Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Straka, Flett

I always wonder how these players react when they are told of their scouting reports. IE, being called one dimensional and soft.

I know my pride would make me want to prove them wrong. But some of these pros don't seem to care. Lets hope he takes the criticism to heart.

I am hoping with a better influx of talent and better vets on the phantoms that we see our players take a step forward. Guys like Cousins, Straka, Alderson

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Straka, Flett
- bmeltzer

I think that Hextall's emphasis on drafting and developing will help guys like Straka, because instead of castoffs, undrafted free agents and spot fillers, the Phantoms will be used for development.

That might mean that we see guys who are first rounders playing there for much longer than we usually see Flyers first rounders spend in the AHL, which will put more talent on the roster and allow guys like Straka to play with better players.

Listened to WIP yesterday and they were taking ten year bets on different Philly sports teams and players. So here goes.

Would you take this bet? In ten years Claude Giroux will be the all time leading scorer for the Flyers.

Jean Potvin
- bmeltzer

Well, there's my learning for the day. His playing for the Flyers pre-dates my being a fan of the Flyers by about a year or so.

Listened to WIP yesterday and they were taking ten year bets on different Philly sports teams and players. So here goes.

Would you take this bet? In ten years Claude Giroux will be the all time leading scorer for the Flyers.
- mickel25

As of right now, if Giroux averages 83 point per year for the next ten seasons, he will tie Clarke.

Tough, but not impossible. I'll turn down the bet because I feel there will be another lockout when the current CBA is open to renegotiate, which will delay Giroux.

Listened to WIP yesterday and they were taking ten year bets on different Philly sports teams and players. So here goes.

Would you take this bet? In ten years Claude Giroux will be the all time leading scorer for the Flyers.
- mickel25

I'm sure that a clearly unbiased station like WIP that employs some of the most knowledgeable minds of sports information had loads of good input on the Flyers (i.e. "Will Ilya Bryzgalov beat the Flyers in the SCF?" and such).

That said, Giroux has a LONG way to go. The record right now is 1210 by Bobby Clarke. Giroux has 377, so he needs to make up 833 points. If we take Giroux's best 3 seasons, he averages 1.10 Pts/GP. If he maintains that pace for 10 years, and is fully healthy, he will have 899 more points, giving him 66 more points than Clarke. However, the likelihood of him keeping or exceeding that pace, staying healthy that long, not being traded, etc. seems unlikely.

I'm sure that a clearly unbiased station like WIP that employs some of the most knowledgeable minds of sports information had loads of good input on the Flyers (i.e. "Will Ilya Bryzgalov beat the Flyers in the SCF?" and such).

That said, Giroux has a LONG way to go. The record right now is 1210 by Bobby Clarke. Giroux has 377, so he needs to make up 833 points. If we take Giroux's best 3 seasons, he averages 1.10 Pts/GP. If he maintains that pace for 10 years, and is fully healthy, he will have 899 more points, giving him 66 more points than Clarke. However, the likelihood of him keeping or exceeding that pace, staying healthy that long, not being traded, etc. seems unlikely.
- jmatchett383

It was Glen Macnow so the hockey talk was at least respectable. I am taking this bet simply because I want Giroux to be great. The Flyers need him to be great and are paying him to be great. For once I would like to see a long term agreement work out for the Flyers. I honestly think he has a 50/50 chance at this point.

Would you take this bet? In ten years Claude Giroux will be the all time leading scorer for the Flyers.
- mickel25

No.

I wouldn't even take a bet that he will still be with the Flyers in 10 years.

It was Glen Macnow so the hockey talk was at least respectable. I am taking this bet simply because I want Giroux to be great. The Flyers need him to be great and are paying him to be great. For once I would like to see a long term agreement work out for the Flyers. I honestly think he has a 50/50 chance at this point.
- mickel25

I couldn't listen to Macnow when he was with Monkey Boy, AKA "The First member Of His Family To Walk Upright", AKA "Violation Boy", AKA Anthony Gargano.

I hate that dude with a passion. Almost as much as I hate Cataldi and Barkann.

Clarke will still be the leader unless the organization can get Giroux linemates that match his skill set.

I couldn't listen to Macnow when he was with Monkey Boy, AKA "The First member Of His Family To Walk Upright", AKA "Violation Boy", AKA Anthony Gargano.

I hate that dude with a passion. Almost as much as I hate Cataldi and Barkann.
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. They claimed to be "The Hockey Guys" yet both agreed that they'd rather watch a preseason baseball game than a playoff hockey game, so...yeah. And agreed about Gargano, he's garbage.

