Bill Meltzer: Recap: Flyers 5 - Bruins 1; Quick Hits

Thanks for the update and all your great coverage over the years Meltzer!

Looking forward to this season!

Missed this one, but nice to again hear about the youth doing well.

May be a bumpy ride but hope they let the kids make the opening night roster.

Loving Konecny.

Read IMO has not done enough to garner a roster spot on opening night. I have this feeling Lindblom gets sent to LHV and Leier makes this team.

On the backend, I don't know how you send one of Sanheim/Hagg/Morin down. The kids while still making the odd mistake, make more positive things happen then negative from what I have seen. Amac needs to be sent to AHL and Manning as the 7th I think.

I was very impressed with Lyon tonight. He looks calm and cool in net and his rebound control tonight was impressive.

The outrages from some fans when/if Lindblom is/will be sent down will be dramatic and over the top, but they might pale in comparison to the reaction if Sanheim is left off the roster.

Both of them starting in LHV is not the end of the world.

Its the End of the World As We Know It.

And I feel fine

The Flyers looked good last night. Lyon was rock solid in net. For one night at least I wasn't concerned about where the goals were going to come from.

Another thing, the Flyers don't have depth issues the way they've had in the past couple years. There were times last year when I would have sworn they were icing two fourth lines.

When the injury bug does start to bite, we may see little to no drop off in overall play.

Oh dear, I'm almost feeling optimistic. Must stop.

most message board have been bashing the current core of the Flyers, some merit to that. Most experts have been saying its more of a depth/match up issue, A LOT OF merit to that. The Flyers will be a much better team with the depth they have.

to think they could even consider sending Lindbolm down or Leir. I know the fan base doesnt like Read and Raffle but they are NHL forwards, again the depth allows the Flyers to consider not playing them.

All this depth should be great for Girioux and company, finally. I think he really deserves the help. On the other hand, no excuses

Some Observations:

- Top line looked to be clicking. They were buzzing and seem to be finding each other and creating chances each shift.

- 2nd PP was moving. They look like they have a plan out there and the puck movement was nice.

- Couturier sucks. Guy is never involved and doesn't score or create anything.

- Team looks so much faster. With the talent on the back end, this teams just looks like they are moving quicker out of the zone. All the guys on the back end move well, even Morin.

- I start all 6 rookies. The time is now. This team could have the same excitement that Toronto brought their fans. I live with the ups and downs.

- Don't think some of the vets have done enough to keep some rookies from making the roster. Read and MacDonald should go to Lehigh.

- Nice to see a 4th line that can create offensive chances and yet still be defensively responsible. Lehtara is bigger and quicker then i thought. Laughton has found his game. Add Raffl or Leier and that is solid 4th line.

honestly i'll be more disappointed if one of the d go down than Lindblom who i do want to see make the team. I believe Leier deserves a spot as well.

Say what you will about Manning, but he played like a guy who knows his job is on the line. +/- doesn't mean much these days, but he was a +3, scored a nice goal, and generally didn't make the glaring mistakes you sometimes see from him. A back injury/surgery is a tricky thing, so perhaps his is finally starting to feel better. Also, he and Gudas usually look pretty solid together.

All that being said, I don't think he starts in the top 6, even if one of the rookies goes down. I think he plays again Sunday afternoon, so he will have one more opportunity to show he deserves to stay.

Some Observations:

- Top line looked to be clicking. They were buzzing and seem to be finding each other and creating chances each shift.

- 2nd PP was moving. They look like they have a plan out there and the puck movement was nice.

- Couturier sucks. Guy is never involved and doesn't score or create anything.

- Team looks so much faster. With the talent on the back end, this teams just looks like they are moving quicker out of the zone. All the guys on the back end move well, even Morin.

- I start all 6 rookies. The time is now. This team could have the same excitement that Toronto brought their fans. I live with the ups and downs.

- Don't think some of the vets have done enough to keep some rookies from making the roster. Read and MacDonald should go to Lehigh.

