Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits and Musings: Frost, Flyers Training Center, Clarke Turns 69

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits and Musings: Frost, Flyers Training Center, Clarke Turns 69
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill!!!

Good call Bill! Clarkie is the greatest!

nice

Frost is going to be a good one, but I am glad to see that maybe we can start to tamp down on the expectations for the upcoming season in terms of him playing 3C.

I firmly believe Scott Laughton is ready to challenge for the job.

Frost is going to be a good one, but I am glad to see that maybe we can start to tamp down on the expectations for the upcoming season in terms of him playing 3C.

I firmly believe Scott Laughton is ready to challenge for the job.
- MBFlyerfan

Haven't we been saying this for a couple years?

I think people understand it is a long shot for Frost to make the roster, but i also feel people are hopeful that he can make a big statement in camp because Laughton hasn't shown enough yet.

If Laughton had shown more I think people would be a little less bullish on Frost and more patient. People see the window cracking open and are ready to compete.

And it's not just Frost. People are also hoping Vorobyev can have a big camp and maybe fill that role.

Haven't we been saying this for a couple years?

I think people understand it is a long shot for Frost to make the roster, but i also feel people are hopeful that he can make a big statement in camp because Laughton hasn't shown enough yet.

If Laughton had shown more I think people would be a little less bullish on Frost and more patient. People see the window cracking open and are ready to compete.

And it's not just Frost. People are also hoping Vorobyev can have a big camp and maybe fill that role.
- J35Bacher

Not as far as I know. I know people have been saying he NEEDS to take the reigns and become the 3C, but I don't really think many were saying he WAS ready.

Honestly I think the team has not done a very good job with his development. It was and is a bit confusing as to who they expect him to be.

Confidence goes a long away and I think the way he played towards the end of the season and in the playoffs may be the springboard he needs.

Not as far as I know. I know people have been saying he NEEDS to take the reigns and become the 3C, but I don't really think many were saying he WAS ready.

Honestly I think the team has not done a very good job with his development. It was and is a bit confusing as to who they expect him to be.

Confidence goes a long away and I think the way he played towards the end of the season and in the playoffs may be the springboard he needs.
- MBFlyerfan

I don't know. Just not sure i see him as a center. I think he's shown and has a better skill set for the wing.

I don't know. Just not sure i see him as a center. I think he's shown and has a better skill set for the wing.
- J35Bacher

That could be. maybe Vorobyev can take the job but Im not that confident in him yet.

What is REALLY confusing me is this seeming push for Weal to take the spot. In my opinion he is a slightly faster version of Peter White.

Haven't we been saying this for a couple years?

I think people understand it is a long shot for Frost to make the roster, but i also feel people are hopeful that he can make a big statement in camp because Laughton hasn't shown enough yet.

If Laughton had shown more I think people would be a little less bullish on Frost and more patient. People see the window cracking open and are ready to compete.

And it's not just Frost. People are also hoping Vorobyev can have a big camp and maybe fill that role.
- J35Bacher

Frost would have to do more than just play well and produce in the pre season to make the team.

That could be. maybe Vorobyev can take the job but Im not that confident in him yet.

What is REALLY confusing me is this seeming push for Weal to take the spot. In my opinion he is a slightly faster version of Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

I think it's coach/gm speak. Trying to send some confidence to a player hoping he plays well.

Frost would have to do more than just play well and produce in the pre season to make the team.
- MJL

Do you just gloss over the line i said it is most likely a long shot?

I understand he needs to do more then produce. He would need to almost have dominate performances and that might not be enough.

The main point is people are bullish on him and Vorobyev because Laughton hasn't done enough. If Laughton had shown that he is ready for that 3rd line center role I think people would be more patient on development for a guy like Frost.

But you also have to look around the league. Fair or not teams are bringing up guys sooner and sooner. And while you can't worry about what other teams do..fans are allowed to look and say why can't my team...especially when the player fits a clear needed.

NICE

I know it would push someone down the lineup but would anyone have interest in reaching out to Rick Nash. If Laughton is going to be the 3rd line center I almost feel you need a big time wing who can carry the puck.

Giroux - Couturier - Konecny
van Riemsdyk - Patrick - Voracek
Nash - Laughton - Simmonds
Lindblom - Lehtara/Vecchione - Raffl/Weise/Aube-Kubel

Do you just gloss over the line i said it is most likely a long shot?

I understand he needs to do more then produce. He would need to almost have dominate performances and that might not be enough.

