Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Patient Development vs. Young Man's Game

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Patient Development vs. Young Man's Game
- bmeltzer

When dealing with prospects the key is to balance what's best for their development with what is best for the team. Those two facets aren't always in cohesion, at least not when the team has prospects who may be better short term options, but when keeping them up could hurt their development

Bill, in your opinion, will there ever be a way to tell if someones development actually gets hurt by being promoted too quickly?

It is a fantastic topic that I dont really see an answer to, not just for hockey, but for everything. People are products of their environment and I am sure there are lots of players whose careers have gotten better or worse based off of the team they were drafted to.

Put it this way...I think even if there was some mandated time for players to be in the minors or whatever (keep an open mind here) there would still be certain players that bust, bloom late, or take the game by storm.

In response to Roenick97 from the last thread:

The steps that we've made towards becoming a contender are that we have totally restocked our farm system over the last few years with quality prospects like Konecny, Provorov, Sanheim, Morin, Aube-Kubel, Lyon, Sandstrom, Lindblom, Hagg, Myers, Rubtsov, Laberge, Hart and Allison.

Building by drafting and developing isn't always flashy or exciting, but, in a salary cap world, its the smart way to go. I know it's hard being patient, but I really think Hextall's plan is a smart one and I'm willing to wait for it to come to fruition.

In response to Roenick97 from the last thread:

The steps that we've made towards becoming a contender are that we have totally restocked our farm system over the last few years with quality prospects like Konecny, Provorov, Sanheim, Morin, Aube-Kubel, Lyon, Sandstrom, Lindblom, Hagg, Myers, Rubtsov, Laberge, Hart and Allison.

Building by drafting and developing isn't always flashy or exciting, but, in a salary cap world, its the smart way to go. I know it's hard being patient, but I really think Hextall's plan is a smart one and I'm willing to wait for it to come to fruition.
- BiggE

I was kidding when I said we should continue

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Patient Development vs. Young Man's Game
- bmeltzer

Sam Gagner is the perfect example of why I would like to see Travis Konecny see through juniors and possibly see some minor league time. One of the reasons Konecny was able to drop to us in his draft year was injuries and he just ended this regular season with a shoulder injury. I'll never question his skill but if you can't stay healthy in the OHL, I'm concerned he might see long term injury if a guy like Manning trips over his skates and falls on top of him.

Exactly

Hextall has made it clear that if one or more of the kids clearly stands out in camp and is obviously ready to play in the NHL, then space will be made for that kid. If not, let them go back to Junior or to the AHL and continue their development. I'm willing to wait because I believe that drafting and development is the best way to build a team in the cap era.

Sam Gagner is the perfect example of why I would like to see Travis Konecny see through juniors and possibly see some minor league time. One of the reasons Konecny was able to drop to us in his draft year was injuries and he just ended this regular season with a shoulder injury. I'll never question his skill but if you can't stay healthy in the OHL, I'm concerned he might see long term injury if a guy like Manning trips over his skates and falls on top of him.
- roenick97

This is a very real concern and I hope they bring it up in his arbitration hearing

I was kidding when I said we should continue
- YuenglingJagr

As usual, the sarcasm went right over my head.

Sam Gagner is the perfect example of why I would like to see Travis Konecny see through juniors and possibly see some minor league time. One of the reasons Konecny was able to drop to us in his draft year was injuries and he just ended this regular season with a shoulder injury. I'll never question his skill but if you can't stay healthy in the OHL, I'm concerned he might see long term injury if a guy like Manning trips over his skates and falls on top of him.
- roenick97

Agreed, I'd have no problem with Konecny going back to Junior this season.

In response to Roenick97 from the last thread:

The steps that we've made towards becoming a contender are that we have totally restocked our farm system over the last few years with quality prospects like Konecny, Provorov, Sanheim, Morin, Aube-Kubel, Lyon, Sandstrom, Lindblom, Hagg, Myers, Rubtsov, Laberge, Hart and Allison.

