Poor Steve Mason. That mean old Berube just doesn't give him the praise he so richly deserves. In other fields, good workers are always appreciated. They are never crapped on unfairly by their bosses.

Not to be snarky, but I am sick of the all the fans, and one terrible journalist, bemoaning the abuse Mason and Giroux have gotten this season. These are groan men making millions playing a sport on a team that is not succeeding. I got no love for Berube but some fans take it personal that Giroux and Mason get criticism and feel they have to defend them.
- psuhockey

Why not call a spade a spade? I don't care how much these guys are getting paid... I'M PAYING to see them, so you're damn right it pisses me off when an incompetent coach does things that are counter-productive instead of living in reality. I don't have a problem with him calling Mason out occasionally.. what I do have a problem with, is him ONLY calling him out, especially when he has been arguably the best and most consistent player for them this season... and he bases his criticism solely off of wins/losses?

I'll say this about Brayden Schenn: There's no way in hell that I'd wait another season for him to "develop"

That's just me, my opinion. But enough's enough with this particular player, I feel
- AllInForFlyers

Same here.. I've given him the benefit of the doubt for a few seasons... I was really hoping he'd turn it around.. he hasn't.

Why not call a spade a spade? I don't care how much these guys are getting paid... I'M PAYING to see them, so you're damn right it pisses me off when an incompetent coach does things that are counter-productive instead of living in reality. I don't have a problem with him calling Mason out occasionally.. what I do have a problem with, is him ONLY calling him out, especially when he has been arguably the best and most consistent player for them this season... and he bases his criticism solely off of wins/losses?
- WarriorHockey21

Here's the thing about it: Single out Mason, if that's how you roll. Fine. You can do that.

But what, exactly, does it say about you when you had other guys not performing all season?

The reason it makes no sense is that, OK, you don't want to call out, say, Matt Read and R.J. Umberger, who were likely or definitely hurt, for their poor play. You don't want to do that, understandable.

But Steve Mason was hurt this season, too! To the degree where he had to have surgery! So the disconnect is there, where a guy who has performed well is still getting turfed...but you don't drop-kick other guys who are performing worse?

I understand the point of not coddling millionaires...but at the same time, how Chief handles Mason just doesn't make sense.

You are correct -- it's counterintuitive, but something just doesn't feel right there. I wish I didn't think that way, because I think Mason is exactly what you said: their best goalie in recent memory.

But there is something there that just doesn't add up, and I kinda wonder if it's going to be as simple as Chief being the only one to walk the plank.

That infamous sign that states "they don't care who you are," I think, is gonna prove eerily prophetic
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think it is as simple as Berube walking the plank ( but he will). There has to be some player movement. Hextall has to know what Mason is to this team. I am sure Hextall meets with Mason and tells him we are going to get off to a fresh start with a new coach. IMO 10 or 14 have to be moved in some sort of package.

Here's the thing about it: Single out Mason, if that's how you roll. Fine. You can do that.

But what, exactly, does it say about you when you had other guys not performing all season?

The reason it makes no sense is that, OK, you don't want to call out, say, Matt Read and R.J. Umberger, who were likely or definitely hurt, for their poor play. You don't want to do that, understandable.

But Steve Mason was hurt this season, too! To the degree where he had to have surgery! So the disconnect is there, where a guy who has performed well is still getting turfed...but you don't drop-kick other guys who are performing worse?

I understand the point of not coddling millionaires...but at the same time, how Chief handles Mason just doesn't make sense.
- AllInForFlyers

That's my biggest issue with the situation. Like I said, I don't have a problem he called him out per se... but there is PLENTY of blame to go around, including himself. Singling out Mason just looks stupid, since Mason has been amazing all season... and, like you said, he's been hurt as well.. not that it's an excuse, but you're going to call out arguably the best player on the team this season, who was also injured, and base your criticism on a win/loss ratio? It's just so plain frickin stupid. That's what I don't get... It's baffling

I'm not "defending Mason" as much as I'm just pissed off by stupidity and coaching decisions that seem to be made by throwing a dart at a dartboard, blindfolded..

