Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Olympic vs. NHL Loyalties, Talbot, Quick Hits, A Note

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Olympic vs. NHL Loyalties, Talbot, Quick Hits, A Note
- bmeltzer

I feel bad for your friends, Bill.

I don't share your feelings for Mr Miller, but your interactions with him have obviously built a friendship and it's never a good day when a friend gets bad news.

Nice Read Bill...

Anytime someone loses their job, I start to think of the personal hardship they will face reguardless if I liked them or not. It just sucks.
I hope all of them land on their feet somewhere.

branching out, networking and building friendships...

As a proud Canadian and HUGE Flyers fan I was disappointed that Giroux did not take part in the Canadian orientation camp. While I agree a player has a responsibility to the team he has a contract with to be 100% healthy for when the season starts and not risk further injury I don't believe this would have been a factor in Giroux attending the Canadian camp. The Camp is for informational purposes only, no skating or on ice at all. There was no chance that Giroux would have injured his finger any further. For this reason is why Hockey Canada is disappointed in his absence.

Bill, I thank my lucky stars every day to have you as a Flyers writer but from a completely business standpoint learning Randy Miller is out @ CP totally just made my day. It is only a shame that he will have been canned for "cutbacks" and not the product he brought forth to the public these last few months. He 100% should have been put on leave after the Bryz incident, but in the bigger picture this is okay too.

I truely hope he lands on his feet because I know the feeling of losing a job, but just given the nature of the business I hope it falls somewhere out of the greater Philadelphia area.

I'm sorry to hear about your friends. Getting laid off is tough; especially in this economy and the flux in the business of journalism in general.

As a proud Canadian and HUGE Flyers fan I was disappointed that Giroux did not take part in the Canadian orientation camp. While I agree a player has a responsibility to the team he has a contract with to be 100% healthy for when the season starts and not risk further injury I don't believe this would have been a factor in Giroux attending the Canadian camp. The Camp is for informational purposes only, no skating or on ice at all. There was no chance that Giroux would have injured his finger any further. For this reason is why Hockey Canada is disappointed in his absence.
- RobFlyers#1

Giroux appearance at the orientation camp will have ZERO to do whether Canada wins gold or not. Unless, Canada makes this into a big deal which it is not. Personally, Team Canada calling him out with an injury situation is total BS, especial since the orientation was a lot to do about nothing. The proper (classy) thing would have been to wish him a speedy recovery.

Bill mentions the players loyalty to the national team, what about the loyalty of the team back to the players. Team Canada looks pretty bad, if they don't support an injured player. And, we're not talking about a injury that you can play through...

Besides, no one really knows how bad the injury is, besides Giroux and Flyers management. I would assume that they'd want this kept quiet. We don't know Giroux's doctor and PT schedule. Give him a pass and move along.

Bill, what kind of season should we be looking for out of Morin? Is 7-10 goals and 18-22 assists a fair expectation?

Giroux appearance at the orientation camp will have ZERO to do whether Canada wins gold or not. Unless, Canada makes this into a big deal which it is not. Personally, Team Canada calling him out with an injury situation is total BS, especial since the orientation was a lot to do about nothing. The proper (classy) thing would have been to wish him a speedy recovery.

Bill mentions the players loyalty to the national team, what about the loyalty of the team back to the players. Team Canada looks pretty bad, if they don't support an injured player. And, we're not talking about a injury that you can play through...

Besides, no one really knows how bad the injury is, besides Giroux and Flyers management. I would assume that they'd want this kept quiet. We don't know Giroux's doctor and PT schedule. Give him a pass and move along.
- leon neon

Although I was happy for him in general, the Flyers' fan in me was very angry when Forsberg played for Sweden in 2006. He was having serious injury issues to the point where he could barely skate for a team paying him $6M/year, but he went and played for a different team. I know he was basically a God over there (and I have the Swedish stamp of him), but to me, your #1 priority should be to the team paying your salary.

So, where I'm going with all of this is that I'm really glad Giroux didn't go, and I honestly wish no Flyers would play in the Olympics at all. Imagine if he's playing against the Slovakians and he goes into a corner with Chara and Chara puts him out for the season (or longer). That puts the Flyers into a horrible corner due to a hockey game that has nothing to do with the Flyers. I know injuries can happen anywhere (hello Mr. Meszaros) and that you can't bubble wrap them, but I'd be cool if no Flyers played in the Olympics.

