Yes. Andrej Meszaros can still play NHL hockey, but he's a poor fit for this lineup and a HORRIBLE fit with Nicklas Grossmann.
- AllInForFlyers

Has Gus really shown us anything that would indicate that he would be better than Meszaros or Coburn on even his very best day?

Please don't cite the WC's...

I feel the same way...Talking about team defense and playing without the puck made me feel optimistic,
- PhillaBully

Where can I listen to this interview?

I don't remember anybody outside of Toronto or LA getting that excited about B Schenn before or after the WJC's and really touting him as a superstar... I always remember thinking his ceiling was capped at a hard-working, below-average top-line center or a very good 2nd-line guy.

The comparison that always stuck w/ me was the Mike Richards one... bad skating but reads the play well, not overly big but strong on his skates, good leader. Nothing about that screamed generational offensive talent to me, but apparently some of you had much higher expectations of him.
- Tomahawk

You obviously didn't watch the WJC or listen to the media following it. They were braying about the kid. He was a monster playing among the best 18 year olds in the World. It became even more reverential after they found out he had played with a dislocated shoulder. He was absolutely untouchable in the LA system. Holmgren poked and prodded them about him for a couple yrs to no avail. It took a developmental down turn and Mike Richards to turn the tide.

I beleive the term compete harder was used, not skate harder. Certainly the Flyers need to be sharper in their execution and eliminate individual mistakes. But again, that along with upping their compete level, can be done without a single player change.
- MJL

If the Flyers have to depend on the coach for raising professional players compete level, it's time for new players.

man i hate this d corp...more the mix than the individual plyrs.

simmonds is the strange mix of a 3rd line talent in every other respect except he can score...battles along the wall, busts his ass, taps in the garbage and gets deflections & rebounds, but he's lousy defensively, can't handle and has a below avg hockey IQ

- isaiah520

Exactly -- they're not bad people, or bad hockey players. Many of them can help other teams in this league, IF, and I repeat IF, they were traded.

But the defense corps has a third pairing that can't be hidden very well, because you have to give the second pairing protection, as well.

Simmonds is certainly a valuable player -- and JSaq, yes, some of what the coach asked them to do was more than they can do -- but at the same time, he is poor defensively, is a poor puckhandler, and has limited hockey IQ.

His skating, toughness and net presence make up for that -- but not when he's in the defensive zone or carrying the puck.

In my opinion the forecheck has been so undisciplined. lets just have 2 guys hit the dman behind the net after he already moved the puck up to the wing 10-15 times a game because that just works so damn well. lets have 3 forwards below the goal line without any discipline or support. this team needs structure.
- nastyflyergirl

When I watched the game, two things stood out to me:

1. So many of the Canes chances came when the Flyers controlled the puck in their own end with time to make a play.

2. When the Flyers gained possession on a good forecheck in the offensive zone, they never had anyone in front of the net. They seem to just want to endlessly cycle.

3 guys were in position, within 5-feet of the net.

Streit had a step coming down the circles on Kulemin, but Kulemin was able to catch up to him and it somehow became an even heat... Streit still had inside position, though, as the play went into the boards, but Kulemin completely negated Streit with one hard push. The puck then went to the Leaf on the other side of the net, who quickly hit Bolland who was sneaking in as the late man off the rush.

The play happened too fast -- unless you want Simmonds and/or Read to completely ignore where the puck is and put their backs to the play, I'm not sure how you can poop on them for not picking up Bolland on a bang bang play off a real stinker play all around by Streit.
- Tomahawk

It didn't happen too fast. That's nonsense. Torono had the time to make the play, the Flyers had time to cover it. It's called positioning. The other players were caught watching the puck. Good defenders anticipate plays, and cover the dangerous areas of the ice with solid positioning. There were multiple breakdowns on the play. Coverage in front of the net is the priority on a puck up for grabs in the corner. Basic fundamental defensive zone coverage. Can't get any simpler.

Where can I listen to this interview?
- Just5

Goto Sportsnet 590 the fan. Click Listen and select the Hockey Central @ noon podcast from the drop down.

If the Flyers have to depend on the coach for raising professional players compete level, it's time for new players.
- PLindbergh31

It certainly shouldn't depend on a Coach. But you can't fire the team!

Has Gus really shown us anything that would indicate that he would be better than Meszaros or Coburn on even his very best day?

Please don't cite the WC's...
- Tomahawk

I think his mobility and passing would help. He always struggles at the beginning of the season. He plays his best as the season moves on.

berube on now

It certainly shouldn't depend on a Coach. But you can't fire the team!
- MJL

Agreed. But you can get rid of the guys who aren't competing.

Has Gus really shown us anything that would indicate that he would be better than Meszaros or Coburn on even his very best day?

Please don't cite the WC's...
- Tomahawk

The problem is more this one: Meszaros/Grossmann is a pairing that you simply cannot have in this league today, if your second pairing is Streit-Schenn.

Neither Mesaros or Grossmann's puck retrieval or puck carrying is sufficient to allow them to play together. At a minimum, you have to split them up.

I beleive the term compete harder was used, not skate harder. Certainly the Flyers need to be sharper in their execution and eliminate individual mistakes. But again, that along with upping their compete level, can be done without a single player change.
- MJL

Personally I think they play stupid. They make horrible puck decisions constantly. And by that I mean on almost every single possession. Its maddening watching them not only make the dumb decisions, but making the same dumb decisions shift in and shift out.

