Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Trotz, TIFH (Stanley Cup 1 anniversary)

Be surprised if he’d come here.

He is not a fit here. Not at all. Not for a team that should be rebuilding, and trying to move itself into the modern NHL. Why should fans be excited to watch such a boring style of play?

Watching a team bereft of star power simply trying to shutdown other creative teams, game after game.

Any lies about them being close to contention, and implementing Trotz hockey just compound what’s likely to be a product that is already having trouble attracting interest.

They are so intent on trying to swim upstream, and try to ruin a great chance at a top 5 pick next season. For what exactly? A first round championship banner? Or is it about incompetent men trying to ensure they keep their jobs another season.

He is not a fit here. Not at all. Not for a team that should be rebuilding, and trying to move itself into the modern NHL. Why should fans be excited to watch such a boring style of play?

Watching a team bereft of star power simply trying to shutdown other creative teams, game after game.

Any lies about them being close to contention, and implementing Trotz hockey just compound what’s likely to be a product that is already having trouble attracting interest.
- FlyerFan3260

Blank check baby. Trotz wants to be in management after he is done coaching. Flyers can offer him that and then some......Wherever he ends up it will end up being the highest paid contract ever for a NHL head coach

He is not a fit here. Not at all. Not for a team that should be rebuilding, and trying to move itself into the modern NHL. Why should fans be excited to watch such a boring style of play?

Watching a team bereft of star power simply trying to shutdown other creative teams, game after game.

Any lies about them being close to contention, and implementing Trotz hockey just compound what’s likely to be a product that is already having trouble attracting interest.

They are so intent on trying to swim upstream, and try to ruin a great chance at a top 5 pick next season. For what exactly? A first round championship banner? Or is it about incompetent men trying to ensure they keep their jobs another season.
- FlyerFan3260

This team wins nothing without fixing the defense. Without that, they will be another Buffalo even with a top 5 pick next year. Trotz has shown an ability to develop defensemen wherever he has gone. If the Flyers do not want to start a full decades long rebuild, Trotz is the best and only choice IMO.

Blank check baby. Trotz wants to be in management after he is done coaching. Flyers can offer him that and then some......Wherever he ends up it will end up being the highest paid contract ever for a NHL head coach
- hello it's me 2050

Imagine watching teams like Florida or Colorado. Tampa. Imagine seeing how they play the game, and trying to sell a starved fanbase on Trotz hockey.

Sure, if the Flyers were anywhere close to doing something worthwhile one could have an argument but they aren’t. Don’t believe any lies that they are. A snooze fest approach to this beautiful game for a team that won’t win poop?

This team continues to believe that just making the playoffs is some sort of accomplishment.

Imagine watching teams like Florida or Colorado. Tampa. Imagine seeing how they play the game, and trying to sell a starved fanbase on Trotz hockey.

Sure, if the Flyers were anywhere close to doing something worthwhile one could have an argument but they aren’t. Don’t believe any lies that they are. A snooze fest approach to this beautiful game for a team that won’t win poop?

This team continues to believe that just making the playoffs is some sort of accomplishment.
- FlyerFan3260

The fanbase will eat it up if they hire Trotz to be honest imo. "Best" coach in the league stuff will be written. They will sneak Flyers "hockey" is back in there somewhere as well.

If there was a competent GM in place I would be more inclined to want Trotz at this time. Then again maybe you hire him to turn it around get them on the right track then hand off to whoever he hires as an assistant.

It is also going to be interesting to see what Trotz tells each GM he talks to. Will he want say in any potential moves? Will he say get rid ox player a b c and d?

The fanbase will eat it up if they hire Trotz to be honest imo. "Best" coach in the league stuff will be written. They will sneak Flyers "hockey" is back in there somewhere as well.

If there was a competent GM in place I would be more inclined to want Trotz at this time. Then again maybe you hire him to turn it around get them on the right track then hand off to whoever he hires as an assistant.

It is also going to be interesting to see what Trotz tells each GM he talks to. Will he want say in any potential moves? Will he say get rid ox player a b c and d?
- hello it's me 2050

Hire Trotz. Draft one of the top defensemen at 5. Develop the back end. Then the Flyers would just need 1 more hard to get piece in a future #1 center. If they can’t get more out of what they have on defense right now they will have to completely start over.

I have been pro tank since Hextall was hired but Trotz is the only guy with a track record of developing defensemen where they could salvage this mess. The Flyers won’t be a Florida, Tampa or Colorado under Trotz but they could be a Carolina or what Boston was the prior decade.

Talking to Bundy, he believes that the Flyers will not pay Trotz because they still owe AV almost 10 million.

Seems like that would be a drop in the bucket for Comcast.

Then again, he thinks Tocchet is the right choice.

Talking to Bundy, he believes that the Flyers will not pay Trotz because they still owe AV almost 10 million.

