Bill Meltzer: Post-Draft Musings

2018 nhl draft. Making the flyers great again

Bill Meltzer: Post-Draft Musings
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill!!!

Bill Meltzer: Post-Draft Musings
- bmeltzer

I thought we had a good draft. I thought the Red Wings had a great draft! If Islanders get Tavares back, I think they can say they had a great overall offseason.

I personally would like to see Tavares jump ship. It's been awhile since we've seen a legitimate superstar have the balls to move on. 2000 offseason was along time ago.

Bill, can you confirm if this is the first draft in Flyers history in which the team did not select a Canadian born player in any round? I believe it is.

Bill, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on the Dougie Hamilton trade. Carolina gave up two young talented players but got the best player back in the deal. Do you think Hexy made an offer for Hamilton, given the Flyers ongoing need for a top end R shooting defenseman?
Thanks in advance.

asdf

Happy about the first round. Ginning kinda took the wind out of my sails, mostly because we didn't have a third rounder. 4-7 seems kinda meh, but not going to complain. I liked Wylie when I watched Hart, but really wasn't paying attention to him as a prospect. Not Hexy's best draft IMO, but if the top two hit it doesn't matter. I love the Friday picks.

Bill, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on the Dougie Hamilton trade. Carolina gave up two young talented players but got the best player back in the deal. Do you think Hexy made an offer for Hamilton, given the Flyers ongoing need for a top end R shooting defenseman?
Thanks in advance.
- Marc D

I think Adam Fox will be pretty good if he actually signs. I think it's a pretty fair trade and I have been going back and forth over which side I prefer. Really comes down to whether Hanifin can develop any further

I thought we had a good draft. I thought the Red Wings had a great draft! If Islanders get Tavares back, I think they can say they had a great overall offseason.

I personally would like to see Tavares jump ship. It's been awhile since we've seen a legitimate superstar have the balls to move on. 2000 offseason was along time ago.
- SuperSchennBros

I think there have been a few since then. In 2008, Briere and Drury were 2 of the leading scorers in the NHL. Hossa left Pittsburgh for Detroit, then left Detroit for Chicago. Suter was also an elite premier defenseman when he left Nashville in 2012. But yeah, when you're talking about a perennial all-star top-end talent, it's rare the team lets him get to UFA.

I think Adam Fox will be pretty good if he actually signs. I think it's a pretty fair trade and I have been going back and forth over which side I prefer. Really comes down to whether Hanafin can develop any further
- YuenglingJagr

Yep. Right now, Carolina got the better return; but if Hanifin hits his projected ceiling, it's a long-term win for Calgary.

I think there have been a few since then. In 2008, Briere and Drury were 2 of the leading scorers in the NHL. Hossa left Pittsburgh for Detroit, then left Detroit for Chicago. Suter was also an elite premier defenseman when he left Nashville in 2012. But yeah, when you're talking about a perennial all-star top-end talent, it's rare the team lets him get to UFA.
- jmatchett383

Maybe you can throw Parise in there as well. As those two will forever be linked.

Biggest thing I noticed about O'Brien was his motor, always had to be doing something and always moving. Even against top Canadian prospects he seemed to stand out, loved seeing him blow past Quinn Hughes. A couple years at Providence playing against much older guys could really show what he has.

Biggest thing I noticed about O'Brien was his motor, always had to be doing something and always moving. Even against top Canadian prospects he seemed to stand out, loved seeing him blow past Quinn Hughes. A couple years at Providence playing against much older guys could really show what he has.
-GLACK18

I like while he isn't huge he is a solid 185. I'll be interested in watching him play at Providence against older guys.

I think this draft all around was meh. Seemed like no one wanted to make any moves this year.

Biggest thing I noticed about O'Brien was his motor, always had to be doing something and always moving. Even against top Canadian prospects he seemed to stand out, loved seeing him blow past Quinn Hughes. A couple years at Providence playing against much older guys could really show what he has.
-GLACK18

I like while he isn't huge he is a solid 185. I'll be interested in watching him play at Providence against older guys.

