Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Results, Saturday Games

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Results, Saturday Games
- bmeltzer

Any word from Flyers brass if they like what they've seen from Taylor Leier this season?

Any word from Flyers brass if they like what they've seen from Taylor Leier this season?
- ob18

Yes, they are high on his potential. He's bounced back nicely from the abdominal injury that cost him a month and has definitely improved this season. He's a little undersized but has good speed, some grit and an emerging offensive game to go along with being defensively responsible.

The B Sens are very deep and stacked with young talent. I think the difference between the Phantoms and B Sens is goaltending.

Bill...I'm on of your biggest supporters here on this site but are we going to see more than who's playing and where.....I would like to see some interviews and what the players are doing to pass the time.....I know how great you are and have been but it seems you have been doing this who's playing thing....I read it but it just gets me worked up b/c we should be discussing the flyers player and their play.....knowing you can't control this. Anyway I thought I would give you a little feedback.

Thanks,

We are lucky to have u write for the flyers

Sincerely,

Dave L.

The B Sens are very deep and stacked with young talent. I think the difference between the Phantoms and B Sens is goaltending.
- spatso

Also offensive depth up front. Last night's four goals aside with minimal contributions from Schenn or Couturier, it's pretty much those two players who provide the bulk of the Phantoms' offense.

I wish the Flyers had a goalie like Lehner in the system.... his upside is better that that of either Hovinen or Heeter.

Bill...I'm on of your biggest supporters here on this site but are we going to see more than who's playing and where.....I would like to see some interviews and what the players are doing to pass the time.....I know how great you are and have been but it seems you have been doing this who's playing thing....I read it but it just gets me worked up b/c we should be discussing the flyers player and their play.....knowing you can't control this. Anyway I thought I would give you a little feedback.

Thanks,

We are lucky to have u write for the flyers

Sincerely,

Dave L.
- huks99

Back when the lockout started, I conducted a reader poll on what people wanted to see me focus on writing here. Far and away, people said they wanted stuff on the Phantoms, prospects and Flyers playing in Europe above lockout-related blogs, team history or other topics. So I've followed it accordingly, commenting on the lockout when something of note happens.

I'm not planning to do interviews on what players are doing to pass the time during the lockout. The majority of the Flyers players have been playing hockey! Between those on the Phantoms and those who have played in Europe, it accounts for all but a few players (most of whom are still in this area).

Those who aren't playing are working out on the ice to stay in shape, spending time with their families and playing a bit of golf or whatnot. Most of those guys were involved in Operation Hat Trick.

Braydon Coburn, the Flyers' player rep, has been active in gathering information related to the lockout.

On a daily basis, it is extremely time consuming to try to track up to a dozen games a day in real time (and to watch at least one or two of them), blogging here AND doing other hockey freelance for IIHF.com, Eurolivescores.com and Pro Hockey Magazine. So that leaves very little time or space for other stuff.

Back when the lockout started, I conducted a reader poll on what people wanted to see me focus on writing here. Far and away, people said they wanted stuff on the Phantoms, prospects and Flyers playing in Europe above lockout-related blogs, team history or other topics. So I've followed it accordingly, commenting on the lockout when something of note happens.

I'm not planning to do interviews on what players are doing to pass the time during the lockout. The majority of the Flyers players have been playing hockey! Between those on the Phantoms and those who have played in Europe, it accounts for all but a few players (most of whom are still in this area).

Those who aren't playing are working out on the ice to stay in shape, spending time with their families and playing a bit of golf or whatnot. Most of those guys were involved in Operation Hat Trick.

Braydon Coburn, the Flyers' player rep, has been active in gathering information related to the lockout.

On a daily basis, it is extremely time consuming to try to track up to a dozen games a day in real time (and to watch at least one or two of them), blogging here AND doing other hockey freelance for IIHF.com, Eurolivescores.com and Pro Hockey Magazine. So that leaves very little time or space for other stuff.
- bmeltzer

If the owners and players had a tenth of your love for the game you'd be writing about the Flyers. Thanks for the hockey updates.

Wow, this is nice! I wish the Wild bloggers would keep their fans up to date on their players! Nice work Bill. Brad Ratgen should take some pointers from you. There hasn't been one Wild blog since the lock out officially began. Apathy seemed to set in shortly after the Suter and Parise signings.

Back when the lockout started, I conducted a reader poll on what people wanted to see me focus on writing here. Far and away, people said they wanted stuff on the Phantoms, prospects and Flyers playing in Europe above lockout-related blogs, team history or other topics. So I've followed it accordingly, commenting on the lockout when something of note happens.

I'm not planning to do interviews on what players are doing to pass the time during the lockout. The majority of the Flyers players have been playing hockey! Between those on the Phantoms and those who have played in Europe, it accounts for all but a few players (most of whom are still in this area).

