Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Drop 4-3 Decision to Devils

Thank you, Bill...look forward to the transcript of tomorrow’s presser. Three observations from tonight’s game:

1. Speed kills, and Flyers have none.

2. I know the defense has been abysmal, however, there’s times when you need your goalie to make a stop.

3. In less than a heartbeat, I would swap the entire Devils’ roster for the Flyers’ roster. Such a perfect mix of youth, speed, seasoned leaders (Zajac, Palmieri), and the aforementioned speed. Sure, a few lean years there for NJ, which definitely helped their draft stock...but they also had the luxury of having one of the best ever GMs, Lou Lamoriello, making the right moves.

Playing 5 games in 7 nights sounds like an excuse. It’s a condensed schedule due to the circumstances in the country right now. Every team is playing the same hand.

Two of the games were 9-0, and 6-1. They went through the motions getting embarrassed twice.

People have been making excuses for the better part of a decade for the pathetic product they have put on the ice.

They have a GM who accomplished next to nothing in Minnesota during his 9 year tenure. This franchise it literally going backwards and it’s unacceptable.

Hart, Provorov, Patrick, Sanheim, Myers have all stagnated/regressed to this point.The month of March has been unwatchable.

trash team

Playing 5 games in 7 nights sounds like an excuse. It’s a condensed schedule due to the circumstances in the country right now. Every team is playing the same hand.

Two of the games were 9-0, and 6-1. They went through the motions getting embarrassed twice.

People have been making excuses for the better part of a decade for the pathetic product they have put on the ice.

They have a GM who accomplished next to nothing in Minnesota during his 9 year tenure. This franchise it literally going backwards and it’s unacceptable.

Hart, Provorov, Patrick, Sanheim, Myers have all stagnated/regressed to this point.The month of March has been unwatchable.
- PLindbergh31

GM is dealing with the hand he was dealt by the previous Uber Genius GM.

Farabee has shown tremendous upside this year. Kudos to him improving greatly. JVR/Coururier having strong seasons.

I will never criticize Lindblom. What’s he’s been through at such a young stage of life is something no one should have to endure. Nothing but respect and admiration for him. He’s a true inspiration.

Why does AV not put out the same players on the ice for his power play as he did with two minutes left in the game? Like, last night he could have did the same but didn’t.

The scary part to me going forward is the fact that the Devils and Rags have lots of up and coming young talent. Chucky has his work cut out for him going forward, and I can't say that I'm confident in his abilities based on his track record in Minny and what he has done in Philly so far. The Bruins, Caps and Pens might be getting a little long in the tooth, but look out for those 2 teams in the next few years.

hey about that sixers game

Gus belongs in the ECHL.

Gus belongs in the ECHL.
- Cap437

As a TC

Devils speed is so apparent. Watching them come up the ice vs the Flyers is night and day.

hey about that sixers game
- 2Real

I hope they lost!!

Devils speed is so apparent. Watching them come up the ice vs the Flyers is night and day.
- Angus4444

The Flyers didn't skate well and didn't have their legs last night.

Playing 5 games in 7 nights sounds like an excuse. It’s a condensed schedule due to the circumstances in the country right now. Every team is playing the same hand.

Two of the games were 9-0, and 6-1. They went through the motions getting embarrassed twice.

People have been making excuses for the better part of a decade for the pathetic product they have put on the ice.

They have a GM who accomplished next to nothing in Minnesota during his 9 year tenure. This franchise it literally going backwards and it’s unacceptable.

Hart, Provorov, Patrick, Sanheim, Myers have all stagnated/regressed to this point.The month of March has been unwatchable.
- PLindbergh31

You’ve said nothing wrong here.

Thanks Bill
Look forward to the transcript.

I am not as down on the team as a hole as some of those commenting, but I do think a fair amount of blame is at Fletcher and the coaching staff’s feat.

Fletcher knew they needed a top pair RD since July. He signed Prosser and Gustafson. AV and staff see the team in front of them, and the youth of that team, and continue to ride the vets regardless of performance over youth.

The team, from goal out needs a good mental tidy.

The roster needs a player comparable to Niskanen and to have the forward lines left alone. Then, maybe they will start to progress.

Thanks Bill
Look forward to the transcript.

I am not as down on the team as a hole as some of those commenting, but I do think a fair amount of blame is at Fletcher and the coaching staff’s feat.

Fletcher knew they needed a top pair RD since July. He signed Prosser and Gustafson. AV and staff see the team in front of them, and the youth of that team, and continue to ride the vets regardless of performance over youth.

The team, from goal out needs a good mental tidy.

