They're hiring a guy they can build with. They need someone with a long shelf life. I would prefer someone who is on board with a rebuild and prefers skill to grit in the lineup
- PhillySportsGuy

In other words, another John Stevens?

Lavi should have never been fired because Lavi wasn't the problem. The problem got himself a promotion and a raise while firing Lavi to save his own a$$
- Daveflyers36

Both were problems. Laviolette had not only worn out his welcome with the players, he was unable to adjust to better suit his roster. I also lay a good chunk of blame at Laviolette's feet for the way he handled the young players, especially Bobrovsky & Couturier.

Jerking Bob back & forth was ridiculous & led to the Bryzgaliv mess. Couturier got buried as a defense first player so deeply, he's really only now starting to show confidence in his offensive abilities.

Laviolette is a good coach, especially when he's got the horses to run his system, but he should have been gone after the lockout season

yeah. this exactly. you need patience and to let them play through it. if they know they are going to be exiled for a single faulty pinch or bad read, they run the risk of trying to change their game and stunting their growth.

and you have a better chance of that if the guy isnt a recently fired coach looking to make an impact and return some shine to his name right away.
- stayinthefnnet

Exactly. I'd prefer someone with no ties to the organization as well. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective

In other words, another John Stevens?
- Tomahawk

Not every assistant or minor league coach is John Stevens. Stevens may have had his faults, but developing young players wasn't one of them

Not every assistant or minor league coach is John Stevens. Stevens may have had his faults, but developing young players wasn't one of them
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, was it Richie that cried when he found out Stevens was axed? He was like the coolest older brother figure ever.

They're hiring a guy they can build with. They need someone with a long shelf life. I would prefer someone who is on board with a rebuild and prefers skill to grit in the lineup
- PhillySportsGuy

I'd like to see Morris, he did a good job under Hexy with Manchester, and is known for working with younger players

Both were problems. Laviolette had not only worn out his welcome with the players, he was unable to adjust to better suit his roster. I also lay a good chunk of blame at Laviolette's feet for the way he handled the young players, especially Bobrovsky & Couturier.

Jerking Bob back & forth was ridiculous & led to the Bryzgaliv mess. Couturier got buried as a defense first player so deeply, he's really only now starting to show confidence in his offensive abilities.

Laviolette is a good coach, especially when he's got the horses to run his system, but he should have been gone after the lockout season
- Jsaquella

So Holgrem gets rid of the players that worked well under Lavi's system and it's his fault they failed because he didn't change? Lavi has succeeded everywhere he has gone. What greatness does Holmgren have to claim? A few good trades? This entire mess is Holgrems fault and his fault alone. He took a team that was a cup finalist in 2010 and totally dismantled it in less than 4 years and has screwd this team for the next 2 or 3 years. But lets blame Lavi as the team continues to circle the drain well after he is gone.

Yeah, was it Richie that cried when he found out Stevens was axed? He was like the coolest older brother figure ever.
- Tomahawk

Hasn't Stevens been offered jobs around the league since he's been with LA?

Yeah, was it Richie that cried when he found out Stevens was axed? He was like the coolest older brother figure ever.
- Tomahawk

Stevens is a really nice guy, too. He developed bonds with his Calder Cup guys and really was close to them.

I did work at his summer house a few years back, right before the Richards/Carter trades. I've run into him a few times since & he's remembered me and says hi. Seriously, just a really good guy. I'm happy he got a Cup in LA

Exactly. I'd prefer someone with no ties to the organization as well. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective
- PhillySportsGuy

The ties to the organization thing doesn't bother me.

It would really depend on who we were talking about.

So Holgrem gets rid of the players that worked well under Lavi's system and it's his fault they failed because he didn't change? Lavi has succeeded everywhere he has gone. What greatness does Holmgren have to claim? A few good trades? This entire mess is Holgrems fault and his fault alone. He took a team that was a cup finalist in 2010 and totally dismantled it in less than 4 years and has screwd this team for the next 2 or 3 years. But lets blame Lavi as the team continues to circle the drain well after he is gone.
- Daveflyers36

but its the coach's job to adjust to the players he has.

Exactly. I'd prefer someone with no ties to the organization as well. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah. thats what i would do as well.

skill over grit. speed over size. he doesnt have to be a analytics slave, but someone who looks at more than the good ole boy plus/minus.

The ties to the organization thing doesn't bother me.

It would really depend on who we were talking about.
- johndewar

Insightful, progressive, flexible, proven.

So Holgrem gets rid of the players that worked well under Lavi's system and it's his fault they failed because he didn't change? Lavi has succeeded everywhere he has gone. What greatness does Holmgren have to claim? A few good trades? This entire mess is Holgrems fault and his fault alone. He took a team that was a cup finalist in 2010 and totally dismantled it in less than 4 years and has screwd this team for the next 2 or 3 years. But lets blame Lavi as the team continues to circle the drain well after he is gone.
- Daveflyers36

Laviolette's succession in the past has been eventually followed by complete and utter disappointment. It happened with the Islanders (granted, he wasn't there long), Hurricanes, and the Flyers. Wouldn't be surprised to see it with Nashville. Not saying Holmgren is exempt, he certainly isn't and most of his mistakes are coming to head now, but Lavi deserves a fair share of blame.

I'd like to see Morris, he did a good job under Hexy with Manchester, and is known for working with younger players
- Jsaquella

you do have to wonder how long of a leash Berube will have being he wasn't the current GM's choice. Perhaps Hexy is allowing Berube the year then will look to bring his guy in during the off season if and really when they miss the playoffs.

