Thank you ❤️
- arichardson22

This is the emotional barometer you must meet or exceed.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Homestand, Prospects, Timonen, Ride With Brad Marsh
- bmeltzer

Love Timonen always tough to choose between him and Desjardins. Of course it’s Howe and everyone else but I’m wondering where you guys think Provorov will fair when it’s all said and done.

I think I am 0-2 or even 0-3 when attending Coyotes games. Hopefully this changes tmrw!
- arichardson22

0-1-1 when seeing them face Columbus. Of course this was when they were average to bad.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Homestand, Prospects, Timonen, Ride With Brad Marsh

If you enjoy these long-read features, let me know. I enjoy writing in that format and supplementing the research with the players' own perspectives.
- bmeltzer

Yes, please!


Also, is your podcast up on iTunes yet? Been dying to give that some run in the car.

Love Timonen always tough to choose between him and Desjardins. Of course it’s Howe and everyone else but I’m wondering where you guys think Provorov will fair when it’s all said and done.
- SuperSchennBros

While I love Provorov, I don't know if he'll ever be a perennial Norris candidate like Howe was. I think he could become a player like Desjardins, which would be fine with me.

Love Timonen always tough to choose between him and Desjardins. Of course it’s Howe and everyone else but I’m wondering where you guys think Provorov will fair when it’s all said and done.
- SuperSchennBros

To me, anytime either Timonen or Desjardins were out of the lineup, I felt the Flyers were often more screwed than they were when they would lose their best forward. I can't pick between them, either.

Agree on Howe and I think Provorov has the ability to eclipse Howe. It's a different NHL, so while Provorov's numbers may not look like Howe's (Howe's plus-minus in the 80s is absurd), I think Provorov's impact could be the same.

While I love Provorov, I don't know if he'll ever be a perennial Norris candidate like Howe was. I think he could become a player like Desjardins, which would be fine with me.
- jmatchett383

I think Provy will get a few nods for the Norris. Hell Ghost almost got one last year. If Provy has another season or two like last one he will be on the voters minds when they think about that award. Most outside of Philly don't know he tied for the league lead in goals by a defenseman last season.

While I love Provorov, I don't know if he'll ever be a perennial Norris candidate like Howe was. I think he could become a player like Desjardins, which would be fine with me.
- jmatchett383

I fully expect Provorov to win a Norris one day. This past October isn’t telling the real tale. This last two seasons Provorov has been the real deal.

Bill any prospects in the flyers system the may have been an afterthought that now the flyers feel may be a an nhl player?

While I love Provorov, I don't know if he'll ever be a perennial Norris candidate like Howe was. I think he could become a player like Desjardins, which would be fine with me.
- jmatchett383

I don't think Provorov will have some of Howe's numbers, but I think he can have an impact as great as Howe did. I believe that mostly because Provorov seems to really want to be great.

Provorov is only 21, so there's a lot of "coulds" and "maybes" when you talk about his potential.

But I also agree that if he has a career like Desjardins, that wouldn't be bad, either.

To me, anytime either Timonen or Desjardins were out of the lineup, I felt the Flyers were often more screwed than they were when they would lose their best forward. I can't pick between them, either.

Agree on Howe and I think Provorov has the ability to eclipse Howe. It's a different NHL, so while Provorov's numbers may not look like Howe's (Howe's plus-minus in the 80s is absurd), I think Provorov's impact could be the same.
- johndewar

Howe is in the Hall of Fame.

Bill any prospects in the flyers system the may have been an afterthought that now the flyers feel may be a an nhl player?
- rinaldo

Not Bill, but David Kase and Linus Hogberg are later round picks that I'm personally excited about.

I fully expect Provorov to win a Norris one day. This past October isn’t telling the real tail. This last two seasons Provorov has been the real deal.
- SuperSchennBros

As much as I love Provy, I don't see him winning a Norris unless he starts getting PP1 time

This is the emotional barometer you must meet or exceed.


- jmatchett383

The bar has been set high! I will try my best. If I have part of my tongue sticking out in that same pose I think I’ll have a slight advantage.

youarewrong - I saw his brow furrow once - he's volcanic!!!1
- Scoob

What?

Not Bill, but David Kase and Linus Hogberg are later round picks that I'm personally excited about.
- ajw12

kase i dont think falls into the afterthought category though as think the flyers liked him.

I like him as well and is a sleeper player imo.

no opinion on the other as only know what is out there. about him.

I fully expect Provorov to win a Norris one day. This past October isn’t telling the real tale. This last two seasons Provorov has been the real deal.
- SuperSchennBros

He's the real deal, yes, a true #1. But unless he gets top PP time, which doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, he won't get on the voters' minds enough to be in the discussion. Hell, he led the (frank)ing league in goals by a dman last year, was the backbone of the defense, played the most minutes against the toughest competition, and didn't even get as many votes for the Norris as one of his teammates did.

An adjustment Id like them to make is putting Jake back on the point of PP1. Konecny does not look comfortable filling his role.

The adjustment required was made when they switched Simmonds with Patrick. They should do the same with Coots and JVR onces he is back.

Patrick JVR
Giroux
Ghost Voracek

Simmonds Couturier
Konecny
Provorov Saneheim

Bill,

The series on player’s “road to the NHL” is great. The style you are using to write makes the history and personality stand out. They’re great!

...About Flyers radio 24/7......the schedule on the Flyers website hasn’t been updated since April. I do listen to it while I’m driving sometimes, and I would like to know when a certain program is aired. Right now, it is “surprise” all the time. I know you know people.

First post from long time viewer:

On our dismal PK: If they aren't going to remove Lappy, some demands need to come from above on the PK personnel. The game has changed, and we are still throwing out bottom of the lineup guys to continuously fail.

F options: Giroux/Couturier - Patrick/Lindblom - Laughton/Simmonds

D options: Ghost/Hagg Provy/Sanheim/Gudas

Even with a bad system, with smarter players out there, they have got to be better, and possibly even score a SHG, like we used to!

Howe is in the Hall of Fame.
- MJL

Yep, I know, thanks!

First post from long time viewer:

On our dismal PK: If they aren't going to remove Lappy, some demands need to come from above on the PK personnel. The game has changed, and we are still throwing out bottom of the lineup guys to continuously fail.

F options: Giroux/Couturier - Patrick/Lindblom - Laughton/Simmonds

D options: Ghost/Hagg Provy/Sanheim/Gudas

Even with a bad system, with smarter players out there, they have got to be better, and possibly even score a SHG, like we used to!
- jayrich35

I agree with your forward options. I would add that Raffl and Knight (both injured) are a good option too.

On the d-men, with the group we have right now, I wouldn’t shuffle the pairings on the PK. I would use the 5 on 5 pairings. They are more balanced, and they seem to be improving and building chemistry.

First post from long time viewer:

On our dismal PK: If they aren't going to remove Lappy, some demands need to come from above on the PK personnel. The game has changed, and we are still throwing out bottom of the lineup guys to continuously fail.

F options: Giroux/Couturier - Patrick/Lindblom - Laughton/Simmonds

D options: Ghost/Hagg Provy/Sanheim/Gudas

Even with a bad system, with smarter players out there, they have got to be better, and possibly even score a SHG, like we used to!
- jayrich35

Welcome to the party.

Bill any prospects in the flyers system the may have been an afterthought that now the flyers feel may be a an nhl player?
- rinaldo

Kalynuk, at least in terms of a guy few ever mention but is starting to look like he could be an NHL guy.

Yep, I know, thanks!
- johndewar

I think comparisons of Provorov winding up equal to all time greats is a little premature. You didn't even use the term equal, you said he could eclipse Howe.