Im not blaming Berube for this teams poor play...just like i didnt blame Lavy for the teams poor play when he was coach. To me its about the players. This mix of players is just not good enough. I'm confused by your unwavering support of Berube compared to your previous criticism if Lavy. I haven't seen anything interesting or even slightly more advanced than your average high school coach come out of Berube. He has virtually no track record as a head coach. Lacy on the other hand has a great track record of coaching winning teams in the NHL.
- Dkos

I also supported Laviolette when he was first with the Flyers when I felt he was doing a good job. When Laviolette lost my supoort, was when he failed to adjust tactically, and was trying to get this team to play a style of play, that they just didn't have the horses to play. And he consequently lost the team, because the players knew they couldn't play that way.
Berube came in last year, after Laviolette was fired, and changed the way the team played, and directed them to one of the best records in the NHL over that time period.
Here we are less then 20 games into this NHL season. The team is inconsistent. Execution and blown coverages are one thing. But playing passively and soft, and not competing is another. That is on the players, not the coach. There isn't the same system issues here as there was under Laviolette. They have also had some injuries. But if the team doesn't respond, doesn't play up to it's capabilities, and doesn't compete better, then that ultimately falls on the coach. And he will pay a price for that as they always do. But I'm not there yet with Berube. Moving in that direction, but not yet.

Jack Johnson is bankrupt somehow.

http://bluejacketsxtra.di...er&utm_source=twitterfeed
- Feanor

Another case against mixing family and finances.

Berube cant keep saying the team has to compete more and skate harder, and then give the players who were competing and skating the least ice time in the game. His word has no weight at this point.

Its obvious there is no pride in some of these players. SO you have to hit them where it hurts, with playing time. It MAY hurt you on the scoreboard, but how is that any different than it already is?

Screw it, give PEB and Rinaldo 20 minutes, they deserve it if working hard is what you are looking for.

Berube cant continue to preach what he preaches and then continue to play everyone the same anyway. How can any player take him seriously?
- MBFlyerfan

Hexy looks patient on the surface but there is a volcano ready to explode

Are there any fans of the movie Men at Work here? The movie with Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez? Does anyone remember the name of the character of the guy they found dead on their garbage route?


- PLindbergh31

Jack Berger. Awesomeflick

I didn't watch the game. I saw vinnys breakaway highlight which have me warm fuzzies. But if Bellemare played well again last night, like he has almost all season, and wound up with less than 10 minutes, this coach needs a mule kick in the face

Jack Berger. Awesomeflick
- Jsaquella

Full name. Ronald Jack Umberger!

That one was a joke . I acknowledged last year that we would suck with the defense we had last year before the season started. A lot disagreed with me. Same situation with you guys. When Timmo went down and AMAC got pushed up the depth chart it was telling unfortunately for the Flyers.
- Cptmjl

MacDonald is not the problem.... he isnt even playing and when he has he's been good. Del Zotto to much of most of everyone's surprise... has played better than 40 year old Timonen would or could have. He has been very good. One of the few bright spots so far. So in reality this team is really no different than last season other than having to carry the corpse of Umberger around. Coburn on the otherhand I hope gets traded and soon. I've had enough. There is no way that the Flyers will continue to play at this level, they will be better once everyone gets it going. They still wont be a contender, I have no fantasies about that but they are better than the bottom half of the league and can win games against top teams from time to time and that equals a playoff berth.

Hexy looks patient on the surface but there is a volcano ready to explode
- vejim

God could'nt even be patient with the way they played last night.

I also supported Laviolette when he was first with the Flyers when I felt he was doing a good job. When Laviolette lost my supoort, was when he failed to adjust tactically, and was trying to get this team to play a style of play, that they just didn't have the horses to play. And he consequently lost the team, because the players knew they couldn't play that way.
Berube came in last year, after Laviolette was fired, and changed the way the team played, and directed them to one of the best records in the NHL over that time period.
Here we are less then 20 games into this NHL season. The team is inconsistent. Execution and blown coverages are one thing. But playing passively and soft, and not competing is another. That is on the players, not the coach. There isn't the same system issues here as there was under Laviolette. They have also had some injuries. But if the team doesn't respond, doesn't play up to it's capabilities, and doesn't compete better, then that ultimately falls on the coach. And he will pay a price for that as they always do. But I'm not there yet with Berube. Moving in that direction, but not yet.
- MJL

It is if there are no consequences. IE reduction or increase in ice time depending on how hard you compete. The ice time from last night proves that.

You and I will never agree on this topic, thats for sure. But I am willing to bet this is the same thing you were thinking/saying last year at this time until the Flyers found their game and had the 3rd best record in the league from Dec. until the end of the season. So we wont know until the end right?? Its still very early.....
- GOA88

Nope. Before the season even started I said repeatedly we were far from a lock to make the playoffs. In fact I said we wouldn't make it. You guys did have a sudden turn around after firing Laviolette but what are you going to do fire a coach every time your team implodes? Berube's next?
You have no defense. I don't mean this in a shatty way it's reality. As far as the Flyers being a playoff team and the Islanders not again how so? Would you take your top 6 over ours? Our blue line? I'd take our #6 defender over your number 1 and I doubt there is anyone on here that'd disagree save for maybe you? Goaltending is the one thing I may take from you guys over us though Halak has been pretty damn good recently and when you have AMAC as your number 1(when he returns)there isn't a goaltender in the league that can put up good numbers behind that defense. I'm saying this from experience.

Berube cant keep saying the team has to compete more and skate harder, and then give the players who were competing and skating the least ice time in the game. His word has no weight at this point.

Its obvious there is no pride in some of these players. SO you have to hit them where it hurts, with playing time. It MAY hurt you on the scoreboard, but how is that any different than it already is?

