Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: European Games, Prospects in Action

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: European Games, Prospects in Action
- bmeltzer

I've tuned in for some of the junior league games on the radio. It's not the same but for stretches it will have to do.

Don't know why, but this $hit (lockout), is feeling more painful than it did 8 years ago.

Really hard to be a hockey fan, and each passing day, hating Bettman & Fehr more and more, and we haven't even missed a game yet.

And there's no one to step in, nothing, just sit & hear the constant rhetoric.

Don't know why, but this $hit (lockout), is feeling more painful than it did 8 years ago.

Really hard to be a hockey fan, and each passing day, hating Bettman & Fehr more and more, and we haven't even missed a game yet.

And there's no one to step in, nothing, just sit & hear the constant rhetoric.
- puckhead17

It's easy to find dislike for both sides and spread the blame to each. I know I haven't like much of the content coming out from the owners and board of governors side of things.

the Bryz KHL link isn't showing much but the one for Malkin and Paul Maurice is working (Bars Kazan - Metallurg Magnitogorsk)

I can't believe that there aren't negotiations going everday until this is settled. Both sides are acting like little kids. meanwhile the behind the scenes arena workers, fans are getting the high hard one.

the Bryz KHL link isn't showing much but the one for Malkin and Paul Maurice is working (Bars Kazan - Metallurg Magnitogorsk)
- ob18

I know. But since it turns out that neither Bryz nor Datsyuk are playing yet, it's no big deal, right ?

I know. But since it turns out that neither Bryz nor Datsyuk are playing yet, it's no big deal, right ?
- bmeltzer

Nope I've been watching the Swedish link you posted on twitter.

Am I the only fan a little confused with the direction of this team? Just a few examples. Let's forget for one second the type of season Ville Leino just had with the Sabers and remember how perfect a compliment he was to Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. Leino could arguably have been the main piece to such a dominate line. However, we didn't want to pay Ville Leino the money to stay. Leino himself could take over a game but again, we didn't want to pay him. Maybe it was a question of his bad hip. There couldn't have been an issue with his age, he's gotta be only 28. My point is, why was it so easy to pay Jake Voracek the type of money Leino found with Buffalo. I know many are thinking thank god Leino was never re-signed but for me, it isn't a lack of talent on his part, he just doesn't fit well with the Sabers.

JvR for Luke Schenn. I'm happy to have Luke but Luke being here seems more about trading for Brayden's older brother then anything else. If we were ever truly in on trade talks to bring Shea Weber here, you would think that JvR would have been themain piece going the other way. Then I consider the fact there are many other young defensemen I would put ahead Luke in acquiring. Tyler Myers for one. In my opinion JvR was our one and only chance to grab whatever star we desired based on his potential alone (obviously other pieces would need to be added going the
The signing of Rusty Fedaranko

[quote=SuperSchennBros]


I think Luke Schenn will be better than many believe, technically his potential equals JVR at a different position. he's a top 4 guy, depending on his pairing

JVR would not have pried Weber, they wanted him plus another young stud & maybe more

[quote=SuperSchennBros]

Voracek is a better player than Leino. That's why the Flyers gave him money instead of Leino. Leino wanted, and got, too much for what he's worth. The Flyers, for obvious reasons, get a lot of crap about spending spending spending, but IMO they generally do it pretty smartly and on the right players.


Tyler Meyers wasn't available for JvR... Luke Schenn was. I don't think JvR is/was as valuable across the league as some people seem to believe. Otherwise, the Flyers would have gotten more than Luke Schenn. And the deal still has the possibility of turning out well for the Flyers.

Edit: And regarding Leino, if I remember correctly, the Flyers did show interest in resigning him during the season, but didn't have the tagging space to do it. They probably could have had him for 2-3 years for 2-3M per range. Once he hit the open markert, and got an offer for 6 years 4M+ (or whatever it really was), would you have wanted the Flyers to match that?

Voracek is a better player than Leino.
- eayost

I agree -- and I still like Leino. But Voracek is bigger, stronger and better defensively.

Leino is cool, but after seeing a season with Voracek--Jake the Snake wins.

At least the NHL took quick action against Devellano..

