If you think starting a Michael Leighton in game six made any sense at all, I think you need your head checked. Even in light of his Cincerella run, starting that pumpkin was a bloody head scratcher. You call it loyalty, I call it loyalty to a major fault.
- BulliesPhan87

It didn't work, and in retrospect, we should have stuck with Bob, but I can understand why he might have made this decision.

I'm just making the point that if you are going to give Lavy all the credit for their run to the finals in 2010, then you also need to give him the blame for their inability to beat the Rangers or Devils, their terrible showing in games 2-5 against the Devils last spring, and their pitiful performance during this season.
- BiggE

When did I give him ALL the credit? All I said was that he coached the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. I was merely trying to point out that the coach must have done some good along with all the bad that Jsaq was pointing out.

..and, Michael Leighton was literally the goalie that helped get the Flyers back into the playoff race, and took them to within 2 wins of the SC. I suspect there was some lingering loyalty and a feeling that he might be able to come in and excel like he did vs Boston.
- Hextall271

Perhaps, but in most sports, a journeyman is a journeyman. A guy like Leighton may catch lightning in a bottle once in his career, but the chance of it happening again is nil. I remember when Al Hill scored 5 points in his first Flyers game, and then had a 2 point game a week or so later; then he came back to earth, and spend most of his career as a minor league fill-in.

To expect a Career minor leaguer like Leighton to all of a sudden become a capable NHL starting goal is foolish to say the least and Lavy should have never gone to him in that spot.

Sometimes I think, why blame the beat writers. It's their job to get people to read what they write, or what they blog. Really the fault should be with the fans who fall for it and buy that nonsense. From the Lindros sleeping with Brind'Amour's wife, to the Richards/Carter nonsense, to this. They write it because they have an audience.
- MJL

But if its not true, I would expect journalist to not write the crap. they write for freakin big newspapers....not the enquirer.

It didn't work, and in retrospect, we should have stuck with Bob, but I can understand why he might have made this decision.
- Hextall271

that decision....ok. but I never understood why he didn't stick with bob in the first place because of one iffy goal in game 1.

It didn't work, and in retrospect, we should have stuck with Bob, but I can understand why he might have made this decision.
- Hextall271

I can understand it too, in exactly the way you described. But that understanding also comes with knowing it was one of the dumbest decisions ever made, and a direct factor in the start of the Bryz era.

When did I give him ALL the credit? All I said was that he coached the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. I was merely trying to point out that the coach must have done some good along with all the bad that Jsaq was pointing out.
- Dkos

Understood, and I don't think that Lavy is necessarily a bad coach. I do think though, that like most coaches, he has a shelf life and he is not going to succeed here. I also think he is unable to adjust his system when needed and that will always be a fatal flaw.

But if its not true, I would expect journalist to not write the crap. they write for freakin big newspapers....not the enquirer.
- nastyflyergirl

You'd think there are standards, but experience proves there aren't. Clearly, there don't need to be either, the writers and the company continue to cash the checks.

I can understand it too, in exactly the way you described. But that understanding also comes with knowing it was one of the dumbest decisions ever made, and a direct factor in the start of the Bryz era.
- BulliesPhan87

I suspect that Lavi is gone anyways, but we will see.

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.
- Jsaquella

Good post. I think when we look and compare this team at the 2010 Philly team, it's a very different team. The loss of Pronger, Richards, and Carter did and still has an impact. Those guys were on the Canadian Olympic Team (Cartsy in stands). You mention the loss/lack of discipline, lack of accountability, responsable players and leadership in your post resulting in the system not working or being unsuccessful.

To me those players are premium complete Nhler's. Something this team is missing. It goes further than Lavy teaching the guys on how to be responsible and accountable. It's pure talent mixed with experience. You cannot teach that. You cannot remplace that talent easily and it isn't here. Pronger's hockey IQ, postitioning, passes and experience, Richards and Carter's two way game, talent and drive etc.... Not to mention another puck moving Dman in Carle at the time.


The puck is not stuck in our D zone on most nights period becaude Lavy isn't teaching accountability and discipline.

The ridiculous philly 2-man forecheck that gets beaten by one quick pass and creates a odd man rush for the opponent isn't because we lack leadership.

The numerous failed pinch attempts by the D that generate multiple 2 on 1's and scoring chances for the opposition is not because Lavy stopped coaching.


This risky system isn't working for this young team and we definitly don't have the caliber of players, the type of players, or the player experience to apply it at the moment. I understand your point and the importance of being responsible and accountable, but I think talent and experience are prerequisites.

When did I give him ALL the credit? All I said was that he coached the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. I was merely trying to point out that the coach must have done some good along with all the bad that Jsaq was pointing out.
- Dkos

Again, what is the focus? Past season or the current Season?

Good post. I think when we look and compare this team at the 2010 Philly team, it's a very different team. The loss of Pronger, Richards, and Carter did and still has an impact. Those guys were on the Canadian Olympic Team (Cartsy in stands). You mention the loss/lack of discipline, lack of accountability, responsable players and leadership in your post resulting in the system not working or being unsuccessful.

To me those players are premium complete Nhler's. Something this team is missing. It goes further than Lavy teaching the guys on how to be responsible and accountable. It's pure talent mixed with experience. You cannot teach that. You cannot remplace that talent easily and it isn't here. Pronger's hockey IQ, postitioning, passes and experience, Richards and Carter's two way game, talent and drive etc.... Not to mention another puck moving Dman in Carle at the time.


