Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Special Teams Key Latest Comeback Win

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Special Teams Key Latest Comeback Win
- bmeltzer

It was a very good gut check win, against a team that has given them a hard time and where their backs were slammed against a wall. These Flyers are flawed, but they are resilient.

Flyers do a nice job after blowout losses of fighting back and showing guts and toughness.

I wonder how the successful weekend impacts what Holmgren does this week.
I do not want any rentals. With the price of Dmen at a premium the best plan might just be doing nothing.

It was a very good gut check win, against a team that has given them a hard time and where their backs were slammed against a wall. These Flyers are flawed, but they are resilient.
- Jsaquella

Yup. Well said. I think every team in the East is flawed to a degree. I think the Bruins are the most complete team.

Yup. Well said. I think every team in the East is flawed to a degree. I think the Bruins are the most complete team.
- PLindbergh31

I agree wholeheartedly. The East is a bit of a mess. If the Flyers go out and play their best, even as is, they can win a series against anyone, even Boston. That's the maddening part.

I'm ok with a minor move to upgrade the 4th line any more than that will and should wait til the offseason. While the Flyers are far from a cup favorite, the East is open enough that if they stay healthy and Mason gets hot, who knows, maybe they get to the finals.

Of course figuring out a way to win 4 out of 7 against whomever gets out of the West is most likely a different story!

I'm ok with a minor move to upgrade the 4th line any more than that will and should wait til the offseason. While the Flyers are far from a cup favorite, the East is open enough that if they stay healthy and Mason gets hot, who knows, maybe they get to the finals.

Of course figuring out a way to win 4 out of 7 against whomever gets out of the West is most likely a different story!
- BiggE

There is no doubt the D must be upgraded, I think Read is an interesting bargaining chip that may be out there. Raffl can be moved up from the 4th line

Awesome weekend!

Great Blog!
New Laptop!
I forget how to insert giffs

I'm ok with a minor move to upgrade the 4th line any more than that will and should wait til the offseason. While the Flyers are far from a cup favorite, the East is open enough that if they stay healthy and Mason gets hot, who knows, maybe they get to the finals.

Of course figuring out a way to win 4 out of 7 against whomever gets out of the West is most likely a different story!
- BiggE

I'd be OK with a deal that sees them land a good defenseman for now and the future, like an Alexander Edler.

I don't want to see a deal where they add a top six forward for a massive cost. I don;t want them to trade a key youngster for a guy like Brian Campbell.

flyers just need brayden schenn to eat some glass every night and they got this. Anyone know if there is word about a suspension for that hit?

It was a very good gut check win, against a team that has given them a hard time and where their backs were slammed against a wall. These Flyers are flawed, but they are resilient.
- Jsaquella

Earlier on i was worried about their heart, it seems theyve cast aside any doubt there.

There is no doubt the D must be upgraded, I think Read is an interesting bargaining chip that may be out there. Raffl can be moved up from the 4th line
- 3flyerkids

Read is a key penalty killer and a very versatile player, I don't want to move him right now. To upgrade the D will require them to move a key forward. I'd much rather make a move like that in the offseason when they can use free agency to fill holes in the forward ranks.

flyers just need brayden schenn to eat some glass every night and they got this. Anyone know if there is word about a suspension for that hit?
- FlyersSteve118

Orlov has a phone hearing today, according to the Washington Post beat guy, whose name escapes me

Orlov has a phone hearing today, according to the Washington Post beat guy, whose name escapes me
- Jsaquella

I'm guessing he gets one game

Great comeback as stated. I smile every time Giroux gets fired up like that during a game. You know some elite play is on its way.

I still cant get over the lack of control guys like Downie and Hartnell show in certain situations during the game, especially Downie. Hartnell seems like he's trying too hard and you can tell he gets upset and frustrated with himsef, so I think he can be reeled in.

However Downie's actions the last few games, especially yesterday were inexusable. Flyers had all the momentum when he took that double minor and regardless of who started that "scuffle" during the 5-min PP between him and Erskine, it was idiotic to get involved the way he did there. You just know that the refs in that situation are looking for an even-up call against the Flyers after being handed the 5-min PP, warranted or not.

It's obvious to me that Raffl should be on that 3rd line, while Downie should be benched at this point. I will admit that I was excited to get Downie back after the Talbot trade. That line with Couturier and Read brought life back to this team and very well may have saved their season but his actions right now I have no patience for.

If the Flyers can get anything for him at this point at the deadline, I'd take it, as I have no interest in playing him, let alone re-signing him.

Earlier on i was worried about their heart, it seems theyve cast aside any doubt there.
- JoeRussomanno

I'm still worried about the defensive mix and discipline. But they have done a good job overall.

Berube is 32-21-6 since taking over, and removing the entire 1-7 start where they had those growing pains, he's 31-17-6. That's pretty impressive, considering how awful they looked early on.

Great comeback as stated. I smile every time Giroux gets fired up like that during a game. You know some elite play is on its way.

I still cant get over the lack of control guys like Downie and Hartnell show in certain situations during the game, especially Downie. Hartnell seems like he's trying too hard and you can tell he gets upset and frustrated with himsef, so I think he can be reeled in.

However Downie's actions the last few games, especially yesterday were inexusable. Flyers had all the momentum when he took that double minor and regardless of who started that "scuffle" during the 5-min PP between him and Erskine, it was idiotic to get involved the way he did there. You just know that the refs in that situation are looking for an even-up call against the Flyers after being handed the 5-min PP, warranted or not.

