Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Flyers Goal-Scoring Outlook

It's also worth noting that since January 1st until the end of the regular season, the Flyers finished 12th in the NHL in ES scoring. Their disaster first couple months really drag down their season averages. Despite all the injuries, there WAS improvement in the year as Hak's system began to sharpen up with the players.

It's easy to forget how outstanding they were the last few months with that putrid playoff series against Washington. Their 3 best players on the ice were all injured (G, Ghost, Jake) and two of their other most important players weren't even able to play (Couturier and MDZ). And due's to Neuvy's injury, Mase was probably just exhausted. Cut out that series and there is a lot to be encouraged about. Can't forget that.

So wait...

The Flyers aren't the worst team in the league and have people who can actually score goals without Keifer Bellows and DeBrinicat?

Great write up. There was no one on free agency that would help the scoring issue, so why overpay for something that isn't getting what you want. They did that before and it got us in cap trouble. Let the other teams do that kind of stuff!!!

^

Thats ES scoring though. The PP I find a bit more disconcerting.

Their PP for much of the 2nd half was good but it kind of cratered late and into the playoffs. Of course scoring is fluky and monthly fluctuations occur. But it isn't the scoring that concerns me with that; it's the strategy. The hyper aggressive PK more and more teams started employing showed a real chink in the armor for how our unit works.

Not sure there was much that fit with Hextalls plan, with the exception of a couple of guys. Stamkos and Okposo both are young and talented but philly never seemed in on either....if the Flyers wanted to go with an over priced 30 year old with a long term contract then I'm sure Hextall would have kept Hartnell and lived with the decline in the last couple of years.
This is a big year for guys like Laughton and Cousins....time to show if your fringe NHL guys or building blocks for the future.
Bill, I do have a question about Brandon Pirri.....any interest from philly? I've heard the "attitude" stuff, but others think he's ok. Kinda Fits Hextalls plan.

My only real hope for the upcoming season is to see them consistently play Hak's system with maximum effort on a nightly basis while they break in some kids. Development will have its ups and downs, but I'm down with Hexy's build from within philosophy.

So wait...

The Flyers aren't the worst team in the league and have people who can actually score goals without Keifer Bellows that DeBrinicat?
- jmatchett383

Go figure, right?

^

Thats ES scoring though. The PP I find a bit more disconcerting.

Their PP for much of the 2nd half was good but it kind of cratered late and into the playoffs. Of course scoring is fluky and monthly fluctuations occur. But it isn't the scoring that concerns me with that; it's the strategy. The hyper aggressive PK more and more teams started employing showed a real chink in the armor for how our unit works.
- Mononoke

I have to think some of the pp's struggles were due to G and Jakes injuries. The hip injury probably robbed G of that quick first step he usually uses to create some room for himself and Jake just had an all around miserable season. I think they can, and will, bounce back. I also think the PK is bolstered by the addition of Gordon and hopefully by the use of Laughton who had been a PK ace at every other level.

I have to think some of the pp's struggles were due to G and Jakes injuries. The hip injury probably robbed G of that quick first step he usually uses to create some room for himself and Jake just had an all around miserable season. I think they can, and will, bounce back. I also think the PK is bolstered by the addition of Gordon and hopefully by the use of Laughton who had been a PK ace at every other level.
- BiggE

How much Time did Gordon spend on the pk? Was he their main pk guy

How much Time did Gordon spend on the pk? Was he their main pk guy
- rinaldo

Don't have last years stats in front of me, but over the last few seasons prior, he's been 1st or 2nd among his teams forwards in SH TOI.

Not sure there was much that fit with Hextalls plan, with the exception of a couple of guys. Stamkos and Okposo both are young and talented but philly never seemed in on either....if the Flyers wanted to go with an over priced 30 year old with a long term contract then I'm sure Hextall would have kept Hartnell and lived with the decline in the last couple of years.
This is a big year for guys like Laughton and Cousins....time to show if your fringe NHL guys or building blocks for the future.
Bill, I do have a question about Brandon Pirri.....any interest from philly? I've heard the "attitude" stuff, but others think he's ok. Kinda Fits Hextalls plan.
- landros 2

Pirri is too much of a one way player for Hakstol. They've passed up the opportunity to draft one way goal scorer, and avoided free agents, too.

Pirri intrigued me, but I think it's going to be like Gagner, where he gets benched regularly & doesn't see a regular role.

Question is: Are the Flyers good enough for the playoffs again? They finished in the final Wildcard position last season barely.

After this offseason, Flyers got marginally better.
Buffalo improved
New Jersey improved
Boston is in the same boat as Philly
Wings I think Improved but many seem to disagree.
Aside from the Rangers, every other team above them has improved as well

.... on paper.....

Boyd Gordon was 7th in the NHL in SH TOI/GP for forwards.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...PerGame&aggregate=0&pos=F

It had it's rough stretches, but that's to be expected in an 82 game season. Voracek was a glaring disappointment. Aside from everything, my biggest frustration was the 6 game 6 goal performance in the playoffs. But that could have been more about what the Caps did opposed to what the Flyers couldn't do.

