Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Beat Boston in OT; Phantoms Drop Shootout to Devs

Nice win, team showed a lot of moxy battling back from 2-1. And they played decently for the second game in a row. They look like they're starting to build some better habits and some confidence.

All those non-calls against the Bruins... the universe owed one to the Flyers and the powers that be saw fit to break Bergy's ankles on the GWG.

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Beat Boston in OT; Phantoms Drop Shootout to Devs
- bmeltzer

thnwkws BM

Bill Meltzer: Wrap: Flyers Beat Boston in OT; Phantoms Drop Shootout to Devs
- bmeltzer

We are gonna do the patented middle round pick again. All hopes of an epic franchise altering slide are fading.

10 more years! 10 more years!

thnwkws BM
- penguininnevada

Decent performance, but your voice would sound much better if you'd project from your diaphragm.

We are gonna do the patented middle round pick again. All hopes of an epic franchise altering slide are fading.

10 more years! 10 more years!
- PT21

1) This year's draft is considered below average one both in top-end projections and overall depth. Maybe there will be some surprises, who knows?

2) Picking at the top end of the draft is no guarantee of anything. What has Edmonton won so far, despite McDavid being everything he was hyped to be, as well as Draisaitl? What did they win during the years when Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, etc. were expected to become the players to lead them into a new era. How well off are the Sabres with three top-two and three additional top-10 picks in their lineup? How dominant how Lafreniere and Kakko been so far for the Rangers? How far has drafting Hischier and Hughes first overall and Zacha 6th overall gotten New Jersey? What big impact has Nolan Patrick made for the Flyers?

3) Look at the big 3 in Boston: Bergeron, who wasn't in THN Top 50 his draft year, went
45th overall. Marchand was a 3rd rounder (65th overall) his draft year. Pastrnak was a 1st rounder but 25th overall. Also, McAvoy was a mid 1st rounder. Krejci was a late 2nd rounder.

Don't put all your eggs in that magical lottery ball with a franchise-changing superstar who turns things around all by himself while still on his ELC. It took Eric Lindros until his 3rd season for the Flyers to get to the playoffs. The Penguins were still a last place team Crosby's rookie year. It took time for Ovechkin's Caps to pull themselves up. Yet all these players made immediate and major impacts.

If you do draft a superstar, you still have to put the right pieces around him. Being a perpetual lottery team isn't always a big springboard within two. three, five, sometimes even 10 or more years. Build a TEAM with a mix of youth and vets, finesse and power, keep the GAA in the top half or higher and score at least enough to support it. And hopefully get a little lucky with mid-to-late 1st rounders and a few non-first rounders.

Big gut check in Philly sports tonight.

1) This year's draft is considered below average one both in top-end projections and overall depth. Maybe there will be some surprises, who knows?

2) Picking at the top end of the draft is no guarantee of anything. What has Edmonton won so far, despite McDavid being everything he was hyped to be, as well as Draisaitl? What did they win during the years when Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, etc. were expected to become the players to lead them into a new era. How well off are the Sabres with three top-two and three additional top-10 picks in their lineup? How dominant how Lafreniere and Kakko been so far for the Rangers? How far has drafting Hischier and Hughes first overall and Zacha 6th overall gotten New Jersey? What big impact has Nolan Patrick made for the Flyers?

3) Look at the big 3 in Boston: Bergeron, who wasn't in THN Top 50 his draft year, went
45th overall. Marchand was a 3rd rounder (65th overall) his draft year. Pastrnak was a 1st rounder but 25th overall. Also, McAvoy was a mid 1st rounder. Krejci was a late 2nd rounder.

Don't put all your eggs in that magical lottery ball with a franchise-changing superstar who turns things around all by himself while still on his ELC. It took Eric Lindros until his 3rd season for the Flyers to get to the playoffs. The Penguins were still a last place team Crosby's rookie year. It took time for Ovechkin's Caps to pull themselves up. Yet all these players made immediate and major impacts.

If you do draft a superstar, you still have to put the right pieces around him. Being a perpetual lottery team isn't always a big springboard within two. three, five, sometimes even 10 or more years. Build a TEAM with a mix of youth and vets, finesse and power, keep the GAA in the top half or higher and score at least enough to support it. And hopefully get a little lucky with mid-to-late 1st rounders and a few non-first rounders.


