Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Flyers Go Back to Work, ASG, Phantoms Update

Ratcliffe is ruined at this point knowing that any mistake he makes is going to land him back in the pressbox. What a colossal failure of a pick when you consider the assets they spent to get him.

Not that I like hearing contracted NHL guys they are hoping to develop sitting in the press box. But that’s the way it goes. Lappy does see these guys every day in games and in practice. I really thought Ratcliffe had taken some pretty good strides when the Flyers called him up. I was always sceptical about his ability to transition to the pace of the NHL, but he seemed fine. I really thought if he could ever do that the offence would follow. Hopefully Fletcher does some of these kids a solid and gets them moved sooner then later. Let them go play and have a chance elsewhere.

https://twitter.com/DrEvi...&t=HAE_KFkFsQ7G_8NvnHoerw

Not that I like hearing contracted NHL guys they are hoping to develop sitting in the press box. But that’s the way it goes. Lappy does see these guys every day in games and in practice. I really thought Ratcliffe had taken some pretty good strides when the Flyers called him up. I was always sceptical about his ability to transition to the pace of the NHL, but he seemed fine. I really thought if he could ever do that the offence would follow. Hopefully Fletcher does some of these kids a solid and gets them moved sooner then later. Let them go play and have a chance elsewhere.
- landros 2

I agree. Give these kids chances in other organizations. Ratcliffe is done here. He needs a change of scenery.

PLind, you’re not taking Evil Gritty tweet’s seriously are you? He’s always good for a laugh.

Ratcliffe never had a chance not because of Flyers development but because he cant skate. Said it the day he was drafted just didnt have and never will have NHL wheels. In Jrs he could over power with his size not in pros. Bad bad draft pick hoping for something that just wasn't there.

Ratcliffe never had a chance not because of Flyers development but because he cant skate. Said it the day he was drafted just didnt have and never will have NHL wheels. In Jrs he could over power with his size not in pros. Bad bad draft pick hoping for something that just wasn't there.
- hfc355

I vehemently disagree. From that same Draft class, Robertson was panned for his skating. He's overcome it.

Go rewatch Ratcliffe's 10 NHL games last year. Was he able to keep up with the pace? Yes.

Ratcliffe has never figured out what he is or should be as a pro. He's lacked confidence/assertiveness for long stretches and lost a development year due to injury before seemingly breaking through in the second half of last season.

His skating per se is adequate.

💤 😴

Some guys games just don’t translate to the next level, it happens all the time. Ratcliffe is clearly a case like that, he’s never come close to putting up points in the AHL and doesn’t have what it takes to be a bottom line grinder. Every kid selected in the first few rounds tears up junior, but most of them don’t make it. Bad pick.

PLind, you’re not taking Evil Gritty tweet’s seriously are you? He’s always good for a laugh.
- Dkos

I...








... am Evil Gritty!

Bill do you see a path for Isaac to bounce back and become a NHL player or do you see him being released/ not resigned?

I had high hopes for him from the draft on including his brief NHL stint.

I...








... am Evil Gritty!


- Bendecko

✊

Laberge instead of Debrincat
Ratcliffe instead of Jason Robertson
Rubtsov instead of Tage Thompson.
O’Brien instead of K Miller

Just think how different the Flyers lineup would be if Hextall hit on some of those picks. Problem is he didn’t pick just less talented players but players that never even sniffed the NHL.

Laberge instead of Debrincat
Ratcliffe instead of Jason Robertson
Rubtsov instead of Tage Thompson.
O’Brien instead of K Miller

Just think how different the Flyers lineup would be if Hextall hit on some of those picks. Problem is he didn’t pick just less talented players but players that never even sniffed the NHL.
- Djapana

Hindsight drafting is fun but other teams passed those guys too There is as much luck in the draft as there is player evaluation and development

Isles extend Horvat, 8 years at 8.5 million per.

They never learn. Horvat is a good 2C having a career year, his career shooting % is 14.7 but he’s at 21+ this year. Yeah, that’s sustainable, lol.

PLind, you’re not taking Evil Gritty tweet’s seriously are you? He’s always good for a laugh.
- Dkos

So Gaudreau plan was to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets all along?

Isles extend Horvat, 8 years at 8.5 million per.

They never learn. Horvat is a good 2C having a career year, his career shooting % is 14.7 but he’s at 21+ this year. Yeah, that’s sustainable, lol.
- BiggE

I guessed 8 X 7.5 …60 mil…on here last week….I thought I was erring on the side of caution with a number that high…this number is easily a mil a year to much. I like Horvat but this is a “Chuck Fletcher” type contract.

I guessed 8 X 7.5 …60 mil…on here last week….I thought I was erring on the side of caution with a number that high…this number is easily a mil a year to much. I like Horvat but this is a “Chuck Fletcher” type contract.
- landros 2

Cuckles would have paid him 9 million per and gave him a full NTC/NMC too. Fletcher loves to bid against himself.

Isles extend Horvat, 8 years at 8.5 million per.

They never learn. Horvat is a good 2C having a career year, his career shooting % is 14.7 but he’s at 21+ this year. Yeah, that’s sustainable, lol.
- BiggE

Fringe 30 goal guy every year, that contract locks the Isles up for irrelevant the next 5 years. Nice job Lou, icing on the cake.

Isles extend Horvat, 8 years at 8.5 million per.

They never learn. Horvat is a good 2C having a career year, his career shooting % is 14.7 but he’s at 21+ this year. Yeah, that’s sustainable, lol.
- BiggE

Never topped 61 points and scoring way over that in a year of inflated scoring. Barzal will be making over $9 Mil. Maybe Barzal moves to wing.

Laberge instead of Debrincat
Ratcliffe instead of Jason Robertson
Rubtsov instead of Tage Thompson.
O’Brien instead of K Miller

Just think how different the Flyers lineup would be if Hextall hit on some of those picks. Problem is he didn’t pick just less talented players but players that never even sniffed the NHL.
- Djapana

The same exact thing can be said and pointed out about every team.

Hindsight drafting is fun but other teams passed those guys too There is as much luck in the draft as there is player evaluation and development
- GPerogie

It's not hindsight when the Flyers literally get about zero of these studs ever. With the exception of Giroux who are the players drafted in the last 20 years on any of these players level?

I vehemently disagree. From that same Draft class, Robertson was panned for his skating. He's overcome it.

Go rewatch Ratcliffe's 10 NHL games last year. Was he able to keep up with the pace? Yes.

Ratcliffe has never figured out what he is or should be as a pro. He's lacked confidence/assertiveness for long stretches and lost a development year due to injury before seemingly breaking through in the second half of last season.

His skating per se is adequate.
- bmeltzer

You and I have disagreed on this since the beginning . Respect your opinion but we are on different pages here. I see a slow methodical skater with slow acceleration. I know you like him because as you have said he is a wonderful kid but I dont see and never have seen an NHL player there. We will see he will be with another organization next yr for sure

So Gaudreau plan was to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets all along?
- PLindbergh31

I don’t know. What’s that have to do with a guy making funny poop up and posting it in twitter?