Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Hischier and the Niederreiter Template

It is amazing how when you need to find a bad player move you just say, and the Islanders did............sad, but true.

Good read Bill!

Great blog as usual Bill. Here is how I see the Hischier/Patrick debate.

First off, both players possess excellent all around hockey sense which is something that is innate and can't be taught. I don't think there is a single scout anywhere who would safely say that at worst, either one of the two will be a solid #2 center.

Patrick, except for the injury history, is, IMO, the safer pick. He has the size, speed, skill and vision that you look for in a top center. While his defensive play and play without the puck could probably use a bit of work, he already plays a solid 200 foot game. He may not be the game breaking franchise center that McDavid and Matthews are, but he will likely be a solid #1 C. His game kind of reminds me of a hybrid of Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter.

Hischier is a quicker, shiftier skater and has the potential to be a world class offensive player. He is, at this point in their development, the better defensive player too. However, he needs to get stronger to succeed at the NHL level and, unless he spends all summer working out, could probably use another year in Junior. He's also played just one season in NA and rushing him into a top 6 role at the NHL level may be stretch going into 17-18.

Either way, the Flyers are going to get a fantastic player who will center one of their top lines for years to come. I can't wait for next season!

I really am hoping the Flyers get Patrick. When I watched Hischier he actually reminded me of our current captain from his Jr. days (not that that is a bad thing). I think Patrick will turn out to be a very good NHL player who will be extremely tough to play against as he continues to mature. I am also excited to see if Hextall can move around in the draft with so many picks. I am also curious to see if there will be a flood of transactions as soon as the cup is handed out as teams position them selves for the expansion draft.
I will say this, what ever Hextall and the current staff comes up with they have proven in the last few drafts that their talent evaluation has been sound and they have really made some nice draft picks.

Also don't assume that all nhl players are treated as equals. Young players will be sat if their not doing what's asked if their capable of it. So while tk and ghost got sat and we didn't like it, it's not apples and apples.

I thought jake and g should have been at least sat for a period based on some of their play. I think hak needed to hold them accountable for shoddy backchecking. These are your leaders

Unless the player they select jumps right in with instant success, all of the things Bill mentioned concerning missives and impatience will happen. As sure as the Sun will rise.

Bill really wants Patrick

Unless the player they select jumps right in with instant success, all of the things Bill mentioned concerning missives and impatience will happen. As sure as the Sun will rise.
- MJL

Because it would be so much more fun if he struggles in the NHL and takes 4 or 5 years to become a moderately successful player

Whoever we take isnt going to be a point per game franchise player and therefore a bust.


In the eyes of some.


You know who you are.

Good write up , Bill. I'm extremely happy with either prospect. Wouldn't mind the Debs taking Patrick to read the post mortem by Cordell. I do like Cordell s blog, but pretty apparent he would prefer Hischier.

Because it would be so much more fun if he struggles in the NHL and takes 4 or 5 years to become a moderately successful player
- Dkos

If a player is drafted at 19 and it takes 4 years, that means we have a good player at 23 right in his prime. Not the end of the world.

Thoughts on Ek's statement about Drouin? I wouldnt be opposed to packaging a prospect on d and a player (within reason) to get Drouin though I think it takes more than that at which point Im out.. Still adding Drouin + the second overall pick accelerates where the Flyers are pretty quick.....



On Jonathan Drouin...

Drouin appears to be VERY much on the radar of the Flyers. (e4) The Flyers could offer up the best package and include a stud young d man...which Tampa is requiring... Colorado and Nashville are also in the running.. It really looks like Drouin will NOT be a member of the Lightning...

Another great article Bill. This one should be published in all of the newspapers.

I for one am way ahead of the game and am already terribly disappointed in whoever we draft at #2

Bill, very nice preemptive strike to the negative slant coming in the future.

Thoughts on Ek's statement about Drouin? I wouldnt be opposed to packaging a prospect on d and a player (within reason) to get Drouin though I think it takes more than that at which point Im out.. Still adding Drouin + the second overall pick accelerates where the Flyers are pretty quick.....



On Jonathan Drouin...

Drouin appears to be VERY much on the radar of the Flyers. (e4) The Flyers could offer up the best package and include a stud young d man...which Tampa is requiring... Colorado and Nashville are also in the running.. It really looks like Drouin will NOT be a member of the Lightning...
- opeth_pa

Normally, I would take the Ek with a grain of salt. My pause is Hexy and Yzerman have done two trades together. I would venture to write Provorov, Myers, and Sanheim are close to being untouchable at this point.

I for one am way ahead of the game and am already terribly disappointed in whoever we draft at #2
- Coburns_Nose

Team Negative Approved!

Normally, I would take the Ek with a grain of salt. My pause is Hexy and Yzerman have done two trades together. I would venture to write Provorov, Myers, and Sanheim are close to being untouchable at this point.
- ravishingone

Agreed..
I think I just like the idea of adding the number 2 and Drouin to the team.

Great read Bill! Solid perspective as per usual. Just excited to be gifted the 2nd overall pick. As long as Hextall is GM whomever it is will be ready when theyre ready and hopefully not be tossed into the ring too soon

Thoughts on Ek's statement about Drouin? I wouldnt be opposed to packaging a prospect on d and a player (within reason) to get Drouin though I think it takes more than that at which point Im out.. Still adding Drouin + the second overall pick accelerates where the Flyers are pretty quick.....



On Jonathan Drouin...

Drouin appears to be VERY much on the radar of the Flyers. (e4) The Flyers could offer up the best package and include a stud young d man...which Tampa is requiring... Colorado and Nashville are also in the running.. It really looks like Drouin will NOT be a member of the Lightning...
- opeth_pa

How many times has Drouin looked like he'll be traded now?

Kid takes a beating all the time. I'm not interested in moving D prospects for him. Let's see what Lindblom and pick#2 can do first before we sell the farm.

I for one am way ahead of the game and am already terribly disappointed in whoever we draft at #2
- Coburns_Nose

Thats the spirit!

I missed yesterday's column, but I just wanted to reiterate what several others had said about being at Game 6 in the 87 Finals. My Dad was there and still swears to this very day that the Spectrum literally shook...hard to believe that it's been 30 years.

Good write up , Bill. I'm extremely happy with either prospect. Wouldn't mind the Debs taking Patrick to read the post mortem by Cordell. I do like Cordell s blog, but pretty apparent he would prefer Hischier.
- ravishingone

I think it makes more sense for the Devils to take Nico tbh. Higher offensive threat when the Devils are legitimately one of the worst scoring teams in the league. And the injury history issue I look at like this: Shero is effectively picking for his rival team as well. If he takes Patrick and the groin issue comes back while Nico is shining with us it's going to look incredibly poorly on their front office.

Perhaps that's looking too far into things but when the guy you don't take ends up with your rival I think you need to consider every avenue of the selection, for both teams involved.