I thought they looked great for the first period and a half.

Couts had his best start in a long time. Showed some patience and skill. He needs work on his skating and strength this summer. I so hope Homer doesn't trade him.

The Gagne and Knuble line seemed to have something going, then that line sort of disappeared. Were they benched in the third?

I don't remember the play where Coburn got hurt.

Two of the Isles goals were deflected off one or two Flyers, tough luck for Bryz.

It seemed like Voracek and several others were really trying to win, but maybe doing too much of an individual effort thing.

I agree that is a real concern if the word was passed down to lose on purpose. F that.

As I said above, it's my opinion this team lacks a real veteran leader...not just a strong veteran presence (like Kimmo), but a leader (Pronger, Hatcher, Foppa, Primeau, Lindros, etc.)
- wolfhounds

They're lacking a lot no doubt. No They don't seem to have that player who can just take over a game but if they played more like a team they might find that player exists on this roster or that they don't quite need him. I don't know anymore but a change in coaching has to come good lord how many too many men on the ice does the last one make it now?

I'm afraid there's still time for the poop to continue piling...

Im hoping this $poop$show, abortion of a season weighs heavy on the hearts and minds of the players and their sense of pride to the point where they resolve to do whatever is necessary to not go through it again. You've got to lose to know...how to win. Dream on.
- exlund

Yup. Nobody should enjoy being the butt of the league...hopefully all the young guns decide "never again".

I want to watch and see which guys are still working hard, and which ones still get pissed. Claude Giroux was pissed tonight and he was laying it out. Great to see. Others were as well.

When all that's left to play for is pride, the fighters and battlers will play as hard as they can.

Let the ashes of this mess sit in their mouths. They'll come back ready to go to war, and they'll be focused and hopefully ready to funnel that anger into a focused storm.
- Jsaquella

It's not as rewarding, but you learn to enjoy the role of spoiler...

Because Misery loves it some motherfunkin' company!

I want to watch and see which guys are still working hard, and which ones still get pissed. Claude Giroux was pissed tonight and he was laying it out. Great to see. Others were as well.

When all that's left to play for is pride, the fighters and battlers will play as hard as they can.

Let the ashes of this mess sit in their mouths. They'll come back ready to go to war, and they'll be focused and hopefully ready to funnel that anger into a focused storm.
- Jsaquella

Though I hate beating the drum on this, I do believe a coaching regime change is probably the right thing, as it faciliates a "new start" mentality, where maybe some of the crestfallen players can use it as a catlayst to make a new start, focus and rediscover their games.

Though I hate beating the drum on this, I do believe a coaching regime change is probably the right thing, as it faciliates a "new start" mentality, where maybe some of the crestfallen players can use it as a catlayst to make a new start, focus and rediscover their games.
- exlund

It seems inevitable.

If Lavi doesn't get fired this summer I will be shocked.

I want to watch and see which guys are still working hard, and which ones still get pissed. Claude Giroux was pissed tonight and he was laying it out. Great to see. Others were as well.

When all that's left to play for is pride, the fighters and battlers will play as hard as they can.

Let the ashes of this mess sit in their mouths. They'll come back ready to go to war, and they'll be focused and hopefully ready to funnel that anger into a focused storm.
- Jsaquella

Yup exactly. The season maybe shot to hell but with two amnesty clauses up his sleeve the GM can see who needs to go now.

Even bryzgalov, thing that aggravates me with him is he gets lackadaisical or at least looks it. If I'm holmgren I tell him "you wanna stay here, then make like that puck is a bullet headed towards your wife, your kids, your huskie, your (frank)ing spaceship or whatever you hold dear in this world and throw your body in front of it. As much as the team d is bad he needs to come up big more consistently. If he can't answer the bell then screw him too. I preach not rooting for your team to lose but I also wanna see players who don't take games/plays off. Tonight I thought he did look solid though, some deflections and pond hockey going on out there. Coulda had that second goal I thought.

youre welcome
- Crimsoninja

ok you were right.


That's one.

Though I hate beating the drum on this, I do believe a coaching regime change is probably the right thing, as it faciliates a "new start" mentality, where maybe some of the crestfallen players can use it as a catlayst to make a new start, focus and rediscover their games.
- exlund

I've beaten that drum like Ginger Baker.

I don't want to necessarily see a 180, from Laviolette to Hitchcockian defense, but I do want to see a more disciplined, more structured scheme. I feel that some of the younger guys have gotten away from that sort of thing.

I also think that a more disciplined approach will help the guys who have struggled this year-Coburn and Hartnell most notably-return to form.

It's not as rewarding, but you learn to enjoy the role of spoiler...

Because Misery loves it some motherfunkin' company!
- wolfhounds

Yeah, I learned that as a Phillies fan in the late 1980's

I've beaten that drum like Ginger Baker.

