Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Scouts Week, Preseason, Gendron and More

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Scouts Week, Preseason, Gendron and More
- bmeltzer

Bill who has McCauley been responsible for drafting/signing or what not? What players did have a big voice in?

Thank you, Bill, for the information. If Flyers do make a deal for DeBrincat, I assume a Johnny Hockey homecoming is out of the question? That said, can’t argue with AD’s goal production.

RIP Jean-Guy. One of the few NHL players wearing a helmet during the late sixties and early seventies.

Glad to hear that the Debrincat deal is a no go, Bill. For all the reasons you explained yesterday, such a deal would be a huge price to pay for ultimately remaining in mediocrity for the team.

So I guess the only way to acquire elite talent at this time is finding players on rookie contracts. Certainly, that will reduce the available chances of finding one.

Glad to hear that the Debrincat deal is a no go, Bill. For all the reasons you explained yesterday, such a deal would be a huge price to pay for ultimately remaining in mediocrity for the team.
- Letterkenney

Did Bill actually suggest a deal won’t happen? All he said was the Flyers aren’t willing to give up the #5 pick. If Hawks are willing to move DeBrincat to Philly, they can certainly find a creative way to get it done.

Bill who has McCauley been responsible for drafting/signing or what not? What players did have a big voice in?
- hello it's me 2050

He's been a pro scout prior to being promoted to player personnel director in Feb. 2022, where he interacts with all facets of Hockey Ops including amateur and pro scouting staffs, player development and also Analytics. So it's a wide reaching role.

In terms of what pro-level trades/acquisitions he's influenced in the past, that's hard to say. I'm not privy to their meetings. Dave Brown has been the longtime chief pro scout so things run up the chain via Brownie.

Glad to hear that the Debrincat deal is a no go, Bill. For all the reasons you explained yesterday, such a deal would be a huge price to pay for ultimately remaining in mediocrity for the team.
- Letterkenney

From what I read and hear from the experts it certainly sounds like jg will come east and most have said it’s logical for nj or us to get him. It’s generally what I expect and boy does that screw the flames. They have to keep tkachuk now and he can ask for the moon.

Of note, I’m not sure this is a move that will move the needle for us but it aligns with everything we’ve heard so far from the org. I expect fletch will be busy. I don’t want us trading away any picks at all.

From what I read and hear from the experts it certainly sounds like jg will come east and most have said it’s logical for nj or us to get him. It’s generally what I expect and boy does that screw the flames. They have to keep tkachuk now and he can ask for the moon.

Of note, I’m not sure this is a move that will move the needle for us but it aligns with everything we’ve heard so far from the org. I expect fletch will be busy. I don’t want us trading away any picks at all.
- Hextall271

Just a hunch but I think JG ends up with the Devils. I think they can and will over spend for a marquee name.

Did Bill actually suggest a deal won’t happen? All he said was the Flyers aren’t willing to give up the #5 pick. If Hawks are willing to move DeBrincat to Philly, they can certainly find a creative way to get it done.
- BroadSTmayhem

I don't think Chicago gives him up without a heavy price to pay that will have long term impact. And, as Bill outlined yesterday, his current contract is short lived with DeBrincat's camp holding all the cards in 2 years. Comparing the short term benefit (maybe considering the current roster) to the long term costs of giving up top of the draft pics makes it unlikely that such a deal could work out for the Flyers.

I hope we make a selection at #5. Even if we traded for DeBrincat and/or signed Johnny G., we still have holes to fill. I am not convinced that we have anyone on our roster that will be able to compliment either of these two players and help them get to 40 goals.

Not related to the above, but keep an eye on Josh Anderson. Supposedly he is on the market. I'd love to have him. He's not the answer but he would be a nice piece.

From what I read and hear from the experts it certainly sounds like jg will come east and most have said it’s logical for nj or us to get him. It’s generally what I expect and boy does that screw the flames. They have to keep tkachuk now and he can ask for the moon.

Of note, I’m not sure this is a move that will move the needle for us but it aligns with everything we’ve heard so far from the org. I expect fletch will be busy. I don’t want us trading away any picks at all.
- Hextall271

Agreed. I like the Flyers getting proven top end talent, but cost of doing so must be compared to both the short and long term benefit. Right now, they could McDavid on this roster and it's not going to move the needle enough to make them a contender, but the cost of doing so would insure longer term mediocrity. The Flyers need top end talent, no doubt, but the way to do that in the modern game which is constrained by a salary cap is through the draft.

