Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Gustafsson, Willcox

Great read as usual Bill. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in training camp and preseason. Wouldn't be surprised to see Kimmo start on IR, as many has suggested, so he is fresh/healthy at the end of the season.

I saw some discussion on the whereabouts of Marcel Noebels.....is he at the prospect camp??

Great read as usual Bill. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in training camp and preseason. Wouldn't be surprised to see Kimmo start on IR, as many has suggested, so he is fresh/healthy at the end of the season.

I saw some discussion on the whereabouts of Marcel Noebels.....is he at the prospect camp??
- jeffherrm

Noebels is not at the camp.

Who is going to run the power play and provide the offensive push from the back end?

Who is going to run the power play and provide the offensive push from the back end?
- spatso

Timonen, Meszaros, and Coburn. And Forwards can also play the point on the PP. And Schenn can also contribute a modest point total.

Timonen, Meszaros, and Coburn. And Forwards can also play the point on the PP. And Schenn can also contribute a modest point total.
- MJL

Is that a concern?

Is that a concern?
- spatso

Not right now it isn't.

Is that a concern?
- spatso

Bigger concerns is injury to one of the top 5. Not a ton of depth, and nobody that can really replace Timonen if he's out for an extended period.

I like the D as is. I think MAB is going to be real good and I would be hesitant to deal him in a much talked about potenial trade for Ryan or Nash. I see some of Letang in Bourdon, not as good offensively but better in the his own end. I like Gus also. I think he is developing into a Timonen type player which will be a real asset to have once Kimmo is gone in a few years. Also, who better to learn from than the man himself? I haven't heard much buzz about Luke Schenn but I believe this will be a steal. The Flyers have had a great track record recently of bringing in defensemen from teams that soured on them (Carle in TB, Coburn in ATL and Meszaros in TB) and turning their careers around. Schenn is going to be a real stud for the O&B. One last thing, I know we have not heard anything on the status of Pronger. I realize it does not look good for him to return but what if he starts to feel better in say January or February and begins to work out to get back in playing shape with an eye towards returning for the playoffs? No cap hit in the playoffs and adding someone like that at the most important and meaningful time of the year........Just some food for thought.

I like the D as is. I think MAB is going to be real good and I would be hesitant to deal him in a much talked about potenial trade for Ryan or Nash. I see some of Letang in Bourdon, not as good offensively but better in the his own end. I like Gus also. I think he is developing into a Timonen type player which will be a real asset to have once Kimmo is gone in a few years. Also, who better to learn from than the man himself? I haven't heard much buzz about Luke Schenn but I believe this will be a steal. The Flyers have had a great track record recently of bringing in defensemen from teams that soured on them (Carle in TB, Coburn in ATL and Meszaros in TB) and turning their careers around. Schenn is going to be a real stud for the O&B. One last thing, I know we have not heard anything on the status of Pronger. I realize it does not look good for him to return but what if he starts to feel better in say January or February and begins to work out to get back in playing shape with an eye towards returning for the playoffs? No cap hit in the playoffs and adding someone like that at the most important and meaningful time of the year........Just some food for thought.
- C-Vac

I truly believe it would take a miracle for Pronger to ever play again.

I like the D as is. I think MAB is going to be real good and I would be hesitant to deal him in a much talked about potenial trade for Ryan or Nash. I see some of Letang in Bourdon, not as good offensively but better in the his own end. I like Gus also. I think he is developing into a Timonen type player which will be a real asset to have once Kimmo is gone in a few years. Also, who better to learn from than the man himself? I haven't heard much buzz about Luke Schenn but I believe this will be a steal. The Flyers have had a great track record recently of bringing in defensemen from teams that soured on them (Carle in TB, Coburn in ATL and Meszaros in TB) and turning their careers around. Schenn is going to be a real stud for the O&B. One last thing, I know we have not heard anything on the status of Pronger. I realize it does not look good for him to return but what if he starts to feel better in say January or February and begins to work out to get back in playing shape with an eye towards returning for the playoffs? No cap hit in the playoffs and adding someone like that at the most important and meaningful time of the year........Just some food for thought.
- C-Vac

The Flyers have more than enough cap room to keep Pronger active, so long as there are no other moves forthcoming. In fact, unless they do make moves, Pronger won't even be put on LTIR.

