Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Tuuomala, 1990 Redraft, Keenan and More

Bill why did Russ never get another GM job again? Was it by choice? That was a dark era though I do not think he was that bad. Made some good trades. Drafts were decent. 92 set the flyers back big time imo.

Where is he at today? Still involved with hockey?

Not cutting down any of the other prospects. But glad we finally have one that is known for their speed.

Bill why did Russ never get another GM job again? Was it by choice? That was a dark era though I do not think he was that bad. Made some good trades. Drafts were decent. 92 set the flyers back big time imo.

Where is he at today? Still involved with hockey?
- hello it's me 2050

Went back to the Seattle Thunderbirds and has been there again ever since. He owns the franchise.

Went back to the Seattle Thunderbirds and has been there again ever since. He owns the franchise.
- bmeltzer

What are your thoughts on him as the flyers GM?

What are your thoughts on him as the flyers GM?
- hello it's me 2050

Drafted well, was on a good rebuild track. Hiring Terry Simpson was a mistake. Could have handled Mark Howe, Tim Kerr and a few other situations better.

Drafted well, was on a good rebuild track. Hiring Terry Simpson was a mistake. Could have handled Mark Howe, Tim Kerr and a few other situations better.
- bmeltzer

Simpson, IMO, was a huge mistake. I believe that if he had given Dineen, who had the team playing very well by the end of 92-93 another season, they would have made the playoffs in 93-94. My other quibble with Farwell was his not bringing in a veteran goalie. Going with the very inexperienced tandem of Roussel/Soderstrom was risky and cost the team a lot of points.

Drafted well, was on a good rebuild track. Hiring Terry Simpson was a mistake. Could have handled Mark Howe, Tim Kerr and a few other situations better.
- bmeltzer

What he do with howe and kerr as do not recall.

Also who in your opinion is the flyers best prospect n terms of who you think will have an impact at the NHL level and long career.

Simpson, IMO, was a huge mistake. I believe that if he had given Dineen, who had the team playing very well by the end of 92-93 another season, they would have made the playoffs in 93-94. My other quibble with Farwell was his not bringing in a veteran goalie. Going with the very inexperienced tandem of Roussel/Soderstrom was risky and cost the team a lot of points.
- BiggE

The defense in 93 wasnt all that good. That was a bigger problem imo. Goalies didnt help though

The defense in 93 wasnt all that good. That was a bigger problem imo. Goalies didnt help though
- hello it's me 2050

True, but they only missed the playoffs by 4 points. A stable, veteran goalie could have got them those 4 points. OTOH, as Bill alluded to, waiting too long to open up contract talks with Mark Howe was another huge mistake. Not getting Howe extended before the end of 91-92 was a big blunder.

What he do with howe and kerr as do not recall.

Also who in your opinion is the flyers best prospect n terms of who you think will have an impact at the NHL level and long career.
- hello it's me 2050

He dragged out a decision on re-signing Howe until Mark had enough and opted to accept an offer from Detroit when the Flyers finally got around to presenting him an extension offer. With Kerr, he wasn't forthright about leaving him exposed to the waiver draft.

Prospect wise, hopefully someone like York.

True, but they only missed the playoffs by 4 points. A stable, veteran goalie could have got them those 4 points. OTOH, as Bill alluded to, waiting too long to open up contract talks with Mark Howe was another huge mistake. Not getting Howe extended before the end of 91-92 was a big blunder.
- BiggE

I dont disagree about the goalies. Just looking at that D is just funny now.

poop wasnt there only 21 teams then and 16 made it!!

He dragged out a decision on re-signing Howe until Mark had enough and opted to accept an offer from Detroit when the Flyers finally got around to presenting him an extension offer. With Kerr, he wasn't forthright about leaving him exposed to the waiver draft.

Prospect wise, hopefully someone like York.
- bmeltzer

For some reason do not recall the Howe stuff at all. Kerr i do now that you mention it.

Who is your most intriguing prospect?

Thanks, Bill. The redraft stuff was fun to read. Such a deep class of great players

I dont disagree about the goalies. Just looking at that D is just funny now.

poop wasnt there only 21 teams then and 16 made it!!
- hello it's me 2050

By 93-94, they had added San Jose, Anaheim, the 2 FL teams and Ottawa, but 16 of 26 was still pretty good odds.

Ah Sunday...
A great day for sarcasm and
random pontifications on rewriting history.
This day should be filled with a lot of brilliant stupidity.
I hate summer!!

NHL announced that players will not be insured against COVID for the Olympics. This means players will not be paid for NHL games missed due to contracting COVID overseas. Personally I don’t understand why any player would want to spend 2 weeks in China this winter. TV wise the Olympics has been reduced to a somewhat minor event in the US. Here’s one fan that hopes the NHL passes on the Olympics once again.

I forgot the Olympics were in China.

Why anyone in their right mind would want to go to China for any reason is beyond my comprehension.

NHL announced that players will not be insured against COVID for the Olympics. This means players will not be paid for NHL games missed due to contracting COVID overseas. Personally I don’t understand why any player would want to spend 2 weeks in China this winter. TV wise the Olympics has been reduced to a somewhat minor event in the US. Here’s one fan that hopes the NHL passes on the Olympics once again.
- Djapana

It’s actually a smart move by the league. Wonder how many will opt out. Remember o v said before he didn’t care about the ban he wanted to rep his country. And good for him.

Hey Bill. Another nice tribute to Jay Greenberg by Vaccaro in the NY Post. I enjoyed that little tidbit about how NY columnists never smiled in their profile pics until Jay did.

So here’s what is funny about bills article today.

In 1990 draft out of the top 5 picks that were taken 1 was a scrub. 20% chance of taking that scrub1/5. Philly has the 4th pick in draft so there’s a 100% chance they take the scrub (Ricci) just like nopa. And of course that’s exactly what happened

Laughable

So here’s what is funny about bills article today.

In 1990 draft out of the top 5 picks that were taken 1 was a scrub. 20% chance of taking that scrub1/5. Philly has the 4th pick in draft so there’s a 100% chance they take the scrub (Ricci) just like nopa. And of course that’s exactly what happened

Laughable
- Stayin alive

Only in your silly little world is Mike Ricci, a guy who played 1099 games and put up 605 points, considered a scrub.

Bill, did the Flyers ever do a pre-draft interview, and if so, do we know how it went?

I bring this up because Jagr had been telling teams that he wasn't going to come over right away, and especially with the Soviet bloc in its final churn, that obviously scared teams off--or that's what Jagr wanted because in reality all he ever wanted to do was to go to Pittsburgh to play with Mario?

Not cutting down any of the other prospects. But glad we finally have one that is known for their speed.
-Peter Richards

Its been the theme since Fletcher and his scouts have taken over, they are clearly drafting for speed, tenacity and a pro shot. This kid and Foerster previously as examples. It was a clear need in the organization after Hextall seemed to value 200 foot player more than players with these qualities so its a smart move.

Jagr was projected to be the most likely to make an immediate impact because of his physical development combined with his skill. Ricci was considered a safe pick due to his all around game and defensive responsibility. Maybe the Flyers saw Ricci as a heart and soul guy kind of in the mold of Clarke.