Bill, the thing I really don't understand about big newspaper organizations is that they don't seem to realize that the one thing they do well that people can't get elsewhere is local coverage. And cutting local things, like sports, are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. If all they become is another outlet for AP, they are ultimately as replaceable as consumers are finding them.

As a proud Canadian and HUGE Flyers fan I was disappointed that Giroux did not take part in the Canadian orientation camp. While I agree a player has a responsibility to the team he has a contract with to be 100% healthy for when the season starts and not risk further injury I don't believe this would have been a factor in Giroux attending the Canadian camp. The Camp is for informational purposes only, no skating or on ice at all. There was no chance that Giroux would have injured his finger any further. For this reason is why Hockey Canada is disappointed in his absence.
- RobFlyers#1

This injury happened late in the Off Season. And he has to undergo physical therapy to make sure the injury heals correctly. And going to the Orientation camp would put that on hold. Giroux made the absolute correct decision. That information can be relayed to him at another point.

Fantastic read Bill. As for your personal story, I appreciate you sharing all of that with us. I feel like most of us read your articles (and those written by others) for entertainment and furthering our hockey knowledge, sometimes forgetting that on the other side of the screen is a man or woman trying to make a living. Some do it for the money. Some do it for the love of the sport. I think it's clear to all of us that your passion for the game is what makes you a fantastic writer and is what rewarded you with your writing becoming your profession. Thanks!

Bill, what kind of season should we be looking for out of Morin? Is 7-10 goals and 18-22 assists a fair expectation?
- jmatchett383

I would say so, yes. More important is his evolution this season toward being a bonafide shutdown D.

Bill, the thing I really don't understand about big newspaper organizations is that they don't seem to realize that the one thing they do well that people can't get elsewhere is local coverage. And cutting local things, like sports, are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. If all they become is another outlet for AP, they are ultimately as replaceable as consumers are finding them.
- bodiva88

Well said, Bo.

Although I was happy for him in general, the Flyers' fan in me was very angry when Forsberg played for Sweden in 2006. He was having serious injury issues to the point where he could barely skate for a team paying him $6M/year, but he went and played for a different team. I know he was basically a God over there (and I have the Swedish stamp of him), but to me, your #1 priority should be to the team paying your salary.
- jmatchett383

The Forsberg and Giroux situations are totally different. Giroux given time and PT will be back to 100% (hopefully). But, Forsberg's issues were not going to go away. He would either play through the pain or retire (which he eventually did). I supported Forsberg's last hurrah...

Bill, the thing I really don't understand about big newspaper organizations is that they don't seem to realize that the one thing they do well that people can't get elsewhere is local coverage. And cutting local things, like sports, are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. If all they become is another outlet for AP, they are ultimately as replaceable as consumers are finding them.
- bodiva88

THIS

sorry about your friends in the business, Bill.

And Benji obviously has a good dad.

The Forsberg and Giroux situations are totally different. Giroux given time and PT will be back to 100% (hopefully). But, Forsberg's issues were not going to go away. He would either play through the pain or retire (which he eventually did). I supported Forsberg's last hurrah...
- leon neon

The hockey fan in me liked his last hurrah, but I watched both of those games, and it was hard watching him play like that. Love his heart, but he should have retired after 2008.

Although I was happy for him in general, the Flyers' fan in me was very angry when Forsberg played for Sweden in 2006. He was having serious injury issues to the point where he could barely skate for a team paying him $6M/year, but he went and played for a different team. I know he was basically a God over there (and I have the Swedish stamp of him), but to me, your #1 priority should be to the team paying your salary.

So, where I'm going with all of this is that I'm really glad Giroux didn't go, and I honestly wish no Flyers would play in the Olympics at all. Imagine if he's playing against the Slovakians and he goes into a corner with Chara and Chara puts him out for the season (or longer). That puts the Flyers into a horrible corner due to a hockey game that has nothing to do with the Flyers. I know injuries can happen anywhere (hello Mr. Meszaros) and that you can't bubble wrap them, but I'd be cool if no Flyers played in the Olympics.
- jmatchett383

agree completely on both points. i hate professionals playing in the olympics, especially with respect to hockey because it interrupts the NHL season and subjects players on MY team to injury. leave it to the best kids/prospects in juniors and college.

