Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Saturday Quick Hits

Would have been nice to fit Gagne into this past years lineup, but I see the need to move forward. I would have thought there were several teams who could use his services as a 2nd/3rd line LW..

Would have been nice to fit Gagne into this past years lineup, but I see the need to move forward. I would have thought there were several teams who could use his services as a 2nd/3rd line LW..
- Trainfellow

I was just thinking that while reading the article too. Gagne is one of my all time favorite flyers. I'll never forget his part in the Boston come back in 2010.

Would have been nice to fit Gagne into this past years lineup, but I see the need to move forward. I would have thought there were several teams who could use his services as a 2nd/3rd line LW..
- Trainfellow

He seemed pretty bent out if shape with the organization after going unsigned last year. He alluded to being led down a path and then the team not following through which cost him missed opportunities. Hate it when a guy that gave so much to the team over the years gets the shaft. If that is indeed what happened.

He seemed pretty bent out if shape with the organization after going unsigned last year. He alluded to being led down a path and then the team not following through which cost him missed opportunities. Hate it when a guy that gave so much to the team over the years gets the shaft. If that is indeed what happened.
- section32

We could just make up for it now and sign him today, no secret we could use another LW

I appreciate Gagne's career. However, it speaks volumes the entire league has had this much time to sign Gagne to a contract and nothing has materialized. I don't know what happened last summer, but what it appears is that Gagne because of age just can't play hockey at an NHL level. Much rather have Akeson or Alderson have a chance at LW this season.

He seemed pretty bent out if shape with the organization after going unsigned last year. He alluded to being led down a path and then the team not following through which cost him missed opportunities. Hate it when a guy that gave so much to the team over the years gets the shaft. If that is indeed what happened.
- section32

I always got the sense that Holmgren was sincere in wanting to sign Gagne, but then Hexy signed on as assistant GM and swayed Holmgen against signing him. I am curious why no team signed him mid season or even this offseason. He didn't look useless as a 3rd liner when he was brought back.

I always got the sense that Holmgren was sincere in wanting to sign Gagne, but then Hexy signed on as assistant GM and swayed Holmgen against signing him. I am curious why no team signed him mid season or even this offseason. He didn't look useless as a 3rd liner when he was brought back.
- mmcclatchy

Dead on, I remember reading somewhere that it was either Lombardi or sutter quoted saying gagne wasn't kings material
Or something when they got rid of him

I always got the sense that Holmgren was sincere in wanting to sign Gagne, but then Hexy signed on as assistant GM and swayed Holmgen against signing him. I am curious why no team signed him mid season or even this offseason. He didn't look useless as a 3rd liner when he was brought back.
- mmcclatchy

He would have been(or still could be this year) Buffalo's top line LW at a 1year/1m contract

I always got the sense that Holmgren was sincere in wanting to sign Gagne, but then Hexy signed on as assistant GM and swayed Holmgen against signing him. I am curious why no team signed him mid season or even this offseason. He didn't look useless as a 3rd liner when he was brought back.
- mmcclatchy

Nobody signing Gagne was very odd to me. I thought he was good in his own end and his speed was holding up. He still got more than his share of breakaway chances. If he had ever developed more than one move when he was in alone, that weak cut to the backhand/tuck play that always got stuffed, I think he would have been a much more highly regarded player . . . . and he is a guy with an Olympic gold and a cup.

We could just make up for it now and sign him today, no secret we could use another LW
- coffee junkie

We could use another LW for sure.

Do you think Hextall is finished for the off season?

To be honest, I was hoping for an addition ( trade or FA) on the LW or D

They have a good team but just need a few tweaks.
Stevie Y went out and did that for the Bolts this year and they will be one of the teams to beat in the East

Overall faceoff percentage is a somewhat overrated statistic. Not all faceoffs are of equal important depending on zone and game situation, and even if a team is credited with the win on a draw, it may not result in solid puck possession.
- bmeltzer

This.

I'd rather lose a little bit of FO prowess and gain in the remaining 45 sec of the shift, than vice versa, especially at ES. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad that it looks like Hall isn't coming back.

