Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Canada and USA Ousted at Worlds, Sleepers in System

Best of luck to those kids as they try to develop professional careers -- I only watched a couple of Phantoms games this year, so I can't even pretend like I know what kind of players they might wind up being. But if they put in the work, who knows? Maybe more of them will make it than are projected.

Thanks for the update Bill. I'm hoping to get to some phantoms games now that they will be a lot closer to Bucks County in Lehigh Valley. Am I the only one who hates this time of the year?

you are bang on with Straka and Cousins.....the second year of pro is where the contenders and pretenders are separated. The first year of pro see's many guys playing with that "deer in the head lights" look...but now they know what its like....they know the deal..... they know that every one there is as good or better. They need to take that step. BOTH these kids have the potential and this year is the year they need to show the organization they can get better.

Thanks for the update Bill. I'm hoping to get to some phantoms games now that they will be a lot closer to Bucks County in Lehigh Valley. Am I the only one who hates this time of the year?
- edmac812

I like watching the SCF, but up until then, I just

I do like watching the drafts though


I may have to journey out that way no to watch a few games myself. I live a few minutes from Giant Center where the Hershey Bears play...

I am curious to see if things change with the Phantoms. They had better teams when right in philly and i am wondering with the kids being closer to Philly then Adirondak if they step it up. Maybe in some psychological way they feel they have a better chance at a call up since they are closer and easier for front office to notice.

I am curious to see if things change with the Phantoms. They had better teams when right in philly and i am wondering with the kids being closer to Philly then Adirondak if they step it up. Maybe in some psychological way they feel they have a better chance at a call up since they are closer and easier for front office to notice.
- J35Bacher

I think the main reasons the Phantoms have struggled is recent years is a pretty simple one. They can't score. The Flyers haven't had any decent offensive prospects playing in the AHL for a while and it shows on the scoreboard.

Even with the possibility of a very mobile, talented D with Ghost and Hagg being added to the mix, they still may struggle to score. With Laughton and quite possibly Akeson on the big club, they will still be counting on Straka, Cousins and fringe prospects to provide scoring up front. Hopefully they sign an AHL vet or 2 that can chip in some offensive and help the team become competitive.

Good summary as always.

I was surprised that Alt was not on your list, but I never got to see him play this year and don't know how he progressed or regressed.

I have seen Wilcox, only on TV not in person, and he does have all the quiet skills that make a good NHL blueliner.

I would like, depending on what happens with Timonen, to see Laurissden get another real look in the NHL. I think you have pointed out and I know that many other writers have that the only way for players to progress at a higher level is to play there. You have to be patient and let them make mistakes and then learn from them. Laurissden has pretty much hit a wall at the AHL level. He is what he is, but he could be a good 5/6 ala Andrew Alberts (before injuries made him a 7)..which would be a nice thing to have. Somehow everyone forgets how rough and downright bad at times both Chara and Pronger were. Chara did not really become a good NHL player until he was nearly 30. But his size and athletic ability kept him in the league...why doesn't that ever happen in Philadelphia?

The Flyers were and are always quick to give players like Carcillo a chance to develop at the NHL level...how about showing that kind of long term thinking on other positions?

Sorry...getting off the soap box now....

What about Marc-Andre Bourdon? Are the concussion issues still haunting him? He was SO close to making the jump!

I think the main reasons the Phantoms have struggled is recent years is a pretty simple one. They can't score. The Flyers haven't had any decent offensive prospects playing in the AHL for a while and it shows on the scoreboard.

Even with the possibility of a very mobile, talented D with Ghost and Hagg being added to the mix, they still may struggle to score. With Laughton and quite possibly Akeson on the big club, they will still be counting on Straka, Cousins and fringe prospects to provide scoring up front. Hopefully they sign an AHL vet or 2 that can chip in some offensive and help the team become competitive.
- BiggE

Yeah but I think there is a better feeling having them located closer then in NY. Might just be a little pick me up if you feel that the FO can now really get a look at you since they are not far away. I am not saying it is a sure things just maybe something psychological that can bring a little more out of them.

