But how can you hate a player with such a great smile?


- jmatchett

There was a fighter from Canada in last Saturday's UFC named Mike Ricci.

How so? Maurice has shown time and time again he can win with minimal pieces, ASIDE from his Toronto experiment where I think any coach was doomed...

He's young, can relate to the players the way Lavi can, has shown a winning record for the most part, and adds some structure to our team. I'm sorry, but all this Murray and Paddock talk makes me sick to my stomach... There's a VERY GOOD reason Paddock never found work again at the NHL level, and why Murray didn't either. Same with Mike Keenan... Those are old-school coaches... The game, mentality, and coaching style has changed a lot in today's game.
- Flyers_V88

How long was Laviolette out of an NHL job before the Flyers called? He was Coaching his sons team, and doing analyst work. Paul Maurice coaches a style very similar to Laviolette. He would not be my choice.

That's right, totally forgot they changed affiliates.
- Jsaquella

You guys can have Boucher after we fire him and promote Cooper and Flanagan from Syracuse because even after promoting all of his scoring the bastard still win games.

There's plenty of reason to make a coaching change now:

-Break the bad habits

-start the process of instilling discipline

-teach the younger players the importance of two way play

-get an idea who will thrive and who will not under a more disciplined structure and system.
- Jsaquella

Like

I know, and look at that team's performance and play while he coached them... With their star power and goaltending... I just don't get why people assume that if we hire Murray all our problems would just vanish or become less? Murray's system CANNOT and has almost NEVER put up numbers in terms of offense. This team is NOT constructed to play Murray hockey.
- Flyers_V88

The latter statement is incorrect. What exactly is Murray hockey?

The latter statement is incorrect. What exactly is Murray hockey?
- MJL

I just remember starting out watching the legion of doom cycle for a minute or 2 until they scored. I liked Murray hockey

I got to thinking last night and the thought occurred to me that NJ should really want Bryz. Their two oldtenders are basically done after next season and they don't really have much going for them in the pipeline. A guy like Bryz, who likes a lot of starts and really thrives behind a very defensive minded team, would seem to be a nearly perfect fit there. There never has been, nor will there likely ever be, a trade between NJ and Philly, nor am I advocating one be made here.
- Scoob

Why wouldn't they just go hard after Bishop or Bernier in the summer as long-term solutions? UFA-to-be Mike Smith would fit their system perfectly as well -- almost plays the puck as well as Marty.

Speaking of Bishop, the Flyers would be wise to bark up that tree asap.

Fair, but how many of those are recently? None. How many of those are post-lockout? None. How many times have his teams reached the playoffs post-lockout? Virtually none.

Your point is valid pre-2005.... I respect your opinion, but I just don't see it the way you do. The game has changed a lot, and those coaches and their effectiveness is dimished greatly with the speed and PPs in today's game.
- Flyers_V88

The game has not changed that much. In terms of systems play, the same systems that were around in the 70's are still used today. Some of the systems used go back to the 50's.

Mood/recap/suicide watch?
- Flyskippy

trying to shake of the creeping malaise

and uh, this team sucks and is painful to watch

Why wouldn't they just go hard after Bishop or Bernier in the summer as long-term solutions? UFA-to-be Mike Smith would fit their system perfectly as well -- almost plays the puck as well as Marty.

Speaking of Bishop, the Flyers would be wise to bark up that tree asap.
- Tomahawk

If they really want offense. I'd let them have at read for bishop

You guys can have Boucher after we fire him and promote Cooper and Flanagan from Syracuse because even after promoting all of his scoring the bastard still win games.
- Artyukhin76

That's the main reason I want him...guy's got nothing, keeps winning.

Why wouldn't they just go hard after Bishop or Bernier in the summer as long-term solutions? UFA-to-be Mike Smith would fit their system perfectly as well -- almost plays the puck as well as Marty.

Speaking of Bishop, the Flyers would be wise to bark up that tree asap.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, like fifteen minutes after Anderson gets cleared to play

Jon Cooper, Dallas Eakins and Steve Spott.

Cooper is the coach of the Norfolk Admirals, and the favorite to take over the Bolts if Boucher walks the plank. Eakins is coaching the Toronto Marlies and is highly regarded. Spott is the coach and GM of the Kitchener Rangers. He also runs the Canadian National junior team
- Jsaquella

I'd be fine with any of the above

The game has not changed that much. In terms of systems play, the same systems that were around in the 70's are still used today. Some of the systems used go back to the 50's.
- MJL

Murray would be a great coach. The team has been choking all season long.

