Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers 20 Questions; Injury Updates

Hockey talk! How refreshing that was to read. What a joy!

Tank the short season and get seth jones ... Or somehow i have a feeling homers not done....

A consistent Bryzgalov would go a long way toward allowing the D to see what they've got and adjust accordingly. Of course, it goes both ways - a solid D will make it easier for Bryz to get into a groove. Hopefully we see at least one of the above.

Pronger planning on attending camp to support the guys is great news. I hope he's feeling better on a day-to-day basis.

Bill, what do you think is a realistic expectation for Talbot offensively? Do you think about 8 goals/15 points, or do you see higher numbers? Also, barring injury, do you see Leighton starting more than about 6 games given how Bryz apparently likes the high work load?

Read or Voracek can easily QB the PP.

Bill, what do you think is a realistic expectation for Talbot offensively? Do you think about 8 goals/15 points, or do you see higher numbers? Also, barring injury, do you see Leighton starting more than about 6 games given how Bryz apparently likes the high work load?
- jmatchett

Sound about right for Talbot.

I could see a 38/10 game split for Bryzgalov and Leighton.

Read or Voracek can easily QB the PP.
- Pixote Andolini

need someone extremely decisive to take that spot that moves the puck fast and has a booming shot, not sure those two fit that role

Read or Voracek can easily QB the PP.
- Pixote Andolini

I heard read was going to replace laviolette by seasons end.

I'd be worried that Backstrom & Howard would either be re-sign or signed elsewhere if Bryz was bought out, given the Flyers luck of late. I'm scared to go back to the days of having two back-up goalies.

I really thought the Flyers were going to get the Weber deal done. I thought they would put together a compelling package that would have won Nashville over. Not getting Weber and the loss of Carle was a very substantial hit. The Flyers will play 50% of their games against the Penguins, Devils, Rangers and a much improved Islander team. The weighting of the division scheduling makes it almost mathematically impossible for four teams from one division to make the playoffs. Unless the Flyers do something dramatic to improve their back end they may not make it into the top three in the Division and find themselves missing the playoffs.

need someone extremely decisive to take that spot that moves the puck fast and has a booming shot, not sure those two fit that role
- kej83

They could always use 4 forwards with Couturier playing as a sort of in-between forward/point man (assuming he's not in the top-6 PP forwards).

I really thought the Flyers were going to get the Weber deal done. I thought they would put together a compelling package that would have won Nashville over. Not getting Weber and the loss of Carle was a very substantial hit. The Flyers will play 50% of their games against the Penguins, Devils, Rangers and a much improved Islander team. The weighting of the division scheduling makes it almost mathematically impossible for four teams from one division to make the playoffs. Unless the Flyers do something dramatic to improve their back end they may not make it into the top three in the Division and find themselves missing the playoffs.
- spatso

You make a good point & I agree with you that the Islanders are not to be taken lightly but the Flyers always seem to get it done. I think having more stay at home defensemen, while hurting the offense & PP, will be beneficial to Bryzgalov, who has been known to carry lackluster teams to the playoffs (i.e. Phoenix).

I really thought the Flyers were going to get the Weber deal done. I thought they would put together a compelling package that would have won Nashville over. Not getting Weber and the loss of Carle was a very substantial hit. The Flyers will play 50% of their games against the Penguins, Devils, Rangers and a much improved Islander team. The weighting of the division scheduling makes it almost mathematically impossible for four teams from one division to make the playoffs. Unless the Flyers do something dramatic to improve their back end they may not make it into the top three in the Division and find themselves missing the playoffs.
- spatso

In Bryz we trust....

Until the season really gets going, it's going to be hard to realistically answer the questions. I'm encouraged with the number of players the Flyers had playing regularly, both in the AHL and Europe, but it's going to take time for everything to gel.

Divisionally, the Rangers and Pens seem equal to, or better than the Flyers on paper. The Devils lost a key piece, but still always play tough. The Isles had a ton of guys playing in the AHL, so they may well hit the ground running.

