Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Fire Blanks in Toronto, Rookies win in Newark

Wonder what's up with Grossmann?

I hope Akeson sticks with the team, I think they can use his offense.

Wonder what's up with Grossmann?

I hope Akeson sticks with the team, I think they can use his offense.
- Marc D

Grossmann is old & slow?

Wonder what's up with Grossmann?

I hope Akeson sticks with the team, I think they can use his offense.
- Marc D

Read my mind. Also, it is hard to take too much away from these games- win or loss. That said, Coots has not responded well to being given offensive opportunities which is unfortunate. He looks very slow out there which I know isn't the end all be all but it is apparent. Bellemare really impressed during the first game, I didn't notice this time, how did he play in this one?

While several writers have said it was a poor play by Mason on the JVR goal I think some praise needs to be given to JVR s that is a goal scorers goal- impressive placement. I sure do miss that guy.

Stortini should never be allowed to wear the big clubs Flyers jersey again.

Expected line up for Wednesday?

Wonder what's up with Grossmann?

I hope Akeson sticks with the team, I think they can use his offense.
- Marc D

Grossmann is coming off of ankle surgery and isnt ready yet.

I am a huge believer that contending teams drive offensive production from the back end, getting the puck out of your own end, controlling play at the offensive blue line.

I believe that this is the year the Flyers will do a huge deal for a #1 D.

Read my mind. Also, it is hard to take too much away from these games- win or loss. That said, Coots has not responded well to being given offensive opportunities which is unfortunate. He looks very slow out there which I know isn't the end all be all but it is apparent. Bellemare really impressed during the first game, I didn't notice this time, how did he play in this one?

While several writers have said it was a poor play by Mason on the JVR goal I think some praise needs to be given to JVR s that is a goal scorers goal- impressive placement. I sure do miss that guy.

Stortini should never be allowed to wear the big clubs Flyers jersey again.

Expected line up for Wednesday?
- coffee junkie

Bellemare didn't play last night. In today's blog, I listed all players in both the game in Toronto last night and the closed-door rookies game in Newark yesterday afternoon.

Berube said on Sunday that he'd like to dress something close to his regular lineup in Thursday's game against the Devils.

Re: Couturier, it is way, way too soon to come to any conclusions about whether he will successfully handle increased goal-scoring (his assist totals last year were fine for a player in his role) expectations.

I am a huge believer that contending teams drive offensive production from the back end, getting the puck out of your own end, controlling play at the offensive blue line.

I believe that this is the year the Flyers will do a huge deal for a #1 D.
- spatso

Of course you are, you have EK65 on your team

I just don't see why we needed Stortini, even with the Phantoms.

Bellemare didn't play last night. In today's blog, I listed all players in both the game in Toronto last night and the closed-door rookies game in Newark yesterday afternoon.

Berube said on Sunday that he'd like to dress something close to his regular lineup in Thursday's game against the Devils.

Re: Couturier, it is way, way too soon to come to any conclusions about whether he will successfully handle increased goal-scoring (his assist totals last year were fine for a player in his role) expectations.
- bmeltzer

I agree it is too early and you need to place a player in the situation to find out if they can handle it. Though the lack of speed, while you have written about it and said it doesn't need to be a major factor, IS evident. However, he did look good on the PP the first TOR game. The skill is obviously there in the hands and head, not sure about the feet.

No wonder I didn't notice Belle

Wish there were highlights from the rookie game


Ghost gives a good interview, like a vet, like a boss.

I am a huge believer that contending teams drive offensive production from the back end, getting the puck out of your own end, controlling play at the offensive blue line.

I believe that this is the year the Flyers will do a huge deal for a #1 D.
- spatso

Who are we trading for and what are we giving up?

I am a huge believer that contending teams drive offensive production from the back end, getting the puck out of your own end, controlling play at the offensive blue line.

I believe that this is the year the Flyers will do a huge deal for a #1 D.
- spatso

You cannot trade for a player that isn't available.

I agree it is too early and you need to place a player in the situation to find out if they can handle it. Though the lack of speed, while you have written about it and said it doesn't need to be a major factor, IS evident. However, he did look good on the PP the first TOR game. The skill is obviously there in the hands and head, not sure about the feet.

No wonder I didn't notice Belle

Wish there were highlights from the rookie game


Ghost gives a good interview, like a vet, like a boss.
- coffee junkie

Not too worried about the result last night other than Mase could have been more sharp. Leafs had more regulars in than we did. Not many of the flyers impressed at all last night however. I'm hoping to see closer to a full lineup on Thursday as these split squad games really give no indication of what we really have.