Seems like that would be a drop in the bucket for Comcast.

Then again, he thinks Tocchet is the right choice.
- MBFlyerfan

Bundy has a lot of good ideas, but he’s a guy that very clearly wants the alumni to have even more influence. He’s advocated for some strange things when listening to that podcast.

A bit behind the times sadly, and that’s coming from a fan of his. He blames Val, and Comcast for a lot but completely fails to acknowledge that a lot of his former “buddies” are at fault too. Men who still have jobs in the organization for some reason.

Talking to Bundy, he believes that the Flyers will not pay Trotz because they still owe AV almost 10 million.

Seems like that would be a drop in the bucket for Comcast.

Then again, he thinks Tocchet is the right choice.
- MBFlyerfan

If the rumors are correct that this has been the worst year for season ticket renewals in franchise history, Comcast will pay. The team doesn’t have the capspace to bring in a name to attract fans so a coach might be their only option to renew fan interest.

He is not a fit here. Not at all. Not for a team that should be rebuilding, and trying to move itself into the modern NHL. Why should fans be excited to watch such a boring style of play?

Watching a team bereft of star power simply trying to shutdown other creative teams, game after game.

Any lies about them being close to contention, and implementing Trotz hockey just compound what’s likely to be a product that is already having trouble attracting interest.

They are so intent on trying to swim upstream, and try to ruin a great chance at a top 5 pick next season. For what exactly? A first round championship banner? Or is it about incompetent men trying to ensure they keep their jobs another season.
- FlyerFan3260

Let me get this straight. Trotz, who literally coached the Predators from the ground floor up for 15 years, is the wrong fit here because you're afraid the Flyers might improve too much to pick again in the top 5 next year' (as if even Bedard would single handedly turn things around thereafter).

Let me get this straight. Trotz, who literally coached the Predators from the ground floor up for 15 years, is the wrong fit here because you're afraid the Flyers might improve too much to pick again in the top 5 next year' (as if even Bedard would single handedly turn things around thereafter).
- bmeltzer

Partly yes, while the style of play is something I cannot get behind from an entertainment point of view as a fan.

We both know the kind of team you wish they become, and how adamant you are against a rebuild.

It’s a strategy that’s worked wonders, so I do wonder why you keep pushing it so hard on the fanbase that doesn’t believe it anymore. He’s not a fit at this time in my eyes. Not the direction the team should be moving in.

Hire Trotz. Draft one of the top defensemen at 5. Develop the back end. Then the Flyers would just need 1 more hard to get piece in a future #1 center. If they can’t get more out of what they have on defense right now they will have to completely start over.

I have been pro tank since Hextall was hired but Trotz is the only guy with a track record of developing defensemen where they could salvage this mess. The Flyers won’t be a Florida, Tampa or Colorado under Trotz but they could be a Carolina or what Boston was the prior decade.
- psuhockey

How set in there ways are Ivan and Sanheim? Can he even get through to them is a huge question seeing all the coaches they have already had. Saw what happened to Myers lol

Only way Trotz comes here is for the 6.5-7 million per year on a 6 year deal. Then with a "promise" to move into management. He will get paid no matter where he goes so what is the attraction? Maybe Ryan Ellis!!!!

Partly yes, while the style of play is something I cannot get behind from an entertainment point of view as a fan.

We both know the kind of team you wish they become, and how adamant you are against a rebuild.

It’s a strategy that’s worked wonders, so I do wonder why you keep pushing it so hard on the fanbase that doesn’t believe it anymore. He’s not a fit at this time in my eyes. Not the direction the team should be moving in.
- FlyerFan3260

I want them to become a team that can win, 2-1, when it needs to amd can also pick apart an opponent that gets frustrated/sloppy. I want them to become a team where there is a culture of accountability. I want them to become a team where players collectively are put in position to succeed. I want the guy who is widely considered the dean of goalie coaches to come along with a stellar head coach.

You may have a burning desire to see the Flyers become the Buffalo Sabres or Edmonton (where there are two bonafide superstars but are still unlikely to come out of their conference). I care about the team game, and the team game needs a LOT of work.

Trotz is the ideal coach to improve that, and he has shown he can coach everything from modest rosters to Cup contenders as effectively as possible. Damn right I want him as coach if he wants to come here.

The only thing that matters is winning. Remember how horrible it was watching the boring Devils hoist the Cup or the left-wing lock of the Redwings bring them the Cup? Were their fans unhappy because it wasn’t Edmonton vs Calgary 9-6 hockey? Nope! Bring in Trotz. Let him try to mold this team in to a winner. Give him time to change the culture on the ice and in the locker room. Almost everything I’ve ever read is that he’s a great person and his players love him and respect him. Yes a few outliers here and there but he is one of the winningest coaches of all time. Why wouldn’t we want that?

