I don't believe the results would have changed by much, but the process, I think could have been much different, especially on the development front.
- Tomahawk

I think between the stagnation of some of the younger guys along with whatever the hell that was with Jeff Reese (was that a Hextall problem or a Berube problem or both?), this group might need a new voice anyway.

How is Tippet doing this year, and what is the difference between years past?
- MJL

Sub-.900 SV% from your starter will sink anybody's season.

Whoever takes this one on has my full support and deepest sympathies.
- hereticpride

No doubt. The move has to be viewed in context. Mason probably shouldn't have been on the bench if he wasn't ready for a start. 2 goals on 8 shots is bad, but was it all on Zepp? Berube didn't seem to think so. And putting Mason - the first legit franchise goalie this team has had in a long time - in net, given the circumstances, was a bad move.

Every game the Flyers have played since Christmas (Thanksgiving?) has been a "must win" game, but risking your starting goalie when the game was far from lost? So dumb.
- wolfhounds

There is an assumption that the Flyers, or Berube for that matter were risking Mason in that game. I don't beleive that to be the case.

Ron Hextall stated that there are a lot of innaccuracies being reported on the situation.

Read was hurt early and has struggled to get his form back.

And for Brayden Schenn, you might as well bring in another voice that can possibly figure what buttons to push on him so that he's not completely useless as he's been most of the year.

Couturier's problems relate to usage which definitely sits with the coach.
- johndewar

injuries and usage can account for not having as many chances but i don't think they account for not being able to finish chances from 3 feet out. there is something wrong with this team

Coaching can transcend roster issues, but only for so long.

Ask Barry Trotz. And Dave Tippett for that matter.

I think Berube is gonna be gone because, at this point, I think he's lost the team and I don't think Hextall CAN bring him back. But I also don't think that if Berube zigged instead of zagged that this could have ended differently this year.
- johndewar

I don't know that he's lost the team, as in they're revolting against him, but he certainly doesn't have them completely buying in either. When you have a team that is obviously struggling, and has had the issues that this team has, changes hao be made. One of the obvious changes that most teams make in situations like this, is a coaching change.

Players tend to make coaches look good, and they make them look bad.
- MJL

Yes, but I still stand by my comment.

Unrelated to the conversation.
- MJL

Context is critical to every conversation.

the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect;

the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.

But feel free to debate the dictionary.

I think between the stagnation of some of the younger guys along with whatever the hell that was with Jeff Reese (was that a Hextall problem or a Berube problem or both?), this group might need a new voice anyway.
- johndewar

IMO, they probably need a John Stevens type of coach for the kids to latch on to... not this guy who thinks he's Claude Julien.

The Flyers finally have what looks to be a top goaltender, and you think they're going to trade Mason because he has value now, and it's a business?
- MJL

The conversation revolved around Mason being disgruntled and potentially demanding a trade. Not the Flyers trading him for some odd reason.

Couturier's problems relate to usage which definitely sits with the coach.
- johndewar

Changing how Couturier is deployed would certainly help Couturier offensively. Look at the situation the coach is faced with. He doesn't have a legitimate top defensive pairing, or a legitimate top shut down defenseman. So he uses his best defensive forward in defensive situations. And he gets ripped for that. A coaches main responsibility is to try and win. If he doesn't have all the weapons needed to do things differently, that's not on the coach.

The conversation revolved around Mason being disgruntled and potentially demanding a trade. Not the Flyers trading him for some odd reason.
- wolfhounds

Your post clearly stated reasons why you think the Flyers would trade Mason.

I don't think goaltending was the issue in that game. The issue was the team play in front of Mason. I personally would have pulled him there to save him from having to face being hung out to dry further, and to send a message to the skaters.
- MJL

So when Berube didn't do that, did you scratch your head?

IMO, they probably need a John Stevens type of coach for the kids to latch on to... not this guy who thinks he's Claude Julien.
- Tomahawk

Considering the Flyers have recycled coaches in the past I wouldn't be surprised if they actually hired Stevens.

They will get a solid prospect barring the unforseen. Getting the first pick would make this season worth sitting through.
- PLindbergh31

It'd most certainly help. The Flyers have some issues that're just going to take time, though.

Changing how Couturier is deployed would certainly help Couturier offensively. Look at the situation the coach is faced with. He doesn't have a legitimate top defensive pairing, or a legitimate top shut down defenseman. So he uses his best defensive forward in defensive situations. And he gets ripped for that. A coaches main responsibility is to try and win. If he doesn't have all the weapons needed to do things differently, that's not on the coach.
- MJL

To some extent, every area of this team is lacking. The coach, our defense, our forwards, our motivation, our personnel, there's not one single person you can pin the lack of success on.

He looks good in orange:


- Tomahawk

I'm not too enamored with Crouse. I see him as just another 20 goal scorer. I want them to draft potential 40 goal scorers. Players who can skate and snipe. If Crouse cant score at that pace in juniors, I doubt he does in the NHL.

Sub-.900 SV% from your starter will sink anybody's season.
- Tomahawk

Good coaches can transcend player issues. What happend to that?

Considering the Flyers have recycled coaches in the past I wouldn't be surprised if they actually hired Stevens.
- FreshFlyer

I think it's been rumored that Stevens has been promised the LA gig.

Context is critical to every conversation.



But feel free to debate the dictionary.
- wolfhounds

There was nothing out of context in the conversation. Nor was I debating the meaning of the word context. Nice deflecting though.

I think it's been rumored that Stevens has been promised the LA gig.
- johndewar

I see, wasn't aware of that. Just thought it could be a possibility because of his ties with Hextall and the Flyer organization in general.

So when Berube didn't do that, did you scratch your head?
- Feanor

No.

Good coaches can transcend player issues. What happend to that?
- MJL

Goaltending is the one exception... if the guy who plays all 60mins sucks, you're DOA.

Chief's had good goaltending since he's been here -- can't use that as an excuse.

Changing how Couturier is deployed would certainly help Couturier offensively. Look at the situation the coach is faced with. He doesn't have a legitimate top defensive pairing, or a legitimate top shut down defenseman. So he uses his best defensive forward in defensive situations. And he gets ripped for that. A coaches main responsibility is to try and win. If he doesn't have all the weapons needed to do things differently, that's not on the coach.
- MJL

Giving Rinaldo 9:36 TOI will absolutely give you that best chance to win. Especially when Raffl saw 7 minutes.

In my opinion, Zepp looked shaky, especially on the 2nd goal. I have no problem with Berube pulling Zepp there. It was an important game, and they needed to win it. Mason looked fine when he came in, and showed no adverse issues from the surgery. If he's cleared to play and is on the bench, then he can play. What if Zepp was injured in the game, and had to come out?
- MJL

I already believe Mason should sit. He hasn't since his return.