Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/21/19 @ CAR

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 11/21/19 @ CAR
- bmeltzer

Bill any update at all on Patrick? Have the headaches been an issue for all three years of his Flyers career or really just this year?

Bill any update at all on Patrick? Have the headaches been an issue for all three years of his Flyers career or really just this year?
- bsw31usa

No.... the migraines flared up in the spring. He had a concussion in March, and they weren't sure if it was PCS or something else but the genetic issue was later diagnosed as the root cause. Problem is, he's still having good days and bad days and there's apparently more to it than just the migraine headaches (although what specifically, I don't know).

For awhile, he was skating almost every day. Did a practice or two in a non-contact jersey and a morning skate with the team at Wells Fargo Center. But I haven't seen him on the ice, even skating on his own and/or doing skills work with Angelo Ricci, in a couple weeks. It's possible he's doing it early in the morning ahead of me getting to the Skate Zone -- reminds me of a Chris Pronger story, which I'll relay in a moment -- but I haven't heard about it.

Pronger story: Pre-concussion, when he was rehabbing an injury (I think it was his back), I came to the Skate Zone one morning several hours ahead of practice. Pronger was doing some light skating on his own. He saw me and gave a "don't blow my cover" kind of wink because he hadn't "officially" started skating yet.

No.... the migraines flared up in the spring. He had a concussion in March, and they weren't sure if it was PCS or something else but the genetic issue was later diagnosed as the root cause. Problem is, he's still having good days and bad days and there's apparently more to it than just the migraine headaches (although what specifically, I don't know).

For awhile, he was skating almost every day. Did a practice or two in a non-contact jersey and a morning skate with the team at Wells Fargo Center. But I haven't seen him on the ice, even skating on his own and/or doing skills work with Angelo Ricci, in a couple weeks. It's possible he's doing it early in the morning ahead of me getting to the Skate Zone -- reminds me of a Chris Pronger story, which I'll relay in a moment -- but I haven't heard about it.

Pronger story: Pre-concussion, when he was rehabbing an injury (I think it was his back), I came to the Skate Zone one morning several hours ahead of practice. Pronger was doing some light skating on his own. He saw me and gave a "don't blow my cover" kind of wink because he hadn't "officially" started skating yet.
- bmeltzer

Haha Pronger was such a character. What a privilege it was to have him on this team even though it was only for a brief time. Just a beast. I've rarely seen a dman with such an uncanny ability to get the shot through from the point through traffic accurately.

Really worried about Patrick. I don't see this issue just magically going away all together one day after rest. Seems like he's prob out for the year, and I just hope not longer and I hope this doesn't impact his quality of life outside the game.

Haha Pronger was such a character. What a privilege it was to have him on this team even though it was only for a brief time. Just a beast. I've rarely seen a dman with such an uncanny ability to get the shot through from the point through traffic accurately. p

Really worried about Patrick. I don't see this issue just magically going away all together one day after rest. Seems like he's prob out for the year, and I just hope not longer and I hope this doesn't impact his quality of life outside the game.
- Hextall271

This. So often, even amongst the top offensively-oriented dmen, you see them miss the net. Pronger could find the seams better than anyone I've ever seen, whether it was a wrister or a slap shot. He may not have had the cannon that some have (not to say he didn't have a hard shot), but his hit the net 9 times out of 10.

And you're right, it was a privilege. Everything that he brought both on- and off-ice was just fantastic. I always wonder what could have happened in 11/12 had he not been injured. Not to say we'd have beaten NJ for sure, but most of those games were 1-goal games (excluding ENGs) where a guy like Pronger can turn them into wins.

No.... the migraines flared up in the spring. He had a concussion in March, and they weren't sure if it was PCS or something else but the genetic issue was later diagnosed as the root cause. Problem is, he's still having good days and bad days and there's apparently more to it than just the migraine headaches (although what specifically, I don't know).

For awhile, he was skating almost every day. Did a practice or two in a non-contact jersey and a morning skate with the team at Wells Fargo Center. But I haven't seen him on the ice, even skating on his own and/or doing skills work with Angelo Ricci, in a couple weeks. It's possible he's doing it early in the morning ahead of me getting to the Skate Zone -- reminds me of a Chris Pronger story, which I'll relay in a moment -- but I haven't heard about it.