Bigger concerns is injury to one of the top 5. Not a ton of depth, and nobody that can really replace Timonen if he's out for an extended period.
- Jsaquella

That was really what my question was based on. Have to believe the Flyers will do a deal for a puck moving Dman before the season starts. With all the great young talent up front they can still get stymied if they do not have the D that can handle the transition and move the puck up ice quickly on the breakout.

Don't understand the motivation to deal for Ryan or Nash when the same assets could be used to get a #1D.

I like the D as is. I think MAB is going to be real good and I would be hesitant to deal him in a much talked about potenial trade for Ryan or Nash. I see some of Letang in Bourdon, not as good offensively but better in the his own end. I like Gus also. I think he is developing into a Timonen type player which will be a real asset to have once Kimmo is gone in a few years. Also, who better to learn from than the man himself? I haven't heard much buzz about Luke Schenn but I believe this will be a steal. The Flyers have had a great track record recently of bringing in defensemen from teams that soured on them (Carle in TB, Coburn in ATL and Meszaros in TB) and turning their careers around. Schenn is going to be a real stud for the O&B. One last thing, I know we have not heard anything on the status of Pronger. I realize it does not look good for him to return but what if he starts to feel better in say January or February and begins to work out to get back in playing shape with an eye towards returning for the playoffs? No cap hit in the playoffs and adding someone like that at the most important and meaningful time of the year........Just some food for thought.
- C-Vac

I see no Letang in Bourdon. None whatsoever.. I wish, but Letang is flirting with (if not already) bonefide #1 d-man status. Bourdon is what he is.. a depth d-man who can give you 12-15 minutes a night from the back end, and adds a bit of a physical presence in a chippy way back there.

Even if Pronger felt better in November I would be surprised if he came back.

I see no Letang in Bourdon. None whatsoever.. I wish, but Letang is flirting with (if not already) bonefide #1 d-man status. Bourdon is what he is.. a depth d-man who can give you 12-15 minutes a night from the back end, and adds a bit of a physical presence in a chippy way back there.

Even if Pronger felt better in November I would be surprised if he came back.
- jak521

I wouldn't compare MAB to Letand either. I think he is a #1 D - not a shut down guy per se but an all around D. Much like Carle I guess but better.

I do like MAB and our defense as is. I think the Mez and Coby can step up, and hoping they do so as they have done in the past. We always worry about teams on paper but our team is as deep as any (maybe not Rangers) and we can't always worry about true #1 winger and #6 D-man and moving the puck, etc. These things sort themselves out.

That was really what my question was based on. Have to believe the Flyers will do a deal for a puck moving Dman before the season starts. With all the great young talent up front they can still get stymied if they do not have the D that can handle the transition and move the puck up ice quickly on the breakout.

Don't understand the motivation to deal for Ryan or Nash when the same assets could be used to get a #1D.
- spatso

I still think they will start with what they have on defense. It's not a bad top 5. Timonen, Meszaros and Coburn can move the puck, and Gervais is a capable 6th guy. Carle was good in this area, and will be missed, but they should also be more physical which was an issue last year.

Timonen, Meszaros, and Coburn. And Forwards can also play the point on the PP. And Schenn can also contribute a modest point total.
- MJL

It is less than ideal but it will have to work.

I would like to see Mez take the lead here and maybe Coby. Odds are that the Flyers will continue to use that play where they speed up the ice, drop the puck to G or Briere, and they penetrate.

As I mentioned yesterday, I would be excited just to see a 0-0 game through the first 10 minutes. We may have been the worst starting team in league history

I see no Letang in Bourdon. None whatsoever.. I wish, but Letang is flirting with (if not already) bonefide #1 d-man status. Bourdon is what he is.. a depth d-man who can give you 12-15 minutes a night from the back end, and adds a bit of a physical presence in a chippy way back there.

