Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Memorial Cup, TIFH

I never looked at Drysdale's description in Elite prospects and I thought it was interesting:

He's a brilliant skater, capable of quarterbacking a power play with ease and generating results both ways through the neutral zone. More of a playmaker than a shooter, Drysdale is adaptable first and foremost. He's going to make the best decision regardless, no matter the situation. He's the only defenceman in this year's draft with clear No. 1 defenceman upside.

Unfortunately after 81 games his rookie season he has only played 42 games in the past 3 seasons. First and foremost, the kid needs to seriously bulk up this summer, similar to what Sanheim did last summer, so he can stay on the ice. Secondly JD needs to be given top pairing minutes, and be the consistent QB on the PP this season. Finally, we have to remember for an NHL defenseman, they really need to play 200+ games before we can see what they are. This season is pivotal IMO for Drysdale and the Flyers.

I never looked at Drysdale's description in Elite prospects and I thought it was interesting:

Unfortunately after 81 games his rookie season he has only played 42 games in the past 3 seasons. First and foremost, the kid needs to seriously bulk up this summer, similar to what Sanheim did last summer, so he can stay on the ice. Secondly JD needs to be given top pairing minutes, and be the consistent QB on the PP this season. Finally, we have to remember for an NHL defenseman, they really need to play 200+ games before we can see what they are. This season is pivotal IMO for Drysdale and the Flyers.
- jd250

Kid had tremendous potential coming out of the draft.

If Drysdale had even an ounce of Sanheim's durability he might still turn into something.

Kid had tremendous potential coming out of the draft.

If Drysdale had even an ounce of Sanheim's durability he might still turn into something.
- Tomahawk

Flyers training staff will get him straightened out

Curious how high D*ckinson goes in the draft. London prospects usually have high floors turning pro, ceilings have been more variable.

So far so good with Bonk’s play. Showing up in big games and remaining consistent. If this guy keeps progressing and the Flyers don’t rush him, perhaps he will be a mainstay on the top 4 for years to come. As of this moment the picks of Michkov and Bonk are looking good. Let’s hope for similar success in this years draft

So far so good with Bonk’s play. Showing up in big games and remaining consistent. If this guy keeps progressing and the Flyers don’t rush him, perhaps he will be a mainstay on the top 4 for years to come. As of this moment the picks of Michkov and Bonk are looking good. Let’s hope for similar success in this years draft
- mikeyo27

I like Barkey a lot. He'll play wing in the pros, but hls skating and playmaking ability will give a shot to be top 6. I don't get into he needs to bulk up to play. Almost every prospect has the same path.

So far so good with Bonk’s play. Showing up in big games and remaining consistent. If this guy keeps progressing and the Flyers don’t rush him, perhaps he will be a mainstay on the top 4 for years to come. As of this moment the picks of Michkov and Bonk are looking good. Let’s hope for similar success in this years draft
- mikeyo27

I watched a bit of that game last night and I do like him. Looking like he might be a player. If we can hit on the picks this year, we're moving in the right direction.

That Provorov trade is going to work out nicely for the Flyers. Sure they had to eat a bit for all this, but that's how you build.

-Oliver Bonk
-Carson Bjarnason
-2024 or 2025 2nd round pick (Blue Jackets option) from Blue Jackets
-Sean Walker to Colorado in return for 2025 1st round draft pick & 2026 5th round draft pick

Watching Dallas-Edmonton game last night made me pissed again that we took NoPa over Hieskenen. That guy is just an absolute stud. Him and Makar are the only 2 that I've seen that can neutralize McDavid one on one with any regularity. And the Flyers passed on both of them.

NO! Not looking to start this debate again. Just passing on thoughts from watching the game.

Watching Dallas-Edmonton game last night made me pissed again that we took NoPa over Hieskenen. That guy is just an absolute stud. Him and Makar are the only 2 that I've seen that can neutralize McDavid one on one with any regularity. And the Flyers passed on both of them.

NO! Not looking to start this debate again. Just passing on thoughts from watching the game.
- Letterkenney

1990 we took Ricci at #4 right before the Penguins took Jagr, that's worse. We had two cracks at Chris Chelios in 1981 before Montreal took him, not a good look. My glass is half full.

As someone who attended hundreds of games as the Spectrum including nearly every regular season and playoff game between 1981-1993, I can safely say that JJ’s goal vs Edmonton in the 87 final was the loudest moment in Spectrum history.

It was easily the rival of any metal show that I saw at the old barn!

Watching Dallas-Edmonton game last night made me pissed again that we took NoPa over Hieskenen. That guy is just an absolute stud. Him and Makar are the only 2 that I've seen that can neutralize McDavid one on one with any regularity. And the Flyers passed on both of them.

NO! Not looking to start this debate again. Just passing on thoughts from watching the game.
- Letterkenney

Well, in hindsight you're absolutely correct. That one stings a lot and reminds me of the fact that we have to somehow do better and finding these types of stud picks..

