So say Murray is named interim coach the last 15 games. The team goes 4-11-1. You are going to sell Murray as the coach for the following year? Murray starts implementing his ideas, and the Flyers decide to go in a different direction you are sending the players mixed messages.
- PLindbergh31

Murray comes in knowing that they have no intention of hiring him as the full time Coach next Season. It wouldn't be sending mix messages to the players. The Message that Murray would be sending would be the same ones that any new Coach would be sending. Strssing the fundamentals, and playing the right way. Instilling discipline and begin laying the foundation for solid two way Hockey.

Make Murray an assistant under the new coach. I don't have an issue with that. Veteran coach would be a good asset to have on the bench.

Murray named interim coach for the last 6 weeks of the season won't change much or break any bad habits imo.
- PLindbergh31

It will prevent them from getting worse. Even if all it does is arrest the bad habits, that's good enough for me.

Laviolette is burying young kids that need ice time and stifling their growth to give Danny Briere time. That's counter productive.

He's not an NHL player right now. Simple as that.
- PLindbergh31

I completely disagree.

This is a small thing among many, but it seems the Flyers more often then not look first to make a hit, and their second priority is getting the puck. I know they would not admit this, but it is how they play. Bang the body first is fine but getting the puck possession is more important.

Agree with sitting Briere. He is killing his line.

Those folks worried about B Schenn, look how he was playing on a line with Jake, before Jake was bumped up to skate with Giroux. Schenn was hot when he had a good winger to play with.

Honestly, I would explore what they could get back for Hartnell.
7 more years at near $5 a season. Of course the return would have to be great, a real hockey trade and not prospects. Hartnell has tremendous value as a power forward, pest, 25 goal scorer. I think if they could fill a needed hole on defense I would do it.
Plus Hartnell's value is certain to decline as he gets older. Power forwards break down very quickly over 30 and it is not predictable.

I actually like Read and would try and keep him as the winger to replace Hartnell at hopefully a smaller cap hit. Read is a smarter player, skates better, and has very good hands. You lose a lot trading Hartnell but like I said, to fill the black hole they have on D it may be worth it. Giroux with Read and Jake is a seriously good line.

Sure he is.
- jak521

I'm watching different games then. Cause I see a kid who has no confidence, that looks lost out there.

I'm watching different games then. Cause I see a kid who has no confidence, that looks lost out there.
- PLindbergh31

He's afraid to make a mistake because as soon as he does his ass gets nailed to the bench. That's a prime reason to fire the coach. Veterans can make mistake after mistake, but when Couturier makes one mistake, he's buried.

Then he starts pressing and the next thing you know, he's making mistakes.

He looks like he's playing at about 30%. Game in game out Rinaldo (i hate him) is giving 110%. I really don't see the harm putting him in Briere's spot. I think a line of Rinaldo-Schenn-Simmonds would be a handful to play against.
- canadianpenfan

That would be fun to watch (maybe not from your perspective...but for a Pens fan, I like the way you think).

He looks like he's playing at about 30%. Game in game out Rinaldo (i hate him) is giving 110%. I really don't see the harm putting him in Briere's spot. I think a line of Rinaldo-Schenn-Simmonds would be a handful to play against.
- canadianpenfan

Love the hate!!

Danny boy looks to me like something is bothering him like a nagging groin or something to that effect. It reminds me of when Orpik was hurt 2 years ago and shyed away from certian situations.

I'm watching different games then. Cause I see a kid who has no confidence, that looks lost out there.
- PLindbergh31

So because he has no confidence and is in a funk.. he isnt an NHL player?

How bout this... the kid got 8 minutes last night.. playing in a strictly defensive role. Meanwhile.. Danny (frank)ing Briere got 15 minutes... Danny Briere who has 1 point and is a minus 10 in his last 8 games.

All of them are struggling and not looking good...

He looks like he's playing at about 30%. Game in game out Rinaldo (i hate him) is giving 110%. I really don't see the harm putting him in Briere's spot. I think a line of Rinaldo-Schenn-Simmonds would be a handful to play against.
- canadianpenfan

How is Letang?
Pens looked great without him against Boston.

We are packaging up Talbot + + for Letang now. You can't afford to re-sign him anyway, and showed you don't need him to beat top teams like Boston.

It will prevent them from getting worse. Even if all it does is arrest the bad habits, that's good enough for me.