I do expect a trade for a defenseman either before the season kicks off or shortly thereafter.

I have a buyout/amnesty question. Do you think there could ever be a wink/nod triangle with a player like Bryzgalov and another team? Say Bryzgalov is told the Flyers want to buy him out, but keep him at a lower cost. Let's assume this is like last time, where the Flyers cannot resign him following the buyout. They then contact another team (let's just say Anaheim) and Bryzgalov, arranging for a trade (maybe a 3rd) if Anaheim signs Bryz at an agreed-upon price. So basically, Anaheim gets a free pick for allowing the Flyers to keep a player, but at a lower cap hit. Obviously just using players/teams as examples her,e but could be applied to anything.

Until the season really gets going, it's going to be hard to realistically answer the questions. I'm encouraged with the number of players the Flyers had playing regularly, both in the AHL and Europe, but it's going to take time for everything to gel.

Divisionally, the Rangers and Pens seem equal to, or better than the Flyers on paper. The Devils lost a key piece, but still always play tough. The Isles had a ton of guys playing in the AHL, so they may well hit the ground running.

I do expect a trade for a defenseman either before the season kicks off or shortly thereafter.

Couts for Subban?

I have a buyout/amnesty question. Do you think there could ever be a wink/nod triangle with a player like Bryzgalov and another team? Say Bryzgalov is told the Flyers want to buy him out, but keep him at a lower cost. Let's assume this is like last time, where the Flyers cannot resign him following the buyout. They then contact another team (let's just say Anaheim) and Bryzgalov, arranging for a trade (maybe a 3rd) if Anaheim signs Bryz at an agreed-upon price. So basically, Anaheim gets a free pick for allowing the Flyers to keep a player, but at a lower cap hit. Obviously just using players/teams as examples her,e but could be applied to anything.
- jmatchett

My guess is that the NHL would void the trade. But until I see the actual CBA, there's no way to answer that with 100% accuracy

I have a buyout/amnesty question. Do you think there could ever be a wink/nod triangle with a player like Bryzgalov and another team? Say Bryzgalov is told the Flyers want to buy him out, but keep him at a lower cost. Let's assume this is like last time, where the Flyers cannot resign him following the buyout. They then contact another team (let's just say Anaheim) and Bryzgalov, arranging for a trade (maybe a 3rd) if Anaheim signs Bryz at an agreed-upon price. So basically, Anaheim gets a free pick for allowing the Flyers to keep a player, but at a lower cap hit. Obviously just using players/teams as examples her,e but could be applied to anything.
- jmatchett

you my friend should work for the flyers front office.

Couts for Subban?
- Philly1980

That's what it'd take to land Subban, in all probability.

I'm thinking a solid vet, with a year left on his deal, who can be a solid 4th/5th guy with mobility and can work a PP point.

Met Peter Laviolette yesterday at my local rink! (I think his son was playing). Real cool guy a you'd expect, really started to like him as a coach after 24/7. Funny, due to the lockout ending I ws decked out in Ranger gear but he didnt give me poop for it

My guess is that the NHL would void the trade. But until I see the actual CBA, there's no way to answer that with 100% accuracy
- Jsaquella

I have no doubt the NHL would crush such shenanigans like a cockroach on a kitchen floor.

That's what it'd take to land Subban, in all probability.

I'm thinking a solid vet, with a year left on his deal, who can be a solid 4th/5th guy with mobility and can work a PP point.
- Jsaquella

Plus I doubt the Flyers would trade Couturier (or Schenn for that matter) considering that they didn't offer either for Shea Weber. They may have been because they thought the offer sheet would get the job done though.

Couts for Subban?
- Philly1980

Montreal would do that deal. I think it would be a mistake for the Flyers.

That's what it'd take to land Subban, in all probability.

I'm thinking a solid vet, with a year left on his deal, who can be a solid 4th/5th guy with mobility and can work a PP point.
- Jsaquella

In regards to Subban, I wouldn't mind waiting to see if he falls further out of grace with the Habs. Who knows, maybe get him at a relatively comfortable price?