Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Simmonds, Jones and More

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html

In a matter of 2 years, defense has shifted from a barren wasteland on the Flyers' organization depth chart to a position of absolute strength. Prospects Shayne Gostisbehere and Samuel Morin - both Paul Holmgren draft picks - were so impressive in training camp that an entire season of Nick Grossmann and Braydon Coburn had to seem like punishment instead of prudent management.

I really don't get the Coburn hate.

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

People focus on the occasional mistake rather than the constant solid play. They also forget that Coburn plays the toughest minutes against the hardest competion on a nightly basis. If Coburn were to go down, they're a lottery team.

3 fights in the preseason, over 6ft tall and 200+ pounds....so maybe the flyers did sneak an enforcer in hmmm

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

You got FRANKED!

3 fights in the preseason, over 6ft tall and 200+ pounds....so maybe the flyers did sneak an enforcer in hmmm
- JoeRussomanno

Maybe, but he will be a locker room cancer because of his lack of respect for Giroux. I mean, who could respect the guy after the incredibly horrible thing he did over the summer when he sexually assaulted that cop then murdered his family? How can you expect to lead after something like that?

3 fights in the preseason, over 6ft tall and 200+ pounds....so maybe the flyers did sneak an enforcer in hmmm
- JoeRussomanno

I know you know this but to Bergy's comments yesterday- it is different because he can actually play too. Yes, this team needs more grit but not more one dimensional fighters. I was hoping this would be Alderson this year but Jones is just fine. I'm happy they have found a player (hopefully) that can play and add grit.

You got FRANKED!
- coffee junkie

Yeah, I realize its Seravellli......between him and Carchidi, they make Bill look like Ernie Pyle and Ernest Hemingway all wrapped up together.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Simmonds, Jones and More
- bmeltzer

that 2nd line looks terrible. the 4th line just looks like the left over put together.

gonna be a long year flyers fans.

that 2nd line looks terrible. the 4th line just looks like the left over put together.

gonna be a long year flyers fans.
- rinaldo

You mean the fourth line that has looked awesome for most of the preseason when together?

Also, let's face it. The Coots line is going to be the "second" line this year. They're just numbers.

Looking at the TOI for the even strength lines, you'll probably see G's line with with the most, but just a couple more minutes compared to the Coots unit, with the Vinny line being rolled out about 4 minutes more than the 4th.

that 2nd line looks terrible. the 4th line just looks like the left over put together.

gonna be a long year flyers fans.
- rinaldo

The 2nd will be the Simmonds line once he returns ( or it should be)
The " Vinny" line does not look good as a 2nd, but hopefully it will be ok for a 3rd, I am still not sold on Hartnell trade

Hextall has impressed me with his patience, but disappointed me in the fact that he did not upgrade D via trade

I guess we will see how it pans out

You mean the fourth line that has looked awesome for most of the preseason when together?

Also, let's face it. The Coots line is going to be the "second" line this year. They're just numbers.

Looking at the TOI for the even strength lines, you'll probably see G's line with with the most, but just a couple more minutes compared to the Coots unit, with the Vinny line being rolled out about 4 minutes more than the 4th.
- Giroux_Is_God

Totally agree, the 4th was much more impressive than Vinnys line and their minutes should be close. I am just hoping Vinny can contribute more on the PP

You mean the fourth line that has looked awesome for most of the preseason when together?

Also, let's face it. The Coots line is going to be the "second" line this year. They're just numbers.

Looking at the TOI for the even strength lines, you'll probably see G's line with with the most, but just a couple more minutes compared to the Coots unit, with the Vinny line being rolled out about 4 minutes more than the 4th.
- Giroux_Is_God

i guess your verison of awesome and mine differ. akeson is not a 4th line player. either in a scoring role or the ahl where he belongs. time will tell though dont see that line lasting to long together.

"coots" needs to step it up. i personally dont think he will ever put it together offesively. just dont see it.

