Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits, Fundraiser

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Hey Bill, the Flyers are 8 - 2 over the last ten games, so would you mess with the lineup and considering sitting Downie? I've defended him a lot this year, but he seems to be excelling at making poor decisions in recent games.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Friday Quick Hits, Fundraiser
- bmeltzer

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.
- Tomahawk

I don't know if that's true. Anything can happen, especially come playoff time.

Could we see Alt, Ghost, Vasiliev and Stolarz on the Phantoms next season?

I don't know if that's true. Anything can happen, especially come playoff time.
- Pixote Andolini

The minute they added Streit, the book was closed on Gus.

Could we see Alt, Ghost, Vasiliev and Stolarz on the Phantoms next season?
- PhillySportsGuy

http://theahl.com/stats/player.php?id=4915

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.
- Tomahawk

I agree. It's a nice luxury having him as a 7th defenseman, but he needs to play in order to get better. With the acquisition of MacDonald, I see his days as a Flyer numbered.

Guys like Lauridson, Alt and Ghost will be knocking on the door next season. If they didn't play Gus when they needed mobility and puck moving, I don't see them playing him now or next season.

http://theahl.com/stats/player.php?id=4915
- Tomahawk

I don't get it?

Edit: Oh, I know he's on the team already. I was just a little excited about having some real prospects on the team.

I don't get it?
- PhillySportsGuy

he's already a Phantom

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.
- Tomahawk

I hear ya but who do you sit?
Coburn and Timonen are your top pair, Schenn and Grossmann are key penalty killers, Streit is needed on the pp and for offense and MacDonald is clearly a better player than Gus. If they re-sign Mac, and I'd say thats very likely, Gus will probably be offseason trade bait.

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.
- Tomahawk

Let's just be honest: They're not going to let him play here unless all other options are exhausted.

I wish it were different, because I do believe players like Gus deserve more of a chance than he's gotten.

You signed him. He went to the Phantoms. He excelled for them, making the AHL All-Rookie Team, then an AHL All-Star team. He played heavy minutes in all situations.

Now, that doesn't mean he automatically is an NHL defenseman. I'm not saying that.

I'm saying that he earned more of an opportunity to string together games than he's gotten in Philadelphia. In 87 NHL games, Gus has 6 goals and 17 assists and is a plus-19! In seven playoff games, he has 2 points and is a plus-4!

What more can the guy do to just get a string of games?

Gus may be a 'tweener', and he probably has his limitations, but they're never going to get a real idea of what he's capable and not capable of if they don't stick it out with him in the lineup for a good long stretch. It goes part and parcel with the Flyers' not having an appetite for the tradeoffs associated with playing younger dmen in the lineup that aren't 6'2+, former 1st-round picks.

If Gus is going to make it, it clearly won't be with this organization.
- Tomahawk

I agree...he kinda has a wall closing in affect on this team. There are guys on the team that have his similar skill set that are better veteran players and there seems to be a insurgence of young mobile defensemen coming up through the farm system..It look like Gus is simply gonna be a chip in a trade to strengthen this team over the summer

I hear ya but who do you sit?
Coburn and Timonen are your top pair, Schenn and Grossmann are key penalty killers, Streit is needed on the pp and for offense and MacDonald is clearly a better player than Gus. If they re-sign Mac, and I'd say thats very likely, Gus will probably be offseason trade bait.
- BiggE

I personally would have been happy to sit/trade Grossmann, but I know the Flyers would never do that.

Not sure there's a market for Gus... doubt he would get picked up on waivers, much less command anything back in return. My money would be on him heading overseas after this season, like Bartulis.

Now that Vasiliev had two documented significant shoulder injuries before the age of 20, the Flyers may want to proceed with caution.

Do you know if it was the same shoulder each time?

Let's just be honest: They're not going to let him play here unless all other options are exhausted.

I wish it were different, because I do believe players like Gus deserve more of a chance than he's gotten.

