Hextall himself has said that he bounces things off of Homer. There's no secrecy there.

And Big Ed is always involved, for ____ or worse.
- bradleyc4

Exactly. Its like saying Burke has no say in what happens in Calgary.

The top of the snake is still very much there, just with a different title and Hextall brought in to help give input. Its decision by committee.

I haved and idea. We win.

I'm not a fan of Berube. I don't think they're a playoff team this year, and I'm fine with that. But use it as a developmental year.

Don't publicly poke Couturier and say he needs to produce more, then saddle him with 70% D-zone starts. Don't say you're going to give Schenn a shot at top line LW and then move him 5 periods later. Think long term.

Yes, it's swell that they have played better. They're still a flawed team, that should be looking more at the future than the present. I'm ecstatic that they seem to finally understand the value of holding onto draft picks. I love their last draft class-first one I can recall that they didn't draft a goon or energy guy and placed skill at a higher premium than grit for the entire draft.
- Jsaquella

If you're asking the coach to think long term, I would also think the basis for criticizing the coach would be based on the long term. Rather then judging him after 5 games.

If you're asking the coach to think long term, I would also think the basis for criticizing the coach would be based on the long term. Rather then judging him after 5 games.
- MJL

I forgot this is Berube's first season as head coach of the Flyers.

I usually get annoyed at people who pat their own back.

But I wanted that fool gone after how he managed them in the playoffs last year. All I needed to see.

Couturier's shutdown line constantly getting more minutes than Giroux told me all I need to know about his approach to the game. How he handled Guss, who probably wouldn't have turned out to much as is, but still...

The pendulum swung too far in the other direction after removing Laviolette. They needed a fresh voice more than anything and all that happened was Holmgren got promoted and another recycled piece moved up in the organization with Berube. Hextall coming in and labeled as a saviour, but the pieces around him are all the same. Cote as an assistant, the bad management of bSchenn and Couturier that continues. Berube. Rinaldo extension. The past still looms heavy, the wrong approach is still there far too often. Old boys club.

I will give the management credit for sticking with patience and finally rebuilding somewhat. Should have started that the day after Pronger went down instead of trying at all cost to remain competitive. The mess might not have been as bad as it is now.
- flyer_nutter

The Flyers were getting pummled at 5 on 5 play last year in that series against the Rangers. Playing Couturier as much as he did was the right move.
Again, what is the basis for having a problem with Cote as a Coach with the Phantoms? Gustafsson is out of the NHL.

I gave Berube an open mind last year. By the end of the season, I found myself questioning a lot of what he did. I think the turnaround was far more to Giroux and others returning to form than anything Berube did.

The handling of Gustafsson, and now Akeson also gives me pause. Not that either would blossom into star players, or even become better than average NHLers, but giving them such a short rope, when guys like Meszaros, Schenn and Rinaldo get chance after chance after chance.
- Jsaquella

Not sure if using Gus to make your point here helps.
Bill mentioned that several NHL scouts felt his upside was a 6-7 guy in the NHL at best. I liked Gus but did not see any future for him here.
Mez last year was being given minutes to up his trade value.
I think they were fairly desperate to move him.

I was unhappy before the Dallas game about Akeson being benched.
But the 4th line looked fine without him really.

I would like to see Akeson get a shot with Couts and Read though. And see him on the 2nd PP as well.

I gave Berube an open mind last year. By the end of the season, I found myself questioning a lot of what he did. I think the turnaround was far more to Giroux and others returning to form than anything Berube did.

The handling of Gustafsson, and now Akeson also gives me pause. Not that either would blossom into star players, or even become better than average NHLers, but giving them such a short rope, when guys like Meszaros, Schenn and Rinaldo get chance after chance after chance.
- Jsaquella

He played Akeson 4 games, and scratched him one game so far! Explain to me how Akeson is immune from sitting out a game or two. What has he done that is so great at the NHL level that he should be a lock in the lineup?
Rinaldo has easily been a better player then Akeson has this year.

That's the belief that I don't buy. Much like that of Snider having no say.

