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

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.

Jordan Eberle for Braydn Schenn and Luke Schenn

Jordan Eberle for Braydn Schenn and Luke Schenn

I'm with you. I don't think Berube has a great team to work with, but some of the things he does is puzzling. I guess we can just say he's the coach he knows more than we do. But where is the fun in that? I will give Berube solid marks last year for righting the ship. But early this year he's lost me.
- PLindbergh31

Sure we can say he's the coach and knows better, but he's clearly coaching with an eye to making the playoffs this year. That's fine and dandy, but with that mindset, a young guy trying to build confidence might not get a full shot to do so.

It's that sort of mindset that decides to trade multiple draft picks for a solid depth defenseman, rather than recognize a marginal improvement isn't going to enhance the chances of a Cup right now very much. It's the kind of mindset that says veterans who may well be in decline should continue to play in top 9 roles, rather than younger players who might just need an opportunity.

Jordan Eberle for Braydn Schenn and Luke Schenn
- Winning

Yeah, we heard you

Briere is having a good start with the Avs.

Holmgren's pecker is oozing.
- flyer_nutter

I think we have a pharmacist on the boards here who can prescribe something for Homer to fix that.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!
- ggunky

Sure we can say he's the coach and knows better, but he's clearly coaching with an eye to making the playoffs this year. That's fine and dandy, but with that mindset, a young guy trying to build confidence might not get a full shot to do so.

It's that sort of mindset that decides to trade multiple draft picks for a solid depth defenseman, rather than recognize a marginal improvement isn't going to enhance the chances of a Cup right now very much. It's the kind of mindset that says veterans who may well be in decline should continue to play in top 9 roles, rather than younger players who might just need an opportunity.
- Jsaquella

He's coaching them like his job is on the line (and it likely is). So his moves are very short-term.

Thankfully, he and the GM don't share the same vision.

He's coaching them like his job is on the line (and it likely is). So his moves are very short-term.

Thankfully, he and the GM don't share the same vision.
- bradleyc4

If Murray is promoted after Berube is canned, it will tell a lot about who really runs things with the organization. I don't believe for a second its Hextall's voice alone.

Big difference is that Bogosian has more tools in his tool chest than Schenn does.
- Jsaquella

And more injuries in one season than Schenn has had in his whole career.

I think we have a pharmacist on the boards here who can prescribe something for Homer to fix that.
- johndewar

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. The past still looms heavy.

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

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.

Sure we can say he's the coach and knows better, but he's clearly coaching with an eye to making the playoffs this year. That's fine and dandy, but with that mindset, a young guy trying to build confidence might not get a full shot to do so.

It's that sort of mindset that decides to trade multiple draft picks for a solid depth defenseman, rather than recognize a marginal improvement isn't going to enhance the chances of a Cup right now very much. It's the kind of mindset that says veterans who may well be in decline should continue to play in top 9 roles, rather than younger players who might just need an opportunity.
- Jsaquella

Spot on. Coaches are always in job survival mode. The way to do that is win games.

I'm excited because they finally have some legit prospects on the blueline. Granted none of them may be that top pairing stud that the Flyers have coveted for so long, but I think it's safe to say at least a few of them will be solid NHL contributors. That is a huge key in the cap era. Having young players on entry level contracts who help you win.

Jordan Eberle for Braydn Schenn and Luke Schenn
- Winning

A Flyer fan offered Couts and Coburn for Eberle in their blog.
Oil fans loved that. Flyers would be getting hosed and that deal would never happen.

The interesting thing is he asked what it would take to trade them VL. A popular reply was Ference.

They must really not like Ference.

Also looks like Coburn is not skating with a regular D partner, which might mean he is out tonight? This is per Panotch, though, so who really knows.
- mcefalu

Berube playing mind games

He's coaching them like his job is on the line (and it likely is). So his moves are very short-term.

Thankfully, he and the GM don't share the same vision.
- bradleyc4

Exactly. I'm hoping that he just does no harm to the long term potential of the younger guys.

If Murray is promoted after Berube is canned, it will tell a lot about who really runs things with the organization. I don't believe for a second its Hextall's voice alone.
- flyer_nutter

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.

I don't understand why some people get all bent out of shape about Holmgren getting a "promotion" (if you even want to call it that). He's not the GM anymore and doesn't have any effect on team personnel anymore. He literally has no effect on what the Flyers are doing now. Why does it matter so much what his current position is?

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

My thing is this. A lot of the same issues, or things we see on the ice in regards to faults have been the same for many years now.

Far too many players have worn the jersey in that time, far too many core pieces signed and moved out. Far too many coaches.

The constants, and issue with the Flyers starts far and away from the ice.

If Murray is promoted after Berube is canned, it will tell a lot about who really runs things with the organization. I don't believe for a second its Hextall's voice alone.
- flyer_nutter

When is Berube's contract up? Next year?

Does anyone really think Berube is anything other than a stop gap, at this point, until the Cap can be put in order and some of the younger guys come along?

Well, VL will be back soon to help take some of the defensive burden. Can't see how he won't help Couts.
- PhillySportsGuy

Lecavalier should be used on offensive situaitons obviously. But before the injury, Lecavalier played well, and was making an obvious effort to play better away from the puck. And the Flyers do miss Lecavalier.

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

I don't understand why some people get all bent out of shape about Holmgren getting a "promotion" (if you even want to call it that). He's not the GM anymore and doesn't have any effect on team personnel anymore. He literally has no effect on what the Flyers are doing now. Why does it matter so much what his current position is?
- JonnyHammerstix

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.

If Murray is promoted after Berube is canned, it will tell a lot about who really runs things with the organization. I don't believe for a second its Hextall's voice alone.
- flyer_nutter

Depends on the manner in which it occurs. If Murray is brought in mid-season, then it's likely a case of bringing in a guy who was readily available and has a track record of teaching guys to be defensively responsible.

I wouldn't mind if Murray or someone like him is brought in to instill a sense of team discipline and attention to details on defense. I also wouldn't say that Hextall's choice wouldn't be a guy like that, at least in the short term, because of what he did in LA.

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

Agreed.