Gotta give it to vinny... He has handled this season from hell really well. He could've made a really big stink about his benchings, trade rumors, etc. Look at how jumbo, evander kane, and mike Richards handles their adversity... pretty poorly... so my respect to you Vinny. - benjichronic
4.5 mill to sit in the press box.....hell I would clean the press box
I think he gave more rope than he should have to certain guys and got in the habit of long running scratches that were more detrimental than good. Of course in the case of Del Zotto, despite the curiously long stint in the press box, he's come back to play very well for the Flyers.
That goes for the forwards as well as D, though. I wasn't trying to just bash Berube, I was trying to be more balanced in my criticisms, because I don't blame him for everything. He's got dealt a really bad hand. I just don't think he played it as well as he could have and that's resulted in some dicey situations for the team - Jsaquella
I think a great head coach has to understand that players have their own personalities, habits, etc. Ideally, they all have great skill and a tremendous work eithic. If you have that combination, you're probably going to be in the Hall of Fame, or at least a perennial all-star.
But there is still a place for highly-skilled forwards that might not be the best back checkers, or hardest workers in practice, etc. Not a whole team of them mind you. But at least 1 or 2 among your top 6 forwards. He never got that.
I actually shudder to think what he may have done to Ghost given a full-year.
*Umberger had not seen a healthy scratch all season long with his struggles prior to his injury and remained a Power Play regular on the second unit, no matter how undeserving.
*Berube continued to use and push Mason after immediate returns from injuries, which seems to result in more injuries for Mason at least three times this season. Playing your starter in back to back situations isn't a smart plan to begin with but now I've seen it all when the head coach puts him in after injury.
*Berube has put Brayden Schenn into Scott Hartnell's old role in every way Scott Hartnell played it. One big problem. Brayden Schenn isn't Scott Hartnell. Hartnell is a very good play away from the puck in offensive situations. I think Brayden Schenn needs time with the puck in order to be effective.
*Vincent Lecavalier is no longer a speedy player and he's not a very good puck handler. My issue with the way Lecavalier has been handled is even when he plays well and works hard, he's not getting opportunities with offensive players such as himself. The guy is clearly useless if he's not scoring but often is a player going to put up points next to Bellemare and Vandevelde. I think this is unfair.
*Berube kept Scott Laughton on a second line scoring role for much longer then he deserved. It probably would have done Laughton a world of good by having him play on the fourth line in a more defensive role at times. Guys like Bellemare, Brayden Schenn or Vincent Lecavalier probably deserved at least a look at the second center spot but it would seem our coach is too stubborn to make much needed changes at times.
*favoritism seems to be clear, while some deserving candidates never miss a shift or a game, others have many opportunities taken from them or thrown under the bus ala Steve Mason, Vincent Lecavalier or even Scott Hartnell. Sometimes he hasn't been hard enough on the team this year. - SuperSchennBros
The only thing I disagree with here is VLC. I just think that the guy is done, and no matter where in the lineup you play him or whom with, he is going to struggle. I think the only reason he looked ok on the 4th line at times is that he was constantly being matched against the opponents 3rd D pairing.
I think a great head coach has to understand that players have their own personalities, habits, etc. Ideally, they all have great skill and a tremendous work eithic. If you have that combination, you're probably going to be in the Hall of Fame, or at least a perennial all-star.
But there is still a place for highly-skilled forwards that might not be the best back checkers, or hardest workers in practice, etc. Not a whole team of them mind you. But at least 1 or 2 among your top 6 forwards. He never got that.
I actually shudder to think what he may have done to Ghost given a full-year. - TheGreat28
There have been a lot of personnel decisions I didn't agree with. If it was one or two, it'd be far different.
I do think that, even if they had Babcock, we wouldn't have a playoff team. But at the same time, this team has shown they can play well for stretches and against good teams. They seem to falter against bad ones. It's a strange case.
Nope. There's light at the end of the Vinny tunnel. If Richards gets bought out, I'd have some interest in a short term, fairly cheap deal. - Jsaquella
I'm only kidding. I wouldn't touch his current contract with a 10 foot pole.
I do not think Berube is the biggest problem on this team. I think that falls on the mix of reliable talent that they have. That being said, it is easier to replace Berube then it is to turn over the roster.
I just don't see how they can go into next season with him as the headcoach at this point. It's bad enough when you don't win due to lack of talent but when you have a lot of negative perception going on it it's even worse.
Replace the coach.
Inject some talent into the defense and 2,3 and 4th lines then I think we have a much better chance.
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi. Joined: 02.04.2009
Mar 23 @ 10:05 AM ET
I do not think Berube is the biggest problem on this team. - opeth_pa
He's not the biggest problem... he's one of the many big problems, though.
Berube, Rinaldo (and other guys who shouldn't be in the league), AMac, Vinny, the top-pair, 1LW, 2LW, 2G... they all need to be addressed whenever possible.
It just so happens that Berube is one of the easier ones to fix.
