I have no problem with 3 coaches in the space of a few months.

I don't see them getting any better under Laviolette, so I see no reason to keep him. Also, if Murray can do a really good job, maybe he earns a shot at the gig full time. He's far from my first choice, but he's been a good coach for a long time.
- Jsaquella

Not that this should play into their decision but didn't they just sign Lavi to an extension?

Is it 1 or 2 buyouts that they are entitled to?
- section32

Two. IMO I'd buy out Briere twice.

Two. IMO I'd buy out Briere twice.
- hereticpride

Very fair points. Well stated. I guess my only opposition to bringing in an interim guy is if there is no improvement, then another coach is brought in to start the season next year. That is 3 different coaches in the course of a few months.
- PLindbergh31

Yeah, and it stars to feel like a carousel. I can feel you there, and how long until clownshoes Pannachio and his cohorts turn it into a 'thing'? Not that it matters much, but I could see that happening.

Not that this should play into their decision but didn't they just sign Lavi to an extension?
- stveshdy

That's the kiss of death in this town.

Yeah, and it stars to feel like a carousel. I can feel you there, and how long until clownshoes Pannachio and his cohorts turn it into a 'thing'? Not that it matters much, but I could see that happening.
- BulliesPhan87

Clownshoes

That's the kiss of death in this town.
- section32

You could be right. I would make changes at seasons end if need be. I don't like the idea of interim coaches.
- PLindbergh31

one thing i like about interim coaches is that the plyrs have to fight for jobs and that kind of accountability seems to be lacking...

I think the Bruins come out and set the tone. They score a couple quick goals and the Flyers will have to battle back. Problem is Boston plays solid defense and don't give the opponent much ice. I'm not confident at all. I think the Flyers lose another and its not close.
- stveshdy

I think the Flyers start strong, maybe even take an early lead. Then, at the ten minute mark in the first period, the Bruins take back the game and keep it.

Backup goaltender is an important position for many reasons. You have seen the situation in Ottawa with Anderson. They have credible guys like Bishop and Lehner to hold down the fort.

If Boucher/Leighton were the backup in Ottawa, their season would be over already.
- PLindbergh31

Completely different conversation then Leighton screwing over the Flyers. And it also completely ignores that there was a situation where the Flyers lost their starter and Leighton and Boucher held down the fort.

Clownshoes
- section32

The guy seriously seems like a professional wrestling 'manager' character to me, after his stupid little interview about the Bryz v WIP outrage. It was like he was told, "Play heel, and make sure to call out the crowd. If you could act smug and maybe a little bit seedy, that'd really sell it."

Who would they be giving up to get Campbell?
- MJL

The cost to land a #1 d-man is crazy high, go the draft & develop route.

The cost to land a #1 d-man is crazy high, go the draft & develop route.
- ob18

Which could take as much as 5 years. That's the issue there.

Well, you have a team that plays undisciplined and poor on defense, you have slower defensemen that are not the greatest puck movers, you have a goalie who put up fantastic numbers behind a tight checking system.

So obviously, you run a hunt the puck system that relies on mobile defensemen or at least on ones who can move the puck well, and can be exposed by an aggressive forecheck.

Blame the coach for not adjusting, blame the GM for not doing a better job getting him the pieces, Hell, blame the owner for meddling and forcing the GM to make aggressive moves every summer.

But the constant chasing of other teams needs to stop. You can't be Phoenix's tight checking trap system, combined with NJ's aggressive forecheck, combined with Chicago's firepower and Boston's physical game.
- Jsaquella

This is an excellent post.
The Flyers are at their best when they play a physical aggressive type of game.
For me that has been their identity.
Hard to play against, ferocious forecheck, timely hits.
Guys like the Schenn brothers, Simmonds, Grossmann, Rinaldo, Hartnell are players that fit that identity. Giroux has the heart and high end skill to be a great captain for this team. Voracek adds another scoring threat. Ultimately I think Voracek and Schenn would make a great #2 line behind G and Hartsy, but find another winger for G.

I like this core group.

I think the GM needs to do a little better with getting solid defenseman for the third pair, a reliable back up goalie, and somehow find a player to replace Kimmo in the #1 spot. He also needs to cut ties with Briere who is doesn't have a spot as a center here in the long term.

