Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 1/14/17 @ WSH, Alumni Game Wrapup

The alumni skated to a 3-0 tie? Lol, drink some coffee Bill.

All kidding aside, Desjardins seemed to play a better positional game than half of our current D. I want to laugh, but it's just too sad.

I hope they can dig deep and put together a strong effort today, because if they don't, they're looking at a blowout loss.

What frustrates me is:
Veteran players gliding back on D
Veteran players taking lazy penalties
Hak's lineup choices and line combos
Giroux's apparent decline at ES
Too many soft goals given up by both goalies

However, there are some positives:
The rapid development of Provorov as a top pair Dman
The obvious talent of Konecny
Schenn being a force on the pp
The overall play of Simmonds and Voracek

It's a work in progress, and there will be ups and downs during the process, I get that. However, for this team to take the next step they badly need to find another quality center. IMO, this is by far their biggest need.

This ought to be good

The combination of way too many penalties being taken by the flyers and the high number of quality scoring chances their letting up means this mess starts at the top. Hak needs to figure out a way to clean it up. They aren't a great team but they should not be giving up all these chances.

Desjardins looked like he could still play. you don't even have to see his face or number to know #37's skating ability and form. Kerr also looked in great shape. The Hound Kelly was his usually slashing self. it was hilarious. Lindros almost killed a pen at center ice in the final minutes. You could tell he REALLY wanted to get one at the end. Watching the LOD made me realize just how much I miss them. they still share one brain on the ice

30 year old Tyler Kennedy blows past a few old guys and snipes one would have liked to see Lindros steamroll the ratboy

My lack of confidence is disturbing

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?

My lack of confidence is disturbing
- PhillySportsGuy

Re watched yesterday's goals against. Only one that was questionable was the first on the breakaway but those can be tough when the guy doesn't actually shoot.

Glad theyre coming back with mase but we will need an epic effort from him to get any points today.

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?
- PhillySportsGuy

Not really. I think the key is we're now drafting very well. As long as we keep that up and the steady stream of talent starts making the big squad, we'll be competing in the next 2 or 3 years.

It is sad that so many of the alumni looked better last night than the present day team looked in the afternoon. LOD looks a lot better than any current Flyers line combination. As pointed out, Rico looks better than I will say most of the current blue liners.

I was always pretty sure that this was a bubble team and that not making the playoffs was a real possibility. I had thought that it might not be so wrenching...but after the mirage of a 10 game winning streak (was any of that against a Metro team?) who wouldn't be snookered.

Personally I look for Hakstol to hold the core responsible and stop benching the players who are effected ... Jake doesn't back check, bench Cousins. G doesn't back check 3 times leading to goals...nothing is said. Manning and MDZ take 6 minutes each is lazy undisciplined stick penalties...bench Ghost. Frankly, I like Manning but he really is the 7th man and should not be one of the top 4. I am one of the few who doesn't think that AMac is the problem, but there could be better options.

I know Hexy is committed to going low and slow on the rebuild and I do see that we are on the right path...but why do we keep turning down the "we're going to play like complete crap and gut our defense and goalies confidence" street?

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?
- PhillySportsGuy

To some extent, yes. I think they are pretty well positioned to have a top notch D in a few years and I think it's a solid bet that at least one of their goal prospects develops into a quality NHL starter. When it comes to forwards though, I do have concerns. On the wing I think they are ok. Voracek and Simmonds should be top 6 forwards for at least a few more years and Konecny and Lindblom hopefully will be as well. And, if they are a little short, wings are usually the easiest positions to upgrade through trades or free agency.

What really concerns me though, as I have mentioned before, is the center positions. Giroux can certainly be a pp force for years to come, but at ES, he is a 2C at this point. Coots, to me, is a perfect 3C on a Cup team who can step up and be your 2C when needed. What they really need though is another strong all around offensive center that can be a 1C at ES. I don't think that they have anyone that fits the bill currently in the system and those types of players are extremely difficult to acquire via trade and all but impossible to get via FA.

This is why I want them to be sellers at the deadline. With so many teams in playoff contention, it will be a sellers market. They need to take advantage of this and get as many picks/prospects as possible. They have absolutely no chance of winning a Cup this year and with that in mind, I'd rather miss the playoffs and (hopefully) land a top 10 pick, rather than just squeak in and get bounced out in the first round.

The draft is likely the only way they will address their need at center and the higher you pick, the better your chances are.

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?
- PhillySportsGuy

For me it's the defense. I know the forwards share a large responsibility in the GA. But the makeup of this defense is putrid. No one stands taller than 6'0"...Manning might be 6'1" but not even 200 lbs. They have to work so hard to get the puck back because they're out physicaled...teams come at them with speed constantly, they cover very little ice, teams are unafraid to get to the slot area.