It's obvious to me that Raffl should be on that 3rd line, while Downie should be benched at this point. I will admit that I was excited to get Downie back after the Talbot trade. That line with Couturier and Read brought life back to this team and very well may have saved their season but his actions right now I have no patience for.

If the Flyers can get anything for him at this point at the deadline, I'd take it, as I have no interest in playing him, let alone re-signing him.
- SeaIslelandLush

Really if they can deal Downie while picking up Malhotra in two seperate deals or someone like that for the 4th line. That would be effective without losing any picks.

So your bottom 6 is

Raffl-Couts-Read
Rinaldo-Malhotra-Hall

Great comeback as stated. I smile every time Giroux gets fired up like that during a game. You know some elite play is on its way.

I still cant get over the lack of control guys like Downie and Hartnell show in certain situations during the game, especially Downie. Hartnell seems like he's trying too hard and you can tell he gets upset and frustrated with himsef, so I think he can be reeled in.

However Downie's actions the last few games, especially yesterday were inexusable. Flyers had all the momentum when he took that double minor and regardless of who started that "scuffle" during the 5-min PP between him and Erskine, it was idiotic to get involved the way he did there. You just know that the refs in that situation are looking for an even-up call against the Flyers after being handed the 5-min PP, warranted or not.

It's obvious to me that Raffl should be on that 3rd line, while Downie should be benched at this point. I will admit that I was excited to get Downie back after the Talbot trade. That line with Couturier and Read brought life back to this team and very well may have saved their season but his actions right now I have no patience for.

If the Flyers can get anything for him at this point at the deadline, I'd take it, as I have no interest in playing him, let alone re-signing him.
- SeaIslelandLush

I agree Downie should at least sit. I would like to see them trade him. Raffl belongs on the third line. Raffl, Couturier and Read would be a great 3rd line. I would love to see the Flyers add a forward with some speed for the 4th line.
Also, I am fine with no moves at all if it means they hang onto all of the young players. I do not want to see another trade for a minor tweak on D. If you can get a bonified number 1 go ahead. If not, just go with what you have. Also, play Gusstafsson. Grossman could use a day or two of rest.

Really if they can deal Downie while picking up Malhotra in two seperate deals or someone like that for the 4th line. That would be effective without losing any picks.

So your bottom 6 is

Raffl-Couts-Read
Rinaldo-Malhotra-Hall
- Just5

Very little skill on that 4th line, maybe they can grab Malhotra for a 5th or so and send Downie to Calgary, he seems like a Burke kind of player, for a guy like Stempniak. This would give them a 4th line of:
Stempniak-Malhotra-Rinaldo or Hall

I'm still worried about the defensive mix and discipline. But they have done a good job overall.

Berube is 32-21-6 since taking over, and removing the entire 1-7 start where they had those growing pains, he's 31-17-6. That's pretty impressive, considering how awful they looked early on.
- Jsaquella

no doubt im riding this high until the next time we get massacred.
I think this is a second round playoff year maybe conference finals.

Edit: btw I was impressed when I realized b.schenn is quietly having a 20+ goal year. Watching Couturier shake Lunqvist out of his jock at the game saturday live has endeared him to me eternally i believe.

no doubt im riding this high until the next time we get massacred.
I think this is a second round playoff year maybe conference finals.
- JoeRussomanno

I'd like them to get in and win a round, for experience's sake. I'd like to see Schenn, Couturier, etc get some playoff games under their belt.

I agree wholeheartedly. The East is a bit of a mess. If the Flyers go out and play their best, even as is, they can win a series against anyone, even Boston. That's the maddening part.
- Jsaquella

I think beating the Bruins would be a tall task, but not impossible. We already know the Flyers can beat the Penguins in a series.

I agree Downie should at least sit. I would like to see them trade him. Raffl belongs on the third line. Raffl, Couturier and Read would be a great 3rd line. I would love to see the Flyers add a forward with some speed for the 4th line.
Also, I am fine with no moves at all if it means they hang onto all of the young players. I do not want to see another trade for a minor tweak on D. If you can get a bonified number 1 go ahead. If not, just go with what you have. Also, play Gusstafsson. Grossman could use a day or two of rest.
- mickel25

Grossman just had 3 weeks off!!

I'd like them to get in and win a round, for experience's sake. I'd like to see Schenn, Couturier, etc get some playoff games under their belt.
- Jsaquella

I think those two may have saved homer's job. I been critical of him but looks like he hit a homerun with them. Also do we have any chance of winning the schenn jvr trade still?

I agree Downie should at least sit. I would like to see them trade him. Raffl belongs on the third line. Raffl, Couturier and Read would be a great 3rd line. I would love to see the Flyers add a forward with some speed for the 4th line.
Also,I am fine with no moves at all if it means they hang onto all of the young players. I do not want to see another trade for a minor tweak on D. If you can get a bonified number 1 go ahead. If not, just go with what you have. Also, play Gusstafsson. Grossman could use a day or two of rest.
- mickel25

Picking up a forward for the 4th line on the cheap Id be in favor of too.

Ehrhoff is a guy Id like to pickup if he can be had for a reasonable deal. Theres so many factors to that contract that I dont know how to evaluate a fair trade, like the recapture penalties BUF could face if he retires early, length of deal, etc. Id guess a first plus a B prospect (Akeson) would be demanded however I wouldnt be happy about trading any first in general.