First of all, I don't there is ever going to be a situation where there's never going to be any disagreements with anything a Coach does. I don't think changing the defense pairs around would've made the Flyers a significantly better team. And although I didn't agree with playing Lecavalier on the 4th line I understood it. It wasn't punishment for mistakes, it was because he wanted to play other players at Center, and Lecavalier was ineffective at LW.
- MJL

Berube doesn't strike me as the kind of coach who will drop a player off of a line just as punishment. That's kind of biting your nose to spite your face. Sitting a player or more or less "bag skating" the team the next day will get the point across (the players will usually know why they're being punished as a group...kinda the whole boot camp making everyone suffer idea). But to simply drop a player down in the lineup for a few mistakes is an over-the-top Keenan move, and it wears thin very quickly.

Berube doesn't strike me as the kind of coach who will drop a player off of a line just as punishment. That's kind of biting your nose to spite your face. Sitting a player or more or less "bag skating" the team the next day will get the point across (the players will usually know why they're being punished as a group...kinda the whole boot camp making everyone suffer idea). But to simply drop a player down in the lineup for a few mistakes is an over-the-top Keenan move, and it wears thin very quickly.
- jmatchett383

I think for the most part, things are different in today's NHL. Punishing players, and bag skates, just eventually gets you fired faster. Because players will revolt against that and a Coach will lose the team. I feel he made the moves because he was trying to get the best results, right or wrong.

I think for the most part, things are different in today's NHL. Punishing players, and bag skates, just eventually gets you fired faster. Because players will revolt against that and a Coach will lose the team. I feel he made the moves because he was trying to get the best results, right or wrong.
- MJL

I didn't mean bag skate exactly, that's why I put it in quotes. But there's a difference between a normal everyday practice and ones where the coach can push the players harder (more skating intensive, fewer puck drills, drills done at a higher pace, etc). That was all.

I didn't mean bag skate exactly, that's why I put it in quotes. But there's a difference between a normal everyday practice and ones where the coach can push the players harder (more skating intensive, fewer puck drills, drills done at a higher pace, etc). That was all.
- jmatchett383

I got what you were saying. Even then, those skates and drills are for a purpose, to try and improve conditioning, or to get the team to play harder and faster, etc. Rather then for discipline purposes. It's a much better situation to get the player leadership to handle those issues internally. Which I believe was one reason for the Hartnell trade.

You are right about the FA market as there really wasn't an upgrade worth the money out there. I just thought Hextall would have made a " blue line deal" instead of the Hartnell deal. They probably did kick some tires like you mentioned, but I was just hoping for more than the resigning of Timmo
- 3flyerkids

I'm guessing that the Hartnell deal wasn't the only move he had planned.

I'd bet he had feelers out on defense deals and none came to fruition, so rather than make a lateral move or a slight improvement, he decided it was best to just stand pat and deal with the guys they have on hand.

Better to make no deal than a bad one.

I got what you were saying. Even then, those skates and drills are for a purpose, to try and improve conditioning, or to get the team to play harder and faster, etc. Rather then for discipline purposes. It's a much better situation to get the player leadership to handle those issues internally. Which I believe was one reason for the Hartnell trade.
- MJL

Well, everything a coach does should be for a purpose. Some can have more than 1 purpose. And yes, in a perfect world you'll have a leader like Chris Pronger who can stand in the middle of the room and point his finger at any player and have that player be accountable. I'm not sure this team has that player right now. Giroux seems like a much better on the ice/bench leader than a locker room leader, which I'm fine with.

I'm guessing that the Hartnell deal wasn't the only move he had planned.

I'd bet he had feelers out on defense deals and none came to fruition, so rather than make a lateral move or a slight improvement, he decided it was best to just stand pat and deal with the guys they have on hand.

Better to make no deal than a bad one.
- Jsaquella

He also (allegedly) inquired about moving up to the top pick in the draft, but felt the price was too high. So he definitely was out there kicking some tires.

If you could get a legitimate 5-tool top defenseman under 30 where B Schenn is the centerpiece of the trade, would you do it (depending on the other pieces, obviously)?
- jmatchett383

I volunteer to drive/carry him on my back him to the airport/new city and drive/carry the defenseman to Philly just to make sure he arrives safely

I volunteer to drive/carry him on my back him to the airport/new city and drive/carry the defenseman to Philly just to make sure he arrives safely
- Jsaquella

I'll supply you with the hundreds of feet of bubble wrap and helmet with which you will keep that defenseman safe during said transport.

I volunteer to drive/carry him on my back him to the airport/new city and drive/carry the defenseman to Philly just to make sure he arrives safely
- Jsaquella

You'll be given a lifetime of chiropractic care when the job is completed.

