Bill Meltzer: Opener Wrap, Phantoms, Desnoyers, Quick Hits

Glad to see Hart bounce back and play well down the stretch and in OT. Not happy to see that the PK is still a mess and that AV is still determined to overuse Thompson who was awful last night.

Great use of the word “flummoxed”… you don’t see that everyday. Describes my view of last years team to a T.

This team still cannot play a full 60 minute game.
Ok the penalties derailed the second period. The third period for me was inexcusable as far as play goes.
Playing three quarters of a period so lackadaisical when down by two on opening night screams that the old habits are still prevalent.
It’s one game let’s see if it gets corrected.

PK and soft goals. Top line doesn't show up until late in 3rd.

Dominated in the 3 v 3 which is why you do not keep adding 30+ year old grinders to the line-up. The Flyers seem intent on bringing back old school hockey which won't win anything, but more importantly, is so hard to watch

Still the same..baby babe your still the same

It’s game one, Got to give Hart some more games to prove himself. Some of those goals were very odd, still would like him to have a couple. People need to relax, watch 10 games before we decide nothing has changed. A fast start was very encouraging

Game one of the season. Provie and Ellis almost put in 30 min a piece. 4 th line under 10 min. When we are healthy I hope this balances out a little more.

Also. Yes early season. But the refs were also mediocre last night.

Pulling for hart. Hope he doesn’t get mindf&@ked like mason.

I'm a bit concerned that NHLers have figured Caaaaater Haaaaat out. It seems the book on him is that he is weak high glove side and when you put pucks at his feet. Both of those were on display last night. It seems the Nucks were just throwing everything at the net in that second period(trying to create loose pucks at his feet) and unfortunately it worked. PK has to get better or something(someone) has to change. Thanks!

Farabee’s contract will be fletchers best move here

PK and soft goals. Top line doesn't show up until late in 3rd.
- cdearth23

I thought the 1st line was decent in the first. Much like most of the players.

Bill,

You have elliot in the title but don’t see anything in the blog sir. Thanks for the write up.

Willman make a good first impression? Kid has some wheels.

This team still cannot play a full 60 minute game.
Ok the penalties derailed the second period. The third period for me was inexcusable as far as play goes.
Playing three quarters of a period so lackadaisical when down by two on opening night screams that the old habits are still prevalent.
It’s one game let’s see if it gets corrected.
- bird_dog_pa

I agree with this. Pretty much zero pressure until they pulled Hart for the extra man. I expected Vancouver to bounce back in the second, but not cave them like they did. Pretty frustrating game overall besides the first period.

I agree with this. Pretty much zero pressure until they pulled Hart for the extra man. I expected Vancouver to bounce back in the second, but not cave them like they did. Pretty frustrating game overall besides the first period.
- Ftown19125

Yeah. Was happy with the first period. Game one but def had some soft goals. I did like tk s game last night. Some promising signs. The new guys all seem to be fitting in well so far.

Bill,

You have elliot in the title but don’t see anything in the blog sir. Thanks for the write up.

Willman make a good first impression? Kid has some wheels.
- Peter Richards

I actually noticed that kid's speed too and I think the Flyers can use all the speed they can get among their forwards. Too many sluggish skaters up front on this team.

I'm a bit concerned that NHLers have figured Caaaaater Haaaaat out. It seems the book on him is that he is weak high glove side and when you put pucks at his feet. Both of those were on display last night. It seems the Nucks were just throwing everything at the net in that second period(trying to create loose pucks at his feet) and unfortunately it worked. PK has to get better or something(someone) has to change. Thanks!
- Phillywhiteout

Hart was fine glove side in April and throughout camp. The Pozkoldin goal was going to be a goal regardless of the goalie. Fired from the dot, lots of movement, perfectly placed.

My concern with Hart is that when plays gets unstructured and scrambled, he has a higher-than-normal tendency to give up the bleeders. That's been the case throughout his pro career, including 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Bill,

You have elliot in the title but don’t see anything in the blog sir. Thanks for the write up.

