Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/11/12

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/11/12
- bmeltzer

Bobrovsky was great last night. No question about it. Even in the first period, where he had a brief time where he seemed to have issues tracking the puck, he managed to use good positioning to keep the Canes off the board.

The defensive effort was better, but not great. There was a lot of sloppy play with the puck, and far too many turnovers.

I don't think Jagr should have played the last couple of games. He seems to be reaching for the puck, and definitely seems like he's not 100%, kind of like a Ferrari running on a donut style spare tire.

All in all, not a pretty win, but the ugly ones count as much as the blowouts.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 1/11/12
- bmeltzer

Missed the game last night, but looks like Bob and the rookies got it done. One thing I like about Bob is that even if he has a ough game (WC) he comes back the next time he is in and normally plays great. Real mental toughness. A stinker last night and we probably lose as I understand. I'd still come back with Bryz vs the Isles. Gotta continue to let him try to work it out... Maybe vs the Isles, he can start to feel more confident.

Great on Cooter and Schenn. Can't say any more about Cooter.. he's been great, and Schenn seems to be hitting his stride.

Things I noticed last night:
1- The puck was substituted for a lacrosse ball.
2- Claude Giroux seriously lacks grit
3- Bryz replaced his thermos with a playboy mag.
4- Lava was acting for the 24/7 cameras.


On a serious note...
You can see how good this young group of forwards is gonna be in the very near future (which is amazing considering how they are now). Our top line has cooled off of late yet just as that has happened Read Schenn Coots Czechie and both alternates on the 4th line have stepped up big time. More on the 4th line. It is awesome to watch Harry Z and Rhino rotate in and out of the lineup and continue to create chances through agressive forcheck. Love it.

Bob was stellar last night. He should get the nod Thursday..

Bobrovsky was great last night. No question about it. Even in the first period, where he had a brief time where he seemed to have issues tracking the puck, he managed to use good positioning to keep the Canes off the board.

The defensive effort was better, but not great. There was a lot of sloppy play with the puck, and far too many turnovers.

I don't think Jagr should have played the last couple of games. He seems to be reaching for the puck, and definitely seems like he's not 100%, kind of like a Ferrari running on a donut style spare tire.

All in all, not a pretty win, but the ugly ones count as much as the blowouts.
- Jsaquella

I agree on Jagr. In the Ottawa game, when it was 4-2 I think, he and Roo almost and should have had a 2 on 0 and Jagr just couldn't muster the speed and was caught by the D. He should be sitting and that's for sure.

Finally a game where our boys only let up a single tally! Bob looked like a number one should, while our 51 million dollar big humangous warmed the pine. My 2 questions are 1. If bob stayed hot would be get the nod on 80% of the games like we pay big Humangous universe for?
2. What are we doing with D? and who needs to be "upgraded" I would prefer bourden Over Lijla any day of the week. And if so, who gets traded for that deal? I would HATE to get rid of any of these young guns….

Finally a game where our boys only let up a single tally! Bob looked like a number one should, while our 51 million dollar big humangous warmed the pine. My 2 questions are 1. If bob stayed hot would be get the nod on 80% of the games like we pay big Humangous universe for?
2. What are we doing with D? and who needs to be "upgraded" I would prefer bourden Over Lijla any day of the week. And if so, who gets traded for that deal? I would HATE to get rid of any of these young guns….
- phillyfan9111

I think we have a great backup in Bob, and he can step in for stretches, but what needs to happen for our 51 million dollar guy to get his game back is that he needs to play a lot. I still would give Bryz 4 starts to Bob's 1 in the next while. If Bryz doesn't improve or gets worse over the next 20-25 games, then yeah, go with Bob, and let the goalie controversy/carousel continue. I can see a Leighton call up for the playoffs! hahaha

I think we have a great backup in Bob, and he can step in for stretches, but what needs to happen for our 51 million dollar guy to get his game back is that he needs to play a lot. I still would give Bryz 4 starts to Bob's 1 in the next while. If Bryz doesn't improve or gets worse over the next 20-25 games, then yeah, go with Bob, and let the goalie controversy/carousel continue. I can see a Leighton call up for the playoffs! hahaha
- Hextall271

I agree with you. Bobrovsky has earned another start, no doubt. But Bryzgalov has to play to get right.

Though not a thrilling win by the Flyers I have to give them credit for a few reasons. As you stated Bill the Giroux line was shut down for a 3rd straight game yet they've won 2 of the 3 and have scored 9 goals putting to rest the myth IMO that the Flyers are a one line team. Funny thing is most don't realize besides the handful of very very deep teams in the NHL most teams get scoring for 1 line and it trickles down from there.

