Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Are Flyers Better Off Than a Year Ago?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Are Flyers Better Off Than a Year Ago?
- bmeltzer

First!

Great blog Bill!

Without reading your blog...I would have to say no.

The Flyers still lost badly in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs. They were out played, overmatched, and out coached by the Boston Bruins and NJ Devils. They can take some solace in the fact that Boston won the Cup last season...let's hope the hated Devils don't do the same. Does the road to the Cup go through Philly? It appears so, Chicago, Boston...time will tell if NJD get it done.

Now let me go back and read your blog! The events leading up to Tuesday night's Game 5 loss still sting to say the least....

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Are Flyers Better Off Than a Year Ago?
- bmeltzer

Great read, Bill.

The Flyers do have a lot of questions, but given the youth and talent, they remain in an enviable position.

I do share the concerns about being able to beat teams like the Rangers, Bruins and Devils. The worry is, are the coaches doing a poor job of making adjustments or are the players doing a poor job in executing the changes the coaches make.

It's not a can of worms that I want to open, but does Holmgren sit down with Laviolette and tell him to make systemic changes?

Likewise, Kimmo Timonen and Nicklas Grossmann turned down their respective invitations to join Team Finland and Team Sweden.

I don't think Timonen was even asked, Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen said weeks ago that they weren't going to wait for anyone after round 1.

Thank you Bill...great Blob...
you touched on a few points that I have thought about...

First!

Great blog Bill!
- mochoson

One thing I was terribly disappointed in is Kubina. I am not sure if it has come out, but he must have had a torn labrum or something to not even dress. Waste of a pick for a guy that didn't really contribute. I really liked getting Grossmann. I think Carle and Jagr walk, Pronger goes the Lappy route and we sign Suter and possibly one other Dman.

Going forward I've gotta believe they absolutely are. A lot of young talented players there! Giroux could arguably be considered one of, if not the, best players in the game.

Kinda surprised this stayed as uncannibalistic as it did. I know the Veggie man tried taking a bite out of his fellow fans, but I loved the responses.

I cannot think of an offseason where the Flyers hadn't had to do a whole lot. It's just weird talking about adding complementary pieces. Of course, that is subject to Pronger's status. It'd be great if he can come back and remain healthy, but I have serious doubts.

I am proud of the entire season as a whole, even as frustrated as I was Tuesday night, walking out of the Well for the 4th year in a row watching another team end the Flyers' season on home ice.

EDIT: If no one saw this article, it was great:

http://www.broadstreethoc...s-season-review-2011-2012
- Flyskippy

Cut and paste from Bill's last blog. The article on Broad Street Hockey is a good read

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Are Flyers Better Off Than a Year Ago?
- bmeltzer

Great read, one thing I know is no matter what pick they end up with I sit tight, unless it's not a big cost to move up.

One thing I was terribly disappointed in is Kubina. I am not sure if it has come out, but he must have had a torn labrum or something to not even dress. Waste of a pick for a guy that didn't really contribute. I really liked getting Grossmann. I think Carle and Jagr walk, Pronger goes the Lappy route and we sign Suter and possibly one other Dman.
- Hextall271

If they sign Suter, for the projected $7mm, I will be violently pissed. Mainly because by January, he'd be a whipping boy on par with Carle, Bryz and Carter if not worse.

Given the UFA market for defensemen, I think they make a trade.

Great read, one thing I know is no matter what pick they end up with I sit tight, unless it's not a big cost to move up.
- ob18

Agreed, there's enough talent in the draft that you're going to get a comparable guy at 22 or 24 as you will at 10.

Great read, Bill.

The Flyers do have a lot of questions, but given the youth and talent, they remain in an enviable position.

I do share the concerns about being able to beat teams like the Rangers, Bruins and Devils. The worry is, are the coaches doing a poor job of making adjustments or are the players doing a poor job in executing the changes the coaches make.

It's not a can of worms that I want to open, but does Holmgren sit down with Laviolette and tell him to make systemic changes?
- Jsaquella

I do think they need to adapt to either a different system or modify the one they use. As mentioned when they play against a defensive style they flat out struggle.

If they sign Suter, for the projected $7mm, I will be violently pissed. Mainly because by January, he'd be a whipping boy on par with Carle, Bryz and Carter if not worse.

Given the UFA market for defensemen, I think they make a trade.
- Jsaquella

Who do you think they go for? Do they dangle JVR? You can't replace Pronger, but we need help on the back end especially if Carle walks.

I do think they need to adapt to either a different system or modify the one they use. As mentioned when they play against a defensive style they flat out struggle.
- ob18

Teams that forecheck hard and swarm on defense give them fits. There seems to be no inclination on the part of the players or coaches to simplify things, and that has to change.

Bill,
I agree with your assessment and I think you've nailed the flyers most pressing issues going forward.

Agreed, there's enough talent in the draft that you're going to get a comparable guy at 22 or 24 as you will at 10.
- Jsaquella

Yup, I'd move up to draft.Cody Ceci or Brendan Gaunce but yes I'd prefer sitting still

Who do you think they go for? Do they dangle JVR? You can't replace Pronger, but we need help on the back end especially if Carle walks.
- Hextall271

I'd love to see a guy like Erik Johnson. I'm thinking a good young guy, on a second contract, who can grow with the rest of the core of the team.

It might cost JvR or another young forward. But to me that is better than getting locked into another long term, big money deal.

Now, say Timonen retires. Then all bets are off.

Yup, I'd move up to draft.Cody Ceci or Brendan Gaunce but yes I'd prefer sitting still
- ob18

Yeah, in a case by case basis...if Ceci is there at ten and you can jump up without unloading 3 picks, sure.

If they sign Suter, for the projected $7mm, I will be violently pissed. Mainly because by January, he'd be a whipping boy on par with Carle, Bryz and Carter if not worse.

Given the UFA market for defensemen, I think they make a trade.
- Jsaquella

don't be violently pissed...he's better than carle and kimmo at his best. if the cap situation here allows for it, I'd totally be on board with an upgrade like that.

Teams that forecheck hard and swarm on defense give them fits. There seems to be no inclination on the part of the players or coaches to simplify things, and that has to change.
- Jsaquella

Yup, something has to give.

Teams that forecheck hard and swarm on defense give them fits. There seems to be no inclination on the part of the players or coaches to simplify things, and that has to change.
- Jsaquella

Does it matter who they add defensively if they don't change their style some? They have to tweak it to some degree.

Yeah, in a case by case basis...if Ceci is there at ten and you can jump up without unloading 3 picks, sure.
- Jsaquella

2 decent players I saw that I wouldn't mind.

don't be violently pissed...he's better than carle and kimmo at his best. if the cap situation here allows for it, I'd totally be on board with an upgrade like that.
- isaiah520

I don't think that he's better than Timonen when both are at their best. He's comparable to Timonen, but we've never seen Suter thrive without Weber.

Not real eager to bet $7mm that he can be elite

Does it matter who they add defensively if they don't change their style some? They have to tweak it to some degree.
- stveshdy

Yes. They do need to get solid personnel, no matter what the system. They will have to either keep Carle or replace him, no matter what the system is