Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: DBL Hockey, Patrick, Fazleev, Hextall and More

What's everyone's thoughts on off ice chemistry relating to on ice success? I asked because Patrick and TK are best buds and roomies. Would love to see Patrick and TK on a line together. Was watching NHL network and they were talking about Barzal and Beauvillier being great friends off the ice. Translated well on ice last season for them.

G, Coots, Jake
JVR, Patrick, TK
Lindblom, ?, Simmer

Just a thought.

What's everyone's thoughts on off ice chemistry relating to on ice success? I asked because Patrick and TK are best buds and roomies. Would love to see Patrick and TK on a line together. Was watching NHL network and they were talking about Barzal and Beauvillier being great friends off the ice. Translated well on ice last season for them.

G, Coots, Jake
JVR, Patrick, TK
Lindblom, ?, Simmer

Just a thought.
- cdearth23

Off-ice chemistry absolutely matters. Hockey has a human dynamic to it, too. Think about your own workplace. While you don't have to be buddies with every co-worker and a certain amount of constructive push-pull is healthy, it makes for a much productive environment for the long term when people get along. You're much more likely to go the extra mile for one another. Same thing applies to hockey.

Last season, the issue of the top 2 lines came down to the fact that both G and Jake are elite playmakers. Having both of them on the same line made line 2 weaker.
It could work going forward with the growth of both Patrick and TK and the addition of JVR. Coots may also have yet another gear in the goal scoring department.

Post

What's everyone's thoughts on off ice chemistry relating to on ice success? I asked because Patrick and TK are best buds and roomies. Would love to see Patrick and TK on a line together. Was watching NHL network and they were talking about Barzal and Beauvillier being great friends off the ice. Translated well on ice last season for them.

G, Coots, Jake
JVR, Patrick, TK
Lindblom, ?, Simmer

Just a thought.
- cdearth23

Not too far off what I'm thinking, except that I really liked the late season on ice chemistry that seemed to be developing with Patrick and Lindblom. I'm in the camp that says line rankings really don't matter, rather what's important is having 3 lines that can score and a 4th that can at least hold it's own defensively. With that in mind, I'd like to see them try:

G-Coots-Jake
JVR-Patrick-Lindblom
TK-Laughton-Simmonds
Raffl-Lehtera-Aube-Kubel

Also re Patrick
From the allstar break on, he put up 10 goals and 21 points in 33 games. If he kept that pace up this entire season and played all 82 games, his stat line would be:

82 25 27 52

I'd be very happy with those numbers for a 20 year old kid playing his 2nd NHL season.

Not too far off what I'm thinking, except that I really liked the late season on ice chemistry that seemed to be developing with Patrick and Lindblom. I'm in the camp that says line rankings really don't matter, rather what's important is having 3 lines that can score and a 4th that can at least hold it's own defensively. With that in mind, I'd like to see them try:

G-Coots-Jake
JVR-Patrick-Lindblom
TK-Laughton-Simmonds
Raffl-Lehtera-Aube-Kubel

Also re Patrick
From the allstar break on, he put up 10 goals and 21 points in 33 games. If he kept that pace up this entire season and played all 82 games, his stat line would be:

82 25 27 52

I'd be very happy with those numbers for a 20 year old kid playing his 2nd NHL season.
- BiggE

Patty is a future 30 goal guy. Hopefully this season but I'd be happy with 25. I'd love to see Lindblom, Patrick, TK as a line. I know that's asking a lot so this is the first I speak of it...

I agree about G and Jake being apart. It keeps you top 2 playmakers each given their own line to create.

If things go south you can reunite the two, but IMO I always opt for balance over stacking a line.

Sidenote: Good observation on the Patrick/Konecny bond. Could be a force together in a few seasons.

Patty is a future 30 goal guy. Hopefully this season but I'd be happy with 25. I'd love to see Lindblom, Patrick, TK as a line. I know that's asking a lot so this is the first I speak of it...
- cdearth23

That would be a good line, but would likely leave a 3rd line of JVR-Laughton-Simmer which would be a line badly in need of a playmaker so I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Here is why I went with my lines in more detail.
G-Coots-Jake
-first off, they already have proven themselves to be a very good top line and were one of the best lines in the NHL during the first half of the season. G and Jake are both elite playmakers, but G also has a very good shot that he seemed more willing to use when playing wing. Coots has proven that he can finish too. Both Jake and Coots are very strong possession players and all 3 players know where to be and what to do in the O zone. You have 2 excellent faceoff men on this line and Coots gives you an elite defensive forward as well. This is a line that can be used in any situation, in any zone and against any opposing line

JVR-Patrick-Lindblom
-Patrick notched 85 assists in his last 105 Junior games so I think he also has the ability to create offense for others as much as he does to score on his own. Lindblom has already shown good chemistry with Patrick, and is, along with Patrick, very good defensively which is important if you are going to play on a line with JVR. He's also an underrated playmaker. JVR is a pure scorer who will go to the net and draw defenders away from the his linemates. You have 2 legit finishers on this line and Lindblom has shown an ability to score at other levels so he may have better hands than he's shown at the NHL level so far.

