Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/14/12

good blob, Bill.

You are spot on when you speak to the fact that a trade will not fix what issues this team has been dispalying since the ASB.

They need to tighten the gaps between the forwards and the defense.

The forwards need to back check and check their responsibilities accordingly.

I do think that some of the kids are hitting the rookie wall and that is to be expected, but I see no reason why some of the vets can't help pick up the slack for them.

I want to see Lava make some adjustments to help rite this ship.

This team is still in the thick of things and over the weekend we saw how close the Flyers are to being on par with the 2 best teams in the league.

Great insight Bill, can we interest you in a free Derek Morris? Please?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 2/14/12
- bmeltzer

The issues do exist everywhere.

The players have to execute better. There's going to be breakdowns, but they're not just having breakdowns in coverage, they're making routine mistakes on simple plays and it's causing the entire system to collapse.

The offense struggles with trying to make that one extra pass, or an individual trying to do too much himself. It's especially tiresome to see veteran players try to stickhandle through 4 opposing players at the blue line.

All this said, would a trade help? It could make the personnel on hand look more stable on paper, but the cost is a serious factor. A lot of teams are still in the playoff hunt. Montreal's win streak may well have them becoming buyers and not sellers. Other players felt to be available, like Tuomo Ruuttu and Bryan Allen, have price tags that are far to large to consider right now.

The Flyers can't afford to trade a high pick or good young player for a short term rental. They could look at dealing a young forward for a good young defenseman to solidify a weakness from a strength, but the rental market is looking daunting in cost and scope.

Finally, I don't think that the coach has done enough to adjust his system to fit the personnel. I'm not saying Laviolette has to ditch his system for the Tampa Bay 1-3-1, but he should be looking at tightening up the system to take away the offensive freedom from guys who have not done a good enough job on back checking.

this is the toughest part of year (middle of the season) because a lot of bad habits can come in...

this time of year can bring forth a lot of complacency. A lack of effort for some players and all out of effort for others. The team is just not playing together.

Will a trade help? I'm neutral because it can if the right trade is made, CHANGE IS GOOD. It can hurt if the price is high and the gears shifts from building on youth to all in...Homer needs to stay the course.

Coaching needs to get better. I've said it time and time again...there is enough video out there that quick fixes or adjusments can be made between periods. I know going from a full court press to a half court press could change up the way the other team plays. Still attack...

Either way at this point of the year, I don't consider them in a tail spin. time to regroup and this experience will pay off in the long run. the sky is not falling.

In regards to all the trade and contract rumors...I would rather just sit back and watch it all unfold. someone will not be resigned next year and someone will be traded. it's all part of the NHL.

this is the toughest part of year (middle of the season) because a lot of bad habits can come in...

this time of year can bring forth a lot of complacency. A lack of effort for some players and all out of effort for others. The team is just not playing together.

Will a trade help? I'm neutral because it can if the right trade is made, CHANGE IS GOOD. It can hurt if the price is high and the gears shifts from building on youth to all in...Homer needs to stay the course.

Coaching needs to get better. I've said it time and time again...there is enough video out there that quick fixes or adjusments can be made between periods. I know going from a full court press to a half court press could change up the way the other team plays. Still attack...

Either way at this point of the year, I don't consider them in a tail spin. time to regroup and this experience will pay off in the long run. the sky is not falling.

In regards to all the trade and contract rumors...I would rather just sit back and watch it all unfold. someone will not be resigned next year and someone will be traded. it's all part of the NHL.
- phi1671

You make some good points. How did you get this guy's password and login information?

Welcome to the No Hitting League.

The 2 minute charge penalty was all Rinaldo should of received. It was because he slightly left his feet. The head in no way was targeted and the point of contact was his chest.

Shanahan said it himself, Ericsson should not have been looking at his pass.

This league has become quite pathetic when it comes to the refs and discipline.

Welcome to the No Hitting League.

The 2 minute charge penalty was all Rinaldo should of received. It was because he slightly left his feet. The head in no way was targeted and the point of contact was his chest.

Shanahan said it himself, Ericsson should not have been looking at his pass.