Bill, if I were a hockey writer scout, I'd say you were a blue chip prospect. Keep up the good work and eventually one of the idiots who runs these newspapers and television networks will take notice.

Re: Giroux. I'd say his loyalties at this point are with the Flyers. He's their captain coming off a 'down' year that they just paid a ton of money to. It's more important that he stay in the area than go to Canada and shoot the poop with a bunch of all stars.

Good to hear Talbot is ready to go. It seems everyone except Giroux is back to 100% percent. I guess not going to the playoffs has its benefits.

Giroux appearance at the orientation camp will have ZERO to do whether Canada wins gold or not. Unless, Canada makes this into a big deal which it is not. Personally, Team Canada calling him out with an injury situation is total BS, especial since the orientation was a lot to do about nothing. The proper (classy) thing would have been to wish him a speedy recovery.

Bill mentions the players loyalty to the national team, what about the loyalty of the team back to the players. Team Canada looks pretty bad, if they don't support an injured player. And, we're not talking about a injury that you can play through...

Besides, no one really knows how bad the injury is, besides Giroux and Flyers management. I would assume that they'd want this kept quiet. We don't know Giroux's doctor and PT schedule. Give him a pass and move along.
- leon neon

AH its Canada, Hockey is a big deal, winning Gold at ice hockey is everything and having one of your best players skip an Olympic orientation camp is going to be big news in Canada.

As for his loyalty to the Flyers, like I said I believe he should not do anything to jeopardize his health and availability to the team paying his salary, that should come first. This could have been a vacation for Giroux, like I said there was no risk of further injury that's why Hockey Canada was disappointed.

As for not knowing how bad the injury is, the report is he is expected to fully recover in 5 to 6 weeks he will be able to skate at training camp. I do wish G a speedy recovery and I do give him a pass but i am Flyers fan... Canada is not.

agree completely on both points. i hate professionals playing in the olympics, especially with respect to hockey because it interrupts the NHL season and subjects players on MY team to injury. leave it to the best kids/prospects in juniors and college.
- hammarby31

I agree. I think times are different now because professional leagues all over Europe and Russia have more of an international following. It would be much harder for Russia to sneak professionals onto their team. With one click of a button I can get any player's entire bio and playing history. That's not to say the Russians wouldn't try though.

Keep making a big deal about the Team Canada absence and we can only hope it fuels Giroux to kick butt right from Game 1 to prove them all wrong.

All the news reports up here try to make the story about the big ice and the failures in 1998 and 2006. And, the goaltending with no clear # 1.

Bill, you are a daily read on here for me. Keep up the great work. I love the prospect research you do to keep us informed.

AH its Canada, Hockey is a big deal, winning Gold at ice hockey is everything and having one of your best players skip an Olympic orientation camp is going to be big news in Canada.

As for his loyalty to the Flyers, like I said I believe he should not do anything to jeopardize his health and availability to the team paying his salary, that should come first. This could have been a vacation for Giroux, like I said there was no risk of further injury that's why Hockey Canada was disappointed.

As for not knowing how bad the injury is, the report is he is expected to fully recover in 5 to 6 weeks he will be able to skate at training camp. I do wish G a speedy recovery and I do give him a pass but i am Flyers fan... Canada is not.
- RobFlyers#1

If the injury occurred a month ago, I think it would be fine to go, but at this point he is scheduled to get back RIGHT before the start of the season. The Flyers cannot afford a slow start and cannot afford to have anything happen that can delay his recovery.

I agree. I think times are different now because professional leagues all over Europe and Russia have more of an international following. It would be much harder for Russia to sneak professionals onto their team. With one click of a button I can get any player's entire bio and playing history. That's not to say the Russians wouldn't try though.
- PhillySportsGuy

"Nyet, nyet my friend. His name is 'Kilya Ovalchuk.' And this is his teammate, 'Olexander Avechkin.' We give you ten bottle vodka, straight from heart of Siberia, you no look at paperwork."