CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 According to a Philly.com story, Michale Del Zotto is motivated to prove he is an NHL level defenseman. It sounds good and I am sure we all would love for him to be. In the wake of the salary cap debacle created by Holmgren, finding a diamond in the rough would be huge for the Flyers. However, after reading the story I couldn't help scratching my my head. According to the stroy, DZ was the face of the Rags blueline. And it is outlined how far and fast the guy fell. In today's NHL, with d-men being in high demand, I would imagine you have to be playing pretty "shiddy" to be discarded. And using the Flyers line up as a barometer, if guys like Schenn and Grossman are regulars, DZ must have been real bad. After all, the Flyers even passed him by in taking Schulz. For me, the question is "why"? And what bothers me is it sounds like excuses. The Rags had a long road trip to start the season and then DZ got sick. The coach (a talented guy who got the team to the SC finals), wrongfully blamed DZ because the team won with him out of the lineup. I don't know if I can buy this thoery. Especially since the story indicates the guy never recovered, and eventually had to be dealt. It just sounds like the coach is the villain, along with some bad luck. If this was the case, why did it not get any better when he changed teams. In fact, it got so bad, he couldn't even get a qualifying offer, and was passed over by several teams. That kind of tells me, the coach in NY was spot on in his assessment of the guy's game. He says he is humbled. He says he is motivated. Good for him. I hope he finds his game. But for whatever, reason, I'm just not getting a good vibe . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @CoachX I'm skeptical of the whole thing, there was a reason he was sitting there for the taking 5 full weeks after the start of the UFA period. Having said that, I'm hoping for the best and willing the wipe the slate clean and give him every chance to earn my respect as a fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 i was wondering what else may have been going on. Attitude? Feeling a little self entitled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fan4ever Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @CoachX That is what some of the articles are saying, some as far as saying 'uncoachable'. Time will tell if we can get the best out of him, otherwise it isn't a long term commitment so we woudn't be paying for YEARS if it turns out to be a mistake. Silver lining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ahhhhh ...."uncoachable"? I was wondering. It sounded like there was more to it. Maybe if he has hit rock bottom, he might get his act together. But since these things don't often pay off in Flyerland, I won't hold my breath. Like you said though, it isn't long term and they aren't on the hook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doom88 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @CoachX I'm skeptical of the whole thing, there was a reason he was sitting there for the taking 5 full weeks after the start of the UFA period. Having said that, I'm hoping for the best and willing the wipe the slate clean and give him every chance to earn my respect as a fan.Those 5 weeks may have been that humbling experience he needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 When your stock has fallen as far as Del Zotto's has the last couple of seasons humility should be a given at this point. He's saying the right things and hopefully the last 5 weeks will be a swift kick in the ass for him. Low Risk/High Reward if he can regain his form. Dude is still only 24 so if he finds his game the Flyers could end up with a cheaper version of Erik Karlsson. Good signing for Hextall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Count me among the skeptics. There is a lot to not like about DZ's game. And all the humility and motivation in the world, not to mention coaching etc, may not be able to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 i get that this is a good signing, considering the "need", so I am not arguing the merits or thought process. I'm just wanting to see the team getting better, so I'm hoping the guy can be a player, but I doubt he will. It says it all that they would have passed if they weren't completely desperate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishjim Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 my feeling is, his asking price was more than what teams wanted to pay given his last 2 seasons..amazing how your price lowers when there arn't many options left..I still feel this is a good signing. right price, right term..and remember he's a puck mover what everyone on this board has been crying for since carle left Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahophilly Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 my feeling is, his asking price was more than what teams wanted to pay given his last 2 seasons..amazing how your price lowers when there arn't many options left..I still feel this is a good signing. right price, right term..and remember he's a puck mover what everyone on this board has been crying for since carle leftI agree Irish. Lets just see what happens. It's a one year experiment at a good price. And yes, everyone has been screaming for a puck moving d-man. We get one and some are still upset. There may be issues and there may not. Lets just wait and see. Nothing can be done about it now anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 remember he's a puck mover what everyone on this board has been crying for since carle left I was one of those crying - still am - about Homer letting Carle walk. And they are similar type players I guess.....but Carle at least knows what his own end looks like, where the net is, where his partner is, where he needs to be etc. Sure he wasn't very physical, but he could contain guys and had a good stick. I'm not sure you can say the same about DZ. He's almost purely a PP specialist (when playing with confidence). As someone said on another site, "there's nothing low risk about Del Zaster" when it comes to his overall play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 plus lets not forget how many times (in every sport) have we seen a young kid arrive and get complacent and think he has arrived and now he no longer has to work hard to get to where he wants to go, or to stay with a team....it happens all the time. I'm a lot like many here who are skeptical of it