Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits:

Thanks Bill!

Laughton sure looks ready to go this year

Samu Tuomaala needs to go to the junior league. Let him play and work on his offense. Being on the 4th line, as i have no doubt that will be the case, when he plays for the phantoms wont be all that beneficial at this stage.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits:
- bmeltzer

I think there will be some solid players on waivers who would be an upgrade over NAK and Nate. You see the flyers going that route and cutting bait with either of those 2 at all Bill?

I think there will be some solid players on waivers who would be an upgrade over NAK and Nate. You see the flyers going that route and cutting bait with either of those 2 at all Bill?
- hello it's me 2050

I don't. I think they'll go into the season with what is there now UNLESS they decide Frost needs a few AHL weeks to get back his offensive confidence and timing and there's a 2C stopgap that hits waivers.

Samu Tuomaala needs to go to the junior league. Let him play and work on his offense. Being on the 4th line, as i have no doubt that will be the case, when he plays for the phantoms wont be all that beneficial at this stage.
-hello its me 2050

I don't believe it is given that if Tuomaala plays for the Phantoms he will be on the 4th line, not with his speed and shot anyway. To me, if the kid is physically able to play in the AHL, that is where he should play and where in the lineup he plays and how many and what type of minutes he plays is totally up to him. I care more about putting players in the right league based on their physical maturity so we can minimize the chance of serious injuries.

There was no finishing touch.
-bmeltzer

Bill, this to me is going to be the biggest problem for the Flyers this year. As I posted last night, this Flyers team has to work really, really hard for their goals compared to other, more skilled teams; this takes a toll and is not sustainable. Farabee in really the only player in this lineup so far that has demonstrated he can snipe and that is just not enough. G historically has shown he can do it, but he has got to go back to shooting the puck and being the culmination of plays instead of a catalyst. This is why the PP has not been good for the past few years and why we as fans watch game after game where the Flyers cycle and tilt the ice, but never cash in while the other team skates down and score seemingly with little effort. Its something to keep an eye out for this year.

I don't. I think they'll go into the season with what is there now UNLESS they decide Frost needs a few AHL weeks to get back his offensive confidence and timing and there's a 2C stopgap that hits waivers.
- bmeltzer

doubt any 2C on waivers that make 1m or so. They cant afford a high priced one i do not believe.

Rather see Frost in the AHL for a few weeks.

I don't. I think they'll go into the season with what is there now UNLESS they decide Frost needs a few AHL weeks to get back his offensive confidence and timing and there's a 2C stopgap that hits waivers.
- bmeltzer

The way it looks to me right now I think Brassard is your 2C, Laughton is your 3C and Bunnaman is your 4C. Frost is not ready, plain and simple, and the Flyers are going to struggle to score out of the gate this year, which means they will need to win a lot of low-scoring games early on.

Bill, this to me is going to be the biggest problem for the Flyers this year. As I posted last night, this Flyers team has to work really, really hard for their goals compared to other, more skilled teams; this takes a toll and is not sustainable. Farabee in really the only player in this lineup so far that has demonstrated he can snipe and that is just not enough. G historically has shown he can do it, but he has got to go back to shooting the puck and being the culmination of plays instead of a catalyst. This is why the PP has not been good for the past few years and why we as fans watch game after game where the Flyers cycle and tilt the ice, but never cash in while the other team skates down and score seemingly with little effort. Its something to keep an eye out for this year.
- jd250

The Flyers have if you include Hayes, have at least 7 forwards with the potential and capability to score 20 or more goals in a season. That does not include whatever offense Lindblom, Laughton and Brassard can supply. Also not including the defense. I have far more concerns about the defensive aspect such as the PK, 5 on 5 defense and goaltending than I do with goal scoring. I don't care how the goals are scored. For example with Couturier, 30 goals is 30 goals. The season hasn't started yet. The pre season is the pre season. Lets play at least one game before panic sets in.

The way it looks to me right now I think Brassard is your 2C, Laughton is your 3C and Bunnaman is your 4C. Frost is not ready, plain and simple, and the Flyers are going to struggle to score out of the gate this year, which means they will need to win a lot of low-scoring games early on.
- jd250

Don't see Bunnaman playing over Thompson. Frost is not ready for 2C but he's ready for the NHL. Not that going to the Phantoms is going to be bad for him and may help him regain his offensive touch.

I don't believe it is given that if Tuomaala plays for the Phantoms he will be on the 4th line, not with his speed and shot anyway. To me, if the kid is physically able to play in the AHL, that is where he should play and where in the lineup he plays and how many and what type of minutes he plays is totally up to him. I care more about putting players in the right league based on their physical maturity so we can minimize the chance of serious injuries.
- jd250

your opinion is noted.

