I think Murray would be horrible with this group. Honestly, they really do need someone with a system more like Lavi's.
- TheGreat28

You know its funny. I think if Lavi came back to this team in a year or two when Ghost and Morin are up I think he would be a great coach for the squad they'd be icing.

With the D in Nashville I think he's going to get that team going as soon as their young forwards come up the ranks.

On a sunnier note... and totally unexpected... Andrew MacDonald actually had a pretty decent game, despite getting thrown into the deep-end of the pool:

16.7% Off-ZS
59.5% CF

That's not easy to do.

It it possible that's just a result of him mainly playing with G and Voracek last night? I see that Raffl, G, Mac and Voracek were the top four in CF% last night.

IMO, a lot of guys are having the odds stacked against them.

We've talked about the zone-start/usage issue w/ Coots/Read. Schenn at LW. Raffl as a weak-link on the top-line. MDZ saddled w/ Schenn. Over-extending everybody in the top-4. A return to an extremely limited 4th-line drags all the other F lines down.

There are definitely ways of shuffling this limited deck in a more efficient/sensible way. It's now up to Chief to find 'em. Or he's cooked.
- Tomahawk

Bellemare-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Umberger-Jones-Akeson

If Hextall agrees, call up Laughton to replace Jones as 4C.

3-1 Penguins.

Goals by Simmonds, Crosby, Kunitz, and an empty netter by......Downie.

That was one of my issues yesterday, Berube's putting getting wins with a mediocre team now ahead of the future development of one of the Flyers key cornerstone pieces.

If all you're going to let him be is Steve Kasper or Guy Carbonneau then trade him now and get a good asset for him while he has a lot of value.
- Jsaquella

The best part is that he's not even getting wins. So he's putting future development behind failing to get wins. It's still really early though.

That was one of my issues yesterday, Berube's putting getting wins with a mediocre team now ahead of the future development of one of the Flyers key cornerstone pieces.

If all you're going to let him be is Steve Kasper or Guy Carbonneau then trade him now and get a good asset for him while he has a lot of value.
- Jsaquella

But in fairness to Chief, his mandate is to win games. Yes, the Flyers are saying they will be patient with young players and will not make deals that sacrifice the future for the present. But they are not in a rebuilding mode either. They really want their cake and to eat it too.

3-1 Penguins.

Goals by Simmonds, Crosby, Kunitz, and an empty netter by......Downie.
- Streit2ThePoint

Dont be a Debbie Downie

You know its funny. I think if Lavi came back to this team in a year or two when Ghost and Morin are up I think he would be a great coach for the squad they'd be icing.

With the D in Nashville I think he's going to get that team going as soon as their young forwards come up the ranks.
- hereticpride

I was actually going to edit my post and say that the forwards would be better in Lavi's system, but the defense would be atrocious. But I like what you did.

If team D is such an issue Berube should be rewarding Coots, Read and maybe Bellemare with key offensive minutes. The other guys will fall in line real quick. There seems to be zero accountability in that regard.

Berube's putting getting wins with a mediocre team now ahead of the future development of one of the Flyers key cornerstone pieces.
- Jsaquella

There's that point in the season when a bad team realizes just how bad they are and it's every guy scrambling over the next to guarantee a spot on the lifeboat. Padding stats, cheating up the ice, coaching to boost the resume instead of coaching to develop.

It probably hasn't reached that point yet, but I don't think it's that far off at the current rate.

Here is something. We don't know what mandate Berube has from Hextall. We know they want to be patient but we also know they can't just tank. Yes they aren't getting Couturier great offensive zone starts but you also can't just throw out your weaker line because of it either. Berube might not be long for this team but there is no reason to fire him now. If Hextall wants Babcock or another coach he will just ride this out until the offseason. It is frustrating to watch because we want so muich more but you also have to see the future plan. We all have mentioned how this team is flawed. Best bet is to get Vinny back and producing so maybe you move him at the TDL. Hope guys start playing better so if your out of it at the TDL you can get picks and prospects from playoff teams. This team as peices they can move at the TDL. I am frustrated but I have faith Hextall will get this team eventually in a better place. LA wasn't built overnight

I think people were just reaching in an effort to rationalize the trade in on-ice terms.

When it was a pure, dispassionate contract dump.
- Tomahawk

I think the contract played a role. But Berube and the team were harping on the undisciplined play long before that.

But yes, they traded an overpriced power forward on the downside of his career with 5 years left on his deal, for an overpriced forward on the downside of his career with 3 years left.

It it possible that's just a result of him mainly playing with G and Voracek last night? I see that Raffl, G, Mac and Voracek were the top four in CF% last night.



Bellemare-Giroux-Voracek
BSchenn-Couturier-Read
Raffl-Lecavalier-Simmonds
Umberger-Jones-Akeson

If Hextall agrees, call up Laughton to replace Jones as 4C.
- Feanor

Honestly, would possible good would playing Laughton as the 4th center do? If there is any hope of him being more than a 3rd line shutdown guy, you have to develop his offense now.