Those who aren't playing are working out on the ice to stay in shape, spending time with their families and playing a bit of golf or whatnot. Most of those guys were involved in Operation Hat Trick.



Braydon Coburn, the Flyers' player rep, has been active in gathering information related to the lockout.

On a daily basis, it is extremely time consuming to try to track up to a dozen games a day in real time (and to watch at least one or two of them), blogging here AND doing other hockey freelance for IIHF.com, Eurolivescores.com and Pro Hockey Magazine. So that leaves very little time or space for other stuff.
- bmeltzer

Thanks....I know how hard you work and how dedicated you are to your blog but I think your talents are being wasted spending time with this logistical bs .... When you can be doing more of the articles that make standout on this site. I love reading about the history, players like pelle, and the like......you work harder than we can expect but my thoughts are your talents can better utilized.

Just my 2cents....and maybe I have let the lockout with no hockey games effect my judgement...I truly look forward to reading your writings and I guess I want them to be on real hockey games for the Philadelphia Flyers and not some bs euro league. So, take this more of a rant against the system and please don't take it personally.

We are lucky to have you.

Happy holidays......peace!

If we are to indeed lose this season in the upcoming weeks, will we see a floodgate of players looking to play hockey elsewhere? Or, has the majority made up their mind?

Also, I'm curious as to how Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, and Joonas Korpisalo are performing. Anyone?

Bill...I'm on of your biggest supporters here on this site but are we going to see more than who's playing and where.....I would like to see some interviews and what the players are doing to pass the time.....I know how great you are and have been but it seems you have been doing this who's playing thing....I read it but it just gets me worked up b/c we should be discussing the flyers player and their play.....knowing you can't control this. Anyway I thought I would give you a little feedback.

Thanks,

We are lucky to have u write for the flyers

Sincerely,

Dave L.
- huks99

Get your own interviews! Whatever Bill blogs is great news for me!

If we are to indeed lose this season in the upcoming weeks, will we see a floodgate of players looking to play hockey elsewhere? Or, has the majority made up their mind?

Also, I'm curious as to how Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, and Joonas Korpisalo are performing. Anyone?
- pharcyde

Subban has been sensational and if not the best goalie in junior hockey, in the top three for sure. Dansk has had some very good games and some average. Subban will almost certainly be the starter for Team Canada in the upcoming World Juniors.

The B Sens are very deep and stacked with young talent. I think the difference between the Phantoms and B Sens is goaltending.
- spatso

Totally agree with the goaltending as Bishop and Lehner are both going to push Anderson for his job real soon. They both have great futures.

Thanks....I know how hard you work and how dedicated you are to your blog but I think your talents are being wasted spending time with this logistical bs .... When you can be doing more of the articles that make standout on this site. I love reading about the history, players like pelle, and the like......you work harder than we can expect but my thoughts are your talents can better utilized.

Just my 2cents....and maybe I have let the lockout with no hockey games effect my judgement...I truly look forward to reading your writings and I guess I want them to be on real hockey games for the Philadelphia Flyers and not some bs euro league. So, take this more of a rant against the system and please don't take it personally.

We are lucky to have you.

Happy holidays......peace!
- huks99

Stop your whining already! You have the best blogger out there in Bill Meltzer and no criticism is allowed

Stop your whining already! You have the best blogger out there in Bill Meltzer and no criticism is allowed
- flyerdude17

Agreed. Plus any constructive criticism should be directed at the league and the PA not Bill!!

Thanks....I know how hard you work and how dedicated you are to your blog but I think your talents are being wasted spending time with this logistical bs .... When you can be doing more of the articles that make standout on this site. I love reading about the history, players like pelle, and the like......you work harder than we can expect but my thoughts are your talents can better utilized.

Just my 2cents....and maybe I have let the lockout with no hockey games effect my judgement...I truly look forward to reading your writings and I guess I want them to be on real hockey games for the Philadelphia Flyers and not some bs euro league. So, take this more of a rant against the system and please don't take it personally.

We are lucky to have you.

Happy holidays......peace!
- huks99

Are you for real?

Are you for real?
- Pixote Andolini

I think am able to my own opinion if you don't like tough. I am 42 and not some 16 yr old punk....I don't want to read about all the flyers playing bum freck Africa I want to hear about Philly flyers and current events. Bill just finished a book....maybe he's working on another.....I would like to hear about that than the price of tea in china.....look at my profile I have been on this site as long if not longer than most and normally I don't cause any waves....I don't want to hear about Matt read in Germany or any other country......I read almost everyone's posts on this site and let me tell u there's some really dumb sh!t....but I keep my mouth shout.....I have the right to an opinion .... If you think I'm off base let me know.....but bill is an excellent blogger/writer basically doing box scores.....truth hurts but he can do better and we came to expect more.