His comments were ridiculous..and he sounded like a senile old bat IMO.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...wings-devellano-fine.html

Voracek is a better player than Leino. That's why the Flyers gave him money instead of Leino. Leino wanted, and got, too much for what he's worth. The Flyers, for obvious reasons, get a lot of crap about spending spending spending, but IMO they generally do it pretty smartly and on the right players.


Tyler Meyers wasn't available for JvR... Luke Schenn was. I don't think JvR is/was as valuable across the league as some people seem to believe. Otherwise, the Flyers would have gotten more than Luke Schenn. And the deal still has the possibility of turning out well for the Flyers.

Edit: And regarding Leino, if I remember correctly, the Flyers did show interest in resigning him during the season, but didn't have the tagging space to do it. They probably could have had him for 2-3 years for 2-3M per range. Once he hit the open markert, and got an offer for 6 years 4M+ (or whatever it really was), would you have wanted the Flyers to match that?
- eayost

Agree with all of your comments here. Jake V brings way more to the table, and no way I wanted to give Leino 4 mil a year.

Am I the only fan a little confused with the direction of this team? Just a few examples. Let's forget for one second the type of season Ville Leino just had with the Sabers and remember how perfect a compliment he was to Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. Leino could arguably have been the main piece to such a dominate line. However, we didn't want to pay Ville Leino the money to stay. Leino himself could take over a game but again, we didn't want to pay him. Maybe it was a question of his bad hip. There couldn't have been an issue with his age, he's gotta be only 28. My point is, why was it so easy to pay Jake Voracek the type of money Leino found with Buffalo. I know many are thinking thank god Leino was never re-signed but for me, it isn't a lack of talent on his part, he just doesn't fit well with the Sabers.


- SuperSchennBros

I don't see what is so confusing. Leino isn't anywhere near the talent that Voracek is. Voracek was a top draft pick who has a chance to be a top first line player in this League. Leino doesn't. I also disagree that Leino could take over a game. Not on any kind of regular basis.

JvR for Luke Schenn. I'm happy to have Luke but Luke being here seems more about trading for Brayden's older brother then anything else. If we were ever truly in on trade talks to bring Shea Weber here, you would think that JvR would have been themain piece going the other way. Then I consider the fact there are many other young defensemen I would put ahead Luke in acquiring. Tyler Myers for one. In my opinion JvR was our one and only chance to grab whatever star we desired based on his potential alone (obviously other pieces would need to be added going the
The signing of Rusty Fedaranko
- SuperSchennBros

I assure you the main reason for trading for Luke Schenn wasn't because his brother was already on the team. I don't see JVR being able to get you a star defenseman such as Weber, or an upcoming star defenseman such as Tyler Myers. The peices that would needed to be added would need to be pretty big peices. The main peices the Flyers have to get that type of player are B Schenn and Couturier. Whom the Flyers seem reluctant to give up.

Fedetenko is a quality signing.

I don't see what is so confusing. Leino isn't anywhere near the talent that Voracek is. Voracek was a top draft pick who has a chance to be a top first line player in this League. Leino doesn't. I also disagree that Leino could take over a game. Not on any kind of regular basis.



I assure you the main reason for trading for Luke Schenn wasn't because his brother was already on the team. I don't see JVR being able to get you a star defenseman such as Weber, or an upcoming star defenseman such as Tyler Myers. The peices that would needed to be added would need to be pretty big peices. The main peices the Flyers have to get that type of player are B Schenn and Couturier. Whom the Flyers seem reluctant to give up.

Fedetenko is a quality signing.
- MJL

I think a big part is for the players to look at the big picture.

They are not average joe's as much as they are trying to make themselves out to be. Even making 500,000 a year is hell of a lot better than most people on the planet.

The league was stupid to put themselves in this position and they are trying to get themselves out of it. At the end of the day though nobody will convince me any of these guys deserve the salary they are getting.

A guy like Hartnell can basically without even thinking rent out a rink for a week. Most people would never be able to realistically budget for that.

So much for "the love of the game". I am sure every one of us, would be willing to put on that jersey for a lot less than 500,000. Those of us who may have loans, debt, work weekends, holidays, split shifts, etc.

