why not use one on briere and try to get perry?
- Philly1980

They may trade Briere if he agrees to it I just don't see them buying anyone out, especially Briere.

I'm not saying I'm against it. It's just not what I think they'll do. Maybe if they get really angry with Bryzgalof they may buy him out. He hasn't exactly been the model player and teammate and it's not like he was their first choice anyhow.

That's a viewpoint developed from recent PO failures (and regular season futility vs the Rangers).

Remember the 2010 PO's... they beat three straight defensive-inclined teams (BOS, MTL, NJD) to get to the Finals... I don't recall anybody claiming that he couldn't make those kinds of adjustments, then.

Of course, the team from 2010 looks a hell of a lot different than this 2013 iteration... think that might have something to do with it? And, if so, do you still lay the blame for that at the feet of the coach?
- Tomahawk

That team was more suited to play lavy's system....he doesnt have those players now, so why the hell is he still trying to play that way.... No pronger No carle only guy left that can move the puck is timmo.... big difference.

That's a viewpoint developed from recent PO failures (and regular season futility vs the Rangers).

Remember the 2010 PO's... they beat three straight defensive-inclined teams (BOS, MTL, NJD) to get to the Finals... I don't recall anybody claiming that he couldn't make those kinds of adjustments, then.

Of course, the team from 2010 looks a hell of a lot different than this 2013 iteration... think that might have something to do with it? And, if so, do you still lay the blame for that at the feet of the coach?
- Tomahawk

I agree with every point you've made about Lavy. I put the majority of the onus on the GM...he's done some wonderful things with the players he has brought in (Voracek, Simmonds, Read, B. Schenn, and Couturier) but has made some questionable ones as well (Bryz, Gervais, Foster, etc). Yes he tried to get Suter and Weber, but came up empty. It happens, although rarely to the Flyers. Homer knows Lavy's "system" so get him players for it, not big slow non puck moving d-men!

pronger cant be bought out...he is injured.
- Philly1980

Oh...Wasn't sure about that.

we don't really need a gritty forward ... we need D.
- FlyerGuy

Both Simmer and Hartnell are gritty.

Did you listen to his post game interview about why he pulled Bryz? Same reason half the goalies get pulled in the NHL when the "team" has their head up their rear end...try and change the momentum to get the "team" going. He does it with timeouts too, like no other coach I've seen. Explain this to me, why did he need to adjust up 4-1 after one period? Sounds pretty stupid to fix something that isn't broken...the team quit playing when they had that lead, no more no less. Lavy can't go out on the ice and do it for them!
- aantny88

the players basically stopped playing. i know why he uses timeouts - i can't remember if he burned that already due to an icing call. and that's a typical tactic - change the goalie to wake up the team - and i'm a believer that this tactic doesn't work. it's one thing if the goalie is playing poorly, which bryz was not. to throw boucher into that situation was a bad decision. if they were playing a poopty team, that's one thing, but against pittsburgh, with all that fire power, and the flyers showing zero ability to play defense against them - did he REALLY think boucher would be able to hold the fort, especially with how Pittsburgh took the game over with puck possession. i hate the way lava handles his goalies. hate it.

They may trade Briere if he agrees to it I just don't see them buying anyone out, especially Briere.

I'm not saying I'm against it. It's just not what I think they'll do. Maybe if they get really angry with Bryzgalof they may buy him out. He hasn't exactly been the model player and teammate and it's not like he was their first choice anyhow.
- mayorofangrytown

I think holmgren would buy out his grandmother if he thought the cap space could go to acquiring a free agent that was better then briere...This is a business and briere knows that. he hasnt been playing up to the level he needs to play...i dont understand why he gets a free pass.

Oh...Wasn't sure about that.
- Jimmygrazz

its a shame because it doesnt let the guy retire in peace...

I agree with every point you've made about Lavy. I put the majority of the onus on the GM...he's done some wonderful things with the players he has brought in (Voracek, Simmonds, Read, B. Schenn, and Couturier) but has made some questionable ones as well (Bryz, Gervais, Foster, etc). Yes he tried to get Suter and Weber, but came up empty. It happens, although rarely to the Flyers. Homer knows Lavy's "system" so get him players for it, not big slow non puck moving d-men!
- aantny88

The only thing homer did wrong with the bryzgalov acquisition was the contract. Making a move for the player himself wasn't the wrong move. If the player underperforms that isn't automatically the Gm's fault.