I don't for a second believe its Hextall's voice alone running things.
- flyer_nutter

I think it's naïve to think that Snyder is the only owner in the league that has input on what the team is doing. And I'm sure Homer has some input for Hextall. Frankly Hexy would be stupid not to take advise from Homer because despite all his flaws and mistakes he did build a team that went to the Finals. Bottom line is Hextall is running the show now and Homer is in the background at best for team decisions but people still want to whine about Homer all the time. Not just here but everywhere. It's very tiring

I forgot this is Berube's first season as head coach of the Flyers.
- mcefalu

Yeah, the 86 games he coached last season (including playoffs) apparently don't count.

It's poop like that that causes me to not respond to his posts. It's not all garbage, but he routinely mischaracterizes things people say, ignores obvious sarcasm and beats people over the head with his opinion as if it's widely accepted fact.

I'm not a fan of Berube. I don't think they're a playoff team this year, and I'm fine with that. But use it as a developmental year.

Don't publicly poke Couturier and say he needs to produce more, then saddle him with 70% D-zone starts. Don't say you're going to give Schenn a shot at top line LW and then move him 5 periods later. Think long term.

Yes, it's swell that they have played better. They're still a flawed team, that should be looking more at the future than the present. I'm ecstatic that they seem to finally understand the value of holding onto draft picks. I love their last draft class-first one I can recall that they didn't draft a goon or energy guy and placed skill at a higher premium than grit for the entire draft.
- Jsaquella

Don't you think that is what's going on. We have almost all our solid prospects in the minors or junior. They could have easily made a case for Morin or Gostisbiere or Laughton or Leirer to stick and no one could argue that. They are letting them develop in the AHL and playing a flawed roster just to do so.

Yes they want more out of Couturier offensivly but they also want his defensive game to. Does Bergeron only get offensive zone starts? No He goes against the top lines and still produces. What they want from Couturier is to still play his d game but now use the confidence and take some chances in the offensive zone. He is also getting some PP time now too so he can get some offensive chances.

Everyone knows the Flyers are flawed because of the make up. But what more do you want Berube to do. Guys like Schenn and Couturier who are still young and developing are getting plenty of chances. Sometimes it is up to the player to do something for himself

I think it's naïve to think that Snyder is the only owner in the league that has input on what the team is doing. And I'm sure Homer has some input for Hextall. Frankly Hexy would be stupid not to take advise from Homer because despite all his flaws and mistakes he did build a team that went to the Finals. Bottom line is Hextall is running the show now and Homer is in the background at best for team decisions but people still want to whine about Homer all the time. Not just here but everywhere. It's very tiring
- JonnyHammerstix

Holmgren had Richards and Carter on the team and some great young pieces to go from. With a poop load of cap room, and a great FA class.

He did build a team that went to the Finals one season, and one that also had to win game 82 in a shootout to get there. A team that was chronically inconsistent in his time as GM, that relied heavily on hot streaks and cold streaks to establish itself.

Holmgren fell on his ass and put far too much dead weight on to the team, along with trading away far too many picks after Pronger went down. All because he didn't want to face reality that the cup window closed. Short-sighted, bad cap management and a lack of a clear long term vision. D first, to offensive heavy and back to d first with Berube. Far too many stupid trades.

Is what it is, as you say its tiring. I'll move on.

I gave Berube an open mind last year. By the end of the season, I found myself questioning a lot of what he did. I think the turnaround was far more to Giroux and others returning to form than anything Berube did.

The handling of Gustafsson, and now Akeson also gives me pause. Not that either would blossom into star players, or even become better than average NHLers, but giving them such a short rope, when guys like Meszaros, Schenn and Rinaldo get chance after chance after chance.
- Jsaquella

Coaching is probably the most overrating thing in pro sports in general and especially true in hockey. It's all about talent. Talking about Gustafsson and Akeson versus Meszaros and Schenn is trying to decide between a turd sandwich and a giant douche. Berube might not be a great coach but this roster is poor on so many levels he doesn't really matter.

I think it's naïve to think that Snyder is the only owner in the league that has input on what the team is doing. And I'm sure Homer has some input for Hextall. Frankly Hexy would be stupid not to take advise from Homer because despite all his flaws and mistakes he did build a team that went to the Finals. Bottom line is Hextall is running the show now and Homer is in the background at best for team decisions but people still want to whine about Homer all the time. Not just here but everywhere. It's very tiring
- JonnyHammerstix

I'm pretty sure even Bobby Clarke has a titular role with the team.

The tin foil hat stuff with the Flyers front office stuff does get a bit tiresome.