Not too worried about the result last night other than Mase could have been more sharp. Leafs had more regulars in than we did. Not many of the flyers impressed at all last night however. I'm hoping to see closer to a full lineup on Thursday as these split squad games really give no indication of what we really have.
- Hextall271

Not even worried about Mason. It wasn't atrocious for a first preseason start coming off a minor injury mishap in August. I don't worry too much about vets, especially goalies, in the preseason. Thought Mason looked a bit sharper overall last night for two periods than Emery did on Monday.

Not even worried about Mason. It wasn't atrocious for a first preseason start coming off a minor injury mishap in August. I don't worry too much about vets, especially goalies, in the preseason. Thought Mason looked a bit sharper overall last night for two periods than Emery did on Monday.
- bmeltzer

I believe mase will round into form but there was one goal from the point that i thought he ahould have had last night. Again, dont think it matters that much. I didn't get to watch the game in Philly. Was ray just leaving too many rebounds?

I believe mase will round into form but there was one goal from the point that i thought he ahould have had last night. Again, dont think it matters that much. I didn't get to watch the game in Philly. Was ray just leaving too many rebounds?
- Hextall271

Yes, Emery had trouble controlling rebounds and most every dump-in behind the net was not handled cleanly. Just normal rust.

The Franson goal last night was one of the softest that Mason has allowed since coming over from Columbus. Thankfully it was in an early preseason game.

Yes, Emery had trouble controlling rebounds and most every dump-in behind the net was not handled cleanly. Just normal rust.

The Franson goal last night was one of the softest that Mason has allowed since coming over from Columbus. Thankfully it was in an early preseason game.
- bmeltzer

How about Stolzar? Only one 1/2 pre-season game but could you break down what you liked/ thought he could improve? Zepp?

The Flyers upcoming schedule is absolutely brutal. Games on Thurs (home vs NJ), Sat (Allentown game), Sun (@ NJ), Mon (@ MSG) and Tue (home vs NYR).

Berube has made no effort to hide his displeasure with how bunched up all these games are and seems particularly unhappy about the game on Saturday. Although Saturday's game is sort of unofficially billed as Flyers vs. Phantoms, I expect that there will be only a couple Flyers players participating. It will more likely be a "uniformed scrimmage" with a lot of the recently drafted prospects participating before they get returned to their junior teams.

How about Stolzar? Only one 1/2 pre-season game but could you break down what you liked/ thought he could improve? Zepp?
- coffee junkie

Stolarz had a good game in London, especially for his first full game coming off hip surgery. It's always a bit different for a rookie in preseason, though. They aren't trying simply to put in some work and recover their game-situation timing. They are there to impress.

Zepp was fine on Monday except for a shaky short-side goal.

Yea, I'm not worried at all about last nights game. It means nothing. Also Rosehill was playing on a scoring line so what does that tell you....

On a side note... I'm really disappointed in Laughton. He does'nt even look close to being ready.

Ghost gives a good interview, like a vet, like a boss.
- coffee junkie

He absolutely does. Bright, articulate and self-confident.

Yea, I'm not worried at all about last nights game. It means nothing. Also Rosehill was playing on a scoring line so what does that tell you....

On a side note... I'm really disappointed in Laughton. He does'nt even look close to being ready.
- GOA88

I thought he's been one of the better Flyers in the first two games, at least on the defensive side of the puck. I don't expect much offense from him his rookie year, even at the AHL level. He'll also never be a flashy player.

Yea, I'm not worried at all about last nights game. It means nothing. Also Rosehill was playing on a scoring line so what does that tell you....

On a side note... I'm really disappointed in Laughton. He does'nt even look close to being ready.
- GOA88

I wasn't impressed with Laughton either. It almost seemed like last night he was trying to play outside of himself. Instead of just playing his game. The effort was there though.

I thought he's been one of the better Flyers in the first two games, at least on the defensive side of the puck. I don't expect much offense from him his rookie year, even at the AHL level. He'll also never be a flashy player.
- bmeltzer

IDK, maybe Im expecting too much. I just see a lot of gliding, afraid to play physical at times, bad turnovers. He looks passive. I was hoping he would take charge.

I thought he's been one of the better Flyers in the first two games, at least on the defensive side of the puck. I don't expect much offense from him his rookie year, even at the AHL level. He'll also never be a flashy player.
- bmeltzer

I expected a bit more from him, in terms of being noticeable. Not necessarily in terms of providing offense, but being a pest and physical presence. He hasn't played bad, or even close to bad, but he also hasn't looked like a guy trying to kick in the door to make a NHL roster.

I think Bellemare was a lot more effective, and honestly, so was Rinaldo.