Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Week Ahead, Flyers Daily, Phantoms

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Week Ahead, Flyers Daily, Phantoms
- bmeltzer

bill do you see lappy being back next season?

Part of the reason, imo, the flyers may not trade anyone is the lack of players being ready in Lehig. It has to be disappointment to see attard ginning andrae not ready to contribute or step in at this time. or any forwards.

do the powers that be see this as a lappy issue for players regressing? or do they like what he is doing?

any insight appreciated.

bill do you see lappy being back next season?

Part of the reason, imo, the flyers may not trade anyone is the lack of players being ready in Lehig. It has to be disappointment to see attard ginning andrae not ready to contribute or step in at this time. or any forwards.

do the powers that be see this as a lappy issue for players regressing? or do they like what he is doing?

any insight appreciated.
- hello it's me 2050

Lappy's been on the staff for over a dozen years, across multiple GM and coach regimes. The guy is as entrenched as anybody has ever been with the Flyers.

If DB wasn't able/willing to wash him out with the Chuck Fletcher bath water right after he took over he probably isn't gonna do so now.

bill do you see lappy being back next season?

Part of the reason, imo, the flyers may not trade anyone is the lack of players being ready in Lehig. It has to be disappointment to see attard ginning andrae not ready to contribute or step in at this time. or any forwards.

do the powers that be see this as a lappy issue for players regressing? or do they like what he is doing?

any insight appreciated.
- hello it's me 2050

I will put it this way. Everyone likes Lappy so much personally -- and understands that there have been times where he wasn't given much to work with, and never used it to make excuses-- that the sense of loyalty runs high.

That said, this Phantoms team should be better than this. Spotty goaltending has been a big reason but it's not the only reason.

I will put it this way. Everyone likes Lappy so much personally -- and understands that there have been times where he wasn't given much to work with, and never used it to make excuses-- that the sense of loyalty runs high.

That said, this Phantoms team should be better than this. Spotty goaltending has been a big reason but it's not the only reason.
- bmeltzer

goaltending effects the record more no doubt. That cant pin on the coaching staff.

I more looking at individual play. No one has taken a step forward from the group they expected to. that is a huge problem to me. So it seems lappy is good to go.

Appreciate the response Bill.

Atkinson looks cooked to me unless he is battling through some type of injury. He has no get up and go. Lappy needs to go. That team looks stale. Been saying this for awhile, so I guess I'll just keep banging my head against that wall.

Lappy's been on the staff for over a dozen years, across multiple GM and coach regimes. The guy is as entrenched as anybody has ever been with the Flyers.

If DB wasn't able/willing to wash him out with the Chuck Fletcher bath water right after he took over he probably isn't gonna do so now.
- Tomahawk

yep was the prefect time to show things have changed.....

he has never thrived in any role. never left an imprint you can say hey he did that.

Insane to me having the resources the flyers have to neglect the AHL the way they do imo.

Atkinson looks cooked to me unless he is battling through some type of injury. He has no get up and go.
- Phillywhiteout

He does look cooked.

yep was the prefect time to show things have changed.....

he has never thrived in any role. never left an imprint you can say hey he did that.

Insane to me having the resources the flyers have to neglect the AHL the way they do imo.
- hello it's me 2050

Interesting read in the Athletic today from Pierre Lebrun’s article talking about TK being the target for the Carolina, but the Flyers not interested in moving him.

I will say this about Lappy….the AHL is basically right down the road. It’s not like the current management group doesn’t know what’s happening there daily. I agree they love Lappy, but also thinks they should be looking at that whole situation….this team is never that good. But I also think they just made some changes last year with regards to player development…so perhaps he’s given some more time along with these other guys. Considering it has several guys the Flyers appear to be counting on for the future that’s a problem if they don’t see progress with some of these guys.

Atkinson looks cooked to me unless he is battling through some type of injury. He has no get up and go. Lappy needs to go. That team looks stale. Been saying this for awhile, so I guess I'll just keep banging my head against that wall.
- Phillywhiteout

https://youtu.be/Y51ZC3CZr8w

Interesting read in the Athletic today from Pierre Lebrun’s article talking about TK being the target for the Carolina, but the Flyers not interested in moving him.