Pronger story: Pre-concussion, when he was rehabbing an injury (I think it was his back), I came to the Skate Zone one morning several hours ahead of practice. Pronger was doing some light skating on his own. He saw me and gave a "don't blow my cover" kind of wink because he hadn't "officially" started skating yet.
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill. I feel bad for the kid, I really hope he can recover and come back and have a productive career and normal life.

This. So often, even amongst the top offensively-oriented dmen, you see them miss the net. Pronger could find the seams better than anyone I've ever seen, whether it was a wrister or a slap shot. He may not have had the cannon that some have (not to say he didn't have a hard shot), but his hit the net 9 times out of 10.

And you're right, it was a privilege. Everything that he brought both on- and off-ice was just fantastic. I always wonder what could have happened in 11/12 had he not been injured. Not to say we'd have beaten NJ for sure, but most of those games were 1-goal games (excluding ENGs) where a guy like Pronger can turn them into wins.
- jmatchett383

Pronger didn't always wind up like crazy on the shots and knew accuracy trumped power.. and could execute..he'd just get it on net.

Good question about 11/12. I think we would have had a great shot to get through.

Man, those days seem like eons ago..fack.. I remember thinking once in prob 2012, wow, from 2010 to 2012, the team won 5 playoff series and came within 2 games of a cup. It's now going on a decade since those lofty heights, and I see why many fans stay away from the games.

Pronger didn't always wind up like crazy on the shots and knew accuracy trumped power.. and could execute..he'd just get it on net.

Good question about 11/12. I think we would have had a great shot to get through.

Man, those days seem like eons ago..fack.. I remember thinking once in prob 2012, wow, from 2010 to 2012, the team won 5 playoff series and came within 2 games of a cup. It's now going on a decade since those lofty heights, and I see why many fans stay away from the games.
- Hextall271

You know, I get offered tickets from time to time. But when you factor in gas, tolls, parking, food (optional), and just time away from the kids, I don't really want to go most of the time. I got tickets to the Washington game and, for the first time in a long time, was excited to go, and left feeling good even though they lost. I can't say I've felt that way the past few seasons (even for a Pittsburgh PO game in 2018). Hopefully they get things turned around quickly because I think there is a good product there this year.

You know, I get offered tickets from time to time. But when you factor in gas, tolls, parking, food (optional), and just time away from the kids, I don't really want to go most of the time. I got tickets to the Washington game and, for the first time in a long time, was excited to go, and left feeling good even though they lost. I can't say I've felt that way the past few seasons (even for a Pittsburgh PO game in 2018). Hopefully they get things turned around quickly because I think there is a good product there this year.
- jmatchett383

I hear ya. I can't imagine what the full cost to take a family of four to a game would be. Just as good to stay home although I don't have an option haha

I think they're on the right path, and love seeing the kids up getting experience. I'd love to see them just take off in January and rip off 10 in a row to really solidify a spot in the top 3 of the div.

Its crazy how times have changed when I am sitting sitting Claude Giroux and Shane Gostisbehere in favor of other players in my fantasy league.

At this point , I’d be pleasantly surprised if Patrick plays at all this season. Hopefully he can be ready for the start of camp next September, but more importantly, I just hope he can start feeling better.

Its crazy how times have changed when I am sitting sitting Claude Giroux and Shane Gostisbehere in favor of other players in my fantasy league.
- MBFlyerfan

Damn, that’s just sad. Understandable, but sad.

Its crazy how times have changed when I am sitting sitting Claude Giroux and Shane Gostisbehere in favor of other players in my fantasy league.
- MBFlyerfan

I took Ghost in my pool and he's killing me. I hoped for a bounce back season..

