It's a fact that every organization that's firing their coach lets it be known through a beat writer.

Steve Tambellini has been canned. We saw that coming because they told the beat writer three weeks ago.
- mayorofangrytown

Asked if he planned to make a coaching change, Holmgren’s reply was succinct.

“I haven’t even thought along those lines,” he told The Inquirer. “I think it’s been a difficult year because of the (injury) situation. We haven’t had our whole team all year.

“I don’t blame the coaches.”

The Flyers are 17-21-3 and will miss the playoffs for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.

“Am I happy with the players and our season? No. Am I happy we’re not in the playoffs? No. But I think the coaches have done a good job under the circumstances,” Holmgren said.[/I]

http://www.philly.com/phi...ying-as-Flyers-coach.html

I hope this is just smoke blowing, because Laviolette has one a piss poor job this year

Asked if he planned to make a coaching change, Holmgren’s reply was succinct.

“I haven’t even thought along those lines,” he told The Inquirer. “I think it’s been a difficult year because of the (injury) situation. We haven’t had our whole team all year.

“I don’t blame the coaches.”

The Flyers are 17-21-3 and will miss the playoffs for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.

“Am I happy with the players and our season? No. Am I happy we’re not in the playoffs? No. But I think the coaches have done a good job under the circumstances,” Holmgren said.
- Jsaquella[/I]

http://www.philly.com/phi...ying-as-Flyers-coach.html

I hope this is just smoke blowing, because Laviolette has one a piss poor job this year

I certainly hope for a coaching change. I was done with this one two seasons ago.

I will put my fingers in my ears, chant "la la la la la," and hope that assurances Lava is back next year are just the "I'm not firing him until after the last game and I'm not hanging him out to dry in the media for two weeks."
- bodiva88

He's not firing Lavi, and he's happy with the team we have.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inqflyersreport/Looks-like-Lavy-staying-as-Flyers-coach.html

Do Flyers beat writers actually read what they print. I do not see a statement in there that Laviolette will be back next year. Maybe I am simple but it looks like Carchidi just pulled a Seravilli and invented a statement of fact out of a few general comments.
- psuhockey

this gave me a laugh from the comments section:

I don't see us getting Seth Jones unless we really Penguin up the place the last two weeks and get lucky. He may or may not be the savior, although he is good.

Asked if he planned to make a coaching change, Holmgren’s reply was succinct.

“I haven’t even thought along those lines,” he told The Inquirer. “I think it’s been a difficult year because of the (injury) situation. We haven’t had our whole team all year.

“I don’t blame the coaches.”

The Flyers are 17-21-3 and will miss the playoffs for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.

“Am I happy with the players and our season? No. Am I happy we’re not in the playoffs? No. But I think the coaches have done a good job under the circumstances,” Holmgren said.

http://www.philly.com/phi...ying-as-Flyers-coach.html

I hope this is just smoke blowing, because Laviolette has one a piss poor job this year
- Jsaquella

Aren't those old quotes from around the trade deadline? If not, then Homer's almost literally repeating word for word what he said then, which wouldn't inspire me much if I was Lavi or one of the other coaches.

He's not firing Lavi, and he's happy with the team we have.
- BulliesPhan87

these aren't the droids you're looking for. you don't want to detain us.

Asked if he planned to make a coaching change, Holmgren’s reply was succinct.

“I haven’t even thought along those lines,” he told The Inquirer. “I think it’s been a difficult year because of the (injury) situation. We haven’t had our whole team all year.

“I don’t blame the coaches.”

The Flyers are 17-21-3 and will miss the playoffs for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.

“Am I happy with the players and our season? No. Am I happy we’re not in the playoffs? No. But I think the coaches have done a good job under the circumstances,” Holmgren said.
- Jsaquella[/I]

http://www.philly.com/phi...ying-as-Flyers-coach.html

I hope this is just smoke blowing, because Laviolette has one a piss poor job this year

see: maclean, paul.

There is effort, but there's no accountability and no discipline....the good news is, Carchidi says Laviolette is coming back.

I'd literally rather see Wayne Cashman
- Jsaquella

You always mention the lack of accountability and discipline. If the system is flawed to begin with and the team can't win under Lavy and with his high pressure system, how does being accountable/disciplined change things ?

The emphasis should be on Lavy's innefective system, the lack of adjustments to his system, and the failure to recognize he doesn't have the talent on D to apply that system.

Man you guys talking about UFOs want to have some fun.. Join these forums where I am also a member with the same user name.

www.abovetopsecret.com

It's a conspiracy site that has been around forever and has really active forums on every conspiracy you can think of. The current topics of choice are North Korea but you have a few posters that insists they see UFOs in every picture from Mars.

