It's a 20 year old that is still playing a shutdown role. He faces the hardest competition of all the Flyers forwards, except Talbot. He starts more shifts in his own end than anyone but Talbot. He plays with less talented guys and he gets his minutes cut as soon as he makes a mistake.

The cards are stacked against him. He's been playing afraid to make a mistake, which leads to more mistakes. He has no safety net. Nobody behind him saying, "Get 'em next time kid!"

You're not going to build his confidence by burying him and making him terrified of making a mistake. It's not like anything else has been working. Why not give it a shot, rather than giving the Invisible Man Danny Briere more minutes up until he got hurt.
- Jsaquella

Amen

How is it a lot bigger?

It seems like every aspect of Coot's play has regressed. He hasn't done anything that would warrant a belief that if he were to be moved up with scoring wingers or given more responsibilities, he'd be more productive.

His skating hasn't markedly improved. His passing is below average. His finishing touch is below average. His decision making with the puck has slipped noticeably. And it was commented earlier that his defensive game has regressed somewhat as well.

That doesn't sound like a player who should be given a larger role. That sounds like a 20 year old who should be honing his skills in the "A".
- 77rams

well, one or the other should be done. and i don't see them seniding him to the A though.

Dallas and San Jose have both made trades that would indicate they are sellers.

Probably need a team like the Caps, who are surging or the Sens, who have a ton of defensemen hurting
- Jsaquella

I'd be happy to take the Caps 1st for Coburn

I'm not so ticked at Holmgren for failing to improve the D last offseason, as I can't blame him for going after Suter and Weber, and I'm very happy he didn't sign Matt Carle to a 6 year 30+ million dollar deal.

Where I'm upset with the GM however is that he didn't get a quality 4th line center who could win a faceoff and a decent backup goalie. Those are both relatively easy to acquire and could really helped the team at the start of the season. For example, perhaps the pk doesn't struggle so much at the start if you have a guy like Dave Steckel who can win the opening faceoff and get you a clear right off the bat, and a real backup goalie could have taken some of the load off Bryz early on too. Who knows, maybe they start 4-4 instead of 2-6 and they never sink to the point they are now. Oh well....
- BiggE

one day Leighton and Boucher will not be around. can't come soon enough.

Jimmy Murphy ‏@MurphysLaw74 12m
Keep hearing Oilers D Ryan Whitney possibly being traded to Boston but nothing confirmed.

Is the Hockey guy for ESPN's Boston unit

I think it has also. But every team has had to deal with that.
- MJL

agreed.

It's a 20 year old that is still playing a shutdown role. He faces the hardest competition of all the Flyers forwards, except Talbot. He starts more shifts in his own end than anyone but Talbot. He plays with less talented guys and he gets his minutes cut as soon as he makes a mistake.

The cards are stacked against him. He's been playing afraid to make a mistake, which leads to more mistakes. He has no safety net. Nobody behind him saying, "Get 'em next time kid!"

You're not going to build his confidence by burying him and making him terrified of making a mistake. It's not like anything else has been working. Why not give it a shot, rather than giving the Invisible Man Danny Briere more minutes up until he got hurt.
- Jsaquella

I can't, for one minute, believe he hasn't been given as much positive reinforcement from the coaching staff that they could give. He just might not be ready to step in for Briere.

You may only compound his confidence by placing him in a situation that he hasn't a chance of succeeding in. Like everyone else on this board, I don't know what running through his head.

I also cannot believe the entire coaching staff hasn't discussed and decided whether the option of moving Coots up into a more offensive role at this time would benefit him in the long haul. I'm deciding, maybe wrongly, to accept their judgement on this.

I can't, for one minute, believe he hasn't been given as much positive reinforcement from the coaching staff that they could give. He just might not be ready to step in for Briere.

You may only compound his confidence by placing him in a situation that he hasn't a chance of succeeding in. Like everyone else on this board, I don't know what running through his head.

I also cannot believe the entire coaching staff hasn't discussed and decided whether the option of moving Coots up into a more offensive role at this time would benefit him in the long haul. I'm deciding, maybe wrongly, to accept their judgement on this.
- 77rams

He can get all the positive reinforcement in the world, but when he consistently gets bench for mistakes....well actions speak louder than words.

Given Briere's play this season, Bob Clarke could probably step in now, at his age and do as well.

What the coaching staff sees is evident. Couturier makes a mistake, get him out and sit him because he's hurting the team. Guess what, so are Briere, Hartnell and all the other veterans who are playing like poop.

Yet they keep getting opportunities. So where's Couturier's head? It's playing scared because when he's made a mistake it's resulted in sitting more. That compounds the issues, rather than helps at this point.

