Bill Meltzer: Musings and Quick Hits: Dim the Lights, Emotion Quotient, Phantoms, CHL

any opinions on Bode Wilde at 14? RHD which really seems to be a need, no?

any opinions on Bode Wilde at 14? RHD which really seems to be a need, no?
- nastyflyergirl

I'd be fine with it, although I don't know if he's a top-of-the-blueline type long term. If Barrett Hayton is there at 14, the Flyers should be all over it although he's a center.

It doesn't matter how emotional Hak is. It matters that he can't help himself when it comes to playing mediocre and washed up veterans.

If you're going to be smoked by the Pens, it would be nice if the young dmen on the roster with a future here were playing and learning how tough the playoffs can be. Instead Hagg and Sanheim took turns eating popcorn while he rolled out Manning-Gudas in every single game, and now Manning has been told to leave. What a waste of an opportunity.

First timer here. What are the thoughts on Ivan Kosorenkov? His numbers are great and I really thought he was going to get a contract after camp.

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It doesn't matter how emotional Hak is. It matters that he can't help himself when it comes to playing mediocre and washed up veterans.

If you're going to be smoked by the Pens, it would be nice if the young dmen on the roster with a future here were playing and learning how tough the playoffs can be. Instead Hagg and Sanheim took turns eating popcorn while he rolled out Manning-Gudas in every single game, and now Manning has been told to leave. What a waste of an opportunity.
- Feanor

Agree with this 100%

Hak does many things well but his tendency to stubbornly stick with mediocre vets, especially when there are younger and better options available is his biggest shortcoming, IMO.

All in all, getting a team that lost both goalies to injury during the season and never had the benefit of a healthy Wayne Simmonds to 98 points and a playoff berth is a very significant accomplishment and he deserves to come back. That being said, there are parts of his game that need improvement if he expects to one day coach this team to a Cup.

That is frustrating. My only response (and it is not necessarily a good one) is that he is fielding what he thinks is the best line-up to win the game.

But you are correct in your sentiment. And his track record has shown this to be the case with forwards and their usage (VdV, Lehtera, Weise come to mind quickly).

I might be reaching, but I hope it is because he was seeing something the young skater was doing and, despite the clear talent differential between the young skater and veteran, his evaluation was that sitting the player to get a point across would be the best for the long-term development.

Again, I do not know how to fit that mindset in with the "best line-up to win the game" mindset. But then again, he's tasked with simultaneously being asked to win while developing young players on the fly--which is a tough position to balance if you want the young skater to learn how to play the right way.

I'd be fine with it, although I don't know if he's a top-of-the-blueline type long term. If Barrett Hayton is there at 14, the Flyers should be all over it although he's a center.
- bmeltzer

If they are looking for a RH D, I’d rather see them try and move up and grab Dobson.

First timer here. What are the thoughts on Ivan Kosorenkov? His numbers are great and I really thought he was going to get a contract after camp.
- WhiskeyMan

He has a shooter's chance at a career in the NHL. Was worth a late round draft pick by some team. Also, lesser talents have gotten ELCs. That said, he most likely tops out as a KHL or AHL player.

That is frustrating. My only response (and it is not necessarily a good one) is that he is fielding what he thinks is the best line-up to win the game.

But you are correct in your sentiment. And his track record has shown this to be the case with forwards and their usage (VdV, Lehtera, Weise come to mind quickly).

I might be reaching, but I hope it is because he was seeing something the young skater was doing and, despite the clear talent differential between the young skater and veteran, his evaluation was that sitting the player to get a point across would be the best for the long-term development.

Again, I do not know how to fit that mindset in with the "best line-up to win the game" mindset. But then again, he's tasked with simultaneously being asked to win while developing young players on the fly--which is a tough position to balance if you want the young skater to learn how to play the right way.
- Moose_15

If he really thinks running Manning/Gudas out every night while Sanheim or Hagg is in street clothes, well, that’s just kind of depressing

He has a ahooter's chance at a career in the NHL. Was worth a late round draft pick by some team. Also, lesser talents have gotten ELCs. That said, he most likely tops out as a KHL or AHL player.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill

If he really thinks running Manning/Gudas out every night while Sanheim or Hagg is in street clothes, well, that’s just kind of depressing
- BiggE

I think it more frustrating than depressing. But I think the rationale behind that is the reluctance to put that many rookie skaters on the blue line simultaneously. Rookies make rookie mistakes, and in the playoffs, one mistake can turn the game. But consider Ghost is in year 3, Provorov in year 2 (first playoffs), Hagg (year 1, first playoffs), Sanheim (year 1, first playoffs). That is a lot of "first playoff" inexperience to put on the ice simultaneously (along with Lindblom, Konecny, and Patrick also getting first experience in the playoffs).

