What bothers me a lot lately is player positioning in both ends. Yesterday I don't know how many times I saw all 3 flyer forwards bunched up in front of the boston net and as soon as te pick goes to a corner or side boards, they got out numbered or out worked.

It just seems to me there's a lack of understanding by the players on where they should be and how to break out of the zone.
- funmaster18

I've seen this happening more as the season goes on. 3 guys in one corner, leaving guys wide open on the other side of the rink. No chance a goalie can slide over that quick to a guy uncontested to fire away at an open net all the time.

THe most glaring time was when someone allowed Malkin to skate by himself, and walk right into the goal crease on Tuesday. The closes guy was Gervais, which equals failure.

At the professional level, you shouldn't need a coach to motivate you.

I love how people just assume Laviolette isn't making adjustments. You think it's possible the adjustments are falling on deaf ears, or perhaps this collection of players aren't able to execute the adjustments effectively?
- PLindbergh31

I have to agree with this 100%, I see this in Edmonton (city I live in). Fans here scream for a new coach every other year, they have had 4 coaches in 6 years it seems with the same dam issue you would think after a while it might be the players....just Maybe ?

You can't start benching guys and reducing their ice time starting in game 1. It's a shortened season, and there wasn't anything close to a full camp to prepare. If guys are making mistakes early it's to be expected. Especially with younger players. You want Couturier, or B. Schenn to be benched early for mistakes and have their confidence shaken? I don't.

The bottom line is coaches get to much credit when teams win, and too much blame when teams lose. This applies especially at the professional level.
- PLindbergh31

The hell you can't. the fact that it's a shortened Season is exactly why you can. There needs to a sense of urgency from game 1. Not talking about mental mistakes. Mental mistakes as long as effort is there are expected. That is why yo have Coaches to point out and to correct those mental errors. We're half way into the Season. The same mistakes are happening with regularity. That is on the Coach, as there is zero signs of it improving. In fact, it's getting worse.

I have to agree with this 100%, I see this in Edmonton (city I live in). Fans here scream for a new coach every other year, they have had 4 coaches in 6 years it seems with the same dam issue you would think after a while it might be the players....just Maybe ?
- FlyerInEdm

The players, or the guy who picks the players.

The athletes on the field of play are who decides the games for the most part. Coaches are important obviously, but at the pro level by in large the players decide the outcome.

The players, or the guy who picks the players.

The athletes on the field of play are who decides the games for the most part. Coaches are important obviously, but at the pro level by in large the players decide the outcome.
- PLindbergh31

That is true. All a Coach can do is put a player in the right place to succeed and arm them with the strategies and techniques to do so. Then it is up to the player to make a play. But if that strategy and structure is missing, it doesn't matter how good that player is. Of if a player is asked to do what he's not capable of doing. That is why the best team, will always beat a collection of talented players that don't play as a team with that structure behind it. Even if that team happens to be less talented.

The players, or the guy who picks the players.

The athletes on the field of play are who decides the games for the most part. Coaches are important obviously, but at the pro level by in large the players decide the outcome.
- PLindbergh31

It's the coaches job to teach/inform his players and put them on the ice in the best situations to win, other than that it's on the players to execute.... IMO

I had a dream that Briere came to Winnipeg to play a charity street hockey game and I was able to meet him.

Weirdly enough the game turned into a hockey version of "duck, duck, goose".

No joke.

I dont know what this means but maybe he has a strong game?

A good coach looks at his roster and adjusts his system and strategy to fit his players strengths and weaknesses.

In my opinion Laviolette has not even made an attempt to do this.

We have seen time and again other team making drastic adjustments IN THE GAME ITSELF to counter something the Flyers are doing. We never see that from Laviolette or this team. They play the same predictable way ALL THE TIME, no matter the game situation.

The good teams have realized that if you just play a disciplined, structured game against the Flyers you will shut them down and they will have no answers.

They look like the computer opponent on the EA hockey games. The same patterns and movements every time. No change in structures, no change in strategies. Every one of us watching on TV knows what this team is going to do on every breakout, every offensive zone foray. We know what is going to happen when they lose the puck. We know there will be an odd man rush heading the other way with three forwards chasing. We KNOW the other team is basically going to gain the offensive zone uncontested all the way back from the start of the neutral zone. We know they are going to over pursue in the defensive zone leaving back door chances.

