This seasons has been tough for Flyers fans..

Last night was pretty much a compilation of every problem we have seen in this "lock-out" shortened season condensed into a 60 minute game.

Adjustments have to be made.. and it hasnt happened.

I think it was a little before the midpoint of the second period when there was a stat displayed... Odd Man Rushes. The Flyers had allowed 7 oddman rushes(to the devils 1).. in less than half the game. WHY? They are blinded by their own aggression.

I dont know how many times last night (or in just about any game over the past however freakin long) where there would be 3 forwards in deep.. two behind the net and one a long the boards down deep. The puck is sent around the boards where our d-man pinches with reckless abandon. Sometimes our d-man gets to that puck and keeps it alive, but way more times he doesnt.. and the other team heads down the ice on a 2v1 or 3v1 with our "highest" forwards trying to play catch up. Hell, it happened about 5 times last night alone. Its disastrous!

The moment I knew ALL was lost though, was when Ryan Carter stuck out his leg and went knee/shin to knee with Rinaldo.. and every single player just skated around not even so much as heading over to Carter.. all while Rinaldo was trying to figure out if he was ok down on the ice.

Rinaldo, the guy who has been the spark plug all season... goes to bat for guys all the time.. gets hit with a cheap shot.. and not a single player did a damn thing about it. Screw the 1-0 score at that moment. That was a possibility for the team to rally around each other.. say "(frank) it.. were a team, and we dont take that poop" and go out and bring some pride back to the team.

Instead... you got a few chirps.. and the Devils continued to push us around and control the momentum and the game. They dictated the play the entire night.

Carter definitely extended his leg out deliberately.
- MJL

I agree.

Carter definitely extended his leg out deliberately.
- MJL

I'm looking at hit from a perspective where I don't sit on the Flyers or Devils' side. I think both are to blame on that play.

Rinaldo just ended with the shortest end of the stick.

In no particular order:

1. Team defense
2. Defense
3. 5-on-5
4. Power play
5. Overall consistency
6. Fortitude in tight games
7. Coach adjusting

Just curious, why do we need another top 6 forward? Briere isn't even in the top 6 anymore and Read, who is top 6 material, generally bounces around the lineup because he's so versatile. That covers the wingers. Centers? We already have too many.
- hereticpride

Here's what I see carrying over to next year
Centers (Briere trade/buyout)- Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, Talbot
Wingers - Voracek, Hartnell, Read, Schenn, Talbot, McGinn
Defense - Timonen, Schenn, Coburn, Grossmann, Meszaros
Goalies - Bryzgalov

At the recent early bird Q&A, Holmgren mentioend the salary cap may end up HIGHER than the reported $64.3 million. But even at that number, the Flyers would have just under $7M to sign two wingers, 1 defenseman (Gervais has 1 year left), and a backup. I can see Holmstrom, depending on how he plays when he comes back, challenging for a 4th line center role and moving Max to wing. When Laughton is done in the OHL, I'd like to see him move to the Phantoms for a taste, maybe he is a possibility on the 3rd/4th line.

The big question remains in net. Even if he's playing great, Bryzgalov can't make 75 starts, and I'm scared out of my pants at Leighton or Boucher getting a start. I'm not sure what the answer is, but this team needs a dependable backup who can make 12-15 starts in spot duty and give you a chance of going above .500. Not saying goaltender has been the #1 issue, but the backup needs an upgrade.

I'm looking at hit from a perspective where I don't sit on the Flyers or Devils' side. I think both are to blame on that play.

Rinaldo just ended with the shortest end of the stick.
- Pecafan Fan

Is this a serious comment?

Need some personnel changes on the D.
Also need a good backup goalie. Bryz should get no more than 85-90% of the starts. The current backups are practically guaranteed losses. No offense to those guys but their time has passed.

Is this a serious comment?
- jak521

Yes.

At this point, I think it's what they have to do.

Not that I think he's a bad coach or anything, but it looks like he can't get the team back on track. Someone's gotta take the blame, and it'll fall on him.
- Pecafan Fan

Hes absolutely not a bad coach...hes won a cup...the problem is he is to stubborn to change....

Notice to all Flyer fans

Do not change coaches now. Or, if you do make a change, hire an interim coach.

If you are going to hire a new coach wait until the end of the season.

