Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Re-Sign Leier, Charity Classic Weekend

I must say I really like this kid when he came up for his cup of coffee.
It was not anything special that he did it was just an energy he brought to the ice.
It will be interesting if he could push past Laughton on the depth chart with a good camp.

Injuries are a thing, so I suspect Leier will be up and get quite a few games in this year.

Always liked Leier but against top competition he's always looked a second behind the play. Which is a bit odd considering his speed and two way awareness. I first noticed it in the World Juniors and it's been the same during his stints in the NHL. Positioning and speed is there but he rarely makes a true impact.

The huge difference between the contracts Laughton and Leier got shows how Hextall views them.

But I won't be shocked if he makes a move that allows him to keep Leier on the Flyers as the 14th forward.

Always liked Leier but against top competition he's always looked a second behind the play. Which is a bit odd considering his speed and two way awareness. I first noticed it in the World Juniors and it's been the same during his stints in the NHL. Positioning and speed is there but he rarely makes a true impact.
- Baxter27

I agree. It's always been a short sample size but I have never been impressed with Leier at the NHL level. He has never looked anything more than possibly a depth part time forward, in my opinion. I'm still open minded about him though because of the short sample size at the NHL level.

The huge difference between the contracts Laughton and Leier got shows how Hextall views them.

But I won't be shocked if he makes a move that allows him to keep Leier on the Flyers as the 14th forward.
- Feanor

I wouldn't be either but I'd rather see a young player like Leier playing regularly rather than sitting. I'd rather have a veteran that isn't hurt by that in that role.

The huge difference between the contracts Laughton and Leier got shows how Hextall views them.

But I won't be shocked if he makes a move that allows him to keep Leier on the Flyers as the 14th forward.
- Feanor

I don't think he's proven to be any more valuable than players ahead of him on the depth chart. So I don't see Hextall doing anything to make room for him. He will have to steal a job from someone in camp.

It's all about asset management. If you can move Read for a 4th to a team like Arizona by retaining 50%, then replace him with Leier then that's better for the team going forward than possibly losing Leier for nothing.

It's all about asset management. If you can move Read for a 4th to a team like Arizona by retaining 50%, then replace him with Leier then that's better for the team going forward than possibly losing Leier for nothing.
- Feanor

That would be a good thing.

All the things we'll say about leier were similarly said about weal last summer. You just never know but leier does have to improve in all areas if he wants to stick

It's all about asset management. If you can move Read for a 4th to a team like Arizona by retaining 50%, then replace him with Leier then that's better for the team going forward than possibly losing Leier for nothing.
- Feanor

Thing is i think they would almost need to move 2 guys to make space for Leier.

If things go how i hope then I see these players in the top 9:
Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, Weal, Konecny, Patrick, Filpulla, Lindblom.

That leaves:
Read, Raffl, Vecchione, Lehtara, Laughton battling for a 4th line role possibly.

And that is without Leier.

Just a tough numbers game right now for him.

It's all about asset management. If you can move Read for a 4th to a team like Arizona by retaining 50%, then replace him with Leier then that's better for the team going forward than possibly losing Leier for nothing.
- Feanor

losing leier will have zero and I mean zero impact on this team currently or going forward. he is a spare part right now.

now would I rather see him play in 20-25 games to start the season over a raffle, read, and the like yes. Just to see if he can maybe offer you something on the 4th line.

read can likely get moved at the deadline to a contending team for a pick with salary retention. unless injuries happen don't see teams wanting read just yet.

Thing is i think they would almost need to move 2 guys to make space for Leier.

If things go how i hope then I see these players in the top 9:
Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, Couturier, Weal, Konecny, Patrick, Filpulla, Lindblom.

That leaves:
Read, Raffl, Vecchione, Lehtara, Laughton battling for a 4th line role possibly.

And that is without Leier.

Just a tough numbers game right now for him.
- J35Bacher

I think Lehtera, Weise and Raffl are locks so that leaves Read/Vecchione/Leier/Lindblom/Laughton battling for that last spot.

