Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Vigneault on Patrick, Alumni Camp Finale, Broadcaster Stories

This will be the year of NoPa. I'm calling it

Good stuff Bill. Sounds like you had a blast covering the camp. There you go again where it doesn’t seem like work when your enjoying what you do. Seems you made a good life choice to stick with covering the Flyers.

Bill C is a pretty funny guy to listen to. Heard him speak a couple times and spoke some to him at a hockey banquet. Pretty funny with a high hockey IQ for sure. Must have been fun hearing those stories from those guys.

Patrick is a good player. He is still just a kid. I think this chance to gain better match ups is going to help his development for sure. I’m hoping they give him Jacob V and Lindblom on his line since he plans on rolling a 2A/2B formate. I think those guys can complement each other. Guess that open spot is the big decider in that.

I'm concerned about Patrick having the right linemates to help him breakout. I hate putting line suggestions out because it's so fluid and changes so often but here is what I'd like to see.

Giroux/Couturier/Konecny
JVR/Patrick/Voracek
Laughton/Hayes/Lindblom
Raffl/Pitlick/open competition

Pitlick didn't play center for the Stars and shouldn't be playing center here.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...layed,gte,1&sort=faceoffs

Laughton is a LW/C while Lindblom can play both wings equally well.

I'm concerned about Patrick having the right linemates to help him breakout. I hate putting line suggestions out because it's so fluid and changes so often but here is what I'd like to see.

Giroux/Couturier/Konecny
JVR/Patrick/Voracek
Lindblom/Hayes/Laughton
Raffl/Pitlick/open competition
- MJL

Hakstol one year ago during camp wanted Patrick on a line with Voracek and JVR, which is what I was hoping for then and still hoping for now. However, Hakstol got tunnel vision when he saw chemistry between Patrick and Lindblom. I would also give Patrick a push with skilled players. The Patrick, Simmonds and Laughton line was my favorite line to watch last season. Not the most offensively gifted lines of last season but definitely one of the more hard working.

Pitlick didn't play center for the Stars and shouldn't be playing center here.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...layed,gte,1&sort=faceoffs

Laughton is a LW/C while Lindblom can play both wings equally well.
- Feanor

Wing might not be his preferred position, according to Bill, Pitlick is capable of playing center. I'd rather have a vet at the center spot than a kid.

I find it odd that people are so quick to write off players like Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev because they didn't immediately make an impact at the NHL level and got sent back down to the AHL. Have we really already forgotten that Scott Laughton only played two NHL games in his 22 year old season, looked awful, and was then demoted down to the Phantoms for the rest of 16-17 by Hextall to get his game back in order. Not every prospect is going to get promoted and go from strength to strength like Lindblom did.

Wing might not be his preferred position, according to Bill, Pitlick is capable of playing center. I'd rather have a vet at the center spot than a kid.
- MJL

I'd rather have someone at 4C who has taken at least 60 more NHL faceoffs than I have the past two seasons.

I'm concerned about Patrick having the right linemates to help him breakout. I hate putting line suggestions out because it's so fluid and changes so often but here is what I'd like to see.

Giroux/Couturier/Konecny
JVR/Patrick/Voracek
Lindblom/Hayes/Laughton
Raffl/Pitlick/open competition
- MJL

I would really like to see German Rubstov make the team in that 4C role and slide Pitlick to RW. Your lines definitely create a very tough top 9 to play against. If there were any tweaks to make in my opinion, I would switch JVR and Patrick, only because I really liked what I saw between Patrick and Lindblom, and also liked when Voracek and Lindblom played on the same line during the time G switched from LW to C and pushed Coots down to center those 2. But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the combinations, just have to hope chemistry is formed somewhat in camp and preseason.

This will be the year of NoPa. I'm calling it
- sILKAsSINASALO

I really think so too, I see a slight similarity with NoPa's progression in almost the same way as Coots was. Clearly not as good defensively is NoPa, but playing on the third line, will have some guys with offensive talent (I believe Coots played with at least Matt Read for the majority of this time on the third line earlier in his career), and hopefully will dominate the matchup game when going against lesser talent. NoPa is pretty defensively responsible too so I expect that line to also help one of the big things Fletch and AV has said was a big goal for this year's team in bringing down the collective GAA

Giroux/Couturier/Konecny
JVR/Patrick/Voracek
Laughton/Hayes/Lindblom
Raffl/Pitlick/open competition
- MJL

Having JVR and Voracek on the same line might work.
All three centers are possession type players, but not exceptionally fast.
I see JVR and Voracek also as possession players, with Voracek being faster than JVR. Consequently, if they are on the same line, Voracek would likely have the responsibility of driving the forecheck.
Giroux and Konecny are capable of driving the forecheck.
I would be inclined to flip flop Voracek and Konecny in that scenario.

Wing might not be his preferred position, according to Bill, Pitlick is capable of playing center. I'd rather have a vet at the center spot than a kid.
- MJL

I'd prefer to keep the Raffl-Laughton-Pitlick line together at line 4. Laughton at center, with Pitlick to take draws if need be. All three skate and hit. They should be on the PK as well (and Hayes?). This is a well-built strong four line. I don't like when teams just play the "best" available player on the fourth line. The fourth line has a job that is different than lines 1-3... For example JVR - a good player - would suck in a fourth line role.

I'd leave the "open spot" on Nolan's wing.