I can't, for one minute, believe he hasn't been given as much positive reinforcement from the coaching staff that they could give. He just might not be ready to step in for Briere.

You may only compound his confidence by placing him in a situation that he hasn't a chance of succeeding in. Like everyone else on this board, I don't know what running through his head.

I also cannot believe the entire coaching staff hasn't discussed and decided whether the option of moving Coots up into a more offensive role at this time would benefit him in the long haul. I'm deciding, maybe wrongly, to accept their judgement on this.
- 77rams

Send him to the A let hime work with Murray....Bring up Sim.

Send him to the A let hime work with Murray....Bring up Sim.
- Just5

Sim isn't on a NHL contract, rather they bring up Boucher. (frank)ing guy ain't going to play anyhow, Boucher is used to sitting

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 1m
...the Edmonton Oilers say they haven't traded Whitney to BOS or anywhere else. That's as of now. No doubt they're trying to move him.

Conor Hassard ‏@C_Hassard 23s
Went through all the Flyers game highlights from this season. 21 out of 98 goals they've allowed have come from odd-man chances/breakaways.

Just my thoughts, but I can see the reasoning behind playing a guy like Briere or Hartnell instead of Coots.

In an organization that very rarely accepts "development" years, and lacks patience it does to a degree make sense to go with the players who have produced the best for you in the past.

If Lava went up to Holmgren/Snider and told them 10 games in that he will be playing the kids more, because this may just be a developmental year how long would he have lasted?

He can get all the positive reinforcement in the world, but when he consistently gets bench for mistakes....well actions speak louder than words.

Given Briere's play this season, Bob Clarke could probably step in now, at his age and do as well.

What the coaching staff sees is evident. Couturier makes a mistake, get him out and sit him because he's hurting the team. Guess what, so are Briere, Hartnell and all the other veterans who are playing like poop.

Yet they keep getting opportunities. So where's Couturier's head? It's playing scared because when he's made a mistake it's resulted in sitting more. That compounds the issues, rather than helps at this point.
- Jsaquella

Again, I, like yourself, cannot really comment as to what's going on in Coot's head.

Remember, he's still only 20 years old. He's unable to do the things that he had no problem doing when he was a junior. Maybe he's been a bit timid in the scoring role and is more comfortable with his checking instead at this time.

And then again, maybe you're correct and he's squeezing his stick a little too tight when a scoring opportunity presents itself because he's afraid of making a mistake. Tough to say without sitting down and discussing it with him.

That said, I was always a believer in bringing along a player slowly - like the Devils and Detroit do with their prospects. There's more of a chance to ruin a player by giving him too much responsibility too soon that by being patient with him.

Conor Hassard ‏@C_Hassard 23s
Went through all the Flyers game highlights from this season. 21 out of 98 goals they've allowed have come from odd-man chances/breakaways.
- Jsaquella

Far too many, but Id like to see where other teams stack up regarding such a stat.

Just my thoughts, but I can see the reasoning behind playing a guy like Briere or Hartnell instead of Coots.

In an organization that very rarely accepts "development" years, and lacks patience it does to a degree make sense to go with the players who have produced the best for you in the past.

If Lava went up to Holmgren/Snider and told them 10 games in that he will be playing the kids more, because this may just be a developmental year how long would he have lasted?
- flyer_nutter

Laviolette is coaching to keep his job now, damn the future consequences. That's a fact.

Conor Hassard ‏@C_Hassard 23s
Went through all the Flyers game highlights from this season. 21 out of 98 goals they've allowed have come from odd-man chances/breakaways.
- Jsaquella

I've seen sentences for manslaughter that were a lot more lenient.

Laviolette is coaching to keep his job now, damn the future consequences. That's a fact.
- Jsaquella

Definately, but at the same time if even today he runs up to Snider and says we are going with the kids for the rest of the season, they get the most minutes. I think he is shot in the head on his way out of the office.

I do believe what I explained in my previous post might have a big factor in playing Briere/Hartnell more...

Looking at their defense, I think they have some good players to build on.

I don't think they are as horrible as everyone makes out.

Grossmann is a very good shut down physical guy, and is perfect for the role of second pair shut down guy. He needs a decent skater/puck mover to play with. I see him as as part of the core group moving forward, if he can stay healthy he is very effective.

Luke Schenn has the upside to be a top pairing shut down guy, or at worst a second pair shut down guy. He is likely to be part of their core D for years. He is still young in terms of Dmen and has upside potential.

Mezsaros is hurt but even when healthy he is best as the #5 guy, for which he is overpaid. I'm not sure he is tradable. I hope he gets healthy and gets his confidence back as likely they are stuck with him. If they can make a fair hockey trade I would consider it strongly. I see this as unlikely given his cap hit and injuries.

