Bill Meltzer: Quick Hit: Clean Bill of Health for Bourdon, Meszaros

Nice Read Bill

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hit: Clean Bill of Health for Bourdon, Meszaros
- bmeltzer

Given the Flyers past history of pronouncing guys as "fine" this gives me a bit of pause, especially in the case of Bourdon.

At least Homer didn't say...he is on the team "at this time"

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hit: Clean Bill of Health for Bourdon, Meszaros
- bmeltzer

Bill-

Did Holmgren address the status of Kimmo Timonen?

Given the Flyers past history of pronouncing guys as "fine" this gives me a bit of pause, especially in the case of Bourdon.
- Jsaquella

Agreed. But if true, it's huge news for this team.

Bill-

Did Holmgren address the status of Kimmo Timonen?
- PLindbergh31

No.

No.
- bmeltzer

I guess no news is good news. I'm expecting Timonen to be ready to start the season, it would be a wise decision for the first few months to keep his minutes in the 16-17 range, don't want the guy worn down to a nub before the calendar hits January.

At least Homer didn't say...he is on the team "at this time"

- phi1671

Homer is itchin to trade draft picks

I am convinced that next years success (and Bryz) will be directly correlated to the health of the defense.

Many people focus on Bryz's inconsistent season last year... If you broke his season into quarters; 1Q) he started off well, 2Q) he slumped, 3Q) he started to get better, 4Q) he was playing great - but got hurt, then Playoffs

If you compare this to the ups and downs of the defense... 1Q) A healthy Pronger, 2Q) Prongers hurt and the defense is soft, MAB is doing rookie mistakes, Lilja is exposed, etc.. 3Q) the defense adjust to life without Pronger and the whole team is adjusting to Lavy's system and playing better defense, 4) Enter Kubina/Grossmann who stabilize the defense and the team is playing great defense in front of Bryz (when he's playing great) - But, Mez gets hurt.

As the playoffs roll around... Bryz is just getting back from injury (lost the 4Q mojo). But, if you look at the defense; MAB is out, Kubina burns out, Mez is out (Huge loss), Timmo is playing too many minutes and is hurt, etc... The only thing (defensively) that got them through the Pens was Timmo being Timmo, and the Grossmann/Coburn team. I would liked to have seen the Devils series with a healthy Mez and Timmo.

Next year, critics say the Flyers defense is nothing special... If healthy, I disagree. We really haven't had too many games with a full line up (like Grossmann and Mez in the line up at one time). Exit Carle - but, he didn't help keep the GAA down. Enter L.Schenn - he should help lower the GAA.

The only thing we have to worry about is puck movement. Carle will be missed, but the others are not bad (Coburn, Mez, etc...). I think Gus (who seems to be the odd man out numbers-wise) could be a great addition if they really struggle. And, another thing about Carle... Although, he was a good puck mover - it did not exactly translate into helping our PP. I think Homer was right - Weber would have put them over the top, but the defense is good.

Homer is itchin to trade draft picks
- vejim

Probably will have to wait until the trade deadline to do so this year.

I guess no news is good news. I'm expecting Timonen to be ready to start the season, it would be a wise decision for the first few months to keep his minutes in the 16-17 range, don't want the guy worn down to a nub before the calendar hits January.
- PLindbergh31

Or at least cut down on the hard minutes like the PK. The addition of Schenn should take some of that load off of him at least.

I guess no news is good news. I'm expecting Timonen to be ready to start the season, it would be a wise decision for the first few months to keep his minutes in the 16-17 range, don't want the guy worn down to a nub before the calendar hits January.
- PLindbergh31

I been saying this for two plus years but it hasn't happened yet. By the time the playoffs come around Timonen is falling apart.

I am convinced that next years success (and Bryz) will be directly correlated to the health of the defense.

Many people focus on Bryz's inconsistent season last year... If you broke his season into quarters; 1Q) he started off well, 2Q) he slumped, 3Q) he started to get better, 4Q) he was playing great - but got hurt, then Playoffs

If you compare this to the ups and downs of the defense... 1Q) A healthy Pronger, 2Q) Prongers hurt and the defense is soft, MAB is doing rookie mistakes, Lilja is exposed, etc.. 3Q) the defense adjust to life without Pronger and the whole team is adjusting to Lavy's system and playing better defense, 4) Enter Kubina/Grossmann who stabilize the defense and the team is playing great defense in front of Bryz (when he's playing great) - But, Mez gets hurt.

As the playoffs roll around... Bryz is just getting back from injury (lost the 4Q mojo). But, if you look at the defense; MAB is out, Kubina burns out, Mez is out (Huge loss), Timmo is playing too many minutes and is hurt, etc... The only thing (defensively) that got them through the Pens was Timmo being Timmo, and the Grossmann/Coburn team. I would liked to have seen the Devils series with a healthy Mez and Timmo..........


- leon neon

Excellent post!

Or at least cut down on the hard minutes like the PK. The addition of Schenn should take some of that load off of him at least.
- MBFlyerfan

Exactly. Limit his PK minutes.

I been saying this for two plus years but it hasn't happened yet. By the time the playoffs come around Timonen is falling apart.
- stveshdy

Yup. I hope the thinking isn't because this is Timonen's last year under contract, lets run him into the ground.

I am convinced that next years success (and Bryz) will be directly correlated to the health of the defense.