The main point is people are bullish on him and Vorobyev because Laughton hasn't done enough. If Laughton had shown that he is ready for that 3rd line center role I think people would be more patient on development for a guy like Frost.

But you also have to look around the league. Fair or not teams are bringing up guys sooner and sooner. And while you can't worry about what other teams do..fans are allowed to look and say why can't my team...especially when the player fits a clear needed.
- J35Bacher

yeah always a long shot...

Laughton, I think finally in the last 2 years the Flyers got it right with his development. I think he deserved a bigger shot last season, FLIP blocked him and that was a mistake by HAK. For a while Laughton was the only bottom 9 forward in the prospect ranks, I think that put too much focus on him. Laughton was one of the few to have a good playoff, give him a shot unless someone blows the doors off in camp.

yeah always a long shot...

Laughton, I think finally in the last 2 years the Flyers got it right with his development. I think he deserved a bigger shot last season, FLIP blocked him and that was a mistake by HAK. For a while Laughton was the only bottom 9 forward in the prospect ranks, I think that put too much focus on him. Laughton was one of the few to have a good playoff, give him a shot unless someone blows the doors off in camp.
- wcorvette

He did but he didn't. Hakstol showed when a player is ready for more he would make the change. Konecny. Patrick. When those guys showed they were ready to be counted on for more Hakstol gave them more.

While Laughton has had spurts, he just hasn't shown enough continually in my opinion. If he had I think they would ave had no problem moving Filppula down the lineup.

I think they moved him to wing in hopes to unlock more. My worry is does Laughton provide enough play making as a center. Even in the 3rd line role. Right now the 3rd line would look something like Raffl/Lindblom - Laughton - Simmonds. To me that seems like a dump and chase line. Not a line that will have a lot of creativity.

Not as far as I know. I know people have been saying he NEEDS to take the reigns and become the 3C, but I don't really think many were saying he WAS ready.

Honestly I think the team has not done a very good job with his development. It was and is a bit confusing as to who they expect him to be.

Confidence goes a long away and I think the way he played towards the end of the season and in the playoffs may be the springboard he needs.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree to an extent, but I think that he didn't know what kind of player he was either. Was he going to be a top-6 player like when he was among the OHL scoring leaders in his overage season, or was he going to be a bottom-6 player who could focus primarily on defense and provide secondary scoring.

When he spent most of the season in LHV and was played as a bottom-6 player, even though he could have put up a lot of points with more PP time and "better" linemates, I think that was when both he and team got on the same page. They used the AHL club as a grooming tool for him, and now he seems to know his role better.

Also, I agree that his play late, specifically in the playoffs, could hopefully lead to a better path for him going forward.

Surprising sbisa is still on the market. Seemed like a perfectly capable top 6 dman in the playoffs to me. RH stick

For the record - I have been saying that Laughton was ready to take on the role of 3C, since mid season last year.

That could be. maybe Vorobyev can take the job but Im not that confident in him yet.

What is REALLY confusing me is this seeming push for Weal to take the spot. In my opinion he is a slightly faster version of Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

I see Hextall's comments as fuel for Weal's confidence. I don't know how much of it he believes....just my opinion.

Happy birthday Clarkie!!!

Surprising sbisa is still on the market. Seemed like a perfectly capable top 6 dman in the playoffs to me. RH stick
- Just5

Kind of.

But a couple teams this offseason have done some questionable things. Vancouver signing Roussell and Beagle. The Caps giving the huge deal to Wilson. The Islanders signing Komorav, trading for Martin and signing Ross Johnston to a 4 year deal.

Maybe he is just waiting for the right situation.

IMHO, Frost is not physically ready to play a full, productive season in the NHL.

That could be. maybe Vorobyev can take the job but Im not that confident in him yet.

What is REALLY confusing me is this seeming push for Weal to take the spot. In my opinion he is a slightly faster version of Peter White.
- MBFlyerfan

I think what some are concerned about, well at least me, lol, is that if your 3rd line wingers end up being Lindblom and Simmonds, a creative playmaker would be the kind of center you’d want between them. I’m not sure that Laughton is that guy.

I see Hextall's comments as fuel for Weal's confidence. I don't know how much of it he believes....just my opinion.
- VladDrag

Could also be a way of saying he is still part of the plans in case maybe another team has interest for a trade so not to say he will be given away fro free?

I think more so though it is trying to through some good vibes out for a players confidence.