Bill Meltzer: Analyzing Reported JVR Return, Development Camp Sunday Schedule

Always liked JVR, welcome back home!

From the last blog, though it echoes Bill with one disagreement: JVR plays netfront now on the PP. He is legit dangerous there and has an incredible ability to deflect shots -- and he will go the front of the net and stay there

Last blob post:

I'm honest: JVR is a flawed player. His defense is weak, and he's not going to scare anybody coming across the middle and going into corners. You have to hide him. Never a d-zone start. Ever. You probably don't want too many NZ starts in a close game, either.

If that's all that people want to focus on with him, then you're gonna be pissed for the next five years. Can't tell you anything that's gonna make you feel better if you want Shjon Podein to check really hard and score 8 goals in this roster spot.

But if you believe that at some point, a coach has to actually do something behind a bench and put his players in a position to succeed -- as Mike Babcock recognized and did -- then the guy is gonna score 25 goals in his sleep. He just is. Wait until you see what he does on the PP as the netfront. He gets the puck up and under the bar as fast as anybody in the sport today -- and that's not hyperbole.

The funny thing about JVR is that yeah, he's still kinda soft...except in the offensive zone. If he has the puck, he will take it to the net. He'll cut across the middle. He'll take a guy with him. He isn't soft on the puck. He is soft when he doesn't have it and should be trying to get it.

I personally believe that if you can have defensive specialists and PKers/checkers who can't score, then you sure as hell can have offensive specialists who can flat-out score goals. I don't need 20 guys who can be out there in the last minute of a game to protect a lead if those 20 guys can't score enough to get me the lead in the first freaking place

Hockey still needs the coach to actually do some coaching. Put the guy in a position to succeed, don't run L2 out there in the d-zone against Sidney Crosby's line, don't put him out there when you're up by a goal with 90 seconds left

There are better players than JVR. No doubt. But there are far more players who aren't as good, and he's gonna score goals for them and help them to win games. He just is, and at some point that has to count for something more than guys who just can't score anymore but are still taking up roster spots

I’m ok with this. They absolutely need the skill/shooting/size combo in the lineup. I like adding a big skilled forward like him as the league is going to smaller less physical D which mitigates the softness in his game. The contract is good even. 5 years is a win for the flyers. To get what many would say is the 2nd best forward on ufa market, still under 30, on just a 5 year deal is good stuff

I guess I won't have to yell at Flyer Dmen to move him anymore. But now I'll new screaming for JvR to get in his office.

Btw I see the flyers doing to jvr exactly what Toronto did, play him on the 3rd line. Heavy heavy ozone starts for this line. Patrick and couturier line will do all the heavy lifting. Unleash him on other teams third pairing

I’m ok with this. They absolutely need the skill/shooting/size combo in the lineup. I like adding a big skilled forward like him as the league is going to smaller less physical D which mitigates the softness in his game. The contract is good even. 5 years is a win for the flyers. To get what many would say is the 2nd best forward on ufa market, still under 30, on just a 5 year deal is good stuff
- Just5

Agreed -- I mean, yeah. I'm absolutely going to defend this one. Because I have seen the guy play a ton. When I see guys a lot, like with Dale Weise and Boyd Gordon a couple of years ago, I have no issue saying if I feel the team has made a mistake in signing a guy.

For what JVR does well, this isn't a mistake at all. Not in the slightest. The skating is still very good for his size, hands are excellent, he thinks the game well. He's more mature. For what he does well, there are no issues in his game at this time

Btw I see the flyers doing to jvr exactly what Toronto did, play him on the 3rd line. Heavy heavy ozone starts for this line. Patrick and couturier line will do all the heavy lifting. Unleash him on other teams third pairing
- Just5

I think it'll be JVR-Patrick-Voracek, at least to start. But even if it's L3, with the right center and o-zone starts and PP time, he's going to do the things he does

I think it'll be JVR-Patrick-Voracek, at least to start. But even if it's L3, with the right center and o-zone starts and PP time, he's going to do the things he does
- AllInForFlyers

Right now, 3C is either Laughton or Lehterä unless they sign one.

Right now, 3C is either Laughton or Lehterä unless they sign one.
- bmeltzer

They're gonna have to do something if he isn't with Patrick or, more specifically, Voracek -- I don't know what, exactly -- but something to bridge the gap to Frost. They can't pay JVR 7 large and not have him with a playmaker who can get 25 primary assists. I like JVR's skillset, but he does need a guy to get him the puck

Not excited about this deal especially about the dollar value (even though it not my money). In fact, it seems contrary to Hextall's approach unless there are significant moves on the horizon.