The cost to land a #1 d-man is crazy high, go the draft & develop route.
- ob18

Thats exactly why I dont want the Flyers to trade anymore picks.

one thing i like about interim coaches is that the plyrs have to fight for jobs and that kind of accountability seems to be lacking...
- isaiah520

Same thing with a new guy. I think Lavy should get a stay of execution. This team is worse than last year...period. He was dealt a crummy hand. They don't have the personnel to get the job done. Homer needs to get a top #1 D man and a real winger. No more band aids like Gagne or Knuble. No more giving the questionable youngsters a shot. Laughton, sure. But Harry Z...McGinn... We have too many youngsters on the big team now. Between G, Schenn x2, Cooter, Read, Gus, Rinaldo...yes they are full of potential and some are even world class, but the experience is lacking. And you can see it in their play right now. They don't the have answers that come with experience.

The cost to land a #1 d-man is crazy high, go the draft & develop route.
- ob18

I wouldn't mind them drafting and developing this player, but I'd also like to have said #1 defenseman while Giroux is in his prime. I don't see the timing working out like that, except by trade/free agency.

Which could take as much as 5 years. That's the issue there.
- MJL

Very true. They still could land a solid defenseman but its going to cost a young forward.

Which could take as much as 5 years. That's the issue there.
- MJL

They are in a spot that's bad. You make a move and open up more holes or you draft & develop and it takes time.

The guy seriously seems like a professional wrestling 'manager' character to me, after his stupid little interview about the Bryz v WIP outrage. It was like he was told, "Play heel, and make sure to call out the crowd. If you could act smug and maybe a little bit seedy, that'd really sell it."
- BulliesPhan87

Can't stand him. Always looking to stir up nonsense. Drives me nuts.

I wouldn't mind them drafting and developing this player, but I'd also like to have said #1 defenseman while Giroux is in his prime. I don't see the timing working out like that, except by trade/free agency.
- BulliesPhan87

Think of how many more holes you'd open up by trading for one & how empty you keep the system of future players if you do that.

I think the Bruins come out and set the tone. They score a couple quick goals and the Flyers will have to battle back. Problem is Boston plays solid defense and don't give the opponent much ice. I'm not confident at all. I think the Flyers lose another and its not close.
- stveshdy

I agree. I hope I wrong but this team has come up small this week in a critical stretch. I think it'll take a miracle to make the playoffs if we lose to Boston and then buffalo.

This is an excellent post.
The Flyers are at their best when they play a physical aggressive type of game.
For me that has been their identity.
Hard to play against, ferocious forecheck, timely hits.
Guys like the Schenn brothers, Simmonds, Grossmann, Rinaldo, Hartnell are players that fit that identity. Giroux has the heart and high end skill to be a great captain for this team. Voracek adds another scoring threat. Ultimately I think Voracek and Schenn would make a great #2 line behind G and Hartsy, but find another winger for G.

I like this core group.

I think the GM needs to do a little better with getting solid defenseman for the third pair, a reliable back up goalie, and somehow find a player to replace Kimmo in the #1 spot. He also needs to cut ties with Briere who is doesn't have a spot as a center here in the long term.
- Marc D

The problem is, when they get a lead and back off the throttle, the system they play becomes completely punchless. Its tough to play that way all the time. Laviolette has done a very poor job in adjusting how this team plays in certain situations.

Same thing with a new guy. I think Lavy should get a stay of execution. This team is worse than last year...period. He was dealt a crummy hand. They don't have the personnel to get the job done. Homer needs to get a top #1 D man and a real winger. No more band aids like Gagne or Knuble. No more giving the questionable youngsters a shot. Laughton, sure. But Harry Z...McGinn... We have too many youngsters on the big team now. Between G, Schenn x2, Cooter, Read, Gus, Rinaldo...yes they are full of potential and some are even world class, but the experience is lacking. And you can see it in their play right now. They don't the have answers that come with experience.
- section32

The issue here, is what is the definition of getting the job done? You don't think this team is underachieving? Other Coaches have been dealt a crummier hand and are getting more out of their team then Laviolette is. Make no mistake about it. This team is very talented.
And Knuble was just adding depth. He's 40 years old. But Gagne can still play and is far from a band aid.
I think a defenseman is true need. But they have plenty on the Wings.

I agree. I hope I wrong but this team has come up small this week in a critical stretch. I think it'll take a miracle to make the playoffs if we lose to Boston and then buffalo.
- Hextall271

The team has talent but defensively (everyone) they are a mess. There is no structure in their own end and it looks like they just skate around not knowing where to be. The coach hasn't change his approach and therefore the results are the same.

It could get ugly today, IMO.