Bill,

I pretty much agree with everything you've said over these last couple of days. The Flyers this year are a borderline team at best. Scoreboard watching on games against the upper echelon teams for playoff position has given way to focusing on games against the weaker teams for lottery position.

But I also agree with JSaq, MJL et others that the future is very bright if they stay the course and keep most of the youngsters.

The only player rating that I'd disagree with is Fedentenko, if only because they're really paying him to be a 3rd line player and a little bit more of a contributor vs. his current role. That is likely more of a case of Holmgren overpaying, but still has to factor in.

I think holmgren would buy out his grandmother if he thought the cap space could go to acquiring a free agent that was better then briere...This is a business and briere knows that. he hasnt been playing up to the level he needs to play...i dont understand why he gets a free pass.
- Philly1980

Why do you think he's getting a free pass? I don't think he's getting any preferable treatment than anyone else.

the players basically stopped playing. i know why he uses timeouts - i can't remember if he burned that already due to an icing call. and that's a typical tactic - change the goalie to wake up the team - and i'm a believer that this tactic doesn't work. it's one thing if the goalie is playing poorly, which bryz was not. to throw boucher into that situation was a bad decision. if they were playing a poopty team, that's one thing, but against pittsburgh, with all that fire power, and the flyers showing zero ability to play defense against them - did he REALLY think boucher would be able to hold the fort, especially with how Pittsburgh took the game over with puck possession. i hate the way lava handles his goalies. hate it.
- hammarby31

The fact he won a cup juggling goalies the way he did still blows my mind.

That's a viewpoint developed from recent PO failures (and regular season futility vs the Rangers).

Remember the 2010 PO's... they beat three straight defensive-inclined teams (BOS, MTL, NJD) to get to the Finals... I don't recall anybody claiming that he couldn't make those kinds of adjustments, then.

Of course, the team from 2010 looks a hell of a lot different than this 2013 iteration... think that might have something to do with it? And, if so, do you still lay the blame for that at the feet of the coach?
- Tomahawk

The 2010 team had the personnel to run Laviolette's system the way he wanted (plus a white hot goalie in the ECSF and ECF).

Unfortunately, Holmgren struck out in the offseason and was unable to get a good puck mover for Lavy. Laviolette has not adjusted his system for the roster he was given. He still tries to play as if Timonen is healthy and Pronger & Carle are the first pairing. He can't do that anymore. Good coaches adjust to situations like this and Lavy has not.

I've supported Lavy up until a week or two ago. This isn't a knee jerk reaction from me. I used to defend him to the hilt. I fully expected him to adjust to the new roster as well as the teams like NJ and NYR that gave the Flyers so much trouble last year. He did not so I believe it's time for a change.

It should never have even gotten to 4-4. The team completely stopped working, and they had already burned the timeout, so the only move left was to pull Bryz for a short stoppage. The wheels were already mostly off the wagon at that point -- pulling Bryz was out of desperation. Whether it was Boucher or Bryz that let in that fifth goal was inconsequential -- with the way they were playing, it was inevitable.
- Tomahawk

absolutely, they stopped working. i should have clarified by saying that the loss was on him when he put Boucher in. if all he needed was a timeout - he could have put bryz back in at the start of the 3rd. keenan used to do that all the time.

i disagree it was inevitable with keeping bryz in net. we'll never know.

The 2010 team had the personnel to run Laviolette's system the way he wanted (plus a white hot goalie in the ECSF and ECF).

Unfortunately, Holmgren struck out in the offseason and was unable to get a good puck mover for Lavy. Laviolette has not adjusted his system for the roster he was given. He still tries to play as if Timonen is healthy and Pronger & Carle are the first pairing. He can't do that anymore. Good coaches adjust to situations like this and Lavy has not.

