Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Waiting Game, Hakstol, Alumni Russia Trip

today should be fun

Solid blog. Definitely should be a conversation generating blog.

Is MacDonald the guy the Flyers (or any comparable team with playoff aspirations) ideally want out along with Ivan Provorov against other teams' top lines? It's a moot question. On this current Flyers team's blueline, there really hasn't been much other choice other than MacDonald or Radko Gudas. Hakstol can't -- and shouldn't -- publicly say that, but it's the cold, hard truth.
- Bill Meltzer

Anyone who actually looks at the roster and watches the games realizes this. I think Hakstol answered the question with a great deal of restraint and detail. In a less PC environment the questioner should've simply been ignored. Imho, the question was asked simply to get under Hakstol's skin.

Solid blog. Definitely should be a conversation generating blog.
- MJL

Playoffs are out of the question. What are the Flyers going to do to address their consistency issues and need for a top 6 scoring winger? Streit, Schultz, and one of Mason/Neuvirth off the books for next season. Make a trade? UFA?

Anyone who actually looks at the roster and watches the games realizes this. I think Hakstol answered the question with a great deal of restraint and detail. In a less PC environment the questioner should've simply been ignored. Imho, the question was asked simply to get under Hakstol's skin.
- Scoob

I don't think it was just to get under his skin, I just think it was a very poorly thought out question. There are plenty of people that truly think everything AMac does is the worst and anything Ghost does is amazing

4) The Flyers Alumni Team leaves for the Russia in a few hours. I am still in a state of stunned -- but thrilled -- surprise that they invited me to come along to cover the three-city tour, but here I am with my bags packed (sans computer, of course) and getting ready to meet up with the guys at the Wells Fargo Center to head off for the airport. We connect to the tour's first stop, Kazan, immediately after arrival at the airport in Moscow.
- Bill Meltzer

Safe travels and have fun!

I don't think it was just to get under his skin, I just think it was a very poorly thought out question. There are plenty of people that truly think everything AMac does is the worst and anything Ghost does is amazing
- YuenglingJagr

Oh, it was definitely poorly thought out. lol

But I'll continue to hold my opinion on intent.

"I don't mind VandeVelde's presence in the lineup in and of itself, except that it's part of a bigger issue that the Flyers dress too many players who offer little if anything to solving the scoring depth issue"

and this is my issue with VDV in the lineup. I just want a 4th line that offers more offense and speed. I appreciate how hard they work and they often keep the puck in the offensive zone but they work and work for little results. I guess I just want to see more on the 4th line.

"I don't mind VandeVelde's presence in the lineup in and of itself, except that it's part of a bigger issue that the Flyers dress too many players who offer little if anything to solving the scoring depth issue"

and this is my issue with VDV in the lineup. I just want a 4th line that offers more offense and speed. I appreciate how hard they work and they often keep the puck in the offensive zone but they work and work for little results. I guess I just want to see more on the 4th line.
- nastyflyergirl

that is my issue and more...more being that he isnt even good at being a safe player

That trip sounds pretty cool...Have a great time!!

that is my issue and more...more being that he isnt even good at being a safe player
- YuenglingJagr

granted the 4th line is far from the biggest concern on the team. they still need 2-3 top 9 players. I don't know if Weal will be more than a tweener but I am really hoping he shows he can play in the NHL. I thought he did a really good job Saturday. and I am really hoping Lindblom is a bonafide top 9 guy. all that said they still need more high end talent and they need the guys they have to be better.

Hakstol also did not mention that MacDonald had been scratched seven times in eight games between Nov. 3 and 19. Although he was nursing a lower-body issue for much of that time, he was well enough to play in several of those latter games and was not played on injured reserve at any point.

That's interesting. I thought he had been healthy scratched twice this year, but it was actually more than that. And certainly not "never" as the angry STH claimed.

30 years since The Series (86-87)
20 years since The Sweep (96-97)
10 years since The Lost Season (06-07)

What looms on the horizon the rest of 16-17? What is with seasons ending in 6 and 7? The Flyers inaugural year was 1967...What cosmic irony here is afoot?

MacDonald isn't awful anymore, he's only slightly terrible.
I wonder what the plan is for next year. What is the consensus on who will be paired with Provorov?

30 years since The Series (86-87)
20 years since The Sweep (96-97)
10 years since The Lost Season (06-07)

What looms on the horizon the rest of 16-17? What is with seasons ending in 6 and 7? The Flyers inaugural year was 1967...What cosmic irony here is afoot?
- countreeman28

What does your horoscope say for today?

"I don't mind VandeVelde's presence in the lineup in and of itself, except that it's part of a bigger issue that the Flyers dress too many players who offer little if anything to solving the scoring depth issue"

and this is my issue with VDV in the lineup. I just want a 4th line that offers more offense and speed. I appreciate how hard they work and they often keep the puck in the offensive zone but they work and work for little results. I guess I just want to see more on the 4th line.
- nastyflyergirl

If VdV had played 35 or even 45 games, it wouldn't worry me. But the fact he plays every single night is disturbing when the PK is mediocre at best and the team gets handily outscored in his 5 on 5 minutes.

If Weise, Raffl, Read, Lyubimov and Konecny can benefit from some games in the stands, how on earth can that logic not apply to Christopher VandeVelde?

Playoffs are out of the question. What are the Flyers going to do to address their consistency issues and need for a top 6 scoring winger? Streit, Schultz, and one of Mason/Neuvirth off the books for next season. Make a trade? UFA?
- Streit2ThePoint

For the Flyers, the playoffs are not out of the question.

What does your horoscope say for today?
- Scoob

That the flyers are a boring team right now - and probably have been since the 2010 playoffs, if you want me to be honest - and not a single metric or argument changes that.

Solid blog. Definitely should be a conversation generating blog.
- MJL

The TDL could be interesting. If the Flyers go on any losing streak or even play inconsistently I don't see anyway they aren't a seller.

My wonder is that maybe instead of picks do to a lacking of top end talent in the draft would they be more willing to take a player who might need a change or under developing prospect.

I am just real curious to see how the goalies play. I do think one could be moved with a lot of teams seemingly needing goaltender help.

"I don't mind VandeVelde's presence in the lineup in and of itself, except that it's part of a bigger issue that the Flyers dress too many players who offer little if anything to solving the scoring depth issue"

and this is my issue with VDV in the lineup. I just want a 4th line that offers more offense and speed. I appreciate how hard they work and they often keep the puck in the offensive zone but they work and work for little results. I guess I just want to see more on the 4th line.
- nastyflyergirl

So do the Flyers but for now, they're playing who they feel is best fit at this time.

as for the Blog I think your bang on with regards to Macdonald and VDV for that matter. Its says more about the depth of the Flyers then it does about the two players. I really hope the Flyers at least try to upgrade in these area's or give some of the kids a an extended look in the near future. Pretty sure we know what we have in guys like VDV, Raffl, Luby, Read and Bellemare. On D you spelled out pretty well what's there and what the upside of the current group is.
As for the core I don't have the same patience as the Flyers seem to show. Frankly I would love them to grab a Duschene or a RNH, but realize Hextall appears reluctant to touch the core.

So do the Flyers but for now, they're playing who they feel is best fit at this time.
- MJL

I want to see the 4th line upgraded next year

So do the Flyers but for now, they're playing who they feel is best fit at this time.
- MJL

And also right now he isn't blocking anyone. It's not like they have some prospect ready to be here.