, according to Hextall, had interest in him all along, but didn't have a spot until Timonen suffered his blood clots.

That said, Del Zotto has to show that last year was a fluke.

Schenn should be able to replace Hartnell, he just has to stay involved more and keep up his physical involvement. He does have a good shot, when he decides to use it.

In terms of Vinny and the PP, he's going to have to be the one to adjust. They can't change a highly effective system just so one guy might be a better fit. If Vinny can't adjust, put him on the second unit.

- Jsaquella

I couldn't disagree more on your last point. The Flyers have had successful Power Plays long before they started using the umbrella. Infact the Flyers have always had successful Power Plays and have used a number of different styles in order for each player on the ice to succeed. We're missing Timonen now and I don't expect Streit to mirror Timonen's chemistry with Giroux. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Giroux play the left point with Streit on the right point, and work new magic.

Del Zotto is on a one year contract. Should he have a disappointing season, I don't expect him to return, which to me is as good a tryout. The Flyers had the option of one or the other before going with Timonen.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 16 @ 12:17 AM ET
I couldn't disagree more on your last point. The Flyers have had successful Power Plays long before they started using the umbrella. Infact the Flyers have always had successful Power Plays and have used a number of different styles in order for each player on the ice to succeed. We're missing Timonen now and I don't expect Streit to mirror Timonen's chemistry with Giroux. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Giroux play the left point with Streit on the right point, and work new magic.

Del Zotto is on a one year contract. Should he have a disappointing season, I don't expect him to return, which to me is as good a tryout. The Flyers had the option of one or the other before going with Timonen.

- SuperSchennBros


The Flyers have used the umbrella since 2011, pretty much since Giroux became the QB. It's been highly effective over the past 3-4 seasons. I doubt they mess with what has worked so well for them.

The Flyers wanted Timonen to return all along. They were waiting for his decision regardless. Had he decided to retire, it's pretty clear Del Zotto was a top option for them.

Yes, he's on a one year deal, because he does have to prove that he can rebound. But a try out if what NJ is giving to Gomez, Fedotenko and others. Del Zotto is expected to be a big piece this year.
wilsonecho91
Season Ticket Holder
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: A dream to some...a nightmare to others, AK
Joined: 11.13.2007

Sep 16 @ 12:35 AM ET
And this

SuperSchennBros
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot!
Joined: 09.01.2012

Sep 16 @ 12:35 AM ET
The Flyers have used the umbrella since 2011, pretty much since Giroux became the QB. It's been highly effective over the past 3-4 seasons. I doubt they mess with what has worked so well for them.

The Flyers wanted Timonen to return all along. They were waiting for his decision regardless. Had he decided to retire, it's pretty clear Del Zotto was a top option for them.

Yes, he's on a one year deal, because he does have to prove that he can rebound. But a try out if what NJ is giving to Gomez, Fedotenko and others. Del Zotto is expected to be a big piece this year.

- Jsaquella

I'm pretty sure the Flyers have only used the umbrella over the course of three seasons that begun at the start of the 2011-12 season. Timonen took over for Chris Pronger before Pronger got hurt (except the 2011 playoffs where Pronger played two or three games). Anytime before, Pronger was playing the right point, not the left on the PP. Giroux has done other things as a Flyer on the PP, like cycling downlow when he saw regular PP time with Briere when entering the league. I could be wrong but I do remember Briere and Giroux being able to alternate through the cycle on the left half wall.

I can't agree. I expect Del Zotto to be a 6th defenseman on the third pair, with second PP time and rarely seeing PK time if at all. I don't see how Del Zotto could be a top option if there weren't any other options.
hammarby31
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: it's been 84 years, AZ
Joined: 01.02.2007

Sep 16 @ 2:15 AM ET
And this


- wilsonecho91


i've seen all of these before, and they're all horrendous.
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Sep 16 @ 2:19 AM ET
eagles the mother (frank)ing comeback kids!
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Sep 16 @ 2:44 AM ET
sproles is the new mccoy
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Sep 16 @ 3:33 AM ET
FOLES TO SPROLES ALL DAY
hammarby31
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: it's been 84 years, AZ
Joined: 01.02.2007

Sep 16 @ 4:18 AM ET
who the hell called chicago?!....audreeeeeey!!!!

http://variety.com/2014/f...drey-griswold-1201306019/
Giroux_Is_God
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: CLASS DISMISSED
Joined: 12.15.2011

Sep 16 @ 7:39 AM ET
Happy exam day guys
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 16 @ 7:40 AM ET
who the hell called chicago?!....audreeeeeey!!!!

http://variety.com/2014/f...drey-griswold-1201306019/

- hammarby31


Chevy has a boat payment
GOA88
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Joined: 08.02.2013

Sep 16 @ 7:56 AM ET
While I'm a believer that Del Zotto is on a tryout, even though he's making guaranteed money, I think he should have equal opportunity with offensive chances as Streit. Reason being, it's both their bread and butter to be offense defenseman but also the interesting point to expect Streit to adjust to both sides in a game. Streit is a pro but still has his shortcomings when paying attention to details defensively. If Del Zotto is a natural on the left side, give him PP opportunity with Giroux. Allow Del Zotto to succeed here.