As for Ancient Aliens..Love him.." See that cloud over there, not saying it's aliens but it's aliens"
- opeth_pa

http://www.abovetopsecret...om/forum/thread939684/pg1

The only quote that would actual make that tweet factual is Holmgren flat out said Laviolette will be back next year. Holmgren didn't say anything near that. Piss poor journalism in an attempt to get people to click on his blog.

these aren't the droids you're looking for. you don't want to detain us.
- hammarby31

I can't speak for others, but with 7 games left in a season that is finished but for the crying, I'm not just talking about Lauridsen.

I'd start throwing in our top prospects to see how they do for a few games each.
- wolfhounds

I personally wouldn't. Don't see that it would accomplish much.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inqflyersreport/Looks-like-Lavy-staying-as-Flyers-coach.html

Do Flyers beat writers actually read what they print. I do not see a statement in there that Laviolette will be back next year. Maybe I am simple but it looks like Carchidi just pulled a Seravilli and invented a statement of fact out of a few general comments.
- psuhockey

The answer is no. Who I want to fire/ buyout/ trade?... half the Flyers Beat writers. With exceptions including Mr. Meltzer of course(I love your articles Bill). But often I find myself wondering if this is a real story or is it our media making it up. There are many occasions I feel like the reporters are messing with the players and the team by trying to force stories onto them. The latest being Bryz falling asleep at a meeting. And I don't know about everyone else but some of these long leading awkwardly asked questions at interviews just make me cringe...

Let's see:

-Buried Bobrovsky after one bad playoff period, which led Snider to demand a big name goalie brought in

-Criminally mishandling Couturier

-Inability to adjust his "system" to meet the abilities of the roster.

-Routinely outcoached by Tortorella, Deboer, Julien, Guy Boucher and others

-Inability to adjust in game, out side of yelling during timeouts

-Inability to beat the Devils, Rangers or Bruins on a regular basis

Let's sign him to a four year extension
- Jsaquella

You forgot:

-Coached them to the Stanley Cup Finals

I know Mark Alt is large enough to play in the NHL at 6'3, 195 lb. He is a right-handed defenseman and is considered a good, agile skater despite his size. He put up decent two-way numbers of Minnesota. Has been a +18 his last 2 seasons at Minnesota.

Manning's had a rough year, I'll give you that. But he's seen NHL action before and didn't look out of place. I'd like to see if he can come in and really fight hard for a potential spot next year.

I don't know much about Konan other that what I've heard, and it's that he's probably a fringe NHLer at best.

And I wouldn't want to play with the forward ranks, as I'd hate to put a halt to the Flyers' torrid scoring, but I'd like to see if Noebels could play at this level, and maybe Akeson.
- jmatchett383

So basically what you know about Mark Alt is what you can find with a 3 second google search. Same as me. I'm in the same boat with regards to players like Alt and Konan.

I'm not sure its lack of effort, rather lack of direction and FOCUSED effort. Guys like Voracek, Simmonds, Read, Couturier etc... are playing hard, just not smartly. It's one of many reasons why I eagerly await a coaching change. On the other hand, Tocchet was just dogging it on purpose to try and force a trade and thats just inexcusable!
- BiggE

I definitely agree with that. Along with a lack of emotion due to the level of frustration that has gone on all Season. This team as a whole is just numb right now.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inqflyersreport/Looks-like-Lavy-staying-as-Flyers-coach.html

Do Flyers beat writers actually read what they print. I do not see a statement in there that Laviolette will be back next year. Maybe I am simple but it looks like Carchidi just pulled a Seravilli and invented a statement of fact out of a few general comments.
- psuhockey

I think the headline writer took some liberties.

Sam wrote:

"Without formally announcing it, general manager Paul Holmgren gave Laviolette a strong vote of confidence in Montreal on Monday."

The headline writer seemed to take things to the next level with the proclamation "Looks like Lavy staying as Flyers' coach".