Besides, 81 year old Ed Snider has no (frank)s to give for our opinion of what we think about the decision making apparatus of his organization. He's way too busy trying to keep his 4th trophy wife happy. I do think he's a little more in the background than people think.

I'm looking forward to seeing Pronger tonight.....
- powerenforcer

too soon!

Thanks for yet another great blog, Bill.



Shame though that you had to point out that Chicago does so much damage at even strength, you know.. the place where the Flyers so often shoot themselves in the foot?


I'm going to be optimistic... its going to be a good game.
- Doc_Sarcasm

until they reverse the 5 on 5 gf/ga situation, the team will struggle to win games. can not rely on the pp being anywhere near the 30% clip for the season as a means of winning games.

I like Raffl, but they need a better option on the top line.
- funmaster18

On a team like LA or CHI he would be a good 4th liner.

Good size, can skate, positionally sound two way guy. He doesn't have the finishing ability of an ideal top six guy.

Flyers are very shallow on LW and he's their option right now.

Raffl, PEB and Laughton would be a fine 3rd/4th line. Maybe next year.

Maybe Raffl PEB and Rinaldo this year.

Holmgren had Richards and Carter on the team and some great young pieces to go from. With a poop load of cap room, and a great FA class.

He did build a team that went to the Finals one season, and one that also had to win game 82 in a shootout to get there. A team that was chronically inconsistent in his time as GM, that relied heavily on hot streaks and cold streaks to establish itself.

Holmgren fell on his ass and put far too much dead weight on to the team, along with trading away far too many picks after Pronger went down. All because he didn't want to face reality that the cup window closed. Short-sighted, bad cap management and a lack of a clear long term vision. D first, to offensive heavy and back to d first with Berube. Far too many stupid trades.

Is what it is, as you say its tiring. I'll move on.
- flyer_nutter

I agree with all of this. Hence why he is no longer GM.

Crawford will miss tonight's game with a UBI. Raanta in net for Chicago.
- bmeltzer

Great! The Flyers always make the backups look like Vezina winners...

5-3 Flyers.

Book it.

Booking.com

Booking.yeah

So does this thread
- PhillySportsGuy

ZING!

5-3 Flyers.

Book it.

Booking.com

Booking.yeah
- Streit2ThePoint

And poop stained underwear on our heads for the non beliebers.

Not sure if using Gus to make your point here helps.
Bill mentioned that several NHL scouts felt his upside was a 6-7 guy in the NHL at best. I liked Gus but did not see any future for him here.
Mez last year was being given minutes to up his trade value.
I think they were fairly desperate to move him.

I was unhappy before the Dallas game about Akeson being benched.
But the 4th line looked fine without him really.

I would like to see Akeson get a shot with Couts and Read though. And see him on the 2nd PP as well.
- Marc D

The fourth line was effective in the previous games. I just don't see the need to sit a 24 year old guy, who is getting his first real NHL shot, to dress a 27 year old guy who has had opportunities in the past and failed to capitalize on them.

The same goes for Gustafsson. Yes, neither is likely to be much more than an average NHLer. But rather than playing them behind guys who have pretty much proven they are NHL/AHL bubble guys at best, I'd prefer to see them play night in and out for a more extended period of time

Coaching is probably the most overrating thing in pro sports in general and especially true in hockey. It's all about talent. Talking about Gustafsson and Akeson versus Meszaros and Schenn is trying to decide between a turd sandwich and a giant douche. Berube might not be a great coach but this roster is poor on so many levels he doesn't really matter.
- psuhockey

That's exactly why I want to see the unknown quantities play more. The roster is mediocre, so why not give more opportunity to the handful of guys who haven't already proven they're just run of the mill, average guys?

5-3 Flyers.

Book it.

Booking.com

Booking.yeah
- Streit2ThePoint

On a team like LA or CHI he would be a good 4th liner.

Good size, can skate, positionally sound two way guy. He doesn't have the finishing ability of an ideal top six guy.

Flyers are very shallow on LW and he's their option right now.

Raffl, PEB and Laughton would be a fine 3rd/4th line. Maybe next year.

Maybe Raffl PEB and Rinaldo this year.
- Marc D

I realize they don't have a lot of options there. Just something that I think about every time I read it. Would switch read and Raffl work?

Hopefully next year they can get someone up there that should be there. He does a great job with the skill set that he has, just looking for a more dynamic player up top.