Many people focus on Bryz's inconsistent season last year... If you broke his season into quarters; 1Q) he started off well, 2Q) he slumped, 3Q) he started to get better, 4Q) he was playing great - but got hurt, then Playoffs

If you compare this to the ups and downs of the defense... 1Q) A healthy Pronger, 2Q) Prongers hurt and the defense is soft, MAB is doing rookie mistakes, Lilja is exposed, etc.. 3Q) the defense adjust to life without Pronger and the whole team is adjusting to Lavy's system and playing better defense, 4) Enter Kubina/Grossmann who stabilize the defense and the team is playing great defense in front of Bryz (when he's playing great) - But, Mez gets hurt.

As the playoffs roll around... Bryz is just getting back from injury (lost the 4Q mojo). But, if you look at the defense; MAB is out, Kubina burns out, Mez is out (Huge loss), Timmo is playing too many minutes and is hurt, etc... The only thing (defensively) that got them through the Pens was Timmo being Timmo, and the Grossmann/Coburn team. I would liked to have seen the Devils series with a healthy Mez and Timmo.

Next year, critics say the Flyers defense is nothing special... If healthy, I disagree. We really haven't had too many games with a full line up (like Grossmann and Mez in the line up at one time). Exit Carle - but, he didn't help keep the GAA down. Enter L.Schenn - he should help lower the GAA.

The only thing we have to worry about is puck movement. Carle will be missed, but the others are not bad (Coburn, Mez, etc...). I think Gus (who seems to be the odd man out numbers-wise) could be a great addition if they really struggle. And, another thing about Carle... Although, he was a good puck mover - it did not exactly translate into helping our PP. I think Homer was right - Weber would have put them over the top, but the defense is good.
- leon neon

Nicely stated. Have to figure the Flyers are in for some good fortune on the injury front, however we have been figuring that for the last 5 years.

Yup. I hope the thinking isn't because this is Timonen's last year under contract, lets run him into the ground.
- PLindbergh31

Timonen is going to give the Flyers everything he has left. I'm going to miss the little guy once he's gone.

I guess no news is good news. I'm expecting Timonen to be ready to start the season, it would be a wise decision for the first few months to keep his minutes in the 16-17 range, don't want the guy worn down to a nub before the calendar hits January.
- PLindbergh31

It's really the type of minutes that are the biggest issue. Especially hard PK minutes. Adding a player like Luke Schenn can help take some of that load off of Timonen. If he's in the lineup, I still expect him to play in the 20+ minute range.

Timonen is going to give the Flyers everything he has left. I'm going to miss the little guy once he's gone.
- stveshdy

Absolutely. He gives 100% every shift. He's been a terrific player for the Flyers, and a class act off the ice as well.

I am convinced that next years success (and Bryz) will be directly correlated to the health of the defense.

Many people focus on Bryz's inconsistent season last year... If you broke his season into quarters; 1Q) he started off well, 2Q) he slumped, 3Q) he started to get better, 4Q) he was playing great - but got hurt, then Playoffs

If you compare this to the ups and downs of the defense... 1Q) A healthy Pronger, 2Q) Prongers hurt and the defense is soft, MAB is doing rookie mistakes, Lilja is exposed, etc.. 3Q) the defense adjust to life without Pronger and the whole team is adjusting to Lavy's system and playing better defense, 4) Enter Kubina/Grossmann who stabilize the defense and the team is playing great defense in front of Bryz (when he's playing great) - But, Mez gets hurt.

As the playoffs roll around... Bryz is just getting back from injury (lost the 4Q mojo). But, if you look at the defense; MAB is out, Kubina burns out, Mez is out (Huge loss), Timmo is playing too many minutes and is hurt, etc... The only thing (defensively) that got them through the Pens was Timmo being Timmo, and the Grossmann/Coburn team. I would liked to have seen the Devils series with a healthy Mez and Timmo.

Next year, critics say the Flyers defense is nothing special... If healthy, I disagree. We really haven't had too many games with a full line up (like Grossmann and Mez in the line up at one time). Exit Carle - but, he didn't help keep the GAA down. Enter L.Schenn - he should help lower the GAA.

The only thing we have to worry about is puck movement. Carle will be missed, but the others are not bad (Coburn, Mez, etc...). I think Gus (who seems to be the odd man out numbers-wise) could be a great addition if they really struggle. And, another thing about Carle... Although, he was a good puck mover - it did not exactly translate into helping our PP. I think Homer was right - Weber would have put them over the top, but the defense is good.
- leon neon

I agree with most of this. With the exception that solid puck movement that a player like Carle provides, absolutely helps lower a team's GAA. If the puck isnt in your zone and going the other way, they aren't scoring on you. Less time spent in your zone equates to less GA. Also Carle is a very strong shot blocker as well, which certainly helps to lower GAA. Also Carle's 12 PP points was a solid total for a player on the point of the 2nd PP unit.

It's really the type of minutes that are the biggest issue. Especially hard PK minutes. Adding a player like Luke Schenn can help take some of that load off of Timonen. If he's in the lineup, I still expect him to play in the 20+ minute range.
- MJL

20+ minutes for a 37 yr old coming off assorted injuries sounds like a wonderful plan.

mez was third amongst all dmen last year in even strength points per 60. if he can find a way to harness that shot a little more, he could really put up good numbers--10 goals, 40 points if he has a big power play year.

Excellent post!

- MBFlyerfan

+1

mez was third amongst all dmen last year in even strength points per 60. if he can find a way to harness that shot a little more, he could really put up good numbers--10 goals, 40 points if he has a big power play year.
- OrangeBlack27

I'd probably platoon him with Coburn.