i agree. but i don't know that making a change now with an interim coach for 25 games is going to make that happen or make a real difference.
- hammarby31

No, but it will give them a jump start on next season. Right now.. Lava should go. New coach comes in.. and let Homer tell EVERY SINGLE PLAYER (G included) that changes are gonna happen. You just need to decide if you wanna be part of the team going forward. If you do, strap in and listen up. Play the way the dedicated fans expect you to play... with pride and passion. Win or lose, as long as they put up a 60 minute effort and play their hearts out, that will be a fantastic start.

I can agree more with this. He isn't as confident and totally locked in as he was at the start of the season. The harsh reality is that few players can be at the top of their game through an entire season, there's an ebb and flow. Bryz usually gives them enough to win if the skaters can compensate, but they couldn't do that. Whether it's coaching that can't adapt or whatever, the other hand isn't washing back.

Personally, I think pulling Bryz was a mistake last night.
- BulliesPhan87

There is no doubt at all in my mind that they way the team is playing in front of Bryzgalov is affecting him. Imagine thinking you have to stand on your head and carry the team every single game, to have a chance to win? Even against Ottawa he had to make 4 big saves on point blank chances on players uncovered in front of the net, in the first period. That weighs on you mentally. Instead of knowing that all he has to do is come out and play his game and make the savs that need to be made. While having the support of the team in front of you. Rather then having to be a miracle worker every game.

I'm more concerned with starting the process of breaking bad habits, instilling discipline and getting these players to be accountable than making the 8th seed. More than that, I see no reason to continue down the road they're on.
- Jsaquella

agreed. i'm just saying i don't know that a change will matter at this point in achieving taht. if they made a change, i'd be fine with it.

I meant to put IMO but I forgot it.

But I don't think it's too much of a jump. Maybe he likes Laviolette but has lost all trust in the system. He looks to cheat on plays sometimes as if a breakdown is about to occur. We know Bryz is a talented guy so obviously this has to be all mental.
- NickTheKid87

That's a good point. Once he starts trying to predict what his own guys are doing, because they play with little structure and predictability, he's focusing less on what he really should be focusing on. I think if things were righted in front of him, he'd be good to go

I meant to put IMO but I forgot it.

But I don't think it's too much of a jump. Maybe he likes Laviolette but has lost all trust in the system. He looks to cheat on plays sometimes as if a breakdown is about to occur. We know Bryz is a talented guy so obviously this has to be all mental.
- NickTheKid87

not a Bryz fan but he has been one of the best players on the team

This team as built CANNOT succeed under Lavy's system. Either we trade away ALOT of pieces to get the few we need or we replace the coach and the system. Bryz did not have an amazing D in front of him in Phoenix, what he did have was a coach with a good defensive system (Dave Tippett). In his system a mediocre d-man can survive and a pedestrian goalie like Bryz or Mike Smith can flourish, however, you will also score alot less.

Bryz has played well but needs to learn how to poke check at a puck when guys are in tight or on a breakaway. Either way I just do not feel he is truly a top 10 goalie in the league and we grossly overpaid here.

dont get why Homer traded for Boosh if he is that bad?
- vejim

Because he's better than Leighton, I guess? Either way, I don't understand sending your backup goalie for the Pens to feast on. The tone for the Flyers should've been to keep battling, because a game against the Penguins is never over until the final buzzer. We've seen momentum can swing in a heartbeat between these teams, so why the show of weakness?

I meant to put IMO but I forgot it.

But I don't think it's too much of a jump. Maybe he likes Laviolette but has lost all trust in the system. He looks to cheat on plays sometimes as if a breakdown is about to occur. We know Bryz is a talented guy so obviously this has to be all mental.
- NickTheKid87

You're exactly right in my opinion.

The shortened bench and pulling Bryz were signs of weakness against a team that's been strangely intimidated (might not be the right word, but they're in the Pens heads) by the Flyers over the past calendar year. I don't get it.
- BulliesPhan87

As soon as the Penguins regrouped at intermission, they came out and played smart, disciplined hockey. They were aggressive, but it was controlled. They stayed in the system and were accountable all over the ice-they supported the puck, didn't over pursue, didn't allow themselves to be goaded into stupid penalties and the Flyers had no answer.

I think it will. This team has so many bad habits it's ridiculous. They are constantly on the wrong side of the puck. It's all over the ice. And there are no signs of it improving. And this team is quickly reaching the point of no return for this Season.
- MJL

if they make a change, i hope it has an impact. this team is at the point of no return right now, afaic. they can't afford to slide any further or it's over.

haha. trust me, i'm a nerd in my own way.

here's a few pics of the mask:






- hammarby31

That is awsome

agreed. i'm just saying i don't know that a change will matter at this point in achieving taht. if they made a change, i'd be fine with it.
- hammarby31

I just know that not making a change will keep the process from starting.

This team as built CANNOT succeed under Lavy's system. Either we trade away ALOT of pieces to get the few we need or we replace the coach and the system. Bryz did not have an amazing D in front of him in Phoenix, what he did have was a coach with a good defensive system (Dave Tippett). In his system a mediocre d-man can survive and a pedestrian goalie like Bryz or Mike Smith can flourish, however, you will also score alot less.
- ICUBB

We dont even need a true defensive system..

