Bill Meltzer: July 6: RTP Update, LeClair Therien's Take and More

Loved LeClair.

Big boy hockey!!!

Therien gives a solid argument on Nisky over Provy. I don’t know how many 2 on 1’s I saw him break up. He had a knack for smelling out how to play it. He had a heck of a year and proved to be a solid trade from Fletcher. He was a solid compliment to Ivan for sure.

But I have to agree with Bill. Ivan is the real talent on that pairing but Nisky could bring out Ivan’s talent. Seemed to settle things down out there. They will lean on the duo in the playoffs heavily. Those two defenders are by far the Flyers best set on the blue end. And that is not a slight on what Sandman and Myers did this year.

Edit: I think they will leaning on Braun more also. The Vets should play bigger roles come playoff time.

Therien gives a solid argument on Nisky over Provy. I don’t know how many 2 on 1’s I saw him break up. He had a knack for smelling out how to play it. He had a heck of a year and proved to be a solid trade from Fletcher. He was a solid compliment to Ivan for sure.

But I have to agree with Bill. Ivan is the real talent on that pairing but Nisky could bring out Ivan’s talent. Seemed to settle things down out there. They will lean on the duo in the playoffs heavily. Those two defenders are by far the Flyers best set on the blue end. And that is not a slight on what Sandman and Myers did this year.

Edit: I think they will leaning on Braun more also. The Vets should play bigger roles come playoff time.
- peesinwind

Right on.

A 1A and a 1B...just as every great 1st D pairing should be.

Got nish for another year...but i’d be up for a 2 year extension this fall for around 5-5.5 per. Keep him till 22-23. Hart is 1 year away...coots and G...2 years from now.

Bill, Do you see an advantage for Toronto and Edmonton in playing all of their games in their home arena?

Not Bill, But I thought the Toronto bubble was using the Marlies Arena not the Leafs Arena

Not Bill, But I thought the Toronto bubble was using the Marlies Arena not the Leafs Arena
- dragonoffrost

I missed that. I assume the same sort arrangement will happen in Edmonton.
Thanks

As a Penguins fan I know too well how good LeClair was. He was unstoppable for a while and was a “Penguin Killer.” Flyers had several of those. Clarke, Kerr, Lindros.

LeClair had more legitimate goals taken away by that ridiculous foot-in-the-crease rule than any other player during that era

LeClair was also blessed with a howitzer of a slapshot and would score about six to eight goals per season by winding up and blasting an overpowering shot past the goaltender from anywhere from the blueline to the mid-slot.

As much as I loved LeClair, there would be times I would be yelling at the TV after he didn't take a slapshot when I thought he had the chance.

Regardless, he was a great all-time Flyer, no doubt. Happy birthday #10 !

I missed that. I assume the same sort arrangement will happen in Edmonton.
Thanks
- Djapana

I don't think it is as easy as the Oil Kings use the same arena as the Oilers.

Does anyone remember the 2000 ECF when Martin Brodeur's follow through gashed LeClair's nose? The homer in me thought it was intentional, but I can't find any video.

As a Penguins fan I know too well how good LeClair was. He was unstoppable for a while and was a “Penguin Killer.” Flyers had several of those. Clarke, Kerr, Lindros.
- Sams_Dog

Leclair was a beast. Clarke a cheap shot punk. Kerr a PP slot machine. Lindros although great was pretty stupid when it came to awareness (Stevens) but was a big help getting the Av’s a cup.

Big fan of LeClair. My only negative memory is that he wasn't overly physical. Although, he was not soft and he did get the job done - he had the size to land crushing checks but didn't all that much. And, I am sure he must have but I don't recall a single LeClair fight? It's not that you'd like your 40-50 point goal scorer in the box. But, you'd like any player to step up when needed. Then, again, there were plenty of Flyers at the time that step in.