He needs top end minutes and to continue to work on his offensive game. The phantoms wont provide that imo. They will pigeon hole him to play a defensive game first. They will stifle him.

So if he is physically ready you play him even if his skill level tells you otherwise? doesn't make sense to me.

Bill, this to me is going to be the biggest problem for the Flyers this year. As I posted last night, this Flyers team has to work really, really hard for their goals compared to other, more skilled teams; this takes a toll and is not sustainable. Farabee in really the only player in this lineup so far that has demonstrated he can snipe and that is just not enough. G historically has shown he can do it, but he has got to go back to shooting the puck and being the culmination of plays instead of a catalyst. This is why the PP has not been good for the past few years and this why we as fans watch game after game where the Flyers cycle and tilt the ice, but never cash in while the other teams skate down and score. Its something to keep an eye out for this year.
- jd250

I'll put it this way: They were 7th in GPG in 2019-20. Last season, they actually ranked 4th leaguewide just before the bottom dropped out and the GAA ballooned in March. Atkinson is more of a finisher, less of a playmaker than Voracek. I think the Flyers will be one of the NHL's better teams in terms of goals from the defense, even with Ghost gone. Am concerned about Hayes having two abdominal muscle surgieres in less than a calendar year; not sure how effective he'll be when he gets back. They need Frost to find an offensive rhythm because he's not in one at all right now.

All in all, I think the Flyers can be a middle-of-the-pack offensive team. The Flyers really didn't have any of their main scoring threats in the lineup last night. No Giroux, Couturier, TK, Farabee, JVR, Atkinson or even Lindblom.

The Flyers have if you include Hayes, have at least 7 forwards with the potential and capability to score 20 or more goals in a season. That does not include whatever offense Lindblom, Laughton and Brassard can supply. Also not including the defense. I have far more concerns about the defensive aspect such as the PK, 5 on 5 defense and goaltending than I do with goal scoring. I don't care how the goals are scored. For example with Couturier, 30 goals is 30 goals. The season hasn't started yet. The pre season is the pre season. Lets play at least one game before panic sets in.
- MJL

Geez, i hope no one panics after the 1st game. Need prob a 10 game sample to properly evaluate .

I'll put it this way: They were 7th in GPG in 2019-20. Last season, they actually ranked 4th leaguewide just before the bottom dropped out and the GAA ballooned in March. Atkinson is more of a finisher, less of a playmaker than Voracek. I think the Flyers will be one of the NHL's better teams in terms of goals from the defense, even with Ghost gone. Am concerned about Hayes having two abdominal muscle surgieres in less than a calendar year; not sure how effective he'll be when he gets back. They need Frost to find an offensive rhythm because he's not in one at all right now.

All in all, I think the Flyers can be a middle-of-the-pack offensive team. The Flyers really didn't have any of their main scoring threats in the lineup last night. No Giroux, Couturier, TK, Farabee, JVR, Atkinson or even Lindblom.
- bmeltzer

I have said this as well. Not to mention the family tragedy.

The Flyers have if you include Hayes, have at least 7 forwards with the potential and capability to score 20 or more goals in a season. That does not include whatever offense Lindblom, Laughton and Brassard can supply. Also not including the defense. I have far more concerns about the defensive aspect such as the PK, 5 on 5 defense and goaltending than I do with goal scoring. I don't care how the goals are scored. For example with Couturier, 30 goals is 30 goals. The season hasn't started yet. The pre season is the pre season. Lets play at least one game before panic sets in.
- MJL

Yes, they have several potential 20+ goal scorers, but I was talking about snipers. The Flyers have no players that can put up 40 goals in a season, a player that can change a game with one shot, who can score that big PP goal in a tied game late. There is no panic, just something to watch for.

I'll put it this way: They were 7th in GPG in 2019-20. Last season, they actually ranked 4th leaguewide just before the bottom dropped out and the GAA ballooned in March. Atkinson is more of a finisher, less of a playmaker than Voracek. I think the Flyers will be one of the NHL's better teams in terms of goals from the defense, even with Ghost gone. Am concerned about Hayes having two abdominal muscle surgieres in less than a calendar year; not sure how effective he'll be when he gets back. They need Frost to find an offensive rhythm because he's not in one at all right now.

All in all, I think the Flyers can be a middle-of-the-pack offensive team. The Flyers really didn't have any of their main scoring threats in the lineup last night. No Giroux, Couturier, TK, Farabee, JVR, Atkinson or even Lindblom.
- bmeltzer

Yes, clearly last night the Flyers had no top 6 vets in the lineup. I was not meaning to focus on last night, but the more general observation that this Flyers team has to work extremely hard for their goals, and they need more snipers. I think Fletcher knows this based on how he has drafted the past few drafts. Yes Atkinson has scored 40 goals in this league before, but I doubt he will be anywhere close to that if he is being tasked to improve our PK. I expect Farabee to take another step forward and get 30 goals this year, and I am hopeful TK and Couts can get around 30 also in a full season. If that happens the Flyers will be in the good shape.

