Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Lost Series at Even Strength

Thanks for everything, Bill.
Will be a long off season like always . . ..

It's 2Real day on Hockeybuzz

Maybe for the first time in a couple of years the Flyers can true lay gauge what they have here as a team. No true rookies in the lineup to gain experience. Decent coaching and excellent goaltending. They know who fits and who doesn't. The changes should be meaningful this summer.

It's 2Real day on Hockeybuzz
- Just5

I only caught the tail end of game. Mason looked good. What was up with Timonen completely phoning it in on that icing play at the end? Seems like a weak way to finish a series, and a season.

tough loss.....I actually saw the Flyers break some patterns this year, that will bode well for the future. That I think was do to the play of Mason, who was beyond a goalie who is paid to "just don't lose the game" type.
I was frustrated watching guys like Rinaldo and quite frankly Lecavalier get any ice time, let alone as many minutes as our big guns....but I guess Chief had his reasons. Im trying not to arm chair coach I guess.
I think this year showed that the they are a little under talented, on the back end for sure....they have a lot of servicable pieces, but they also have some albatross contracts. Even if Timo returns, its a sad state when a 40 year old is by far your most competant D man ...he can't handle the minutes that are needed and gets worn done...big shocker.
I liked the Job early on that Holmgren did.....but I really think its time for some fresh perspective with this core group.

The Flyers played the way they have all season. We lost because of a not-so-great performance by our third line. And a lack of domination by an incomplete top line. We really need to bring in someone to fill the top line LW position.

It was saddening yesterday to see them loose, but it was great to have them in the playoffs after such a horrible start. The major question that was answered this year is that we have finally found a franchise goalie who can play well both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Mason was lights outs.

I only caught the tail end of game. Mason looked good. What was up with Timonen completely phoning it in on that icing play at the end? Seems like a weak way to finish a series, and a season.
- PancakesPenner

Maybe he was emotional, maybe its his final season.

The Flyers played the way they have all season. We lost because of a not-so-great performance by our third line. And a lack of domination by an incomplete top line. We really need to bring in someone to fill the top line LW position.
- FlyersSteve118

Top line sniper and top pairing dmen...both are going to be hard to fill. I have a feeling you see the schen bros go for a dmen. To me we lost this series because we dont have a mcdonaugh type on our backend.

It's deja vu, all over again.


thanks for all the great blogs this year, Bill ... and at least it looks like the Flyers have found themselves a goalie.

We lost because of a not-so-great performance by our third line.
- FlyersSteve118

I think you mean the second line? The third line was the best line all series.

I think you mean the second line? The third line was the best line all series.
- moonwasaloon1

Best line. Still not-so-great when they need to be lights out.

Better be hearing back surgery for Lecavalier or else we are (frank)ed for the long run...yet again, with that contract.

Holmgren went 1 for 2 over the summer as I thought Streit was our most consistent Dman throughout the year. Thought he had a very very good series.

Better be hearing back surgery for Lecavalier or else we are (frank)ed for the long run...yet again, with that contract.

Holmgren went 1 for 2 over the summer as I thought Streit was our most consistent Dman throughout the year. Thought he had a very very good series.
- Just5

they can always buy him out...whats his cap hit?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Lost Series at Even Strength
- bmeltzer

Wonderful job as always Bill, you have done excellent work all season and we are all lucky to have you here!!

I see the Flyers having 2 major needs to fill this offseason:
1. Get a skilled, mobile dman to pair with Coburn on the top unit
2. Get a legit top line LW to play with G and Jake

Mason was great all year. I am holding back on killing Giroux. I will save all of it for next year when he making $8mil per. He needs to be the best on the ice last night and he was not. If it happens again next year I will have a major issue with it.

Should be an interesting off season. They could go for the big moves (top line winger and #1 D) or they could give some of the defensemen in the pipeline a chance.

There is always next year right?

Top line sniper and top pairing dmen...both are going to be hard to fill. I have a feeling you see the schen bros go for a dmen. To me we lost this series because we dont have a mcdonaugh type on our backend.
- PhillaBully

If the flyers can fit it into their cap ceiling. It would be really to see the flyers bring in a guy like matt moulson. Unfortunately they are going to have to spend to the max to fill in the top pair Dman position. At least there are a few fish in the sea in UFA to patch that up for a few years.

It's 2Real day on Hockeybuzz
- Just5

I just hope he didn't jump off a bridge last night!!

Better be hearing back surgery for Lecavalier or else we are (frank)ed for the long run...yet again, with that contract.

Holmgren went 1 for 2 over the summer as I thought Streit was our most consistent Dman throughout the year. Thought he had a very very good series.
- Just5

I'll own up. Streit had a really good series and I hated the signing. I think he and Grossmann should be split up, they don't work that well together all the time and everyone knows I Grossmann. That said, Streit really did surprise me this series and if he can keep that momentum I'll be perfectly happy with this signing.

they can always buy him out...whats his cap hit?
- PhillaBully

cap hit is 4.5. Your right they can and Tomahawk broke it down the other day. I believe its something like 3.5 mil of dead money on the cap in 15-16 and 16-17 if they bought him out this summer.

They will probably have to do it. I mean if that guy wasnt injured, you have to do it

tough loss.....I actually saw the Flyers break some patterns this year, that will bode well for the future. That I think was do to the play of Mason, who was beyond a goalie who is paid to "just don't lose the game" type.
I was frustrated watching guys like Rinaldo and quite frankly Lecavalier get any ice time, let alone as many minutes as our big guns....but I guess Chief had his reasons. Im trying not to arm chair coach I guess.
I think this year showed that the they are a little under talented, on the back end for sure....they have a lot of servicable pieces, but they also have some albatross contracts. Even if Timo returns, its a sad state when a 40 year old is by far your most competant D man ...he can't handle the minutes that are needed and gets worn done...big shocker.
I liked the Job early on that Holmgren did.....but I really think its time for some fresh perspective with this core group.
- landros 2

i think some big moves get made.....whether they are the correct moves or not will be a topic for discussion for months to come. not like we have games to watch

I'll own up. Streit had a really good series and I hated the signing. I think he and Grossmann should be split up, they don't work that well together all the time and everyone knows I Grossmann. That said, Streit really did surprise me this series and if he can keep that momentum I'll be perfectly happy with this signing.
- FlyersGrace

Streit will be even better next year when he is running the #1 power play.

I'll own up. Streit had a really good series and I hated the signing. I think he and Grossmann should be split up, they don't work that well together all the time and everyone knows I Grossmann. That said, Streit really did surprise me this series and if he can keep that momentum I'll be perfectly happy with this signing.
- FlyersGrace

I hated the money too in the signing, but I thought they needed him. I was pleasantly surprised

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Lost Series at Even Strength
- bmeltzer

Bill,
I can't say Thank you enough for covering this team. I know I'm not alone in appreciating the effort and time you put into each of your articles.