This league has become quite pathetic when it comes to the refs and discipline.
- flyers2001

Rinaldo's double fine game in the past week, plus his lack of remorse in getting fined almost certainly played a role. Shanahan is sending a message to Rinaldo.

You make some good points. How did you get this guy's password and login information?

- Jsaquella

Exactly...i was thinking the same thing when i read it. Every once in a while my brain comes up with some good stuff.

this is the toughest part of year (middle of the season) because a lot of bad habits can come in...

this time of year can bring forth a lot of complacency. A lack of effort for some players and all out of effort for others. The team is just not playing together.

Will a trade help? I'm neutral because it can if the right trade is made, CHANGE IS GOOD. It can hurt if the price is high and the gears shifts from building on youth to all in...Homer needs to stay the course.

Coaching needs to get better. I've said it time and time again...there is enough video out there that quick fixes or adjustments can be made between periods. I know going from a full court press to a half court press could change up the way the other team plays. Still attack...

Either way at this point of the year, I don't consider them in a tail spin. time to regroup and this experience will pay off in the long run. the sky is not falling.

In regards to all the trade and contract rumors...I would rather just sit back and watch it all unfold. someone will not be resigned next year and someone will be traded. it's all part of the NHL.
- phi1671

I noticed the last few games that when the flyers have two forwards in deep forechecking that they stop skating and many times come to a stop. The guy behind the net makes a quick pass and the flyers guy up near the blueline can't get to the puck and then there is an easy out of the offensive zone for the D and skating room through center ice.
Send one guy in to attack the puck and keep one guy high in the zone ready to read the play and attack the puck if the opportunity is there.
If not drop back and take away the neutral zone skating room.

Rinaldo's double fine game in the past week, plus his lack of remorse in getting fined almost certainly played a role. Shanahan is sending a message to Rinaldo.
- Jsaquella

Honestly.. i dont give two (frank)s if he wasnt remorseful. He was fined. That is paying the consequences. To suspend him 2 games for a true charging minor is absurd.

This league is almost as poorly run as my mens league.

Good overview as always.

I really think that one of the BIG issues is that the 4 veterans on the blue line are being exposed and worn down because of making up for no Pronger. That Lilja cannot outplay two rookies says all that needs to be said about his game at this point. The Flyers need at least one if not two real NHL defensemen. Not another 1 or 2, but a legitimate 3 or 4. That will lighten the load across the blueline both physically and psychologicaly.

Some of the sloppy defensive zone play by the forwards goes back to the blueline being thin and over exposed...some to players simply not wanting to get dirty. The dreaded "gap" gets too wide and players get outnumbered in the Dzone leading to open scoring chances that are actually cashed in (not shot into the seats, off the post or right into the goalies mid section).

On the PP and forecheck, the same problem that is killing the Flyers in the defensive zone is very telling in the offensive zone. The players who are scoring goals are the players who are paying the price, banging in traffic and doing the little things that make it possible. Hartnell, Simmons and Shenn have all thrived in the badlands. Giroux, has gotten a little too fancy since coming back from injury and Briere just doesn't seem himself (and hasn't more games than not this season).

As pointed out...it isn't one thing and it isn't a quick fix.

AHHH FINALLY!!!!

I have found the Flyers shootout savior!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygNvDa-N7kQ

Rinaldo's double fine game in the past week, plus his lack of remorse in getting fined almost certainly played a role. Shanahan is sending a message to Rinaldo.
- Jsaquella

There is no need for a message. Shanaban needs to let the players play.

Lack of remorse? Who cares, these are not little boys that need to go sit in time out when they do something wrong. No wonder there are no rivalries or emotion left in professional sports. God forbid someone's feelings get hurt.

Is a rental (Allen,Gill) going to help out? I would yes but not to the extent that all is saved.

I really think if they do want to bring in a dman they should try to get a young puck moving dman that is signed or an rfa so they can lock him up. The problem with that is that will likely cost the Flyers a good young forward and I'm not sure that's the way to go.

You gotta overpay for dman in the NHL now, look at the Neal/GoGo trade last year and the Johnson/Stewart/Shattenkirk deals as an examples.

The Flyers need to be very careful.

