Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: VandeVelde, Wheat Kings, Zezel and More

loved Zezel. I didn't cry over the trade but it was a bad one.

I love when Bill lays the subtle smack-down on folks.

Still think Colin McDonald should be in vandevelde's spot

Good Read as always!!! Have a good one!

I love when Bill lays the subtle smack-down on folks.
- Scoob

Trust me when I say I'm a dedicated reader of this blog as shown by my decade long addiction.

When was the last time you read Bill flaming a player in his blog no matter who he was or what his role is? It's not his M.O. I admire his persistent ability to build defenses for players that come under fire on the thread.

I have an idea of why he handles his coverage the way he does. It's a big change from MMM. Casts a long shadow for his readership over others who cover the team who are more than willing to trash the players and management.

I'm glad I'm able to enjoy both.

loved Zezel. I didn't cry over the trade but it was a bad one.
- mayorofangrytown

bullards balcony ruled

All the girls loved Zezel back in the day.

He was a wonderful player in Philly and everytime I think of him, I think of those mid-'80's teams. They were so much fun to watch.

I also remember all of those '83 draftees making the team right out of camp from playing juniors....Zezel, Tocchet, Derrick Smith....

bullards balcony ruled
- rinaldo

I liked Mike Bullard. Not a good trade for the Flyers... We should have traded them Derrick Smith.

bullards balcony ruled
- rinaldo

I vaguely recall reading a story (maybe in "Full Spectrum"?) where Paul Holmgren (who was coaching the Flyers at the time) threatened to strangle Mike Bullard, who was apparently a bit flighty.

Trust me when I say I'm a dedicated reader of this blog as shown by my decade long addiction.

When was the last time you read Bill flaming a player in his blog no matter who he was or what his role is? It's not his M.O. I admire his persistent ability to build defenses for players that come under fire on the thread.

I have an idea of why he handles his coverage the way he does. It's a big change from MMM. Casts a long shadow for his readership over others who cover the team who are more than willing to trash the players and management.

I'm glad I'm able to enjoy both.
- mayorofangrytown

Any knowledgeable and professional blogger covering a team, can level criticism without flaming a player. That's simply not necessary to get a point across. I think it's obvious when Bill does not care for a player, and normally offers an objective and reasonable viewpoint. I understand the point that he has to work and interact with players, so he wants to keep it professional, but he does not hold back criticism due to worrying about a relationship with a player, coach, GM, etc.

Any knowledgeable and professional blogger covering a team, can level criticism without flaming a player. That's simply not necessary to get a point across. I think it's obvious when Bill does not care for a player, and normally offers an objective and reasonable viewpoint. I understand the point that he has to work and interact with players, so he wants to keep it professional, but he does not hold back criticism due to worrying about a relationship with a player, coach, GM, etc.
- MJL

That's absolutely NOT why I think he writes his blog with the demeanor he does. I don't think he or any reporter should necessarily concern themselves with having a good relationship with the people they cover.

Working for newspapers my entire life I find that to be a considerable drawback to anyone who isn't a features reporter and if I thought for a minute that Bill was one of those people I'd stop reading immediately.

That's absolutely NOT why I think he writes his blog with the demeanor he does. I don't think he or any reporter should necessarily concern themselves with having a good relationship with the people they cover.

Working for newspapers my entire life I find that to be a considerable drawback to anyone who isn't a features reporter and if I thought for a minute that Bill was one of those people I'd stop reading immediately.
- mayorofangrytown

I think there is a professional and classy way of criticizing players or coaches that any reporter or blogger covers. I'm not talking about withholding criticism to preserve a relationship. I'm talking about doing it in the correct manner.

That's absolutely NOT why I think he writes his blog with the demeanor he does. I don't think he or any reporter should necessarily concern themselves with having a good relationship with the people they cover.

Working for newspapers my entire life I find that to be a considerable drawback to anyone who isn't a features reporter and if I thought for a minute that Bill was one of those people I'd stop reading immediately.
- mayorofangrytown

As good as Bill's coverage is, I really doubt many players or execs in that room are keeping track of what's being written on HB everyday.