Coburn is a mystery. A few years ago with a younger Kimmo he was very effective as the #2 guy in the top pairing. Last year with Grossmann he was also solid, they were a damn good shut down pair. This year he has been asked to play top minutes and obviously has struggled. He is not skilled enough to be an offensive guy. He has size and speed and could compliment a true #1 in a pair or even better on a second pair with less minutes. If he is traded it will be tough to replace his minutes for less $. I think they should keep him and hope for a bounce back year next season playing less minutes.

Kimmo is coming back next year and has value to the team. He can quarterback the PP and can still transition the puck. He doesn't have the foot speed anymore to play in Lavi's aggressive attack system as we see almost every game when he is chasing down and tackling or hooking the opposition. In a less aggressive system I think Kimmo would look better. Playing less minutes would help.

They still need the guy who can log 23+ all around minutes and has some offensive flair. These guys are not cheap and will cost a young forward + more if even a deal can be found. For the right player I would deal any forward other then Giroux include Couts and Voracek. But not for the names you hear over and over like Boyle, Byfuglien, Jaybo, or Yandle. All those guys would certainly help but I'm not trading Couts or Voracek for them.

If a deal can't be made for the right offensive defenseman, then shore up the third pair, and don't trade away the young guns, and suck it up until the right deal or the right UFA comes along in 2014/15.

Also fixing the overall team defense would help a lot.

Again, I, like yourself, cannot really comment as to what's going on in Coot's head.

Remember, he's still only 20 years old. He's unable to do the things that he had no problem doing when he was a junior. Maybe he's been a bit timid in the scoring role and is more comfortable with his checking instead at this time.

And then again, maybe you're correct and he's squeezing his stick a little too tight when a scoring opportunity presents itself because he's afraid of making a mistake. Tough to say without sitting down and discussing it with him.

That said, I was always a believer in bringing along a player slowly - like the Devils and Detroit do with their prospects. There's more of a chance to ruin a player by giving him too much responsibility too soon that by being patient with him.
- 77rams

I'm fine with bringing him along slowly, and would be fine if he's in the AHL.

But the kid looks terrified with the puck on his stick when he has to make a quick decision. He looks like he's so afraid of making a mistake, that it's causing mistakes.

But when he makes a mistakes and then misses the next two shifts, that's the coach injuring his development. If the current coach can't grasp that, they should send him to the AHL where he'll be coached by a guy interested in his long term prospects as a player, rather than one trying to keep his job another week.

Definately, but at the same time if even today he runs up to Snider and says we are going with the kids for the rest of the season, they get the most minutes. I think he is shot in the head on his way out of the office.

I do believe what I explained in my previous post might have a big factor in playing Briere/Hartnell more...
- flyer_nutter

Snider's likely to fire him anyway. His plan to rely on the veterans isn't working, so where is the harm to unleash the kids?

He can get all the positive reinforcement in the world, but when he consistently gets bench for mistakes....well actions speak louder than words.

Given Briere's play this season, Bob Clarke could probably step in now, at his age and do as well.

What the coaching staff sees is evident. Couturier makes a mistake, get him out and sit him because he's hurting the team. Guess what, so are Briere, Hartnell and all the other veterans who are playing like poop.

Yet they keep getting opportunities. So where's Couturier's head? It's playing scared because when he's made a mistake it's resulted in sitting more. That compounds the issues, rather than helps at this point.
- Jsaquella

Couts should get a whole season to play with a guy like Gagne.
Gagne still excels at positional play and would help the kid a lot.

he's faking it so that he doesn't get drafted by the Flyers.
- wilsonecho91

I'm fine with bringing him along slowly, and would be fine if he's in the AHL.

But the kid looks terrified with the puck on his stick when he has to make a quick decision. He looks like he's so afraid of making a mistake, that it's causing mistakes.

But when he makes a mistakes and then misses the next two shifts, that's the coach injuring his development. If the current coach can't grasp that, they should send him to the AHL where he'll be coached by a guy interested in his long term prospects as a player, rather than one trying to keep his job another week.
- Jsaquella

I'll be willing to call it a stalemate at this point if you're agreeable.

I see your points and they are valid as always.

Looking at their defense, I think they have some good players to build on....

Also fixing the overall team defense would help a lot.
- Marc D

Not to discredit the whole post, which I read through and agree with for the most part, but that last part is huge.

The defense corps is less of a problem than team defense. They are horrendous in their own end, they waste energy that could be used on the attack running around with no discipline and get worn down, then they seem dead at the end of the night.