It's not really that he's a whipping boy, it's just that he seems immune from being scratched and it's really not deserved. We see MDZ, Schenn, Schultz, etc get sat out, but it never extends to Coburn or Grossmann. Neither of those two are playing at a level high enough to exclude them from being a healthy scratch, IMO.

It's why I always say Berube's accountability is an issue. Some guys get a ton more rope, but their play doesn't really warrant it.
- Jsaquella

Agree 100%...why don't guys like Umberger and Coburn get scratched, when they're putrid out there, but MDZ, who has been arguably their best d-man this season, has to pull splinters out of his arse in the press box?

I think VLC is lucky he plays hockey. If he were a football player, making that much money and playing to a similar poor level on the Eagles, I don't think it's beyond some of the psychos on that fanbase to try to off him.
- jmatchett383

No worries, they'd have cut him.

The panthers currently sit 7 points ahead of the flyers with 1 game in hand.

Coburn sucks he should be the first to go

Edmonton needs to be barred from top 10 picks for the next 12 years.. Enough is enough..
- WarriorHockey21

i agree with this a billion and three point five percent.

Agree 100%...why don't guys like Umberger and Coburn get scratched, when they're putrid out there, but MDZ, who has been arguably their best d-man this season, has to pull splinters out of his arse in the press box?
- aantny88

Del Zotto was sat for one game, which was last night. I agree except your being overly dramatic.

I have a feeling Buffalo's going go the way of the Oilers... a ton of picks doesn't help if your team sucks at drafting.
- Tomahawk

They seem to be taking the flames approach. Keep some vets, work hard, try to win games, earn respect but not a top 2 pick.

It's not really that he's a whipping boy, it's just that he seems immune from being scratched and it's really not deserved. We see MDZ, Schenn, Schultz, etc get sat out, but it never extends to Coburn or Grossmann. Neither of those two are playing at a level high enough to exclude them from being a healthy scratch, IMO.

It's why I always say Berube's accountability is an issue. Some guys get a ton more rope, but their play doesn't really warrant it.
- Jsaquella

and the accountability doesn't go very deep. a guy gets the cote suite for a game or two and then he's back in. unless your name is akeson.

The panthers currently sit 7 points ahead of the flyers with 1 game in hand.
- rangerdanger94

Yes.....derp, indeed...

I don't know if we can go by ice time as an indicator for a player getting scratched in the next game by Berube. MacDonald had 20:12 in the game before he was scratched - 2nd most on the team behind Streit.

Del Zotto had 21:47 in the game before he was scratched - 2nd most on the team behind Streit.
- Feanor

makes total sense

and the accountability doesn't go very deep. a guy gets the cote suite for a game or two and then he's back in. unless your name is akeson.
- hammarby31

Yup. I guess the only thing to say in Berube's defense is so many guys are playing poorly simultaneously and you can't scratch everyone at the same time.

What a mess. The collection of players are better than 06-07, but it feels like the same kind of trainwreck.

The panthers currently sit 7 points ahead of the flyers with 1 game in hand.
- rangerdanger94

Good game the other night against the Lightning.

It's not really that he's a whipping boy, it's just that he seems immune from being scratched and it's really not deserved. We see MDZ, Schenn, Schultz, etc get sat out, but it never extends to Coburn or Grossmann. Neither of those two are playing at a level high enough to exclude them from being a healthy scratch, IMO.

It's why I always say Berube's accountability is an issue. Some guys get a ton more rope, but their play doesn't really warrant it.
- Jsaquella

And you can't really make the vet vs. rookie argument either since Luke Schenn has played 455 games, MDZ 339, Schultz 903 and MacDonald 327. Grossmann has played 487 games and Coburn has played 587 so none of these guys aren't anything but veterans.

Ice time actually usually is the biggest indicator of potential healthy scratches, especially with Chief. The Del Zotto ice time (which had been down on the whole) and MacDonald ice times were a bit of anomaly. Also, Berube clearly does not have much confidence in L. Schenn and his ice time was very low last night in a game where the Flyers either led or were tied most of the night and the Flyers didn't get much in the way of power play time (which is time on the bench for L. Schenn, Grossmann and usually Schultz).
- bmeltzer

what are your feelings on the job Berube is doing?

makes total sense
- nastyflyergirl

Berube clearly isn't the answer going forward. I don't see any reason why he should be kept.

Good game the other night against the Lightning.
- wolfhounds

Not really

Yup. I guess the only thing to say in Berube's defense is so many guys are playing poorly simultaneously and you can't scratch everyone at the same time.

What a mess. The collection of players are better than 06-07, but it feels like the same kind of trainwreck.
- PLindbergh31

of course. he can't sit everybody, but the most deserving players have been immune until yesterday. umberger is next up front, and grossmann or coburn should be next on d. those 2 haven't been downright horrible - they do a lot of good things, but the bad is starting to pile up, and coburn has only looked really good to me once since his return.

this squad has turned into the 07 team in 10 games. that's all it's taken. still a long way to go, but i see virtually nothing that indicates they can turn this around and be competitive the rest of the season. a few individual players bringing it every night, including a rookie call up, does not make a good team.

Not really
- rangerdanger94

#anticlimactic.

Flyers/CBS/EDM
- mayorofangrytown

For conversation sake this happens and Buff offers the #4, both their other 1sts +.....do Flyers even listen?

of course. he can't sit everybody, but the most deserving players have been immune until yesterday. umberger is next up front, and grossmann or coburn should be next on d. those 2 haven't been downright horrible - they do a lot of good things, but the bad is starting to pile up, and coburn has only looked really good to me once since his return.

this squad has turned into the 07 team in 10 games. that's all it's taken. still a long way to go, but i see virtually nothing that indicates they can turn this around and be competitive the rest of the season. a few individual players bringing it every night, including a rookie call up, does not make a good team.
- hammarby31

The inevitable 7-2-1 streak over the last 10 games to go from top 5 draft pick, to the 6-12 range is coming. You can write it down.

Missed the game last night.
It sounds like they played a good first period and then stopped?
Who was on the second PP?
Couts, Read, Laughton, AMac, ?

Is Rayzor in net tonight?

Can't wait to see the game winning goal, it sounds comical but fitting for this team to lose that way.

Berube might not be the answer but also there is only so much he can do. There are reports that Detriot is ready to make Babcock the highest paid coach. If Babcock signs in detriot I go after Blashill in grand rapids. But I see no reason to fire berube unless we are just letting Murphy of Lappierre finish out the season because the new coach will want his own assistance anyways.

Missed the game last night.
It sounds like they played a good first period and then stopped?
Who was on the second PP?
Couts, Read, Laughton, AMac, ?

Is Rayzor in net tonight?

Can't wait to see the game winning goal, it sounds comical but fitting for this team to lose that way.
- Marc D

I believe it was Raffle as the final on the 2nd PP unit.
No idea on goalie but I'd expect Razor.

Del Zotto was sat for one game, which was last night. I agree except your being overly dramatic.
- SuperSchennBros

Not sure how it's dramatic, but ok. Umberger has been a frackin useless turd all season and everyone knows it except Chief.