I've supported Lavy up until a week or two ago. This isn't a knee jerk reaction from me. I used to defend him to the hilt. I fully expected him to adjust to the new roster as well as the teams like NJ and NYR that gave the Flyers so much trouble last year. He did not so I believe it's time for a change.
- NickTheKid87

Exzackery

its a shame because it doesnt let the guy retire in peace...
- Philly1980

And it kinda screws us in the offseason. Does he actually have to play to come off LTIR or is it just his and the team's decision?

The fact he won a cup juggling goalies the way he did still blows my mind.
- JoeRussomanno

he caught lightning in a bottle with cam ward after gerber started to poop the bed. it happens.

I do like the players we have on D. I feel Timonen, Schenn, Grossman, Coburn and Meszaros are special players. There is no shortage of hits and shot blocking back there but we do have a massive drop off on puck movement. Coburn is underrated in this area but still...

Also I really don't see a proper balance for both app units. We need to proper players needed on both. Do not over use one over the other and find that balance because we should have two very dangerous units. I also find that the pp begins strong in a game and really drops off by the time we reach the third. Not clutch at all.

Sorry Bill. I cannot agree that we were considered a playoff contender going into this season. I also have to finally agree with those who feel Briere should be bought out. I faught it but it's time now. Bryz is a different story. Keep him!
- SuperSchennBros

I'd keep L. Schenn, Grossman and Mez (if healthy). The rest can go. Timonen, as much as I loved his game, he just doesn't have it anymore. He's slow so he takes bad penalties, makes poor decisions, and gets knocked around. Coburn has regressed in the last few years and I loathe watching him play. Yes he skates well for a big guy, but is not very physical and makes poor outlet passes. Gervais and Foster are worthless and Gus is very up and down.

Why do you think he's getting a free pass? I don't think he's getting any preferable treatment than anyone else.
- mayorofangrytown

He doesn't exactly see a loss in ice time either.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: What's Working/Not Working After 27 Games?
- bmeltzer

I cover the Dallas Stars as well as the Flyers, and I can most assuredly tell you that the Dallas team defense is every bit as prone to horrific breakdowns as the Flyers, arguably even more so. Yet somehow Kari Lehtonen has still managed to be one of the top goaltenders in the NHL over the last few years, including a 2.23 GAA and .929 save percentage this year.

Bill, I have to credit watsonnostaw for his promoting/scouting of Kari Lehtonen in the summer of 2010. He wanted the Flyers to get him to replace Leighton/Emery/Boosh as the starter going into that season (2010-11). Our esteemed poster pointed out his good numbers despite playing in the hockey coldbed of Atlanta.

Unfortunately, watsonnostaw posted this mostly in the Atlanta threads -- which is akin to trying to make a good trade when your name is Don Waddell.

Weighing in the Bryz topic...I'm not a Bryz basher, but the reality for me is that I never really feel confident or safe with him. Maybe during that one stretch last year, but other than that he has not really been much different or better than the host of goalies we've rolled out since Pelle/Hexy(1st time around).

General question - Do you feel more confident with Bryz now vs. Cechmanek in his heydey here?

The only thing homer did wrong with the bryzgalov acquisition was the contract. Making a move for the player himself wasn't the wrong move. If the player underperforms that isn't automatically the Gm's fault.
- JoeRussomanno

Agreed...should have specified that I meant the contract amount and length!

"Erik Gustafsson (borderline case)"
In my opinion he has been horrible in every aspect of the game both on defense and offence. Having him on the power play has been a bad coaching move as well.
- mace14

Agreed. Better off with L.Schenn there, at least he has a rocket of a shot, Gusty just takes wrist shots at the net and it is usually blocked and he can never hold the blue line

Why do you think he's getting a free pass? I don't think he's getting any preferable treatment than anyone else.
- mayorofangrytown

because people are saying he wont get bought out....if anything i think he should be the only on that gets bought out this year. When a guy can turn his performance on a dime to excel in the playoffs why cant he do it now when they are in danger of missing them? Sad really. Hes not giving a poop and im tired of having him basically say:

"Im playing like poop i know it and i have to improve" ..... its amazing that he has 82 different ways of saying that.

Leighton had a legitimate injury. He hurt his hand and could not grip a stick.
- MJL

At least he disclosed it, unlike that deal with his back before he signed his last big flyers contract.