The D can't get it out alone. My observation is the forwards are not helping the way they should. Way too much separation resulting in a lot of turnovers.
- powerhouse

flyers hockey!

I'm not opposed to a coaching change, but I don't see how a coaching change will help these players hockey awareness improve. Could it just be that, like the early 2000s Rangers, they have a lot of talent but a bad team?

No, absolutely not. It's all the coach's fault. Bring us a real coach, not this joke of a coach. What's he ever done?
- jmatchett383

We haven't agreed on a ton lately, but I'm with you 100 percent on this.

Make at least one trade first, preferably two, to get the scoring winger that hasn't been replaced by moving JVR, and Jagr and Leino leaving via free agency.

Get another defenseman in here who can actually skate with the puck and break a forecheck on his own.

This team will look a lot different if they do that. A LOT different.

And it doesn't matter that it's the first week of the season -- this is stuff they should've done last year.

I don't think Lavi's system is "pass the puck right in front of the goalie," or, "Throw the puck up the wall without looking as soon as you get it," or, "try to stickhandle through the entire team."
- jmatchett383

You won't find a much bigger "Fire Laviolette" guy than me, but the issues are not limited to the coach. Perhaps a new coach can come in an correct a lot of it, but they're simply not competing most nights.

At this point, I'd hope a coaching change spurs some emotion and fires them up. Then we can address the issues the remain

The D can't get it out alone. My observation is the forwards are not helping the way they should. Way too much separation resulting in a lot of turnovers.
- powerhouse

Waaay too much of a gap, for sure, but that's only part of the problem. Blind passes into the middle, weak play along the boards...I've had dental work that was more fun than watching these guys.

like someone posted yesterday, i just look forward to enjoying these gms instead of almost forcing myself to watch them. right now, it's agony watching the same futility time and again...

The Flyers issues reek of coaching problems.

They need a coach to come in and promote an improvement in their transitional game. They need to fix how they get the puck out of the defensive zone, and how they proceed through the neutral zone.

If they just worked on this one thing you'd see less goals scored against as a result of lazy turnovers, and you'd see the offense increase with more consistent zone entry.

Not to mention, to an outside observer, it just doesn't seem like Lavy is motivating the players. The players are professional and shouldn't need someone to tell them to get their poop together, but you see it so often where the coach reeks of apathy and it permeates to his players.
- Scruffton

accurate analysis except for the last part...don't think lavi has apathy in his DNA.

Waaay too much of a gap, for sure, but that's only part of the problem. Blind passes into the middle, weak play along the boards...I've had dental work that was more fun than watching these guys.
- tangent_man

The gap you mention could be a system/coaching issue, but blind passes up the middle and weak play along the boards are player issues. That is hockey 101 and there are too many players on this team making fundamental errors...not saying a coaching change won't help, but maybe the talent/hockey IQ is overrated on this team.

like someone posted yesterday, i just look forward to enjoying these gms instead of almost forcing myself to watch them. right now, it's agony watching the same futility time and again...
- isaiah520

The last two games I shut off before the end knowing the outcome. It's sad but I am getting very frustrated with this team.

The D can't get it out alone. My observation is the forwards are not helping the way they should. Way too much separation resulting in a lot of turnovers.
- powerhouse

The Flyers have had terrible gap control for the past two years, or more. That's a big part of my issues with the coach, because he seems to preach overaggressive play that doesn't really fit with the reality of the roster.

When the blueline was "destroyed" by injuries last year, the coach simplified the system and demanded that the forwards support the puck better and it really mitigated that gap control issue. They were better defensively, better offensively and did it with an AHL caliber defense.

However, this year, they seem to be going through the motions, which makes the situation even worse. They're getting killed on the boards and outworked in general. They look like a team that has tuned the coach out and are just playing out the string.

like someone posted yesterday, i just look forward to enjoying these gms instead of almost forcing myself to watch them. right now, it's agony watching the same futility time and again...
- isaiah520

scoring more than 1 goal a (frank)ing game would help. it's almost like watching the 2002 playoffs.

