Tim Panaccio: Player Reaction to Laviolette Firing

It was only a matter of time. He took the fall for the top 5 worst GM in the league.

I'll take that comment back if Berube is able to get them into the playoffs, but I just don't see that happening.

It was only a matter of time. He took the fall for the top 5 worst GM in the league.

I'll take that comment back if Berube is able to get them into the playoffs, but I just don't see that happening.
- Charliebox

Just like in Carolina, Laviolette failed to make adjustments and the team got stale and predictable.

It was only a matter of time. He took the fall for the top 5 worst GM in the league.

I'll take that comment back if Berube is able to get them into the playoffs, but I just don't see that happening.
- Charliebox

If there is a criticism of the firing, it is that it should have happened in the off-season. To those saying he only got 3 games, I would counter that he had all of last season and the 2013 camp to straighten things out. Actually, when you look back further, they were atrocious defensively in 2011-2012. They out-gunned an even more pourous Pens squad before being sumarily dismantled by the far more cohesive Devils. By the end of the 2011-2012 season, it was abundantly clear what this team lacked/needed and in more than a season (albeit a shortened one), Lavi was unable to correct this team's issues.

Now, were the issues entirely his fault? Of course not, they never are. But in pro sports, the prevailing move in this situation - for better or worse - is to fire the coach. Good and sometimes great coaches get fired - it comes with the territory. The pressure now falls squarely on Homer. If they don't turn this around, he will be replaced.

OMG, listening to the same old tired cliches from the players after a firing.
What a load of bs pleasantries
This was so embarassing they could have fired most of the roster for being AWOL mentally if not physically

Lava time was up, he was outcoached and outsystemed and had his head in a bad place with the 3 mill lawsuit against Bank of America.

Why doesnt someone just speak the truth ever ??

OMG, listening to the same old tired cliches from the players after a firing.
What a load of bs pleasantries
This was so embarassing they could have fired most of the roster for being AWOL mentally if not physically

Lava time was up, he was outcoached and outsystemed and had his head in a bad place with the 3 mill lawsuit against Bank of America.

Why doesnt someone just speak the truth ever ??
- Steelmanpa

Because then they would have to stop lying to their wives about what happens on road trips.

Just like in Carolina, Laviolette failed to make adjustments and the team got stale and predictable.
- Jsaquella

Thing is Carolina was a bad team, playing in a bad division with a good goalie. If you look at Carolina's record, I think it had more to do with Ward's ups and downs than anything.

The bottom line is Philly is not built properly. They have two backup goalies, and a mediocre D (while being the most expensive).

I don't think there are too many coaches in the history of the sport that could turn this team into a playoff team.

Thing is Carolina was a bad team, playing in a bad division with a good goalie. If you look at Carolina's record, I think it had more to do with Ward's ups and downs than anything.

The bottom line is Philly is not built properly. They have two backup goalies, and a mediocre D (while being the most expensive).

I don't think there are too many coaches in the history of the sport that could turn this team into a playoff team.
- Charliebox

And yet it is the play of the FORWARDS with and without the puck that is the reason for this team not playing well.

Thing is Carolina was a bad team, playing in a bad division with a good goalie. If you look at Carolina's record, I think it had more to do with Ward's ups and downs than anything.

The bottom line is Philly is not built properly. They have two backup goalies, and a mediocre D (while being the most expensive).

I don't think there are too many coaches in the history of the sport that could turn this team into a playoff team.
- Charliebox

The starting goaltender last night sure looked like a backup!

Thing is Carolina was a bad team, playing in a bad division with a good goalie. If you look at Carolina's record, I think it had more to do with Ward's ups and downs than anything.

The bottom line is Philly is not built properly. They have two backup goalies, and a mediocre D (while being the most expensive).

I don't think there are too many coaches in the history of the sport that could turn this team into a playoff team.
- Charliebox

No argument that the defense is mediocre. But when you take that mediocre defense and expect it to play run and gun, you're only making matters worse.

It would be like taking the 1995 Devils and installing the 1985 Oilers system and expecting them to win. You have to coach a system that fits your roster. Laviolette didn't even approach doing that.

No argument that the defense is mediocre. But when you take that mediocre defense and expect it to play run and gun, you're only making matters worse.

It would be like taking the 1995 Devils and installing the 1985 Oilers system and expecting them to win. You have to coach a system that fits your roster. Laviolette didn't even approach doing that.
- Jsaquella

The Devils also had an amazing goalie that could act like a 3rd Dman when teams dumped it in.

I don't think teams can 'trap' and be successful anymore.

The Devils also had an amazing goalie that could act like a 3rd Dman when teams dumped it in.

I don't think teams can 'trap' and be successful anymore.
- Charliebox

No, they can't, at least not at the level the Devils did in the 1990's...but, it was an example of one style being more suited to a particular group of players than another.

Teams can still trap and be effective, but they have to be more aggressive, as the clutch and grab stuff isn't let go as much now as it was then. But teams modified their trap. NJ still traps, but they do it behind an excellently run forecheck that presses teams in their own zone and clogs up the neutral zone.

That's why Laviolette isn't coaching the Flyers anymore. He never made the needed adjustments to counter what other coaches attacking his system were doing and he failed to adapt enough to better fit the system to the guys on his roster