Yeah but I think there is a better feeling having them located closer then in NY. Might just be a little pick me up if you feel that the FO can now really get a look at you since they are not far away. I am not saying it is a sure things just maybe something psychological that can bring a little more out of them.
- J35Bacher

Well, it certainly can't hurt.

I think what made it different when the Phantoms were in Philly is that they practiced in the same facility as the Flyers. The players could actually see with their own eyes just how close the big club was and perhaps what it takes to get there. I'm not sure that playing and practicing in Allentown/Bethlehem will have the same effect.

What about Marc-Andre Bourdon? Are the concussion issues still haunting him? He was SO close to making the jump!
- dmleip

Sadly, he was still having concussion issues last time I heard anything which was a couple of months ago. I think his career, sadly, is pretty much over.

Good summary as always.

I was surprised that Alt was not on your list, but I never got to see him play this year and don't know how he progressed or regressed.

I have seen Wilcox, only on TV not in person, and he does have all the quiet skills that make a good NHL blueliner.

I would like, depending on what happens with Timonen, to see Laurissden get another real look in the NHL. I think you have pointed out and I know that many other writers have that the only way for players to progress at a higher level is to play there. You have to be patient and let them make mistakes and then learn from them. Laurissden has pretty much hit a wall at the AHL level. He is what he is, but he could be a good 5/6 ala Andrew Alberts (before injuries made him a 7)..which would be a nice thing to have. Somehow everyone forgets how rough and downright bad at times both Chara and Pronger were. Chara did not really become a good NHL player until he was nearly 30. But his size and athletic ability kept him in the league...why doesn't that ever happen in Philadelphia?

The Flyers were and are always quick to give players like Carcillo a chance to develop at the NHL level...how about showing that kind of long term thinking on other positions?

Sorry...getting off the soap box now....
- wbon22

he had alt in there

Well, it certainly can't hurt.

I think what made it different when the Phantoms were in Philly is that they practiced in the same facility as the Flyers. The players could actually see with their own eyes just how close the big club was and perhaps what it takes to get there. I'm not sure that playing and practicing in Allentown/Bethlehem will have the same effect.
- BiggE

I can agree with that.

Good summary as always.

I was surprised that Alt was not on your list, but I never got to see him play this year and don't know how he progressed or regressed.

I have seen Wilcox, only on TV not in person, and he does have all the quiet skills that make a good NHL blueliner.

I would like, depending on what happens with Timonen, to see Laurissden get another real look in the NHL. I think you have pointed out and I know that many other writers have that the only way for players to progress at a higher level is to play there. You have to be patient and let them make mistakes and then learn from them. Laurissden has pretty much hit a wall at the AHL level. He is what he is, but he could be a good 5/6 ala Andrew Alberts (before injuries made him a 7)..which would be a nice thing to have. Somehow everyone forgets how rough and downright bad at times both Chara and Pronger were. Chara did not really become a good NHL player until he was nearly 30. But his size and athletic ability kept him in the league...why doesn't that ever happen in Philadelphia?

The Flyers were and are always quick to give players like Carcillo a chance to develop at the NHL level...how about showing that kind of long term thinking on other positions?

Sorry...getting off the soap box now....
- wbon22

I don't think Lauisdons skill set is really fits how the d is made up right now. He is a grossmann type and they already have that in grossmann and Schenn. Grossman would have to be moved fro him to geta chance. Also you have Mark Alt who is 6'4" but a better skater and has a good outlet pass. I just don't see more then 6/7 for Laurdison

I don't think Lauisdons skill set is really fits how the d is made up right now. He is a grossmann type and they already have that in grossmann and Schenn. Grossman would have to be moved fro him to geta chance. Also you have Mark Alt who is 6'4" but a better skater and has a good outlet pass. I just don't see more then 6/7 for Laurdison
- J35Bacher

With Grossmann's injury history, and if he is on the club next year, I can then see Lauridsen in the 7th D role. Obviously if a skilled Dman goes down, they likely bring up Ghost or Hagg, but Lauridsen could likely fill in for Grossmann and L. Schenn if needed and at a cap hit of only 600k or so and 3 full years in the AHL, he's a good fit for that 7th spot.