What we need is balance. Look at the Blackhawks! They are constantly supporting each other in all three zones. Great (and smart) team play in all three zones is what breeds success. You cant expect to win every game 6-5 or 2-1...

No, but it will give them a jump start on next season. Right now.. Lava should go. New coach comes in.. and let Homer tell EVERY SINGLE PLAYER (G included) that changes are gonna happen. You just need to decide if you wanna be part of the team going forward. If you do, strap in and listen up. Play the way the dedicated fans expect you to play... with pride and passion. Win or lose, as long as they put up a 60 minute effort and play their hearts out, that will be a fantastic start.
- jak521

my real concern is that will the difference be made with an interim coach. there's a lot of talent on this squad. no reason they should be blowing games like this, and be under .500, even with the injuries. it's bullpoop.

Also, I want a coach for next year that will play a defensive style. Put Bryz in a spot to be as effective as possible. $51 million dollars to play in a system that's causing him to not trust the team in front of him and leads to horribly inconsistent play? Poor investment. I think he can get close to the numbers he put up in Phoenix if they play tight in front of him.
- NickTheKid87

I like that plan. Bryz deserves one season where the defense in front of him aren't running around like morons. If he still can't play like a top 10 goalie even with a solid defense protecting him, then the Flyers should buy him out in summer 2014.

There is no doubt at all in my mind that they way the team is playing in front of Bryzgalov is affecting him. Imagine thinking you have to stand on your head and carry the team every single game, to have a chance to win? Even against Ottawa he had to make 4 big saves on point blank chances on players uncovered in front of the net, in the first period. That weighs on you mentally. Instead of knowing that all he has to do is come out and play his game and make the savs that need to be made. While having the support of the team in front of you. Rather then having to be a miracle worker every game.
- MJL

Agreed. A simple example would be a two on one. Traditional knowledge says the goalie plays the shooter, the defender plays the pass. Now, sometimes you play it right and a goal is scored, and that is what it is. But when the goalie can't rely on the defender to do his job, he's splitting his attention between two players, and will eventually have to gamble.

In the two one one of our season, Bryz just can't be sure the defender is 'playing the pass'. That's not to excuse him cooling off a bit, either.

That is awsome
- The_Universe

thanks. i think so too. he took my design and put some depth into it with some details and dimension. i'm thrilled with the result. hopefully i don't suck while wearing it.

my real concern is that will the difference be made with an interim coach. there's a lot of talent on this squad. no reason they should be blowing games like this, and be under .500, even with the injuries. it's bullpoop.
- hammarby31

If you put in a guy like Terry Murray, I could almost guarantee you that they would make immense strides defensively. That in itself would be a great thing.

I just know that not making a change will keep the process from starting.
- Jsaquella

agreed. lava has proven he's not capable of it.

If you put in a guy like Terry Murray, I could almost guarantee you that they would make immense strides defensively. That in itself would be a great thing.
- jak521

i'm good with that.

I meant to put IMO but I forgot it.

But I don't think it's too much of a jump. Maybe he likes Laviolette but has lost all trust in the system. He looks to cheat on plays sometimes as if a breakdown is about to occur. We know Bryz is a talented guy so obviously this has to be all mental.
- NickTheKid87

It's the opposite of last season with similar results. Last year, the team D looked ok and he looked bad until they all did together and then kind of shored things up together. This year, he started solid while the team D has been poor. Now his play has declined as the team D has stayed poor. That has to wear on a goalie who has no faith in the inept people in front of him. Confidence works both ways.

agreed. lava has proven he's not capable of it.
- hammarby31

BTW, I dig the mask...that's badass.

As soon as the Penguins regrouped at intermission, they came out and played smart, disciplined hockey. They were aggressive, but it was controlled. They stayed in the system and were accountable all over the ice-they supported the puck, didn't over pursue, didn't allow themselves to be goaded into stupid penalties and the Flyers had no answer.
- Jsaquella

Look at how the Pens played in the 3rd period. First forechecker in pressured the puck. If it was reversed or sent D to D, that forward immediately turned, and headed back up ice to stay on the defensive side of the puck. And F2 came in to pressure the puck on the other side of the ice. Meanwhile F3 stayed high the entire time. That way they always had a secondary level of pressure and checking higher in the zone, and in the netural zone. Support on the puck in defensive zone, never being outnumbered. All Forwards coming back deep, so breakout passes were short and high percentage. And if a pass wasn't there, simple chips out off the glass. And the Pens got the puck deepe consistently, so the Flyers would have to go through checking the entire length of the ice.
The Flyers don't know how to play that way. If they did, they would've won.

As soon as the Penguins regrouped at intermission, they came out and played smart, disciplined hockey. They were aggressive, but it was controlled. They stayed in the system and were accountable all over the ice-they supported the puck, didn't over pursue, didn't allow themselves to be goaded into stupid penalties and the Flyers had no answer.
- Jsaquella

I hate it, the one thing I could hang my hat on was that we can beat the Penguins. But the Flyers can't 100% depend on getting by on Pittsburgh's emotional mistakes, we saw that.

In addition, PK is a #1 in the making (#2 for now).
- BOSS_TWEED

no question