I think this draft all around was meh. Seemed like no one wanted to make any moves this year.
- J35Bacher

O'Brien will hopefully grow a bit more, maybe 6'1-6'2, but between him and Patrick both are pretty thick boys with heavy compete. Pretty good 1-2 punch down the road. I expect them both to shine during the St. Patty Day games.

Would like to see Ronald take guys with a high risk high reward with his later round picks.

Bill, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on the Dougie Hamilton trade. Carolina gave up two young talented players but got the best player back in the deal. Do you think Hexy made an offer for Hamilton, given the Flyers ongoing need for a top end R shooting defenseman?
Thanks in advance.
- Marc D

For Hamilton to now be on his 3rd organization makes me wonder why both Boston and Calgary did not view him as untouchable. Don't get me wrong: I'd like him on the Flyers in terms of his game.

What Flyers need above all is another high-end two-way defenseman. They already get enough points from the D between Ghost, Provorov and what Sanheim is likely to get as his role increases. But they do need another puck mover who is also solid defensively.

Would like to see Ronald take guys with a high risk high reward with his later round picks.
- rinaldo

In late rounds, the only real risk is you take someone who never plays pro over someone who does. Finding a future star late is mostly a stroke of luck.

For Hamilton to now be on his 3rd organization makes me wonder why both Boston and Calgary did not view him as untouchable. Don't get me wrong: I'd like him on the Flyers in terms of his game.

What Flyers need above all is another high-end two-way defenseman. They already get enough points from the D between Ghost, Provorov and what Sanheim is likely to get as his role increases. But they do need another puck mover who is also solid defensively.
- bmeltzer

What do you think of Carlo if that meant taking on Krejci and his contract?

What Flyers need above all is another high-end two-way defenseman. They already get enough points from the D between Ghost, Provorov and what Sanheim is likely to get as his role increases. But they do need another puck mover who is also solid defensively.

Bill, would Myers fit that bill?

Thanks for taking the time to give us Flyerheads something to read Bill. It's nice having that extra 1st round pick to pick those players who you might consider a reach and wouldn't pick if they were your only 1st rounder. Looks like right now Farabee has a good shot as being an impact player for us for years but O'Brien might have the higher upside? Really love how it seems all the top end players we have been taking under Hextall are all responsible in all 3 zones. A lot of people considered Farabee to be the best all around forward in the draft because of his 200 foot game.

Bill if you could have a conversation with Hextall about the start of free agency, who would you suggest the Flyers target?

Bill, great work as always and for that, thank you. I saw various reports that Hextall did not request Wayne Simmonds' no trade list. Is there now a greater likelihood that Simmonds will be extended this summer? If so, will that cut back on the pursuit of a legitimate 3C?

In late rounds, the only real risk is you take someone who never plays pro over someone who does. Finding a future star late is mostly a stroke of luck.
- bmeltzer

I get that part, still doesnt change my opinion.

Bill any college free agents you see the flyers being in on?

For Hamilton to now be on his 3rd organization makes me wonder why both Boston and Calgary did not view him as untouchable. Don't get me wrong: I'd like him on the Flyers in terms of his game.

What Flyers need above all is another high-end two-way defenseman. They already get enough points from the D between Ghost, Provorov and what Sanheim is likely to get as his role increases. But they do need another puck mover who is also solid defensively.
- bmeltzer

I wondered about Hamilton with all his skill being moved twice already as well.
Hate to speculate but it does make you wonder about personality or off ice issues.

You point about needing another high end defenseman is accurate.

At the end of the game with them being up one goal, or on a crucial penalty kill, Provorov (right now) is the only guy they have that I feel confident in playing D.

I love Ghost, but him on the ice with a one goal lead late in the game makes me nervous.

Sanheim and Hagg too. They aren’t there yet where I want to see them in ice protecting a one goal lead. Amac had a nice season last year but they need another all situation D player badly.

I think Adam Fox will be pretty good if he actually signs. I think it's a pretty fair trade and I have been going back and forth over which side I prefer. Really comes down to whether Hanifin can develop any further
- YuenglingJagr

I don’t know much about Fox, so hard for me to weigh the true value of the trade.

I’m a big fan of both the Carolina guys they traded. Hanafin will be a very good top pair guy, he’s still a baby in regards to D men.