I hope we make a selection at #5. Even if we traded for DeBrincat and/or signed Johnny G., we still have holes to fill. I am not convinced that we have anyone on our roster that will be able to compliment either of these two players and help them get to 40 goals.

Not related to the above, but keep an eye on Josh Anderson. Supposedly he is on the market. I'd love to have him. He's not the answer but he would be a nice piece.
- cdearth23

Ditto for me on Anderson. Big, physical, and drives the net.

From what I read and hear from the experts it certainly sounds like jg will come east and most have said it’s logical for nj or us to get him. It’s generally what I expect and boy does that screw the flames. They have to keep tkachuk now and he can ask for the moon.

Of note, I’m not sure this is a move that will move the needle for us but it aligns with everything we’ve heard so far from the org. I expect fletch will be busy. I don’t want us trading away any picks at all.
- Hextall271

The team management if it was living in reality, should be looking to shed salary, not add it.

Ditto for me on Anderson. Big, physical, and drives the net.
- BroadSTmayhem

I would be happy to have Josh Anderson. We know he’s Torts guy. His offense seems to have a lot to be desired since his expiring contract season but he still has a lot to offer.

He's been a pro scout prior to being promoted to player personnel director in Feb. 2022, where he interacts with all facets of Hockey Ops including amateur and pro scouting staffs, player development and also Analytics. So it's a wide reaching role.

In terms of what pro-level trades/acquisitions he's influenced in the past, that's hard to say. I'm not privy to their meetings. Dave Brown has been the longtime chief pro scout so things run up the chain via Brownie.
- bmeltzer

Understood thanks.

Same question only for Brown. What has he really done?

I hope we make a selection at #5. Even if we traded for DeBrincat and/or signed Johnny G., we still have holes to fill. I am not convinced that we have anyone on our roster that will be able to compliment either of these two players and help them get to 40 goals.

Not related to the above, but keep an eye on Josh Anderson. Supposedly he is on the market. I'd love to have him. He's not the answer but he would be a nice piece.
- cdearth23

What is Montreal looking for in a trade for Anderson. Not sure I want that contract.

What is Montreal looking for in a trade for Anderson. Not sure I want that contract.
- rayc16

Yea, nice player but not a contract the Flyers should take on.

Ditto for me on Anderson. Big, physical, and drives the net.
- BroadSTmayhem

History of injuries, and mediocre offensive production for a $5.5m AAV.

Yea, nice player but not a contract the Flyers should take on.
- MJL

Yeah. I think he got overpaid. They were hoping he could be their Tom Wilson there.

Didn't Torts already name a guy like Anderson as someone he loves the way he plays....

Would love that dude, He was a beast in their run to the cup two years back.

Agreed. I like the Flyers getting proven top end talent, but cost of doing so must be compared to both the short and long term benefit. Right now, they could McDavid on this roster and it's not going to move the needle enough to make them a contender, but the cost of doing so would insure longer term mediocrity. The Flyers need top end talent, no doubt, but the way to do that in the modern game which is constrained by a salary cap is through the draft.
- Letterkenney

I think that they've committed to making a splash and that aligns with what they've said. They are simply not going to go full rebuild at this point, so the best we can hope for is to keep all the picks in the hopes we can find some players that will move the needle in the future.

The team management if it was living in reality, should be looking to shed salary, not add it.
- Sinisalo4vr

I just don't think that's their plan. I want no part of a youth/picks/prospect gutting trade for debrincat. If they're going to bring someone big in, at least JG won't cost the youth on top of hitting the cap.

Regardless, if we have no number 1 dman, which to me it sounds like we won't with Ellis' situation (which is beyond frustrating that there's been next to no progress) we are pooched anyway. This is likely the hole they need most to fill in order to ice at least a playoff bubble team.

Thank you, Bill, for the information. If Flyers do make a deal for DeBrincat, I assume a Johnny Hockey homecoming is out of the question? That said, can’t argue with AD’s goal production.
- BroadSTmayhem

As I already explained. Jg deal is done. He’s coming.