You can't preach accountability (AccountaBerubelity!) on one hand and not do it on the other unless you want a locker room full of angst and resentment and... oh.
- Flyskippy

How does a coach hold a team accountable, when half the team isn't playing well, and not playing with full intensity. Should he play a game with 5 skaters and a goaltender?

this team is slow and boring like its coach...this is the mind of an enforcer who mugged it up his whole career
- vejim

You're right. Dump and chase. Go for a line change

Couturier just hasn't played well. This is a kid that had success right away....perhaps they should have been more patient with him in the AHL.
- landros 2

He's looked pretty good for stretches so far this season... especially w/ Baby Schenn and Simmer, for the brief time Chief allowed that trio to exist.

He and Read are just dragging each other down at this point. Add to that having to carry Corpseburger for a significant chunk of time, the brutal usage, and it's just not been an easy slog for Coots this season.

BUT... He hasnt!! He still gets way too much playing time.
- GOA88

I agree that Umberger needs to take up residence in the Cote suite. Scratching Bellamare to send a message was laughable to say the least.

After VLC complaining about his ice time, he should also see the scratch list if he doesn't come out on fire tonight. Gee Vinny, I love love to make 4.5 million a year taking leisurely skates around the ice 30 seconds at a time as well. Hell I can do that at skate zone every day, but the difference is I have to pay for it. I know you are 34, old dog, new tricks and all that malarkey....but its time for you to adjust your game and OR mindset. Face it, you are stuck here, nobody wants to trade for you or your ridiculous contract. So as I see it, you either play the way Berube wants you to play, or you are remembered as Mets era Willie Mays. Your choice.

After VLC complaining about his ice time, he should also see the scratch list if he doesn't come out on fire tonight. Gee Vinny, I love love to make 4.5 million a year taking leisurely skates around the ice 30 seconds at a time as well. Hell I can do that at skate zone every day, but the difference is I have to pay for it. I know you are 34, old dog, new tricks and all that malarkey....but its time for you to adjust your game and OR mindset. Face it, you are stuck here, nobody wants to trade for you or your ridiculous contract. So as I see it, you either play the way Berube wants you to play, or you are remembered as Mets era Willie Mays. Your choice.
- MBFlyerfan

Pretty sure if you take that sign down in the dressing room and flip it around, Chief wrote 'Dear Vinny' on the back in sharpie.

How does a coach hold a team accountable, when half the team isn't playing well, and not playing with full intensity. Should he play a game with 5 skaters and a goaltender?
- MJL

No, but scratching Bellamare, a first year player who seems to put out an effort, over VLC or Umberger, who deserve it more, doesn't have quite the same effect on a team.

The only reason Couturier played a second in the AHL is the lockout.

In terms of his development, he's been non-linear, like a lot of young players. But he's always had good defense. That's been an issue, because he carries such a ridiculous load, it affects his mindset and approach.

Before making a trade, I think the Flyers need to split Couturier and Read, and stop relying so heavily on them for defense. I'd split them, and Giroux & Voracek up, and split the heavy defensive lifting that Couturier currently gets between him, Giroux and Laughton.

The reasons are two fold. First, it gives Couturier a lesser burden and more opportunity to build his confidence. I think that's his biggest issue right now. Second, we get to see how Laughton can handle a bigger defensive role. I know we're all busy fitting him for his halo, but he's yet to score and he's had fairly easy usage.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek can hopefully give them two lines capable of being dangerous. As much as they rely on that one line for offense, the need for secondary scoring is so bad they need to consider the split.

Even though it's the only thing working, the team isn't winning. It's like keeping a piece of poop car, because the stereo is awesome.
- Jsaquella

at this point why not. Its not like they could play worse.

No, but scratching Bellamare, a first year player who seems to put out an effort, over VLC or Umberger, who deserve it more, doesn't have quite the same effect on a team.
- MBFlyerfan

That's part of my issue, Berube has the Barber mantra of Work, Work, Work. But who is getting scratched? Not the two veterans putting forth the highly questionable compete levels, but the small names with smaller contracts.

This team is designed by enforcer Homer and coached by enforcer Berube. Hexy has his work cut out for him

The only reason Couturier played a second in the AHL is the lockout.

In terms of his development, he's been non-linear, like a lot of young players. But he's always had good defense. That's been an issue, because he carries such a ridiculous load, it affects his mindset and approach.

Before making a trade, I think the Flyers need to split Couturier and Read, and stop relying so heavily on them for defense. I'd split them, and Giroux & Voracek up, and split the heavy defensive lifting that Couturier currently gets between him, Giroux and Laughton.

The reasons are two fold. First, it gives Couturier a lesser burden and more opportunity to build his confidence. I think that's his biggest issue right now. Second, we get to see how Laughton can handle a bigger defensive role. I know we're all busy fitting him for his halo, but he's yet to score and he's had fairly easy usage.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek can hopefully give them two lines capable of being dangerous. As much as they rely on that one line for offense, the need for secondary scoring is so bad they need to consider the split.