I'm not opposed to a coaching change, but I don't see how a coaching change will help these players hockey awareness improve. Could it just be that, like the early 2000s Rangers, they have a lot of talent but a bad team?

No, absolutely not. It's all the coach's fault. Bring us a real coach, not this joke of a coach. What's he ever done?
- jmatchett383

It couldn't be both? Considering the team has the same issues year in and year out, with many core players coming and going, it looks like the coach is a problem.

However, I do think the team isn't as good as we think they are. Wouldn't kill us to shuffle the deck again. Keep Giroux/Vorachek and trade anyone you can.

I'd package the Schenn bros today for just a modest return.

We haven't agreed on a ton lately, but I'm with you 100 percent on this.

Make at least one trade first, preferably two, to get the scoring winger that hasn't been replaced by moving JVR, and Jagr and Leino leaving via free agency.

Get another defenseman in here who can actually skate with the puck and break a forecheck on his own.

This team will look a lot different if they do that. A LOT different.

And it doesn't matter that it's the first week of the season -- this is stuff they should've done last year.
- AllInForFlyers

You don't want dmen trying to break through forecheckers. We can't even pass the puck around forecheckers.

I love Lavy. But the time has come. I'm sad about it, but everyone is responsible for their own crap.

A trade won't fix anything if the coach stays the same.

Philadelphia Flyers ‏@NHLFlyers 41s
NEWS ALERT: #Flyers will hold a press conference at 11 am at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be streamed LIVE on http://PhiladelphiaFlyers.com

You won't find a much bigger "Fire Laviolette" guy than me, but the issues are not limited to the coach. Perhaps a new coach can come in an correct a lot of it, but they're simply not competing most nights.

At this point, I'd hope a coaching change spurs some emotion and fires them up. Then we can address the issues the remain
- Jsaquella

Id fire lavy and bring in a coach who will punish the players. I want players having to earn ice time.Our 3rd and 4th line look faster and forecheck better than our top 2 and if tthey're lucky they get 6-8mins a night.

Philadelphia Flyers ‏@NHLFlyers 41s
NEWS ALERT: #Flyers will hold a press conference at 11 am at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be streamed LIVE on http://PhiladelphiaFlyers.com
- phatpat44

Is this it for lavy?

Flyers have a press conference at 11 am....something's up

Philadelphia Flyers ‏@NHLFlyers 41s
NEWS ALERT: #Flyers will hold a press conference at 11 am at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be streamed LIVE on http://PhiladelphiaFlyers.com
- phatpat44

Well, there you go.

If they drop both of these games at home this week, it's gonna get real ugly, real fast for Paul Holmgren.

This team works "dumb" not hard. I have no doubt they are trying and putting in an effort. They just do not work well as a unit. When they get in on the forecheck they need to support each other. Most of the battles are lost when the other team supports there guy along the boards not the specific one on one battle. Same thing in the D zone.

Right now it is all on the Flyers forwards. I do not think the defense has been bad coverage wise. I also agree with Bill that the forwards do not offer any outlets when the teamed is having trouble clearing the puck from the D zone.

This is the time when Giroux needs to lead this team. They need confidence and Giroux is the one player that I thought was immune to prolonged pointless streaks. If he gets going the team should follow.

Is this it for lavy?
- Hextall271

Probably.

Flyers have a press conference at 11 am....something's up
- Jsaquella

Yep. Who they have brought in to replace lavy is my question? Please no berube or Murray

I'm not ready for the GM, yet, but I'm definitely more open to it.
- Jsaquella

Once Lavi goes, Holmgler is definitely next up to the hotseat.

Yep. Who they have brought in to replace lavy is my question? Please no berube or Murray
- Hextall271

Craig Berube would fill me with more rage than I've ever felt in my life toward that franchise.

If they drop both of these games at home this week, it's gonna get real ugly, real fast for Paul Holmgren.
- johndewar

I think the Pens game is Lavy's last stand if things keep going this way. The Flyers have six days off after that game. Could have a "mini" training camp with the new coach if they wanted. I do not want to see Lavi go but I am not sure what else they can do.

If Lavi goes Holmgren better go with him. Not sure how Holmgren keeps his job while Lavi loses his.