I will be disappointed if VDV isn't in the AHL, or at least the 13th forward. Hakstol can love him all he wants as one of his "boys," the bottom 6 was brutal this season and a reason for many of the team's struggles. It's the biggest short term problem right now. Hopefully Hexy and Hak see reason.

It's not hard to upgrade -- call a prospect up (Leier?), make a subtle signing, maybe go bigger with Nielsen, who is my favorite FA, and bump a Read or Cousins down. The bottom 6 as is really can't defend, can't score, has some weak skaters (including VDV...sorry to disagree, but he is an average at best skater. And then there's White who people want to resign, who is a slug out there). This bottom 6 needs to either rack up points considering G and Coots are taking the tough minutes, or play great defense to free them up. It does neither now. Going in with the same unit next season is asking for it.

I hope the Sharks get swept and lose every game 17-0.

However, they're winning the Cup this year.

As good as Bill's coverage is, I really doubt many players or execs in that room are keeping track of what's being written on HB everyday.
- Tomahawk

I know for a fact Arizona's new GM starts each day reading Tanner's blog.

I know for a fact Arizona's new GM starts each day reading Tanner's blog.
- Mononoke

Quite possible!

I hope the Sharks get swept and lose every game 17-0.

However, they're winning the Cup this year.
- jmatchett383

How dare you

"he has decent size while also being a pretty good skater, does the small things well without the puck and makes safe plays when he does have the puck."

I'd agree about the size, but not anything else. It's not a coincidence the PK was poor again with VdV getting the 2nd most SH ice time for forwards, or that the team was outscored by a large ratio during his 5 on 5 ice time.

There's nothing safe about being stuck in your own zone all the time.

I know for a fact Arizona's new GM starts each day reading Tanner's blog.
- Mononoke

Depends on whether or not the GM likes poopty obscure 90's alternative videos.

How dare you
- Streit2ThePoint

Unless they are playing the Rangers, I find it impossible to root for that team.

I will be disappointed if VDV isn't in the AHL, or at least the 13th forward. Hakstol can love him all he wants as one of his "boys," the bottom 6 was brutal this season and a reason for many of the team's struggles. It's the biggest short term problem right now. Hopefully Hexy and Hak see reason.

It's not hard to upgrade -- call a prospect up (Leier?), make a subtle signing, maybe go bigger with Nielsen, who is my favorite FA, and bump a Read or Cousins down. The bottom 6 as is really can't defend, can't score, has some weak skaters (including VDV...sorry to disagree, but he is an average at best skater. And then there's White who people want to resign, who is a slug out there). This bottom 6 needs to either rack up points considering G and Coots are taking the tough minutes, or play great defense to free them up. It does neither now. Going in with the same unit next season is asking for it.
- Mononoke

I would love a 4th line like the Devils had. Madden, Pandolfo and Brylin would match against top lines. They had speed and smarts. They could chip in some offense. They had a great chemistry.

I would look at a 4th line of Leier - Cousins - Bellemare. I know cousins isn't the fastest but give him good wingers with speed. I thought Cousins handled himself well and let him have that role of agitating center on a solid 4th line.

"he has decent size while also being a pretty good skater, does the small things well without the puck and makes safe plays when he does have the puck."

I'd agree about the size, but not anything else. It's not a coincidence the PK was poor again with VdV getting the 2nd most SH ice time for forwards, or that the team was outscored by a large ratio during his 5 on 5 ice time.

There's nothing safe about being stuck in your own zone all the time.
- Feanor

Matt Read also didn't help that cause. I think they need change things up a little on special teams.

As good as Bill's coverage is, I really doubt many players or execs in that room are keeping track of what's being written on HB everyday.
- Tomahawk

Nah, I'm sure they have people for that.

I remember the Eagles had paid interns who did nothing but listen and take notes on WIP everyday.