That does not excuse the assessment of Manning and Gudas--both made serious mistakes throughout the series--but veterans have become veterans in the league for a reason. I suppose the hope was that they rebound better.

Like I said before--I may be reaching.

I'd be fine with it, although I don't know if he's a top-of-the-blueline type long term. If Barrett Hayton is there at 14, the Flyers should be all over it although he's a center.
- bmeltzer

thanks!

A great anecdote. I remember people thinking that John Stevens was too soft and too laid back because of his bench demeanor. I used to ask if they had ever seen his practices? WOW...I remember him skating with a stick loosely in his one hand watching drills and when two players (one of them was Mike Richards, I don't remember the other) were going through the motions...he glided over, still stick in one hand and poke checked the puck away from them...said something that only the two of them could hear and then skated back to where he was watching from. When the same duo started lollygagging again he cracked his stick on the ice once. The entire team snapped to attention. It was clear that a line had been crossed. The rest of practice that day was at a much higher tempo and much crisper. He was quietly chirping at Richards and at least two other players whenever they went by him...not screaming, not showing them up, you could tell he was pissed but he was not going to distract from practice. That was intense and it was a great lesson in drill coaching, which is a different kind of coaching.

I think Hakstol has show a lot of promise. I think his in game decisions are a work in progress. Like Stevens, I think he has a bright future as an NHL bench boss, but it will be a matter of the organization letting him grow and the getting the players that match how he coaches and him growing as a coach to adapt to players who may only be on the edges of his desired game.

A great anecdote. I remember people thinking that John Stevens was too soft and too laid back because of his bench demeanor. I used to ask if they had ever seen his practices? WOW...I remember him skating with a stick loosely in his one hand watching drills and when two players (one of them was Mike Richards, I don't remember the other) were going through the motions...he glided over, still stick in one hand and poke checked the puck away from them...said something that only the two of them could hear and then skated back to where he was watching from. When the same duo started lollygagging again he cracked his stick on the ice once. The entire team snapped to attention. It was clear that a line had been crossed. The rest of practice that day was at a much higher tempo and much crisper. He was quietly chirping at Richards and at least two other players whenever they went by him...not screaming, not showing them up, you could tell he was pissed but he was not going to distract from practice. That was intense and it was a great lesson in drill coaching, which is a different kind of coaching.

I think Hakstol has show a lot of promise. I think his in game decisions are a work in progress. Like Stevens, I think he has a bright future as an NHL bench boss, but it will be a matter of the organization letting him grow and the getting the players that match how he coaches and him growing as a coach to adapt to players who may only be on the edges of his desired game.
- wbon22

You mean, Stanley Cup winner John Stevens?

Let's all hope this comparison becomes reality.

A great anecdote. I remember people thinking that John Stevens was too soft and too laid back because of his bench demeanor. I used to ask if they had ever seen his practices? WOW...I remember him skating with a stick loosely in his one hand watching drills and when two players (one of them was Mike Richards, I don't remember the other) were going through the motions...he glided over, still stick in one hand and poke checked the puck away from them...said something that only the two of them could hear and then skated back to where he was watching from. When the same duo started lollygagging again he cracked his stick on the ice once. The entire team snapped to attention. It was clear that a line had been crossed. The rest of practice that day was at a much higher tempo and much crisper. He was quietly chirping at Richards and at least two other players whenever they went by him...not screaming, not showing them up, you could tell he was pissed but he was not going to distract from practice. That was intense and it was a great lesson in drill coaching, which is a different kind of coaching.

