Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2016 vs 2017 Results, Flyers PK and More

Another good one, Bill! Thanks

Lappy can liaison in any other role.

Going on 5 years of a bottom 3rd PK in the league. If he hasn't had the pieces needed in that period of time then the gm deserves some heat too.

Well put Bill. What I don't understand is the lack of any passing rhythm or consistency in puck movement. I'm not at the Skate Zone so I honestly wonder whether or not Dave Hakstol has any kind of system in place that is repeatedly practiced?

Good read Bill,

I wonder if you could include the primary PKers for each year. I think that would be very interesting.

Also I wonder if part of the PK issues could be the resurgence of talent in the "Metro" Division. Tavares becoming a stud, Ovechkin becoming part of the division, Kessel added to Penguins. It cant be a primary cause, but something to consider.

I think a lot of the issue on the PK are due to personnel. When MacDonald is your best PK defenseman, no knock on him, its tough to have a top PK. However something has to change with that. They've been getting killed by going back to last season.

As far as the Head Coach is concerned. I think he should be given the rest of the season to move the team forward. If there is not significant growth and progress made then a change has to be made. What I don't want to happen is what happened with Laviolette. Holmgren should have made the change in the off season. A new coach should get a full training camp rather than a change early in the season.

Step 1: Order Pylons online
Step 2: Put Pylons on ice while on PK
Step 3: ??????
Step 4: Profit!

I think a lot of the issue on the PK are due to personnel. When MacDonald is your best PK defenseman, no knock on him, its tough to have a top PK. However something has to change with that. They've been getting killed by going back to last season.

As far as the Head Coach is concerned. I think he should be given the rest of the season to move the team forward. If there is not significant growth and progress made then a change has to be made. What I don't want to happen is what happened with Laviolette. Holmgren should have made the change in the off season. A new coach should get a full training camp rather than a change early in the season.
- MJL

You are just setting him up to fail. There is no significant growth because this team is no better than it was a few years ago. The only difference is we have guys on this team that are supposed to be good in a year or 2.

You are just setting him up to fail. There is no significant growth because this team is no better than it was a few years ago. The only difference is we have guys on this team that are supposed to be good in a year or 2.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I don't see that. There are many players on this team who have room to improve from where they are now. Also have to look at how younger players such as Sanheim and Patrick progress the rest of the season. Many ways to measure progress.

Good stuff Bill. Certainly having more experience on D, better PKers up front and a true top flight #1 goalie would help the PK more than anything else. That being said, with Knoblauch overseeing the pp, you would think he'd have some insight on how best to defend a pp as well. Perhaps a change in responsibilities where he oversees all special teams should be tried? Lappy can still do everything else he currently does.

Anyone feel the Earthquake?

Here in Center City Philly didnt feel anything where I am next to City Hall.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/1...are-earthquake/index.html

Anyone feel the Earthquake?

Here in Center City Philly didnt feel anything where I am next to City Hall.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/1...are-earthquake/index.html
- opeth_pa

Don't you know that CNN is fake news

Maintenance day for Dale Weise
Haaaaaaa

Serious Question:

What would it take for the Jets to get Claude Giroux out of Philadelphia? After Scheifele we are really weak at centre. Would Roslovic, Little and a first be enough?

Serious Question:

What would it take for the Jets to get Claude Giroux out of Philadelphia? After Scheifele we are really weak at centre. Would Roslovic, Little and a first be enough?
- TheUltimateJet

Yup that’ll do it

Maintenance day for Dale Weise
Haaaaaaa
- Just5

Hair appointment.

I dont know about any other flyers fans but i still believe they have more talent and depth on this team now then they had when they made the cup final im a firm believer this team is missing something in the mental aspect part of the game. Guys arnt affraid to let the team down by not giving their all every game and i really believe that a team no matter the talent level can win if you play for your teamates if you give it your all every night. But then again that doesnt help when you habe terrible refs calling penalties that didnt exist or ones that the other team got away with all game but call the flyers for and marvelous sean avery like dive by hornquist

Serious Question:

What would it take for the Jets to get Claude Giroux out of Philadelphia? After Scheifele we are really weak at centre. Would Roslovic, Little and a first be enough?
- TheUltimateJet

I can put you in a real nice Dale Wiese today. No money down.

I've been more concerned with the type of penalties and when they are occurring. Specifically in the San Jose game. 2 power plays they killed themselves by taking stupid penalties. On top of that it was 2 if your top players in Voracek and Simmonds.

I really wish we could stop the coaching talk this year.

I dont know about any other flyers fans but i still believe they have more talent and depth on this team now then they had when they made the cup final im a firm believer this team is missing something in the mental aspect part of the game. Guys arnt affraid to let the team down by not giving their all every game and i really believe that a team no matter the talent level can win if you play for your teamates if you give it your all every night. But then again that doesnt help when you habe terrible refs calling penalties that didnt exist or ones that the other team got away with all game but call the flyers for and marvelous sean avery like dive by hornquist
- Orange@black

Richards Carter Giroux Briere Hartnell Pronger Timonen

You sure about that?

Richards Carter Giroux Briere Hartnell Pronger Timonen

You sure about that?
- hereticpride

Absolutly ! Because we have the top talent still its the depth players with more talent then the cup final team that is when hakstol doesnt bench leier and weal

I commented on yesterday's blog that I think lappy is in the wrong role. He is tremendous developmental guy for the ahl or quality strength conditioning coach for nhl etc. I would hate for him to leave the organization out right. But as a pk coach his tenure needs to come to an end.

I commented on yesterday's blog that I think lappy is in the wrong role. He is tremendous developmental guy for the ahl or quality strength conditioning coach for nhl etc. I would hate for him to leave the organization out right. But as a pk coach his tenure needs to come to an end.
- Tfaehner

That is really want it comes down to. No more excuses for the guy. Replacing him certainly doesn't solve everything. But excusing him of fault time and time again isn't the answer either.

Have to agree with the notion of Lappy in the wrong role, stated above.

Dude is the poop....at coaching up players and mentoring them. Not at PK instruction

Richards Carter Giroux Briere Hartnell Pronger Timonen

You sure about that?
- hereticpride

Add Carle, Coburn, JVR, Gagne. Leino had a big playoff.