Both were problems. Laviolette had not only worn out his welcome with the players, he was unable to adjust to better suit his roster. I also lay a good chunk of blame at Laviolette's feet for the way he handled the young players, especially Bobrovsky & Couturier.

Jerking Bob back & forth was ridiculous & led to the Bryzgaliv mess. Couturier got buried as a defense first player so deeply, he's really only now starting to show confidence in his offensive abilities.

Laviolette is a good coach, especially when he's got the horses to run his system, but he should have been gone after the lockout season
- Jsaquella

While I do partially fault Lavi for his mishandling of Bob, I think the writing was on the wall from the beginning that he would be traded. I was saying that long before they even made the decision. He was playing solid hockey as a good young goalie. He had potential... But nooo... here comes $54m bryz.. sucking the big one, but getting all obstacles out of his way so he doesn't feel pressured.

Which also begs me to wonder how much of the "screwing up Bob" actually came from the top. I firmly believe Snider was the one to force Homer's hand in signing Bryz, and for that money... I wouldn't be surprised if he was telling Lavi to play him too... All speculation on my part, I'm just saying I could see it..

I said it before and I'll say it again. They should have signed a vet for that season, let Bob have an extended tryout for the season, and go from there. Instead, they signed Bryz, ended up buying him out, traded Bob, and lost out on both ends. THANKFULLY, Mason has worked out well in sewing up the wounds that were left at goalies the last few seasons... but now, they have no team in front of him, which presents the opposite problem..



Edit: we'll see how the picks turn out long term that Philly got in exchange for Bob.

Insightful, progressive, flexible, proven.
- Tomahawk

Where the hell did you pull a picture of Dave Tippett's 93/94 PowerPlay card from?

Also, thanks for reminding me of that: I had successfully tucked that set away from my memory for years.

Can the Flyers recall Sam Morin on an emergency basis seeing as they have no healthy NHL defensemen?

So Holgrem gets rid of the players that worked well under Lavi's system and it's his fault they failed because he didn't change? Lavi has succeeded everywhere he has gone. What greatness does Holmgren have to claim? A few good trades? This entire mess is Holgrems fault and his fault alone. He took a team that was a cup finalist in 2010 and totally dismantled it in less than 4 years and has screwd this team for the next 2 or 3 years. But lets blame Lavi as the team continues to circle the drain well after he is gone.
- Daveflyers36

Yes, Holmgren broke Pronger's wrist, then hit him in the eye with his stick. He failed to give Matt Carle $6mm a year.

Laviolette has succeeded every where he's gone....at first. He got the Isles to the playoffs, before Milbury dumped half the team. He won a Cup in Carolina, then never made the playoffs there again. He had a great start in Philly, and by the end the team simply tuned him out. He's doing great in Nashville, but look at his defense & goalie.

He's a fantastic coach, when he has the players to run his system.

Also, I'm not blaming just him. I put plenty of blame on Holmgren, too. They both should have been fired after the 2012-13 season. Saying one deserved to be fired isn't excusing the other.

I wanted Jon Cooper, Willie Desjardins or Mark Morris when they should have fired Laviolette in the summer of 2013
- Jsaquella

i thought you also wanted eakins

but its the coach's job to adjust to the players he has.
- nastyflyergirl

And firing Lavi has worked wonders for this team. Great move getting rid of a stanley cup winning coach and hiring an 80's goon player who is obviously clueless behind the bench.

While I do partially fault Lavi for his mishandling of Bob, I think the writing was on the wall from the beginning that he would be traded. I was saying that long before they even made the decision. He was playing solid hockey as a good young goalie. He had potential... But nooo... here comes $54m bryz.. sucking the big one, but getting all obstacles out of his way so he doesn't feel pressured.

Which also begs me to wonder how much of the "screwing up Bob" actually came from the top. I firmly believe Snider was the one to force Homer's hand in signing Bryz, and for that money... I wouldn't be surprised if he was telling Lavi to play him too... All speculation on my part, I'm just saying I could see it..

I said it before and I'll say it again. They should have signed a vet for that season, let Bob have an extended tryout for the season, and go from there. Instead, they signed Bryz, ended up buying him out, traded Bob, and lost out on both ends. THANKFULLY, Mason has worked out well in sewing up the wounds that were left at goalies the last few seasons... but now, they have no team in front of him, which presents the opposite problem..
- WarriorHockey21

The screwing up of Bob happened before they signed Bryz in the way he was handled during the playoffs. Lavi should have rode him, instead he panicked after one bad period and Bob never saw the ice again until the final playoff game. By that time it didn't matter.

Hasn't Stevens been offered jobs around the league since he's been with LA?
- johndewar

Yes, the Kings have more or less promised him when Sutter retires, he's their guy.

Yes, Holmgren broke Pronger's wrist, then hit him in the eye with his stick. He failed to give Matt Carle $6mm a year.

Laviolette has succeeded every where he's gone....at first. He got the Isles to the playoffs, before Milbury dumped half the team. He won a Cup in Carolina, then never made the playoffs there again. He had a great start in Philly, and by the end the team simply tuned him out. He's doing great in Nashville, but look at his defense & goalie.

He's a fantastic coach, when he has the players to run his system.

Also, I'm not blaming just him. I put plenty of blame on Holmgren, too. They both should have been fired after the 2012-13 season. Saying one deserved to be fired isn't excusing the other.
- Jsaquella

And he had the players to run his system. The team succeeded under him. It didn't start going down hill untill Holmgren got rid of 90 percent of the 2010 team by 2012. Blaming any coach for that is insane.

Can the Flyers recall Sam Morin on an emergency basis seeing as they have no healthy NHL defensemen?
- jmatchett383

I seem to recall that some guy named Clode got called up on an emergency basis for his NHL debut: