Long term, do you want this team switching the identity yet again and becoming a tight checking team?
- flyer_nutter

They shouldn't have changed the identity in the first place IMO. Keeping it the way it is just for the sake of not changing it isn't necessarily the right answer either.

Lavy's "system" requires a lot more effort from the forwards, all game every game. It also needs speed throughout the lineup for it to be effective. We don't have the speed this year, and we're not getting the consistent high energy forecheck, and ferocious back checking every night. Bottom line is this team isn't built to play as aggressively as Lavy wants them to play, and they are simply not able to execute his game plan well on a consistent basis.

If you don't have the horses to play a certain style, at some point you have to change styles. Or you're going to lose a lot of games.
- BringBack25

Exactly on target.

I would rather use the off-season to better fit such an identity, that is proven. Instead of panicking and going with a whole new d-first approach. Which many of the guys on the team, are not suited for at all.

They get destroyed along the boards pretty consistently.

No offense, but I am going to just stop here.

I think the D-core that was on the ice for this game, and most of this season, is a sack of poop.
- flyer_nutter

Well I guess Holmgren just doesn't know how to recognize NHL defenseman. I know how a team has to play to win.

Personally I am of the belief that some players are just better than others for a reason.

A coach cannot make a stupid player, a smart one by giving them a talk.

For the young kids it helps sure. The larger problem for me, is that it is the veterans on this team that have been making huge mistakes all season.

I dont see the need to panic, this season was a poop show from day one with the D core that was thrown together. It needs to be improved FIRST AND FOREMOST.
- flyer_nutter

i wouldn't do a panic move with this team, its obvious it won't be a catalyst for anything major.

I'd rather they ride it out, and really target improving it on the long term, not just for next year.
Drafting, trading for players who belong in the top 5 spots instead of bottom 6/ahl.
Whatever it takes, the defense needs to be addressed.

And the 4th line centerman.

Seriously you guys think Murray hired in the ahl was just coincidence? Somehow I get the feeling brass thought that poop might hit the fan this year...lavy is on a short leesh and you can bet your ass Murray is his replacement

I don't necessarily disagree with this theoretically. But what is happening out there is not due to a lack of the right players. It's simply due to a lack of structure, and attention to detail.
- MJL

I would certainly agree that the players can play better. But I don't think this roster can really excel playing this style.

The line changes are brutal, as are all the too many men penalties.
- PLindbergh31

That stuff reflects on the coach, I don't remember Murray's teams being guilty of that just being overloaded with goons and shoddy goaltending. Bryzgalov has been good overall this year but the half ass effort in front of him makes him look alot worse IMO

Perhaps. Maybe Murray will beat the Rangers and Devils every few months as well.
- PLindbergh31

I'd wager that Murray's record against he Rangers and Devils as a Flyers head coach is better than Laviolette's

Hard work makes up for lack of talent.
Talbot looks like he's gliding with his head in the clouds, while in the offensive zone.
Briere keeps slowing down entering the zone, causing offsides and/or unforced turnovers.
Gervais is Gervais.
Guys go out of position for who knows why, leaving guys wide open!
Are they all lazy? Absolutely not. But there are more examples of guys not showing up, or playing half speed most of the game until its too late

I honestly don't even think a coaching change would do anything. This is just a bad team.

Which is why they need to jettison whatever they can for youth/picks at this point.
- the deaninator

Completely agree. You cant make them defensive, but you will not turn this team into gold. The biggest problem in my eyes? They arent build to play ANY ONE SYSTEM. That is all management to me. Panic, panic, panic.

Let's take inventory here....

We have a) a 3-2 odd man disadvantage with G not in good backchecking position, b) 3 guys coming at us with LOTS of speed, where one of those guys has the puck, and he just happens to be a top flight player in the NHL, and c) this prime scorer fires a hard, low stick side shot from a high percentage shooting area

And here are, crucifying Bryz
- Giroux_Is_God

poop didnt u hear all the facebookers came on now

Seriously you guys think Murray hired in the ahl was just coincidence? Somehow I get the feeling brass thought that poop might hit the fan this year...lavy is on a short leesh and you can bet your ass Murray is his replacement
- Philly1980

Well they need to poop or get off the pot cause my blankets are feeling the moisture coming.

That stuff reflects on the coach, I don't remember Murray's teams being guilty of that just being overloaded with goons and shoddy goaltending. Bryzgalov has been good overall this year but the half ass effort in front of him makes him look alot worse IMO
- JoeRussomanno

It definitely does. The team doesn't play like a well coached team. I don't think Murray would change anything. Murray hasn't won a playoff series in I don't know 15 years.

Exactly on target.

I would rather use the off-season to better fit such an identity, that is proven. Instead of panicking and going with a whole new d-first approach. Which many of the guys on the team, are not suited for at all.

They get destroyed along the boards pretty consistently.
- flyer_nutter

This is where you get off course. You seem to think that you can't be an aggressive fore-checking team and play well defensively, and check in all 3 zones. I assure you that you can. It's not a choice between one or the other.

Did you not see how the Rangers solid checking and breaking up plays in the neutral zone led to odd man chances for them? And goals?

Exactly on target.

I would rather use the off-season to better fit such an identity, that is proven. Instead of panicking and going with a whole new d-first approach. Which many of the guys on the team, are not suited for at all.

They get destroyed along the boards pretty consistently.
- flyer_nutter

This is where you get off course. You seem to think that you can't be an aggressive fore-checking team and play well defensively, and check in all 3 zones. I assure you that you can. It's not a choice between one or the other.

Did you not see how the Rangers solid checking and breaking up plays in the neutral zone led to odd man chances for them? And goals?

Can Shea Weber be traded yet?

Murray is the answer. He will transform Gustafsson, and Gervais and all the other 7th defensemen into Larry Robinson.
- PLindbergh31

or big bad shea weber

The bad line and D changes are on the coaches. That's one of the things I want them to change. Too many men penalties are also on the coaches, and we must lead the league in those.

I don't think this is a sack of poop team. It is however a team that will not be very successful playing this system.
- BringBack25

The line changes and D changes need to be fixed.

However you have Gervais and Guss making those mistakes. I simply lay more of the blame on the players themselves.

These are guys that most other teams wouldn't even have sniffing the NHL ice for a reason.

this game was so frustrating/ugly/boring that I refuse to talk about it.

I will now focus all of my energy on the mayhem to come on Thursday night.

harry z was the main cog, he will be missed

Posted tomorrow's blog early, because I have to be up by 4 AM and out the door by 5.

It's not just one loss, it's getting owned over and over again by teams like the rangers , devils and bruins who they haven't even played yet
- JoeRussomanno

ohhhhelllyeah we've been owned by teams we haven't even played yet, that's wild.

or big bad shea weber
- bigmookalookie

Mookster! What's up buddy?

The line changes and D changes need to be fixed.

However you have Gervais and Guss making those mistakes. I simply lay more of the blame on the players themselves.

These are guys that most other teams wouldn't even have sniffing the NHL ice for a reason.
- flyer_nutter

Ottawa's been decent with a bunch of AHLers. How is this possible?

Ottawa's been decent with a bunch of AHLers. How is this possible?
- eayost

They lead the NHL in save %

Can Shea Weber be traded yet?
- Winning

Why do you care? He can't play goalie....