Is a rental (Allen,Gill) going to help out? I would yes but not to the extent that all is saved.

I really think if they do want to bring in a dman they should try to get a young puck moving dman that is signed or an rfa so they can lock him up. The problem with that is that will likely cost the Flyers a good young forward and I'm not sure that's the way to go.

You gotta overpay for dman in the NHL now, look at the Neal/GoGo trade last year and the Johnson/Stewart/Shattenkirk deals as an examples.

The Flyers need to be very careful.
- Buts16

You think Colorado would like a mulligan on that Erik Johnson trade?

anyone hear Lavy on WIP? I missed it.

There is no need for a message. Shanaban needs to let the players play.

Lack of remorse? Who cares, these are not little boys that need to go sit in time out when they do something wrong. No wonder there are no rivalries or emotion left in professional sports. God forbid someone's feelings get hurt.
- flyers2001

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMWFu9c8Q9I

http://www.youtube.com/wa...X9P1UfrqY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/wa...kKmnNI2tQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/wa...NpE7Ve4GE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/wa...Jw4MMSmI0&feature=related

Is a rental (Allen,Gill) going to help out? I would yes but not to the extent that all is saved.

I really think if they do want to bring in a dman they should try to get a young puck moving dman that is signed or an rfa so they can lock him up. The problem with that is that will likely cost the Flyers a good young forward and I'm not sure that's the way to go.

You gotta overpay for dman in the NHL now, look at the Neal/GoGo trade last year and the Johnson/Stewart/Shattenkirk deals as an examples.

The Flyers need to be very careful.
- Buts16

Both trades are exactly why you dont over pay for a young d-man...

anyone hear Lavy on WIP? I missed it.
- Dkos

i missed it too, hopefully Bo will provide the synopsis

There is no need for a message. Shanaban needs to let the players play.

Lack of remorse? Who cares, these are not little boys that need to go sit in time out when they do something wrong. No wonder there are no rivalries or emotion left in professional sports. God forbid someone's feelings get hurt.
- flyers2001

Well, actually, he DID go sit in time out for two minutes, as he should have, and that should have been it. It wasn't a headshot, it wasn't an intent to injure, it wasn't suspendable.

anyone hear Lavy on WIP? I missed it.
- Dkos

When? And no, I missed it. But they usually post podcasts of coach interviews.

Honestly.. i dont give two (frank)s if he wasnt remorseful. He was fined. That is paying the consequences. To suspend him 2 games for a true charging minor is absurd.

This league is almost as poorly run as my mens league.
- jak521

The problem is that they're trying to send a message. Rinaldo has obviously not gotten it. Sure, part of why they are sending that message is BS, based on what he did in juniors and the AHL. But as a marked man, he has to be more careful than others.

And the NHL has used past incidents in determining suspensions/supplementary discipline for years.

I noticed the last few games that when the flyers have two forwards in deep forechecking that they stop skating and many times come to a stop. The guy behind the net makes a quick pass and the flyers guy up near the blueline can't get to the puck and then there is an easy out of the offensive zone for the D and skating room through center ice.
Send one guy in to attack the puck and keep one guy high in the zone ready to read the play and attack the puck if the opportunity is there.
If not drop back and take away the neutral zone skating room.
- bird_dog

Good points. One of the biggest complaints I have about how the Flyers play. 2 players in aggressively when they really have no chance to get on the puck. Read the play, if you can't get there don't over committ and go in deep where one pass beats two players, and the other team has free ice all the way to the Flyers end.

There is no need for a message. Shanaban needs to let the players play.

Lack of remorse? Who cares, these are not little boys that need to go sit in time out when they do something wrong. No wonder there are no rivalries or emotion left in professional sports. God forbid someone's feelings get hurt.
- flyers2001

Some of these guys ARE little boys that need to sit in timeout. Guys liek Andy Sutton, Matt Cooke and Carcillo, who have been suspended numerous times for repeatedly dangerous hits.

Like it or not, Rinaldo has a reputation. He also has incidents on his NHL resume that contributed to his suspension. He could have easily been suspended for his slewfoot. He has to keep himself under control, because anything he does is going to be looked at with a magnifying glass.