The guy who is the best fit for the Flyer kids is:

Luke Richardson
- spatso

This is not the Dallas Eakins you are looking for.

Yes.
- Pecafan Fan

Ok. God bless you.

- Scoob

Inaccurate. Not burnt enough.

Ok. God bless you.
- jak521

Plain as day Carter extended his leg and initiated contact.

I see that a lot of the people who feel that Laviolette should be fired are being attacked by others who are reducing the argument into "It's all Lavy's fault"

This sort of moronic simplemindedness belongs on WIP. Nobody is saying that Laviolette is the only one to blame, or that the situation is all his fault. Those that feel that I or others are making that argument are simply ignoring the bulk of what we've been saying or are just trying to be bumholes.

Peter Laviolette has won a Stanley Cup as a head coach. With the right personnel, his system can be fantastic. However, with the wrong personnel, it can fail miserably. Unfortunately, we've seen a template where Laviolette clung tight to his system and failed, despite losing key personnel that made his system effective in Carolina.

In the case of the Flyers, Laviolette's current team is not suited for the system he wants to run. I will not say that he has made no adjustments. There's been tweaks in the defensive coverage, but they are not big changes, and they have been largely ineffective. It also isn't just a one year thing. The signs have been there for awhile.

One trend for the Flyers the last two seasons has been their inability to beat teams that play tight checking systems, with aggressive forechecking and strict discipline. If that team has good offensive talent on top of that discipline, the Flyers have usually been toast.

People also rip Terry Murray, by pointing to his record with the Phantoms. Let's take a look at the talent level on the Phantoms. When he had Sean Couturier and Bryaden Schenn, those two accounted for 61% of the Phantoms offense. Even with those two, the Phantoms weren't very good.

My view is, Murray(and John Paddock for that matter) have solid records and teaching coaches. Murray has a strong record of instilling discipline in teams and getting them to be better two way players on an individual level. This is a largely young team that needs teaching more than motivation. Murray also isn't a guy married to a system. He can coach high scoring teams(as he did in Washington as well as Philly) and he can coach defense first style teams as he did in Los Angeles.

The season is likely not salvageable. No available coach is likely to come in and go 16-3 and squeak into the playoffs. That's why I want somebody to come in and lay a foundation of discipline, good two way play and to break the bad habits that are forming.

I wouldn't bring either Murray or Paddock in as a permanent replacement. But rather as an interim guy to teach and break bad habits. Then I would cast a wide net for a replacement. That's the other consideration.

Most guys I'd want are locked into jobs and it would cost compensation as well as a multi-year contract to get them now. I want to really shake the tree, not automaticall be locked into a Lindy Ruff or Ted Nolan.

Wit until summer and see if a Jon Cooper, Dallas Eakins or Steve Spott is willing and ready to make a jump to the NHL.

Ok. God bless you.
- jak521

hmmm. Just saw an angle where you see Carter kind of kicking his skate towards Rinaldo at the last second.

I'll have to re-assess my position.

I didn't see that last night on the replay.

Inaccurate. Not burnt enough.
- PLindbergh31

Intentional...there is a bright future, but not this season.

In no particular order:

1. Team defense
2. Defense
3. 5-on-5
4. Power play
5. Overall consistency
6. Fortitude in tight games
7. Coach adjusting
- Scoob

Goaltending has to be on the list somewhere. Second unit PP has been dreadful, overall they haven't been bad. 5th in the NHL.

- Scoob

Needs more jam.

- Peter Laviolette

Both players had their leg extended. Carter isn't more at fault that Rinaldo himself.
- Pecafan Fan

That's the dumbest thing I've ever read on this forum.

Here's what I see carrying over to next year
Centers (Briere trade/buyout)- Giroux, Schenn, Couturier, Talbot
Wingers - Voracek, Hartnell, Read, Schenn, Talbot, McGinn
Defense - Timonen, Schenn, Coburn, Grossmann, Meszaros
Goalies - Bryzgalov

At the recent early bird Q&A, Holmgren mentioend the salary cap may end up HIGHER than the reported $64.3 million. But even at that number, the Flyers would have just under $7M to sign two wingers, 1 defenseman (Gervais has 1 year left), and a backup. I can see Holmstrom, depending on how he plays when he comes back, challenging for a 4th line center role and moving Max to wing. When Laughton is done in the OHL, I'd like to see him move to the Phantoms for a taste, maybe he is a possibility on the 3rd/4th line.