Yes, they have several potential 20+ goal scorers, but I was talking about snipers. The Flyers have no players that can put up 40 goals in a season, a player that can change a game with one shot, who can score that big PP goal in a tied game late. There is no panic, just something to watch for.
- jd250

They have more than several. We don't need a 40 goal scorer to be a quality scoring team. You've been panicking the entire pre season as opposed to raving about the team before camp opened. Where was the complaint about not having a 40 goal scorer or a "sniper" before the pre season started? Remember, Fletcher made all the right moves. Changed the culture.

Yes, they have several potential 20+ goal scorers, but I was talking about snipers. The Flyers have no players that can put up 40 goals in a season, a player that can change a game with one shot, who can score that big PP goal in a tied game late. There is no panic, just something to watch for.
- jd250

All teams would love a 40 goal guy, prob only 5-10 of them in the league.

Yes, they have several potential 20+ goal scorers, but I was talking about snipers. The Flyers have no players that can put up 40 goals in a season, a player that can change a game with one shot, who can score that big PP goal in a tied game late. There is no panic, just something to watch for.
- jd250

All teams would love a 40 goal guy, prob only 5-10 of them in the league.

Biggest concerns with this team:

They are very thin when it comes to quality top 9 centers with Hayes out.

Will Hayes ever get to 100% this season coming off back to back core surgeries? History seems to point to his not being in top form until the following season

The PK and NAK’s inability to not take bad penalties

Michel Therrien is still running the pp. I have zero faith in him.

Lack of quality scoring centers in the prospect pipeline. God forbid Couts gets injured, because once you get past him it’s ugly. They need to do a better job of drafting pivots. It’s not just about Patrick. Since drafting Couts in 2011, they’ve used multiple high picks on centers and the results have been dismal:

2012 Scott Laughton- nice role player but not what you want from a first round pick

2016: Rubtsov- best case, NHL 4th liner. Ugh

2017: Patrick and O’Brien. Obviously Patrick turned out to be a devastating disappointment and O’Brien certainly doesn’t look like a future NHL impact player

2018: Frost- too soon to tell for sure, but he has yet to step up and grab the spot that is all but being handed to him.

Will they be better than last season? Probably as long as the goaltending improves and key players (especially Couturier) stay healthy. But they are in a very deep division in which 95 points could see a team in 6th and missing the playoffs.

And, sadly, they still aren’t a Cup contender after 7 years or so of rebuilding/retooling.

It’s very frustrating

sorry for the double post, tech issues

They have more than several. We don't need a 40 goal scorer to be a quality scoring team. You've been panicking the entire pre season as opposed to raving about the team before camp opened. Where was the complaint about not having a 40 goal scorer or a "sniper" before the pre season started? Remember, Fletcher made all the right moves. Changed the culture.
- MJL

you are waiting to pounce on the culture eh? lol If they dont make the playoffs, is that going to be a culture issue? The culture part is giving up in games, and no push back, we shall see how this plays out

Biggest concerns with this team:

They are very thin when it comes to quality top 9 centers with Hayes out.

Will Hayes ever get to 100% this season coming off back to back core surgeries? History seems to point to his not being in top form until the following season

The PK and NAK’s inability to not take bad penalties

Michel Therrien is still running the pp. I have zero faith in him.

Lack of quality scoring centers in the prospect pipeline. God forbid Couts gets injured, because once you get past him it’s ugly. They need to do a better job of drafting pivots. It’s not just about Patrick. Since drafting Couts in 2011, they’ve used multiple high picks on centers and the results have been dismal:

2012 Scott Laughton- nice role player but not what you want from a first round pick

2016: Rubtsov- best case, NHL 4th liner. Ugh

2017: Patrick and O’Brien. Obviously Patrick turned out to be a devastating disappointment and O’Brien certainly doesn’t look like a future NHL impact player

2018: Frost- too soon to tell for sure, but he has yet to step up and grab the spot that is all but being handed to him.

Will they be better than last season? Probably as long as the goaltending improves and key players (especially Couturier) stay healthy. But they are in a very deep division in which 95 points could see a team in 6th and missing the playoffs.

And, sadly, they still aren’t a Cup contender after 7 years or so of rebuilding/retooling.

It’s very frustrating
- BiggE

Good post. When was the last time they drafted a top 6 center? Clode?

There is this misconception imo that they have a lot of "depth".

They miss the playoffs imo.