And then when they fall behind, instead of simplifying, they make even dumber decisions.

This team plays dumb hockey. I don't know if it just looks dumb because they are being told to do something they cant do, or if they are just dumb players. My vote is on the former.

So we shall see what Berube does. But my laundry list will be:

1)tighten up defensive play team wide
2)further adjust the breakouts from a forward standpoint. Come back deeper to give the defense less risky outlet choices
3)more flexibility in systems play to account for personnel and game situations.

Has Gus really shown us anything that would indicate that he would be better than Meszaros or Coburn on even his very best day?

Please don't cite the WC's...
- Tomahawk

Coburn, no. Meszaros, yes. His best day was Game 6 vs. Pittsburgh.

I wouldn't make a change, but if I had to pick someone, I'd like to see Coburn sit.
- bradleyc4

agreed

what the heck happened to him

Has Gus really shown us anything that would indicate that he would be better than Meszaros or Coburn on even his very best day?

Please don't cite the WC's...
- Tomahawk

no

This is an odd reaction to his statement
- PhillySportsGuy

I guess I'm tired from hearing from all the WIP fans that just happened to stop by the site today. Not that "Allin" is one of them, but this entire feeling like the team sux, crappy defense, no scoring, bad goaltending..... blah blah blah. Its Negadelphia jumping on the woe's of this team. Can't crap on the Eagles or Phillies right now, so lets Crap on the Flyers....

The team doesn't suck. It might have been mis-managed. It might have lost its compete.... But it doesn't suck. If you really think it sucks then go away. Go watch the Blackhawks, or Penguins. Then when we are a playoff team again.. be it this yaer or next, then you can come back. We are used to it.

I am fully confident that this team can compete under a new system.

Personally I think they play stupid. They make horrible puck decisions constantly. And by that I mean on almost every single possession. Its maddening watching them not only make the dumb decisions, but making the same dumb decisions shift in and shift out.

And then when they fall behind, instead of simplifying, they make even dumber decisions.

This team plays dumb hockey. I don't know if it just looks dumb because they are being told to do something they cant do, or if they are just dumb players. My vote is on the former.

So we shall see what Berube does. But my laundry list will be:

1)tighten up defensive play team wide
2)further adjust the breakouts from a forward standpoint. Come back deeper to give the defense less risky outlet choices
3)more flexibility in systems play to account for personnel and game situations.
- MBFlyerfan

It almost seems like they're thinking so much. They have been in this system for so long. Things should just come naturally. They should know exactly where their outlets are. That's what's most maddening at times.

You obviously didn't watch the WJC or listen to the media following it. They were braying about the kid. He was a monster playing among the best 18 year olds in the World. It became even more reverential after they found out he had played with a dislocated shoulder. He was absolutely untouchable in the LA system. Holmgren poked and prodded them about him for a couple yrs to no avail. It took a developmental down turn and Mike Richards to turn the tide.
- mayorofangrytown

That was a momentary thing, though. We all know how Canada gets during the WJC's, especially fueled by Pierre McGuire's inability to keep it in his pants when something wonderful happens on the ice.

I was never led to believe that Schenn was a potential 90-100 pt guy.... I can understand the disappointment if you (and others) were, though.

The problem is more this one: Meszaros/Grossmann is a pairing that you simply cannot have in this league today, if your second pairing is Streit-Schenn.

Neither Mesaros or Grossmann's puck retrieval or puck carrying is sufficient to allow them to play together. At a minimum, you have to split them up.
- AllInForFlyers

end of two seasons ago they played great together, i'd give it some time

Agreed. But you can get rid of the guys who aren't competing.
- PLindbergh31

Okay, who do you want to start with? Because it starts at the top of the lineup.

agreed

what the heck happened to him
- -davies-

Was it an injury? I have no idea when it happened exactly. He was one of my favourite young guys on the team, now I cringe a little. Of course most of the D makes me cringe a little.

Was it an injury? I have no idea when it happened exactly. He was one of my favourite young guys on the team, now I cringe a little. Of course most of the D makes me cringe a little.
- mayorofangrytown

he seems so much slower than he used to be...

didn't he used to be kinda speedy?

I guess I'm tired from hearing from all the WIP fans that just happened to stop by the site today. Not that "Allin" is one of them, but this entire feeling like the team sux, crappy defense, no scoring, bad goaltending..... blah blah blah. Its Negadelphia jumping on the woe's of this team. Can't crap on the Eagles or Phillies right now, so lets Crap on the Flyers....

The team doesn't suck. It might have been mis-managed. It might have lost its compete.... But it doesn't suck. If you really think it sucks then go away. Go watch the Blackhawks, or Penguins. Then when we are a playoff team again.. be it this yaer or next, then you can come back. We are used to it.

I am fully confident that this team can compete under a new system.
- youarewrong

I'm not a "Negadelphian." I actually didn't want Peter Laviolette fired.

But at the same time, you can't say, "Support the team blindly, and act like nothing's wrong." When there's clearly plenty of things wrong -- Vegas had Laviolette at 2-1 to get fired.

That's not on me. And the reason you get fired is because players don't produce.