The big question remains in net. Even if he's playing great, Bryzgalov can't make 75 starts, and I'm scared out of my pants at Leighton or Boucher getting a start. I'm not sure what the answer is, but this team needs a dependable backup who can make 12-15 starts in spot duty and give you a chance of going above .500. Not saying goaltender has been the #1 issue, but the backup needs an upgrade.
- jmatchett

I don't know what Holmgren mentioned. But the salary cap # for next Season of 64.3M is etched in stone and will not change. It will most certainly rise in future years after next Season.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Desperation, Expectations vs. Realities
- bmeltzer

Time to put Terry back behind the bench, evaluate the kids and get prepared for a coach to teach based on the players they have. Use this time to evaluate what you have for the next 5+ seasons. Lavy has lost the team, we don't have Pronger and lost out on the other FA. I KNOW this team will bounce back with Ed and Paul there. We don't have to go the cheap route by mailing it in for 5 years to stock pile draft picks. There is a happy medium between a quick fix every year for 'this' year and taking the easy way out.

I understand that. You make valid points. I refuse to believe Laviolette is just too stubborn to make the adjustments necessary. There are a lot of undisciplined players on this team. And lots of stupid as well.

Laviolette got this team to a game 6 of the SCF a few years ago. Everyone loves the return for Carter and Richards, so the major difference between that team and this one is Chris Pronger. While Pronger's value can't be understated he's not the difference in being a Cup Finals team and a team that isn't competitive.
- PLindbergh31

You got that right.

Love,

The 2006 Edmonton Oilers

I see that a lot of the people who feel that Laviolette should be fired are being attacked by others who are reducing the argument into "It's all Lavy's fault"

This sort of moronic simplemindedness belongs on WIP. Nobody is saying that Laviolette is the only one to blame, or that the situation is all his fault. Those that feel that I or others are making that argument are simply ignoring the bulk of what we've been saying or are just trying to be bumholes.

Peter Laviolette has won a Stanley Cup as a head coach. With the right personnel, his system can be fantastic. However, with the wrong personnel, it can fail miserably. Unfortunately, we've seen a template where Laviolette clung tight to his system and failed, despite losing key personnel that made his system effective in Carolina.

In the case of the Flyers, Laviolette's current team is not suited for the system he wants to run. I will not say that he has made no adjustments. There's been tweaks in the defensive coverage, but they are not big changes, and they have been largely ineffective. It also isn't just a one year thing. The signs have been there for awhile.

One trend for the Flyers the last two seasons has been their inability to beat teams that play tight checking systems, with aggressive forechecking and strict discipline. If that team has good offensive talent on top of that discipline, the Flyers have usually been toast.

People also rip Terry Murray, by pointing to his record with the Phantoms. Let's take a look at the talent level on the Phantoms. When he had Sean Couturier and Bryaden Schenn, those two accounted for 61% of the Phantoms offense. Even with those two, the Phantoms weren't very good.

My view is, Murray(and John Paddock for that matter) have solid records and teaching coaches. Murray has a strong record of instilling discipline in teams and getting them to be better two way players on an individual level. This is a largely young team that needs teaching more than motivation. Murray also isn't a guy married to a system. He can coach high scoring teams(as he did in Washington as well as Philly) and he can coach defense first style teams as he did in Los Angeles.

The season is likely not salvageable. No available coach is likely to come in and go 16-3 and squeak into the playoffs. That's why I want somebody to come in and lay a foundation of discipline, good two way play and to break the bad habits that are forming.

I wouldn't bring either Murray or Paddock in as a permanent replacement. But rather as an interim guy to teach and break bad habits. Then I would cast a wide net for a replacement. That's the other consideration.

Most guys I'd want are locked into jobs and it would cost compensation as well as a multi-year contract to get them now. I want to really shake the tree, not automaticall be locked into a Lindy Ruff or Ted Nolan.

Wit until summer and see if a Jon Cooper, Dallas Eakins or Steve Spott is willing and ready to make a jump to the NHL.
- Jsaquella

Well said.

I think this season is gone no matter who is in the coaches office.

Trade Briere and Timonen - get prospects and picks. Buy out Mesz and Bryz in the offseason.

I was debating a couple guys on Facebook last night -- was this year or last year a fluke year for Couturier?