- bmeltzer

This year’s draft class is a mystery for sure. Scouts are gonna have a hell of a time.

Flyers buyers again! HA ha I am a closet Flyers fan!!!
- penguininnevada

🥳

We are gonna do the patented middle round pick again. All hopes of an epic franchise altering slide are fading.

10 more years! 10 more years!
- PT21

ah the maple leafs strategy which hasn't worked in how long? until they tanked and got mathews

ah the maple leafs strategy which hasn't worked in how long? until they tanked and got mathews
- 2Real

And still haven't reached the Stanley Cup Final since 1966-67.

ah the maple leafs strategy which hasn't worked in how long? until they tanked and got mathews
- 2Real

I'd take the leafs roster over our own 10/10 times.

1) This year's draft is considered below average one both in top-end projections and overall depth. Maybe there will be some surprises, who knows?

2) Picking at the top end of the draft is no guarantee of anything. What has Edmonton won so far, despite McDavid being everything he was hyped to be, as well as Draisaitl? What did they win during the years when Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, etc. were expected to become the players to lead them into a new era. How well off are the Sabres with three top-two and three additional top-10 picks in their lineup? How dominant how Lafreniere and Kakko been so far for the Rangers? How far has drafting Hischier and Hughes first overall and Zacha 6th overall gotten New Jersey? What big impact has Nolan Patrick made for the Flyers?

3) Look at the big 3 in Boston: Bergeron, who wasn't in THN Top 50 his draft year, went
45th overall. Marchand was a 3rd rounder (65th overall) his draft year. Pastrnak was a 1st rounder but 25th overall. Also, McAvoy was a mid 1st rounder. Krejci was a late 2nd rounder.

Don't put all your eggs in that magical lottery ball with a franchise-changing superstar who turns things around all by himself while still on his ELC. It took Eric Lindros until his 3rd season for the Flyers to get to the playoffs. The Penguins were still a last place team Crosby's rookie year. It took time for Ovechkin's Caps to pull themselves up. Yet all these players made immediate and major impacts.

If you do draft a superstar, you still have to put the right pieces around him. Being a perpetual lottery team isn't always a big springboard within two. three, five, sometimes even 10 or more years. Build a TEAM with a mix of youth and vets, finesse and power, keep the GAA in the top half or higher and score at least enough to support it. And hopefully get a little lucky with mid-to-late 1st rounders and a few non-first rounders.


- bmeltzer

Well said Bill.

Is it time to sit Hayes for a game? I know these games are critical and perhaps I'm one of those fools that thinks if the Flyers play well enough to make the playoffs they may actually do some damage(none of the top 3 teams in their division look invincible), but it is painful to watch Hayes skate around in a fog right now. He looks totally disengaged and disinterested. Perhaps a major wakeup call is needed? Or is he AV's pet and he would never be made a healthy scratch like others have been.

I actually find this draft to be a great one to make a ton of picks in. While there is no generational superstar (but hey only 1 team gets that player) i think there are going to be a lot of really good top 4 top 6 type players out of this draft. Its got a really good mix of size and skating in the general consensus top 50 players.

Is it time to sit Hayes for a game? I know these games are critical and perhaps I'm one of those fools that thinks if the Flyers play well enough to make the playoffs they may actually do some damage(none of the top 3 teams in their division look invincible), but it is painful to watch Hayes skate around in a fog right now. He looks totally disengaged and disinterested. Perhaps a major wakeup call is needed? Or is he AV's pet and he would never be made a healthy scratch like others have been.
- Phillywhiteout

Maybe he’s trying to get traded

I'd take the leafs roster over our own 10/10 times.
- DrMidnite

well, so far they have shown to be world beaters in the playoffs haven't they? If not for being placed in that div of basically AHL teams, I am not sure they're not still a bubble team.

Think the leafs might like to have Hart or some of the young d prospects? I bet they would.

At this point would you rather Chuck sell or buy??