The puck is not stuck in our D zone on most nights period becaude Lavy isn't teaching accountability and discipline.

The ridiculous philly 2-man forecheck that gets beaten by one quick pass and creates a odd man rush for the opponent isn't because we lack leadership.

The numerous failed pinch attempts by the D that generate multiple 2 on 1's and scoring chances for the opposition is not because Lavy stopped coaching.


This risky system isn't working for this young team and we definitly don't have the caliber of players, the type of players, or the player experience to apply it at the moment. I understand your point and the importance of being responsible and accountable, but I think talent and experience are prerequisites.
- Chris48

Take Carter's name out of this post and I buy it a lot more. I used to throw crap at my tv on his horribly lazy line changes... He needed a SERIOUS attitude adjustment. If he's found it, good for him. But he was far from a complete player when here.

But if its not true, I would expect journalist to not write the crap. they write for freakin big newspapers....not the enquirer.
- nastyflyergirl

That's the point. It's true to an extent. Richard and Carter did go out socially around town. Bryzgalov did say what he said. It's how they interpret it, and blow it out of proportion that is the issue. And how they make something an issue that was not.

Take Carter's name out of this post and I buy it a lot more. I used to throw crap at my tv on his horribly lazy line changes... He needed a SERIOUS attitude adjustment. If he's found it, good for him. But he was far from a complete player when here.
- FlyersGrace

I don't want to get into it, but this is the stuff that I have a problem with. Stuff that's not really there. Carter like any player, had his flaws. But he was a solid 2 way player, and a goal scorer.

Ranking the GMs at nhl.com ...


http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...=665441#&navid=nhl-search

Again, what is the focus? Past season or the current Season?
- MJL

the focus? Seemed to me we were discussing Lava's coaching in general. Why?

I don't want to get into it, but this is the stuff that I have a problem with. Stuff that's not really there. Carter like any player, had his flaws. But he was a solid 2 way player, and a goal scorer.
- MJL

We'll just have to disagree on this one. I couldn't stand Carter on the ice. Off the ice rumors thrown out the window. I still to this day scream "carter you suck" as a joke when one of our guys resembles one of his bad habits too closely.
Needless to say I did a dance when he got traded. So did my fiancee cuz he wouldn't have to listen to me anymore.
/end rant

Take Carter's name out of this post and I buy it a lot more. I used to throw crap at my tv on his horribly lazy line changes... He needed a SERIOUS attitude adjustment. If he's found it, good for him. But he was far from a complete player when here.
- FlyersGrace

Compare Carter's two-way game to Simmonds, Schenn, Voracek or Briere, etc .... He didn't have the drive and passion that Richards had, but he was a defensively sound forward, a quality that is needed for Lavy's run and gun system. That being said, I'm happy with the trade return with Couturier and Voracek.

the focus? Seemed to me we were discussing Lava's coaching in general. Why?
- Dkos

It seems to me that we're discussing Laviolette's Coaching job this Season. And whether he should be back next Season.

We'll just have to disagree on this one. I couldn't stand Carter on the ice. Off the ice rumors thrown out the window. I still to this day scream "carter you suck" as a joke when one of our guys resembles one of his bad habits too closely.
Needless to say I did a dance when he got traded. So did my fiancee cuz he wouldn't have to listen to me anymore.
/end rant
- FlyersGrace

I guess we will. I think it's obvious what kind of player Carter was here, and still is. I think there's some kind of bias here. Bad habits that were invented.

Ranking the GMs at nhl.com ...


http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...=665441#&navid=nhl-search
- isaiah520

No Homer, not one vote. Not surprised. To be fair he needs some more time to be evaluated IMHO. Lavy should be toast. The boys are not responding to him it seems. I'm surprised he made it this far honestly.

All kidding aside, I wouldn't mind Poulin returning to Philly as either Coach or GM, he is a very sharp guy and works as hard as anyone.
- BiggE

he'd be on my list.

We'll just have to disagree on this one. I couldn't stand Carter on the ice. Off the ice rumors thrown out the window. I still to this day scream "carter you suck" as a joke when one of our guys resembles one of his bad habits too closely.
Needless to say I did a dance when he got traded. So did my fiancee cuz he wouldn't have to listen to me anymore.
/end rant
- FlyersGrace

Carter was pretty good on the dot and not a liability on the D side of the rink. That was good enough with how many goals he could put in for me. That said, yes, he was not as inspired to give it his all it seemed as some others. I'm happy with the trade return. Would also be happy if he was still here. He would be a real improvement over Schenn as a 2nd line Center.

Reminder: Peter Laviolette literally made the decision to start Michael Leighton in game 6 of the 2011 playoffs series versus the Buffalo Sabres. He literally selected Michael Leighton, who had played only 1 NHL game with a 4.00 GAA & .889 sv%, over both Boucher and Bobrovsky. Peter Laviolette literally trusted Michael (frank)ing Leighton over the rookie goalie who'd been our starter through most of the season. All because the kid said he "wasn't ready". This was literally a decision that Peter Laviolette made during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Literally.
- BulliesPhan87

Figuratively speaking, I get what you're trying to say...

No Homer, not one vote. Not surprised. To be fair he needs some more time to be evaluated IMHO. Lavy should be toast. The boys are not responding to him it seems. I'm surprised he made it this far honestly.
- coffee junkie

homer's in his 7th season, so i think that's enuf time.