working too but i am remaining hopeful this works in the Flyers favor for once...the young kid gets it and turns it around and doesn't become the next Pavel Brendl or Zherdev. Besides it really isn't that risky of a move the can waive him to the Phantoms at worse and get back 900K of his 1.3 mill cap hit....so it's low risk high reward maybe. Plus he is playing for a contract so he doesn't have to go to the KHL after this upcoming season. Its a win win for the Flyers i think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Count me among the skeptics. There is a lot to not like about DZ's game. And all the humility and motivation in the world, not to mention coaching etc, may not be able to fix it. I am skeptical as well Pods... but, if he can regain his offensive form he would fit in nicely all while letting the young kids develop. That is the key to me here - do not rush one of the young kids. He is an offensively gifted dman, but for whatever reason, fell off a steep cliff. I am not expecting much of anything and still have concerns his defensive zone play. He was never good in the defensive zone IMO... In essence - he fills a spot in the top 6 and allows Hagg, Ghost, Alt, etc... develop. I posted earlier this defensive group is worse today than it was 48 hours ago... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I was one of those crying - still am - about Homer letting Carle walk. And they are similar type players I guess.....but Carle at least knows what his own end looks like, where the net is, where his partner is, where he needs to be etc. Sure he wasn't very physical, but he could contain guys and had a good stick. I'm not sure you can say the same about DZ. He's almost purely a PP specialist (when playing with confidence). As someone said on another site, "there's nothing low risk about Del Zaster" when it comes to his overall play I prefer El Zotto myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I prefer El Zotto myself. I hear El Zotto likes sheep too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @murraycraven In general I'm in favor of giving guys a chance who are looking for a second chance or to remake their careers. And I am here too, given the price and term. You never know. Pair him with someone he trusts and respects and who makes up for his deficiencies, they click, maybe he gets some confidence, and voila! Just not holding my breath... @flyercanuck - I like that! Like a Mexican superhero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraycraven Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @murraycraven In general I'm in favor of giving guys a chance who are looking for a second chance or to remake their careers. And I am here too, given the price and term. You never know. Pair him with someone he trusts and respects and who makes up for his deficiencies, they click, maybe he gets some confidence, and voila! Just not holding my breath... @flyercanuck - I like that! Like a Mexican superhero I agree... Like I said I think this defense is a lot worse w/out Kimmo (even an old Kimmo). Not holding my breath either and have little hope it will pan out. Maybe he is motivated and his ego is shattered and turns into a good player again. One can only hope... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam1986 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 The fact is get kids to develop first! Let them play a few games but make them earn it in the AHL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyClarkeFan16 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I think this is the perfect landing spot for Del Zotto. He brings a need to the club - a proven power play guy that's young, can skate and handle the puck very well. Other than Streit, nobody else on the club has the skill set that Del Zotto has. On top of it, Del Zotto has extra motivation going in and knowing that this is his last chance. It happened with Steve Mason when he came here and he turned it around. Same with Matt Carle when he was here. It's all about confidence and if Del Zotto regains that (which I think he will and will probably push the 50 point mark this year), he's going to be a very dangerous player. He might even be "that" guy that people often refer to that Coburn needs to play with in order for Coburn to be successful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podein25 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 ...He might even be "that" guy that people often refer to that Coburn needs to play with in order for Coburn to be successful... Now there's a tall order. Coburn needs a brain transplant - or frontal lobotomy at least - to be successful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 I agree Irish. Lets just see what happens. It's a one year experiment at a good price. And yes, everyone has been screaming for a puck moving d-man. We get one and some are still upset. There may be issues and there may not. Lets just wait and see. Nothing can be done about it now anyway. I don't think anyone is upset. I haven't heard anyone crying out not to do this. All I see is open debate about why the guy has fallen as far as he has, and all things considered, can he be a productive player? But to your point "we get one and some are still upset", I have to ask, do we have one if he is guarding a stool in the press box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachX Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Now there's a tall order. Coburn needs a brain transplant - or frontal lobotomy at least - to be successful maybe he just needs an armadillo to snuggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Other than Streit, nobody else on the club has the skill set that Del Zotto has Exactly and he isn't the defensive guru Timo was. But he is faster and just may help hold the puck in the offensive zone longer....just maybe. Sure he may be a more liability in his own zone too but it also must be mentioned with it may come increased time with the puck. Now like many none of us really no till he gets a chance to play but myself i just tend to try to look on the bright side of things....i realize what could go wrong but i try to focus more on what may go right. Either is acceptable since this is a message board just stating my stance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 @CoachX Baby steps...start off shoving a few old ladies down escalators. If that doesn't work, shag a few aardvarks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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