Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Any Interest in Boyes and/or Antropov?>

Just give us Chris Pronger back hockey gods

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Any Interest in Boyes and/or Antropov?>
- bmeltzer

Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes
Whatcha gonna do
Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes
When he goes 12 games without scoring for you?

If Boyes is similarly priced(big if), he'd be an option. Antropov has always been a guy that seemed to be of interest to the Flyers. Neither is especially appealing, to me.

Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes
Whatcha gonna do
Brad Boyes, Brad Boyes
When he goes 12 games without scoring for you?

If Boyes is similarly priced(big if), he'd be an option. Antropov has always been a guy that seemed to be of interest to the Flyers. Neither is especially appealing, to me.
- Jsaquella

Not exactly exciting. But depending on what it does with the defense. Flyers are likely going to be shopping in the bargain bin for forward assets.

Not exactly exciting. But depending on what it does with the defense. Flyers are likely going to be shopping in the bargain bin for forward assets.
- MJL

Zubrus is a lot more interesting to me than those two. But I agree that any forward addition will be of the bargain bin variety.

While I understand the premise of the blog and agree with the initial assessments, I simply do not think using a contract slot on these two players would be helpful for next season.

That is simply based on watching them play. Nikolai Antropov appeared disinterested and looked every bit of 36 years old last year. Even in reduced minutes, I just can't see him being of use on what we would all like to believe would be a playoff team. Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if Antropov is out of the league entirely next season.

Brad Boyes was obviously more productive and is younger. I do believe he would provide secondary offense. But as noted above, he would require too much money for what he is: A streaky secondary scorer with no physical element to his game. He's not a plus skater, nor is he a two-way player who is responsible in his own end.

To me, at this stage of their careers, if you played Jason Akeson 82 games, you would get roughly the same kind of production. I would believe the primary reason Boyes will be on a roster next year is because he is a former first-round pick who has played well in the past. But at their respective ages, I have no doubt that Jason Akeson would play harder every night, as an undrafted player on a two-way deal, simply to earn a chance in the NHL.

This isn't me saying, "OMG, why don't the Flyers promote Jason Akeson?! His numbers in the AHL are amazing!"

This is me saying that, with the Flyers' needs as we all know them to be, giving a guy like Brad Boyes one penny more than you would a Jason Akeson simply isn't helpful.

I'd rather have a guy like McGinn. He may not be as big as Antropov, but he's not small either. He's young, plays hard, isn't afraid to mix it up physically, and is a lot cheaper than either. I'd take Zubrus over him if he came cheap, but would shy away from Boyes and Antropov.

All depends on the inevitable trade we make for a dman. Who do we give up and what does our remaining cap space look like? Not crazy about Boyes but I do like Antripov. Zubrus would be the ideal choice out of the three. And what about this Raffl kid that is supposedly NHL ready?I dont see him as a 4th liner. How many forward spots are we going to have to fill?

Anyone else surprised the Devils havent re-up'd Elias yet? Cant imagine him anywhere else.

While I understand the premise of the blog and agree with the initial assessments, I simply do not think using a contract slot on these two players would be helpful for next season.

That is simply based on watching them play. Nikolai Antropov appeared disinterested and looked every bit of 36 years old last year. Even in reduced minutes, I just can't see him being of use on what we would all like to believe would be a playoff team. Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if Antropov is out of the league entirely next season.

Brad Boyes was obviously more productive and is younger. I do believe he would provide secondary offense. But as noted above, he would require too much money for what he is: A streaky secondary scorer with no physical element to his game. He's not a plus skater, nor is he a two-way player who is responsible in his own end.

To me, at this stage of their careers, if you played Jason Akeson 82 games, you would get roughly the same kind of production. I would believe the primary reason Boyes will be on a roster next year is because he is a former first-round pick who has played well in the past. But at their respective ages, I have no doubt that Jason Akeson would play harder every night, as an undrafted player on a two-way deal, simply to earn a chance in the NHL.

This isn't me saying, "OMG, why don't the Flyers promote Jason Akeson?! His numbers in the AHL are amazing!"

This is me saying that, with the Flyers' needs as we all know them to be, giving a guy like Brad Boyes one penny more than you would a Jason Akeson simply isn't helpful.
- AllInForFlyers

The only problem with Akeson is his slot. He's not a very good defensive player, so he needs to play in the top-9, if not top-6. I'm not sure he's ready to do that on a regular basis. Probably the #1 top-6 call-up.

Zubrus is a lot more interesting to me than those two. But I agree that any forward addition will be of the bargain bin variety.
- Jsaquella

if ryder is available, that's about it off the top of my head. this team could use another 25 goal scorer after the obvious d needs.

The only problem with Akeson is his slot. He's not a very good defensive player, so he needs to play in the top-9, if not top-6. I'm not sure he's ready to do that on a regular basis. Probably the #1 top-6 call-up.
- jmatchett383

True, but the same can be said of Boyes. He can have some success if he plays with good players-He played the large majority of the time with Tavares & Moulson-but he's a non entity on defense and streaky scorer.