I'll supply you with the hundreds of feet of bubble wrap and helmet with which you will keep that defenseman safe during said transport.
- jmatchett383

As well as some safety harnesses, a roll cage, and some flame retardant gloves and steel toed shoes for him.

He also (allegedly) inquired about moving up to the top pick in the draft, but felt the price was too high. So he definitely was out there kicking some tires.
- jmatchett383

Yep, he's definitely being active, but as somebody posted, it takes two to tango.

I'm fine with it, because he's laid out a plan and said that they're going to put emphasis in the same kind of things that good teams do. Building through the draft, developing and having a pipeline of good cheap talent, stressing skating and making comments that hint possession play is going to be important.

Reading stuff like this, from Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts blog, excites me to no end:

41. Now that Ron Hextall is in charge, what ideas come from Los Angeles to Philadelphia with him? "I liked how the defence pairs were put together," he said, remembering the Doughty/Scuderi, Mitchell/Voynov, Greene/Martinez duos that won a Stanley Cup. One sleeker model, one conservative. "Off the glass and out is the last resort," Hextall said.

42. As a follow-up to that, when asked what he wants to see different about his team's play next season, Hextall replied, "How we enter the offensive zone." There are some Flyers bloggers who are really horny about that stuff, and I'm pretty sure he's aware of it.

That says to me that there's going to be more of a premium placed on possession and the ideas that Lombardi embraced as the Kings GM.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports-...on-free-agent-frenzy.html

You'll be given a lifetime of chiropractic care when the job is completed.
- ob18

I'll settle for a twelve pack of Yuengling and an all expenses paid trip to John's Roast Pork or Dalesandro's

I'll settle for a twelve pack of Yuengling and an all expenses paid trip to John's Roast Pork or Dalesandro's
- Jsaquella

Sorry the chiropractic care is all you get or just a hardy "Thanks Pal"

Well that and left over Taco Bell

Sorry the chiropractic care is all you get or just a hardy "Thanks Pal"

Well that and left over Taco Bell
- ob18

And you wonder why you have chest pains

And you wonder why you have chest pains
- Jsaquella

I haven't had Taco Bell is 19 months sir.

I haven't had Taco Bell is 19 months sir.
- ob18

That's good, regardless of the issues. That stuff isn't meat

That's good, regardless of the issues. That stuff isn't meat
- Jsaquella

It probably barley qualifies as food.

It probably barley qualifies as food.
- ob18

It's got lettuce and tomatoes.

It's got lettuce and tomatoes.
- Jsaquella

I'll take your word for it.

I'll take your word for it.
- ob18

It does, that's the first things my kids pick off and throw out

Well, everything a coach does should be for a purpose. Some can have more than 1 purpose. And yes, in a perfect world you'll have a leader like Chris Pronger who can stand in the middle of the room and point his finger at any player and have that player be accountable. I'm not sure this team has that player right now. Giroux seems like a much better on the ice/bench leader than a locker room leader, which I'm fine with.
- jmatchett383

I don't believe that they have that player either currently. But ideally is shouldn't come down to one player. A culture should be created in the locker room, that says this is the way we play. And not only the Coaches demanding it. But the players demanding it of themselves, and of each other. That's when a team truly becomes a team. And you see it in the best teams, such as LA and others. Every player on the ice plays the same way. Certainly there are talent discrepancies, but from the first line LW to the 4th line LW. They all play the same way within the system. They all back check, they all play the game the right way, within the system. They all play a 200 foot game, and come back deep and support the puck. And if you're new to that team, it is demanded of you. True accountability comes from the players, not the coaches. I posted about this last Season. We all know discipline and penalties are in issue with this team. Well how can a player like Scott Hartnell, as a leader, demand that his teammates cut down on penalties, when he's one of the biggest culprits? He can't. That's a big part of the reason why he was moved in my opinion. Changing the culture of the locker room, and how Berube wants them to play. It's a process that will take some time. Just as it did in LA. And it's not just about talent. Lots of teams have talent. When some ask how can the Flyers possibly be a better team without making any major player moves? That's how in my opinion they can be a better team. Along with the maturation of young players.

It does, that's the first things my kids pick off and throw out
- Jsaquella

Going right for the crap

I haven't had Taco Bell is 19 months sir.
- ob18

My dad works for Taco Bell, so I would appreciate it you started going again. Thanks.

If you could get a legitimate 5-tool top defenseman under 30 where B Schenn is the centerpiece of the trade, would you do it (depending on the other pieces, obviously)?
- jmatchett383

In a heartbeat