Thing about bill's blog is I find that I learn things from his blog. I learned alot today and personally it has changed my views on some things. It has reinforced my patience with the Dmen for example and made me want a stop gap dman even less.
- JoeRussomanno

I read Bill Blog, but it hasn't changed the fact that I still feel uncomfortable with MAB and Gus on our playoff roster. I realize that Gill and Grossman are not saviors, and they will make the same mistakes that we criticize Coburn, Carle and Meszaros for... However, If they are added to the line-up it will give us another crease clearing defenseman, and Vet's that wont make Rookie mistakes. I would rather a Schenn or Johnson, but if Gill or Grossman are available and you dont over-pay... Its worth it to add them.

I read Bill Blog, but it hasn't changed the fact that I still feel uncomfortable with MAB and Gus on our playoff roster. I realize that Gill and Grossman are not saviors, and they will make the same mistakes that we criticize Coburn, Carle and Meszaros for... However, If they are added to the line-up it will give us another crease clearing defenseman, and Vet's that wont make Rookie mistakes. I would rather a Schenn or Johnson, but if Gill or Grossman are available and you dont over-pay... Its worth it to add them.
- RooNosHockey

I can agree with that. But I still think unless we get that guy to give us what Betts did, there's gonna be egg on the dmen's faces.

Thing about bill's blog is I find that I learn things from his blog. I learned alot today and personally it has changed my views on some things. It has reinforced my patience with the Dmen for example and made me want a stop gap dman even less.
- JoeRussomanno

the world is a better place after this blob

I can agree with that. But I still think unless we get that guy to give us what Betts did, there's gonna be egg on the dmen's faces.
- JoeRussomanno

I think we already have those guys. When JVR comes back Talbot will be dropped to the 4th line.

I can agree with that. But I still think unless we get that guy to give us what Betts did, there's gonna be egg on the dmen's faces.
- JoeRussomanno

Matt Carle?

Okay I think my suspicion of the Now Fake League were just a product of some disdain that I cannot identify at this time as I have now entered into a twitter debate defending the Giants. Or is it my utter nausea um for the iggles?

I think we already have those guys. When JVR comes back Talbot will be dropped to the 4th line.
- RooNosHockey

I still don't think talbot is that guy. I'd like some more depth in that area too even if he is so that when a JVR or whoever goes down we aren't turnstiles in our own zone.

Matt Carle?


- PLindbergh31

more like garry bettman.

Matt Carle?


- PLindbergh31

Looks like Gov Christie from New Jersey

Looks like Gov Christie from New Jersey
- phi1671

This is a wonderfully refreshing and very well thought out blog.

I hope many that come here both read and fully understand what you have written.

Superb blog
- Buts16

It was a great piece of blob.

I for one am comfortable with giving Bourdon and Gustafsson the balance of the season to continue to mature at this level. I was curious earlier on in the season to see what these guys could bring to the table. While it hasn't been jaw dropping by any means, they're only 50 odd games combined into their NHL careers, and I think they've held their own for the most part. At least as well as any of the other guys currently playing below them imo.

This article proves why your one of the best in the buisness man. As some people might not agree with it all , theyre also the same ones that constantly yells "shoot" whenever someone gets the puck. its just not that simple, hopefully this article brought some insight to the game for them. Simply said its another year for flyers fans, were used to this by now. Finally got a goalie but did we? pronger had one good season here and that looks to be his last. people need to move on from the fact that hes not coming back. If it means giving up youth for gill to take a run then forget. that guy is just about shot and im tired of them bringing in vets that end up retiring here. were like a NHL graveyard here.

This is a wonderfully refreshing and very well thought out blog.

I hope many that come here both read and fully understand what you have written.

Superb blog
- Buts16

It's too intelligent for some to get. Here's the translation;

Trade for a guy, expect perfection from him, when he makes a mistake, idiots will rip him to shred, call for Holmgren's head and say that they suck anyhow.

For what its worth I am by no means a self proclaimed trade guru but Gaus is a player I would like on this team even if he is a little overpaid.
- JoeRussomanno

I've seen people knock him on the Sabres board but I always appreciated Gaustad's game when I see him against the Flyers. Big body, bangs around the net, doesn't score in bunches, but seems to score big goals, defensively responsible, good on faceoffs.

