We apparently have vastly different definitions of gloom. 'Cause this has been looking pretty effing gloomy for a while now in my opinion.
- BringBack25

Reality is setting in more with where they currently sit in the standings and not many games left. Now is the time.

Team is struggling and is very inconsistant. The coaching hasn't been great. This team has talent but for some reason can't put it together.
- stveshdy

Story of the team since the lockout.

edit: of 04-05

Briere, Simmonds, Schenn line is bad, unproductive. Add on top of that that Briere and Simmonds are soft defensively, with Schenn a step behind, and you have a line that needs to be destroyed.

Erik "whiff" Gustafsson. Erik "turnover" Gustafsson. He's showing why he needs limited minutes and/or a trip back to the AHL.

Basically, we have 1 solid and 3 questionable lines. On D we have Grossmann and everybody else. Granted, when Mesz gets back the pairings will look a lot better, but it's amazing how bad all of them can look at time, from Coburn to Timonen and on down the line.

The good thing is, I'm no longer frustrated with this team because I accept they are just not very good.

And at least in this case, teams have figured out how to beat him. Tonight the Pens finally played like the Rangers and the Devils in the second and third periods, and just pressured us until we cracked. We couldn't get them off their game and running around like we had previously, and we eventually coughed up the lead. Mostly because we don't know how to play a tight checking game and hold a lead.
- BringBack25

If the opposing team plays disciplined and hard working hockey, they will give Laviolette trouble. If they have talent, he will have a real hard time beating them.

His successes against the Pens have come largely because the Pens get undisciplined. As soon as the Pens stopped the running around and nonsense, they obliterated the Flyers.

Team is struggling and is very inconsistant. The coaching hasn't been great. This team has talent but for some reason can't put it together.
- stveshdy

This team has boatloads of talent. It needs to be refined.

Good teams know how to play both ways. And puck pressure isn't supposed to just happen in the offensive zone. It's supposed to happen all over the ice, in layers. It's not there for this team. And it's not due to a lack of effort.
- MJL

I just don't see the Flyers firing Lavi at this point in the season.

A little early, but the make or break games for this team could be the home and home with Jersey the 13th and 15th. The two games prior are critical, but that series could be a nail or a catapult. Other than Ottawa a long way to catch the other teams.

And at least in this case, teams have figured out how to beat him. Tonight the Pens finally played like the Rangers and the Devils in the second and third periods, and just pressured us until we cracked. We couldn't get them off their game and running around like we had previously, and we eventually coughed up the lead. Mostly because we don't know how to play a tight checking game and hold a lead.
- BringBack25

Correct, it showed two years ago when Boston swept them out of the playoffs in the second round.

I just don't see the Flyers firing Lavi at this point in the season.
- stveshdy

Not much of a season left, and not much practice time in the crammed in schedule, either.

I just don't see the Flyers firing Lavi at this point in the season.
- stveshdy

We'll see I guess. You could be right. But as a GM, how can you watch this and do nothing? This is about far more then just growing pains of young players.

I just don't see the Flyers firing Lavi at this point in the season.
- stveshdy

Lavi didn't give up a 3 goal lead. That's squarely on the players.

We'll see I guess. You could be right. But as a GM, how can you watch this and do nothing? This is about far more then just growing pains of young players.
- MJL

It is also not the roster Homer envisioned during the offseason, so how much can you actually get out of this team?

We'll see I guess. You could be right. But as a GM, how can you watch this and do nothing? This is about far more then just growing pains of young players.
- MJL

I think this will be addressed in the offseason. Right now the Flyers will probably go with the current situation (my opinion of course).

We'll see I guess. You could be right. But as a GM, how can you watch this and do nothing? This is about far more then just growing pains of young players.
- MJL

Lavy had to be on a tighter leash after failing to adapt against the devils in last years playoffs. Injuries have extended his season IMO.

A little early, but the make or break games for this team could be the home and home with Jersey the 13th and 15th. The two games prior are critical, but that series could be a nail or a catapult. Other than Ottawa a long way to catch the other teams.
- jstross

They probably need to go something like 16-8 to maybe squeak into the playoffs. Considering they were tied going into the 3rd period the last two games and got 0 points, I think it's over. Too many squandered opportunities

Lavi didn't give up a 3 goal lead. That's squarely on the players.
- wolfhounds

Happened after inter period adjustments. In football this is a coaches kiss of depth(failure to adapt while your opponent does). I suspect hockey is similar with film adjustments to an opponents game plan. Although can't speak from experience with hockey.

It is also not the roster Homer envisioned during the offseason, so how much can you actually get out of this team?
- feelingkettle

How much has Paul MacLean gotten out of Ottawa? How much has Pete Deboer gotten out of NJ with Parise gone?

The Flyers have talent, but the coach isn't utilizing it well, IMO

It is also not the roster Homer envisioned during the offseason, so how much can you actually get out of this team?
- feelingkettle

A hell of a lot more then they're getting now. No doubt.

I think this will be addressed in the offseason. Right now the Flyers will probably go with the current situation (my opinion of course).
- stveshdy

You could be right.

They probably need to go something like 16-8 to maybe squeak into the playoffs. Considering they were tied going into the 3rd period the last two games and got 0 points, I think it's over. Too many squandered opportunities
- eayost

I hold out hope that with Read and Grossman back they can get their legs, toss in Mez soon and we'll see. If it's to be a bad year, then let it be a bad year and get the high picks. Otherwise get healthy and go on a run deep in the playoffs. The tweener stuff is just ugh.

Happened after inter period adjustments. In football this is a coaches kiss of depth(failure to adapt while your opponent does). I suspect hockey is similar with film adjustments to an opponents game plan. Although can't speak from experience with hockey.
- jstross

You saw in tonight's game, one Coach make an adjustment in the 3rd period.

How much has Paul MacLean gotten out of Ottawa? How much has Pete Deboer gotten out of NJ with Parise gone?

The Flyers have talent, but the coach isn't utilizing it well, IMO
- Jsaquella

I believe the Flyers have had one win when trailing in the third period and are pretty dreadful at getting points when tied going into the third.

the only bright spot I can take from this game is that the Pens played a VERY disciplined 2nd and 3rd period.

they do not usually do that against the Flyers, and based on recent history that would be an aberration.

How much has Paul MacLean gotten out of Ottawa? How much has Pete Deboer gotten out of NJ with Parise gone?

The Flyers have talent, but the coach isn't utilizing it well, IMO
- Jsaquella

There's really no guarantee a new coach would fix things, either. I remember when people wanted Stevens gone, there were shouts of "it's the players". The Flyers have been inconsistent for years. I think this goes beyond coaches, but goes into organizational structure. NJ knows what it wants, and knows the players it wants. Flyers seem more impatient and what they want changes with the seasons. I really think it's more than just on the coach, although he's a part of it.

A hell of a lot more then they're getting now. No doubt.
- MJL

Not sure this is the case anymore. This may be the status quo with this team. Obviously we expect more from them, but they have not shown any consistency other than playing crappy.