Its crazy how times have changed when I am sitting sitting Claude Giroux and Shane Gostisbehere in favor of other players in my fantasy league.
- MBFlyerfan

Gostibehere hasnt been good fantasy wise for past 2 years. I stay away from him. Giroux I keep playing because my league uses Faceoff wins as a Category. When you got gus like Giroux, Drasaitl, Horvat, Kopitar and RoR, I dominate Faceoffs. I drafted well so Im surviving Giroux's slow start. My worst picks were DeBrusk and Fiala with my last 2-3 picks

I took Ghost in my pool and he's killing me. I hoped for a bounce back season..

- Hextall271

The offense isn't there yet but Gostisbehere in my opinion is trending in the right direction. Little bit of a hiccup in the Florida game but he is showing clear signs of getting the aggressiveness back in his game. Hopefully he starts some scoring again along with other key players who aren't scoring.

Overall I look at the team and I see a foundation being built of young player. Players like Konecny and Lindblom are flourishing. Lots of young talent out there. Just think if some of the veterans start playing to their ability, this would be a pretty solid team.

This. So often, even amongst the top offensively-oriented dmen, you see them miss the net. Pronger could find the seams better than anyone I've ever seen, whether it was a wrister or a slap shot. He may not have had the cannon that some have (not to say he didn't have a hard shot), but his hit the net 9 times out of 10.

And you're right, it was a privilege. Everything that he brought both on- and off-ice was just fantastic. I always wonder what could have happened in 11/12 had he not been injured. Not to say we'd have beaten NJ for sure, but most of those games were 1-goal games (excluding ENGs) where a guy like Pronger can turn them into wins.
- jmatchett383

what could have been with Pronger joey what could have been

Quarter of a season in the books, and so far three players on the roster have exceeded expectations, four have met expectations. Incompletes for Frost/Farabee. The rest of the roster has played below expectations. Way too many guys not pulling their weight. How can so many veteran players be bad at the same time?

Exceeded expectations
Konecny
Lindblom
Elliott

Met expectations
Provorov
Couturier
Niskanen
Raffl

No doubt in mind we win the NJD series with Pronger. But before we get to NJD, we need to mention how much better the Pens series would have been if Pronger was in it! There would have been a few dead birds

Bill any update at all on Patrick? Have the headaches been an issue for all three years of his Flyers career or really just this year?
- bsw31usa

There is no history of migraines. It would’ve been dealt with if there was. Family rich... star athlete... suffer growing up and do nothing? Make zero sense... if he’s really having them now more than likely from concussion.

Damn, that’s just sad. Understandable, but sad.
- BiggE

Dropped ghost ass weeks ago. At draft I was like do I take a chance on him ? Yeah stupid mistake

The offense isn't there yet but Gostisbehere in my opinion is trending in the right direction. Little bit of a hiccup in the Florida game but he is showing clear signs of getting the aggressiveness back in his game. Hopefully he starts some scoring again along with other key players who aren't scoring.

Overall I look at the team and I see a foundation being built of young player. Players like Konecny and Lindblom are flourishing. Lots of young talent out there. Just think if some of the veterans start playing to their ability, this would be a pretty solid team.
- MJL

its also possible these veterans are now on the decline and may not turn it around to the extent you think they will. Can they still be productive? yes maybe not to previous levels.

I just hope the good version of the Canes shows up this time.

Every year we talk about 4th line production. Imperative to have a competitive 4th line that can give you 10 good minutes a game.

Well, so far there has been a combination of 7 players who have made up the 4th line for the most part. The guys listed below have 59 games played amongst them and have combined for 7 points. So, on top of Giroux, JVR, Voracek, and Hayes not producing they are getting absolutely nothing from forwards 10-12.

Twarynski
Andreoff
Stewart
Rubstov
Vorobyev
Bunnaman
Pitlick

There is no history of migraines. It would’ve been dealt with if there was. Family rich... star athlete... suffer growing up and do nothing? Make zero sense... if he’s really having them now more than likely from concussion.
- SMS4016

Incorrect. He did have migraine issues in adolescence, which went away for a number of years and then returned. Whether triggered by concussion, who knows? But there is both a personal and family history.

I just hope the good version of the Canes shows up this time.
- BINGO!

What the f--k happened to the Flyers I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest night of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to go with you, Couturier, we might get in trouble.' Well, just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Aho, he's a dead man! Hamilton, dead! Svechnikov...