Is it time to sit Hayes for a game? I know these games are critical and perhaps I'm one of those fools that thinks if the Flyers play well enough to make the playoffs they may actually do some damage(none of the top 3 teams in their division look invincible), but it is painful to watch Hayes skate around in a fog right now. He looks totally disengaged and disinterested. Perhaps a major wakeup call is needed? Or is he AV's pet and he would never be made a healthy scratch like others have been.
- Phillywhiteout

I have no idea what's going on but it's night and day from last year. He's invisible many nights. Last year he used his size to protect the puck, and drove to the net creating chaos/chances. He can't be a perimeter player.

At this point would you rather Chuck sell or buy??
- Flyers_1488

Sell Sell Sell!!!!!!

Is it time to sit Hayes for a game? I know these games are critical and perhaps I'm one of those fools that thinks if the Flyers play well enough to make the playoffs they may actually do some damage(none of the top 3 teams in their division look invincible), but it is painful to watch Hayes skate around in a fog right now. He looks totally disengaged and disinterested. Perhaps a major wakeup call is needed? Or is he AV's pet and he would never be made a healthy scratch like others have been.
- Phillywhiteout

Hayes went through a spell like this last season, but he was so good during the stretches where the Flyers were on a roll that it was easier to overlook. AV has called him out publicly along with other vets -- twice last season, and once this season -- so the "AV's pet" theory doesn't work. When they were in NY together, AV was particularly tough on Hayes, because he saw the player using only a portion of his potential.

As for sitting Hayes, what is the alternative at 2C? Some players are harder to healthy scratch than others because of the minutes they play in the lineup. If this had been a breakout year for Nolan Patrick or if 2C wasn't a little too high in the center rotation for Scott Laughton, you could scratch Hayes for a game. As it is, Giroux is already playing center more than they'd ideally want at this point of his career.

I honestly thought the Flyers were the better team in this one. They really forechecked well and took advantage of the Bruins poor defenseman, which is exactly how you need to play against the Bruins. However this game means nothing unless they get a regulation win tonight. If the Flyers are able to do so, it changes the entire narrative of the Flyers-Bruins matchup. So far, 3 out of the 6 games have gone to OT which gives credence to the idea that the Flyers are closer to the Bruins than we may give them credit for. So a win in regulation should give the Flyers loads of confidence and keeps them in the hunt. However a loss pretty much sinks their season, so every game right now is a playoff game.

I actually find this draft to be a great one to make a ton of picks in. While there is no generational superstar (but hey only 1 team gets that player) i think there are going to be a lot of really good top 4 top 6 type players out of this draft. Its got a really good mix of size and skating in the general consensus top 50 players.
- Tfaehner

We asked Brent Flahr on Prospect Pipeline about this year's draft. He doesn't share your optimism about its depth. (The Draft prep segment is near the end):

https://podcasts.apple.co...365168499?i=1000514856908

Hayes went through a spell like this last season, but he was so good during the stretches where the Flyers were on a roll that it was easier to overlook. AV has called him out publicly along with other vets -- twice last season, and once this season -- so the "AV's pet" theory doesn't work. When they were in NY together, AV was particularly tough on Hayes, because he saw the player using only a portion of his potential.

As for sitting Hayes, what is the alternative at 2C? Some players are harder to healthy scratch than others because of the minutes they play in the lineup. If this had been a breakout year for Nolan Patrick or if 2C wasn't a little too high in the center rotation for Scott Laughton, you could scratch Hayes for a game. As it is, Giroux is already playing center more than they'd ideally want at this point of his career.
- bmeltzer

I mean I get it. But for 1 game coots giroux Patrick laughton lacynski bunnaman some combination of the 4 should be able to work.

We asked Brent Flahr on Prospect Pipeline about this year's draft. He doesn't share your optimism about its depth. (The Draft prep segment is near the end):

https://podcasts.apple.co...365168499?i=1000514856908
- bmeltzer

Executives all want the this kid is clear as day going to be a stud. And based on numerous anonymous exec comments and reports lately I feel like at times they watch less hockey than we do. Like the one that called Sean Couturier and Ron Francis in the same sentence 2nd line centers and suggested trading him for Dumba and a 1st was good value for both teams. I by no means am calling this a deep draft but I think there's a ton of raw ability upside picks. Its a draft where I would go after several "risky" picks and see what happens especially with the lack of league play and scouting. And a draft where a volume of mid round picks could actually turn into something.