Its going to be a process to restore the back end that's going to take years. Last night I watched a highlight of the phantoms game where a bear took the puck wide. Hagg has coverage on him but let him get around him and sent a clean centering pass from the corner that he should have been able to get a stick on. Morin was by the slot not covering anyone in particular and whiffing on the centering pass which got buried. They say these guys are getting ready or close to it...Im not so sure

For me it's the defense. I know the forwards share a large responsibility in the GA. But the makeup of this defense is putrid. No one stands taller than 6'0"...Manning might be 6'1" but not even 200 lbs. They have to work so hard to get the puck back because they're out physicaled...teams come at them with speed constantly, they cover very little ice, teams are unafraid to get to the slot area.

Its going to be a process to restore the back end that's going to take years. Last night I watched a highlight of the phantoms game where a bear took the puck wide. Hagg has coverage on him but let him get around him and sent a clean centering pass from the corner that he should have been able to get a stick on. Morin was by the slot not covering anyone in particular and whiffing on the centering pass which got buried. They say these guys are getting ready or close to it...Im not so sure
- Just5

You can watch any pro Dman, at any level, and pick out one bad play. From what I've seen, Morin, Sanheim and Hagg are all progressing nicely.

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?
- PhillySportsGuy

Yes, very concerned.

To some extent, yes. I think they are pretty well positioned to have a top notch D in a few years and I think it's a solid bet that at least one of their goal prospects develops into a quality NHL starter. When it comes to forwards though, I do have concerns. On the wing I think they are ok. Voracek and Simmonds should be top 6 forwards for at least a few more years and Konecny and Lindblom hopefully will be as well. And, if they are a little short, wings are usually the easiest positions to upgrade through trades or free agency.

What really concerns me though, as I have mentioned before, is the center positions. Giroux can certainly be a pp force for years to come, but at ES, he is a 2C at this point. Coots, to me, is a perfect 3C on a Cup team who can step up and be your 2C when needed. What they really need though is another strong all around offensive center that can be a 1C at ES. I don't think that they have anyone that fits the bill currently in the system and those types of players are extremely difficult to acquire via trade and all but impossible to get via FA.

This is why I want them to be sellers at the deadline. With so many teams in playoff contention, it will be a sellers market. They need to take advantage of this and get as many picks/prospects as possible. They have absolutely no chance of winning a Cup this year and with that in mind, I'd rather miss the playoffs and (hopefully) land a top 10 pick, rather than just squeak in and get bounced out in the first round.

The draft is likely the only way they will address their need at center and the higher you pick, the better your chances are.
- BiggE

Good post. An issue I have right now is the benching of ghost.yes he's had his issues, but amac has been just as bad if not worse and is not part of the long term plans. The odd healthy scratch is ok, but you have to let ghost work through it here. Everyone knows we're not a contender, so experience is key. Look long term not short

Anyone worried about the Flyers possibly getting stuck in hockey purgatory?
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't because they have top rated prospects coming. Sure up the defense and of course overall TEAM defense everything changes. Obviously they will need a few of the forwards drafted to exceed expectations. Hoping Lindblom will be one of them.

So Las Vegas has to take a player from us right? I can't wait to see who it is. Weise or Read I'm hoping

To some extent, yes. I think they are pretty well positioned to have a top notch D in a few years and I think it's a solid bet that at least one of their goal prospects develops into a quality NHL starter. When it comes to forwards though, I do have concerns. On the wing I think they are ok. Voracek and Simmonds should be top 6 forwards for at least a few more years and Konecny and Lindblom hopefully will be as well. And, if they are a little short, wings are usually the easiest positions to upgrade through trades or free agency.

What really concerns me though, as I have mentioned before, is the center positions. Giroux can certainly be a pp force for years to come, but at ES, he is a 2C at this point. Coots, to me, is a perfect 3C on a Cup team who can step up and be your 2C when needed. What they really need though is another strong all around offensive center that can be a 1C at ES. I don't think that they have anyone that fits the bill currently in the system and those types of players are extremely difficult to acquire via trade and all but impossible to get via FA.

This is why I want them to be sellers at the deadline. With so many teams in playoff contention, it will be a sellers market. They need to take advantage of this and get as many picks/prospects as possible. They have absolutely no chance of winning a Cup this year and with that in mind, I'd rather miss the playoffs and (hopefully) land a top 10 pick, rather than just squeak in and get bounced out in the first round.

The draft is likely the only way they will address their need at center and the higher you pick, the better your chances are.
- BiggE

I'm worried that Hexy is just going to play things out and keep drafting in hopes of finding that player. It's very difficult to do that in the 10-20 range in the draft. At some point, he may need to pull the trigger on a deal where he's actually trading a very good player for more of an unknown. I'm just not sure he's willing to do that.

There is risk in making a trade like that. There is also risk in not making a trade like that.