I have to give the Canes defense credit, I thought they did a very solid job against the Flyers forwards last night and Ward played solid as usual.

I also have to give credit to the Flyers overall defensive game. Bob with out a doubt played very well and I thought team defense was much better.

Thumbs up to Schenn and Cooter. I hope the folks on here who kept saying trade Schenn, trade Schenn will now shut it. The kid is going to be a hell a hockey player.

And how about the 4th line last night, simply awesome. I had to look up the minutes played by Coots and HarryZ. I didn't look up Read because he gets extra time on the PP etc. HarryZ around 7 mins and Cooter under 10. Gotta say they both were excellent in every second they played.

Now I hate to beat a dead horse but the Flyers are wasting valuable cap space with Shelley and Walker. It's obvious Lava has no desire to play Walker unless he's forced to do so and Shelley is a 14th forward who is making $1.1 million. I really think it's a big waste but the Flyers management must see some value.

As you pointed out Bill all things considered the Flyers are pace for 108 points and that's damn good.

Go Flyers

I agree with you. Bobrovsky has earned another start, no doubt. But Bryzgalov has to play to get right.
- MJL

Maybe it sucks that we are in this position, but the fact is, the org has to get Bryz playing like he can or we are in major trouble with the money we forked out. Play him.. get it sorted out and everyone is happy.

I think we have a great backup in Bob, and he can step in for stretches, but what needs to happen for our 51 million dollar guy to get his game back is that he needs to play a lot. I still would give Bryz 4 starts to Bob's 1 in the next while. If Bryz doesn't improve or gets worse over the next 20-25 games, then yeah, go with Bob, and let the goalie controversy/carousel continue. I can see a Leighton call up for the playoffs! hahaha
- Hextall271

I agree with you but I can guarantee many in media and fans are fully excited to fan the flames, they are screaming goalie issues already and then some.

Bryz needs to step up, Bob just did it's go time Bryz.

Finally a game where our boys only let up a single tally! Bob looked like a number one should, while our 51 million dollar big humangous warmed the pine. My 2 questions are 1. If bob stayed hot would be get the nod on 80% of the games like we pay big Humangous universe for?
2. What are we doing with D? and who needs to be "upgraded" I would prefer bourden Over Lijla any day of the week. And if so, who gets traded for that deal? I would HATE to get rid of any of these young guns….
- phillyfan9111

I'm hoping the Flyers have learned a valuable lesson about trading away the kids.

They have a stable of good to great young players, time to keep and build with them.

Hopefully they start to build a really solid pipeline of good young Dmen as well. Gotta figure out the Preds secret as far as dmen go.

I agree with you but I can guarantee many in media and fans are fully excited to fan the flames, they are screaming goalie issues already and then some.

Bryz needs to step up, Bob just did it's go time Bryz.
- Buts16

I agree, as much as anything Bryz was brought in to be the answer and not the question. He has got to get his game in order and provide stability back there.

Though not a thrilling win by the Flyers I have to give them credit for a few reasons. As you stated Bill the Giroux line was shut down for a 3rd straight game yet they've won 2 of the 3 and have scored 9 goals putting to rest the myth IMO that the Flyers are a one line team. Funny thing is most don't realize besides the handful of very very deep teams in the NHL most teams get scoring for 1 line and it trickles down from there.

I have to give the Canes defense credit, I thought they did a very solid job against the Flyers forwards last night and Ward played solid as usual.

I also have to give credit to the Flyers overall defensive game. Bob with out a doubt played very well and I thought team defense was much better.

Thumbs up to Schenn and Cooter. I hope the folks on here who kept saying trade Schenn, trade Schenn will now shut it. The kid is going to be a hell a hockey player.

And how about the 4th line last night, simply awesome. I had to look up the minutes played by Coots and HarryZ. I didn't look up Read because he gets extra time on the PP etc. HarryZ around 7 mins and Cooter under 10. Gotta say they both were excellent in every second they played.

Now I hate to beat a dead horse but the Flyers are wasting valuable cap space with Shelley and Walker. It's obvious Lava has no desire to play Walker unless he's forced to do so and Shelley is a 14th forward who is making $1.1 million. I really think it's a big waste but the Flyers management must see some value.

As you pointed out Bill all things considered the Flyers are pace for 108 points and that's damn good.

Go Flyers
- Buts16

I agree with most of it. As far as Walker, the Flyers really aren't wasting any Cap space due to how LTIR works. As far as Shelley, if they aren't going to use him, then they should remove him. And right now, I don't see why you would put him in the lineup.