The roster needs a player comparable to Niskanen and to have the forward lines left alone. Then, maybe they will start to progress.
- wbon22

Re: not playing young players: look at all the PP time that Nolan Patrick is getting despite his lack of production. Have Sanheim (a young vet at this point) and Myers been given ample opportunity to play through periods of struggle? Have they stuck with Carter Hart? Farabee, obviously, has earned his expanded role.

Prosser was here last year, too. I do agree that of the choice was Prosser or Friedman, I'd have stuck with Friedman.

Morning flyers fans. Good day to buy a car. Let the slide continue.

Playing 5 games in 7 nights sounds like an excuse. It’s a condensed schedule due to the circumstances in the country right now. Every team is playing the same hand.

Two of the games were 9-0, and 6-1. They went through the motions getting embarrassed twice.

People have been making excuses for the better part of a decade for the pathetic product they have put on the ice.

They have a GM who accomplished next to nothing in Minnesota during his 9 year tenure. This franchise it literally going backwards and it’s unacceptable.

Hart, Provorov, Patrick, Sanheim, Myers have all stagnated/regressed to this point.The month of March has been unwatchable.
- PLindbergh31

All very good points. This month has been a train wreck. Personally, I think it’s too late for them to make an impact move. Worst case scenario would be for them to trade assets for a rental and still not make the playoffs. I just don’t see them having a 10 game run in them this year.

Having said that, I expect a move here soon. Just hoping it works because teams are going to want our young players/prospects in a trade. If we can limit it to mostly picks, I’m ok with it. It really is on the gm for not filling that top pairing void and things have spiralled out of control because of it. Funny how fletch was brought in to take action and he then failed to do so in the offseason.

All very good points. This month has been a train wreck. Personally, I think it’s too late for them to make an impact move. Worst case scenario would be for them to trade assets for a rental and still not make the playoffs. I just don’t see them having a 10 game run in them this year.

Having said that, I expect a move here soon. Just hoping it works because teams are going to want our young players/prospects in a trade. If we can limit it to mostly picks, I’m ok with it. It really is on the gm for not filling that top pairing void and things have spiralled out of control because of it. Funny how fletch was brought in to take action and he then failed to do so in the offseason.
- Hextall271

My opinion is that the void was not filled because Fletcher could not find a suitable deal. Not saying you but so many insinuate that he just neglected to do so or chose not to. I don't believe that to be the case. I believe that Fletcher has been looking for the right move since he found out that Niskanen was not going to play.

Swap the devils roster for flyers? Let me guess, you said that after buff beat the Flyers 6-1 earlier in the yr?

Flyers have some prospects of their own coming up..

My take is having that many young d all at the same time simply does not work. One of the top 4 needs to at least be 25. We may need to move a young d now for an established top 4 guy anticipating York will fill the spot down the rd.

Swap the devils roster for flyers? Let me guess, you said that after buff beat the Flyers 6-1 earlier in the yr?

Flyers have some prospects of their own coming up..

My take is having that many young d all at the same time simply does not work. One of the top 4 needs to at least be 25. We may need to move a young d now for an established top 4 guy anticipating York will fill the spot down the rd.
- Joe Nardone

The "young" D aint that young.

Swap the devils roster for flyers? Let me guess, you said that after buff beat the Flyers 6-1 earlier in the yr?

Flyers have some prospects of their own coming up..

My take is having that many young d all at the same time simply does not work. One of the top 4 needs to at least be 25. We may need to move a young d now for an established top 4 guy anticipating York will fill the spot down the rd. Also agree w everyone here that having freidman over a few of their current d made more sense. There must be more to the story there, especially considering how they were running him the last couple of games.
- Joe Nardone

Swap the devils roster for flyers? Let me guess, you said that after buff beat the Flyers 6-1 earlier in the yr?

Flyers have some prospects of their own coming up..

My take is having that many young d all at the same time simply does not work. One of the top 4 needs to at least be 25. We may need to move a young d now for an established top 4 guy anticipating York will fill the spot down the rd.
-Joe Nardone

Its not just York, "Juiced" reminded me yesterday about Ronnie Attard who had a strong college season, and may be ready for the Flyers before York even. Also, he is not flashy offensively, but John St. Ivany playing at Boston College is having a solid year. I am looking forward to see how he and York do in the NCAA tournament starting 3/26.

Its not just York, "Juiced" reminded me yesterday about Ronnie Attard who had a strong college season, and may be ready for the Flyers before York even. Also, he is not flashy offensively, but John St. Ivany playing at Boston College is having a solid year. I am looking forward to see how he and York do in the NCAA tournament starting 3/26.
- jd250

John St Ivany will never play in a flyers uniform