Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Voracek, Practice Updates, Quick Hits

Thanks Bill..As always a great read.

I have thought all along that the only two untouchable players on this team for me are Giroux and Voracek. They are by far the most dynamic forwards we have and in reality one of the top pairs in the league. You could see flashes of what Voracek could be over the past couple of years and now that he is putting it together while still being a young player is really exciting.

Thanks Bill..As always a great read.

I have thought all along that the only two untouchable players on this team for me are Giroux and Voracek. They are by far the most dynamic forwards we have and in reality one of the top pairs in the league. You could see flashes of what Voracek could be over the past couple of years and now that he is putting it together while still being a young player is really exciting.
- opeth_pa

I'd add Couturier to that list. I think he's going to break out offensively very soon.

2) The opportunity to find a comfort level as a member of the first power play unit. Success was not immediate when he was first put there, but Laviolette and Joe Mullen stuck with him til it clicked.
- bmeltzer

You mean...you can leave a guy at one position on a certain line and give him time to grow into it?

Good read, Bill. Hopefully Voracek can keep it up and be a point per game or better player. We all know he has the tools. I think Giroux will finish with more points but it's not a stretch to expect Jake to put up 30 goals and 55 assists with G having something like 25 Goals and 70 assists.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Voracek, Practice Updates, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

I'm probably one of the very few fans who sees a player do something once, then gets overly excited before call a player "elite" within his position. There has to be a couple of seasons that has shown consistency for me to become a believer.

Claude Giroux is being over shadows by Jake Voracek right now but I'm not counting out G. The reasons are simple. Giroux has been consistently improving within his game season after season. When Giroux gets hot, look out!

Before going down to injury, Kimmo Timonen has always had a consistent and steady game from one season to the next. Mark Streit is a consistent point producing defenseman. Brayden Coburn, consistent defensive game. Sean Couturier is a consistent shut down center and an elite penalty killer. Wayne Simmonds is a consistent, hardworking power forward who plays his role better than most in the league.

These are the names to me that consisdently keep their game at a high level, while knowing exactly what to expect from them.

Next you have guys like Voracek and Mason who to me are one step away from reaching that next level, they just need to prove their consistency. Voracek still needs he can prove he can shoot the puck more and he needs to come to camp next season the way did this season. If he keeps this up,there will be no questioning what Jake Voracek is capable of. All I ask of him is at least 30 goals.

As for Steve Mason, before April 3, 2013 he was a struggling player. It is now November 12th, 2014. He's much improved. A bit of a slow start this season but overall he's been very, very good. I just think many are jumping the gun by holding him up among the league's best. He has what it takes but I don't think Steve Mason gets into the heads of the opposing forwards before the puck has dropped.

The Flyers in my opinion are on the right track though.

Thanks Bill..As always a great read.

I have thought all along that the only two untouchable players on this team for me are Giroux and Voracek. They are by far the most dynamic forwards we have and in reality one of the top pairs in the league. You could see flashes of what Voracek could be over the past couple of years and now that he is putting it together while still being a young player is really exciting.
- opeth_pa

When you're unwilling to part with Simmonds for the first overall pick in the draft to draft at a position of desperate need, I think that speaks volumes about how the team views Wayne Simmonds. Also many teams have been after Couturier and the Flyers have done the smart thing by keeping him.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Voracek, Practice Updates, Quick Hits
- bmeltzer

Bill was there any reason given why MacDonald didn't skate yesterday?

You mean...you can leave a guy at one position on a certain line and give him time to grow into it?


- tangent_man

This type of dangerous, radical thinking will not be tolerated

I'm probably one of the very few fans who sees a player do something once, then gets overly excited before call a player "elite" within his position. There has to be a couple of seasons that has shown consistency for me to become a believer.

Claude Giroux is being over shadows by Jake Voracek right now but I'm not counting out G. The reasons are simple. Giroux has been consistently improving within his game season after season. When Giroux gets hot, look out!

Before going down to injury, Kimmo Timonen has always had a consistent and steady game from one season to the next. Mark Streit is a consistent point producing defenseman. Brayden Coburn, consistent defensive game. Sean Couturier is a consistent shut down center and an elite penalty killer. Wayne Simmonds is a consistent, hardworking power forward who plays his role better than most in the league.

These are the names to me that consisdently keep their game at a high level, while knowing exactly what to expect from them.

Next you have guys like Voracek and Mason who to me are one step away from reaching that next level, they just need to prove their consistency. Voracek still needs he can prove he can shoot the puck more and he needs to come to camp next season the way did this season. If he keeps this up,there will be no questioning what Jake Voracek is capable of. All I ask of him is at least 30 goals.

As for Steve Mason, before April 3, 2013 he was a struggling player. It is now November 12th, 2014. He's much improved. A bit of a slow start this season but overall he's been very, very good. I just think many are jumping the gun by holding him up among the league's best. He has what it takes but I don't think Steve Mason gets into the heads of the opposing forwards before the puck has dropped.