- Nice to see a 4th line that can create offensive chances and yet still be defensively responsible. Lehtara is bigger and quicker then i thought. Laughton has found his game. Add Raffl or Leier and that is solid 4th line.
- J35Bacher

the 4th line i want to see is Laughton centering Raffl and Leier. Weise and Lehtera can fill in when needed.

the kids have earned their spots.

the 4th line i want to see is Laughton centering Raffl and Leier. Weise and Lehtera can fill in when needed.

the kids have earned their spots.
- nastyflyergirl

They did but Lahtera is a big body and he moves well. My only problem with Laughton Leier and Raffl is they are on the average size. Maybe it's nothing but for me I like the bigger body of Lehtera

I have formed my view on who should make the roster. Hextall has ALWAYS said if a young guy wants to make the team he has to make us better.....Lindblom hasn't set the world on fire offensively, but obviously he has proven to be that type of player and as camp has progressed he has shown signs of starting to add to his already stellar defensive game....Has Raffl?? has Weise?? has Read ?? shown any offensive side to the game... did any of these three show any real type of offence last year??
I also think its great that Manning played a pretty solid game last night, but the Flyers know what he is....they also know what Macdonald is....truth is the three rookies on D make them a better team.
Lets not forget this team missed the playoffs last year. Its time to pick the best players if they show they are ready.
as far as Leier...the only way he should be cut is if he's the 13th forward....he can't sit.
I think the reason some fans are vocal is because this team failed last year with half measures like VDV, Manning, Macdonald, Raffl, Weise ect. Take the same players your looking at the same result.

honestly i'll be more disappointed if one of the d go down than Lindblom who i do want to see make the team. I believe Leier deserves a spot as well.
- nastyflyergirl

I'll be disappointed is the best players aren't on the team regardless.

They did but Lahtera is a big body and he moves well. My only problem with Laughton Leier and Raffl is they are on the average size. Maybe it's nothing but for me I like the bigger body of Lehtera
- J35Bacher

Raffl, while not as tall, isnt a small body. i'm fine with those 3. obviously guys will be in and out of the lineup esp in the bottom 3. i love the competition. will only help the team. personally my last two cuts would be Read and Amac. not out of any dislike but just because i want to see the roster turn over with youth. if they keep Amac over manning so be it.

I have formed my view on who should make the roster. Hextall has ALWAYS said if a young guy wants to make the team he has to make us better.....Lindblom hasn't set the world on fire offensively, but obviously he has proven to be that type of player and as camp has progressed he has shown signs of starting to add to his already stellar defensive game....Has Raffl?? has Weise?? has Read ?? shown any offensive side to the game... did any of these three show any real type of offence last year??
I also think its great that Manning played a pretty solid game last night, but the Flyers know what he is....they also know what Macdonald is....truth is the three rookies on D make them a better team.
Lets not forget this team missed the playoffs last year. Its time to pick the best players if they show they are ready.
as far as Leier...the only way he should be cut is if he's the 13th forward....he can't sit.
I think the reason some fans are vocal is because this team failed last year with half measures like VDV, Manning, Macdonald, Raffl, Weise ect. Take the same players your looking at the same result.
- landros 2

i wouldnt lump Raffl in there. i think he has played well and would be solid on the 4th line

honestly i'll be more disappointed if one of the d go down than Lindblom who i do want to see make the team. I believe Leier deserves a spot as well.
- nastyflyergirl

Agree, 100%. This team can be very exciting to watch this year with that young Dcore. AMac will do just fine in the AHL collecting his money, unless Hextall pulls a miracle and is able to deal him to a team in need due to an injury.

I don't really see a reason to send Lindblom down or believe he should be sent down based on how he has played

i wouldnt lump Raffl in there. i think he has played well and would be solid on the 4th line
- nastyflyergirl

yes he has. But offensively he has never really taken off. Lindblom to me has the chance to be both very good offensively as well as solid defensively.

MacDonald has played two preseason games, the least of any skater left on the roster.

yes he has. But offensively he has never really taken off. Lindblom to me has the chance to be both very good offensively as well as solid defensively.
- landros 2

to me its not Lindblom vs Raffl making the team. for me its Lindblom and Leier making the team over Read. that said he should only be on the team if he will be in the lineup. will they want veterans like Weise and/or Lehtera in over Lindblom. if so I believe he will start in the A

MacDonald has played two preseason games, the least of any skater left on the roster.
- Feanor

I would imagine part of that is because they know what they have in him but Manning is coming off of surgery and needs to play and they need to see the kids

MacDonald has played two preseason games, the least of any skater left on the roster.
- Feanor

Busy house hunting?