I think Lehtera and Raffl are locks so that leaves Read/Vecchione/Leier/Weise/Laughton battling for that last spot.
- Streit2ThePoint

And in that case you need a center(not Leier) and i would bet Weise makes the team.

I am still going to assume a move is made before the season. I just keep having this feeling that both Vecchione and Laughton are making the team.

losing leier will have zero and I mean zero impact on this team currently or going forward. he is a spare part right now.

now would I rather see him play in 20-25 games to start the season over a raffle, read, and the like yes. Just to see if he can maybe offer you something on the 4th line.

read can likely get moved at the deadline to a contending team for a pick with salary retention. unless injuries happen don't see teams wanting read just yet.
- rinaldo

He couldn't get a one way deal. Kind of let's you know the flyers thoughts on him

And in that case you need a center(not Leier) and i would bet Weise makes the team.

I am still going to assume a move is made before the season. I just keep having this feeling that both Vecchione and Laughton are making the team.
- J35Bacher

Yeah I swapped Lindblom with Weise.

Centers I think would be Giroux,Couturier,Patrick,Lehtera

He couldn't get a one way deal. Kind of let's you know the flyers thoughts on him
- Just5

It shows they rank him behind Laughton and Vecchione, but Cousins got a two-way deal a year ago today and still spent the entire 16-17 season in the NHL.

It's all about asset management. If you can move Read for a 4th to a team like Arizona by retaining 50%, then replace him with Leier then that's better for the team going forward than possibly losing Leier for nothing.
- Feanor

Read could also be worth more at the deadline with salary retained or he could play an important role for the Flyers as a stable bottom 6 forward/PKer.

There is of course a chance he is moved in the next few weeks. I just don't think the risk of losing Leier on waivers is what will drive it.

Read could also be worth more at the deadline with salary retained or he could play an important role for the Flyers as a stable bottom 6 forward/PKer.
- Baxter27

That's true. If Read is here he should score around 20 points, and be a strong possession player and a 2nd unit PKer.

I'd rather move Weise (maybe back to the Habs) than move Read. But it's easier to move bottom 6 guys when they're UFAs.

Read could also be worth more at the deadline with salary retained or he could play an important role for the Flyers as a stable bottom 6 forward/PKer.

There is of course a chance he is moved in the next few weeks. I just don't think the risk of losing Leier on waivers is what will drive it.
- Baxter27

I also don't think they will move a player just to make room for Leier. He could just be McGinn 2.0

I also don't think they will move a player just to make room for Leier. He could just be McGinn 2.0
- Streit2ThePoint

I think I would rather trade Leier for a 3rd than put him on waivers. That's what Hextall did with McGinn.

https://www.broadstreetho...cginn-trade-flyers-sharks

I think I would rather trade Leier for a 3rd than put him on waivers. That's what Hextall did with McGinn.

https://www.broadstreetho...cginn-trade-flyers-sharks
- Feanor

If he's not in the Flyers future then yeah sure try to get a pick now. But I think he just stays in Lehigh for the year.

If he's not in the Flyers future then yeah sure try to get a pick now. But I think he just stays in Lehigh for the year.
- Streit2ThePoint

you are not going to get a pick for him imo. just because a stiff in the past got one doesn't equate to him getting one.

every team has multiple leiers in their system

I think I would rather trade Leier for a 3rd than put him on waivers. That's what Hextall did with McGinn.

https://www.broadstreetho...cginn-trade-flyers-sharks
- Feanor

I would assume Hextall would probably listen on anyone that's kind of a bubble guy.

The value just has to be right. A 3rd for McGinn was solid return. Especially with prospects starting to filter in.

Raffl is a curious guy for me. He is a solid player who can move around the lineup. Can kill penalties. He did have a 20 goal season so he does have a scoring tough. And his contract isn't bad either. I feel like it could come down to picking between Read and Raffl for a roster spot.