Good post. An issue I have right now is the benching of ghost.yes he's had his issues, but amac has been just as bad if not worse and is not part of the long term plans. The odd healthy scratch is ok, but you have to let ghost work through it here. Everyone knows we're not a contender, so experience is key. Look long term not short
- Hextall271

I was really unhappy with Ghost's benching as well. I actually thought his game was starting to come around and it makes no sense to sit your most lethal offensive weapon on D. I'm no fan of AMac, but I think Manning has been worse and he's taking way too many bad penalties. At this point, Manning and Schultz would be the guys I sit.

My real preference though, would be to trade MDZ (I have no interest in re-signing him as he will want too much $$ and too many years) and I'd also waive or trade Schultz. I'd then bring up Morin (this D needs more size and snarl) and I'd go with:

Provorov-Gudas
AMac (or Manning if AMac struggles)-Streit or Ghost
Morin-Ghost or Streit

on the PK, my top 4 would be:
Provorov-Gudas
AMac-Morin
Streit to fill in when needed

Ghost would continue to QB the top PP unit, while Provorov and Streit would work the 2nd.

Speaking of the powerplay, I would basically use Giroux and Schenn for the entire 2 minutes

1st Unit
G
Jake
Schenn
Simmonds
Ghost

2nd Unit
G
Streit
Schenn
Couturier
Provorov

I'm worried that Hexy is just going to play things out and keep drafting in hopes of finding that player. It's very difficult to do that in the 10-20 range in the draft. At some point, he may need to pull the trigger on a deal where he's actually trading a very good player for more of an unknown. I'm just not sure he's willing to do that.

There is risk in making a trade like that. There is also risk in not making a trade like that.
- PhillySportsGuy

Maybe, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. There is no need to make that trade today or even in the upcoming offseason. But yeah, unless you strike gold with a pick in that 10-20 range, a deal will need to be made at some point.

It is sad that so many of the alumni looked better last night than the present day team looked in the afternoon. LOD looks a lot better than any current Flyers line combination. As pointed out, Rico looks better than I will say most of the current blue liners.

I was always pretty sure that this was a bubble team and that not making the playoffs was a real possibility. I had thought that it might not be so wrenching...but after the mirage of a 10 game winning streak (was any of that against a Metro team?) who wouldn't be snookered.

Personally I look for Hakstol to hold the core responsible and stop benching the players who are effected ... Jake doesn't back check, bench Cousins. G doesn't back check 3 times leading to goals...nothing is said. Manning and MDZ take 6 minutes each is lazy undisciplined stick penalties...bench Ghost. Frankly, I like Manning but he really is the 7th man and should not be one of the top 4. I am one of the few who doesn't think that AMac is the problem, but there could be better options.

I know Hexy is committed to going low and slow on the rebuild and I do see that we are on the right path...but why do we keep turning down the "we're going to play like complete crap and gut our defense and goalies confidence" street?
- wbon22

First of all, none of the players that played in the alumni game, are capable of playing in the NHL today, so I hope your just joking about that, otherwise, it's an absurd statement. Tyler Kennedy was one of the best players in that game. He's 30 years old, and wanted to play in the NHL another season. He couldn't get a job. Instead he was playing in an alumni game against 40-60 year old ex players.

I hear what you're saying about accountability, but star players have always, and will always be treated differently. It's just the way it is.

MacDonald is, and isn't the problem. He's playing well overall to the best of his ability, but the reality is that you're not going to be a top team in the league with MacDonald playing on the top pairing for 22 minutes in a game. So while he is playing well, they need to improve the defense moving forward, as everyone knows.

Hextall is only going to say so much to the press. Same for the coach.

To some extent, yes. I think they are pretty well positioned to have a top notch D in a few years and I think it's a solid bet that at least one of their goal prospects develops into a quality NHL starter. When it comes to forwards though, I do have concerns. On the wing I think they are ok. Voracek and Simmonds should be top 6 forwards for at least a few more years and Konecny and Lindblom hopefully will be as well. And, if they are a little short, wings are usually the easiest positions to upgrade through trades or free agency.

What really concerns me though, as I have mentioned before, is the center positions. Giroux can certainly be a pp force for years to come, but at ES, he is a 2C at this point. Coots, to me, is a perfect 3C on a Cup team who can step up and be your 2C when needed. What they really need though is another strong all around offensive center that can be a 1C at ES. I don't think that they have anyone that fits the bill currently in the system and those types of players are extremely difficult to acquire via trade and all but impossible to get via FA.

This is why I want them to be sellers at the deadline. With so many teams in playoff contention, it will be a sellers market. They need to take advantage of this and get as many picks/prospects as possible. They have absolutely no chance of winning a Cup this year and with that in mind, I'd rather miss the playoffs and (hopefully) land a top 10 pick, rather than just squeak in and get bounced out in the first round.