On the other hand, who is going to pay attention to a lame duck coach? Heck, it's likely that a few of the players won't be here next year anyway.
- Scoob

Part of the evaluation of who is going to be here next year, is seeing who is going to pay attention to that Coach.

How long was Laviolette out of an NHL job before the Flyers called? He was Coaching his sons team, and doing analyst work. Paul Maurice coaches a style very similar to Laviolette. He would not be my choice.
- MJL

Good point.

The season is done folks. Play the kids, establish a good work ethic and responsible two way play with a new coach, don't trade away youth, get what you can for the vets. AKA plan for next year.

This team has wonderful and exciting youth. Build on that.

Oddly I think I really enjoy the bad seasons. The year that we don't mention here is why and when I joined Hockeybuzz to begin with. Rebuilding a mess is oddly interesting and fun to follow. Losing of course is not.

Terry Murray was a NHL head coach for 15 years. In ten of those years, his team finished in the top ten in the NHL in goals scored. In 9 of those years his team was top 6 in goals scored.

You're incorrect about Murray's abilities as a coach. His history is one of being able to coach without being married to a system.
- Jsaquella

Agreed.

Murray took over a Flyers team that was a fractured disorganized mess at end of the 93-94 season and had them in the conference finals the following season. While the moves Clarke made certainly had a lot to do with that, does anyone really think that team would have gone anywhere if they had held onto Terry Simpson?

Furthermore, many of the current Kings have publicly given Murray much of the credit for the success they had last year.

As Jsaq said, no one is asking them to sign Murray to a 4 year deal as head coach, but he would be a great interim coach to help the younger players develop good habits and get their confidence back.

You'd want to trade a struggling top-4 defenseman PLUS a lottery pick for another struggling top-4 defenseman?
- Tomahawk

Well Coburn has got 1 goal 5 assists and -11 where as Yandle 5 goals 10 Assists and -1. Seems like an upgrade to me plus he is the kind of guy we need on PP and to move the puck better

Well Coburn has got 1 goal 5 assists and -11 where as Yandle 5 goals 10 Assists and -1. Seems like an upgrade to me plus he is the kind of guy we need on PP and to move the puck better
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

fine and dandy, but I'm not giving up our #1 pick to get Yandle.

What I would do
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

No way I move this years 1st for Yandle, that would be a terrible mistake.
Coburn and next years 1st for Yandle I would do.

No way I move this years 1st for Yandle, that would be a terrible mistake.
Coburn and next years 1st for Yandle I would do.
- BiggE

Though I very much doubt Phoenix will move Yandle for a guy who only makes about 700k less than he does in the first place.

1. I like Bryz.
2. He is way down on my list of reasons why this team stinks this year. Way down.
3. I think Bryz is a very good goalie.
4. I'm content with him being under contract long term.
5. If/when the rest of the team starts playing well in front of him I do not doubt that he can be a Cup winning goalie.

There, everyone clear on my stance here? Good.

So, now to the thinking out loud portion of this post...

I got to thinking last night and the thought occurred to me that NJ should really want Bryz. Their two oldtenders are basically done after next season and they don't really have much going for them in the pipeline. A guy like Bryz, who likes a lot of starts and really thrives behind a very defensive minded team, would seem to be a nearly perfect fit there. There never has been, nor will there likely ever be, a trade between NJ and Philly, nor am I advocating one be made here.

Carry on.
- Scoob

The game has not changed that much. In terms of systems play, the same systems that were around in the 70's are still used today. Some of the systems used go back to the 50's.
- MJL

Erm, yes, some fundamentals of today's systems are rooted in what came before, but tactics, strategy and systems have evolved quite a bit since the 50's - 70's.

The game is much more complex these days, mainly due to European influence on notions of puck possession and increased fluidity in player positioning in all three zones. The days of north-south, stay-on-your-wing, dump and chase are pretty much over. Systems and tactics have had to evolve as a result.

How long was Laviolette out of an NHL job before the Flyers called? He was Coaching his sons team, and doing analyst work. Paul Maurice coaches a style very similar to Laviolette. He would not be my choice.
- MJL

Actually not long at all... Less than one season. Again, it's not that I don't like Murray, I just think he isn't the right fit. As well, with this talk of interim, what's the point now? I mean really? Why not wait, if a coaching change is in order, and find the right guy from the start.

Erm, yes, some fundamentals of today's systems are rooted in what came before, but tactics, strategy and systems have evolved quite a bit since the 50's - 70's.

The game is much more complex these days, mainly due to European influence on notions of puck possession and increased fluidity in player positioning in all three zones. The days of north-south, stay-on-your-wing, dump and chase are pretty much over. Systems and tactics have had to evolve as a result.
- Tomahawk

Exactly, and the speed is far greater than at any point.