"D000000d, that's awesome bro! Sup cuz!?"

Sadly, when it comes to the main host, Cataldi is probably the best M-F guy they have. I tried that new guy from Houston, and his grasp on reality is baffling.

Clarke will still be the leader unless the organization can get Giroux linemates that match his skill set.
- vejim

Agreed, his production post-Jagr has been terrible with a guy who can't even skate on his left wing.

Agreed. They claimed to be "The Hockey Guys" yet both agreed that they'd rather watch a preseason baseball game than a playoff hockey game, so...yeah. And agreed about Gargano, he's garbage.

"D000000d, that's awesome bro! Sup cuz!?"
- jmatchett383

That's a VYE O Lation Cuz!

Like icepicks in my ears.

Clarke will still be the leader unless the organization can get Giroux linemates that match his skill set.
- vejim

He's had good linemates to play with. I think staying injury free is going to have the most impact on whether he can get there or not.

I couldn't listen to Macnow when he was with Monkey Boy, AKA "The First member Of His Family To Walk Upright", AKA "Violation Boy", AKA Anthony Gargano.

I hate that dude with a passion. Almost as much as I hate Cataldi and Barkann.
- MBFlyerfan

I can't stand Angelo, but I feel like he just puts on a show for the ratings. I feel like Barkann genuinely believes he's knowledgeable across the board. Yet when he states an opinion, he will change it 5 seconds later based on 1 sentence from a co-host or caller. Again, it could be for show, but I can't stand him.

Great read as always Bill. I take pride in knowing my Flyers history despite being 28 and never getting to see the Broad Street Bullies outside of videos, granted the Red Army game is one of my all time favorites. But I was unfamiliar with Flett until today, thanks for that info.

It's kind of funny that my mom can watch a game today and have no idea who anyone is despite watching almost every game. But I mention Flett to her and her first response is "Cowboy?"

I can't stand Angelo, but I feel like he just puts on a show for the ratings. I feel like Barkann genuinely believes he's knowledgeable across the board. Yet when he states an opinion, he will change it 5 seconds later based on 1 sentence from a co-host or caller. Again, it could be for show, but I can't stand him.
- five4fighting10

I agree on Cataldi, he mostly does it because he knows how to spark interest. The rest seem to genuinely believe the ridiculous things they say. Also, Mike Missinelli (spelling?) fits right in line. He's like Howard Eskin without the wit, logic, or intelligence that Eskin has.

I can't stand Angelo, but I feel like he just puts on a show for the ratings. I feel like Barkann genuinely believes he's knowledgeable across the board. Yet when he states an opinion, he will change it 5 seconds later based on 1 sentence from a co-host or caller. Again, it could be for show, but I can't stand him.
- five4fighting10

dont know how you guys listen to Philly talk radio?...I listened while I was up there last month and one station loves the Eagles and the other station loves the Sixers

delete.

So, a question to you all:

After the moves that the Flyers have made this off season, where do you see the team finishing this upcoming year?

I think that if they stay relatively healthy (always a key) and young players like Couturier and B. Schenn continue to improve, that they will finish somewhere between 95-100 points.

At 95 points, I think they finish 3rd or 4th in the division and, if they are 4th, squeak in as the 7th or 8th seed. If they reach 100 points, I think they are either 2nd or 3rd in the division.

Thoughts?

I agree on Cataldi, he mostly does it because he knows how to spark interest. The rest seem to genuinely believe the ridiculous things they say. Also, Mike Missinelli (spelling?) fits right in line. He's like Howard Eskin without the wit, logic, or intelligence that Eskin has.
- jmatchett383

cant stand Mike Missinformed

dont know how you guys listen to Philly talk radio?...I listened while I was up there last month and one station loves the Eagles and the other station loves the Sixers
- vejim

It's not worth listening to. My car CD player is broken, so my hour-long drive is either the "hilarious" Preston & Steve, bad modern pop, or sports talk in the morning, and that changes to bad "rock" music, bad modern pop, or sports talk in the evening.

dont know how you guys listen to Philly talk radio?...I listened while I was up there last month and one station loves the Eagles and the other station loves the Sixers
- vejim

Oh it's absolutely brutal, but I need something in the background while I work and it comes down to that or music that's been overplayed. Don't ask why I opt for the ignorance of sports talk radio but I guess I just like to make my day feel longer.