Question is: Are the Flyers good enough for the playoffs again? They finished in the final Wildcard position last season barely.

After this offseason, Flyers got marginally better.
Buffalo improved
New Jersey improved
Boston is in the same boat as Philly
Wings I think Improved but many seem to disagree.
Aside from the Rangers, every other team above them has improved as well

.... on paper.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I think this team is better then last years. They are trending upwards, have a better understanding of the system in place, and there is potential for one or 2 kids to make the jump to the nhl.

Question is: Are the Flyers good enough for the playoffs again? They finished in the final Wildcard position last season barely.

After this offseason, Flyers got marginally better.
Buffalo improved
New Jersey improved
Boston is in the same boat as Philly
Wings I think Improved but many seem to disagree.
Aside from the Rangers, every other team above them has improved as well

.... on paper.....
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Are they good enough? Maybe. As usual it will likely come down to which of the bubble teams can stay healthy and get hot at the right time.

I have to think some of the pp's struggles were due to G and Jakes injuries. The hip injury probably robbed G of that quick first step he usually uses to create some room for himself and Jake just had an all around miserable season. I think they can, and will, bounce back. I also think the PK is bolstered by the addition of Gordon and hopefully by the use of Laughton who had been a PK ace at every other level.
- BiggE

I'm sure injuries didn't help, but teams doing this to shut down our top pp predates the injuries. More teams just felt like they were doing it. I think it's a legitimate issue with the structure and dynamics of the pp. It has become too predictable and old hat.

I think this team is better then last years. They are trending upwards, have a better understanding of the system in place, and there is potential for one or 2 kids to make the jump to the nhl.
- flyers4487

I have to agree here. Plus, with it being a team sport and chemistry (on ice and off) and timing being important factors, only time will tell.
I look forward to the fall and the start of the season.

I think this team is better then last years. They are trending upwards, have a better understanding of the system in place, and there is potential for one or 2 kids to make the jump to the nhl.
- flyers4487

Hextall isnt going to put us in cap hell at this point going for a Lucic or such. We finally are out of it and after all rfas are signed we will just have a very small amount of space yet to be filled by call ups or extra roster players.

We need to rid ourselves of two more contracts out of read,mcdud,or streit. We lose streit after this season and that cap money will go towards ghosts new contract. Again with a stagnent cap most likely we will still hold the course until reads contract expires and we find a way to rid mcdud. I see Hextals point of not wanted to be forced into a trade of a younger player under rfa status because we cant afford him due to a Lucic like contract.

Patience is key here and we will be a bubble team for maybe two more years as the younger players come in. I see this as a dangerous team in the making.

I'm sure injuries didn't help, but teams doing this to shut down our top pp predates the injuries. More teams just felt like they were doing it. I think it's a legitimate issue with the structure and dynamics of the pp. It has become too predictable and old hat.
- Mononoke

Voracek being a viable option on the right wall would open it up a ton. He needs to go back to burying a good amount of those.

Voracek being a viable option on the right wall would open it up a ton. He needs to go back to burying a good amount of those.
- jmatchett383

That will help too. But I really think the issue isn't injuries but Schenn and Simmer doing nothing but sitting in front of the net. That's not new. Occasionally they'll pop out to do their 1 play they always do that the other team laughably shuts down, but at no point do they get the puck with opportunities to make plays or snipe. They are the two best goal scorers on the team and Schenn has very good puck skills -- and they do nothing but go for deflections and rebound. They need to have more effect bumping in and out and behind more.

Our cap flexibility doesn't really come into play until after next year where Macdonald is our only bad one on the books. And after expansion they were be a new laying of the land. I expect hextall to be able to possibly get a few steals in there because he has room to protect another guy if he wants without losing building blocks.

That will help too. But I really think the issue isn't injuries but Schenn and Simmer doing nothing but sitting in front of the net. That's not new. Occasionally they'll pop out to do their 1 play they always do that the other team laughably shuts down, but at no point do they get the puck with opportunities to make plays or snipe. They are the two best goal scorers on the team and Schenn has very good puck skills -- and they do nothing but go for deflections and rebound. They need to have more effect bumping in and out and behind more.
- Mononoke

I'd like to see Schenn take a more Lecavalier in his tampa Days approach to the pp. Simmonds is our net front presence and schenn should only crash when the shot is taken

Konecny

Konecny-Giroux-Weise
Schenn-Couturier-Voracek
Laughton-Cousins-Simmonds
Raffl-Gordon-Read
-Bellemare, Vandevelde

No Konecny

Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds
Laughton-Couturier-Voracek
Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Read-Gordon-Bellemare
-Vandevelde, Weal/Miele

That top group looks so balanced. Really hoping Konecny forces his way onto the team and can make some magic with Giroux. If he's ready, we can keep Voracek with Couturier and Simmonds with Cousins.

Assuming that top 9 works, a 4th line of Raffl-Gordon-Read could be really solid. Wouldn't actually be surprised if Read ends up scratched and Bellemare is a better fit. Line has a little bit of everything.

Thoughts?

Oh, and just for poops and gigs, my d pairs...

MDZ-Streit
Gostisbehere-Gudas
Provorov-Schultz
-Manning/AMac