Even if Pronger felt better in November I would be surprised if he came back.
- jak521

Bingo. MAB shouldn't even be mentioned with Letang.

Can we declare amnesty on trade discussions so that Ryan, Nash, and Weber will not be discussed today?

Can we declare amnesty on trade discussions so that Ryan, Nash, and Weber will not be discussed today?
- Daman

Good luck with that.

It is less than ideal but it will have to work.

I would like to see Mez take the lead here and maybe Coby. Odds are that the Flyers will continue to use that play where they speed up the ice, drop the puck to G or Briere, and they penetrate.

As I mentioned yesterday, I would be excited just to see a 0-0 game through the first 10 minutes. We may have been the worst starting team in league history
- Daman

One would have to assume that the trade for L. Schenn was made with the idea that Matt Carle was going to be re-signed. With Carle gone, the defense core (on paper) isn't even as good as last year. Granted hockey isn't played on paper. The defense can be better than it was last year if everyone stays healthy. What are the odds of that? Basically zero. So as others have noted a long term injury to Timonen, Meszaros, or Coburn and there will be significant struggles.

I still think they will start with what they have on defense. It's not a bad top 5. Timonen, Meszaros and Coburn can move the puck, and Gervais is a capable 6th guy. Carle was good in this area, and will be missed, but they should also be more physical which was an issue last year.
- Jsaquella

I thought the Flyers were going to smoke the Devils in the playoffs. I believe the Flyer forwards were far more dangerous and threatening for the entire series. But, they just made too many mistakes on the back end, especially in terms of getting the puck up ice quickly when they had the opportunity.

I am a great fan of Holmgren and his ability to do the right deal at the right time. I am betting he does the right deal for the right kind of guy (like the deal Florida did last year for a Brian Campbell like player).

One would have to assume that the trade for L. Schenn was made with the idea that Matt Carle was going to be re-signed. With Carle gone, the defense core (on paper) isn't even as good as last year. Granted hockey isn't played on paper. The defense can be better than it was last year if everyone stays healthy. What are the odds of that? Basically zero. So as others have noted a long term injury to Timonen, Meszaros, or Coburn and there will be significant struggles.
- PLindbergh31

I actually disagree a little. Saying things differently, I think the odds of less injuries this year is better. We lost Pronger, Timmo was hurt (still is), Mez, Grossmann, MAB. If memory serves, it was just Carle and Coby that were a constant.

I thought the Flyers were going to smoke the Devils in the playoffs. I believe the Flyer forwards were far more dangerous and threatening for the entire series. But, they just made too many mistakes on the back end, especially in terms of getting the puck up ice quickly when they had the opportunity.

I am a great fan of Holmgren and his ability to do the right deal at the right time. I am betting he does the right deal for the right kind of guy (like the deal Florida did last year for a Brian Campbell like player).
- spatso

Me too. I'm hoping this year we can be more like the Bruins. Some goaltending, a rough overall team, some speed, some depth - very difficult to play against.

In the physical department, we have Simmonds, Harts, Sestito, Rinaldo, and L Schenn. Maybe Grossmann.

Some good skill as well - G, Chek, etc.

I just want to see this team make every team it faces have a difficult time.

Bouwmeester is still available.

I thought the Flyers were going to smoke the Devils in the playoffs. I believe the Flyer forwards were far more dangerous and threatening for the entire series. But, they just made too many mistakes on the back end, especially in terms of getting the puck up ice quickly when they had the opportunity.

I am a great fan of Holmgren and his ability to do the right deal at the right time. I am betting he does the right deal for the right kind of guy (like the deal Florida did last year for a Brian Campbell like player).
- spatso

That was an issue, but the sins of the forwards also hurt the Flyers. They simply didn't match the Devils intensity for most of the series.