I am somewhat excited to see how we replace Hartnell in the middle of the umbrella. I remember Gagne being effective there for along time. If Schenn has a more dangerous shot then Hartnell, give it a go. Schenn is a gritty forward, he'll learn and will have to learn to dig in those corners. He might end up on the wing anyway, which might help.

If Lecavalier is as useless as some make him out to be 5 on 5, I want him to see as much first unit time as possible to make the money worth it. Problem is, Voracek and Lecavalier play close to the same area on the PP. Voracek and Lecavalier might work together if they can get away from the umbrella, which I'd consider doing depending on the personnel being used this season on the first unit. I don't see much of a change up coming though. It's also a tough choice because I love Lecavalier's shot but Voracek's puck management and playmaking is too good to remove from the first unit.

- SuperSchennBros


Simmonds-Giroux-Lecavalier
Streit-Voracek

MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Sep 16 @ 8:05 AM ET
Del Zotto isn't here on a try out. The Flyers, according to Hextall, had interest in him all along, but didn't have a spot until Timonen suffered his blood clots.

That said, Del Zotto has to show that last year was a fluke.

Schenn should be able to replace Hartnell, he just has to stay involved more and keep up his physical involvement. He does have a good shot, when he decides to use it.

In terms of Vinny and the PP, he's going to have to be the one to adjust. They can't change a highly effective system just so one guy might be a better fit. If Vinny can't adjust, put him on the second unit.

- Jsaquella


Personally, when he states that Del Zotto is on a tryout, I think he means he's playing for his future this year, to try and earn a longer term contract.
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Sep 16 @ 8:23 AM ET
FOLES TO SPROLES ALL DAY
- 2Real

2REAL TO SQUEAL ALL NIGHT?
Feanor
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: DE
Joined: 02.13.2013

Sep 16 @ 8:47 AM ET
I couldn't disagree more on your last point. The Flyers have had successful Power Plays long before they started using the umbrella. Infact the Flyers have always had successful Power Plays and have used a number of different styles in order for each player on the ice to succeed. We're missing Timonen now and I don't expect Streit to mirror Timonen's chemistry with Giroux. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Giroux play the left point with Streit on the right point, and work new magic.

Del Zotto is on a one year contract. Should he have a disappointing season, I don't expect him to return, which to me is as good a tryout. The Flyers had the option of one or the other before going with Timonen.

- SuperSchennBros


Your ideas are breathtakingly bad.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Sep 16 @ 8:59 AM ET
FOLES TO SPROLES ALL DAY
- 2Real


I was promised Lynn Swann commentary this week. Deliver.
five4fighting10
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Joined: 02.22.2008

Sep 16 @ 9:15 AM ET
Horrible play calling by the Colts after the Birds tied it at 27. Why take ball out of Luck's hands?
- Jsaquella

Exactly. The amount of complaining post-game by the ESPN crew and Pagano was ridiculous. Was it a bad call? Yes. Did the Colts blow a nice lead despite that? Yes. Similar things have happened to the Eagles many times over the years (and I'm only 28 to be able to say that haha), but in the end it's on the team/coach first for blowing the lead and putting the refs in the position to make a crucial non-call. Props for the Eagles for taking advantage

Edit: As for the horse collar flag on the final drive, I see that as a makeup call for the equally bad call on Fletcher Cox the week prior
johndewar
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: South Jersey, NJ
Joined: 01.16.2009

Sep 16 @ 9:23 AM ET
Exactly. The amount of complaining post-game by the ESPN crew and Pagano was ridiculous. Was it a bad call? Yes. Did the Colts blow a nice lead despite that? Yes. Similar things have happened to the Eagles many times over the years (and I'm only 28 to be able to say that haha), but in the end it's on the team/coach first for blowing the lead and putting the refs in the position to make a crucial non-call. Props for the Eagles for taking advantage

Edit: As for the horse collar flag on the final drive, I see that as a makeup call for the equally bad call on Fletcher Cox the week prior

- five4fighting10


Whining about the bad calls is loser talk.

The Colts straight up choked.
BulliesPhan87
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: the lone wolf of hockeybuzz
Joined: 07.31.2009

Sep 16 @ 9:27 AM ET
Whining about the bad calls is loser talk.

The Colts straight up choked.

- johndewar

Losers whine about the calls, winners go home and (frank) the prom queen
Marc D
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees
Joined: 03.28.2008

Sep 16 @ 9:47 AM ET
Simmonds-Giroux-Lecavalier
Streit-Voracek


- GOA88

That is an interesting set up
Jake is in middle, high slot, the "Hartnell" spot on that play.
jmatchett383
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Newark, DE
Joined: 03.09.2010

Sep 16 @ 9:54 AM ET
Whining about the bad calls is loser talk.

The Colts straight up choked.

- johndewar


As Flyers fans, we're all either the kettle or the pot.
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Sep 16 @ 2:59 PM ET
2REAL TO SQUEAL ALL NIGHT?
- hereticpride

I AM THE LAW ADIOS BYE BYE
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