Winning a few puck battles along the boards and not making blind passes in the defensive zone would be a good start!
- aantny88

I've never said that it's all on the former coach. But the way the team ran the breakout led to a lot of those bad passes and forced passes that ended up in turnovers and odd man rushes.

I'd rather make changes after trying to use a system that better fits the players on the roster than just based on seeing them in a system that isn't a good fit for their abilities.

Pretty sure he missed all but one preseason game.
- bradleyc4

I think that should be taken into consideration. Same with the injury to Voracek. But they need more from their top players obviously. They have zero points from Giroux, Voracek, and Hartnell. And they've pretty much been a one line team. Couple that with the lack of overall competitiveness. Along with trying to implement the changes Laviolette made this year, led to the coaches demize.

I think that should be taken into consideration. Same with the injury to Voracek. But they need more from their top players obviously. They have zero points from Giroux, Voracek, and Hartnell. And they've pretty much been a one line team. Couple that with the lack of overall competitiveness. Along with trying to implement the changes Laviolette made this year, led to the coaches demize.
- MJL

You talk a lot about the changes he made but they've not changed much of anything. Only thing that lava changed was the 3rd man staying high on the forecheck. Which didn't do much since the first two guys never make it to the puck before the period ends.

You talk a lot about the changes he made but they've not changed much of anything. Only thing that lava changed was the 3rd man staying high on the forecheck. Which didn't do much since the first two guys never make it to the puck before the period ends.
- Flyersgod

The forecheck scheme was changed. Zone entries were changed. Neutral zone checking was changed. And the breakout scheme was changed. He made significant changes. Maybe you just didn't recogniz it, but they were made.
I talk a lot about them because I did recognize them. It's not hard to notice a change from a predominantly side breakout, to a center breakout.

I've never said that it's all on the former coach. But the way the team ran the breakout led to a lot of those bad passes and forced passes that ended up in turnovers and odd man rushes.

I'd rather make changes after trying to use a system that better fits the players on the roster than just based on seeing them in a system that isn't a good fit for their abilities.
- Jsaquella

To me, the whole thing is about the breakouts. Since the Devils' playoff series, the breakouts have been horrendous. Everything else will fall into place if the Flyers are able to leave their zone.

The 'high risk' passes everyone always complains about are happening because no one is open or moving. Everything is so stationary. Guys are under constant pressure, which inevitably causes turnovers.

Tonight should be interesting. I'm expecting good energy and back to basics, no frills, no dressing, no frosting, no extra cheese, no cream and sugar...no nonsense hockey.

So, the Paul Holmgren watch begins tonight, yes?
- johndewar

Jeff Carter's gone.
Matt Carle's gone.
Bryzgalov's gone.
Laviolette gone.

Yeah, seems like Homer's next on the scapegoat list.

To me, the whole thing is about the breakouts. Since the Devils' playoff series, the breakouts have been horrendous. Everything else will fall into place if the Flyers are able to leave their zone.

The 'high risk' passes everyone always complains about are happening because no one is open or moving. Everything is so stationary. Guys are under constant pressure, which inevitably causes turnovers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly. The breakout is the key to everything. If they can't get out of their end effectively, it stymies the offense. They have skill up front, but they can't generate offense if the puck is hemmed in their own end.

Laviolette failed to implement changes in an effective manner and the players failed to effectively execute the changes he did make.

To me, the whole thing is about the breakouts. Since the Devils' playoff series, the breakouts have been horrendous. Everything else will fall into place if the Flyers are able to leave their zone.

The 'high risk' passes everyone always complains about are happening because no one is open or moving. Everything is so stationary. Guys are under constant pressure, which inevitably causes turnovers.
- PhillySportsGuy

Teams like the Devils attack the Flyers defense on the forecheck by overloading the side boards, due to in the past, the Flyers using a side breakout or rim along the wall as their predominant breakout or to alleviate pressure. Teams were taking away that play, and it resulted in a lot of turnovers, and pucks into puck battles. Resulting in a lot of extended defensive zone time for the Flyers.
Good teams make high risk passes and execute them to beat forechecks.
You can see it on the Dvorak goal. In the past Schenn would normally move the puck up the wall to a forward, or wrap it off the glass to try and get the puck out. But the Flyers changed their breakout. Instead he immediately looks to the Center of the ice, where Couturier is coming back deep on an outside curl to execute a center breakout. Unfortunately the pass hits a forechecker in the skate to a wide open Dvorak. Using a center breakout is high risk if it's not executed. Passes need to be short and crisp, and on the tape. But top teams use it and execute it all the time. It uses more of the ice, and makes it harder for a team to forecheck you.

shutout from thomas tonight. certainly won't be seeing anything like this from jonathan quick last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WC5IX0y_E0
- hammarby31

That's the second worst goal I've ever seen anybody give up.... #1 goes to our dear friend Niittymaki getting scored on while leaning back on the net watching the jumbotron.

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

Wooo, no 4th-line at all... maybe Chief's on to something here...

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

I like this new coaching style, only dressing 3 lines. It's revolutionary if nothing else.

I like this new coaching style, only dressing 3 lines. It's revolutionary if nothing else.
- jmatchett383

Maybe dressing 9 d?

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

I like it.

I think it's time for a statement game.
- BulliesPhan87

Lead pipe lock

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

Hartnell-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Lecavalier-Voracek
Talbot-Couturier-Read

Timonen-Schenn
Meszaros-Streit
Coburn-Grossmann

Talbot is still a weak link on the third line. That second pair could be a disaster defensively.

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

Dunno.. two power forwards paired with Giroux. I'm not too sold on that.

Maybe dressing 9 d?
- Tomahawk

Both goalies are starting

Hartnell-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Lecavalier-Voracek
Talbot-Couturier-Read

Timonen-Schenn
Meszaros-Streit
Coburn-Grossmann

Talbot is still a weak link on the third line. That second pair could be a disaster defensively.
- Feanor

I don't see how Talbot is a weak link on the 3rd line.

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

Lecavalier and Voracek could be really interesting

Hartnell-Giroux-Simmonds
BSchenn-Lecavalier-Voracek
Talbot-Couturier-Read

Timonen-Schenn
Meszaros-Streit
Coburn-Grossmann

Talbot is still a weak link on the third line. That second pair could be a disaster defensively.
- Feanor

I prefer him on the third line to anyone else available. That said, I'd rather he be on the 4th line.

Anthony Mingioni ‏@AnthonyMingioni 3m

#Flyers new lines per @billmeltzer & @sbaickerCSN 19-28-17, 10-40-93, 25-14-24. D pairs 44-22, 41-32, 5-8
- Jsaquella

Looks better on paper.

Bill Meltzer ‏@billmeltzer 1m

Based on the game simulation at practice, looks like Rosehill in and Newbury out.

Looks better on paper.
- bradleyc4

A strength of the flyers