I think am able to my own opinion if you don't like tough. I am 42 and not some 16 yr old punk....I don't want to read about all the flyers playing bum freck Africa I want to hear about Philly flyers and current events. Bill just finished a book....maybe he's working on another.....I would like to hear about that than the price of tea in china.....look at my profile I have been on this site as long if not longer than most and normally I don't cause any waves....I don't want to hear about Matt read in Germany or any other country......I read almost everyone's posts on this site and let me tell u there's some really dumb sh!t....but I keep my mouth shout.....I have the right to an opinion .... If you think I'm off base let me know.....but bill is an excellent blogger/writer basically doing box scores.....truth hurts but he can do better and we came to expect more.
- huks99

1) I did a reader poll on Sept 3 asking what coverage focus people wanted. There were 1,090 responses. Far and away, the focuses people said they wanted is exactly what I've been doing: Phantoms, Flyers in Europe and prospects in junior/college hockey. So I'm sorry if the coverage of the last two-months hasn't been what you want, but I'll continue to serve what the majority specified they wanted (which is very time-consuming to collect and deliver as a one-stop report, especially on the weekends.

2) The "current events" involving the Flyers are that they are in the lockout. The players are either playing in Europe, on the Phantoms or trying to stay in shape for when/if the lockout ends (and doing things such as the Players' Tour and Operation Hat Trick). The Flyers' hockey operations staff is scouting, coaching, etc. In short, everyone is continuing to be hockey people as best as possible.

3) I do more than just box scores, with the exceptions of days where there are simply so many games, it makes the most sense to only talk about one or two in depth and then list the rest in quick-hit fashion.

I've done quite a few in-depth pieces on the Phantoms; who is playing well, what the Flyers players there are doing, how they've been developing under Murray, etc. For the guys in Europe, I've talked at times about their linemates, the caliber of team they play on or type of system their team employs.

I dare say that, throughout the lockout, my blog has been THE most complete source anywhere on the Web in terms of tracking what every Flyers-contracted player and Flyers prospect has been up to on a regular basis this entire season in lieu of an NHL season.

4) This is something I've commented on before on the boards: everyone has a right to follow the sport how they please, and it doesn't make them any less of a fan if they choose only to follow the Flyers and/or only the NHL. If you aren't interested in the minor leagues, Europe and/or major junior hockey that is your prerogative.

5) Even if you don't follow the European leagues, the top ones are far from "garbage leagues." That is witnessed by the fact that NHL players that go there don't automatically dominate. They have to come ready to work and compete as well as adapting to the strategies that work on the bigger rink. The leagues have their own hockey cultures, own traditions and own histories (which sometimes stretch back longer than those of many NHL teams).

6) Yes, I am doing another book; co-authored with former Flyers equipment manager Kevin Cady. It's a non-sports book, however, so I don't think my blog is the place to discuss it. The book pertains to a cold-case investigation that Kevin was involved in during his long post-hockey career in law enforcement and police detective work.

Thanks for your consistent and nigh-constant work here, Bill. It is most appreciated even as my apathy and anger for the NHL & NHLPA increase.

I added the Sports Package to my cable today so I can watch Everton in the Prem League and as many college hockey games as I can. I'm not wasting hate or energy on a league or players that don't care about the fans. If they did, these lockouts would never happen.

Thanks for your consistent and nigh-constant work here, Bill. It is most appreciated even as my apathy and anger for the NHL & NHLPA increase.

I added the Sports Package to my cable today so I can watch Everton in the Prem League and as many college hockey games as I can. I'm not wasting hate or energy on a league or players that don't care about the fans. If they did, these lockouts would never happen.
- Flyskippy

CHL hockey for me saw a decent one last night.

If we are to indeed lose this season in the upcoming weeks, will we see a floodgate of players looking to play hockey elsewhere? Or, has the majority made up their mind?

Also, I'm curious as to how Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, and Joonas Korpisalo are performing. Anyone?
- pharcyde

There would be a handful more players going over but there aren't many spots available at this point. Obviously for a player like Crosby or for Hartnell going to KalPa, the team would make room. If the NHL season is canceled, and players would commit for the remainder of the season, you'll see spots open up in Sweden's Elitserien.

Subban is having a tremendous season (although he has shown vulnerability to long shots on occasion; a weakness he'll have to correct as he moves upward). Dansk's stats are unimpressive but he plays on a very weak Erie Otters team, and routinely gets hung out to dry. All things considered, he's on track. Korpisalo has been on loan to a Mestis (minor-league) team and has been OK, but is probably the best U20 goalie right now.

I've been banned for most of November. If the trend continues, I better step up now and wish everyone a Happy Holidays.

-CPFS

I've been banned for most of November. If the trend continues, I better step up now and wish everyone a Happy Holidays.

-CPFS
- Daman

Cant really see how somebody could be banned when this entire site gets a total of like 350 comments/day...

Cant really see how somebody could be banned when this entire site gets a total of like 350 comments/day...
- FLYERSROCK!

It's the quality, not the quantity...