TK-Laughton-Simmer
-Konecny is a dynamic offensive player who can back the D off with his speed and quickness, create offense for his linemates and he can put the puck in the net. Laughton has good wheels, is an effective forechecker and has a pretty good wrister too. Simmonds is as good as it gets in the NHL in getting to the net and he also can work the walls pretty well too. Simmonds will occasionally have a lapse, but overall, he's solid in his own zone, but for this line to be successful, TK and Laughton need to improve their defensive games a bit. Right now, I'd try to give this line a lot of O zone and/or neutral zone starts.

Raffl-Lehtera-NAK
-Raffl is perfectly slotted as a 4th line forward who can step up into the top 9 if and when needed. He can give you some offense and physicality while giving you solid and smart play in all 3 zones. Lehtera can't skate worth a damn, but he has good hands, is strong enough to be successful in the trenches and he plays his position responsibly in the D zone., NAK has good wheels, is built like a fire hydrant, and plays a solid game at ES. He also has underrated skills and generate some offense. This line won't put up a lot of points, but, in a 4th line role, they will be good defensively and will be a line you can comfortably put out for a D zone faceoff.

G-coots-Simmonds
Jvr-Patrick-tk
Lindblom-weal-Jake

I know many will scoff at Jake being on the 3rd line but i think this is worth a look. I think Weal deserves a long look at 3C with a skilled player like Jake to help breakout with. This line can receive higher ozone starts. I like the balance of a top 9 in this fashion. You need 3 lines going in this league. Not even a debate. But you have big time puck handlers on all 3 lines with complementary pieces in Simmonds, jvr, and Lindblom spread out

Im more and more excited by the JVR signing.
I feel like across the top 9 we actually have some good depth and skill.

G-coots-Simmonds
Jvr-Patrick-tk
Lindblom-weal-Jake

I know many will scoff at Jake being on the 3rd line but i think this is worth a look. I think Weal deserves a long look at 3C with a skilled player like Jake to help breakout with. This line can receive higher ozone starts. I like the balance of a top 9 in this fashion. You need 3 lines going in this league. Not even a debate. But you have big time puck handlers on all 3 lines with complementary pieces in Simmonds, jvr, and Lindblom spread out
- Just5

I don't mind the wing arrangement but Weal is going to have to outplay Laughton for the 3rd line center spot.

I don't mind the wing arrangement but Weal is going to have to outplay Laughton for the 3rd line center spot.
- MJL

I found it interesting that Hexy had nothing to say other then mentioning laughtons name when directly asked about 3C. He expanded on weal and even Vorobyev. It could be nothing but you’d think he’d have more to say if the organization has a high opinion on him in that role for next year

That would be a good line, but would likely leave a 3rd line of JVR-Laughton-Simmer which would be a line badly in need of a playmaker so I don't see it happening anytime soon.

JVR-Patrick-Lindblom
-Patrick notched 85 assists in his last 105 Junior games so I think he also has the ability to create offense for others as much as he does to score on his own. Lindblom has already shown good chemistry with Patrick, and is, along with Patrick, very good defensively which is important if you are going to play on a line with JVR. He's also an underrated playmaker. JVR is a pure scorer who will go to the net and draw defenders away from the his linemates. You have 2 legit finishers on this line and Lindblom has shown an ability to score at other levels so he may have better hands than he's shown at the NHL level so far.

- BiggE

Exactly my thinking and the reason why I would like to see TK with Patty. TK flourished when placed with G. Besides the goal where he danced around 4 Bruins, he needs a playmaker. The only concern is what that does to 3rd line. Correct.

I know we've beaten this to death but;
JVR, G, Jake
Lindblom, Patrick, TK
Raffl, Coots, Simmer

Not as crazy as it once seemed to me. We are slightly weaker at left wing (debatable, Raffl not that much fall off from Lindblom) but stronger down middle.

Of course this is all dependant upon prospects at camp. I still believe we are better with G on wing.