I will say this about Lappy….the AHL is basically right down the road. It’s not like the current management group doesn’t know what’s happening there daily. I agree they love Lappy, but also thinks they should be looking at that whole situation….this team is never that good. But I also think they just made some changes last year with regards to player development…so perhaps he’s given some more time along with these other guys. Considering it has several guys the Flyers appear to be counting on for the future that’s a problem if they don’t see progress with some of these guys.
- landros 2

that is 100% shocking!!!

To an extent the flyers never have any plug in an ply guys in the ahl to call up. After all these years they have really nothing to show for it.

If there was any real progress I think we would be hearing about it on some level. Not 1 dman down there has there really been anything positive. That to me leaves danny boy gun shy about moving some current dman. Now it is probably a small % as the flyers dont want to move anyone!!!

Is there really anyone on the phantoms you can say they are counting on for the future?

Point is the AHL team needed a total flush as well.

So, it wasn't all bad. But it wasn't nearly good enough, either. Frost has five points (2g, 3a) in his last five games.

Since you brought it up Bill, this is my only issue with Frost and the reason I think he gets into Tort's cross hairs sometimes. Torts has rightly said it about players, once he sees what you are capable of he wants to see it consistently. Frost against Winnipeg, Seattle and Arizona had 2 G, 2A and was a plus 3. Against Toronto and New Jersey, he got 1A and is a -3. It's not fair to expect any player to score goals or make snappy passes that lead to goals every night, but it is fair to expect a player to show up and be noticed in a positive way every night, like TK for example. Frost just can't seem to do that yet.

I will put it this way. Everyone likes Lappy so much personally -- and understands that there have been times where he wasn't given much to work with, and never used it to make excuses-- that the sense of loyalty runs high.

That said, this Phantoms team should be better than this. Spotty goaltending has been a big reason but it's not the only reason.
- bmeltzer

What I really do not like is there does not seem to be consistency between how the Phantoms play and how the big club plays. And to me that is a mistake. The AHL is for developing players and determining which players can play for the big club eventually and which ones cannot. How can this evaluation be done if the teams are not at least trying to play the same style and with the same approach? To me, the identity of the franchise is reflected in how the team wants to play, and that determines what players you need to have. This identity needs to be consistent at every level in the organization IMO.

My hunch is the Flyers trade Laughton at the deadline, extend Seeler and Walker and trade Risto in the off-season.

Since you brought it up Bill, this is my only issue with Frost and the reason I think he gets into Tort's cross hairs sometimes. Torts has rightly said it about players, once he sees what you are capable of he wants to see it consistently. Frost against Winnipeg, Seattle and Arizona had 2 G, 2A and was a plus 3. Against Toronto and New Jersey, he got 1A and is a -3. It's not fair to expect any player to score goals or make snappy passes that lead to goals every night, but it is fair to expect a player to show up and be noticed in a positive way every night, like TK for example. Frost just can't seem to do that yet.
- jd250

TK didn't exactly bust it on the OT line change in Toronto and took an awful, selfish penalty in the Stadium Series.

What I really do not like is there does not seem to be consistency between how the Phantoms play and how the big club plays. And to me that is a mistake. The AHL is for developing players and determining which players can play for the big club eventually and which ones cannot. How can this evaluation be done if the teams are not at least trying to play the same style and with the same approach? To me, the identity of the franchise is reflected in how the team wants to play, and that determines what players you need to have. This identity needs to be consistent at every level in the organization IMO.
- jd250

torts told cement head he doesn't care what system he plays. so there is that and shows torst isn't about rebuilding or development tin any way really.

it is beyond dumb they do not have the same system/structure.

My hunch is the Flyers trade Laughton at the deadline, extend Seeler and Walker and trade Risto in the off-season.
- jd250

who is lining up to take RR? provide some teams and why.

that is 100% shocking!!!

To an extent the flyers never have any plug in an ply guys in the ahl to call up. After all these years they have really nothing to show for it.

If there was any real progress I think we would be hearing about it on some level. Not 1 dman down there has there really been anything positive. That to me leaves danny boy gun shy about moving some current dman. Now it is probably a small % as the flyers dont want to move anyone!!!

Is there really anyone on the phantoms you can say they are counting on for the future?

Point is the AHL team needed a total flush as well.
- hello it's me 2050

Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala…..I think all have a legit change to be decent NHL players….Samson, Ginning,Grans, Attard and Desnoyers all have a chance to at least play games up in the Show.

