Ultimately it's the coach. Look he's a good coach but he has a short shelf life, which has expired.
- JoeRussomanno

This season is a lost cause. If the Flyers want to make a coaching change it's hard to argue with it. Obviously things can't stay status quo. I think it makes more sense to let Laviolette finish out the season and hire a guy before the draft. An interim guy for the last 15 games or so, is a waste of time imo.

i would sit him first. he might have been rushed after all, but we've crossed the rubicon w/ that, so maybe a healthy scratch is the better way to go and spot him from there.
- isaiah520

Sitting him can only further compound his lack of confidence IMO... he needs a jump start.. I thought he had responded pretty well when he was originally paired with Gagne...

Try decaffeinated tea mixed with a large shot of whiskey or brandy. Works for me every time!
- BiggE

Someone said Tequila, now we have whiskey or brandy. I figure we may as well get Jsaq as buzzed as possible while he is down.

This season is a lost cause. If the Flyers want to make a coaching change it's hard to argue with it. Obviously things can't stay status quo. I think it makes more sense to let Laviolette finish out the season and hire a guy before the draft. An interim guy for the last 15 games or so, is a waste of time imo.
- PLindbergh31

I disagree.. having a guy like TM come in and really play the jerk off for the last two months could be a good thing. Accept nothing but 100% effort or you sit. Work on two way play... and then re-evaluate in June.

I agree on Briere. Couturier needs to play. I wouldn't be totally against sending him to the AHL for a stretch, but I'd rather bump him up and play him with Schenn and Simmonds.

Briere has been invisible and is playing 15 minutes a night. It's illogical.
- Jsaquella

Definitely. Couturier needs to play. I don't want to make him a healthy scratch and have him sitting in the Shelley suite. Send him down, where he can start producing. It will boost his confidence.

This season is a lost cause. If the Flyers want to make a coaching change it's hard to argue with it. Obviously things can't stay status quo. I think it makes more sense to let Laviolette finish out the season and hire a guy before the draft. An interim guy for the last 15 games or so, is a waste of time imo.
- PLindbergh31

I'd like to start nipping things in the bud now personally.

We really need to move the Phantoms back to Philly.
- flyler

That would be phenomenal but I don't think there's a place for them to play anymore. Think about that when you ride the mechanical bull at Xfinity live.

I'd settle for them playing in Atlantic City, but I think I read they are eventually gonna end up in Allentown or thereabouts.

That would be phenomenal but I don't think there's a place for them to play anymore. Think about that when you ride the mechanical bull at Xfinity live.

I'd settle for them playing in Atlantic City, but I think I read they are eventually gonna end up in Allentown or thereabouts.
- johndewar

Ac would be awesome!

Watching the game, I am wondering how hurt Meszaros still is. He did not look sharp.
- flyler

Like Hartnell and Read, he is not yet in sync. Plus you can see when he goes in the corner, he is avoiding being hit (still uncomfortable that his shoulder will be hurt again?).
That said, he has been hitting in more open areas. I think he is not in mid season game shape - only played about a dozen games in the past twelve months.

And to be honest... that trio looked very good when he was on the ice.. a few very good chances.
- jak521

I've been screaming for the move for weeks. He really sparked good opportunites by getting in on the forecheck hard and quickly. No one thinks he should be a first liner but when the kid is working his ass off and doing nothing but positive things, why not reward him with more ice time and a few shifts on a higher line?

I'd like to start nipping things in the bud now personally.
- JoeRussomanno

So bring Murray, or Paddock in to instill discipline now, and have the team win some meaningless games and finish with a worse draft pick? I'm not on board with that idea.

This season is a lost cause. If the Flyers want to make a coaching change it's hard to argue with it. Obviously things can't stay status quo. I think it makes more sense to let Laviolette finish out the season and hire a guy before the draft. An interim guy for the last 15 games or so, is a waste of time imo.
- PLindbergh31

I see making a change as good way to start breaking the bad habits and start the process of learning to play a better two way game and instilling the discipline that is so badly needed. It also allows you to better evaluate the players on hand, and see who benefits with a more disciplined approach.