(realise this doesnt really have anything to do with Leino, but just looking for your thoughts)

At least the NHL took quick action against Devellano..

His comments were ridiculous..and he sounded like a senile old bat IMO.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...wings-devellano-fine.html
- Hextall271

A $250,000 fine, next time he'll just say no comment.

A $250,000 fine, next time he'll just say no comment.
- ob18

He told the truth.

In 1990 Lemieux made 2 million. The highest paid in the whole league.

Gretzky made 1.7 million.

Messier at 855,000 and Yzerman at 700,000.

The average salary now has to be what? Around 2 million? Prices in the world have not gone up that much to warrant such an increase. Let alone the top guys getting 6-8 million a year with huge signing bonuses.

I understand the frustration of possibly having a reduction in wages but the players have to get real. They wouldn't be able to live comfortably with even a 1 million per year salary?

He told the truth.

In 1990 Lemieux made 2 million. The highest paid in the whole league.

Gretzky made 1.7 million.

Messier at 855,000 and Yzerman at 700,000.

The average salary now has to be what? Around 2 million? Prices in the world have not gone up that much to warrant such an increase. Let alone the top guys getting 6-8 million a year with huge signing bonuses.

I understand the frustration of possibly having a reduction in wages but the players have to get real. They wouldn't be able to live comfortably with even a 1 million per year salary?
- flyer_nutter

Again it's the owners/GM's who can't help themselves and over pay. If you reach free agency and a team offers you $5 million and the team you just played for only offers you $3 million why would you stay?

The players don't set the market the GM who opens up the vault to the player does. However I personally will blame both sides.

Again it's the owners/GM's who can't help themselves and over pay. If you reach free agency and a team offers you $5 million and the team you just played for only offers you $3 million why would you stay?

The players don't set the market the GM who opens up the vault to the player does. However I personally will blame both sides.
- ob18

Definately. Believe me I am not on either side here. I am on the side of the fans.

The owners wanted to win and handed out these contracts. They are now trying to fix that. The players have to understand that.

On the other hand I dont think a guy like Bettman deserves 8 million a year. Or the other crazy wages the owners/executives make. They have to give some up too.

He told the truth.

In 1990 Lemieux made 2 million. The highest paid in the whole league.

Gretzky made 1.7 million.

Messier at 855,000 and Yzerman at 700,000.

The average salary now has to be what? Around 2 million? Prices in the world have not gone up that much to warrant such an increase. Let alone the top guys getting 6-8 million a year with huge signing bonuses.

I understand the frustration of possibly having a reduction in wages but the players have to get real. They wouldn't be able to live comfortably with even a 1 million per year salary?
- flyer_nutter

I still say I don't pay to see the owners. They are getting plenty, they should be making money if they work their business right. If they can't then contract. Fewer players (the NHLPA will be unhappy) and the game will be better. But believe me, the salaries (or prices) wouldn't go down. And when I pay to see a player play, I'm happier with it going into his pocket than even more into Comcast's.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...ckey-related-revenue.html

For those who say the owners need to get more of the HRR in order to cover their cost of doing business? The HRR split is of the NET HRR, which means before they split with the players, they've already recovered their costs in most cases.

He told the truth.

In 1990 Lemieux made 2 million. The highest paid in the whole league.

Gretzky made 1.7 million.

Messier at 855,000 and Yzerman at 700,000.

The average salary now has to be what? Around 2 million? Prices in the world have not gone up that much to warrant such an increase. Let alone the top guys getting 6-8 million a year with huge signing bonuses.

I understand the frustration of possibly having a reduction in wages but the players have to get real. They wouldn't be able to live comfortably with even a 1 million per year salary?
- flyer_nutter

Prices in the World have zero to do with NHL salaries. The NHL is a 3.3 billion dollar a year industry.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...ckey-related-revenue.html

For those who say the owners need to get more of the HRR in order to cover their cost of doing business? The HRR split is of the NET HRR, which means before they split with the players, they've already recovered their costs in most cases.
- bodiva88

Great info. I wasn't aware of that, thanks.