Building by drafting and developing isn't always flashy or exciting, but, in a salary cap world, its the smart way to go. I know it's hard being patient, but I really think Hextall's plan is a smart one and I'm willing to wait for it to come to fruition.
- BiggE

I have no problem with the drafting. I've questioned the size of the forwards but for the most part, I'm happy with the drafting.

Not picking on you but there was a time if you took a heated topic and brought it on to the new blog, people would freak out. By the way, when was the last time Buts16 and foreverflyer16 were on here? FF16, now that was a classy guy who could put things in perspective and settle the board. He was like Silent Bob nearing the end of a Kevin Smith movie.

This is a very real concern and I hope they bring it up in his arbitration hearing
- YuenglingJagr

Carle, Colaiacovo, Gagner, Grossmann, Richards, Luke Schenn, Seidenberg, Umberger, Versteeg ... all former Flyers who played in 15-16 but are without NHL contracts right now.

Carle, Colaiacovo, Gagner, Grossmann, Richards, Luke Schenn, Seidenberg, Umberger, Versteeg ... all former Flyers who played in 15-16 but are without NHL contracts right now.
- Feanor

and Zac Rinaldo is still signed...what a time to be a hockey fan

Bill, in your opinion, will there ever be a way to tell if someones development actually gets hurt by being promoted too quickly?

It is a fantastic topic that I dont really see an answer to, not just for hockey, but for everything. People are products of their environment and I am sure there are lots of players whose careers have gotten better or worse based off of the team they were drafted to.

Put it this way...I think even if there was some mandated time for players to be in the minors or whatever (keep an open mind here) there would still be certain players that bust, bloom late, or take the game by storm.
- YuenglingJagr

There's been hundreds of guys that came in looked great and faded out, in every sport.

Key is, players have to not only be skilled enough to make it, but be skilled enough to adapt when teams get a "book" on them, like the Sbisa example Bill mentioned in the post.

Look at a guy like Mason. He had oodles of talent, but was unable to adapt after a monster rookie year. He struggled with his own limitations and the Jackets didn't have a good situation to help him. When he got here, Reese took him under his wing and really helped him, not only with technique and physical elements, but in creating a mindset that helped him regain his level of play.

I'm only commenting so the quotes work pls disregard this

Carle, Gagner, Grossmann, Luke Schenn, Seidenberg, Umberger, Versteeg ... all former Flyers who played in 15-16 but are without NHL contracts right now.
- Feanor

I wonder how many Flyers from this current team would be unemployed right now if they didn't already have a deal?

Carle saw a Cup Final not long ago. Twice in 6 seasons. Prior to being bought out, would any of you considered Carle for Mac?

Carle, Colaiacovo, Gagner, Grossmann, Richards, Luke Schenn, Seidenberg, Umberger, Versteeg ... all former Flyers who played in 15-16 but are without NHL contracts right now.
- Feanor

Dont forget Steve Downie....and Dan Cleary lol

and Zac Rinaldo is still signed...what a time to be a hockey fan
- YuenglingJagr

Not picking on hou but there was a time if you took a heated topic and brought it on to the new blog, people would freak out.
- roenick97

That pretty much defines the Internet as a whole

I wonder how many Flyers from this current team would be unemployed right now if they didn't already have a deal?

Carle saw a Cup Final not long ago. Twice in 6 seasons. Prior to being bought out, would any of you considered Carle for Mac?
- roenick97

Hard to say. AMac would still have a deal somewhere, just wouldn't be for 5 million. The only current roster player who would likely struggle to find NHL work would be VDV and perhaps Weal, and both may end up in AHL anyway.

I'm only commenting so the quotes work pls disregard this
- Mordecai

regarded

Hard to say. AMac would still have a deal somewhere, just wouldn't be for 5 million. The only current roster player who would likely struggle to find NHL work would be VDV and perhaps Weal, and both may end up in AHL anyway.
- BiggE

I think AMac would be waiting for more money...like most of the guys mentioned probably are

Rangers avoid arbitration with Kreider 4 years at $4.625mm. His hearing was set for today. Schenn's is Monday

Dont forget Steve Downie....and Dan Cleary lol
- YuenglingJagr

D'oh, I missed Downie syndrome.