Maybe you see a guy blossom, or decide a guy who was untouchable is suddenly available.

Nobody, really. But he can start rewarding guys like Talbot with PP time, rather than running Briere out there. He could play Couturier in a more offensive role and try to get him going, rather than burying him after every mistake.

Last night was the first time we've seen Rinaldo get a bump up in ice time, despite being a very effective player all season long.
- Jsaquella

I said last night that Lavi should double shift Rinaldo in Briere's spot. I wasn't even half joking.

Sitting him can only further compound his lack of confidence IMO... he needs a jump start.. I thought he had responded pretty well when he was originally paired with Gagne...
- jak521

He is not the first young guy to struggle. His confidence will return. Lavi needs to do what is right for the the team at this moment

So bring Murray, or Paddock in to instill discipline now, and have the team win some meaningless games and finish with a worse draft pick? I'm not on board with that idea.
- PLindbergh31

You think that simply bringing in Murray or Paddock would immediately fix things? Hell, I've been preaching it for a couple weeks and I have no expectation for an immediate change.

I said last night that Lavi should double shift Rinaldo in Briere's spot. I wasn't even half joking.
- Lexington Flyer

He had jump last night and hits everything.

I said last night that Lavi should double shift Rinaldo in Briere's spot. I wasn't even half joking.
- Lexington Flyer

I'd like to see Briere be a scratch on Sunday.

Sitting him can only further compound his lack of confidence IMO... he needs a jump start.. I thought he had responded pretty well when he was originally paired with Gagne...
- jak521

he's already been moved around enuf. sitting him down and telling him that it's because he's pressing won't sap his confidence. he needs a reboot.

So bring Murray, or Paddock in to instill discipline now, and have the team win some meaningless games and finish with a worse draft pick? I'm not on board with that idea.
- PLindbergh31

I don't like to play to affect my draft outcome. Yea that worked for Pittsburgh, once. I'd rather take a winning approach that breeds success. Yes instill discipline now so you don't waste two months of next season and furthermore draft picks are never a guarantee.

You think that simply bringing in Murray or Paddock would immediately fix things? Hell, I've been preaching it for a couple weeks and I have no expectation for an immediate change.
- Jsaquella

Of course not. I just don't like the entire interim coach theory. Let this season crash and burn, and bring in a fresh face for next year. A full camp the new coach can put his stamp on the team.

He is not the first young guy to struggle. His confidence will return. Lavi needs to do what is right for the the team at this moment
- strongsupporter

Like try to get the team playing good 2-Way hockey?

I see making a change as good way to start breaking the bad habits and start the process of learning to play a better two way game and instilling the discipline that is so badly needed. It also allows you to better evaluate the players on hand, and see who benefits with a more disciplined approach.

Maybe you see a guy blossom, or decide a guy who was untouchable is suddenly available.
- Jsaquella

It a coaching move were to happen in Season. Wouldn't it have to happen today? I can't see it. Holmgren would prob rather not look like a total smacked ass and just ride this out

You think that simply bringing in Murray or Paddock would immediately fix things? Hell, I've been preaching it for a couple weeks and I have no expectation for an immediate change.
- Jsaquella

It won't be immediate fix. But at least the foundation is dug out or even better laid and dried for the next guy.

You think that simply bringing in Murray or Paddock would immediately fix things? Hell, I've been preaching it for a couple weeks and I have no expectation for an immediate change.
- Jsaquella

Im with you.. I want him to help begin to craft them in to a more reliable two way team.

Rinaldo has deserved to have his ice time increased. He's one of the few guys that has brought it every game this year. Talbot has improved his play dramatically lately, I don't have a problem elevating him. Right now Couturier and Briere are providing zero. They shouldn't even be dressing.
- PLindbergh31

Too bad Shelley is hurt. Lavi could put him in for those white flag waving Frenchmen.