We KNOW they are going to send 3 men deep and have the d men standing up at the blue line making them vulnerable to easy outs and odd man rushes going the other way.

We KNOW the forwards are going to be getting up ice leaving big gaps between themselves and the d-men. We KNOW any disciplined team is going to clog up the neutral zone and cut off their passes.

WE KNOW all this watching on TV. Why would anyone think that the professional players and coaches of the other team wouldn't see this as well?

In the end it is the COACHING staffs job to adjust the style of play to fit its players. And if you refuse to do it you have to go.

I had a dream that Briere came to Winnipeg to play a charity street hockey game and I was able to meet him.

Weirdly enough the game turned into a hockey version of "duck, duck, goose".

No joke.

I dont know what this means but maybe he has a strong game?
- flyer_nutter

Briere has a great game against Buffalo?
It could happen.

Frankly, I think there is a lot of over analysis of the team here.

There are deep core issues with the group definately.

However is it possible they are where they are simply because other teams are better because of the players that they ice? The Flyers have inconsistent goaltending, a number of players in early career slumps and a D core that has its star d-man aging quickly.

Add in an overall D core that is poor in transition, and has had to employ 2/3 of Foster, Gervais, and Guss for most of the season. Add in veterans who aren't performing and you have a perfect storm.

The players should get a lot of the blame here, as well as management.

A good coach looks at his roster and adjusts his system and strategy to fit his players strengths and weaknesses.

In my opinion Laviolette has not even made an attempt to do this.

We have seen time and again other team making drastic adjustments IN THE GAME ITSELF to counter something the Flyers are doing. We never see that from Laviolette or this team. They play the same predictable way ALL THE TIME, no matter the game situation.

The good teams have realized that if you just play a disciplined, structured game against the Flyers you will shut them down and they will have no answers.

They look like the computer opponent on the EA hockey games. The same patterns and movements every time. No change in structures, no change in strategies. Every one of us watching on TV knows what this team is going to do on every breakout, every offensive zone foray. We know what is going to happen when they lose the puck. We know there will be an odd man rush heading the other way with three forwards chasing. We KNOW the other team is basically going to gain the offensive zone uncontested all the way back from the start of the neutral zone. We know they are going to over pursue in the defensive zone leaving back door chances.

We KNOW they are going to send 3 men deep and have the d men standing up at the blue line making them vulnerable to easy outs and odd man rushes going the other way.

We KNOW the forwards are going to be getting up ice leaving big gaps between themselves and the d-men. We KNOW any disciplined team is going to clog up the neutral zone and cut off their passes.

WE KNOW all this watching on TV. Why would anyone think that the professional players and coaches of the other team wouldn't see this as well?

In the end it is the COACHING staffs job to adjust the style of play to fit its players. And if you refuse to do it you have to go.
- MBFlyerfan

You know, it could just be the crazy me, but I swear I saw them playing a more toned down version earlier in the season. The gap between the forwards and D was decreased, and the team wasnt scoring a lot of goals.

It seemed to me, that they opened things up to the way they used to be half-way through this season.

It's the coaches job to teach/inform his players and put them on the ice in the best situations to win, other than that it's on the players to execute.... IMO
- FlyerInEdm

A lot of this stems from Lava's system not fitting the group on the ice. Which I agree with.

However certain teams have an identity, and the management brings in players that fit that identity. Its arguably what has made Detriot such a great team for so long. Those tight checking teams that the Flyers suck against, they employ players for the most part that fit the identity of the organization, or the system the coach preaches. Look at Boston, Jersey, or even Chicago for examples of identity. As well as players that fit their teams vision of what should be on the ice.

What exactly is the Flyers identity? Does anyone know? Quite honestly I dont think management has any idea what the hell they really want on the ice. Thats problem #1 to me.

Frankly, I think there is a lot of over analysis of the team here.

There are deep core issues with the group definately.

However is it possible they are where they are simply because other teams are better because of the players that they ice? The Flyers have inconsistent goaltending, a number of players in early career slumps and a D core that has its star d-man aging quickly.

Add in an overall D core that is poor in transition, and has had to employ 2/3 of Foster, Gervais, and Guss for most of the season. Add in veterans who aren't performing and you have a perfect storm.

The players should get a lot of the blame here, as well as management.
- flyer_nutter

I agree to a point with this.

With parity in this league, the teams 6 - 12 are all very close. For example: Talent wise how much better are the Flyers then the Caps? Or the Islanders?

The Flyers are what their record says they are, regardless of what anyone things they should be.

Can changes be made to improve them, sure, but that can be said about every team in the league.

Frankly, I think there is a lot of over analysis of the team here.

There are deep core issues with the group definately.

However is it possible they are where they are simply because other teams are better because of the players that they ice? The Flyers have inconsistent goaltending, a number of players in early career slumps and a D core that has its star d-man aging quickly.

Add in an overall D core that is poor in transition, and has had to employ 2/3 of Foster, Gervais, and Guss for most of the season. Add in veterans who aren't performing and you have a perfect storm.

The players should get a lot of the blame here, as well as management.
- flyer_nutter

Then if this is the case you change the way you play to improve your chances for success. You don't keep trying to fit a round peg in to a square hole.

I think this roster is much more suited to a defensive first style of play. They just don't have the personnel to play the way Laviolette currently asks them to play, and that is on the coach.

A lot of this stems from Lava's system not fitting the group on the ice. Which I agree with.

However certain teams have an identity, and the management brings in players that fit that identity. Its arguably what has made Detriot such a great team for so long. Those tight checking teams that the Flyers suck against, they employ players for the most part that fit the identity of the organization, or the system the coach preaches. Look at Boston, Jersey, or even Chicago for examples of identity. As well as players that fit their teams vision of what should be on the ice.

What exactly is the Flyers identity? Does anyone know? Quite honestly I dont think management has any idea what the hell they really want on the ice. Thats problem #1 to me.
- flyer_nutter

Does Ilya Kovalchuk fit the perceived identity of the NJ Devils?

I agree to a point with this.

With parity in this league, the teams 6 - 12 are all very close. For example: Talent wise how much better are the Flyers then the Caps? Or the Islanders?

The Flyers are what their record says they are, regardless of what anyone things they should be.

Can changes be made to improve them, sure, but that can be said about every team in the league.
- ggunky

I think the Flyers are significantly more talented then Washington or the Islanders.

Then if this is the case you change the way you play to improve your chances for success. You don't keep trying to fit a round peg in to a square hole.

I think this roster is much more suited to a defensive first style of play. They just don't have the personnel to play the way Laviolette currently asks them to play, and that is on the coach.
- MBFlyerfan

To me, quiet honestly this team isnt made to excel under any style of play.

Too many holes, that are too easy to expose.

A defensive first style of play requires strong consistent goaltending, smart d-men that can play under pressure and forwards who are good along the boards. This team is like a tranny, nobody knows what the hell they are supposed to be.

I do agree that Lava's approach may cost him his job. It may be because the organization wants to become more of a d-first group. If that is the case, then they should have fired Lava in the summer. Babcock isnt going to change up his system any time soon either. Just to clarify, my issues with Laviolette stem from the lack of accountability. Not from the system he employs. Just me though.

Does Ilya Kovalchuk fit the perceived identity of the NJ Devils?
- MJL

Nope. However he is one man on the team, and struggled a lot in his first season to adapt to such a style.

The top teams in the league set an indentity, and for the most part build around players that fit that identity.

What the hell is the Flyers identity? What are they trying to build here exactly? There is no structure. I will 100% agree. However the lack of structure stems from the top of the organization that screams panic year after year.

Frankly, I think there is a lot of over analysis of the team here.

There are deep core issues with the group definately.

However is it possible they are where they are simply because other teams are better because of the players that they ice? The Flyers have inconsistent goaltending, a number of players in early career slumps and a D core that has its star d-man aging quickly.

Add in an overall D core that is poor in transition, and has had to employ 2/3 of Foster, Gervais, and Guss for most of the season. Add in veterans who aren't performing and you have a perfect storm.

The players should get a lot of the blame here, as well as management.
- flyer_nutter

This team isn't really all that different from last years. The defense is the issue too many spare parts that couldn't play on bad teams and now there our problem

The players, or the guy who picks the players.

The athletes on the field of play are who decides the games for the most part. Coaches are important obviously, but at the pro level by in large the players decide the outcome.
- PLindbergh31

By the time you get to the pro level, if you need to be motivated by your coach game in and game out, then there's an issue with the player/s that need to be addressed.

Did these guys really need to be told that the last three games were important? Did they really need to be directed once up by 3 after the first period against Pittsburgh to continue to play hard, to be reminded how dangerous a team they are? None of us did, and we're on the couch watching on TV every game night.

Has Lava, who has been to the finals, won a SC, suddenly forget how to run a team? How to prepare players. How to motivate? He certainly looks like he cares on the bench.

Or is it the team leaders who need to have their feet held to the fire? Where has Giroux been and what has he done to step up and make his team accountable outside the coach's presence? Timmo? Briere? Hartnell?

Before we build the gallows, it would be best to determine whether this is a systemic issue, a talent issue, a personality issue...

This team isn't really all that different from last years. The defense is the issue too many spare parts that couldn't play on bad teams and now there our problem
- FlyerInEdm

Its not the end of the world with this group. There are guys I would ship out, and bring in stronger replacements for. That is the key. I think that would improve the team more than anything to be honest. More than any system.

On the out: Briere, Bryzgalov, Foster, Gervais, Leighton/Boucher, Knuble and Fedetenko.

Just for christs sake, I pray whatever the hell management decides to do, they find an indentity they like, and stick with it for more than a couple of years.

To me, quiet honestly this team isnt made to excel under any style of play.

Too many holes, that are too easy to expose.

A defensive first style of play requires strong consistent goaltending, smart d-men that can play under pressure and forwards who are good along the boards. This team is like a tranny, nobody knows what the hell they are supposed to be.


- flyer_nutter

All of those things are connected. Strong consistent goaltending requires strong team defense. Smart D men need support of the forwards, or they won't look like smart D men that can play under pressure. And physical battles need to be won. All of that requires a structure in place. When players play as individuals, all but the very best players, get exposed and their weaknesses become evident. Because all players have them. It's the sum of the parts together that makes it what it is. You're looking at individually. And that's the problem with this team. It's all individual play.

Nope. However he is one man on the team, and struggled a lot in his first season to adapt to such a style.

The top teams in the league set an indentity, and for the most part build around players that fit that identity.

What the hell is the Flyers identity? What are they trying to build here exactly? There is no structure. I will 100% agree. However the lack of structure stems from the top of the organization that screams panic year after year.
- flyer_nutter

I agree that the Organization needs to identify a course of action and stick to it. But that does not absolve the Coach for his obvious failures this Season.

By the time you get to the pro level, if you need to be motivated by your coach game in and game out, then there's an issue with the player/s that need to be addressed.

Did these guys really need to be told that the last three games were important? Did they really need to be directed once up by 3 after the first period against Pittsburgh to continue to play hard, to be reminded how dangerous a team they are? None of us did, and we're on the couch watching on TV every game night.

Has Lava, who has been to the finals, won a SC, suddenly forget how to run a team? How to prepare players. How to motivate? He certainly looks like he cares on the bench.

Or is it the team leaders who need to have their feet held to the fire? Where has Giroux been and what has he done to step up and make his team accountable outside the coach's presence? Timmo? Briere? Hartnell?

Before we build the gallows, it would be best to determine whether this is a systemic issue, a talent issue, a personality issue...
- 77rams

Solid post. It's been debated before whether effort is an issue with this team. Its a huge one, right along side with player inconsistency. We all know how hot and cold Hartnell and Coburn can run. They to me, are the perfect example of how this team has played ever since the Stevens era. Inconsistent players, equal an inconsistent team. Organization needs to do a better job of indentifying talent, that works its ass off every night. I thought thats what the Orange and Black stood for?

Is Leighton starting today?