As the results weren't very good, it's still going to be up to Laviolette to get these guys working on the same page or they'll bring in someone else who will.

Right, wrong or indifferent, that's part of the gig when you become an NHL coach and I'm sure Peter Laviolette is a big enough boy to understand that.
- johndewar

As Homer said something to the effect that he would not be firing Laviolette this summer (and then did just that this summer), I figure this past half-season was Lavi's gimme. If the team comes out flat, then the Flyers will be looking for a new coach by November.

As Homer said something to the effect that he would not be firing Laviolette this summer (and then did just that this summer), I figure this past half-season was Lavi's gimme. If the team comes out flat, then the Flyers will be looking for a new coach by November.
- Flyskippy

We will know almost immediately if the same old same old will be going on. We will be able to tell by how many odd man rushes we see in the first period of game #1.

As Homer said something to the effect that he would not be firing Laviolette this summer (and then did just that this summer), I figure this past half-season was Lavi's gimme. If the team comes out flat, then the Flyers will be looking for a new coach by November.
- Flyskippy

If they bomb out of the gate, or even struggle and look out of sorts with a decent record, I think Laviolette will be gone...unfortunately, the list of available names to replace him won't be as large in November as it was in May.

Hey, look...advanced stats that show Luke Schenn was really, really effective for the Flyers last season

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...ngtier-vs-team-production

Hey, look...advanced stats that show Luke Schenn was really, really effective for the Flyers last season

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...ngtier-vs-team-production
- Jsaquella

Kimmo carried him

Hey, look...advanced stats that show Luke Schenn was really, really effective for the Flyers last season

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...ngtier-vs-team-production
- Jsaquella

I enjoyed the dig at Matt Carle and his contract in the Tampa section, yet with a nod and an acknowledgement towards what the market place is for defensemen.

Other GMs do not enjoy the benefit of the doubt that Stevie Y got on that deal.

Kimmo carried him
- aightwebang17

That explains his going on IR. Probably has a couple bulging disks in his back.

If they bomb out of the gate, or even struggle and look out of sorts with a decent record, I think Laviolette will be gone...unfortunately, the list of available names to replace him won't be as large in November as it was in May.
- Jsaquella

Spott on

I enjoyed the dig at Matt Carle and his contract in the Tampa section, yet with a nod and an acknowledgement towards what the market place is for defensemen.

Other GMs do not enjoy the benefit of the doubt that Stevie Y got on that deal.
- johndewar

Having trouble coming up with much that Steve Y did right so far.

Seems to me he gets by on the rep of his name, more than his GMing.

If they bomb out of the gate, or even struggle and look out of sorts with a decent record, I think Laviolette will be gone...unfortunately, the list of available names to replace him won't be as large in November as it was in May.
- Jsaquella

You never know...Homer might call him into his office to fire him, only to have Lavi call a time out, and turn it around. Homer will have no choice but to keep him on.

I enjoyed the dig at Matt Carle and his contract in the Tampa section, yet with a nod and an acknowledgement towards what the market place is for defensemen.

Other GMs do not enjoy the benefit of the doubt that Stevie Y got on that deal.
- johndewar

Or most of his dealings, really. Not much criticism for a guy that really hasn't gotten the team improved since his first year saw the run to the ECF

You never know...Homer might call him into his office to fire him, only to have Lavi call a time out, and turn it around. Homer will have no choice but to keep him on.
- feelingkettle

Who is Lavi punching in the head, in this scenario?

Sweet!

Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble
Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
LeClair-Richards-Recchi
XX-Primeau-XX
- PhillySportsGuy

no jumping the gun
i want our mind meld to be organic

If you could be the GM of any NHL team other then the Flyers, which one and why?

For me, Edmonton. They have all those young guys and I think they are only 1-2 moves away from making it big time. I'm not afraid to make a big move to get what I need. As a matter of fact I would likely be talking to St. Louis right now for a Pietrangelo, Halak deal for Yakupov, Nurse, Dubnyak, and a 2nd.
- youarewrong

I'd either go with:
a) Nashville, just so I could sit in my box and watch Shea Weber smash people's faces in. Of course, I'd hire Jody Shelley as my personal assistant to bring me popcorn as I maniacally laughed at the bloodshed left in Mr. Weber's wake.

b) The Rangers. Upon taking over the Rangers, I would trade Lundqvist, Callahan, MDZ, McDonag, Stepan, JT Miller, and the next 75 1st round picks to the Flyers for Meszaros, Auld, MAB, Wellwood, Rosehill, Hall, while making sure the Rangers retained enough salary to make the cap work for the Flyers, yet put the Rangers painfully over the limit.