How set in there ways are Ivan and Sanheim? Can he even get through to them is a huge question seeing all the coaches they have already had. Saw what happened to Myers lol

Only way Trotz comes here is for the 6.5-7 million per year on a 6 year deal. Then with a "promise" to move into management. He will get paid no matter where he goes so what is the attraction? Maybe Ryan Ellis!!!!
- hello it's me 2050

I think Sanheim and Provorov will play a lot better in a structured system. One of them will likely have to be moved at season end so a year in Trotz’s system will only increase their trade value.

Trotz is not going to magically turn this team into a contender overnight. What he can do is get everything out of what’s here already and build a foundation for the future when better talent can be added. Are Nemec or Jiricek a future superstar? I don’t know but I would feel better about either reaching their upmost potential under Trotz then any other coach. Same with York, Attard and even the goaltenders for that matter.

Fantastic video Bill. Just watched the whole thing. It starts with having proper leadership. It starts with having a solid coach that all 19 guys buy in night in and night out. You then need the talent, and the depth of talent. You need character.

The game is different but it really still comes down the simple basics and foundations you build around. Is Trotz that guy ? He might be. He has a track record of getting the entire team to buy in. At the very least the Flyers would see where they are, because honestly I’m still not sure. Are the vets that bad? Are the young guys growth really that stagnant? Is the drafting and development that furked up?
Trotz may indeed be the best candidate.

I want them to become a team that can win, 2-1, when it needs to amd can also pick apart an opponent that gets frustrated/sloppy. I want them to become a team where there is a culture of accountability. I want them to become a team where players collectively are put in position to succeed. I want the guy who is widely considered the dean of goalie coaches to come along with a stellar head coach.

You may have a burning desire to see the Flyers become the Buffalo Sabres or Edmonton (where there are two bonafide superstars but are still unlikely to come out of their conference). I care about the team game, and the team game needs a LOT of work.

Trotz is the ideal coach to improve that, and he has shown he can coach everything from modest rosters to Cup contenders as effectively as possible. Damn right I want him as coach if he wants to come here.
- bmeltzer

Will Trotz be the guy who will keep that Frost line together right away? Will he implement guys like Allison and Laczynski into the bottom 6 or will he try to turn Willman-Brown-MacEwan into his trusted line of Martin-Cizikas-Buttercup?

This team is young and fundamentally deficient. There's no doubt Trotz can help clean some of that up, but will he allow young players to play through their mistakes? How well will Hart work with this dean of goalie coaches after having Dillabaugh since the start of his career?

There's too many question marks with this roster makeup that allow me to believe Trotz will be the answer to get them back into contention. I don't want another team that wins enough to sneak into the playoffs only to lose in the first or second round. I'm sick of the alternate years of making the postseason.

Do I want them to become Buffalo or Edmonton? No, not particularly. But both of those teams are currently in a way better spot than the Flyers.

People need to start taking the fact that Johnny Guadreau will be here next year more seriously

meh

Those Devils teams with Stevens and Brodeur shattered many a great season for the Flyers. Winning is fun. I would like to have fun again.

I want them to become a team that can win, 2-1, when it needs to amd can also pick apart an opponent that gets frustrated/sloppy. I want them to become a team where there is a culture of accountability. I want them to become a team where players collectively are put in position to succeed. I want the guy who is widely considered the dean of goalie coaches to come along with a stellar head coach.

You may have a burning desire to see the Flyers become the Buffalo Sabres or Edmonton (where there are two bonafide superstars but are still unlikely to come out of their conference). I care about the team game, and the team game needs a LOT of work.

Trotz is the ideal coach to improve that, and he has shown he can coach everything from modest rosters to Cup contenders as effectively as possible. Damn right I want him as coach if he wants to come here.
- bmeltzer

or Tampa or Chicago or the Pens or Toronto or Carolina

People need to start taking the fact that Johnny Guadreau will be here next year more seriously
- black_francis

ok Ek

He is not a fit here. Not at all. Not for a team that should be rebuilding, and trying to move itself into the modern NHL. Why should fans be excited to watch such a boring style of play?

Watching a team bereft of star power simply trying to shutdown other creative teams, game after game.

Any lies about them being close to contention, and implementing Trotz hockey just compound what’s likely to be a product that is already having trouble attracting interest.

They are so intent on trying to swim upstream, and try to ruin a great chance at a top 5 pick next season. For what exactly? A first round championship banner? Or is it about incompetent men trying to ensure they keep their jobs another season.
- FlyerFan3260

Trotz was in Nashville along time when Nashville was trying to find themselves and bringing in some of the best young defenseman in recent history. Weber. Suter. Timonen. To a smaller extent Josi. Ellis. I’d like to see if he could help Provorov and Sanheim reach their fullest potential.