When does FA officially open? 12 EST?

Also, may go down to see Group B, would like to see Hart, Frost, and Farabee.

Not excited about this deal especially about the dollar value (even though it not my money). In fact, it seems contrary to Hextall's approach unless there are significant moves on the horizon.
- Sinisalo4vr

Well, everyone was saying we need a sniper. JvR is one of the better goal scorers in the entire league and, although he has flaws, he's under 30 and can replace some of the things Wayne Simmonds does on the offensive side of the puck if we move Simmonds.

I'd rather have this than another 4-year Weise deal.

If this happens. I'll be happy to have him back. Good signing.

Not excited about this deal especially about the dollar value (even though it not my money). In fact, it seems contrary to Hextall's approach unless there are significant moves on the horizon.
- Sinisalo4vr

1) Flyers had plenty of cap space, and Lehterä's $5M is off the books next summer.

2) There was a lot of competition. That meant long-term and big cap numbers, no way around it if you want to be in the game.

Hopefully he doesn’t get a nmc in the deal. No problem with this contract. Rather pay jvr than simmonds with this contract considering Wayne older and more likely to slow down with what he brings over the next few years. Gotta believe Wayne will be traded today or at the deadline. If nmc jvr can be traded in a few years if our younger players step up and we’re against cap or something. Kinda like Gagne was. We’re still in a very good spot. Now go get Grabner or Riley nash.

I've jokingly hated on JVR for a long time but this is a great signing. My biggest knock on the Flyers these last few years has been the complete lack of LW depth and a needing another forward who can find the back of the net. Between JVR and Farabee they've now addressed this in a huge way.

I'm not going to tear JVR apart for his defense. He will in all likelihood be replacing Weal in the lineup as the defacto 2 LW. Weal is no defensive guru either. With JVR's offensive ability the net gains are huge with this move.

You don't trade for jvr than put him in a defensive role. Coots g are able to handle d zone starts. Our bottom 6 better be able to. I would like to see our 2nd line be jvr Patrick jake/tk/simmer in heavy o zone starts and let Patrick develop that game without heavy defensive responsibilities.

Well, everyone was saying we need a sniper. JvR is one of the better goal scorers in the entire league and, although he has flaws, he's under 30 and can replace some of the things Wayne Simmonds does on the offensive side of the puck if we move Simmonds.

I'd rather have this than another 4-year Weise deal.
- jmatchett383

Absolutely. And you have have to wonder if this signing effects their intentions to re-sign Simmonds. Personally, I'm ok if they move him in favor of this signing. They have RWs in the system that are probably close to being able to come up and play some 3rd line RW minutes whereas LW has a lot less NHL ready depth.

You don't trade for jvr than put him in a defensive role. Coots g are able to handle d zone starts. Our bottom 6 better be able to. I would like to see our 2nd line be jvr Patrick jake/tk/simmer in heavy o zone starts and let Patrick develop that game without heavy defensive responsibilities.
- Tfaehner

I guess that's why we signed him as a UFA.

I guess that's why we signed him as a UFA.
- hereticpride

Face plant you know what I meant

I like the move. Now we get to see how Hak utilizes a goal scorer that isn’t a 200 foot player every shift.

5 years for a 29 year old is term I can live with. He was probably the best free agent available behind Mr. Indecisive. And the Flyers still have a boat load of cap room going forward even with JVR at $7m.

What I like best about Hextall improving the roster is the pressure it puts on the 4th year coach to win at least one playoff round.

Very happy with the JVR signing, not going past 5 years is the key to me. The 7 million per isn't as big a concern with cap just a hair below 80 million and likely to be pushing 90 by the end of the deal. A 7 million aav with an 80 million cap is roughly equivalent to a 5.6 million aav under a 65 million cap, it's not really an issue.

When it comes to JVR potentially blocking a young forward in 2-4 years, that is the least of my worries as those things usually have a way of working themselves out.

The only real flaws left on the roster are 3C and in goal. The goal issue will sort itself out over the next couple of seasons with the influx of some combo of Hart, Sandstrom, or even perhaps Stolarz or Lyon. I also think, if you must, you can bite the bullet with Laughton in the 3C spot and Lehtera as a fallback for one year. I think Frost will be able to step in by 19-20 and don't discount Rubtsov as a potential 3C as he skates well, is very defensively responsible and has good skills.

Wa... wa... wait.. why are we now still being linked to a panarin trade ? And by real analysts not ek.