I'd like Fedetenko back if at all possible. He has done a really good job for us for what we brought him in to do, a strong defensive game, kills penalties, and adds a scoring touch. He's a little expensive and I think we lose him cuz another team is gonna snatch him out of here...
I'm not gonna cry over Foster, Lilja, Shelley, Rosehill, and Walker walking out the door though.
I do think we'll try and hold onto Huskins and Hall and they will have some discussions with Gagne. Gagne will depend a great deal on the money and what another team offers him. Id' be happy to keep him but I don't think it breaks us in any way if he goes someplace else.
I'd also be ok with Knuble hanging around for the right price. Sure there isn't much left in the tank but he's been one of the few this season who seems to still give a crap. He's really, really good with the media and our young guns should be taking notes...
- FlyersGrace

I'd keep the offense the way it is, with some minor tweaks. The way I look at it, the forwards are mostly young. If we are going to keep both Schenn and Coots, 1 has to be moved to the wing. If either of them can step up their games next year, slot one on a line with Giroux and Vorchek then the other can centre the 2nd line. Amnesty Briere or trade him to a team that needs to hit the cap floor, we need the cap space. Defence needs a a top #1 guy. It will be hard to get our hands on one and goaltending I like so far, we have to solid #1 goaltenders and a few years behind Bryz and I believe Mason can be a great goaltender. As for our farm club I like Clarke's strategy, keep all the young guys in the minors until they dominate the minors like he did with Carter/Richards.

You always mention the lack of accountability and discipline. If the system is flawed to begin with and the team can't win under Lavy and with his high pressure system, how does being accountable/disciplined change things ?

The emphasis should be on Lavy's innefective system, the lack of adjustments to his system, and the failure to recognize he doesn't have the talent on D to apply that system.
- Chris48

The system is one aspect of things. Laviolette demands guys be aggressive, almost to the point of being reckless. But for his system to work(which it can) players also have to be responsible in their own end and play disciplined hockey.

It's why when Laviolette had veterans and strong leadership(in Carolina in 2006 and here in 2010) his system worked well. But when that leadership and disciplined play aren't there, his system falls apart.

Forwards don't backcheck hard enough and drift too far in the neutral zone, which makes the outlet game fall apart, because other teams can interrupt the passes out of the neutral zone.

The issues there are two fold. First the forwards get caught up ice and have to skate harder to even get back into the play. The second issue is, that the defense gets caught by the forcheck and is often stuck in odd man situations.

Now, to touch on the system, the Flyers don't have the mobility on defense or the kind of two way forwards that make Laviolette's system work at it's highest level of effectiveness.

IMO, Laviolette doesn't do enough to instill the needed discipline into his players and also doesn't hold enough guy accountable for poor play. Much like what Stevens did, he rewards "his" guys and the other, often times younger guys, get buried after a mistake.

So basically what you know about Mark Alt is what you can find with a 3 second google search. Same as me. I'm in the same boat with regards to players like Alt and Konan.
- MJL

I asked about Alt a couple of blogs back. Meltzer seemed to think he was a defensive defensemen. Along the same lines as Coburn. Big, Fast, Mobile but with lower offensive numbers. He seemed to have one decent year of offense and then slipped back a bit. (Though his +/- did go up) Though slightly smaller version of Coburn is pretty good (when Coburn is on his game)

You could be right. I wouldn't use the word 'blame' for Bryz, but rather he's getting lots of attention for quite a few reasons: length and cost of contract, the fact he was brought in to steal games, the fact that he's played good, but not great, and his interaction with the media.

And to be fair, the Philly media isn't great, but I'm not sure how much 'blame' they should get for their interactions with Bryz. If you took Bryz and dropped him in another northeast city, it would likely be different (because nobody else has had our goalie soap opera in recent years), but I can all but guarantee there would be some 'out there' moments.
- wolfhounds

And if the team was winning and playing well. Those "out there" moments turn from a distraction to the team, and a major issue. To a he's just a quirky Goalie and it's laughed off. Which is what makes the entire thing a bunch of bullpoop!

You forgot:

-Coached them to the Stanley Cup Finals
- Dkos

Yep. So, he should be coach for life? The Flyers dumped Terry Murray, Mike Keenan and Pat Quinn within 18 months of SCF appearances.

I think the headline writer took some liberties.

Sam wrote:

"Without formally announcing it, general manager Paul Holmgren gave Laviolette a strong vote of confidence in Montreal on Monday."

The headline writer seemed to take things to the next level with the proclamation "Looks like Lavy staying as Flyers' coach".
- johndewar

Sam also treated that headline, so he can't be completely absolved.

You forgot:

-Coached them to the Stanley Cup Finals
- Dkos

I guess firing Quinn, Keenan, and Murray were all mistakes, then. Dang!

EDIT: LD2J

Sam also treated that headline, so he can't be completely absolved.
- psuhockey

I think you meant "tweeted" (I always give the benefit of the doubt to someone with "psu" as the prefix to their user name).

And yeah, I guess. I'm not going to beat Sam up for that. Especially now that the entire beat is tweeting the exact same things and there is a quote from Homer out there saying that Lavy will be back.