I think Hakstol has show a lot of promise. I think his in game decisions are a work in progress. Like Stevens, I think he has a bright future as an NHL bench boss, but it will be a matter of the organization letting him grow and the getting the players that match how he coaches and him growing as a coach to adapt to players who may only be on the edges of his desired game.
- wbon22

Honestly Hakstol's Demeanor on the bench is meaningless to me. Fact is I have NO idea how he is behind closed doors and really that is all that matters. My main issue with him is player usage.

A great anecdote. I remember people thinking that John Stevens was too soft and too laid back because of his bench demeanor. I used to ask if they had ever seen his practices? WOW...I remember him skating with a stick loosely in his one hand watching drills and when two players (one of them was Mike Richards, I don't remember the other) were going through the motions...he glided over, still stick in one hand and poke checked the puck away from them...said something that only the two of them could hear and then skated back to where he was watching from. When the same duo started lollygagging again he cracked his stick on the ice once. The entire team snapped to attention. It was clear that a line had been crossed. The rest of practice that day was at a much higher tempo and much crisper. He was quietly chirping at Richards and at least two other players whenever they went by him...not screaming, not showing them up, you could tell he was pissed but he was not going to distract from practice. That was intense and it was a great lesson in drill coaching, which is a different kind of coaching.

I think Hakstol has show a lot of promise. I think his in game decisions are a work in progress. Like Stevens, I think he has a bright future as an NHL bench boss, but it will be a matter of the organization letting him grow and the getting the players that match how he coaches and him growing as a coach to adapt to players who may only be on the edges of his desired game.
- wbon22

Like I said earlier, he’s still a work in progress and I want to see what he can do with more talent and less dead weight on the roster. However, this was a great opportunity to let the younger players experience the intensity of the playoffs without the pressure of high expectations. Hagg and Sanheim should have played every game.

What are people's views on Rubstov? Granted, I've never watched a single minute of MHL action, but I thought it was an odd pick. I know he's had health issues, but he just seems like there's something lacking from what I've read.

I cannot believe I missed all the Marvel talk in the last thread!

At minimum you should watch civil war and Ragnarok heading into Infinity War. I'm different though, I have to watch all of them in specific order before another one comes out. Plus I've read everything!! I have exactly 551 Comics boxed and/or filed in my bedroom.

I cannot believe I missed all the Marvel talk in the last thread!

At minimum you should watch civil war and Ragnarok heading into Infinity War. I'm different though, I have to watch all of them in specific order before another one comes out. Plus I've read everything!!
- SuperSchennBros

I have to watch them all in order as well. same with the X-men movies, etc

What are people's views on Rubstov? Granted, I've never watched a single minute of MHL action, but I thought it was an odd pick. I know he's had health issues, but he just seems like there's something lacking from what I've read.
- jmatchett383

He’s had some injuries, but his production has, overall, been a bit disappointing. However coming to a foreign country when you don’t speak the language coupled with playing on a different sized ice surface is a big adjustment for anyone.

He has great wheels and very good hockey sense and can play both center and wing. I wouldn’t write him off yet.

I cannot believe I missed all the Marvel talk in the last thread!

At minimum you should watch civil war and Ragnarok heading into Infinity War. I'm different though, I have to watch all of them in specific order before another one comes out. Plus I've read everything!! I have exactly 551 Comics boxed and/or filed in my bedroom.
- SuperSchennBros

Do you want my old Ren and Stimpy comics?

What are people's views on Rubstov? Granted, I've never watched a single minute of MHL action, but I thought it was an odd pick. I know he's had health issues, but he just seems like there's something lacking from what I've read.
- jmatchett383

Not impressed to be honest, the Q is one of the weakest Junior leagues these days and the games I've watched he doesn't do much to pop out at you. Definitely plays the game the right way but I just don't see the high ceiling. Tough to get a good read on a kid who has had so many injuries/issues over the years though.

Nice blog.

I dont care if he is a fiery guy on the bench or not.

My concerns with him are mainly around:

-Riding his goalies into the ground
-Player Usage
-While it's not his "responsibility", he is the HC. He has input to the passive PK box they continously employ.
-Would be nice to see a few more timeouts to try and settle/rally a young team.
-Really feel this is one of the most passive Flyer squads I have seen for a while.

Irrelevant at the end of the day. He's HC imho unless they really implode. He's obviously got a long leash.