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Berube,
- bmeltzer

Very good, very balanced take on the Flyers situation with Berube.

I'm among the most critical of him, but I also realize the issues are not all on him. i think his combination of strengths and weaknesses are better suited to the role of assistant coach, rather than head coach. Or maybe more correctly, his very blunt style requires a guy like Keith Primeau, a vocal leader to buffer it, rather than guys like Giroux and Simmonds, who seem to be more of the lead by example style.

His handling of players seems to be an issue. Guys like Lecavalier and Del Zotto remarked on the lack of communication when they were benched for stretches early in the season. And the Mason debacle is highly concerning, because it's the player making diplomatic statements and the coach seeming to go out of his way to be critical of the goalie.

Given how that has played out, it's hard to dismiss stories like Frank Seravalli's saying that Reese's departure was over the handling of the goalie situation and injuries. All I know is, the Flyers lost a guy who has done a great job for an extended period and now there's a hole in what should be a strong point.

I admit I'm biased. But I also feel that Berube makes coaching decisions from a biased perspective and tends to ignore some glaring performance issues in guys that play the game "his way" while giving far less rope to guys who are not the traditional hard working, gritty pros that he was. Relying so heavy on Umberger is a prime example of this.

I am not anti-Berube because he was an enforcer or marginal player. Great coaches often come from marginal guys, but I'm no sure that Berube has the ability to give the X's and O's while handling the growing pains and inconsistencies that players face, because his own mantra was work harder. Hard work is needed, but often times if unguided, a player can work hard in the wrong direction. And some guys need more guidance than "work harder"

Berube is faced with a difficult task and a mediocre at best roster. The Flyers have many holes and based on the roster alone,I felt that this was a lottery team since last summer. That said, I think that Berube's handling of the roster has been poor. He's not without his good qualities, but at this point, I don't think he's a good head coach. In time he may be, and I do think he can be an asset as an assistant. But I think they need to go in a different direction, no matter what Hextall does with the roster.

That's my biggest issue with the situation. Like I said, I don't have a problem he called him out per se... but there is PLENTY of blame to go around, including himself. Singling out Mason just looks stupid, since Mason has been amazing all season... and, like you said, he's been hurt as well.. not that it's an excuse, but you're going to call out arguably the best player on the team this season, who was also injured, and base your criticism on a win/loss ratio? It's just so plain frickin stupid. That's what I don't get... It's baffling

I'm not "defending Mason" as much as I'm just pissed off by stupidity and coaching decisions that seem to be made by throwing a dart at a dartboard, blindfolded..
- WarriorHockey21

Almost as baffling as why they kept trotting out an inneffective Umberger when they knew he had an injury that needed surgery when they traded for him last season.

I can see giving it a try if they thought it was something he could play through but giving him 5 months of ineffective play before deciding it wasn't working out was almost criminal.

Almost as baffling as why they kept trotting out an inneffective Umberger when they knew he had an injury that needed surgery when they traded for him last season.

I can see giving it a try if they thought it was something he could play through but giving him 5 months of ineffective play before deciding it wasn't working out was almost criminal.
- Flyers_01

Yeah.. still don't get that whole situation..

The PK has been terrible all year long. What changes has Berube made to try and improve it? You're not going to convince me that simply losing Kimmo Timonen is a legitimate excuse for the league's 7th ranked PK unit last season falling all the way to 29th.

Almost as baffling as why they kept trotting out an inneffective Umberger when they knew he had an injury that needed surgery when they traded for him last season.

I can see giving it a try if they thought it was something he could play through but giving him 5 months of ineffective play before deciding it wasn't working out was almost criminal.
- Flyers_01

Exactly -- it's fine, either way. Play guys who are hurt, only you know it, and don't criticize them for poor play.

Or play guys who are hurt but still hold them accountable for ineffectiveness.

Whichever way you want to roll, fine.

But after watching how the Flyers have done it this season, it is absolutely mind-numbing how you mix and match those by criticizing the guy who, while hurt at numerous points this season, has been the team's best player.