The draft is likely the only way they will address their need at center and the higher you pick, the better your chances are.
- BiggE

You make and excellent point, and one that was often lost on people in the Carter/Richards era...neither of them was the #1 center, it was Briere. He took the shifts that allowed the match ups that allowed Carter and Richards to flourish. The Flyers NEED another center, a real one, not a tweener like Schen, who can be slotted as the 1c at even strength. Someone who will take create the checking miss matches and let the other lines flourish.

It is sad that so many of the alumni looked better last night than the present day team looked in the afternoon. LOD looks a lot better than any current Flyers line combination. As pointed out, Rico looks better than I will say most of the current blue liners.

I was always pretty sure that this was a bubble team and that not making the playoffs was a real possibility. I had thought that it might not be so wrenching...but after the mirage of a 10 game winning streak (was any of that against a Metro team?) who wouldn't be snookered.

Personally I look for Hakstol to hold the core responsible and stop benching the players who are effected ... Jake doesn't back check, bench Cousins. G doesn't back check 3 times leading to goals...nothing is said. Manning and MDZ take 6 minutes each is lazy undisciplined stick penalties...bench Ghost. Frankly, I like Manning but he really is the 7th man and should not be one of the top 4. I am one of the few who doesn't think that AMac is the problem, but there could be better options.

I know Hexy is committed to going low and slow on the rebuild and I do see that we are on the right path...but why do we keep turning down the "we're going to play like complete crap and gut our defense and goalies confidence" street?
- wbon22

I agree with the bold. It is frustrating. I understand certain players get treated differently. top (Jake, Simmonds, G, etc) players arent going to be scratched. Nor do I really want them to but something has to change. I'm sick of lack of effort and careless plays. Mistakes happen. Players aren't perfect but the lack of effort makes me crazy

was it the third goal that Streit completely was caught and glided back? Granted I only half watched the game because I had to DVR it and I heard the score so I wasn't compelled to watch it closely.

My theory with this team is that they are neither fast nor big and have to work their asses off to sustain pressure and score. 82 games is a long season and they simply cannot sustain it game in and game out with the current makeup. I'm no expert but that is just my take. I want to see this team get faster. Goalies aside I really don't think i want any of the UFAs back. I want to make the playoffs even if it mean a first round elimination so the kids get some playoff experience but teams are right on their tails with multiple games in hand. if they are on the outside come deadline I hope they move MDZ and Streit. I would have to think MDZ would get something decent if moved to a contender.

First of all, none of the players that played in the alumni game, are capable of playing in the NHL today, so I hope your just joking about that, otherwise, it's an absurd statement. Tyler Kennedy was one of the best players in that game. He's 30 years old, and wanted to play in the NHL another season. He couldn't get a job. Instead he was playing in an alumni game against 40-60 year old ex players.

I hear what you're saying about accountability, but star players have always, and will always be treated differently. It's just the way it is.

MacDonald is, and isn't the problem. He's playing well overall to the best of his ability, but the reality is that you're not going to be a top team in the league with MacDonald playing on the top pairing for 22 minutes in a game. So while he is playing well, they need to improve the defense moving forward, as everyone knows.

Hextall is only going to say so much to the press. Same for the coach.
- MJL

I was really unhappy with Ghost's benching as well. I actually thought his game was starting to come around and it makes no sense to sit your most lethal offensive weapon on D. I'm no fan of AMac, but I think Manning has been worse and he's taking way too many bad penalties. At this point, Manning and Schultz would be the guys I sit.

My real preference though, would be to trade MDZ (I have no interest in re-signing him as he will want too much $$ and too many years) and I'd also waive or trade Schultz. I'd then bring up Morin (this D needs more size and snarl) and I'd go with:

Provorov-Gudas
AMac (or Manning if AMac struggles)-Streit or Ghost
Morin-Ghost or Streit

on the PK, my top 4 would be:
Provorov-Gudas
AMac-Morin
Streit to fill in when needed

Ghost would continue to QB the top PP unit, while Provorov and Streit would work the 2nd.

Speaking of the powerplay, I would basically use Giroux and Schenn for the entire 2 minutes

1st Unit
G
Jake
Schenn
Simmonds
Ghost

2nd Unit
G
Streit
Schenn
Couturier
Provorov
- BiggE

I hope morin gets the call before the end of the season, but I have a feeling he's still working on his game to the extent a long term call up might hurt him. As I understand it and from what I saw in junior, he has to address his foot work. Maybe they'll look at next year for a full time role, but yes, the d is weak and small

So Las Vegas has to take a player from us right? I can't wait to see who it is. Weise or Read I'm hoping
- Just5

If I were vegas, choosing from what we have I may go the prospect/young player route like Laughton/Leier/Cousins (whichever one ends up being unprotected). gotta figure they will need to choose some prospects and young players. Read being a UFA after next season could possible be a choice.