Meltzer’s Musings: Picking 17th

The fact that the 2014 NHL Draft will be held in Philadelphia does not increase the possibility that the Philadelphia Flyers will make a major trade on Draft weekend. It also does not make it more likely that the team will swing a deal to move up from the 17th spot in the first round. Likewise, new general manager Ron Hextall will not be “looking to make a big splash” simply for the sake of grabbi

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FAN VOTE: Best Ray Emery Save of 2013-14

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POLLS ARE OPEN: This week’s vote for ‘Play of the Year’ will wrap up the first round of the Best Save category. After deciding the Best Steve Mason Save of 2013-14, it’s time to decide Ray Emery’s best save this past year.

The winner of Emery’s…

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Meltzer’s Musings: Richards and Carter Revisited, Recalling Shero "Trade"

Revisiting Richards and Carter

Over the last three years, I have generally stayed out of the nearly endless debate over the Philadelphia Flyers’ trades of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter in the 2011 offseason. With the Los Angeles Kings returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in the last three seasons, I know we’re in store for another round of reminders.

I find the whole discu

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Meltzer’s Musings: Drafting Goaltenders

As the 2014 NHL Draft approaches, I would not be at all surprised if the Flyers choose a goaltender at some point in the Draft. The only goaltenders currently in the pipeline are 25-year-old Cal Heeter and 20-year-old Anthony Stolarz.

Stolarz is the better long-term prospect of the two but is still likely to need at least two seasons of AHL seasoning. Heeter, meanwhile, had a strong first half

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DRAFT: Top of 2014 NHL Draft could hold surprises

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TORONTO — Unpredictability is the word that would describe the perfect storm that’s about to hit Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia at the 2014 NHL Draft, which starts June 27.

Will the Florida Panthers keep the No. 1 pick and opt for the proj…

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Meltzer’s Musings: European FAs, New ECHL Affiliate

FIVE FREE-AGENT EUROPEAN CANDIDATES FOR THE NHL

Last year, the Philadelphia Flyers took a chance on Austrian forward Michael Raffl after scouting him at the IIHF World Championships. At age 23, Raffl had never played a game in a European major league but was a standout for Leksand in Sweden’s Allsvenskan (top minor league) level as well as holding his own at the Worlds. The Flyers beat out the

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Meltzer’s Musings: Wellwood Retires, Quick Hits

WELLWOOD RETIRES, ACCEPTS OHL ASSISTANT COACH POSITION

Unable to come back from severe leg tendon and artery injuries suffered in a horrific on-ice accident, former Flyers winger Eric Wellwood has announced his retirement as an active player at age 24. The former Windsor Spitfires (OHL) standout has accepted an assistant coaching job with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.

Wellwood, who dressed in 3

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Statement on Flyers chairman Ed Snider

Flyers Chairman Ed Snider recently completed treatment for a non-life-threatening form of cancer. According to Comcast-Spectacor Spokesperson Ike Richman, he is doing well and continues to be working. He is happy and healthy. Snider’s involvement …

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Laperriere: My first year behind the bench

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Being not too far removed from his days as a player, Ian Laperriere thought his eventual transition behind the bench would be a smooth one, if not completely natural.

And to a degree he was correct.

“I think that’s one of the reasons I got p…

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Meltzer’s Musings: No Quick Fixes, Goulbourne, and More

NO PANACEA SOLUTION ON THE BLUELINE

With the 2014 National Hockey Draft in Philadelphia and the start of the free agency period looming in the next month, the Flyers are sure to be at the center of a slew of rumored trades and free agent signings. Most of the rumors are likely to focus on defensemen.

Here’s the thing: If you look at what has gone on League-wide with defensemen, it is very mu

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