Baffling. This damn season has been nothing short of irritating, baffling and mind-numbing

The PK has been terrible all year long. What changes has Berube made to try and improve it? You're not going to convince me that simply losing Kimmo Timonen is a legitimate excuse for the league's 7th ranked PK unit last season falling all the way to 29th.
- Feanor

Yeah, Lappy is definitely getting the can as well. The PK has been horrid.

Why not call a spade a spade? I don't care how much these guys are getting paid... I'M PAYING to see them, so you're damn right it pisses me off when an incompetent coach does things that are counter-productive instead of living in reality. I don't have a problem with him calling Mason out occasionally.. what I do have a problem with, is him ONLY calling him out, especially when he has been arguably the best and most consistent player for them this season... and he bases his criticism solely off of wins/losses?
- WarriorHockey21

I get it but this organization and the fan base has a history of blaming coaches for team failures and coddling any half decent player. Terry Murray, Ken Hitchcock, Peter Laviolette. All these guys were good coaches who the players quit on and management and fans sided with the players. Enough already. This situation is different because Berube is nowhere near as talent as those guys but fans were saying the exact same thing about them at the end. I remember that there were fans who actually sided with Mike Richards who was only in his 2nd year as a player when he called out Hitchcock.

The PK has been terrible all year long. What changes has Berube made to try and improve it? You're not going to convince me that simply losing Kimmo Timonen is a legitimate excuse for the league's 7th ranked PK unit last season falling all the way to 29th.
- Feanor

Somebody -- and I don't know who, specifically -- but somebody needs to get the gate for that

That's not an overreaction or hyperbole. In a performance-based industry, somebody's got to be held accountable for that

I'll say this about Brayden Schenn: There's no way in hell that I'd wait another season for him to "develop"

That's just me, my opinion. But enough's enough with this particular player, I feel
- AllInForFlyers

That's a valid opinion to have. But you really need to follow it up with who you think he could be traded for.

Assessing Craig Berube?

Dear Lord, the red meat has been tossed out early!

Back, you wolves! Back, damn you! Some of you need to work today!


- AllInForFlyers

...and study ceutics

I get it but this organization and the fan base has a history of blaming coaches for team failures and coddling any half decent player. Terry Murray, Ken Hitchcock, Peter Laviolette. All these guys were good coaches who the players quit on and management and fans sided with the players. Enough already. This situation is different because Berube is nowhere near as talent as those guys but fans were saying the exact same thing about them at the end. I remember that there were fans who actually sided with Mike Richards who was only in his 2nd year as a player when he called out Hitchcock.
- psuhockey

Yeah, I get you... and usually I'm not one to jump on the "fan bandwagon", honestly... but for some reason, Berube's decisions and public statements have ticked me off this season. The way he acts as though he holds no blame.. the way he just shoots scatter shot and sees what he can hit.. His decisions are all over the board. I know this team is lacking... I know that, I'm a realist about it. There's plenty of blame to spread around. But I just don't think Berube is the guy moving forward...

Other thing is, we don't know what truly goes on in the locker room. Everyone likes to speculate and inject, but we don't know. That being said, Berube has made his bad decisions and mistakes pretty public. Some coaches you wonder how they are in the locker room, what the guys truly think of them, etc. I think it's pretty clear with Berube that he's all over the place, and (like Bill also said) he's completely lost the team.

I want fresh meat. That's what I'd rather have.

I don't know Juniors very well, but let's look there. Just my preference. I'm not gonna be pissed if they recycle an NHL coach.

Only thing I'll be pissed about is if Broob is still coaching next year.

