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.
- feelingkettle

I think you make some valid points about what direction they want to go in being reactionary and changing. But what is going on right now with this team, is beyond that.And you're also right about there being no guarantee a new Coach is going to fix things.

For a couple of years now. I remember the Richards\Carter years and FlySkippy had the Flip the Switch Avatar.

Why can't they bring the same effort that the Devils do for 60 minutes a game?
- ggunky

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

Honestly, based on the view on tv and my understanding of hockey systems(not poor, but not great) tough to tell without full concentration. One thing I love about actually being at the rink is you can see the play and defense develop. it's like watching football on tv, you can't tell what's going on. You need a coaches view(bird's eye) to actually see the scheme.

I'd love to know the adjustment you saw in the 3rd?

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.
- feelingkettle

No, there isn't. The trouble is that with the ineffectiveness of the adjustments made by this coaching staff, I have zero reason to feel that keeping the coach will fix things.

When other teams play disciplined hockey, they generally beat the Flyers.

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

How so? I'm not saying Lavi couldn't do better, but the players have to perform, and right now a lot of them are not getting it done from game to game.

Talbot. Feds. Coots. B Schenn has been MIA since Voracek got moved up to the 1st line, and Simmonds is MIA unless it's a PP since being moved down. Briere, he's been a no-show all year. Read is solid. Rinaldo is giving us more than expected. We all know how hot and cold Hartnell can run. Giroux has been much better, but he's inconsistent, and as good as he is, he can't carry a team.

It could be a problem of bad line mixtures, or it could just be that some of these kids aren't as good - right now - as we would all like them to be.

Exactly. The team runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off and rather than taking a timeout with a 2 goal lead, h waits until it's 4-3, then pulls the goalie who isn't at fault at 4-4.
- Jsaquella

This is exactly what was discussed in 204A tonight. Maddening. As I tweeted soon after (or tried to, since Twitter is used 1000% more frequently at the Farg than anywhere else), Lavi lost me there.

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.
- feelingkettle

this is a complete org fail, but the coaching's not working.

No, there isn't. The trouble is that with the ineffectiveness of the adjustments made by this coaching staff, I have zero reason to feel that keeping the coach will fix things.

When other teams play disciplined hockey, they generally beat the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

I never said keeping the coach will fix things. New coach or not, I think the roster needs somewhat of a makeover, and that will bring the biggest change. Homer tried to do that this offseason and failed. This was not the team that he wanted. So it's tough to say it's all on the coach.

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.
- feelingkettle

There's no doubt in my mind. Too much talent on this team for it to be the status quo. This team lacks guidance and direction. There are certainly some holes that need to be filled. And some of it is player related. But the bottom line and the reason why this team is floundering and sinking right now, is the Coaching. This guy just doesn't play the right way, to be consistently good year after year. He's obviously show that a team he Coaches can catch lightning in a bottle and do well. But it won't be constant.

this is a complete org fail, but the coaching's not working.
- isaiah520

Obviously it's not working right now. But I'm not sure a coaching change would be the best way to fix things. And I'm not saying keeping Lavi would fix things either.

The truth is, we could get an even crappier coach, or at least an even crappier fit.

Honestly, based on the view on tv and my understanding of hockey systems(not poor, but not great) tough to tell without full concentration. One thing I love about actually being at the rink is you can see the play and defense develop. it's like watching football on tv, you can't tell what's going on. You need a coaches view(bird's eye) to actually see the scheme.

I'd love to know the adjustment you saw in the 3rd?
- jstross

Pittsburgh changed their forecheck and kept on the defensive side of the puck.

I think you make some valid points about what direction they want to go in being reactionary and changing. But what is going on right now with this team, is beyond that.And you're also right about there being no guarantee a new Coach is going to fix things.
- MJL

For whatever reason they felt Carter and Richards couldn't be the main cogs on a team to win a Stanley Cup after signing them to long-term contracts. What changed? Not sure. I think this team is best suited for a strong forecheck as opposed to a trap team, but that doesn't excuse the ridiculous defensive zone lapses and disgusting line changes.