1990 we took Ricci at #4 right before the Penguins took Jagr, that's worse. We had two cracks at Chris Chelios in 1981 before Montreal took him, not a good look. My glass is half full.
- Dave21Brown

1982, Ron Sutter over Scott Stevens

Hindsight is always 20/20

That Provorov trade is going to work out nicely for the Flyers. Sure they had to eat a bit for all this, but that's how you build.

-Oliver Bonk
-Carson Bjarnason
-2024 or 2025 2nd round pick (Blue Jackets option) from Blue Jackets
-Sean Walker to Colorado in return for 2025 1st round draft pick & 2026 5th round draft pick
- Dave21Brown

.. and it's why I want to give DB some time to see what he constructs here. I think he's doing a good job overall amassing picks and prospects. This is going to take a while and we can't rush it, but we're on the right path and it's not all doom and gloom.

1982, Ron Sutter over Scott Stevens

Hindsight is always 20/20
- BiggE

Yes, isn't that the truth. It's an inexact science. Just gotta hit more than you miss, because you will miss, all teams do. 1979 we took Blake Wesley while Messier and Glen Anderson were still on the board, the Oilers took them both.

That Provorov trade is going to work out nicely for the Flyers. Sure they had to eat a bit for all this, but that's how you build.

-Oliver Bonk
-Carson Bjarnason
-2024 or 2025 2nd round pick (Blue Jackets option) from Blue Jackets
-Sean Walker to Colorado in return for 2025 1st round draft pick & 2026 5th round draft pick
- Dave21Brown

Still gotta hit big on those picks/prospects for any of it to matter.

Bonk looks good but still early days.

Bjarnson was a bit up and down but also early days.

Check back on this trade in 4-5 years.

Still gotta hit big on those picks/prospects for any of it to matter.

Bonk looks good but still early days.

Bjarnson was a bit up and down but also early days.

Check back on this trade in 4-5 years.
- Tomahawk

It's true but at least we're buying more lottery tickets. I really hope Michkov gets over here soon to start developing towards the NHL game. Really hope we don't strike out with that one, he looks like a sure bet but you never know with our crappy luck.

Yes, isn't that the truth. It's an inexact science. Just gotta hit more than you miss, because you will miss, all teams do. 1979 we took Blake Wesley while Messier and Glen Anderson were still on the board, the Oilers took them both.
- Dave21Brown

So many examples of these for all teams really. Best story I heard was how the 2012 draft went down. Oilers had the first pick and the owner Katz met and really liked Nail Yakupov. He directed his scouting staff to take him first overall although they weren't going to. Crazy. Didn't turn out to be a crazy deep draft but Morgan Reilley and Vas were taken later on. Crap shoot but there are also some really poorly managed teams..

Still gotta hit big on those picks/prospects for any of it to matter.

Bonk looks good but still early days.

Bjarnson was a bit up and down but also early days.

Check back on this trade in 4-5 years.
- Tomahawk

Aren't all goalie selections pretty much lottery tickets? Even 1st rd pick goalies are really no sure things. Certainly same could be said for every other position, but plenty of terrific goalies have been drafted 4th rd or later. I kind of agree with the philosophy of drafting a goal every year because there is just no real identifiable path how to effectively scout goalie prospects.

That Provorov trade is going to work out nicely for the Flyers. Sure they had to eat a bit for all this, but that's how you build.

-Oliver Bonk
-Carson Bjarnason
-2024 or 2025 2nd round pick (Blue Jackets option) from Blue Jackets
-Sean Walker to Colorado in return for 2025 1st round draft pick & 2026 5th round draft pick
- Dave21Brown

it was a solid trade.

dont think he ever sniffs the NHL. should have taken jacob fowler if wanted a goalie and didn't even need to trade up.

As someone who attended hundreds of games as the Spectrum including nearly every regular season and playoff game between 1981-1993, I can safely say that JJ’s goal vs Edmonton in the 87 final was the loudest moment in Spectrum history.

It was easily the rival of any metal show that I saw at the old barn!
- BiggE

the flyers 1st playoff game against buffalo after a 5 year hiatus you felt the building shake. that was the loudest I ever heard it. wasnt at the jj game.

It's true but at least we're buying more lottery tickets. I really hope Michkov gets over here soon to start developing towards the NHL game. Really hope we don't strike out with that one, he looks like a sure bet but you never know with our crappy luck.
- Hextall271

I just don't have much faith in the Flyers draft table.

And yeah, if MM doesn't pan out and Drysdale/Cutter trade goes flop then there's probably no end in sight to all the mediocrity.

Aren't all goalie selections pretty much lottery tickets? Even 1st rd pick goalies are really no sure things. Certainly same could be said for every other position, but plenty of terrific goalies have been drafted 4th rd or later. I kind of agree with the philosophy of drafting a goal every year because there is just no real identifiable path how to effectively scout goalie prospects.
- Trox88

Pretty much and 100% agree on taking at least one goalie every year.

As someone who attended hundreds of games as the Spectrum including nearly every regular season and playoff game between 1981-1993, I can safely say that JJ’s goal vs Edmonton in the 87 final was the loudest moment in Spectrum history.

It was easily the rival of any metal show that I saw at the old barn!
- BiggE

nice reference to Metal