i just hope the Flyers put together a good season.
if not, i could see him signing elsewhere next year if he has doubts about getting a Cup here
- Crimsoninja

I liked your first post better then this one.

Bill, I love this blog today. I mean all of them are good, but I love these topics.

#1 I hope that Timmo stays healthy and signs up for another year.
I can't picture the team without him, even though I realize this may be it.

#2 Do you get the sense that Lavi accepts the idea that is much bandied about on here, that his system of constantly pushing the attack bears any responsibility for the team's misfortune last season? A good example is the ill timed pinching by the defenseman (even the slower skating guys on D) leading to numerous odd man scoring chances. The other thing brought up a ton here is the play towards the end of the season, where the D core resembled Adirondack more then the NHL, and that Lavi seemingly adapted his style to the players and successfully implemented a more conservative approach.

Has coach Lavi ever acknowledged these things to the media that you are aware of?

I like Lavi, but would be encouraged to see him bend his attack all the time style to fit the team and to fit the game situation. I think the Streit addition will help some but overall I still don't think the Flyers have the right team traits to make his go go system a success.
- Marc D

Laviolette usually doesn't get more specific than "there are things we need to do better as a team." When specifically asked about his system, he says that the team did make some defensive adjustments last season, simplifying things (by necessity, with so many injuries) in the latter part of the year.

How about grabassery?
- jmatchett383

grabassery >>> asshattery >>>> general shennanigans

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Timonen, Laviolette, Shero and Tarasov
- bmeltzer

Bill;

i totally get the whole Streit signing (as in, didnt give up any roster players for him)

but my question to you is.............wouldn't have been better if the Flyers re-signed Matt Carle last year instead?

Laviolette usually doesn't get more specific than "there are things we need to do better as a team." When specifically asked about his system, he says that the team did make some defensive adjustments last season, simplifying things (by necessity, with so many injuries) in the latter part of the year.
- bmeltzer

Do you get any sense that Lavi could be a bit more flexible? Even if he is not going to admit this publicly.

The end of the season "style change" was very encouraging for me.

I'm catching up on back reading some blogs I missed recently.
I loved the story about your son, saying you were the team goalie, going to the rink, etc.

Great stuff!

Do you get any sense that Lavi could be a bit more flexible? Even if he is not going to admit this publicly.

The end of the season "style change" was very encouraging for me.

I'm catching up on back reading some blogs I missed recently.
I loved the story about your son, saying you were the team goalie, going to the rink, etc.

Great stuff!
- Marc D

I'll personally be very suprised if Laviolette alters his style and system of play. I don't see it happening. I hope I'm wrong.

but my question to you is.............wouldn't have been better if the Flyers re-signed Matt Carle last year instead?
- sarmen25

Yes, but what's done is done.

Do you get any sense that Lavi could be a bit more flexible? Even if he is not going to admit this publicly.

The end of the season "style change" was very encouraging for me.

I'm catching up on back reading some blogs I missed recently.
I loved the story about your son, saying you were the team goalie, going to the rink, etc.

Great stuff!
- Marc D

Thanks, Marc! I think Lavi is pretty set in his ways and the team will sink or swim in his system pretty much as is.

Yes, but what's done is done.
- bmeltzer

what's the saying...
something about 20/20

Thanks, Marc! I think Lavi is pretty set in his ways and the team will sink or swim in his system pretty much as is.
- bmeltzer

Afraid so, I agree Bill. But that doesn't mean that they won't be successful.

what's the saying...
something about 20/20
- phi1671

When you use 20/20, you make an ass out of you and me?

why is everyone in such a rush to get rid of schenn? i think the kid is going to break out this year and be a beast.
- PhillaBully

Schenn was just my example. Nothing against him, and I also do feel he is set for a breakout season but you have to give in order to get in return. When the return is Yandle, someone with talent has got to go.

Afraid so, I agree Bill. But that doesn't mean that they won't be successful.
- MJL

It's already been successful.

When you use 20/20, you make an ass out of you and me?
- jmatchett383

You're thinking of when you have a bird in your hand.

When you use 20/20, you make an ass out of you and me?
- jmatchett383

assuming it's all hindsight?

Beating a dead horse

You're thinking of when you have a bird in your hand.
- BulliesPhan87

if only you live in Intercourse....Pa

Bill;

i totally get the whole Streit signing (as in, didnt give up any roster players for him)

but my question to you is.............wouldn't have been better if the Flyers re-signed Matt Carle last year instead?
- sarmen25

Outside of Streit's shot which is better the Matt Carle's, I think in retrospect Carle brings more.

But you know the circumstances at the time were different.
They were going all in to get a #1 like Weber or Ryan Suter at that time.
Ended up getting neither, losing Carle, and then signing Streit.
I always liked Streit. Wish they had got him 3-4 years ago.

if only you live in Intercourse....Pa
- phi1671

Confucious say, when man play grabass with bird on in one hand, beating a dead horse in Intercourse Pennsylvania is 20/20.

I wish the season was here already.

I am really wondering about Mez, if he has played his last game as a Flyer, or will they keep him and find another way around their cap woes.

Confucious say, when man play grabass with bird on in one hand, beating a dead horse in Intercourse Pennsylvania is 20/20.
- jmatchett383

who is this Confusious you speak of...Corsi statistics?

Outside of Streit's shot which is better the Matt Carle's, I think in retrospect Carle brings more.

But you know the circumstances at the time were different.
They were going all in to get a #1 like Weber or Ryan Suter at that time.
Ended up getting neither, losing Carle, and then signing Streit.
I always liked Streit. Wish they had got him 3-4 years ago.
- Marc D

If Streit isn't a PP monster, I have a feeling fans are going to be all over him. He's not physical, and he's not particularly good in his own end. Not exactly a Philadelphia Flyers type defenseman.

The word scapegoat is thrown around a lot in here, the fact of the matter is when a player doesn't play well (especially high priced players) then it should be open season on them.

Confucious say, when man play grabass with bird on in one hand, beating a dead horse in Intercourse Pennsylvania is 20/20.
- jmatchett383

Truly a proverb for the ages.

If Streit isn't a PP monster, I have a feeling fans are going to be all over him. He's not physical, and he's not particularly good in his own end. Not exactly a Philadelphia Flyers type defenseman.

The word scapegoat is thrown around a lot in here, the fact of the matter is when a player doesn't play well (especially high priced players) then it should be open season on them.
- PLindbergh31

He has a ton of skill with the puck, and I think he is going to make an already good PP into a great PP.

5 vs 5, I think he is going to need to be used in the right situation to succeed.

I am really looking forward to seeing how the D pairs shape up this year.

Likely we will see several different combinations.

Is it likely we will have ALL our injured defenseman healthy and ready for training camp?

Bill;

i totally get the whole Streit signing (as in, didnt give up any roster players for him)

but my question to you is.............wouldn't have been better if the Flyers re-signed Matt Carle last year instead?
- sarmen25

Had the Flyers simply re-signed Carle during the 2011-12 season, rather than re-signing newly acquired Nicklas Grossmann, they probably don't have to overpay to keep him in the first place.

Unfortunately, Laviolette's system relies on guys that can move the puck well out of their own end, whether it's carrying it out or passing it smartly to a forward in stride. Laviolette's inflexibility forced Holmgren to make a move, and Streit was the one choice that didn't cost the Flyers an asset like Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier.