http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/09/malkin-suffers-non-head-upper-body-injury/

(frank)ING PRICELESS
- KINGKENZO

JVR is on fire. He scored a goal against the Pens as well.

use her ticket, give 'em hell
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'd probably be escorted out!, and Bo's Season tickets would be revoked!

Coaches can mess up a team. They can also push guys to accomplish above their talent level for a period of time.

But there is nothing a coach can do to help overcome the player frustration of a goalie letting in a bad goal every game. Over time it wears a team down. On the other hand, a coach cannot overcome a forecheck if the team does not have the back end skill to clear the zone. Great coaches know you need to get out of the way of great talent. You need to build your team around what your players are capable of doing (or, not doing).
- spatso

how about awarding players who play well with more time and taking away playing time from players who don't despite the name on their jersey? How about having a team look like they are ready to play a game? I think your assesment is fine but I think you are overlooking somethings with this specific situation.

I'd probably be escorted out!, and Bo's Season tickets would be revoked!

- MJL

That might be a blessing.

And let's not go down the road of making personal comments about each other. Discuss opinions, not each other's personalities, please.

A Coach can absolutely make adjustments and correct repeated errors that lead to repeated breakdowns in defensive zone coverage. The mistakes the Flyers are making are repeatable, and are numerous. And by numerous players. There are issues with systems play on this team. And those repeated breakdowns are having an affect on the Goalie. Because he bears the weight of every game having to stand on his head and carry the team, and he has to make game saving saves every game for his team to win. Instead of just having to play solidly in net behind a solid team structure. The adjustments that are necessary aren't coming from Laviolette.
- MJL

see I think what he said was good but where he left off you continue thus forming my own entire assessment of the situation.

And let's not go down the road of making personal comments about each other. Discuss opinions, not each other's personalities, please.
- bodiva88

I always try to ma'am. But even I am guilty of this from time to time.

This is why the example of a sophomore slump doesn't fly to me. By and large, it's not the kids.

Brayden Schenn has played well. Couturier had been playing excellent defensively, despite his offensive struggles. The veterans are killing them.
- Jsaquella

I don't agree with Lava using Coots only 10 minutes a game. If he is the future, let him improve his play by playing him more. I understand the need to "win now" mentality with this team. However, forwards like Rusty and Briere at this point of their careers should have limited minutes to maximize their performance.

There is no reason for guys like B. Schenn and Coots to play less then the forwards who are well into their 30's. The only way to the Cup is for these guys to realize their potential, giving minutes to vets who through age have lost some of their talent is not the answer.

I live in Carolina and was a season ticket holder. That Cup team got over the hump at the trade deadline. It was personnel that was lacking. After the cup season those rentals were gone and a few pieces went and got paid as well. Jim Rutherford did nothing to restock the shelves. The cupboard was bare and Lavi paid the price, not Jim.
- section32

Looking at the roster in the years following the Stanley Cup win, the Carolina roster wasn't Stanley Cup quality, but it should have been good enough to make the post season.

That is the case with the Flyers this year. The roster should be good enough, but they are not. They are undisciplined and the pieces are being poorly utilized. A lot of that is on the coach.

JVR is on fire. He scored a goal against the Pens as well.
- Flyers_01

yes he's a good player. We knew this before he left. His trade wasn't about sending him out of town, it was about fixing a weakness from a position of strength. I think the flyers have succeeded in that aspect.

Looking at the roster in the years following the Stanley Cup win, the Carolina roster wasn't Stanley Cup quality, but it should have been good enough to make the post season.

That is the case with the Flyers this year. The roster should be good enough, but they are not. They are undisciplined and the pieces are being poorly utilized. A lot of that is on the coach.
- Jsaquella

just to emphasize, "A lot of that is on the coach." does not suffice to say it's ALL on the coach as surely it is not. However he's the biggest piece you move imo and as I think you would agree.

It's not what they call it, it's what you're calling it. The Devils play an aggressive system of forechecking, and solid defense through all 3 zones of the ice. They are not an neutral zone trapping team. I find it interesting that you'll publicly question the Hockey knowledge of someone else, but yet have no idea what a neutral zone trap is.
- MJL

I would love it if the Flyers would play the Devils current system, which only the ignorant think is the trap.

yes he's a good player. We knew this before he left. His trade wasn't about sending him out of town, it was about fixing a weakness from a position of strength. I think the flyers have succeeded in that aspect.
- JoeRussomanno

poor value on that trade though. i would have rather kept JVR and signed carle...ended up selling low and i'm concerned homer will do the same this off season.

I would love it if the Flyers would play the Devils current system, which only the ignorant think is the trap.
- Feanor

Same here, this Flyers team would be really good playing that system. It's a perfect blend of offense and defense.

anybody see the OEL spin-a-rama last nite?

poor value on that trade though. i would have rather kept JVR and signed carle...ended up selling low and i'm concerned homer will do the same this off season.
- isaiah520

Holmgren owned that trade. He's still employed (for the time being) and Burke was poopcanned months ago.

Holmgren dominated every aspect of Burke's life with that trade.

Any Leaf fan who thinks they got the better end of the deal has to have their head examined.

anybody see the OEL spin-a-rama last nite?
- isaiah520

Hopefully Homer did.

Looking at the roster in the years following the Stanley Cup win, the Carolina roster wasn't Stanley Cup quality, but it should have been good enough to make the post season.

That is the case with the Flyers this year. The roster should be good enough, but they are not. They are undisciplined and the pieces are being poorly utilized. A lot of that is on the coach.
- Jsaquella

i was definitely contemplating this yesterday evening.... they really shouldn't be this bad.

anybody see the OEL spin-a-rama last nite?
- isaiah520

He is an elite talent.

poor value on that trade though. i would have rather kept JVR and signed carle...ended up selling low and i'm concerned homer will do the same this off season.
- isaiah520

I still say its premature to come to this conclusion. But your point is taken.

Same here, this Flyers team would be really good playing that system. It's a perfect blend of offense and defense.
- MJL

what coach do you think would be available to teach them this?

Hopefully Homer did.
- hereticpride

i'm afraid OEL has crossed the rubicon into untouchableville

poor value on that trade though. i would have rather kept JVR and signed carle...ended up selling low and i'm concerned homer will do the same this off season.
- isaiah520

I would rather have L Schenn than Carle's bloated contract. By the way Carle has the second worst +/- on the Lightning this year.

That might be a blessing.
- bodiva88

You not going to this one?

i was definitely contemplating this yesterday evening.... they really shouldn't be this bad.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

honestly, look at the defense

Timmonen-Coburn

Kimmo aged terribly, and Coburn hasn't looked this bad in his entire time being here.
terrible first pairing

Grossmann-Schenn

Love both of these guys, but together they are two of the same, all defense no offense.
Schenn still needs to learn how to not take himself out of position, but these two guys are great, just not together.

The third pairing has been so bad, it makes the combination of Smith-Modry looks reliable.

Meszaros' injury screwed things up majorly, but his injury doesn't make Kimmo look lost, or Coburn regress as much as he has.