I get it but this organization and the fan base has a history of blaming coaches for team failures and coddling any half decent player. Terry Murray, Ken Hitchcock, Peter Laviolette. All these guys were good coaches who the players quit on and management and fans sided with the players. Enough already. This situation is different because Berube is nowhere near as talent as those guys but fans were saying the exact same thing about them at the end. I remember that there were fans who actually sided with Mike Richards who was only in his 2nd year as a player when he called out Hitchcock.
- psuhockey

Trust me, I hear what you're saying. I disagreed with a lot of people on this very board who were calling for Lavy's head two seasons ago, because I really felt like Homer didn't do a good enough job getting him the type of players he needed. Though I felt Lavy shared some of the blame, I didn't believe it was primarily his fault. Berube on the other hand, has been dealt an average roster, with too many of the same parts, but hasn't handled the players in the most effective manner. Communication is a huge part of coaching, and I feel he is terrible at it, especially when it comes to accountability. He seems to say one thing and do another!

That's a valid opinion to have. But you really need to follow it up with who you think he could be traded for.
- Feanor

Man, I wish I could. I'd love to throw out some names.

But my perspective on his value -- he's going to (likely) hit 40 points again, so he has some value. He's not a horrific player.

But I've never run across a more difficult guy to find a comparable, in all my tracking of the league.

I don't think he's a good player. I don't think he's a bad player. He's so average in so many facets of the game, I don't know what his value is, considering his age and contract.

That kid baffles me like no other.

A counterpoint to all the bitter recriminations: this beauty from Sanheim.

That's a valid opinion to have. But you really need to follow it up with who you think he could be traded for.
- Feanor

Trade him and his brother for a top six winger, that isn't brain dead and slower than molasses on a winter morning! Or can we call Toronto and ask for a mulligan on the JVR deal?

Very good, very balanced take on the Flyers situation with Berube.

I'm among the most critical of him, but I also realize the issues are not all on him. i think his combination of strengths and weaknesses are better suited to the role of assistant coach, rather than head coach. Or maybe more correctly, his very blunt style requires a guy like Keith Primeau, a vocal leader to buffer it, rather than guys like Giroux and Simmonds, who seem to be more of the lead by example style.

His handling of players seems to be an issue. Guys like Lecavalier and Del Zotto remarked on the lack of communication when they were benched for stretches early in the season. And the Mason debacle is highly concerning, because it's the player making diplomatic statements and the coach seeming to go out of his way to be critical of the goalie.

Given how that has played out, it's hard to dismiss stories like Frank Seravalli's saying that Reese's departure was over the handling of the goalie situation and injuries. All I know is, the Flyers lost a guy who has done a great job for an extended period and now there's a hole in what should be a strong point.

I admit I'm biased. But I also feel that Berube makes coaching decisions from a biased perspective and tends to ignore some glaring performance issues in guys that play the game "his way" while giving far less rope to guys who are not the traditional hard working, gritty pros that he was. Relying so heavy on Umberger is a prime example of this.

I am not anti-Berube because he was an enforcer or marginal player. Great coaches often come from marginal guys, but I'm no sure that Berube has the ability to give the X's and O's while handling the growing pains and inconsistencies that players face, because his own mantra was work harder. Hard work is needed, but often times if unguided, a player can work hard in the wrong direction. And some guys need more guidance than "work harder"

Berube is faced with a difficult task and a mediocre at best roster. The Flyers have many holes and based on the roster alone,I felt that this was a lottery team since last summer. That said, I think that Berube's handling of the roster has been poor. He's not without his good qualities, but at this point, I don't think he's a good head coach. In time he may be, and I do think he can be an asset as an assistant. But I think they need to go in a different direction, no matter what Hextall does with the roster.
- Jsaquella

A counterpoint to all the bitter recriminations: this beauty from Sanheim.


- Feanor

Kid's gonna be a monster

I think, and this is just my opinion, will depend on the draft lottery. If by chance the Flyers get the number one pick they will probably take Eichel or McDavid. Both centers. If that happens then I do think guys like Schenn and laughton become more available. The thinking would be you go down the middle with Giroux/Eichel or McDavid/Couturier.

Trade him and his brother for a top six winger, that isn't brain dead and slower than molasses on a winter morning! Or can we call Toronto and ask for a mulligan on the JVR deal?
- aantny88

They won't do it, but that's actually the deal that needs to be made: JVR for Brayden Schenn and a pick