Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Sunny Day in Philadelphia, Phantoms Win 6th in a Row

Tough games coming up, hopefully the Flyers have taken a step forward.

And Rosehill showed some skill!

How has the Great Dane looked for the Phantoms? Glad to hear their doing well down there. Cousins always seems to be filling the stat sheet

Hey Bill,

Do you think Alt will be ready by next season and do you think he has 2nd pair potential?

I've said all along this is a mental/confidence thing. You've got a guy in Giroux who's been a PPG player over the past three years, five or six guys who're 20+ goal players, it was just a matter of time.

It was a solid game yesterday.. I hope this game spurs Giroux to a hot streak...As bad as we have been, we are only 5 pts out of the playoffs.

How has the Great Dane looked for the Phantoms? Glad to hear their doing well down there. Cousins always seems to be filling the stat sheet
- Just5

He's played quite well; he's learning more and more about maximizing his strengths and working around his limitations.

I've said all along this is a mental/confidence thing. You've got a guy in Giroux who's been a PPG player over the past three years, five or six guys who're 20+ goal players, it was just a matter of time.
- LeftCoaster

i think most people agreed that they would score more eventually. i think the issue for me was how could the entire team just forget how to play for so long? usually there are 1 or 2 guys who are still producing, even if it's in losing efforts, but nobody was doing that. that has to change for them to even think of getting near a.....i won't even say it

Hey Bill,

Do you think Alt will be ready by next season and do you think he has 2nd pair potential?
- psuhockey

Yes to the second question. Hopefully to the first.

Maybe they were inspired by reading a few of the Fred Shero stories which have been prevalent lately. I know I was, but then also nostalgic. Hockey is different now.

Yes to the second question. Hopefully to the first.
- bmeltzer

Bill, how would you currently rank the flyers top 5 d prospects in terms of NHL readiness? If you could include their overall projection as well that would be awesome. Thanks!

i think most people agreed that they would score more eventually. i think the issue for me was how could the entire team just forget how to play for so long? usually there are 1 or 2 guys who are still producing, even if it's in losing efforts, but nobody was doing that. that has to change for them to even think of getting near a.....i won't even say it
- hogweed

It's contagious, when you're team loses the message of the coach and they start to play as individuals rather than a team, it can get ugly. They'll climb out of this, they've got some proven talent on the team. I've been a Flyers fan for a long time, even though I'm a west coaster and cheer for the local team, always have and always will be a fan of both teams.

Maybe they were inspired by reading a few of the Fred Shero stories which have been prevalent lately. I know I was, but then also nostalgic. Hockey is different now.
- TJ

It is different, but Shero preached a few things that are very, very relevant today.

First was smart, fundamental hockey. Don't go off sides on an odd man rush. Know where the puck is at all times. Win races to the puck.

The other big one for Shero was possession. Shero wanted his team to control the puck as often as possible. That is really the Holy Grail of the advanced stats community....but it's also something that good hockey coaches have preached forever.

It is different, but Shero preached a few things that are very, very relevant today.

First was smart, fundamental hockey. Don't go off sides on an odd man rush. Know where the puck is at all times. Win races to the puck.

The other big one for Shero was possession. Shero wanted his team to control the puck as often as possible. That is really the Holy Grail of the advanced stats community....but it's also something that good hockey coaches have preached forever.
- Jsaquella

Well said.

It's not like some new, secret hockey formula that success follows puck possession.

Is Downie close to returning?

Is Downie close to returning?
- Hextall271

They sent down Newbury, so I'd expect Downie to be available for Tuesday's game.

Is Downie close to returning?
- Hextall271

Newbury sent down so maybe he's in the lineup Tuesday?

On a sad note, today is the 28th anniversary of the car wreck that ended Flyers' superstar goalie Pelle Lindbergh's life.



For those that haven't read it, I highly recommend a book about Lindbergh that a certain excellent writer we all love contributed to

http://www.amazon.com/Pel...-White-Mask/dp/0912608013

It's a fantastic read about Pelle and his life. I encourage any Flyers fan to grab a copy.

As much as I bemoan the signing I really hope yesterday giroux gets on track to proving me wrong about him. It was only Edmonton but they put away a team they're supposed to which is a good thing.

Just wanna take this time to say I ha e been pleasantly surprised with Steve mason. I never thought when we traded bob for him this would turn out the way it did. That trade right there might actually save this season and homer. We'll see.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Sunny Day in Philadelphia, Phantoms Win 6th in a Row
- bmeltzer

re the Phantoms
Could you comment a bit about Cal Heeter? His early season numbers are fantastic, is he a legit prospect?

Some observations from yesterdays game:

For the first time this season, Giroux didnt just hang on the perimeter. Hooefully he keeps that up

Overall Coburn had another strong game and Timonen looked a bit better as well.

Streit showed in the 1st period why they signed him, now if he could just translate that to the pp

Gus played well, didnt notice L Schenn much but for a defensive dman thats not necessarily a bad thing

Mason continues to impress!

B Schenn had a very strong game, as did Voracek

The Oilers D zone play is atrocious, watching Bryz play behind this group should be hysterical

While Dallas Eakins may be very highly regarded as a coach, using Yakupov on the 4th line is just a waste. Is it time to wonder if Eakins is the right coach for this team.

Finally the Flyers kept their feet moving and worked hard along the boards all day. Amazing how that makes the whole team look better!

Florida sends Jakob Markstrom to the AHL...kid has not played very well for them.

They sent down Newbury, so I'd expect Downie to be available for Tuesday's game.
- Jsaquella

Thanks!

It's contagious, when you're team loses the message of the coach and they start to play as individuals rather than a team, it can get ugly. They'll climb out of this, they've got some proven talent on the team. I've been a Flyers fan for a long time, even though I'm a west coaster and cheer for the local team, always have and always will be a fan of both teams.
- LeftCoaster

cool! i get that part about contagiousness of both good annd bad play but so rarely is it that everyone gets "sick" at the same time

Florida sends Jakob Markstrom to the AHL...kid has not played very well for them.
- Jsaquella

True
The only thing making Florida look good right now is playing in the same division as Buffalo