It's a process. And NHL teams don't need to see a player in the NHL, to feel that he is ready for that next step.
- MJL

Agreed. I guess I just see the end of this season as a good time to give a player or 3 a bit of NHL ice time, similar to what they did with Laughton the beginning of this season.

I didn't say that. You make him out to be a horrible coach. I put more blame on the guy who put this team together. You also have to consider injuries and poor performance by many of the players. Lava has apretty good track record as an NHL coach.
- Dkos

He's not a horrible coach. He's a horrible coach when his players cannot play his system and he refuses to change it to accommodate the players he has.

Injuries and poor performance play a part, but are no excuse for killing Bobrovsky's Flyers career and inspiring Mr. Snider to instruct Homer to address the goalie situation "once and for all" by overpaying for Bryz. Dominoes...

I think I'm cured of that habit.
- Flyskippy

Your spinning, crying Flyers baby is making me nauseous.

I'm sorry that I have a 9-5 job that doesn't allow me to take day trips to all parts of the world to scout Flyers prospects. I took a look at his stats, read some talent analyses of him, looked at his size, saw what he has done, and I think he has the ability to translate as an NHL player. I'm not saying put him in there and expect him to be the savior. I'm not saying put him in there and evaluate whether or not he's worth anything over a 7-game stretch. But if the Flyers want to give him a little exposure to NHL play without too much of a burden, now would be a good time.
- jmatchett383

Well we disagree that now would be a good time. Now is a good time to let the kid get his feet wet in the AHL, and the pro game. And let him play there. And then see where he is in training Camp, and go from there, next Season.

I think this is a survival move by Homer.

If they stink it up in the first quarter of the year, he'll hurl Lavy overboard.
- johndewar

He might not get the chance if Luukko/Snider chuck him overboard, too.

Your spinning, crying Flyers baby is making me nauseous.
- mayorofangrytown

Time for a baseline test.

i didn't even realize they were playing today. it really has come to this.

I think this is a survival move by Homer.

If they stink it up in the first quarter of the year, he'll hurl Lavy overboard.
- johndewar

Yep. So in December, he'll be out hunting for a new coach. His options will be limited, because most good young coaches will be in the middle of their AHL or Junior seasons, and other good candidates will likely be assistants on NHL benches.

Then, the new coach will have to implement his system on the fly, without a camp, and likely in the midst of other issues. Recipe for failure.

So Craig MacTavish is ready to make bold moves to move the Oilers forward. Then he says they need to add depth.

I didn't say that. You make him out to be a horrible coach. I put more blame on the guy who put this team together. You also have to consider injuries and poor performance by many of the players. Lava has apretty good track record as an NHL coach.
- Dkos

Laviolette's track record is sink or swim. His Carolina team's won the Cup one year, and then missed the playoffs 3 straight years. That's his track record. He can be a good Coach and has had success. But there is no doubt that he did a horrendous job with this team, this Season. And what he did in 06, or whatever when Carolina won, really doesn't matter now.

Time for a baseline test.
- Flyskippy

Might be 25 years too late for a baseline test.

Laviolette's track record is sink or swim. His Carolina team's won the Cup one year, and then missed the playoffs 3 straight years. That's his track record. He can be a good Coach and has had success. But there is no doubt that he did a horrendous job with this team, this Season. And what he did in 06, or whatever when Carolina won, really doesn't matter now.
- MJL

I think the bigger problems are the way he handled certain individuals. Forget this season.. think long term

Might be 25 years too late for a baseline test.
- mayorofangrytown

I'll shop around for another avatar since you don't have sea legs.

I think the bigger problems are the way he handled certain individuals. Forget this season.. think long term
- jak521

*thinks long term*

*sees PLind lamenting Bob and Couturier*

I'll shop around for another avatar since you don't have sea legs.
- Flyskippy

Oh, keep it. I'll just put my head down on my desk for a couple minutes.

I think the bigger problems are the way he handled certain individuals. Forget this season.. think long term
- jak521

I think they wasted a 48 game opportunity to push players like Couturier along by putting him in better situations for some offensive growth. No guarantee it would have worked. But he should have at least gotten the chance.

Yep. So in December, he'll be out hunting for a new coach. His options will be limited, because most good young coaches will be in the middle of their AHL or Junior seasons, and other good candidates will likely be assistants on NHL benches.

Then, the new coach will have to implement his system on the fly, without a camp, and likely in the midst of other issues. Recipe for failure.
- Jsaquella

Yep.

I think they wasted a 48 game opportunity to push players like Couturier along by putting him in better situations for some offensive growth. No guarantee it would have worked. But he should have at least gotten the chance.
- MJL

You mean they shouldn't have put him on a line with the 2013 versions of Scott Daniels and Dan Kordic?

Yep.
- johndewar

So... you want a good draft pick next year too?

So Craig MacTavish is ready to make bold moves to move the Oilers forward. Then he says they need to add depth.
- mayorofangrytown

Dude, his random quote book is broken. OK!

i didn't even realize they were playing today. it really has come to this.
- wilsonecho91

this has happened for me at least 5 times this season. no kidding. my commitment has reflected that of the team itself. and i'm glad for that. haven't spent a single penny on the flyers this year. first time since da nang.

i didn't even realize they were playing today. it really has come to this.
- wilsonecho91

Busy week as we get tuned up for a deep run into the playoffs!



Wait, something is wrong here...

goalie prospect hartzell signs 1 year deal with the pigeons.

http://www.ecachockey.com...04_HartzellSignPittsburgh
- hammarby31

That's okay. McKay is a better goalie imo, and still available if they feel they need/want a college FA goalie prospect.

Dude, his random quote book is broken. OK!
- FlyersGrace

He also said it's time for his team to take big risks.

My favourite part was when he was talking about selling his team to players and how they aren't the old Oilers anymore and that players don't care about the weather. He followed that by saying they've lost out on their last several players but they were certainly in it.

Yep. So in December, he'll be out hunting for a new coach. His options will be limited, because most good young coaches will be in the middle of their AHL or Junior seasons, and other good candidates will likely be assistants on NHL benches.

Then, the new coach will have to implement his system on the fly, without a camp, and likely in the midst of other issues. Recipe for failure.
- Jsaquella

Jsaq, I really, really don't want this to be the case. But in my heart I agree with you. I think that we will be in trouble if Lavi is behind the bench next season.