What's dead on? He's a 36 year old defenseman brought in for depth. Bill didn't mention much about Gustafsson and MAB other then they played well at times and struggled at times. Does that mean they suck also? Lilja has done what he was brough here to do. Let's not read things that aren't there.
- MJL

he's not playing is he? the flyers need 2 dmen, don't they? lilja is stapled to the bench for the 2nd yr in a row for a team that needs dmen, aren't they? - case closed.

he's not playing is he? the flyers need 2 dmen, don't they? lilja is stapled to the bench for the 2nd yr in a row for a team that needs dmen, aren't they? - case closed.
- isaiah520

Nope. LoLja was given a two year deal to do exactly what he's doing. Being a healthy scratch, on a blueline that screams for help.

Nope. LoLja was given a two year deal to do exactly what he's doing. Being a healthy scratch, on a blueline that screams for help.
- PLindbergh31

Even if it's Sean odonnell again as the 6th guy, I don't know if it'd make much of a difference. They are missing their impact defenseman. We will see how they address that moving forward. In the mean time the guys who are playing are capable of playing much better than they have been.

Nope. LoLja was given a two year deal to do exactly what he's doing. Being a healthy scratch, on a blueline that screams for help.
- PLindbergh31

easiest franking money never earned

Even if it's Sean odonnell again as the 6th guy, I don't know if it'd make much of a difference. They are missing their impact defenseman. We will see how they address that moving forward. In the mean time the guys who are playing are capable of playing much better than they have been.
- funmaster18

I wasn't opposed to Lilja when he signed, I didn't see a reason for giving him the second year. I didn't really want OD back either, he appears shot at this point. It's tough having two rookie blueliners in the lineup at the same time before they are NHL ready, the fact the coach thinks they are a better option than Lilja at this point isn't a great sign.

I wasn't opposed to Lilja when he signed, I didn't see a reason for giving him the second year. I didn't really want OD back either, he appears shot at this point. It's tough having two rookie blueliners in the lineup at the same time before they are NHL ready, the fact the coach thinks they are a better option than Lilja at this point isn't a great sign.
- PLindbergh31

It's going to be interesting to see what holmgren decides to do. He knows defense is important.

he's not playing is he? the flyers need 2 dmen, don't they? lilja is stapled to the bench for the 2nd yr in a row for a team that needs dmen, aren't they? - case closed.
- isaiah520

No it's far from case closed. He wasn't brought here to play every game. How hard is that to understand? He was brought here to be a part time 6/7 defenseman for depth. No more, no less. And he has filled that role adequately. When the Flyers signed Lilja was Pronger expected to play this Season? Hard to beleive that that needs to be explained.

It's going to be interesting to see what holmgren decides to do. He knows defense is important.
- funmaster18

If he does nothing at the trade deadline I'm fine with it. July 1 will be the time to fix the defense, not February 27th.

I wasn't opposed to Lilja when he signed, I didn't see a reason for giving him the second year. I didn't really want OD back either, he appears shot at this point. It's tough having two rookie blueliners in the lineup at the same time before they are NHL ready, the fact the coach thinks they are a better option than Lilja at this point isn't a great sign.
- PLindbergh31

Teams play young players to give them time to develop. Players do so by playing. Why not give him a 2nd year? He's a decent depth defenseman with a low Cap hit. Why have to go looking again next year? Maybe Bill needs to do another blog to further explain the role of veteran depth defenseman and what the expectations of that type of player is, compared to defenseman of a higher caliber.

WIP Moment on WFAN:

A caller just called up and compared Jeremy Lin to a combination of Reggie Miller, and Walt Clyde Frazier.....

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/15/12
- bmeltzer

Nice write-up Bill, especially that middle section.

I'm not against bringing in help, but I just hope that any potential moves will be made with consideration to the long-term trajectory of the team. With the level of talent this team will have up front in the coming years, and with Bryzgalov's game with nowhere to go but up, the window isn't slamming shut anytime soon, even with Timo and Pronger approaching 40.

The good news is that Homer's trade history demonstrates that he prefers to poach young d-men while their stock is down and/or they're stuck in the development pipeline. In some cases the gamble has paid off handsomely (Carle, Coburn, Meszaros), and in other cases not so well (Eminger, Syvret, Alberts, Parent, Walker), but it shows that Homer's always been looking for longer-term solutions vs short-term fixes on the back-end.

Schenn, J. Johnson, Grossman, McBain, Ryan Wilson, Klein, Barker, Ellerby are exactly the type of players that Homer likes to go after, and it just so happens that a few of them happen to be playing for his favorite trade partners.