I don't want to necessarily see a 180, from Laviolette to Hitchcockian defense, but I do want to see a more disciplined, more structured scheme. I feel that some of the younger guys have gotten away from that sort of thing.

I also think that a more disciplined approach will help the guys who have struggled this year-Coburn and Hartnell most notably-return to form.
- Jsaquella

I give Hartnell a pass because I'm not sure he is healthy. He seems a step slower and I'm not sure it is age. I think Coburn is what he is. He needs a good d-partner next to him. He just isn't consistent enough to cover up for a lesser d-men. Unfortunately, I think he is a #4 d-man.

It seems inevitable.

If Lavi doesn't get fired this summer I will be shocked.
- Marc D

If he doesn't then something serious went on behind the scenes this season and Im not sure if I'd wanna know what.

Yup exactly. The season maybe shot to hell but with two amnesty clauses up his sleeve the GM can see who needs to go now.

Even bryzgalov, thing that aggravates me with him is he gets lackadaisical or at least looks it. If I'm holmgren I tell him "you wanna stay here, then make like that puck is a bullet headed towards your wife, your kids, your huskie, your (frank)ing spaceship or whatever you hold dear in this world and throw your body in front of it. As much as the team d is bad he needs to come up big more consistently. If he can't answer the bell then screw him too. I preach not rooting for your team to lose but I also wanna see players who don't take games/plays off. Tonight I thought he did look solid though, some deflections and pond hockey going on out there. Coulda had that second goal I thought.
- JoeRussomanno

I still don't advocate using them recklessly.

I had a discussion with separate people on twitter last night, who were adamant that they should buy out either Timonen or Meszaros, including one that wanted to buyout Timonen and trade Coburn and Meszaros, whatever the freight would bear.

I can't understand that kind of change for change's sake mentality. It's as recklessly stupid as the Flyers continuing to drain the cupboards of draft picks.

I give Hartnell a pass because I'm not sure he is healthy. He seems a step slower and I'm not sure it is age. I think Coburn is what he is. He needs a good d-partner next to him. He just isn't consistent enough to cover up for a lesser d-men. Unfortunately, I think he is a #4 d-man.
- ravishingone

I will say this about Hartnell if he's not scoring he's still throwing the body, dropping the gloves or going to the dirty areas for the puck. So yes I think the injury set him back and prior to this year his injury history was almost nonexistent.

I will say this about Hartnell if he's not scoring he's still throwing the body, dropping the gloves or going to the dirty areas for the puck. So yes I think the injury set him back and prior to this year his injury history was almost nonexistent.
- JoeRussomanno

Yeah, puck to the foot is a freak injury. Also, as with a lot of players, I'm pretty certain he didn't come in the greatest shape, then gets hurt in the third game to a body part where you really can't do much cardio.

I feel very good about the top line of Hartnell-G-Voracek next year. I think it can't be underestimated that G is still adjusting to his role of captain. I believe it has effected his play and I expect him to be better.

I give Hartnell a pass because I'm not sure he is healthy. He seems a step slower and I'm not sure it is age. I think Coburn is what he is. He needs a good d-partner next to him. He just isn't consistent enough to cover up for a lesser d-men. Unfortunately, I think he is a #4 d-man.
- ravishingone

I agree with you on Hartnell. He had 3 games where he was dealing with rust and conditioning, and then broke his foot. To top it off, he returned a couple weeks early and probably hasn't been at 100%.

I'm fine with Coburn as a number 4 guy. Get a good top pair guy-Bouwmeester if possible, or Joni Pitkanen as exlund has suggested-and then you can slot him properly, as the junior partner with Timonen.

I agree with you on Hartnell. He had 3 games where he was dealing with rust and conditioning, and then broke his foot. To top it off, he returned a couple weeks early and probably hasn't been at 100%.

I'm fine with Coburn as a number 4 guy. Get a good top pair guy-Bouwmeester if possible, or Joni Pitkanen as exlund has suggested-and then you can slot him properly, as the junior partner with Timonen.
- Jsaquella

I like what Joni has to offer, but he is such a health risk. J-Bo is an iron horse, and with Feaster the cost of freight might not be too bad. Personally, I would still trade for Yandle out of the three (still not moving Coots for him). He is not a mutt in his own end and I like the idea of a little bit of punch with skating, passing, and shooting from the back line. Plus, reviewing his career he appears to be durable. I would seriously think about B. Schenn in a trade for him especially if I believe Laughton can assume a checking role at center next season.

so.... what does everyone think

You can consider me less of a fan all you want..

The only thing I want to see before I die is my Flyers win a cup.

If that comes because of one of the 3 players at the top of the draft this season or from a miraculous march to and through the playoffs then great.

