Can we please stop bringing up how Lavy got this team to the SCF a few years ago?

There was so much luck involved with that run it was almost otherworldy. They got in to the playoffs on a shootout win in the last game of the season.

Beat a Devils team with a less than healthy Broduer (many thought he was finally done if you remember) . Beat a Bruins team that collapsed before our eyes, and had a HOME ICE Advantage as a 7th seed in the ECF. (When was the last time that EVER happened?)

They avoided all the really tough teams in that run. Not to mention they had Pronger.

It was a magical run for sure. But the next year they get DISMANTLED by that same Bruins team that went up 3-0 on them the previous season.(not the one that lost 4 straight)

The season after that they win a series playing against a team as undisciplined as they were, only to once again get DISMANTLED by a disciplined Devils squad.

The same problem have been going on since the beginning, the Cup run, while awesome, was so chock full of luck any sane person could see it was so completely improbable if they tried to do it again.

The book is out on this team and Laviolette. Just as it was out on him when he missed the playoffs three straight seasons after winning it all in Carolina. The difference being here the Flyers are a much more talented group that those Carolina teams.

Sure you can put up 100 point seasons. But when the rubber hits the road, they CAN'T beat disciplined structured teams, even those less individually talented than they are.

Eventually, when you see that it has been going on for his whole tenure, a change needs to be made. Either by the coach changing his system, or by changing the coach. Lavy's complete history shows us that he will not change.

The injuries to Pronger and Meszaros have played a big role on this team and the moves that have been made. Stating that the GM can't foresee those injuries isn't weak. Stating that it's a weak argument is what is weak.
- MJL

i was right then and the proof is in the reality we are now experiencing. i mean, if someone forecasts something and it comes true, then most people would concede, but not you, of course. shocking

then again, for you to admit that you were wrong about something like this would be the equivalent of taking a cyanide capsule.

I have read all the comments re this blog and I believe I may be the only one who has the solution.
I have always enjoyed Bill's blogs but this one bothered me. He sits and pontificates in his blog with all the answers. Make him coach and GM.

If you look at all the other teams, many players are off their game this year including Suter, Weber, Chara, Doughty, Carle etc . On defense, only Karlson of Ottawa looked outstanding.
The Flyers have a serious team problem - they are not meshing. Destroying different people everynight from the press box with a pen is easy. The solution for the Flyers is not.
- strongsupporter

I hardly think that's what Bill is doing. If anything, his analysis is far more objective - and less personal - than many of the other Philly writers.

His contract called for him to play for 5 years unless you think he was going to play years 6 & 7 for less than Gervais is making? This year would've been year 3 of the 5 years. Pronger's 38 and he's not a finesse player like Lidstrom. He'd be getting more and more injuries which make him less effective, like Timmonen.

Putting all his eggs in Pronger's basket is indeed Holmgren's fault. Especially given the flyers history with Hatcher and Rathje after the last lockout.

Not only do the Flyers have the highest paid defense without Pronger (5 defenseman making 3.5/mill + a year), they also don't have anyone who can make the first outlet pass consistantly among this highly paid group, nor someone like Sbisa who would have been groomed to assume an offensive role in the top 4 on an entry level deal. There's a reason that the Flyers are the ONLY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE using LTIR money right now and it isn't just because Pronger's hurt.

Holmgren mortgaged the future to take out a loan on a racehorse in the hopes that the horse would win the Kentucky Derby. The bank doesn't care that the horse came up lame. The bank get's paid either way. It was a huge gamble that didn't have to be taken. How many gamblers go broke betting on "sure things"?
- Flyers_01

Well, first off, Pronger's contract does drop in years six and seven, but his first year here, Pronger was playing on his existing deal. That means the Flyers likely expected him to play at least 6 years for them.

The Flyers do overpay for defense-and for other positions. They will continue to be among the highest spending teams in the NHL as they have been for the past fifteen to twenty years. Cost isn't as big an issue as mis-using the pieces that you're paying for.

As for comparing Pronger to Rathje and Hatcher, it's apples and oranges. Hatcher had well documented knee injuries that affected him for years. Likewise, Rathje's back troubles were also known at the time, although less publicized than Hatcher's knees.

Pronger suffered a freak injury. It wasn't chronic as in the cases of Hatcher or Rathje.

Damn it, Bill! Stop pontificating from your Royal throne in the press box!

Can we please stop bringing up how Lavy got this team to the SCF a few years ago?

There was so much luck involved with that run it was almost otherworldy. They got in to the playoffs on a shootout win in the last game of the season.

Beat a Devils team with a less than healthy Broduer (many thought he was finally done if you remember) . Beat a Bruins team that collapsed before our eyes, and had a HOME ICE Advantage as a 7th seed in the ECF. (When was the last time that EVER happened?)

They avoided all the really tough teams in that run. Not to mention they had Pronger.

It was a magical run for sure. But the next year they get DISMANTLED by that same Bruins team that went up 3-0 on them the previous season.(not the one that lost 4 straight)

The season after that they win a series playing against a team as undisciplined as they were, only to once again get DISMANTLED by a disciplined Devils squad.

The same problem have been going on since the beginning, the Cup run, while awesome, was so chock full of luck any sane person could see it was so completely improbable if they tried to do it again.


- MBFlyerfan

I logged in just to second this.

