Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Worlds, Hobey Finalist Signs w/ Phantoms

thanks for the update Bill.

what about stolarz bill? Is he still ineligible to get bumped up to the phantoms because of age?

what about stolarz bill? Is he still ineligible to get bumped up to the phantoms because of age?
- Philly1980

He was drafted out of the NAHL and was committed first to play collegiate hockey, which usually means the AHL age rule doesn't apply if the player wants to turn pro. However, when he UN-O to go to the OHL, his signing window went from four years to two years (a moot point now because the Flyers signed him to an entry-level contract). Not sure if his AHL eligibility also switched over from being immediately eligible to falling under the 20-year-old rule.

In either case, the organization feels that Stolarz needs more junior seasoning -- as is almost always the case with teenage goalies -- and he'll almost definitely be back in the OHL next season regardless of whether he'd technically be eligible for the AHL.

He was drafted out of the NAHL and was committed first to play collegiate hockey, which usually means the AHL age rule doesn't apply if the player wants to turn pro. However, when he UN-O to go to the OHL, his signing window went from four years to two years (a moot point now because the Flyers signed him to an entry-level contract). Not sure if his AHL eligibility also switched over from being immediately eligible to falling under the 20-year-old rule.

In either case, the organization feels that Stolarz needs more junior seasoning -- as is almost always the case with teenage goalies -- and he'll almost definitely be back in the OHL next season regardless of whether he'd technically be eligible for the AHL.
- bmeltzer

I like how they are not rushing him....Kid seems like he will definitely play in the NHL in a few years.

I like how they are not rushing him....Kid seems like he will definitely play in the NHL in a few years.
- Philly1980

He has all the athletic tools (on a big frame) and definitely the desire and smarts. Just needs refinement and more experience -- probably one more junior year, and two AHL seasons.

Thanks for the update on the overseas Flyers!

And I guess you gotta hand it to the Flyers scouting staff. They are seemingly looking under every rock to find talent if they signed a 5'11" goaltender.

He has all the athletic tools (on a big frame) and definitely the desire and smarts. Just needs refinement and more experience -- probably one more junior year, and two AHL seasons.
- bmeltzer

He certainly blossomed in the OHL. It was a bit surprising, considering that London had 2 established OHL goalies and ended up going with Stolarz and dumping Bailes.

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

Thoughts?!!?

Thoughts?!?!

You should be the GM.

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

In watching the NHL playoffs, the Flyers have as much talent as anyone currently playing in the Eastern Conference.

In watching the NHL playoffs, the Flyers have as much talent as anyone currently playing in the Eastern Conference.
- johndewar

They do, but I think the Caps and Sens would tune them up with the styles they're playing right now.

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

The first step is to mold the system to whatever personnel is on hand. If the Flyers can not land a mobile "Puck Moving" defenseman, then they must utilize the simplified approach they used towards the end of the season. Doing a highwire act with the dancing bears didn't work this season and it likely won't work next season, either.

I fully advocate trading back, so long as it results in getting a 2nd pick in the top 35 or so, preferably in the early to mid 20's, along with a pick that's no later than 16. Columbus is really the ideal trade partner in this respect, as they hold the 14th pick, as well as the Kings and Rangers 1st rounders.

In watching the NHL playoffs, the Flyers have as much talent as anyone currently playing in the Eastern Conference.
- johndewar

Agreed. for any criticism of Holmgren, he gave the coaching staff a team that was certainly talented enough to be a top 8 team. Of course that's been my hobby horse for some time.

I just hope Laviolette does a better job adapting next season, because otherwise, we'll be siting in December with a ton of ground to make up and they'll be battling for one of 4 spots, instead of one of 8

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

Question I have is who do you get to replace Bryz? A 500k backup type and let Mason roll? If so, it may be a mess of Mason struggles.

Question I have is who do you get to replace Bryz? A 500k backup type and let Mason roll? If so, it may be a mess of Mason struggles.
- Hextall271

I'd like to see if they can reacquire Emery. But yes, unless they can get a legit backup in case Mason struggles, you need to keep Bryz for at least this year.