I don't care how it happens I just want to see it happen.
- opeth_pa

How is being smart about what direction the franchise goes in to get to a cup faster make someone a lesser fan? I LOVE the flyers and want them to win a cup as bad as the next guy, but I want them to lose this season for a better pick. They aren't getting a cup this year so why keep hoping for a false dream this year? Get a pick and build your talent pool. Doesn't make anyone less of a fan.

How is being smart about what direction the franchise goes in to get to a cup faster make someone a lesser fan? I LOVE the flyers and want them to win a cup as bad as the next guy, but I want them to lose this season for a better pick. They aren't getting a cup this year so why keep hoping for a false dream this year? Get a pick and build your talent pool. Doesn't make anyone less of a fan.
- Richieattack18

It doesn't. I wouldn't worry about it. We can all choose how we deal with this season.

I've beaten that drum like Ginger Baker.

I don't want to necessarily see a 180, from Laviolette to Hitchcockian defense, but I do want to see a more disciplined, more structured scheme. I feel that some of the younger guys have gotten away from that sort of thing.

I also think that a more disciplined approach will help the guys who have struggled this year-Coburn and Hartnell most notably-return to form.
- Jsaquella

I was reading up on some things the other night and ran into a piece about Paddock being moved to assistant coach (from asst. GM) just before the season (see article below). It seemed like he would be charged with observing the D from up high and passing along suggestions and giving feedback. I think it was at Homer's behest. I wonder to what extent, if any, he has played a role, and if so, is it helping or hurting? Should he or Murray have any part in the future?

Some ironic things said about the D in this article from a few months ago regarding Paddock's move to assistant:

http://www.nj.com/flyers/...ks_gauging_the_teams.html



Curious, would you take a guy like Tortorella? He seems to be on the outs...he'd be a riot with the press corps here. It would be worth it just to see him and Panatch go at it.

http://newyork.cbslocal.c...coach-on-nhl-firing-line/

I hate him as the coach of an opponent, but as the article I linked notes, he knows how to push buttons but in doing so, can often get the best out of players...with the caveat being that the teams might be motivated at first, but eventually get tired of his harsh tone and start to tune him out. I do think his bluntness could be a reality check/wake up call for some players that are dragging it...and could be the kind of presence younger players need to stay in line and focused... he seems to have an understanding of how to manage younger talent too*: read how he treats younger players:

http://snyrangersblog.com...deals-with-young-players/

*on the Internet, so, true

This is like a 48 game training camp with a good pock at the end. could've been a lockout all season, right? Would've been nice if they weren't so beat up. And didn't suck so much

I like what Joni has to offer, but he is such a health risk. J-Bo is an iron horse, and with Feaster the cost of freight might not be too bad. Personally, I would still trade for Yandle out of the three (still not moving Coots for him). He is not a mutt in his own end and I like the idea of a little bit of punch with skating, passing, and shooting from the back line. Plus, reviewing his career he appears to be durable. I would seriously think about B. Schenn in a trade for him especially if I believe Laughton can assume a checking role at center next season.
- ravishingone

Buff and Yandle would be my preferences, Pitkanen's durability is a concern, but he has still very good puck moving skills and, like Yandle and Buff, can be an impact player in the offensive zone and on the PP. Joni still doesn't use his big body as much as he should and can occasionaly brain fart on d (then again, who doesn't), but with what he can do offensively and in transition, he'd be a solid pickup to pair with say, a Nik Grossman or maybe it even could work with Coburn.

I thought they looked great for the first period and a half.

Couts had his best start in a long time. Showed some patience and skill. He needs work on his skating and strength this summer. I so hope Homer doesn't trade him.

The Gagne and Knuble line seemed to have something going, then that line sort of disappeared. Were they benched in the third?

I don't remember the play where Coburn got hurt.

Two of the Isles goals were deflected off one or two Flyers, tough luck for Bryz.

It seemed like Voracek and several others were really trying to win, but maybe doing too much of an individual effort thing.
- Marc D

In regards to Couts you cant teach speed....You just cant I truly belive he is what he is at this point you will be lucky to see him as a Jordan Staal type player. He doesnt have very good hands which is obvious and the kid looks like he is skating in cement. Not saying he wont be a good player but the whole "Selke Trophy" candidate is a bit premature.

In regards to Couts you cant teach speed....You just cant I truly belive he is what he is at this point you will be lucky to see him as a Jordan Staal type player. He doesnt have very good hands which is obvious and the kid looks like he is skating in cement. Not saying he wont be a good player but the whole "Selke Trophy" candidate is a bit premature.
- flyerfan28

At the end of the day i don't think he'll be worse when he goes from 19 to 25. When he is 25, he'll still be a stud. At 28, Selke worthy