The 2nd will be the Simmonds line once he returns ( or it should be)
The " Vinny" line does not look good as a 2nd, but hopefully it will be ok for a 3rd, I am still not sold on Hartnell trade

Hextall has impressed me with his patience, but disappointed me in the fact that he did not upgrade D via trade

I guess we will see how it pans out
- 3flyerkids

I think Vinny might work well as a trigger man to replace Hartnell on the PP. He's got a good one timer. Also, I don't think Hexy could have upgraded the D by trade without trading prospects or picks.. so he can't be both patient and aggressive in upgrading the D. If Hexy does upgrade the D next offseason, it would have to be by getting a UFA but the crop is not great from what I have heard.

that 2nd line looks terrible. the 4th line just looks like the left over put together.

gonna be a long year flyers fans.
- rinaldo

The 4th line has promise of being the Flyers' best fourth line in years. They were very effective in their two games together, showing speed (Bellemare and Rinaldo), creativity (Bellemare and Akeson), aggressive forechecking (Rinaldo) and some offensive ability (Bellemare and Akeson).

The Lecavalier line is, well, a work in progress at five-on-five.

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

I'm not a Coburn fan. He let's me down waaay too often. He's still our best defender though.

"coots" needs o step it up. i personally dont think he will ever put it together offesively. just dont see it.
- rinaldo

He had all of two fewer points than Braydon Schenn last season while playing a much more defensive oriented role -- against tougher opposition and while starting a much higher percentage of his shifts in the defensive zone. Goal scoring wise, Couturier hasn't taken big steps yet but his point production even last year was fine for his role.

Did I miss a WIP seminar or something? Is Seravelli and Carchidi holding open houses and then sending their new minions out to troll message boards?

i guess your verison of awesome and mine differ. akeson is not a 4th line player. either in a scoring role or the ahl where he belongs. time will tell though dont see that line lasting to long together.

"coots" needs to step it up. i personally dont think he will ever put it together offesively. just dont see it.
- rinaldo

Coots now has 2 good wingers around him and hopefully won't see impossible minutes like last season. I can see his production going way up. That kid is going to be a real pain the other teams' asses for a while

Did I miss a WIP seminar or something? Is Seravelli and Carchidi holding open houses and then sending their new minions out to troll message boards?
- MBFlyerfan

I'm pretty sure that's what was meant by, "it's gonna be a long year"...if you hang out in here.

The 4th line has promise of being the Flyers' best fourth line in years. They were very effective in their two games together, showing speed (Bellemare and Rinaldo), creativity (Bellemare and Akeson), aggressive forechecking (Rinaldo) and some offensive ability (Bellemare and Akeson).

The Lecavalier line is, well, a work in progress at five-on-five.
- bmeltzer

disagree with the 4th line. 2 preseason games doesnt mean much though it is better than them looking bad inthose games. as i said time will tell. they will not have much puck possesion imo. over the long haul akeson will look out of place and be removed from that line. defensivly it will be a challange as well.

hopefully bellemare gets to move up as i he looks liek he can add some value on another line. let him take raflles spot which i think will end up happening at some point.

would they put vinny with bellemare and raffle at some point do you think? then

Coots now has 2 good wingers around him and hopefully won't see impossible minutes like last season. I can see his production going way up. That kid is going to be a real pain the other teams' asses for a while
- Giroux_Is_God

we shall see. hope he does just dont think he will. define way up.

Decided to repost here


http://www.philly.com/phi..._sort_of__hat_trick_.html




I really don't get the Coburn hate.
- MBFlyerfan

Frank continues to plumb his thimble sized depth of hockey knowledge

that 2nd line looks terrible. the 4th line just looks like the left over put together.

gonna be a long year flyers fans.
- rinaldo

True trouble in Flyerdom.......

we shall see. hope he does just dont think he will. define way up.
- rinaldo

He's also been used in a ridiculously heavy defensive role, usually playing most of his shifts against the best competition the Flyers face. He did only have two fewer points than Schenn, despite Schenn facing far easier competition and being used in a role that should have seen him score a lot more.

If the coach used him more like Boston used Bergeron, he'd provide offense.