I don't think Lauisdons skill set is really fits how the d is made up right now. He is a grossmann type and they already have that in grossmann and Schenn. Grossman would have to be moved fro him to geta chance. Also you have Mark Alt who is 6'4" but a better skater and has a good outlet pass. I just don't see more then 6/7 for Laurdison
- J35Bacher

I would like to see Grossmann moved, as much as I like him, and for Lauridsen to get a chance. What Grossmann can do is covered by a combo of Schenn and AMac. Lauridsen won't bring his shot-blocking or positioning, but can play the same type of role for much cheaper. If nothing else, he'd be a good #7 man if they keep Grossmann.

I would like to see Grossmann moved, as much as I like him, and for Lauridsen to get a chance. What Grossmann can do is covered by a combo of Schenn and AMac. Lauridsen won't bring his shot-blocking or positioning, but can play the same type of role for much cheaper. If nothing else, he'd be a good #7 man if they keep Grossmann.
- jmatchett383

Agreed

i still want a d combo of

Myers/Niskanen
Coburn/Mcdonald
Streit/Kimmo
Lauridsenn

two years from now

Myers/Niskannen
Morin/Ghost or Alt
Hagg/Amac

i still want a d combo of

Myers/Niskanen
Coburn/Mcdonald
Streit/Kimmo
Lauridsenn

two years from now

Myers/Niskannen
Morin/Ghost or Alt
Hagg/Amac
- PhillaBully

How are you getting Myers and what $$/term are you giving Niskanen?

I wouldn't mind seeing the Flyers move Grossmann, re-sign Timonen for 4 million or less on a 1 year deal and go with the following D next year:

Streit-Coburn
AMac-Schenn
Timonen-Alt
Lauridsen

I would then put Timonen with Coburn on the PK and late in games when leading. I'd rather see them do this, than overpay for a UFA dman. This will buy them one more year for Ghost, Morin and Hagg to continue to develop and it gives them mobility on all 3 pairings.

Thoughts?

How are you getting Myers and what $$/term are you giving Niskanen?
- jmatchett383

schenn and schenn + prospect/pick will post cap geek roster

i still want a d combo of

Myers/Niskanen
Coburn/Mcdonald
Streit/Kimmo
Lauridsenn

two years from now

Myers/Niskannen
Morin/Ghost or Alt
Hagg/Amac
- PhillaBully

Your D next year will likely cost:
Niskanen: 6 million
Myers: 5.5 million
Coburn: 4.5 million
McDonald: 5 million
Timonen: likely 4 million
Streit: 5.25 million
Lauridsen: 600k

So you are ok with a D costing 30.85 million next year?

I wouldn't mind seeing the Flyers move Grossmann, re-sign Timonen for 4 million or less on a 1 year deal and go with the following D next year:

Streit-Coburn
AMac-Schenn
Timonen-Alt
Lauridsen

I would then put Timonen with Coburn on the PK and late in games when leading. I'd rather see them do this, than overpay for a UFA dman. This will buy them one more year for Ghost, Morin and Hagg to continue to develop and it gives them mobility on all 3 pairings.

Thoughts?
- BiggE

I'm a fan, although Schenn's played his best hockey with Kimmo and Coburn. I know it would be a nice transition for Alt to play with a vet like him, so I'd prefer to see:

Schenn-Coburn
Streit-AMac
Timonen-Alt
Lauridsen

schenn and schenn + prospect/pick will post cap geek roster
- PhillaBully

That's a lot to give up for a guy everyone will be complaining about