Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Prospect Camp, World Cup

I like Hextall has brought competition to the bottom 6 roles. I also feel they have good size in some of the guys brought in. I believe Knight is around 6'2'' and Lymbrinov is over 6 ft as well. But they also all seem to be able to play a sound two way game and possibly chip in some offense.

I just want the Flyers to become a pain in the ass team to play against.

Since they lost to Russia, and head-to-head is the first tiebreak, I don't think it's a virtual must-win, it's a true must-win. If they lose, they can't finish with a better record than Russia and lose out in a tie-break. They'll either be the first seed in their bracket or they'll be out.

I apologize if I understand this incorrectly.

Since they lost to Russia, and head-to-head is the first tiebreak, I don't think it's a virtual must-win, it's a true must-win. If they lose, they can't finish with a better record than Russia and lose out in a tie-break. They'll either be the first seed in their bracket or they'll be out.

I apologize if I understand this incorrectly.
- jmatchett383

If Team USA gets one point today (i.e., loses in OT or shootout), they could still mathematically advance if Finland beats Russia in regulation. With that combo, Team North America has three points and Russia and Finland two apiece.

So virtual must-win is correct.

VdV is a good guy to have on the roster as a spare forward. If he plays every night then your bottom 6 has real issues.

Since they lost to Russia, and head-to-head is the first tiebreak, I don't think it's a virtual must-win, it's a true must-win. If they lose, they can't finish with a better record than Russia and lose out in a tie-break. They'll either be the first seed in their bracket or they'll be out.

I apologize if I understand this incorrectly.
- jmatchett383

I havent crunched the numbers, but I found it odd that ESPN had on television NA ranked #2 but online they have Russia as #2.

The way it gets complicated is because if Finland beats Russia and NA loses to Sweden there is a 3 way tie at 1-2

Provorov makes the team book it

I felt like the signings this summer have been a shot across the bow of every player Bill mentioned (Read, VdV, etc.).

They didn't bring Wiese in to play the now departed Ryan White's role. I interpreted his signing then, as now, as a direct shot at Read.

Babcock says Crawford starts tomorrow and Holtby backs up. Also thinks Giroux and Muzzin likely will play
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun)

I felt like the signings this summer have been a shot across the bow of every player Bill mentioned (Read, VdV, etc.).

They didn't bring Wiese in to play the now departed Ryan White's role. I interpreted his signing then, as now, as a direct shot at Read.
- johndewar

That's very possible.

It's also possible Read starts the season at 2LW with Couturier and Voracek/Simmonds thanks to the 3-game suspension Schenn got.

Weise seems like he only plays RW.

Provorov makes the team book it
- Just5

I felt like the signings this summer have been a shot across the bow of every player Bill mentioned (Read, VdV, etc.).

They didn't bring Wiese in to play the now departed Ryan White's role. I interpreted his signing then, as now, as a direct shot at Read.
- johndewar

I agree.

Vandevelde and Read are nice guys but I think the bottom 6 is almost a battle for all spots. now I know Raffl and Bellemare might have a more secure footing and Weise was just signed but all the others seem to be open. Cousins and Laughton could be battling each other too unless Laughton shifts to wing.

A Wild card could be Konecny. If he sticks, heard he looks a little bigger, he could shift the lineup as he could play in the top 6 on the 2nd line or possibly the 3rd line.

Practice lines for today's rookie game:

Goulbourne, Martel, Aube-Kubel
Bunnaman, Salinitri, Konecny
Dove-McFalls/Twarynski, Laberge, Swaveley
Leier (not on rookie roster), Fazleev, Lyubimov

D pairs:
Morin & Sanheim
McFadden & Willcox
Provorov & Menell/Myers

Lyon starting

Provorov makes the team book it
- Just5

Only if Streit is traded, IMO. The Flyers really, really do not want to waive MacDonald again and the bar is being set pretty high for Provorov to make it. A just OK camp (basically the equivalent how he played in the Memorial Cup) won't be enough. He will have to excel (basically the equivalent of his WJC and play for the final 3/4 of last season).

Practice lines for today's rookie game:

Goulbourne, Martel, Aube-Kubel
Bunnaman, Salinitri, Konecny
Dove-McFalls/Twarynski, Laberge, Swaveley
Leier (not on rookie roster), Fazleev, Lyubimov

D pairs:
Morin & Sanheim
McFadden & Willcox
Provorov & Menell/Myers

Lyon starting
- Feanor

Already in the blog . It's how they practiced yesterday. Hakstol said yesterday afternoon the rookie game combos would be the same as how they skated yesterday, with only a decision to make as to whether they go 6D or 7D.

