Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Good Start to March, Carnival Sunday

I'm guessing 2 games for Harry Z. Does that sound right to you Bill?

I'm guessing 2 games for Harry Z. Does that sound right to you Bill?
- BiggE

Sounds right.

I'm guessing 2 games for Harry Z. Does that sound right to you Bill?
- BiggE

neal's hit in the playoffs last year was worse, and he only got 1. so Z will get 3.

When Mez comes back any idea of what the defensive pairings will be?

When Mez comes back any idea of what the defensive pairings will be?
- stveshdy

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann- Coburn
Meszaros-Gustafsson

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann- Coburn
Meszaros-Gustafsson
- bmeltzer

Thanks. Wasn't sure if Schenn would be moved with Gustafsson.

It really didn't make sense to me why the flyers had Briere with the top PP unit on the entire 5 on 3. Simmonds is white hot and is awesome at potting rebound goals. The strategy made no sense to me other then them trying to fluff brieres stats

Very impressed yesterday with the following:
Rinaldo-This kid has really seen the light. He is doing a fantastic job at driving the other team nuts, without taking the dumb penalties or losing his cool.
Bryz-Yes the one he gave up was a softie, but my lord, he was downright awesome at times and if he can go on hot streak, the Flyers will have a very successful March.
Simmonds-Is quickly proving that last year was no fluke, while LA was obviously thrilled to win the cup, I'm pretty sure they would deal Richards in a heartbeat for Simmonds and Schenn!
Voracek-Speaking of regrets, how's Columbus feeling this morning?? Having this guy locked up at 4.25 million may turn out to be the best bargain in the NHL.

I said on Friday, that the win against the Caps meant nothing if they didn't beat the Senators. Well now they have finally reached .500 and I'm looking for a big win over a what should be a desperate Rangers squad on Tuesday. That would leave them at 12-11-1 at the halfway point, which would be pretty good since they started at 2-6!

Timonen-Schenn
Grossmann- Coburn
Meszaros-Gustafsson
- bmeltzer

Wasn't Mez/grossman pairing looking real good last year? I'd like to see Mez on the 2nd pair and coburn with gusty myself

Thanks. Wasn't sure if Schenn would be moved with Gustafsson.
- stveshdy

That might not be a bad idea. Timonen can't skate like he used to so pairing him with Mez would give him a partner who can skate better than Schenn. While pairing Schenn with Gus does the same for him. I don't think they will make any changes right away, but I could see them trying this at some point.

That might not be a bad idea. Timonen can't skate like he used to so pairing him with Mez would give him a partner who can skate better than Schenn. While pairing Schenn with Gus does the same for him. I don't think they will make any changes right away, but I could see them trying this at some point.
- BiggE

Exactly what I was thinking.

Very impressed yesterday with the following:
Rinaldo-This kid has really seen the light. He is doing a fantastic job at driving the other team nuts, without taking the dumb penalties or losing his cool.
Bryz-Yes the one he gave up was a softie, but my lord, he was downright awesome at times and if he can go on hot streak, the Flyers will have a very successful March.
Simmonds-Is quickly proving that last year was no fluke, while LA was obviously thrilled to win the cup, I'm pretty sure they would deal Richards in a heartbeat for Simmonds and Schenn!
Voracek-Speaking of regrets, how's Columbus feeling this morning?? Having this guy locked up at 4.25 million may turn out to be the best bargain in the NHL.

I said on Friday, that the win against the Caps meant nothing if they didn't beat the Senators. Well now they have finally reached .500 and I'm looking for a big win over a what should be a desperate Rangers squad on Tuesday. That would leave them at 12-11-1 at the halfway point, which would be pretty good since they started at 2-6!
- BiggE

rinaldo, while not only agitating, and drawing penalties does a great job on the forecheck often keeping the puck along the wall at in O-zone, and he's also developing some smarts with the puck in open ice. there was one play where he could have easily just chipped it in and probably gone for a change or would have had to hunt the chip down, but he saw he had room at the line, delayed, and made a nice play to bring the puck in and maintain possession. you could see him thinking and making a good decision. i must admit, while i liked his energy last year, i didn't think he'd improve in his role this quickly. it's quite remarkable. question is can he maintain it or will he go backwards. the rest of the league is quickly going to become aware of him, if the aren't already.

nice to see the flyers finally at .500. if they continue this, they should be ok to get in, but will need some faltering from the teams around them....ottawa seems most ripe with their injuries, but they've got great goaltending.

I didn't like the Harry Z hit and think he deserves a 2 or 3 game suspension. But then I also thought that about the hit Kronwall made on Voracek last season. Z left his feet a few frames earlier, but in both cases the head was targeted.

Sounds right.
- bmeltzer

Bill, What do you think Lavy feels about HarryZ playing. You'd think he would have talked to him after the Caps game. He either said cut it out, or keep it up. He put him back in the line up. The Flyers did score shortly after the hit.

If HarryZ can gain control, we could have another Rinaldo in the line up (less scoring and fighting). Teams have got to be worried when both these guys are on the ice. Some are saying send HarryZ back to the AHL, I say give him more time - it took Rinaldo some time to become less reckless.

I didn't like the Harry Z hit and think he deserves a 2 or 3 game suspension. But then I also thought that about the hit Kronwall made on Voracek last season. Z left his feet a few frames earlier, but in both cases the head was targeted.
- Feanor

That Kronwall hit was one the NHL got wrong, in my opinion.

Bill, What do you think Lavy feels about HarryZ playing. You'd think he would have talked to him after the Caps game. He either said cut it out, or keep it up. He put him back in the line up. The Flyers did score shortly after the hit.

If HarryZ can gain control, we could have another Rinaldo in the line up (less scoring and fighting). Teams have got to be worried when both these guys are on the ice. Some are saying send HarryZ back to the AHL, I say give him more time - it took Rinaldo some time to become less reckless.
- leon neon

Harry Z doesn't have the physical game of Rinaldo. Nor is he as good of an all around player as Rinaldo is working towards. I agree with those saying send him down. And leave him there. I want smarter players up here.

I would rather see Wellwood on the 4th line than Harry at this point.

I would rather see Wellwood on the 4th line than Harry at this point.
- Feanor

My guess is the Flyers are going to dress Knuble if Harry Z is suspended.

Why hasn't a hearing for Daniel Alfredsson been scheduled yet?

Thanks. Wasn't sure if Schenn would be moved with Gustafsson.
- stveshdy

Luke Schenn has played well.

Wasn't Mez/grossman pairing looking real good last year? I'd like to see Mez on the 2nd pair and coburn with gusty myself
- Just5

Meszaros is better in the 5-hole, IMO. Otherwise he gets to running around taking himself out of position too much. In the five-hole, he seems to play his best hockey.

Why hasn't a hearing for Daniel Alfredsson been scheduled yet?
- PLindbergh31

He's probably only getting fined?

He's probably only getting fined?
- MJL

Cross checking players in the head is only worthy of a fine? Interesting. If he did the same thing to Crosby that he did to Rinaldo would he be suspended?

I love Harry Z's energy, but it was obvious that he's flying around out of control. I would assume he's trying too hard. Or maybe Lava asked him to play like that. Who knows.

I also would rather see Wellwood in that spot than Harry Z. This all becomes moot when Read returns though.