Bill Meltzer: How Flyers Rebuilt Prospect Pipeline; 25 in 25: Roman Cechmanek; Quick Hits

Checkmanek had some really amazing stretches and the average Flyers fan probably doesnt realize statistically how good he was...Granted like you said he was a headcase in many ways but I still remember seeing him in those stretches and often asking myself "how did he just save that?"

Good morning Flyers fans.

Roman was underrated and a scapegoat. If he was Canadian would have been a different script imo.

As quirky as Cechmanek's personality was, his game was just as much. To this day I still hear Flyer fans talk about his "amazing" numbers and he is still one of the most overrated goalies to ever play in the NHL.

He owned similarities to Hasek, an unorthodox style and from the same country, many wanted him to be the same for the Flyers. The biggest difference was Hasek was in control and Cechmanek was not. The most amazing thing about Hasek was when he made those spectacular saves, you could see his eyes through his cage still tracking the puck. Whereas Ceckmanek always had issues tracking the puck and relying on his big frame.

The fact he had the numbers he did and only lasted a few years in the NHL pretty much summed it up.

The Flyers' 2013 hiring of an astute young Sweden-based scout named Joakim Grundberg has also filtered into the organizational prospect chain's huge improvement. After years of the organization having little to show from scouting the country that became the NHL's third-biggest source of future talent over the same time period, there is now a solid foothold.

The prime examples are Lindblom, Hägg and goalie prospect Felix Sandström. However, do not be surprised if at least one of defense prospects Linus Högberg or David Bernhardt eventually make their way over to North America on entry-level deals with the Flyers. The organization drafted forward Olle Lycksell this year as a long-term project. While 2014 seventh-round pick Jesper Pettersson is now out of the organization and had trouble staying in the AHL lineup with the Phantoms, he at least added some minor league depth for a couple years.

I hadn't heard of Grundberg before. If Hogberg turns out to be the second Swedish 5th rounder to sign an ELC with the Flyers that would be pretty phenomenal.

I remember Roman skating out of his crease gesturing to the bench during the flyers Ottawa implosion in the playoffs. I have never seen an effort by a team so lazy and disinterested. That's how the team looked although I would have to think the team was into the game.
At the time I commented that yeah I'd call out my team as well. After the emotion of the event calmed I knew that Roman would have to go. Should have said his piece in the locker room.

I remember Roman skating out of his crease gesturing to the bench during the flyers Ottawa implosion in the playoffs. I have never seen an effort by a team so lazy and disinterested. That's how the team looked although I would have to think the team was into the game.
At the time I commented that yeah I'd call out my team as well. After the emotion of the event calmed I knew that Roman would have to go. Should have said his piece in the locker room.
- bird_dog_pa

That is what Steve Mason did and look where he is!!!!

Fantastic read for this time of year, Bill.

I don't want to take away at all from what Hextall did, but part of the reason the prospect pool is so good is because some of the guys are still prospects

The payoff will be once they finally start moving to the NHL, which should really start to happen this year

Great write up on the scouting staff, they really go unheralded, so it's nice to see them get some shout outs. The Flyers really have like 8 or 9 guys rookies to watch for at camp....that maybe not yet, will have really good future with the club in the near future....fantastic.

Good morning Flyers fans.

Roman was underrated and a scapegoat. If he was Canadian would have been a different script imo.
- rinaldo

That type of crazy is not accepted in Canada.

That type of crazy is not accepted in Canada.

- landros 2

The French part of Canada or Irish

Although the player never earned an NHL callup and did not make much impact with the Maine Mariners in his one and only full AHL season, he went to become a recognizable -- sometimes controversial -- name and face around hockey.

his hair is also recognizable and sometimes controversial

That is what Steve Mason did and look where he is!!!!
- YuenglingJagr

Rating a team's top prospects is a little misleading. The Flyers do have quite a few great prospects but to be fair, many of them are 20 yrs plus old and are still in the minors or in Europe or coming out of junior. Many other teams have young players who are the same age but are NHLers so they are no longer a "prospect". Eichel, Matthews, McDavid, Werenski come to mind

asdf

Rating a team's top prospects is a little misleading. The Flyers do have quite a few great prospects but to be fair, many of them are 20 yrs plus old and are still in the minors or in Europe or coming out of junior. Many other teams have young players who are the same age but are NHLers so they are no longer a "prospect". Eichel, Matthews, McDavid, Werenski come to mind
- BernardShakey

But it's not misleading because all that is already taken into account. The criteria is the same for all the teams and that is the criteria you need to use. Otherwise its apples and oranges.

don't the flyers still hold Gus's rights? Another guy many thought would be a top 4 fixture on the blueline.

asdf
- MBFlyerfan

don't the flyers still hold Gus's rights? Another guy many thought would be a top 4 fixture on the blueline.
- rinaldo

Darn you are stealing my show

Great work as all Bill, thank you very much.

All I can say about Cechmanek is that if the Flyers were ever to put together an "all quirky" team, he would, without a doubt, be the starting goalie!

I remember Roman skating out of his crease gesturing to the bench during the flyers Ottawa implosion in the playoffs. I have never seen an effort by a team so lazy and disinterested. That's how the team looked although I would have to think the team was into the game.
At the time I commented that yeah I'd call out my team as well. After the emotion of the event calmed I knew that Roman would have to go. Should have said his piece in the locker room.
- bird_dog_pa

Exactly.

Great work as all Bill, thank you very much.

All I can say about Cechmanek is that if the Flyers were ever to put together an "all quirky" team, he would, without a doubt, be the starting goalie!
- BiggE

Bill should be a part of flyers brass he would give them a lesson or two.

Solid read Bill! Exciting to have a working system in place for scouting, drafting and developing

Darn you are stealing my show
- Bonerfide69

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I remember Roman skating out of his crease gesturing to the bench during the flyers Ottawa implosion in the playoffs. I have never seen an effort by a team so lazy and disinterested. That's how the team looked although I would have to think the team was into the game.
At the time I commented that yeah I'd call out my team as well. After the emotion of the event calmed I knew that Roman would have to go. Should have said his piece in the locker room.
- bird_dog_pa

if ron Hextall did what roman did on the ice he would be hailed a leader.