Laviolette is burying young kids that need ice time and stifling their growth to give Danny Briere time. That's counter productive.
- Jsaquella

The only young player that isn't getting the ice time is Couturier. He doesn't deserve it. But your point is well taken. If I was Holmgren I would bring Briere in a room, and tell him if you don't waive your NMC, you aren't playing the rest of the season.

Love the hate!!

Danny boy looks to me like something is bothering him like a nagging groin or something to that effect. It reminds me of when Orpik was hurt 2 years ago and shyed away from certian situations.
- nbartley9

Thats typical Briere.. its not May yet.

He's afraid to make a mistake because as soon as he does his ass gets nailed to the bench. That's a prime reason to fire the coach. Veterans can make mistake after mistake, but when Couturier makes one mistake, he's buried.

Then he starts pressing and the next thing you know, he's making mistakes.
- Jsaquella

Couturier flourished under the same coach last year.

Thats typical Briere.. its not May yet.
- jak521

Someone should have set the calendar in his locker to May a few weeks ago. Fire Derek Settlemyre!

So because he has no confidence and is in a funk.. he isnt an NHL player?

How bout this... the kid got 8 minutes last night.. playing in a strictly defensive role. Meanwhile.. Danny (frank)ing Briere got 15 minutes... Danny Briere who has 1 point and is a minus 10 in his last 8 games.

All of them are struggling and not looking good...
- jak521

So because everyone is struggling Couturier gets to stay in the NHL? Unfortunately a fair amount of guys can't be sent down due to the rules. Sending down a 20 year old kid to get his head straight makes all the sense in the world.

If the Flyers are looking to sell, I think Timonen will get you value in return. He's a good rental this year and then one more before the cap drops even further. A team with a bit of cap space could use him. Go back to Nashville?

Would be crazy if it came to that, but the year and a half post-lockout will be weird.

The only young player that isn't getting the ice time is Couturier. He doesn't deserve it. But your point is well taken. If I was Holmgren I would bring Briere in a room, and tell him if you don't waive your NMC, you aren't playing the rest of the season.
- PLindbergh31

Until last night Rinaldo wasn't getting an increase in ice time, despite being one of the few guys who understood his job and did it well.

And while Couturier is the most egregious example of a youngster struggling and getting chopped ice time, he's also a vital piece of the future-either rby being here or being traded for another asset.

When you have a young guy who is struggling and bury him every single time he makes a mistake, he has no chance to redeem himself and the cycle continues.

How is Letang?
Pens looked great without him against Boston.

We are packaging up Talbot + + for Letang now. You can't afford to re-sign him anyway, and showed you don't need him to beat top teams like Boston.


- Marc D

I don't know, doesn't sound that serious but not alot of info has come out yet. The good old LBI.

I'm on record as saying Letang won't be a Pen by the end of next season, I truly believe that but I really, really hope he lands out west if he doesn't resign.

That proposal is almost as bad at the one I saw a certain someone in here make a few days ago.

So because everyone is struggling Couturier gets to stay in the NHL? Unfortunately a fair amount of guys can't be sent down due to the rules. Sending down a 20 year old kid to get his head straight makes all the sense in the world.
- PLindbergh31

So, what you're saying is you want Couturier to play for Terry Murray?

This team just isnt good right now...

The decisions being made behind the bench are making things worse.

If the Flyers are looking to sell, I think Timonen will get you value in return. He's a good rental this year and then one more before the cap drops even further. A team with a bit of cap space could use him. Go back to Nashville?

Would be crazy if it came to that, but the year and a half post-lockout will be weird.
- coohill

I can't imagine their defense without Kimmo.
They would have to run with five forwards on the power play.

I don't know, doesn't sound that serious but not alot of info has come out yet. The good old LBI.

I'm on record as saying Letang won't be a Pen by the end of next season, I truly believe that but I really, really hope he lands out west if he doesn't resign.

That proposal is almost as bad at the one I saw a certain someone in here make a few days ago.
- canadianpenfan

Pittsburgh will be vomiting in stanzas, as Letang dons an orange and black NWO jersey.

Couturier flourished under the same coach last year.
- PLindbergh31

Yep, he did. But now when he makes a mistake he's buried, which compounds the issue. Now he's playing scared, worried about making a mistake. When that happens to a guy he's bound to make a mistake.

So, what you're saying is you want Couturier to play for Terry Murray?
- BulliesPhan87

Yeah. No issue with that. But it's more about him playing against competition he can thrive against right now. It will boost his confidence.

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