Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Inside Flyers Home/Road Discrepancy, Snider Hockey

Fist

I dont know what the final totals said, but I did some analysis towards the end of the season. Essentially almost all of the playoff teams had winning records on the road. I remember only one or two teams that were good road teams and not in the playoffs.

I think the depth of the Flyers is what hurt them the most on the road. They didnt have enough to overcome lineup matching or tougher assignments during road games.

I dont know what the final totals said, but I did some analysis towards the end of the season. Essentially almost all of the playoff teams had winning records on the road. I remember only one or two teams that were good road teams and not in the playoffs.

I think the depth of the Flyers is what hurt them the most on the road. They didnt have enough to overcome lineup matching or tougher assignments during road games.
- YuenglingJagr

Agree across the board. The two years in this time span where the Flyers got into the playoffs, they eked out a barely above .500 road record and that was just good enough combined with being a top home team. When they've been a losing team on the road, the home record was irrelevant even at a robust 55 points (2016-17).

the team should be a lot younger this season. Hopefully the kids (2 of Morin/Hagg/Sanheim) and 5 of Weal/Konecny/Laughton/Lindblom/Patrick/Vecchione) contributes or takes a steps up as in Konecny and Weal's case. I am fine with the growing pains that will come along with fielding a young team. Who knows, maybe the added youth gives the team a kick start they need

Bill,

As of the end of last season, where would you ballpark Provorov's placement in the NHL as defensemen go? I don't think he's a top-20 right now, but maybe top-40? Top-30? Just wanna get your feelings.

Bill,

As of the end of last season, where would you ballpark Provorov's placement in the NHL as defensemen go? I don't think he's a top-20 right now, but maybe top-40? Top-30? Just wanna get your feelings.
- jmatchett383

I think top 40 is fair based on all factors, and also think he will top 20 by end of year three and top 10 as his prime approaches.

Bill,

As of the end of last season, where would you ballpark Provorov's placement in the NHL as defensemen go? I don't think he's a top-20 right now, but maybe top-40? Top-30? Just wanna get your feelings.
- jmatchett383

He probably won't ever get the national recognition without PP1 time (and point totals lower) even though that doesn't take away from how good of a defenseman he is.

With Patrick signed, Hextall can grab himself a cold one and put a bow on the off season. Could see the odd PTO announced or slim chance of a forward being traded but this is how I see training camp starting.

Weal-Giroux-Simmonds
Lindblom-Couturier-Voracek
Filppula-Patrick-Konecny
Raffl-Lehtera-Read
Leier-Laughton-Weise
Vecchione

Provorov-Macdonald
Ghost-Gudas
Manning-Hagg
Morin-Sanheim
Myers

Elliot
Neuvirth

I think top 40 is fair based on all factors, and also think he will top 20 by end of year three and top 10 as his prime approaches.
- bmeltzer

where do you think is the best place for Rubtsov this season? I lean towards juniors and the WJC but there is a tiny part of me that would love to see him in the AHL.

FWIW, here are my thoughts on what is hurting them on the road.

1. Lack of depth/matchup deficiencies
Over the last 4 seasons, the team has suffered from a lack of overall depth and in having enough quality Dmen to match up against top lines. Both of these deficiencies can be somewhat masked at home, but on the road they will usually be exposed.

2. Lack of maturity/leadership
It takes focus and hard work to overcome the disadvantages on the road. The Flyers, for whatever reason, are often a team that finds itself having to come from behind to win games or to force OT. This is easier to do at home when you can feed off the crowd and have better control of the matchups. The constant falling behind however, shows me that there may be a lack of maturity and leadership on this team. If they are to be a top team, they need to learn how to come out firing on all cylinders right from the opening drop of the puck.

3. Steve Mason
Mason, as far as goalies go, is the only constant over the last 4 seasons and during that time he's played in 224 of their 328 games. You can take his comments any way you like, but I have to wonder if it's comments like his in regards to playing on the road that are part of the reason he wasn't re-signed. Every goalie has to play on the road and overcome the same obstacles, Mason needs to man up. I doubt his comments about playing on the road did anything to endear him to a guy like Ron Hextall. I have no idea if this stuff has any effect on the rest of the team, and as Bill also stated, I'm not a sports psychologist, but I have to think that in light of what he said, it had to affect his play. Even if the effect was on a subconscious level.

Going forward, they certainly won't be able to blame Mason and I think the depth issues have been addressed and more talent should certainly be in the lineup on a nightly basis. Time will tell if leadership and/or maturity remains an issue.

With Patrick signed, Hextall can grab himself a cold one and put a bow on the off season. Could see the odd PTO announced or slim chance of a forward being traded but this is how I see training camp starting.

Weal-Giroux-Simmonds
Lindblom-Couturier-Voracek
Filppula-Patrick-Konecny
Raffl-Lehtera-Read
Leier-Laughton-Weise
Vecchione

Provorov-Macdonald
Ghost-Gudas
Manning-Hagg
Morin-Sanheim
Myers

Elliot
Neuvirth
- Baxter27

not that I think he is a #1 LW wing now or maybe ever (time will tell) but I kinda want to see Linblom on the top line. I want to see a big body on Giroux's wing.