Akeson could possibly provide the same kind of play Boyes could, and it's not carrying a vet for the sake of having a vet. It's not as if Boyes has a long string of success as a veteran leader, so, I get the Akeson suggestion.

Bill, Do you think there will be any additional players that joined free agency through compliance buyouts that would interest the flyers?

if ryder is available, that's about it off the top of my head. this team could use another 25 goal scorer after the obvious d needs.
- isaiah520

They could, but they could also use a big body that can play a good two way game and win faceoffs. Zubrus can still do that.

I don't think that it's coincidence that the scoring picked up after Laviolette simplified his system and actually tasked his players to do jobs they could handle.

Zuby is the most attractive but I can't see him signing in Philly.

True, but the same can be said of Boyes. He can have some success if he plays with good players-He played the large majority of the time with Tavares & Moulson-but he's a non entity on defense and streaky scorer.

Akeson could possibly provide the same kind of play Boyes could, and it's not carrying a vet for the sake of having a vet. It's not as if Boyes has a long string of success as a veteran leader, so, I get the Akeson suggestion.
- Jsaquella

I'll agree with that. I'd rather see Akeson up over Boyes for the same reasons I gave for McGinn over Antropov; young, energetic, same style player, cheaper.
I'm just saying that I'd rather have a guy like McGinn playing a bottom-6 role over Akeson, barring injuries.

Bill, Do you think there will be any additional players that joined free agency through compliance buyouts that would interest the flyers?
- FrmRusiaWifGlov

If Ballard gets bought out, maybe he comes over.

I'll agree with that. I'd rather see Akeson up over Boyes for the same reasons I gave for McGinn over Antropov; young, energetic, same style player, cheaper.
I'm just saying that I'd rather have a guy like McGinn playing a bottom-6 role over Akeson, barring injuries.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, McGinn should be more capable of a bottom six role than Akeson, for sure.

But if they do sign a guy like Boyes, it won't be as a 3rd liner.

Zuby is the most attractive but I can't see him signing in Philly.
- Pixote Andolini

35 year old coming off wrist surgery? No thanks. Adding players like Zubrus isn't going to close the gap on the top teams in the League. The Flyers are light years behind teams like Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, LA etc talent wise.

Holmgren has a ton of work to do, and coming off the debacle that was last summer, he better get things done.

Shoot I thought they were getting Nishuskin or Bob Ryan.
Now it's Boyes or Antropov?
Bummer.

Shoot I thought they were getting Nishuskin or Bob Ryan.
Now it's Boyes or Antropov?
Bummer.

- Marc D

Boyes & Antropov will replace Matt Read and Sean Couturier after they trade them to get into the top 5 and take Nichushkin

35 year old coming off wrist surgery? No thanks. Adding players like Zubrus isn't going to close the gap on the top teams in the League. The Flyers are light years behind teams like Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, LA etc talent wise.

Holmgren has a ton of work to do, and coming off the debacle that was last summer, he better get things done.
- PLindbergh31

Ah yes, the same ind of logic that has resulted in a 40 year Cup drought.

Immediate changes, rather than patience with a young group of players, always works out. Kudos.

Shoot I thought they were getting Nishuskin or Bob Ryan.
Now it's Boyes or Antropov?
Bummer.

- Marc D

Part of me still feels like they will CBO Bryzgalov as well. I just see them looking at what their needs are in other areas, and feeling like they can move forward with a less expensive goalie tandem. Use that money to shore up the myriad of areas they need to shore up. Puck mover (or 2) on the back line, a big physical 2 way winger, a faceoff guy to play in the bottom 6 etc.

I know that it has been said the Flyers are keeping Bryz, but after all that has happened I can see the team reevaluating that stance. Regardless of what some think, this team DOES take the pulse of the fanbase. They do not allow it to be the reason why they make the decisions they make, but it may account for half a percent.

There is too much controversy (most of it manufactured by the media) surrounding Bryz and his "antics". The Flyers hear that whether they like to admit it or not.

Ah yes, the same ind of logic that has resulted in a 40 year Cup drought.

Immediate changes, rather than patience with a young group of players, always works out. Kudos.
- Jsaquella

My thoughts as well.

Part of me still feels like they will CBO Bryzgalov as well. I just see them looking at what their needs are in other areas, and feeling like they can move forward with a less expensive goalie tandem. Use that money to shore up the myriad of areas they need to shore up. Puck mover (or 2) on the back line, a big physical 2 way winger, a faceoff guy to play in the bottom 6 etc.

I know that it has been said the Flyers are keeping Bryz, but after all that has happened I can see the team reevaluating that stance. Regardless of what some think, this team DOES take the pulse of the fanbase. They do not allow it to be the reason why they make the decisions they make, but it may account for half a percent.

There is too much controversy (most of it manufactured by the media) surrounding Bryz and his "antics". The Flyers hear that whether they like to admit it or not.
- MBFlyerfan

It's possible, for sure. Luukko's comments went from, "He's our goalie" to "He'll stay...if he wants to". Hardly etched in stone, and even if he does return, I feel it's gonna be a short term, one year engagement, anyhow.

Which is why I say, cut the damned cord now.

I'd rather have Zubrus, Gagne or Morrow over either of those 2.