The Flyers in my opinion are on the right track though.
- SuperSchennBros

Giroux is the only scoring leader in the top 10 in the NHL with a s% lessing than 10%.

Giroux's very presence buys room for Voracek and now that Voracek is making waves, it's going to be a pretty even partnership.

This type of dangerous, radical thinking will not be tolerated
- BiggE

- tangent_man

Giroux is the only scoring leader in the top 10 in the NHL with a s% lessing than 10%.

Giroux's very presence buys room for Voracek and now that Voracek is making waves, it's going to be a pretty even partnership.
- johndewar

Yeah Giroux has a shooting percentage of 6.2% which is well below his career average of 11.7% so the goals will come although he probably won't maintain the ridiculous amount of shots he's registered. He's second in the league only behind Ovechkin.

I'd add Couturier to that list. I think he's going to break out offensively very soon.
- MJL

Agreed, those 3 players are more or less untouchable. I think Simmonds falls just shy of that label, but would be next in line.

Giroux is the only scoring leader in the top 10 in the NHL with a s% lessing than 10%.

Giroux's very presence buys room for Voracek and now that Voracek is making waves, it's going to be a pretty even partnership.
- johndewar

Voracek is second in points this season so far, I'm sure teams are aware that both players are dangerous right now. My entire post is about consistency. Keeping your foot on the gas and not letting up on this kind of play.

I am a big fan of the Simmer-G-Jake line. For me its the first line the last couple seasons that has actually been 'fun' to watch, rather than a chore to watch. They are fast, gritty, getting shots on net. Hope it sticks.

Agreed, those 3 players are more or less untouchable. I think Simmonds falls just shy of that label, but would be next in line.
- jmatchett383

Hard to really call anyone untouchable, it all depends on what is being offered. I love Simmonds and Couturier, but if Arizona called up offering OEL for either one of them, I'd offer to drive the guy to the airport.

Hard to really call anyone untouchable, it all depends on what is being offered. I love Simmonds and Couturier, but if Arizona called up offering OEL for either one of them, I'd offer to drive the guy to the airport.
- BiggE

That's why I said "more or less" because a stupid deal could always come along. I'm not saying it will happen, but if Nashville offered up Shea Weber for Couturier, well...gee Sean, I really like you, but I'm sorry to say we need to trade you. But yes, in general, those 3/4 guys are basically untouchable.

Hard to really call anyone untouchable, it all depends on what is being offered. I love Simmonds and Couturier, but if Arizona called up offering OEL for either one of them, I'd offer to drive the guy to the airport.
- BiggE

Not to bring up semantics, but to bring up semantics, "untouchable" seems to mean these guys aren't being moved in a reasonable deal. Only an unreasonable trade (i.e. Phoenix offers OEL for Couturier straight up) will they be dealt. Technically, no player is untouchable by the strict definition. I mean, if Tampa offered Stamkos and Hedman for Giroux, how could you say no?

1) The presence of Jaromir Jagr to guide and mentor him during Voracek's first season in Philly
- bmeltzer

/underscore

/underscore
- Tomahawk

I (still) miss Jags

This type of dangerous, radical thinking will not be tolerated
- BiggE

Cool, let's keep Umberger where he is next to Lecavalier, and give him time to grow into it!

Not to bring up semantics, but to bring up semantics, "untouchable" seems to mean these guys aren't being moved in a reasonable deal. Only an unreasonable trade (i.e. Phoenix offers OEL for Couturier straight up) will they be dealt. Technically, no player is untouchable by the strict definition. I mean, if Tampa offered Stamkos and Hedman for Giroux, how could you say no?
- NickTheKid87

I think there is a built in assumption that a deal like that is extremely unlikely to ever be offered.

Not to bring up semantics, but to bring up semantics, "untouchable" seems to mean these guys aren't being moved in a reasonable deal. Only an unreasonable trade (i.e. Phoenix offers OEL for Couturier straight up) will they be dealt. Technically, no player is untouchable by the strict definition. I mean, if Tampa offered Stamkos and Hedman for Giroux, how could you say no?
- NickTheKid87

Maybe the Flyers should make more young players "untouchable". Being impatient to me has been the Flyers biggest problem forever.

In October, a lot of talk about trading Brayden Schenn for players who absolutely have their own issues. If management were nearly as impatient as fans, we would have only added to another Cup contender early this season. Schenn has only needed to find a line with the right mix, now that mission is completely. Couturier, Read and Schenn could be a line for a very long time and a good one.

Not to bring up semantics, but to bring up semantics, "untouchable" seems to mean these guys aren't being moved in a reasonable deal. Only an unreasonable trade (i.e. Phoenix offers OEL for Couturier straight up) will they be dealt. Technically, no player is untouchable by the strict definition. I mean, if Tampa offered Stamkos and Hedman for Giroux, how could you say no?
- NickTheKid87

I think the only truly untouchable player in the NHL is Sidney Crosby. No matter what the package was, Pittsburgh would not trade him. Other than that, maybe Weber is untouchable due to the cash investment, but I don't see anyone else who is 100% truly untouchable.