Question I have is who do you get to replace Bryz? A 500k backup type and let Mason roll? If so, it may be a mess of Mason struggles.
- Hextall271

I would target Emery, Chicago will be tight against the cap and won't be able to spend much on a backup. 2.5 million per for 3 years should get the deal done and free up 3.2 million in cap space.

Would it really be the worst thing in the world if just for once the Flyers showed some patience.
Don't trade any of the young forwards, take the best player available at 11 or trade down.
Only trade up, if you can do so without giving up more than a 3rd rounder and perhaps a good but not great prospect like Cousins. If that will get them to Edmonton's #7, I would do the deal.
Sign a stop gap defenseman like Mark Streit to a 2 year deal and go with a D of:
Streit or a similar player-Schenn
Timonen-Coburn
Grossman-Mez or Gus
Hold on to Mezaros for now, if he gets healthy and returns to the lineup next year, his value will go up.

I would still buyout Bryz and Briere, going into the season with ample cap space is not such a bad thing as it will allow the flexibility to deal during the season.

If Lavy commits to playing a toned down, more defensively responsible version of his system, there is no reason that they can't compete for a playoff spot next year. I don't see any way they are a cup contender next year, so why break up a good young nucleus of forwards?

Thoughts?
- BiggE

I agree, except I wouldn't buyout Bryzgalov.

They do, but I think the Caps and Sens would tune them up with the styles they're playing right now.
- jmatchett383

Maybe. Love the way Ottawa is playing right now.

They whipped Montreal and whipped them good last night.

Also, I don't think Pittsburgh is getting past the second round. The Islanders are better than a lot of people think, the Pittsburgh has the feel of a top heavy team that is .....(wait for it).....pretty thin on defense.

Question I have is who do you get to replace Bryz? A 500k backup type and let Mason roll? If so, it may be a mess of Mason struggles.
- Hextall271

No, if they nuke Bryz, they have to get an established time splitter type, such as Emery or Backstrom or somebody of that ilk.

I would target Emery, Chicago will be tight against the cap and won't be able to spend much on a backup. 2.5 million per for 3 years should get the deal done and free up 3.2 million in cap space.
- BiggE

I wouldn't go more than 2 years on Emery. Not that I don't like him, I do. But if Mason can come in and do what he did over 7 games, he's going to get a sizeable raise from $1.5mm.

Agreed. for any criticism of Holmgren, he gave the coaching staff a team that was certainly talented enough to be a top 8 team. Of course that's been my hobby horse for some time.

I just hope Laviolette does a better job adapting next season, because otherwise, we'll be siting in December with a ton of ground to make up and they'll be battling for one of 4 spots, instead of one of 8
- Jsaquella

i get the feeling that they will be in a similar situation next year.

No, if they nuke Bryz, they have to get an established time splitter type, such as Emery or Backstrom or somebody of that ilk.
- Jsaquella

I'm a big emery fan but I'd wait to get rid of bryzgalov. One more year and if he's terrible and mason rules then so be it. I was pumped to see how well mason played but we need to see this over the long term.

I'm a big emery fan but I'd wait to get rid of bryzgalov. One more year and if he's terrible and mason rules then so be it. I was pumped to see how well mason played but we need to see this over the long term.
- Hextall271

I'm fine with either option on Bryzgalov. If he stays, I have faith he can work with Mason and provide good goaltending. If he's bought out, my hope is that they get a solid guy to be in tandem with Mason, sort of like they did in bringing in Hackett and then Burke to work with Esche.

I would target Emery, Chicago will be tight against the cap and won't be able to spend much on a backup. 2.5 million per for 3 years should get the deal done and free up 3.2 million in cap space.
- BiggE

I wouldn't touch Emery, and it's not because I don't like him. The hip injury robbed him of his former lateral movement and quick recovery ability that he used to have. He's had to re-learn the position and change his style to be more of a positional, let-the-puck-hit-me kind of goalie. That works very well in Chicago. It wouldn't work so well with the way the Flyers play, IMO.