They have a good team but just need a few tweaks.
Stevie Y went out and did that for the Bolts this year and they will be one of the teams to beat in the East
- 3flyerkids

When's the last time that a team "solved" all its problems via UFA and it actually worked out for them? I think Tampa is a scary team, but it has more to do w/ Hedman's emergence and Stamkos coming back, than anything they did in UFA... think Bishop's due for Craig Anderson-level correction, too.

Dead on, I remember reading somewhere that it was either Lombardi or sutter quoted saying gagne wasn't kings material
Or something when they got rid of him
- Just5

So if most of LA was in favor of getting rid of him then maybe Hexy isn't a fan as well.

Nobody signing Gagne was very odd to me. I thought he was good in his own end and his speed was holding up. He still got more than his share of breakaway chances. If he had ever developed more than one move when he was in alone, that weak cut to the backhand/tuck play that always got stuffed, I think he would have been a much more highly regarded player . . . . and he is a guy with an Olympic gold and a cup.
- fls13

You gotta imagine it would be difficult to come back after an entire season off. What is he, 35 now?

Quite simply, guy's need to work harder at getting better at face-offs. I guy I hate, and think is a drama queen, Crosby, worked hard at face-offs in the off season and in one off season became very good.

Only time I care about faceoffs are on PP/PK chances. On the PK win the draw dump the puck. PP win the draw go to work. End of discussion.

When's the last time that a team "solved" all its problems via UFA and it actually worked out for them? I think Tampa is a scary team, but it has more to do w/ Hedman's emergence and Stamkos coming back, than anything they did in UFA... think Bishop's due for Craig Anderson-level correction, too.
- Tomahawk

Gaborik helped put the finishing touches on a Kings team that was good but no one was picking them to win the cup at the start of playoffs.
The Bolts have added 2 Dman that make them better and you are right about Hedman. I think the 2 additions will make him even better.
Bishop is solid and with a good D in front of that giant he should be fine.

I just think the Flyers could have done something to improve. Let's hope BSchenn and Couturier can produce more offense and the team is better 5-5.

You gotta imagine it would be difficult to come back after an entire season off. What is he, 35 now?
- section32

Yeah, sadly he's done. I thought he had enough to help a team last year but obviously 30 NHL GMs disagreed. Still, he's left the game a very wealthy man and had a helluva career even if it did end with a whimper.

So if most of LA was in favor of getting rid of him then maybe Hexy isn't a fan as well.
- section32

Yea it's very possible. But it's pretty clear the rest of the league wasn't. He's a guy I thought could've contributed for years as a bottom pairing forward.

Not sure of he's viewed as not having the necessary sandpaper, or maybe he's not interested in that type of role

When's the last time that a team "solved" all its problems via UFA and it actually worked out for them? I think Tampa is a scary team, but it has more to do w/ Hedman's emergence and Stamkos coming back, than anything they did in UFA... think Bishop's due for Craig Anderson-level correction, too.
- Tomahawk

If stamkos resigns there. With hedman and bishop their window could be 10 years long sort of like the hawks

Gaborik helped put the finishing touches on a Kings team that was good but no one was picking them to win the cup at the start of playoffs.
- 3flyerkids

Wasn't Gaborik a TDL pickup?

If stamkos resigns there. With hedman and bishop their window could be 10 years long sort of like the hawks
- Just5

Yeah, think that will mostly depend on their stable of prospects, although early returns seem good.

Hawks have had a non-stop parade of solid players coming up from Rockford over the years.

If stamkos resigns there. With hedman and bishop their window could be 10 years long sort of like the hawks
- Just5

With Kane and Toews getting 10 million a year, what do you think Stamkos is going to get as an UFA? I doubt he takes a big home-team discount considering the whole sticking point in his last contract negotiation was having his contract end on his first available UFA eligible year.

Gaborik helped put the finishing touches on a Kings team that was good but no one was picking them to win the cup at the start of playoffs.
The Bolts have added 2 Dman that make them better and you are right about Hedman. I think the 2 additions will make him even better.
Bishop is solid and with a good D in front of that giant he should be fine.

I just think the Flyers could have done something to improve. Let's hope BSchenn and Couturier can produce more offense and the team is better 5-5.
- 3flyerkids

I don't know if Coots' offense will get to where it was his rookie year due to him having to focus so much on his defensive skill when his on the ice. I think Schenn can stay consistent and have a year similar to last.

I think if G gets off to a quick start things will be good. This team goes as he goes.