Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Road Trip, Morin, Sanheim, and More

Looking at the situation realistically, there really is no spot for Morin right now.

I'd send him down and pair him with Myers.

Definitely a "rock and a hard place" situation regarding Morin. Sucks for him but it will eventually work out in the long term. Meanwhile, it's one of those good problems to have so I'll not complain about the defense pairings.

The only caveat for me how can he prove "he can play a simple style in regular season" if he stays in the press box. I only know of one way of gaining experience playing at NHL speed. Just odd the organization builds this pipeline of prospects and since they have developed at different rates, there is a hesitation that they can't go too young.

Blues and Islanders on at 1pm. Guess I should check that out since I'm busy avoiding all things that smack of "responsible adulthood" today.

Also, Leafs and Blackhawks tonight should be fun.


I'm not going to get too wrapped up in who should sit and who should play for the Flyers, its way too early for me to get all riled up. I'll wait til their playoff position looks precarious and then.. maybe.

Given the contracts on defense that continue after this year, how do you see the Flyers getting out of this situation? The only contract that potentially is off the books after this year is Manning. This situation that the defensemen are in, is one that could perpetuate. How does Hextall force the hand, or does he? Does Morin really have to prove over another year of play that he is at least better than AMAC?

I hope not.

Definitely a "rock and a hard place" situation regarding Morin. Sucks for him but it will eventually work out in the long term. Meanwhile, it's one of those good problems to have so I'll not complain about the defense pairings.
- Scoob

Tough part is Morin did everything in my eyes to earn a spot during pre season. Which is probably why he was rewarded by joining the team on the road trip out west.

But if he's not getting his shot he should be on his way back to LV on Wednesday.

They've hinted at the Provorov-Hagg pairing and the Morin-Ghost pairing. I really do like Ghost on the left side though.

Looking at the situation realistically, there really is no spot for Morin right now.

I'd send him down and pair him with Myers.
- BiggE

Exactly. If he's not playing in the NHL, he should be playing in the NHL. Sitting in the press box for 3 straight games does nothing for his on-ice progression.

Does Morin really have to prove over another year of play that he is at least better than AMAC?

I hope not.
- The_Journeyman

Based on what I'm reading from Bill, Morin needs to be able to play some right D which puts him on his backhand going up the boards. It's an adjustment. That might be something he'd have to work on in LHV.

Given the contracts on defense that continue after this year, how do you see the Flyers getting out of this situation? The only contract that potentially is off the books after this year is Manning. This situation that the defensemen are in, is one that could perpetuate. How does Hextall force the hand, or does he? Does Morin really have to prove over another year of play that he is at least better than AMAC?

I hope not.
- The_Journeyman

Morin won't be waiver exempt next year so they won't have this luxury of sending him down to the AHL wihout the significant risk of losing him. I would hope that would be enough to force their hand to find a spot for him.
I also hope he gets his shot before then and think he will.

AMAC and Gudas only have 2 years on their deals after this season, so if a trade is warranted..it can happen.

Exactly. If he's not playing in the NHL, he should be playing in the NHL. Sitting in the press box for 3 straight games does nothing for his on-ice progression.
- jmatchett383

thought provoking

Given the contracts on defense that continue after this year, how do you see the Flyers getting out of this situation? The only contract that potentially is off the books after this year is Manning. This situation that the defensemen are in, is one that could perpetuate. How does Hextall force the hand, or does he? Does Morin really have to prove over another year of play that he is at least better than AMAC?

I hope not.
- The_Journeyman

This is the problem I have. If the organization views AMac and Gudas as permanent fixtures, how does Morin, let alone Morin and Myers, get into the lineup in the next 2-3 years?

thought provoking
- YuenglingJagr

I have my moments.

To Journeyman

I wouldn't get to stressed about the logjam of young D. What will likely happen is Hagg is going to replace Amac on that top pairing and show over time he'll be a more reliable option. Once Amac starts sliding down the lineup the decision to buy him out/bury him in the A will become much easier. If we're talking about next year its going to be difficult to keep Amac in that top 7 conversation

This is the problem I have. If the organization views AMac and Gudas as permanent fixtures, how does Morin, let alone Morin and Myers, get into the lineup in the next 2-3 years?
- jmatchett383

They'll be given a fair chance to outplay the permanent fixtures next training camp...

Looking at the situation realistically, there really is no spot for Morin right now.

I'd send him down and pair him with Myers.
- BiggE

To me it's up to the GM to fix the issue. I know he loves to state that the AHL has never hurt a player, but killing a kids confidence is stupid. A kid by the way that the Flyers invested a first round pick in. For What ? A mistake of a signing ?

That's why GMs are paid the big bucks.

They'll be given a fair chance to outplay the permanent fixtures next training camp...
- YuenglingJagr

Heard that all last year about this year.....it's BS. In the end Bills right. It's one guys call. Notice it's 'not' the coach saying that.

To me it's up to the GM to fix the issue. I know he loves to state that the AHL has never hurt a player, but killing a kids confidence is stupid. A kid by the way that the Flyers invested a first round pick in. For What ? A mistake of a signing ?

That's why GMs are paid the big bucks.
- landros 2

True, but it's not going to get fixed this week.

Billl where are you going to subject yourself to the knee jerk reaction crowd? I know philly.com can be pretty bad.

I think nearly all here are all aboard the rookie dmen train and to let them make mistakes.

To Journeyman

I wouldn't get to stressed about the logjam of young D. What will likely happen is Hagg is going to replace Amac on that top pairing and show over time he'll be a more reliable option. Once Amac starts sliding down the lineup the decision to buy him out/bury him in the A will become much easier. If we're talking about next year its going to be difficult to keep Amac in that top 7 conversation
- Just5

I agree that this is a likely, optimistic, potentiality. I'm not convinced at this point, based on precedence, that AMAC would necessarily leave the lineup because he was not on the top pairing, in a situation like you proposed.

To Journeyman

I wouldn't get to stressed about the logjam of young D. What will likely happen is Hagg is going to replace Amac on that top pairing and show over time he'll be a more reliable option. Once Amac starts sliding down the lineup the decision to buy him out/bury him in the A will become much easier. If we're talking about next year its going to be difficult to keep Amac in that top 7 conversation
- Just5

On merits Macdonald and Manning shouldn't be playing ahead any of the 3 rookies ...but apparently the logjam is preventing the best options from playing ....got it.

Goooooooooooood afternooooooon everybooooooooooooddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

1 and o in fantasy baaaaaaaaaaabyyyyyyyy!!!

True, but it's not going to get fixed this week.
- BiggE

No...unless an injury fixes the problem for Hextall. In the end they have had a great start, so for now I hope they continue to play well....in hockey the cream always rises to the top. When that doesn't happen teams make mistakes and give up on players via trades, waivers etc..then the guys in charge get fired when those guys go elsewhere and blossom.

Billl where are you going to subject yourself to the knee jerk reaction crowd? I know philly.com can be pretty bad.

I think nearly all here are all aboard the rookie dmen train and to let them make mistakes.
- StepfordSam

I think the knee-jerk reaction is flipping out when they're not in the lineup.