You proposed JVR-Patrick-Jake... It's a long season, and it's worth a shot. But, I worry about the lack of defense. I've heard/read that Hayes is better defender than Patrick... I'd keep Lindblom with Patrick, and hopefully a rookie.

I'd rather have someone at 4C who has taken at least 60 more NHL faceoffs than I have the past two seasons.
- Feanor

Who would you suggest?

I would really like to see German Rubstov make the team in that 4C role and slide Pitlick to RW. Your lines definitely create a very tough top 9 to play against. If there were any tweaks to make in my opinion, I would switch JVR and Patrick, only because I really liked what I saw between Patrick and Lindblom, and also liked when Voracek and Lindblom played on the same line during the time G switched from LW to C and pushed Coots down to center those 2. But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the combinations, just have to hope chemistry is formed somewhat in camp and preseason.
- sjk540

I'm open to Rubtsov claiming the spot if he can earn it. I want Patrick playing with good offensive players to help him break out.

I'd prefer to keep the Raffl-Laughton-Pitlick line together at line 4. Laughton at center, with Pitlick to take draws if need be. All three skate and hit. They should be on the PK as well (and Hayes?). This is a well-built strong four line. I don't like when teams just play the "best" available player on the fourth line. The fourth line has a job that is different than lines 1-3... For example JVR - a good player - would suck in a fourth line role.

I'd leave the "open spot" on Nolan's wing.

You proposed JVR-Patrick-Jake... It's a long season, and it's worth a shot. But, I worry about the lack of defense. I've heard/read that Hayes is better defender than Patrick... I'd keep Lindblom with Patrick, and hopefully a rookie.
- leon neon

I see building 3 strong scoring lines as well as giving Patrick players that can help him break out being far more important than the 4th line makeup.

One of the reasons of putting together the Laughton/Hayes/Lindblom line is the defensive makeup of the trio and that they can be played against top lines.

I'm open to Rubtsov claiming the spot if he can earn it. I want Patrick playing with good offensive players to help him break out.
- MJL

Oh of course, me too. I think Lindblom Patrick and Jake can be a formidable line in the top 9, While a line with JVR and Hayes can allow a number of different combinations with players with different skill sets. Hayes is a defensively responsible center, JVR is a goal scorer, I think Konecny would be a good fit there, but also if you do that that leaves a spot open on the top line. The possibilities are endless really, just gotta see how these guys gel in camp and the preseason.

Not sure if it was mentioned, but I read that there's a rumor Konecny is going to get a bridge deal. 2-3 years, 4.5M AAV.

edit: https://twitter.com/jason...tatus/1163266347121479680

I think 2nd/3rd line designations are relatively meaningless since AV will likely use both equally. So with that in mind, the lineup I’d love to see:

G-Coots-Jake
Lindblom-Hayes-TK
JVR-Patrick-Farabee
Laughton-Rubtsov-Pitlick
1st off the bench: Raffl

yyyy

I think 2nd/3rd line designations are relatively meaningless since AV will likely use both equally. So with that in mind, the lineup I’d love to see:

G-Coots-Jake
Lindblom-Hayes-TK
JVR-Patrick-Farabee
Laughton-Rubtsov-Pitlick
1st off the bench: Raffl
- BiggE

that is a different take. I like the spread of speed and size. We know Raffle is going to start, who comes out if he is in?

My best guess at the most likely options depending on camp:

One of Frost or Farabee kick ass in camp:
G-coots-TK
JVR-Hayes-Frost/Farabee
Lindblom-Patrick-JV
Raffl-Laughton-Pitlick

If Laughton shows some progression and The Germ or Voro looks solid during camp:
G-coots-TK
JVR-Hayes-JV
Laughton-Patrick-Lindblom
Raffl-Germ/Voro-Pitlick

No wavier exempt guys step up:
G-coots-TK
JVR-Hayes-JV
Laughton-Patrick-Lindblom
Raffl-Pitlick-(Vet)*

*Vet one of NAK, Andreoff, Stewart, Gabriel

I think those are the
Coaching staff’s three big options.

I find it odd that people are so quick to write off players like Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev because they didn't immediately make an impact at the NHL level and got sent back down to the AHL. Have we really already forgotten that Scott Laughton only played two NHL games in his 22 year old season, looked awful, and was then demoted down to the Phantoms for the rest of 16-17 by Hextall to get his game back in order. Not every prospect is going to get promoted and go from strength to strength like Lindblom did.
- Feanor

I don’t think anyone is writing anyone off. In order to grab a job or catch the attention of coaches, scouts and fans, you have to show you belong. The players you named haven’t shown anything. Scott Laughton hasn’t shown much until two or three years ago.

that is a different take. I like the spread of speed and size. We know Raffle is going to start, who comes out if he is in?
- wcorvette

you are correct, raffle wasnt signed for 2 years to sit.

Me I don't want German to get pigeon holed on as a 4th line player just yet. Rather let him play top line phantoms to develop his offensive game. If that means you may need to get a 4th line center off the free agent scrap heap so be it or another internal option

Bill, I know that you covered the passing of Jack Chevalier yesterday. I thought I would also mention the passing of one of the all time great sports broadcasters. Philadelphia native Jack Whitaker passed away at age 95. His record for covering historic sports events, especially golf, football and horse racing, is almost unprecedented. He still lived locally in Devon Pa.