Screw it, give PEB and Rinaldo 20 minutes, they deserve it if working hard is what you are looking for.

Berube cant continue to preach what he preaches and then continue to play everyone the same anyway. How can any player take him seriously?
- MBFlyerfan

Agreed. I'm not sure how players can take him seriously, when he's rewarding guys playing with a lack of intensity more than guys who are out there busting their tails, and playing more effectively.

MacDonald is not the problem.... he isnt even playing and when he has he's been good. Del Zotto to much of most of everyone's surprise... has played better than 40 year old Timonen would or could have. He has been very good. One of the few bright spots so far. So in reality this team is really no different than last season other than having to carry the corpse of Umberger around. Coburn on the otherhand I hope gets traded and soon. I've had enough. There is no way that the Flyers will continue to play at this level, they will be better once everyone gets it going. They still wont be a contender, I have no fantasies about that but they are better than the bottom half of the league and can win games against top teams from time to time and that equals a playoff berth.
- GOA88

I thought the Oilers liked Coburn?

Ok I misunderstood you..

Either way.. the team could not execute simple passes, they looked like the puck was a tennis ball the way they handled it. Stuff like that happens from time to time with good team. It happens more frequently with not so good teams.

What pisses people off about Umberger and Vinny is that the two of them dont execute, they dont win battles, and they look as though they are just trying to make it through their shift. There were several times last night where Umberger was COOKED while standing still in the d-zone. Rags were skating through to the net and he was literally seconds late in reacting. Terrible effort. The guy has been terrible from the pre-season on out. Vinny just isnt a capable top 6 forward any more.. and his style of play is really not ideal in a bottom 6 role IMO.
- jak521

Neither Umberger or Lecavalier are playing well. Umberger is not providing any offense and he's making mistakes that a veteran player who is supposed to be a solid all around player, shouldn't make. Lecavalier at this point of his career, is strictly an offensive player. If he's not putting up points at least somewhat consistently, then he has no value to a team.
The terrible effort was all around last night. Incredibly frustrating. I can handle poor execution or blown coverages at times. But I can't handle a passive soft team, that's not skating. No excuse for it. That's not about talent. And that was more then just about Lecavalier and Umberger.

Nope. Before the season even started I said repeatedly we were far from a lock to make the playoffs. In fact I said we wouldn't make it. You guys did have a sudden turn around after firing Laviolette but what are you going to do fire a coach every time your team implodes? Berube's next?
You have no defense. I don't mean this in a shatty way it's reality. As far as the Flyers being a playoff team and the Islanders not again how so? Would you take your top 6 over ours? Our blue line? I'd take our #6 defender over your number 1 and I doubt there is anyone on here that'd disagree save for maybe you? Goaltending is the one thing I may take from you guys over us though Halak has been pretty damn good recently.
- Cptmjl

so why arent you discussing this in your Islander blob?

Agreed. I'm not sure how players can take him seriously, when he's rewarding guys playing with a lack of intensity more than guys who are out there busting their tails, and playing more effectively.
- Jsaquella

If he benched the player who weren't playing with intensity last night, they would have played half the game with 5 players and a goalie.

It is if there are no consequences. IE reduction or increase in ice time depending on how hard you compete. The ice time from last night proves that.
- MBFlyerfan

A coach can't bench the entire team. The game is 2-0. He's not going to up the icetime of players like Rinaldo and Vandevelde when one goal can get the team back in the game, and maybe light a fire under the team.

so why arent you discussing this in your Islander blob?
- vejim

I am as well. I can multi task. Got into a discussion after replying to a post.

If he benched the player who weren't playing with intensity last night, they would have played half the game with 5 players and a goalie.
- MJL

what happened to freakin #17?

Neither can be worse right now.
- jak521

Yes, they could.

Nope. Before the season even started I said repeatedly we were far from a lock to make the playoffs. In fact I said we wouldn't make it. You guys did have a sudden turn around after firing Laviolette but what are you going to do fire a coach every time your team implodes? Berube's next?
You have no defense. I don't mean this in a shatty way it's reality. As far as the Flyers being a playoff team and the Islanders not again how so? Would you take your top 6 over ours? Our blue line? I'd take our #6 defender over your number 1 and I doubt there is anyone on here that'd disagree save for maybe you? Goaltending is the one thing I may take from you guys over us though Halak has been pretty damn good recently.
- Cptmjl

I would take our top 6 over the Islanders. Absolutely. The defense is where it gets tricky. While the Islanders currently have more depth. The Flyers have been brutally injured on the back end this season and its hard to really get a feel on how they will turn out as a group. If the Islanders are better on defense than it isnt by much... As of right now the Isles are playing a better team game than the Flyers, thats what is most important. You dont need a ton of depth or talent to win in this league as long as you work hard and have chemistry.

so why arent you discussing this in your Islander blob?
- vejim

I am as well. I can multi task. Got into a discussion after replying to a post.
- Cptmjl

those smiley faces are not working for you

those smiley faces are not working for you
- vejim

I thought the Oilers liked Coburn?
- vejim

Hextall needs to pull the trigger. Maybe Petry is available??

My problem is this team just goes down to easy. I know they have been better about taking penalites but last night was night somone need to cause some noise. In the past the Flyers could be playing a bad game but still have a chance because they would drag you into a bareknuckle fight. Now it seems they just don't have any push back. They have no attitude. That's why when looking for a winger I want someone with snarl. I make a play for Evander Kane and Burmistrovs rights. I look at Pat Marron or Matt Beleksy. Hell I would even take Shane Doan because I know he brings it each night. Right now they just seem to go down to easy and don't have enough snarl to their game