I really think part of the issue with Couturier is that neither HE nor Berube has much confidence in Couturier's offensive skills. These guys often get pidgeon-holed into a role. I think it would be a mistake to do that with Laughton right now.

Here is something. We don't know what mandate Berube has from Hextall. We know they want to be patient but we also know they can't just tank. Yes they aren't getting Couturier great offensive zone starts but you also can't just throw out your weaker line because of it either. Berube might not be long for this team but there is no reason to fire him now. If Hextall wants Babcock or another coach he will just ride this out until the offseason. It is frustrating to watch because we want so muich more but you also have to see the future plan. We all have mentioned how this team is flawed. Best bet is to get Vinny back and producing so maybe you move him at the TDL. Hope guys start playing better so if your out of it at the TDL you can get picks and prospects from playoff teams. This team as peices they can move at the TDL. I am frustrated but I have faith Hextall will get this team eventually in a better place. LA wasn't built overnight
- J35Bacher

Hexy needs 2 more drafts

I dont think anyone here will be shocked by a lottery pick this year

Honestly, would possible good would playing Laughton as the 4th center do? If there is any hope of him being more than a 3rd line shutdown guy, you have to develop his offense now.

I really think part of the issue with Couturier is that neither HE nor Berube has much confidence in Couturier's offensive skills. These guys often get pidgeon-holed into a role. I think it would be a mistake to do that with Laughton right now.
- TheGreat28

What is your reasoning for this? I feel he has been one of the few forwards gaining the offensive zone, physicall in on the forcheck, and getting to the net. I think having better forwards with skill would help him

But in fairness to Chief, his mandate is to win games. Yes, the Flyers are saying they will be patient with young players and will not make deals that sacrifice the future for the present. But they are not in a rebuilding mode either. They really want their cake and to eat it too.
- TheGreat28

Yes, it is, but at the same time, the Flyers have to know that this year was going to be a down year and potential non playoff year. Give Berube the mandate that the future trumps the present.

Honestly, would possible good would playing Laughton as the 4th center do? If there is any hope of him being more than a 3rd line shutdown guy, you have to develop his offense now.

I really think part of the issue with Couturier is that neither HE nor Berube has much confidence in Couturier's offensive skills. These guys often get pidgeon-holed into a role. I think it would be a mistake to do that with Laughton right now.
- TheGreat28

The issue isn't a lack of confidence in Couturier's skills, it's the lack of another line Berube can trust to line up against other team's best players.

I dont think anyone here will be shocked by a lottery pick this year
- vejim

The Conference is tighter than its ever been. A start like this absolutely brutal. They have plenty of time to right the ship as they did last year but I'm not too sure replicating that is going to come easy.

The issue isn't a lack of confidence in Couturier's skills, it's the lack of another line Berube can trust to line up against other team's best players.
- Feanor

This I agree with. I think Couturier has been one of our better forwards in all the games so far.

The issue isn't a lack of confidence in Couturier's skills, it's the lack of another line Berube can trust to line up against other team's best players.
- Feanor

yeah but then he shouldnt make any comments that Couts needs to do more to be offensive....This coach is green and doesnt know how to push guys buttons...THis team isnt playing for him right now...He trashed hartnell on the way out. There was no need for him to do that. Im sure more than a few guys on the team are pissed off.

Hexy needs 2 more drafts
- vejim

Honestly, they would be best served long term by tanking. They're not bad enough to finish up with 1st or 2nd worst record, but they'd have some balls in the lottery if they finish 7th or 8th. But they might be able to get someone like a Strome or Sprong which would be a huge start on getting more skill in the lineup.

That was one of my issues yesterday, Berube's putting getting wins with a mediocre team now ahead of the future development of one of the Flyers key cornerstone pieces.

If all you're going to let him be is Steve Kasper or Guy Carbonneau then trade him now and get a good asset for him while he has a lot of value.
- Jsaquella

i'd rather keep couturier and get rid of berube

Honestly, they would be best served long term by tanking. They're not bad enough to finish up with 1st or 2nd worst record, but they'd have some balls in the lottery if they finish 7th or 8th. But they might be able to get someone like a Strome or Sprong which would be a huge start on getting more skill in the lineup.
- TheGreat28

A key injury to giroux, coburn, or mase and this team is top 5

yeah but then he shouldnt make any comments that Couts needs to do more to be offensive....This coach is green and doesnt know how to push guys buttons...THis team isnt playing for him right now...He trashed hartnell on the way out. There was no need for him to do that. Im sure more than a few guys on the team are pissed off.
- PhillaBully

That was before the season and he sees he doesn't have another responsible center to throw out there like Couturier. Also this playing for your coach thing is overrated. Players need to play. They get a pay check. I could care less if they like or hate Berube. I read where players hated Babcocks ways but they seemed to do fine playing for him