I think top 40 is fair based on all factors, and also think he will top 20 by end of year three and top 10 as his prime approaches.
- bmeltzer

Agree. In fact with his work ethic and dedication to training, he might be top 20 by the end of this upcoming season.

He probably won't ever get the national recognition without PP1 time (and point totals lower) even though that doesn't take away from how good of a defenseman he is.
- YuenglingJagr

Agreed, though it is possible. Rod Langway would be a good case in point. However, it is very rare to see a guy who doesn't put up big offensive numbers being in the Norris trophy discussion.

where do you think is the best place for Rubtsov this season? I lean towards juniors and the WJC but there is a tiny part of me that would love to see him in the AHL.
- nastyflyergirl

Junior most likely, but, if he really has an outstanding camp, I could see him earning a spot in LHV.

He probably won't ever get the national recognition without PP1 time (and point totals lower) even though that doesn't take away from how good of a defenseman he is.
- YuenglingJagr

I'll happily take an under the radar top-10/20 defenseman every day of the week.

FWIW, here are my thoughts on what is hurting them on the road.

3. Steve Mason
Mason, as far as goalies go, is the only constant over the last 4 seasons and during that time he's played in 224 of their 328 games. You can take his comments any way you like, but I have to wonder if it's comments like his in regards to playing on the road that are part of the reason he wasn't re-signed. Every goalie has to play on the road and overcome the same obstacles, Mason needs to man up. I doubt his comments about playing on the road did anything to endear him to a guy like Ron Hextall. I have no idea if this stuff has any effect on the rest of the team, and as Bill also stated, I'm not a sports psychologist, but I have to think that in light of what he said, it had to affect his play. Even if the effect was on a subconscious level.

Going forward, they certainly won't be able to blame Mason and I think the depth issues have been addressed and more talent should certainly be in the lineup on a nightly basis. Time will tell if leadership and/or maturity remains an issue.
- BiggE

not to sound like I am just a steve mason apologist or anything, but I suspect that a lot of goalies are bothered by it to some extent. Mason has always just been more forthcoming with his words. His mental toughness is what hurt him in Columbus and no doubt had an affect here in Philly. It can't be said enough how much these guys have to block out in order to do their job at this high of a level.

not that I think he is a #1 LW wing now or maybe ever (time will tell) but I kinda want to see Linblom on the time line. I want to see a big body on Giroux's wing.
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed he may be a fit there but I actually think I'm already setting expectations too high for him to start at 2nd on the depth chart at LW. But lack of competition will do that.

not that I think he is a #1 LW wing now or maybe ever (time will tell) but I kinda want to see Linblom on the time line. I want to see a big body on Giroux's wing.
- nastyflyergirl

Agreed

For the top nine, I want to see something like:

Lindblom-G-Jake
Weal-Couturier-Simmonds
Filpulla or Raffl-Patrick-Konecny

I'll happily take an under the radar top-10/20 defenseman every day of the week.
- Scoob

So will the salary cap

not to sound like I am just a steve mason apologist or anything, but I suspect that a lot of goalies are bothered by it to some extent. Mason has always just been more forthcoming with his words. His mental toughness is what hurt him in Columbus and no doubt had an affect here in Philly. It can't be said enough how much these guys have to block out in order to do their job at this high of a level.
- YuenglingJagr

No doubt. But, the best goalies do overcome it and that's why Mason isn't in that group. I also think it would serve him better to keep stuff like that to himself, no matter how it is spun, it comes off as a guy making excuses and that never plays well to both teammates or management.

Agreed he may be a fit there but I actually think I'm already setting expectations too high for him to start at 2nd on the depth chart at LW. But lack of competition will do that.
- Baxter27

The whole #1, #2, etc.. line designations are overblown, IMO. Game situations, matchups and the coach seeing who is "bringing it" on any given night will determine ice time. I just think Lindblom's skill set would mesh well with Giroux and Jake. Does it mean he takes every shift with them during the game? No, other's will certainly play with them depending on the game situation and score.

Patrick signed

Ditto things such as his brief attempts to wear non-white equipment ("retro brown" and "Stadium Series black" pads quickly got discarded).
- bmeltzer

Were these his own doing or were the changes team/league mandated as part of the spectacle?

The whole #1, #2, etc.. line designations are overblown, IMO. Game situations, matchups and the coach seeing who is "bringing it" on any given night will determine ice time. I just think Lindblom's skill set would mesh well with Giroux and Jake. Does it mean he takes every shift with them during the game? No, other's will certainly play with them depending on the game situation and score.
- BiggE

Not disagreeing with you and Lindblom certainly has raised expectations with a stellar season in the SHL. I'm cautiously optimistic he will earn a top 6 or 9 job out of camp but can understand if he struggles to adapt to his new league and team out of the gate. There is still the possibility he finds himself in the AHL.