Lindy Ruff time.

at least, more than Terry Murray time.

There's no doubt in my mind. Too much talent on this team for it to be the status quo. This team lacks guidance and direction. There are certainly some holes that need to be filled. And some of it is player related. But the bottom line and the reason why this team is floundering and sinking right now, is the Coaching. This guy just doesn't play the right way, to be consistently good year after year. He's obviously show that a team he Coaches can catch lightning in a bottle and do well. But it won't be constant.
- MJL

Whether it's Hitchcock, Stevens or Laviolette, the only thing that's been consistent since the 04-05 lockout is their inconsistency. I have my doubts that a coaching change would fix everything.

Pittsburgh changed their forecheck and kept on the defensive side of the puck.
- MJL

Thought it was the way they went defensive. You think with a 4-1 lead that might have been a good idea for the Flyers?

I never said keeping the coach will fix things. New coach or not, I think the roster needs somewhat of a makeover, and that will bring the biggest change. Homer tried to do that this offseason and failed. This was not the team that he wanted. So it's tough to say it's all on the coach.
- feelingkettle

Never said it was all on the coach.

The roster is what it is. They're not going to hold off the season because guys weren't acquired. They're not going to cancel games because Pronger's hurt. That means the coach has to make adjustments.

Laviolette's adjustments haven't worked.

Obviously it's not working right now. But I'm not sure a coaching change would be the best way to fix things. And I'm not saying keeping Lavi would fix things either.

The truth is, we could get an even crappier coach, or at least an even crappier fit.
- feelingkettle

if they concentrated on simply getting out of their own zone and playing better defensive hockey it would be an improvement. murray can do this for 20 gms and it'll help the young guys.

Honestly, I would have liked to have lost 8-1.

This is exactly what was discussed in 204A tonight. Maddening. As I tweeted soon after (or tried to, since Twitter is used 1000% more frequently at the Farg than anywhere else), Lavi lost me there.
- Flyskippy

Were you there tonight? I assume that's what 204A means...

Whether it's Hitchcock, Stevens or Laviolette, the only thing that's been consistent since the 04-05 lockout is their inconsistency. I have my doubts that a coaching change would fix everything.
- feelingkettle

As Jsaq pointed out earlier, look at the player changes since they last went to the Finals. Different teams with different players. The Hitchcock, and Stevens teams have nothing to do with this team and this Coach, in my opinion.

Never said it was all on the coach.

The roster is what it is. They're not going to hold off the season because guys weren't acquired. They're not going to cancel games because Pronger's hurt. That means the coach has to make adjustments.

Laviolette's adjustments haven't worked.
- Jsaquella

Obviously they have not worked. What I'm saying is that there's no guarantee that a new coach's system will work either.

What I would like is to ride out the season, rework the roster, and evaluate things from there. Things may not change in 20 games anyway with a new coach this season.

never said you were motherphranker!


iow, we agree
- isaiah520

Whether it's Hitchcock, Stevens or Laviolette, the only thing that's been consistent since the 04-05 lockout is their inconsistency. I have my doubts that a coaching change would fix everything.
- feelingkettle

Agreed, fk.

Never said it was all on the coach.

The roster is what it is. They're not going to hold off the season because guys weren't acquired. They're not going to cancel games because Pronger's hurt. That means the coach has to make adjustments.

Laviolette's adjustments haven't worked.
- Jsaquella

What adjustments?

Thought it was the way they went defensive. You think with a 4-1 lead that might have been a good idea for the Flyers?
- jstross

It was the way they went defensive. The problem is that this team doesn't know how to play that way. That structure isn't there for this team. They only know how to play one way, because that's how they're taught. Look at the game winning goal. That's not bad player decisions. That is what they're taught and Coached to do. Same thing in the 3rd period against the Rangers.