I agree with most of it. As far as Walker, the Flyers really aren't wasting any Cap space due to how LTIR works. As far as Shelley, if they aren't going to use him, then they should remove him. And right now, I don't see why you would put him in the lineup.
- MJL

Unless there is an injury or two and there has to be one at some point I just don't see Shelley getting close to the lineup. That's not a knock on Shelley that's a compliment to HarryZ and Rinaldo.

I am not a cap expert obviously, I just figured if you have Walker making $1.7m and not playing your wasting space.

I'm hoping the Flyers have learned a valuable lesson about trading away the kids.

They have a stable of good to great young players, time to keep and build with them.

Hopefully they start to build a really solid pipeline of good young Dmen as well. Gotta figure out the Preds secret as far as dmen go.
- Buts16

I like this team. I like it a lot. You can just see what Couturier and Schenn have. If you can trade for a top young d man of equal potential, then okay. But please do not trade one for an older player such as some of the suggestions made such as Iginla.

I agree with most of it. As far as Walker, the Flyers really aren't wasting any Cap space due to how LTIR works. As far as Shelley, if they aren't going to use him, then they should remove him. And right now, I don't see why you would put him in the lineup.
- MJL

it's strange that he's being carried on the big team as a healthy scratch. Is it because he's good to have in the locker room as a leader or is it simply to have a goon in there for the next time we play Boston (cause it worked so well last time we had him in there vs them )?

Unless there is an injury or two and there has to be one at some point I just don't see Shelley getting close to the lineup. That's not a knock on Shelley that's a compliment to HarryZ and Rinaldo.

I am not a cap expert obviously, I just figured if you have Walker making $1.7m and not playing your wasting space.
- Buts16

They're using the LITR exemption to keep Walker up. You can't bank LTIR Cap space. Once the day is over, if you don't use that days exemption space, it's gone for ever. It's going to be almost impossible to trade Walker. It would be even harder to trade him if he was down in the AHL, and any team trading for him would have to bring him through recall.

it's strange that he's being carried on the big team as a healthy scratch. Is it because he's good to have in the locker room as a leader or is it simply to have a goon in there for the next time we play Boston (cause it worked so well last time we had him in there vs them )?
- Hextall271

As I've said many times, I'm fine with Shelley on the team if he is going to be used. But right now, I don't see why the Coach would insert him into the lineup. I'm not knocking Shelley. My stance on him as a player hasn't changed. But they're getting too much from the players they have now, on the 4th line to change it.

LOVE LOVE that the Habs got shut out at home by Halak.

The Habs moved the Molson Cup for December presentation to last night (3rd home game of the month) The winner was Price and this was obviously done to take away from the return of the Halak. They'll say it wasn't but it was and it was petty.

Watch out for the Blues, holy smokes they're on fire

As I've said many times, I'm fine with Shelley on the team if he is going to be used. But right now, I don't see why the Coach would insert him into the lineup. I'm not knocking Shelley. My stance on him as a player hasn't changed. But they're getting too much from the players they have now, on the 4th line to change it.
- MJL

Only thing I can figure as I said was that they want him around the team.

Only thing I can figure as I said was that they want him around the team.
- Hextall271

I think the Flyers will do something there if and when they feel they need to. As always, they'll do what they feel is best for the team.

They're using the LITR exemption to keep Walker up. You can't bank LTIR Cap space. Once the day is over, if you don't use that days exemption space, it's gone for ever. It's going to be almost impossible to trade Walker. It would be even harder to trade him if he was down in the AHL, and any team trading for him would have to being him through recaall.
- MJL

Walker's contract -- which has another season to run beyond this one -- makes him very hard to trade even if he were actually getting into games. I assume they'll send him down as soon as they deem Gustafsson physically ready to return (the player himself says he's ready, but that's to be expected).

I like this team. I like it a lot. You can just see what Couturier and Schenn have. If you can trade for a top young d man of equal potential, then okay. But please do not trade one for an older player such as some of the suggestions made such as Iginla.
- MJL

I have heard him and Doan mentioned.. comical really..

Only way you move these young guys is if it were to happen the way you suggested.. for a top young d-man with similar potential..

Im talking guys like Pietrangelo, Bogosian, Gudbranson, Larsson...

LOVE LOVE that the Habs got shut out at home by Halak.

The Habs moved the Molson Cup for December presentation to last night (3rd home game of the month) The winner was Price and this was obviously done to take away from the return of the Halak. They'll say it wasn't but it was and it was petty.

Watch out for the Blues, holy smokes they're on fire
- Buts16

I heard that.. and I LOVE that he made them eat it. The Habs are an absolute mess right now and I think it's fantastic. I am basically surrounded by Habs fans out East here who have crawled into the woodwork with the Leafs Bruins and Flyers all doing better than the Hab nots. It's great!