Bill Meltzer: Flyers Preseason Gameday: 9/26/19 vs. NYR; Quick Hits

I think you have a little hiccup there. I've never heard of Claude Couturier

Phillipe Meyers has to be in the top 6. I'm getting the feeling they are going to send him down. Big mistake.

Who is this Kurtis Foster character you keep referring to. I think you mean Kurtis Gabriel.

AV spoke about bunnaman's skating ability. Besides one preseason game i haven't really watched him. How fast is he or is he just descent for a bigger guy? whaats he listed as now, 6'3" 215...right or around there

AV spoke about bunnaman's skating ability. Besides one preseason game i haven't really watched him. How fast is he or is he just descent for a bigger guy? whaats he listed as now, 6'3" 215...right or around there
- Peter Richards

Ive not watched any games. But as a prospect I don’t think his skating was a plus or minus. Apparently the kid got himself into great shape and worked with a skating coach. Now here he is pushing for a roster spot. Good for him I hope he makes it and carves out a role for himself.

Who is this Kurtis Foster character you keep referring to. I think you mean Kurtis Gabriel.
- backfire

I have a mental block with those two... both guys who played for the Wild and spell their first name with a "K". Usually, I catch it. Sometimes I don't.

AV spoke about bunnaman's skating ability. Besides one preseason game i haven't really watched him. How fast is he or is he just descent for a bigger guy? whaats he listed as now, 6'3" 215...right or around there
- Peter Richards

I've never thought of him as an especially good skater but he's worked very hard on it, and he's cut his body fat percentage this past offseason to arrive in great shape. So that's no doubt made a difference.

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?
- Neomike77

As someone who watched AV teams, he absolutely might be on the roster. He usually always carries one of those type guys. In his tenure with NYR he dressed Dorsett (maybe the best of the bunch), Tanner Glass, and Cody Mcleod. It'll drive you mad, especially since his philosophy is to turn the other cheek to try to get the other team to get a minor.

I'm an AV defender and every coach has their flaws, this is one of them.

In reference to the Islander games on 'behind the glass', FLetcher asked AV how do you think Stewart looked and AV responded with I thought he looked horrible safe to say Fletcher is the one pushing this man through.

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?
- Neomike77

i'm kind of hoping at this point it's just for competition for the young guys. i'm still fine with him making it as a spare forward though.

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?
- Neomike77

Shootout ability (See the bottom item in today's blog.... and, no, of course that alone won't get him on the team).

BTW, before best friend Wayne Simmonds blossomed and Stewart's game declined earlier, Stewart was basically a much beefier version of Simmer. Not an "enforcer" but a power forward.

At this point in Stewart's career, he's probably a 13th forward if he makes it. But it's not like he's devoid of skills other than fighting. Keeping up with the play is his main drawback nowadays.

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?
- Neomike77

My theory is that he should be fired into the void.

They won't know how few we are in the fog.
We'll use the old way...speed of horse! AAAAAAHHHHHH!

Shootout ability (See the bottom item in today's blog.... and, no, of course that alone won't get him on the team).

BTW, before best friend Wayne Simmonds blossomed and Stewart's game declined earlier, Stewart was basically a much beefier version of Simmer. Not an "enforcer" but a power forward.

At this point in Stewart's career, he's probably a 13th forward if he makes it. But it's not like he's devoid of skills other than fighting. Keeping up with the play is his main drawback nowadays.
- bmeltzer

Kind of a big deal in today's NHL.

Can anyone tell me why Chris Stewart still hasn't been cut? My theory is that Fletcher really likes him personally and is hoping to give him exposure so another NHL/AHL team gives him a contract?

Does anyone think he's a serious contender to make our team? Maybe as the 14th forward in the 1% chance we need an enforcer?
- Neomike77

I don't think he makes the team but I understand why they have kept him around.

Honest question. Who would you have as the 13th forward?

Personally I don't want a young player sitting in the press box. So if it has to be someone, I would rather it be a veteran player who can handle the mental aspect of only playing when there is an injury issue. And even then, only if it is a serious issue where they cant recall a player from the Phantoms in short notice.

Stewart probably fits that bill better than one of the kids.

I don't think he makes the team but I understand why they have kept him around.

Honest question. Who would you have as the 13th forward?

Personally I don't want a young player sitting in the press box. So if it has to be someone, I would rather it be a veteran player who can handle the mental aspect of only playing when there is an injury issue. And even then, only if it is a serious issue where they cant recall a player from the Phantoms in short notice.

Stewart probably fits that bill better than one of the kids.
- MBFlyerfan

You could put Andreoff there. Not that he'd a great player, but he's already under contract.

MTL is trying to collect former Flyer players. They got Weise Weal and Folin from trades last year and they added Cousins and Varone too

Kind of a big deal in today's NHL.
- ClaudeFather

In any day's NHL. But if he's played 6 minutes or so, not on b2bs, and in selective matchups (plus shootouts, if applicable), he wouldn't hurt them. Have to be honest in saying that CS wouldn't make the roster if it were my decision to make, but he wouldn't kill you as a 13th forward and spot-start 12th.

Also keep this in mind: Stewart can stay around on a PTO indefinitely, practice with the team but not play or count against cap until/unless signed. He understands it's his last shot at an NHL spot. (The Islanders did this most of last season with Dennis Seidenberg, and finally signed him for the prorated minimum late in the season). It'd be like having a 14th forward while only needing to carry 13 on the roster/cap.

Does anyone know if a replay of Behind the Glass will be aired? Or if anyone knows of a stream where I can watch it..PM me

Even though Gabriel is a tweener / AHLer, you gotta feel for the guy after watching Behind the Glass. You work your ass off all offseason and summer just to Maybe have a shot at the NHL (again) and can't even show what you got due to an injury.

In any day's NHL. But if he's played 6 minutes or so, not on b2bs, and in selective matchups (plus shootouts, if applicable), he wouldn't hurt them. Have to be honest in saying that CS wouldn't make the roster if it were my decision to make, but he wouldn't kill you as a 13th forward and spot-start 12th.

Also keep this in mind: Stewart can stay around on a PTO indefinitely, practice with the team but not play or count against cap until/unless signed. He understands it's his last shot at an NHL spot. (The Islanders did this most of last season with Dennis Seidenberg, and finally signed him for the prorated minimum late in the season). It'd be like having a 14th forward while only needing to carry 13 on the roster/cap.
- bmeltzer

I would be fine with him in that scenario but if he is in the opening lineup night one that is an issue. If we need a warm body in practice or on a road trip as an extra guy and then call someone up if needed due to injury that's fine but that's about all he should be.

Even though Gabriel is a tweener / AHLer, you gotta feel for the guy after watching Behind the Glass. You work your ass off all offseason and summer just to Maybe have a shot at the NHL (again) and can't even show what you got due to an injury.
- arichardson22

Yes, that was the most poignant moment of Episode 1, where he's pleading aloud "Please don't let it be torn" after all the training he'd put in over the summer. Thankfully, it wasn't a torn ACL, which would have put him out for the season. Even then, he was expected to miss a month with a knee sprain. Five days later, he was on the ice and practicing.

Does anyone know if a replay of Behind the Glass will be aired? Or if anyone knows of a stream where I can watch it..PM me
- bmoreflyer

I've seen some past episodes popped up on YouTube. Maybe they'll get uploaded there at some point.