Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: McLellan, Sleeper Candidates, Prospects, Alumni

Everyone in the VAN organization holds Green in very high regard.

Everyone in the VAN organization holds Green in very high regard.
- VanHockeyGuy

Is he ready?

I am kind of glad I don't see Tocchet's name on this list. They are clamoring for him over at philly.com. But then again these are the same people who are ripping Rantanen because his numbers "aren't that good playing in an ECHL level league like Liiga."

good lord. not tocchet. not here. no way.

Bill,

How would you rate Morin's progress to date? You once mentioned that you didn't think highly of Ryan Parent because good players should be able to more or less dominate offensively in juniors based on natural ability. Morin has obviously improved his game year by year, but he's also 6'7" and 225 lbs playing against high school kids as well. Has he shown enough to make you think he'll succeed at the pro level (likely in a more defense-oriented role as opposed to a point producer)?

I give a call to Detroit, see about Jeff Bashill. No to another Flyer retread in Stothers

Is he ready?
- ob18

He's really good with the young guys. Is he ready? I think he might be.

where did willie desjardins come from?
- benjichronic

Dallas AHL

He's really good with the young guys. Is he ready? I think he might be.
- VanHockeyGuy

where did willie desjardins come from?

Dallas AHL
- VanHockeyGuy

Okay thanks. Seems like he did/ is doing pretty well. Looks like he's implemented some solid systems up there way northwest.

Fantastic job on the pun.

Bill,

How would you rate Morin's progress to date? You once mentioned that you didn't think highly of Ryan Parent because good players should be able to more or less dominate offensively in juniors based on natural ability. Morin has obviously improved his game year by year, but he's also 6'7" and 225 lbs playing against high school kids as well. Has he shown enough to make you think he'll succeed at the pro level (likely in a more defense-oriented role as opposed to a point producer)?
- jmatchett383

He's progressing fine. Before he left for Rimouski, Hextall directly told Morin words to the effect of "your role up here won't be to be relied on as a point-producer so don't go down there and try to be a big offensive star. We want you to get ready for what you'll need to do up here."

It seem with the emphasis on getting more youth into the lineup these days, it would make sense recruiting a coach who can work/develop them.

I think McClellan might be open to tweaking his systems to fit the Flyers personel. His forechecking schemes are similar to Berube's, so that could help the team adjust.

I give a call to Detroit, see about Jeff Bashill. No to another Flyer retread in Stothers
- twpguy

No

I give a call to Detroit, see about Jeff Bashill. No to another Flyer retread in Stothers
- twpguy

No take Babcock instead.

Didn't the Flyers move on from Lavi primarily because he was a more offensively minded coach? Or wasn't that at least one of a few primary reasons? If so, is McClellan the right choice?

Also, this site is still struggling... Way to QA the upgrade before rolling it out.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: McLellan, Sleeper Candidates, Prospects, Alumni
- bmeltzer

all kidding aside, how come Eakins' name is never mentioned for this or any other vacancy?

His system seemed like it was starting to take hold just before he was fired. The wins weren't coming but the possession numbers were getting better.

and all indications were that the players still liked him. Hall specifically came out and said he didn't want to see him blamed or fired.



Has his stint in Edmonton scarred him that much that he went from a seemingly hot commodity before his time there, to a total afterthought today?

good lord. not tocchet. not here. no way.
- hammarby31

Berube 2.0

Possible also candidates

Steve Spott
Mark Lamb
Scott Walker
Jeff Daniels

Thanks Bill. Payne sounds like an interesting coaching option. Any ideas about his personality? I like the idea that Hexy is familiar with him, that he does have experience, and that he isn't currently in our farm system.
Any suggestions for a new goalie coach?

Didn't the Flyers move on from Lavi primarily because he was a more offensively minded coach? Or wasn't that at least one of a few primary reasons? If so, is McClellan the right choice?

Also, this site is still struggling... Way to QA the upgrade before rolling it out.
- wolfhounds

Lavy almost seemed like he wanted to use a 5-man forecheck. He employed a very heavy forechecking scheme that demanded the defensemen to pinch constantly. That's fine when you have Chris Pronger, Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn, and 34-year-old Kimmo Timonen. Not so much when you have Luke Schenn, Niklas Grossmann, and 38-year-old Kimmo Timonen.

If the Oilers are still at the bottom of the league next season I'm writing to my congressman.

If the Oilers are still at the bottom of the league next season I'm writing to my congressman.
- Streit2ThePoint

Whatchya gonna write about?