Damn it, Bill! Stop pontificating from your Royal throne in the press box!
- KGBflyers10

An incredibly accurate desription of this team.
- MJL

MilBury for GM. He's learned his lessons. CONTROLLED CAP MANAGEMENT

i was right then and the proof is in the reality we are now experiencing. i mean, if someone forecasts something and it comes true, then most people would concede, but not you, of course. shocking

then again, for you to admit that you were wrong about something like this would be the equivalent of taking a cyanide capsule.
- isaiah520

What exactly were you right about? How can I discuss it when I have no idea what you're saying you were right about? LOL

I'm interested in discussing the game and the opinions offered. Not a poster personally.

I have read all the comments re this blog and I believe I may be the only one who has the solution.
I have always enjoyed Bill's blogs but this one bothered me. He sits and pontificates in his blog with all the answers. Make him coach and GM.

If you look at all the other teams, many players are off their game this year including Suter, Weber, Chara, Doughty, Carle etc . On defense, only Karlson of Ottawa looked outstanding.
The Flyers have a serious team problem - they are not meshing. Destroying different people everynight from the press box with a pen is easy. The solution for the Flyers is not.
- strongsupporter

The solution is easy. Develop a plan, stick to that plan. Don't change it in two years when a team uses something different than NJ to eliminate you in the playoffs.

The Flyers spend too much time trying to win last year's Stanley Cup, have been for years.

MilBury for GM. He's learned his lessons. CONTROLLED CAP MANAGEMENT
- Just5

Thanks, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

The Flyers spend too much time trying to win last year's Stanley Cup, have been for years.
- Jsaquella

dead on

Can we please stop bringing up how Lavy got this team to the SCF a few years ago?

There was so much luck involved with that run it was almost otherworldy. They got in to the playoffs on a shootout win in the last game of the season.

Beat a Devils team with a less than healthy Broduer (many thought he was finally done if you remember) . Beat a Bruins team that collapsed before our eyes, and had a HOME ICE Advantage as a 7th seed in the ECF. (When was the last time that EVER happened?)

They avoided all the really tough teams in that run. Not to mention they had Pronger.


- MBFlyerfan

Most of that can be said about LA last year. Made it in as an 8 seed. Played against a Vancouver team that didn't know which goalie was playing from minute to minute. Played a St. Louis team that had no idea what the playoffs were. Then, played against an undermanned and outgunned Phoenix team where Mike Smith finally broke. The only difference was that the Kings had Jonathan Quick playing amazing all throughout the playoffs, where as the Flyers goalies finally flatered in the Finals. Any team that wins The Cup has to have amazing luck, especially one that barely squeaks in.

The solution is easy. Develop a plan, stick to that plan. Don't change it in two years when a team uses something different than NJ to eliminate you in the playoffs.

The Flyers spend too much time trying to win last year's Stanley Cup, have been for years.
- Jsaquella

Agreed, hence my stop going for the home run comment.

Needs more jam.

- Peter Laviolette
- johndewar

Time to cut the crust off and pull out the knife to scrape away at it until it no longer smells of burning...

What exactly were you right about? How can I discuss it when I have no idea what you're saying you were right about? LOL

I'm interested in discussing the game and the opinions offered. Not a poster personally.
- MJL

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=36339#.UUHhaoy9KSM
against this backdrop, i strongly advised the flyers to take some combo of assets and go all out to get a young dman. this blog was before the big trades, but i recommended action after the trades, before the season, expressing the same concerns Bill did here.

Agreed, hence my stop going for the home run comment.
- Scoob

I don't mind going for the home run, so long as it fits into your plan. My issue is going for the home run to match another team's plan that you're trying to steal

You def nailed it on this one. There was no response Bc they aren't a team out there
- Just5

K boys, no on ice practice today. Instead we'll be singing Kum-ba-yah, doing trust falls and making smores over the smoldering ruins of this season.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ost_id=36339#.UUHhaoy9KSM
against this backdrop, i strongly advised the flyers to take some combo of assets and go all out to get a young dman. this blog was before the big trades, but i recommended action after the trades, before the season, expressing the same concerns Bill did here.
- isaiah520

And who exactly has told you that you were wrong or disagreed with you on the Flyers need for a puck moving two way defenseman?

I asked you about what Plan B was. And I stated that I disagree with your comment that using Pronger as an excuse was "weak". So what are you talking about?

And who exactly has told you that you were wrong or disagreed with you on the Flyers need for a puck moving two way defenseman?

I asked you about what Plan B was. And I stated that I disagree with your comment that using Pronger as an excuse was "weak". So what are you talking about?
- MJL

This guy of course.

It's so bad even the trolls have stayed out of here

K boys, no on ice practice today. Instead we'll be singing Kum-ba-yah, doing trust falls and making smores over the smoldering ruins of this season.
- FlyersGrace

Please schedule time for rearranging the chairs in the locker room.

im sure briere and kimmo have no problem giving homer a short list of teams so they can escape this team and go to a contender at there ages

It's so bad even the trolls have stayed out of here
- Just5

I thank them for quietly enjoying their schadenfreude.

K boys, no on ice practice today. Instead we'll be singing Kum-ba-yah, doing trust falls and making smores over the smoldering ruins of this season.
- FlyersGrace

To be fair, s'mores are quite delightful.