Willman make a good first impression? Kid has some wheels.
- Peter Richards

I am adding sections to the blog, one at a time, as I often do. Haven't forgotten Desnoyers part.

Even if one says Hart’s third period and OT were a “positive “ his overall game performance was awful by any objective measure. The short lived shootout looked as bad as it could possibly get. 4 goals on 11 shots in the second period. Still going down too early on the first goal leaving the high glove open. How many times did that happen last year?

It was interesting to hear former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch on the Nuks broadcast give his perspective on Hart’s problems. Criticisms you will never hear from the Jackson crew.
If Hart doesn’t gain some confidence quickly it could get ugly in a hurry. Nothing demoralizes a team worse than bad goaltending.

Farabee’s contract will be fletchers best move here
- Just5

There’s a few contracts that are starting to look very good including Farabee’s. When guys like Nurse, Werenski and Mcavoy are all north of 9 million, I’ll take take Provy’s 7 ish and Ellis’s all day long. As well, I do realize Coots is have a bunch of years in his 30’s on his new deal, but at 7.8 he is worth every penny, when guys are making 11-12 and young guys are signing their second deal for well over 8. Nick Suzuki might turn into a low end #1 Center but more likely is a decent # 2….he has nowhere the track record but is set to make the same as Coots for the next 8 years and quite simply isn’t as good…I’ll take Coots.

Even if one says Hart’s third period and OT were a “positive “ his overall game performance was awful by any objective measure. The short lived shootout looked as bad as it could possibly get. 4 goals on 11 shots in the second period. Still going down too early on the first goal leaving the high glove open. How many times did that happen last year?

It was interesting to hear former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch on the Nuks broadcast give his perspective on Hart’s problems. Criticisms you will never hear from the Jackson crew.
If Hart doesn’t gain some confidence quickly it could get ugly in a hurry. Nothing demoralizes a team worse than bad goaltending.
- Djapana

Hirsch is tough to listen too, with his failed comedian approach but he did give some insight into Hart’s issues and how poor goaltending effects the over all team mindset.

I am adding sections to the blog, one at a time, as I often do. Haven't forgotten Desnoyers part.
- bmeltzer

My bad. Thank you

Glad to see Hart bounce back and play well down the stretch and in OT. Not happy to see that the PK is still a mess and that AV is still determined to overuse Thompson who was awful last night.
- BiggE

Hart had a up, down and up game. I think it is a very good sign when an athlete can “ fix their game” during a game. It’s a sign of an a maturing player and it also builds confidence.

He didn’t have time to go through that in the AHL so I’m glad it’s happening now.

There’s a few contracts that are starting to look very good including Farabee’s. When guys like Nurse, Werenski and Mcavoy are all north of 9 million, I’ll take take Provy’s 7 ish and Ellis’s all day long. As well, I do realize Coots is have a bunch of years in his 30’s on his new deal, but at 7.8 he is worth every penny, when guys are making 11-12 and young guys are signing their second deal for well over 8. Nick Suzuki might turn into a low end #1 Center but more likely is a decent # 2….he has nowhere the track record but is set to make the same as Coots for the next 8 years and quite simply isn’t as good…I’ll take Coots.
- landros 2

I’d add Seth Jones to that list of long term contracts that may look really bad before long.

There’s a few contracts that are starting to look very good including Farabee’s. When guys like Nurse, Werenski and Mcavoy are all north of 9 million, I’ll take take Provy’s 7 ish and Ellis’s all day long. As well, I do realize Coots is have a bunch of years in his 30’s on his new deal, but at 7.8 he is worth every penny, when guys are making 11-12 and young guys are signing their second deal for well over 8. Nick Suzuki might turn into a low end #1 Center but more likely is a decent # 2….he has nowhere the track record but is set to make the same as Coots for the next 8 years and quite simply isn’t as good…I’ll take Coots.
- landros 2

McAvoy will still be just 31 when his ends. The kid is still young yet. I don’t think that’s too bad considering he should likely be an A-Tier franchise defenseman during the majority of that time, if not the entire length of the deal. Maybe swap him out with Jones.

But yeah, some of these other contracts being handed out are sure making Provorov appear to be a steal.