Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: McGinn Outlook

Maybe I have just been looking at this kidi through Orange colored glasses, but always had thought him to have more of an upside in terms of where he was as a prospect. Thanks for setting me straight Bill. I am back down to earth now.

I think the kid will be a bottom 6 player in the NHL. Which isn't a knock on him at all.

Players like McGinn, who continually push themselves to improve, will often find a spot on NHL rosters because they can energize a team through their effort. The prototype of this sort of player in the Flyers organization is Bob "The Hound" Kelly. McGinn may never be the skater Kelly was, but he can be a similar piece of the Flyers puzzle in the future. Maybe even near future.

Thanks for another thought-provoking blog, Bill. You deliver time and Tye McGinn.

Players like McGinn, who continually push themselves to improve, will often find a spot on NHL rosters because they can energize a team through their effort. The prototype of this sort of player in the Flyers organization is Bob "The Hound" Kelly. McGinn may never be the skater Kelly was, but he can be a similar piece of the Flyers puzzle in the future. Maybe even near future.

Thanks for another thought-provoking blog, Bill. You deliver time and Tye McGinn.
- Flyskippy

You can never have enough guys on the team willing to outwork their opponents. Hopefully, his skill level continues to develop. Personally, I really like Tye and he's exactly the type of player I want to see succeed. I hope he makes the team outright from camp, but I suspect that Bill is correct and that the odds are in favor of him starting the season in the AHL.



Edit: I almost forgot to say... I C whut U did thar skip.

You can never have enough guys on the team willing to outwork their opponents. Hopefully, his skill level continues to develop. Personally, I really like Tye and he's exactly the type of player I want to see succeed. I hope he makes the team outright from camp, but I suspect that Bill is correct and that the odds are in favor of him starting the season in the AHL.



Edit: I almost forgot to say... I C whut U did thar skip.
- Linus

I have said many times over the years that one of my favorite aspects of ice hockey is that effort can often close -- or overcome -- the gap between talent levels. It is why I love hockey as a teaching tool: hard work pays dividends.

As to what I did, I have my moments.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: McGinn Outlook
- bmeltzer

I looked back at that old blog. I remember how hyped Testwuide was and how much he just vanished (not literally). Shame, I had high hopes for him.

Well crafted summary Bill,
I too have seen McGinn with somewhat Orange Colored glasses with the caveat that I almost always waited for the other shoe to drop....the OMG glaring mistake/injury/suspension.

I could see him eventually becoming a 2nd tier power forward/PP specialist. He has soft hands a willingness to get around the net/in the "greasy" areas as Bill put it. He has good balance and a big frame so he could park in the slot or just off the crease on either side and cause no end of issues.

His overall skating, 1st step and adjusting at speed, and his overall positional play are still a work in progress. I think really casting his role for him in the AHL and spelling out the expectation in that role for him and then let him grow into it could be his best chance. He clearly has the desire and work ethic and that alone makes him a player you want to root for.

We've got his brother--you know--in case you guys wanted to give us something juicy to hook up ye ole sibling combo. I hear it only works if you have them in pairs, so you might want to go ahead and overpay now to ensure your success...

We've got his brother--you know--in case you guys wanted to give us something juicy to hook up ye ole sibling combo. I hear it only works if you have them in pairs, so you might want to go ahead and overpay now to ensure your success...
- Dissent

Juicy, eh? How about a pallet of Jersey tomatoes?

Juicy, eh? How about a pallet of Jersey tomatoes?


- Flyskippy

McGinn and Mackinnon for Rosehill and a bushel of tomatoes.

McGinn and Mackinnon for Rosehill and a bushel of tomatoes.
- jmatchett383

They will have to add something to even up the trade

They will have to add something to even up the trade
- missingmike

True, those tomatoes are delicious.

I have said many times over the years that one of my favorite aspects of ice hockey is that effort can often close -- or overcome -- the gap between talent levels. It is why I love hockey as a teaching tool: hard work pays dividends.

As to what I did, I have my moments.
- Flyskippy

Makes me think of a guy like Knuble. Didn't have much in terms of hands or skating ability, but he outworked everyone along the boards and was great in front of the net. Players like Knuble, Hartnell and hopefully McGinn will make their lines better simply because they do the hard work.

I see McGinn eventually as a guy who can float between the 3rd and 4th line while also playing in front of the net on the 2nd PP. (This assuming the Flyers continue to have success with Hartnell and Simmonds on the top unit).

They will have to add something to even up the trade
- missingmike

True, those tomatoes are delicious.
- jmatchett383

Makes me think of a guy like Knuble. Didn't have much in terms of hands or skating ability, but he outworked everyone along the boards and was great in front of the net. Players like Knuble, Hartnell and hopefully McGinn will make their lines better simply because they do the hard work.

I see McGinn eventually as a guy who can float between the 3rd and 4th line while also playing in front of the net on the 2nd PP. (This assuming the Flyers continue to have success with Hartnell and Simmonds on the top unit).
- PhillySportsGuy

Good point. Different skill set than Bob Kelly, but the effort/drive remains the same.

Makes me think of a guy like Knuble. Didn't have much in terms of hands or skating ability, but he outworked everyone along the boards and was great in front of the net. Players like Knuble, Hartnell and hopefully McGinn will make their lines better simply because they do the hard work.

I see McGinn eventually as a guy who can float between the 3rd and 4th line while also playing in front of the net on the 2nd PP. (This assuming the Flyers continue to have success with Hartnell and Simmonds on the top unit).
- PhillySportsGuy

I guess his ceiling is a guy like Tomas Holmstrom, who didn't have a breakout season until he was 29. It seems power forwards are like goalies, where you don't see their full potential until their mid-20s.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: McGinn Outlook
- bmeltzer

I haven't been around for a bit. I just saw on the home page about the Flyers trying to trade Simmonds? Anyone know the scoop? I hope its not true.

I haven't been around for a bit. I just saw on the home page about the Flyers trying to trade Simmonds? Anyone know the scoop? I hope its not true.
- Stinkfitz

Where do you see that?

Where do you see that?
- PhillySportsGuy

Eric Engels.

I guess his ceiling is a guy like Tomas Holmstrom, who didn't have a breakout season until he was 29. It seems power forwards are like goalies, where you don't see their full potential until their mid-20s.
- jmatchett383

That's a pretty high ceiling when you look at the course of McGinn's career. There isn't a team in the league who isn't looking for a guy who can win board battles and play well in front of the net. That's where the game is won in the playoffs.

That's a pretty high ceiling when you look at the course of McGinn's career. There isn't a team in the league who isn't looking for a guy who can win board battles and play well in front of the net. That's where the game is won in the playoffs.
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm not saying it's probably, but I don't think it's impossible. Go to the net, bang away at rebounds, play big on the wall. He's never going to be a guy like Bertuzzi, but he could be a (very) poor man's LeClair maybe.

Where do you see that?
- PhillySportsGuy

that came out a couple days ago, i think (hope) its been laid to rest.

It looks like if McGinn continues his development we could have a Travis Moen type of winger in a few seasons. The more hard working Canadian kids we can get, the better. He'll fit right in with the Schenns and Simmonds and Hartnell.

It's about time we start getting some useful players out of our picks past the early rounds.

I'm not saying it's probably, but I don't think it's impossible. Go to the net, bang away at rebounds, play big on the wall. He's never going to be a guy like Bertuzzi, but he could be a (very) poor man's LeClair maybe.
- jmatchett383

I was thinking a poor mans Mike Knuble. LeClair was a great PF with an unbelievable shot.