Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Saturday Worlds Update

Thanks Bill, with all this talk of Flyers' overseas play it almost feels like the lockout is still going on. Those were the days...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Saturday Worlds Update
- bmeltzer

It's nice to see that the young guys are playing key roles for their national teams in the Worlds. Especially Gustafsson. It would be huge for the Flyers if he could step in and anchor the third pair and play 2nd unit PP

Looks like G is heating up a bit. He and Stamkos on the same line must be pretty sick.

It's nice to see that the young guys are playing key roles for their national teams in the Worlds. Especially Gustafsson. It would be huge for the Flyers if he could step in and anchor the third pair and play 2nd unit PP
- Jsaquella

I'd go so far as to say he's become an important x-factor heading into next season. If he can continue to play well -- and stay healthy for a change -- the outlook for the Flyers defense brightens considerably.

Looks like G is heating up a bit. He and Stamkos on the same line must be pretty sick.
- section32

They've started to click. Ladd is the perfect third member of the line, too. I would not be at all surprised if this ends up being one of Canada's lines in the Olympics.

Oliver Lauridsen still has not returned to the ice. Didn't see what happened (was watching USA-France) but he only played 1 min of 2nd pd and has not skated a shift yet in 3rd pd. Can't tell if he's on the bench from stream I'm watching.

TV4 Sweden said Lauridsen suffered a groin pull. Won't return to the game.

I believe the Flyers have good depth in the organization with d-men who can be complimentary types, not top pairing. Important pieces for a successful team, especially since they are young and relatively inexpensive (Gus and Oliver, I believe more long-term, Konan can eventually make that level). I'm not sure it is the best strategy from a cap management stand point to be playing a #5 d-man $4 million/yr.

I believe the Flyers have good depth in the organization with d-men who can be complimentary types, not top pairing. Important pieces for a successful team, especially since they are young and relatively inexpensive (Gus and Oliver, I believe more long-term, Konan can eventually make that level). I'm not sure it is the best strategy from a cap management stand point to be playing a #5 d-man $4 million/yr.
- ravishingone

Agreed but it does bode well for depth if you have five healthy D-men who are established enough in the NHL to be making that sort of money.

BTW, for whatever it's worth, Andreas Lilja raved about Mark Alt in their short time together as Phantoms D partners -- called him "something special" who would almost definitely go on to be an NHL player.

Agreed but it does bode well for depth if you have five healthy D-men who are established enough in the NHL to be making that sort of money.

BTW, for whatever it's worth, Andreas Lilja raved about Mark Alt in their short time together as Phantoms D partners -- called him "something special" who would almost definitely go on to be an NHL player.
- bmeltzer

Bill, I have a question for you.
Since there are few if any worthwhile defensemen on the FA market, and I, for one, would prefer not to move Couturier or Schenn unless a true #1 dman is being acquired, would it really be so terrible to go into next season with the following D?
Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Grossmann
Mezaros-Gus

If all 6 are healthy (and yes I know thats a big IF), it doesn't seem to be such a bad group.

Agreed but it does bode well for depth if you have five healthy D-men who are established enough in the NHL to be making that sort of money.

BTW, for whatever it's worth, Andreas Lilja raved about Mark Alt in their short time together as Phantoms D partners -- called him "something special" who would almost definitely go on to be an NHL player.
- bmeltzer

cool, pretty interesting stuff. it would be nice to decidedly win one of these "nothing"/ minor league trades

Bill, I have a question for you.
Since there are few if any worthwhile defensemen on the FA market, and I, for one, would prefer not to move Couturier or Schenn unless a true #1 dman is being acquired, would it really be so terrible to go into next season with the following D?
Timonen-Schenn
Coburn-Grossmann
Mezaros-Gus

If all 6 are healthy (and yes I know thats a big IF), it doesn't seem to be such a bad group.
- BiggE

I'd be OK with it if Meszaros and Grossmann are healthy. Also, the team needs a succession plan for Timonen when he retires after next season.

Butsy on twitter says that VAN is blowing things up and he mentioned he felt the flyers might kick the tires on edler/kessler/lou...edler strikes me as a better all around plyr than yandle, but i don't watch either of them enuf. i think edler is a bigger, more physical guy. cost could be exorbitant.

I'd be OK with it if Meszaros and Grossmann are healthy. Also, the team needs a succession plan for Timonen when he retires after next season.
- bmeltzer

Any idea on who the next coach will be for the phantoms if Murray moves on?

Butsy on twitter says that VAN is blowing things up and he mentioned he felt the flyers might kick the tires on edler/kessler/lou...edler strikes me as a better all around plyr than yandle, but i don't watch either of them enuf. i think edler is a bigger, more physical guy. cost could be exorbitant.
- isaiah520

Im a bit concerned about all the criticism elder seemed to take this spring for his lack of sticking up for teammates, disinterest play etc

My hope is that gardiner has a turnover that leads to media and fans wanting to exile him and he becomes available in a trade. He is an all star in the making

My hope is that gardiner has a turnover that leads to media and fans wanting to exile him and he becomes available in a trade. He is an all star in the making
- Just5

After seeing his TOI steadily increase, sadly I think that ship has sailed.

TV4 Sweden said Lauridsen suffered a groin pull. Won't return to the game.
- bmeltzer

Not a good year to be a Flyers d-man. You're not safe no matter where you're playing.

My hope is that gardiner has a turnover that leads to media and fans wanting to exile him and he becomes available in a trade. He is an all star in the making
- Just5

if you can see that, surely they can.

Butsy on twitter says that VAN is blowing things up and he mentioned he felt the flyers might kick the tires on edler/kessler/lou...edler strikes me as a better all around plyr than yandle, but i don't watch either of them enuf. i think edler is a bigger, more physical guy. cost could be exorbitant.
- isaiah520

I was just coming in here to mention Edler. Before he signed his new extension, he was my #1 target. Now that Vancouver needs to overhaul their roster a bit, maybe he's available for the right price.

A Canucks fan suggested a Simmonds for Edler trade. I love Wayne Train, but if we're looking for a long-term #1 d-man, you have to give to get. This allows us to retain Schenn x2, Coots, and Read. Probably won't happen, as Homer says we need to get "bigger up front", so this would be a 180 move.

Thoughts on this fan offer, and your guys offers to acquire Edler?

Anybody see a Flyers after Stamkos article again because he's playing with Giroux at the Worlds?

if you can see that, surely they can.
- isaiah520

they showed very good patience with how they brought along Kadri, they can do the same with Gardiner

I was just coming in here to mention Edler. Before he signed his new extension, he was my #1 target. Now that Vancouver needs to overhaul their roster a bit, maybe he's available for the right price.

A Canucks fan suggested a Simmonds for Edler trade. I love Wayne Train, but if we're looking for a long-term #1 d-man, you have to give to get. This allows us to retain Schenn x2, Coots, and Read. Probably won't happen, as Homer says we need to get "bigger up front", so this would be a 180 move.

Thoughts on this fan offer, and your guys offers to acquire Edler?
- Rocktane

Edler would be a huge pick up for the Flyers.
I love his skill with the puck.
Simmonds for Edler is a good trade given the dire need to replace Kimmo.


I can't see Van doing it without something else thrown in.

It's nice to see that the young guys are playing key roles for their national teams in the Worlds. Especially Gustafsson. It would be huge for the Flyers if he could step in and anchor the third pair and play 2nd unit PP
- Jsaquella

Always liked Gustafsson and believed he would be a good defenseman if given the opportunity.