I agree with you, that it is somewhat disheartening that some of those guys have not really taken the bull by the horns.

I know i’m in the minority but I would mind Allison getting another chance down the stretch in a 4th line roll.

Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala…..I think all have a legit change to be decent NHL players….Samson, Ginning,Grans, Attard and Desnoyers all have a chance to at least play games up in the Show.

I agree with you, that it is somewhat disheartening that some of those guys have not really taken the bull by the horns.

I know i’m in the minority but I would mind Allison getting another chance down the stretch in a 4th line roll.
- landros 2

Not the minority at all. I think everyone would rather see him there then Deslauriers on the 4th line.

who is lining up to take RR? provide some teams and why.
- hello it's me 2050

I could see Calgary. Not a big FA destination and if the move Tanev and lose Hanafin they could be in the need for a defenseman. They could then move him closer to the end of his deal. Having some term would actually be beneficial to them.

Since you brought it up Bill, this is my only issue with Frost and the reason I think he gets into Tort's cross hairs sometimes. Torts has rightly said it about players, once he sees what you are capable of he wants to see it consistently. Frost against Winnipeg, Seattle and Arizona had 2 G, 2A and was a plus 3. Against Toronto and New Jersey, he got 1A and is a -3. It's not fair to expect any player to score goals or make snappy passes that lead to goals every night, but it is fair to expect a player to show up and be noticed in a positive way every night, like TK for example. Frost just can't seem to do that yet.
- jd250

Here is where your ignorance comes in. Konecny wasn't able to be that player, to bring that consistent level to his game or even approach that until he played 5 seasons and about 350 NHL games. Frost has played 203 NHL games and Frost's all around game is at this point in time ahead of where Konency's game was at that point in time in level of experience. Yet you repeatedly try to compare Frost to Konecny.

How about Tippett's train wreck of a game away from the puck against NJ?

Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala…..I think all have a legit change to be decent NHL players….Samson, Ginning,Grans, Attard and Desnoyers all have a chance to at least play games up in the Show.

I agree with you, that it is somewhat disheartening that some of those guys have not really taken the bull by the horns.

I know i’m in the minority but I would mind Allison getting another chance down the stretch in a 4th line roll.
- landros 2

Brink and Andrae I suppose they believe will be NHL. Actually forgot about brink. The others I do not think will ever be regular nhl guys. Not with the flyers at least.

Samu I think the book is still open. Had a very good year. Will be interesting to see how he does next year. Hopefully he progresses next, not a flash in the pan so to speak.

No way you see Allison again unless just crazy circumstances.

Here is where your ignorance comes in. Konecny wasn't able to be that player, to bring that consistent level to his game or even approach that until he played 5 seasons and about 350 NHL games. Frost has played 203 NHL games and Frost's all around game is at this point in time ahead of where Konency's game was at that point in time in level of experience. Yet you repeatedly try to compare Frost to Konecny.
- MJL

practice what you preach cliff. always calling peeps names.

I could see Calgary. Not a big FA destination and if the move Tanev and lose Hanafin they could be in the need for a defenseman. They could then move him closer to the end of his deal. Having some term would actually be beneficial to them.
- J35Bacher

that is valid to me. Though I would think they would prefer other options. 3 years still a lot of term for a guy who will likely regress further.

Also Calgary will not be rebuilding the GM said. So will they waste over 5 million on RR?

My hunch is the Flyers trade Laughton at the deadline, extend Seeler and Walker and trade Risto in the off-season.
- jd250

It’s going to depend on what the offer is for Laughton. They are not going to give the guy away. This might have been the overall plan but it also depends on what the Flyers are offering both Walker and Seeler right now and if they think they can do better on the open market.
As far as Risto. If they do move him, the return won’t be much unless they retain $. I’m not sure with three full years left it’s all that great of a move. I actually thought if he stayed healthy then it might have been a move at the deadline…there have been reports that a few team kicked the tires.
I do have a question though regarding Walker and Seeler….if you sign both these guys closing in on 30 what does that tell you the Flyers thoughts on Andrea, Attard, Ginning or Grans? Signing guys to multi year deals at that age does not say “rebuild” what so ever and although I like both guys basically screams the “same old Flyers”….at least the last two GMs were honest with their plans…failed as they were.