Only if Streit is traded, IMO. The Flyers really, really do not want to waive MacDonald again and the bar is being set pretty high for Provorov to make it. A just OK camp (basically the equivalent how he played in the Memorial Cup) won't be enough. He will have to excel (basically the equivalent of his WJC and play for the final 3/4 of last season).
- bmeltzer

That's very possible.

It's also possible Read starts the season at 2LW with Couturier and Voracek/Simmonds thanks to the 3-game suspension Schenn got.

Weise seems like he only plays RW.
- Feanor

I don't see it. He has been very pedestrian the past two season. I know he had the high ankle sprain but I think he needs a big camp.

I know Hextall doesn't like to keep players for the 9 games, but with the suspenseion and if he has a good camp I wonder if he would give Konecny top 6 minutes and see what happens for those 3 games.

Already in the blog . It's how they practiced yesterday. Hakstol said yesterday afternoon the rookie game combos would be the same as how they skated yesterday, with only a decision to make as to whether they go 6D or 7D.
- bmeltzer

Oops, I read right past it.

Any idea if either of the try-out dmen will get signed like Myers did a year ago? If they are just making up the numbers I would have rather seen Hagg there.

If Team USA gets one point today (i.e., loses in OT or shootout), they could still mathematically advance if Finland beats Russia in regulation. With that combo, Team North America has three points and Russia and Finland two apiece.

So virtual must-win is correct.
- bmeltzer

Ah, I didn't see that they were awarding for for OTLs. Thank you.

Basically, just win.

Only if Streit is traded, IMO. The Flyers really, really do not want to waive MacDonald again and the bar is being set pretty high for Provorov to make it. A just OK camp (basically the equivalent how he played in the Memorial Cup) won't be enough. He will have to excel (basically the equivalent of his WJC and play for the final 3/4 of last season).
- bmeltzer

Couldn't they just waive Manning and keep MacDonald and Streit as number 7 guys? I understand them being vets but if he plays well I don't see provorov going back to junior.

Schultz
Gudas
Del Zotto
Gostisbehere
Provorov


Streit/MacDonald

I havent crunched the numbers, but I found it odd that ESPN had on television NA ranked #2 but online they have Russia as #2.

The way it gets complicated is because if Finland beats Russia and NA loses to Sweden there is a 3 way tie at 1-2
- YuenglingJagr

Or, if both USA and Russia win, there's a 3-way tie at 2-1. And yes, based on tie-break, Russia holds an edge should there be a two-way tie between them and USA (but the only way that could happen is if they both lose, then there's a 3-way tie).

Only if Streit is traded, IMO. The Flyers really, really do not want to waive MacDonald again and the bar is being set pretty high for Provorov to make it. A just OK camp (basically the equivalent how he played in the Memorial Cup) won't be enough. He will have to excel (basically the equivalent of his WJC and play for the final 3/4 of last season).
- bmeltzer

I understand why he'll need to excel in camp to make the team, but I simply disagree with Hextall's opinion that a player's development won't stagnate by sending him back to juniors. Players can get away with what has worked for them in the past at the lower level and possibly develop bad habits. From everything I've seen and heard, he's better than most of the Flyers d already! I think the age rule for the AHL is stupid, though I comprehend why it's in place. I know it takes longer for D to mature and be ready for the NHL game, so why won't a guy like Koneckny make the team? Our bottom six isn't anything to write home about and an injection of speed and tenacity would do the team some good! After G, Simmonds, Schenn and Jake, the offensive takes a nose dive from the forwards.

Couldn't they just waive Manning and keep MacDonald and Streit as number 7 guys? I understand them being vets but if he plays well I don't see provorov going back to junior.

Schultz
Gudas
Del Zotto
Gostisbehere
Provorov


Streit/MacDonald
- J35Bacher

Waiting for the days when the D hopefully looks something like this:

Ghost-Morin
Sanheim-Provorov
DelZotto-Gudas

Extras: Hagg/Myers

well if VDV isn't pushed for his spot then something is very wrong. He needs to be replaced regardless. Time to see what you have in leier or others.

Only if Streit is traded, IMO. The Flyers really, really do not want to waive MacDonald again and the bar is being set pretty high for Provorov to make it. A just OK camp (basically the equivalent how he played in the Memorial Cup) won't be enough. He will have to excel (basically the equivalent of his WJC and play for the final 3/4 of last season).
- bmeltzer

who is going to trade for Streit at this juncture?