Even though it's the only thing working, the team isn't winning. It's like keeping a piece of poop car, because the stereo is awesome.
- Jsaquella

I think you may be right about the split of G and Jake. I was against it earlier but now..what do they have to loose. They could possibly give some life into their slumping teammates. Hell... Give Corpseburger a shift or two with G.. You never know!

Laughton has been good so far and don't think we would see his play drop off if he is in a different role because IMO he works hard every shift.

http://www.philly.com/phi..._game_against_Sharks.html

Finally.

Just imagine...

If the Flyers came out on a mission tonight and took a 2 goal early lead ..compliments of the 2nd and 3rd lines.
Then the weight of the world would be off the 1st line and maybe relax the whole team.. Including the blueline!
- 3flyerkids

Only to collapse in the third period and give up 2 soft goals. Game goes into overtime. Flyers hold it together. Shootout. Game over, Sharks win.

That's part of my issue, Berube has the Barber mantra of Work, Work, Work. But who is getting scratched? Not the two veterans putting forth the highly questionable compete levels, but the small names with smaller contracts.
- Jsaquella

It's funny. When Chief scratches Akeson while the team sucks, it's totally justified because he hasn't earned a place on the roster. When Chief scratches AMac and Bellemare while the team sucks, it's because there's so many guys playing badly that Chief is justified scratching just about anyone right now.

Craig Berube -- beyond reproach.

The only reason Couturier played a second in the AHL is the lockout.

In terms of his development, he's been non-linear, like a lot of young players. But he's always had good defense. That's been an issue, because he carries such a ridiculous load, it affects his mindset and approach.

Before making a trade, I think the Flyers need to split Couturier and Read, and stop relying so heavily on them for defense. I'd split them, and Giroux & Voracek up, and split the heavy defensive lifting that Couturier currently gets between him, Giroux and Laughton.

The reasons are two fold. First, it gives Couturier a lesser burden and more opportunity to build his confidence. I think that's his biggest issue right now. Second, we get to see how Laughton can handle a bigger defensive role. I know we're all busy fitting him for his halo, but he's yet to score and he's had fairly easy usage.

Splitting Giroux and Voracek can hopefully give them two lines capable of being dangerous. As much as they rely on that one line for offense, the need for secondary scoring is so bad they need to consider the split.

Even though it's the only thing working, the team isn't winning. It's like keeping a piece of poop car, because the stereo is awesome.
- Jsaquella

Well said!

That's part of my issue, Berube has the Barber mantra of Work, Work, Work. But who is getting scratched? Not the two veterans putting forth the highly questionable compete levels, but the small names with smaller contracts.
- Jsaquella

and honestly that's the easiest way for a coach to lose the room....If there's no respect for his decisions the players don't respect the man.

It's funny. When Chief scratches Akeson while the team sucks, it's totally justified because he hasn't earned a place on the roster. When Chief scratches AMac and Bellemare while the team sucks, it's because there's so many guys playing badly that Chief is justified scratching just about anyone right now.

Craig Berube -- beyond reproach.
- Tomahawk

there are some coaches you are sorry to see fired and some coaches you are sorry to see hired

It's funny. When Chief scratches Akeson while the team sucks, it's totally justified because he hasn't earned a place on the roster. When Chief scratches AMac and Bellemare while the team sucks, it's because there's so many guys playing badly that Chief is justified scratching just about anyone right now.

Craig Berube -- beyond reproach.
- Tomahawk

According to Seravalli, Vinny is a healthy scratch tonight

Finally.
- Jsaquella

(and AMac possibly scratched again)

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20141202_Flyers_bench_struggling_Lecavalier_for_game_against_Sharks.html

Finally.
- Jsaquella

I would of rather seen Umberger on that bench list

Vinny is scratched tonight, right?

(and AMac possibly scratched again)


- Tomahawk

Welles turning over in his grave

Its actually pathetic. Really.
- GOA88

Well it's clear that if they don't get it going soon this season is a write off.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20141202_Flyers_bench_struggling_Lecavalier_for_game_against_Sharks.html

Finally.
- Jsaquella

Winger Michael Raffl is expected to move back to the top line . . . Scott Laughton will center the second line with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds . . . Zac Rinaldo is likely to skate with Sean Couturier and Matt Read, while Pierre-Edouard Bellemare will be reinserted in the lineup alongside R.J. Umberger and Chris VandeVelde

I would like to see the lines below. I think the skill and speed of raffl and Laughton would help Couturier. Couturier has offensive skill. He just needs some wingers to also help.


Schenn - Couturier - Voracek
Laughton - Couturier - Raffl
Simmonds - Bellemare - Read
Rinaldo - Vinny - Umberger

That third line could help take some defensive pressure off couturier. Also I think his PK time should be cut a little.

Vinny is scratched tonight, right?
- 2731color

Eddie contacted Berube