I found it interesting that Hexy had nothing to say other then mentioning laughtons name when directly asked about 3C. He expanded on weal and even Vorobyev. It could be nothing but you’d think he’d have more to say if the organization has a high opinion on him in that role for next year
- Just5

That is not Hextall's M.O. It's a spot that's up for grabs. He's not going to promote one player over the other publicly. No reason to.

I hate seeing Lehtera pencilled in at 4C as the backup plan. If we had to use 11 forwards, that’s more preferable. The guy is just sub-NHL and contributed to our awful PK because of the staff failing to look past his veteran heavy goodness.

Sign someone like Nick Shore for 4C if you’re worried about a kid not making it. Lehtera shouldn’t even be an option.

Bill,

Do you know how far back archived blogs are kept?

G-coots-Simmonds
Jvr-Patrick-tk
Lindblom-weal-Jake

I know many will scoff at Jake being on the 3rd line but i think this is worth a look. I think Weal deserves a long look at 3C with a skilled player like Jake to help breakout with. This line can receive higher ozone starts. I like the balance of a top 9 in this fashion. You need 3 lines going in this league. Not even a debate. But you have big time puck handlers on all 3 lines with complementary pieces in Simmonds, jvr, and Lindblom spread out
- Just5

I was thinking along the same lines (no pun intended). Simmonds has to be healthy and as the roster stands today, I would have Laughton in place of Weal, but overall I think this gives the most balance. Jake would drive his line and hopefully Lindblom would complement him well.

I found it interesting that Hexy had nothing to say other then mentioning laughtons name when directly asked about 3C. He expanded on weal and even Vorobyev. It could be nothing but you’d think he’d have more to say if the organization has a high opinion on him in that role for next year
- Just5

Laughton is barely a 4C in the NHL. It speaks to the pig-headed loyalty and lack of quality centers on the roster that he is even on the roster. If Laughton is 3C, the Flyers don;t make the playoffs. Hexy wants to make the playoffs, so SOMEBODY HAS TO step up.

Hi Bill -
Looks like Hägg is the only RFA left to sign, and capfriendly.com is showing a ton of cap space. What do you think the Flyers will do with all of their cap space?

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers

Hi Bill -
Looks like Hägg is the only RFA left to sign, and capfriendly.com is showing a ton of cap space. What do you think the Flyers will do with all of their cap space?

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers
- MrBigglesworth

save it to sign the players they'll need in the future?

I don't mind the wing arrangement but Weal is going to have to outplay Laughton for the 3rd line center spot.
- MJL

Unless the Flyers invent a new, heretofore unseen system in the off-season, Weal can't play defense well enough to be an NHL center, 3C, 4C, any C.

This is also the problem with JVR-Patrick-TK. Patrick is projected to be a breakout player because he was able to stop focusing on his defense in the last half of the season. Playing with wings who don't/can't play in their own end means forcing Patrick to be a defensive workhorse. Why not just split Coots and G up and put Coots as this lines center and make him a 10 goal scorer again. Also, without G and Coots, TK will vanish as he did last season. If you are taking him off the top line, you might as well send him to LV.

Hi Bill -
Looks like Hägg is the only RFA left to sign, and capfriendly.com is showing a ton of cap space. What do you think the Flyers will do with all of their cap space?

https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flyers
- MrBigglesworth

My 2 cents, while they have a ton of cap space next year, the year after there won't be so much once they start signing some guys to extensions. I'm guessing they might be looking for a forward that has one year left on their contract. I can see them going into the season with a lot of cap room and see how things play out on their own roster and see what is going on around the league.

My 2 cents, while they have a ton of cap space next year, the year after there won't be so much once they start signing some guys to extensions. I'm guessing they might be looking for a forward that has one year left on their contract. I can see them going into the season with a lot of cap room and see how things play out on their own roster and see what is going on around the league.
- FlyerFan16

it's good to know lehtora weal and raffl will be gone after this year that's a lot of money we can give to simmonds if not traded

Unless the Flyers invent a new, heretofore unseen system in the off-season, Weal can't play defense well enough to be an NHL center, 3C, 4C, any C.

This is also the problem with JVR-Patrick-TK. Patrick is projected to be a breakout player because he was able to stop focusing on his defense in the last half of the season. Playing with wings who don't/can't play in their own end means forcing Patrick to be a defensive workhorse. Why not just split Coots and G up and put Coots as this lines center and make him a 10 goal scorer again. Also, without G and Coots, TK will vanish as he did last season. If you are taking him off the top line, you might as well send him to LV.
- hockeyal

I really don't know how to respond to this....