Who is Lavi punching in the head, in this scenario?
- Flyskippy

Snider, with Homer's fist.

Spott on
- Flyskippy

thumbs up smiley thing.

I'd either go with:
a) Nashville, just so I could sit in my box and watch Shea Weber smash people's faces in. Of course, I'd hire Jody Shelley as my personal assistant to bring me popcorn as I maniacally laughed at the bloodshed left in Mr. Weber's wake.

b) The Rangers. Upon taking over the Rangers, I would trade Lundqvist, Callahan, MDZ, McDonag, Stepan, JT Miller, and the next 75 1st round picks to the Flyers for Meszaros, Auld, MAB, Wellwood, Rosehill, Hall, while making sure the Rangers retained enough salary to make the cap work for the Flyers, yet put the Rangers painfully over the limit.
- jmatchett383

Snider, with Homer's fist.
- feelingkettle

Owner pwnership!

Or most of his dealings, really. Not much criticism for a guy that really hasn't gotten the team improved since his first year saw the run to the ECF
- Jsaquella

To be fair, though, he inherited a hell of a mess from OK Hockey, LLC.

Ironically, two of his better moves involved the Flyers... dumping Mez and Matt Walker's contracts off on Homer.

I'd either go with:
a) Nashville, just so I could sit in my box and watch Shea Weber smash people's faces in. Of course, I'd hire Jody Shelley as my personal assistant to bring me popcorn as I maniacally laughed at the bloodshed left in Mr. Weber's wake.

b) The Rangers. Upon taking over the Rangers, I would trade Lundqvist, Callahan, MDZ, McDonag, Stepan, JT Miller, and the next 75 1st round picks to the Flyers for Meszaros, Auld, MAB, Wellwood, Rosehill, Hall, while making sure the Rangers retained enough salary to make the cap work for the Flyers, yet put the Rangers painfully over the limit.
- jmatchett383

So, you'd be planted, almost like a pod, into the Ranger's front office only to one day have Kate Smith's "God Bless America" playing over the MSG loud speaker and your true loyalties revealed?

I'm in....

So, you'd be planted, almost like a pod, into the Ranger's front office only to one day have Kate Smith's "God Bless America" playing over the MSG loud speaker and your true loyalties revealed?

I'm in....
- johndewar

Pretty much. I'd also attend every game (after the trade) wearing a Flyers jersey and would randomly run into the stands and shoot orange silly string at Rangers fans. If they have a problem with that, they'd have to deal with my personal assistant...

To be fair, though, he inherited a hell of a mess from OK Hockey, LLC.

Ironically, two of his better moves involved the Flyers... dumping Mez and Matt Walker's contracts off on Homer.
- Tomahawk with a clump of dirt on his shovel

Yes, because Meszaros has been as much of a useless puck bag as Matt Walker.

Hey, look...advanced stats that show Luke Schenn was really, really effective for the Flyers last season

http://nhlnumbers.com/201...ngtier-vs-team-production
- Jsaquella

So this shows Mark Streit as having a decent year or am I reading it wrong?

no jumping the gun
i want our mind meld to be organic
- Crimsoninja

Sorry, got a little too excited.

To be honest, I was a little surprised to see Laviolette leading the pole here. Not that Hitchcock was a no-brainer but there were a few factors that pushed me away from Lava.

And for the record, I love Laviolette and his passion for the game and have enjoyed his success here. However, while stating that he was two wins from a Cup, I cannot erase from my mind that he was a shootout victory away from missing the playoffs entirely that year. What if they lose that shootout? It's doubtful Laviolette lives to see this current season through I would guess. Being carried by the Hartnell-Briere-Leino line and hot streaks from Boucher/Leighton in the playoffs can't corrupt my memory of the way they struggled that year and squeaked into the playoffs.

Also, the inability to have success vs divisional teams haunts me. His record against NJD and NYR I've seen posted here many times, and its absurd. Regardless of head-to-head record, they've gotten outplayed numerous times in the past few years vs NYI as well.

To me Hitch accomplished more, even though he didnt get quite as far to the dance as Laviolette did. If it wasn't for those debilitating injuries to the team that year of the Cup run, I'd almost bet they would've faired better vs Tampa and beat Calgary in the Finals.

Saying all that, Laviolette would still be my #2 vote, but Hitch is my pick. And yes, I'm still upset over the Sharp fiasco but nonetheless...