You signed him. He went to the Phantoms. He excelled for them, making the AHL All-Rookie Team, then an AHL All-Star team. He played heavy minutes in all situations.

Now, that doesn't mean he automatically is an NHL defenseman. I'm not saying that.

I'm saying that he earned more of an opportunity to string together games than he's gotten in Philadelphia. In 87 NHL games, Gus has 6 goals and 17 assists and is a plus-19! In seven playoff games, he has 2 points and is a plus-4!

What more can the guy do to just get a string of games?
- AllInForFlyers

The Flyers ultimate concern is him getting pushed around down low. It will happen once in a while for a goal and the coaching staff is like "See, this is what were afraid of!"

Nevermind the fact that Gus has contributed in other ways to offset the occasional outmuscling.

Let's just be honest: They're not going to let him play here unless all other options are exhausted.

I wish it were different, because I do believe players like Gus deserve more of a chance than he's gotten.

You signed him. He went to the Phantoms. He excelled for them, making the AHL All-Rookie Team, then an AHL All-Star team. He played heavy minutes in all situations.

Now, that doesn't mean he automatically is an NHL defenseman. I'm not saying that.

I'm saying that he earned more of an opportunity to string together games than he's gotten in Philadelphia. In 87 NHL games, Gus has 6 goals and 17 assists and is a plus-19! In seven playoff games, he has 2 points and is a plus-4!

What more can the guy do to just get a string of games?
- AllInForFlyers

Grow a few inches and put on some muscle...but I dont see that happening

The minute they added Streit, the book was closed on Gus.
- Tomahawk

Then you think that Gustafsson will not be retained this off season?

I personally would have been happy to sit/trade Grossmann, but I know the Flyers would never do that.

Not sure there's a market for Gus... doubt he would get picked up on waivers, much less command anything back in return. My money would be on him heading overseas after this season, like Bartulis.
- Tomahawk

I feel like he can contribute in this league though. He needs the right team and right situation.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to another team and play well. To me, his biggest problem is avoiding big hits. He seems to make himself vulnerable too often. He needs to learn to move the puck quicker.

I personally would have been happy to sit/trade Grossmann, but I know the Flyers would never do that.

Not sure there's a market for Gus... doubt he would get picked up on waivers, much less command anything back in return. My money would be on him heading overseas after this season, like Bartulis.
- Tomahawk

I think Gus has some value, maybe as a chip in a larger deal over the summer..However, if the overseas route happens, I wouldnt be shocked

Let's just be honest: They're not going to let him play here unless all other options are exhausted.

I wish it were different, because I do believe players like Gus deserve more of a chance than he's gotten.

You signed him. He went to the Phantoms. He excelled for them, making the AHL All-Rookie Team, then an AHL All-Star team. He played heavy minutes in all situations.

Now, that doesn't mean he automatically is an NHL defenseman. I'm not saying that.

I'm saying that he earned more of an opportunity to string together games than he's gotten in Philadelphia. In 87 NHL games, Gus has 6 goals and 17 assists and is a plus-19! In seven playoff games, he has 2 points and is a plus-4!

What more can the guy do to just get a string of games?
- AllInForFlyers

Timonen, Enstrom, Krug, Boyle, and Visnovsky in their unproven, formative years would have a hard time cracking the Flyers' lineup today with the way they prioritize things.

Then you think that Gustafsson will not be retained this off season?
- MJL

I don't...I don't think anybody does

I personally would have been happy to sit/trade Grossmann, but I know the Flyers would never do that.

Not sure there's a market for Gus... doubt he would get picked up on waivers, much less command anything back in return. My money would be on him heading overseas after this season, like Bartulis.
- Tomahawk

Grossmann is better in his role then Gustafsson is in his, at this point.

Then you think that Gustafsson will not be retained this off season?
- MJL

I think it may depend on Kimmo. If Timonen comes back, I feel they will move on from Gus.