I think it is easy to blame Mason and say his W-L record is indicative of his play. Because to look at the other stats, particularly Masons GAA and SV% vs the GF by the team makes the skater look bad, which is something that Chief has control over to an extent. Whereas, until recently, he could blame Mason because there was a goalie coach.
Mason is the easy scapegoat. Wonder if that had something to do with the schism within the coaching staff.
He's not the biggest problem... he's one of the many big problems, though.
Berube, Rinaldo (and other guys who shouldn't be in the league), AMac, Vinny, the top-pair, 1LW, 2LW, 2G... they all need to be addressed whenever possible.
It just so happens that Berube is one of the easier ones to fix. - Tomahawk
Enough with the doom and gloom T-Hawk. It could be worse, could be like the Rags without a first round pick until 2017! They are toast!
There have been a lot of personnel decisions I didn't agree with. If it was one or two, it'd be far different.
I do think that, even if they had Babcock, we wouldn't have a playoff team. But at the same time, this team has shown they can play well for stretches and against good teams. They seem to falter against bad ones. It's a strange case. - Jsaquella
I agree. They are 2 to 3 years away in my mind. I think you could fix the forwards if you could draft Strome or Marner, and make one other off-season move. But if it's Marner, he's probably 2 years away. Strome might be able to make the team next year. Maybe.
But even if you could quick-fix the forwards, the defense is more problematic. You are forced to wait on the young guns and pray that at least 2 of them become very very solid contributors.
There are times when I think they'd almost be better to Hinkie the mother(frank)er.
He's also still a player perceived as soft and inconsistent. He's one of the more glaring of the Leafs guys whose game fell off a cliff after the coaching change and during their tailspin.
Optics or not, they can't swap Schenn, plus a first, for a guy who is better, but has the same basic issues as Schenn. - Jsaquella
Actually JVRs and Bozaks success is more a product of Kessels play. Since Kessel has gone into the toilet, so have the other two. JVR has lots of talent, but he seems to lack the ability to make other players who play with him better. Kessel for all his faults seems to have that ability.
I think it is easy to blame Mason and say his W-L record is indicative of his play. Because to look at the other stats, particularly Masons GAA and SV% vs the GF by the team makes the skater look bad, which is something that Chief has control over to an extent. Whereas, until recently, he could blame Mason because there was a goalie coach.
Mason is the easy scapegoat. Wonder if that had something to do with the schism within the coaching staff. - nails
Goaltenders are like pitchers. The last way to evaluate them is by wins and losses. The fact Berube applies this archaic, medievil thinking to the situation is pathetic.
*Umberger had not seen a healthy scratch all season long with his struggles prior to his injury and remained a Power Play regular on the second unit, no matter how undeserving.
*Berube continued to use and push Mason after immediate returns from injuries, which seems to result in more injuries for Mason at least three times this season. Playing your starter in back to back situations isn't a smart plan to begin with but now I've seen it all when the head coach puts him in after injury.
*Berube has put Brayden Schenn into Scott Hartnell's old role in every way Scott Hartnell played it. One big problem. Brayden Schenn isn't Scott Hartnell. Hartnell is a very good play away from the puck in offensive situations. I think Brayden Schenn needs time with the puck in order to be effective.
*Vincent Lecavalier is no longer a speedy player and he's not a very good puck handler. My issue with the way Lecavalier has been handled is even when he plays well and works hard, he's not getting opportunities with offensive players such as himself. The guy is clearly useless if he's not scoring but often is a player going to put up points next to Bellemare and Vandevelde. I think this is unfair.
*Berube kept Scott Laughton on a second line scoring role for much longer then he deserved. It probably would have done Laughton a world of good by having him play on the fourth line in a more defensive role at times. Guys like Bellemare, Brayden Schenn or Vincent Lecavalier probably deserved at least a look at the second center spot but it would seem our coach is too stubborn to make much needed changes at times.
*favoritism seems to be clear, while some deserving candidates never miss a shift or a game, others have many opportunities taken from them or thrown under the bus ala Steve Mason, Vincent Lecavalier or even Scott Hartnell. Sometimes he hasn't been hard enough on the team this year. - SuperSchennBros
I agree on Schenn. At this point, you either have to give him a FAIR shot at 2nd line Center with wingers that complement him, or trade him for a comparable asset that better fits the roster. It's ludicrous to say he has no value. Actually, we truly don't know what he brings because he hasn't been given a fair shot.
Goaltenders are like pitchers. The last way to evaluate them is by wins and losses. The fact Berube applies this archaic, medievil thinking to the situation is pathetic. - PLindbergh31
That's a great analogy. By Berube's rationale, the Phils would have traded Hamels last year for Aumont, Gillies and Ramirez. Oh wait...
I agree on Schenn. At this point, you either have to give him a FAIR shot at 2nd line Center with wingers that complement him, or trade him for a comparable asset that better fits the roster. It's ludicrous to say he has no value. Actually, we truly don't know what he brings because he hasn't been given a fair shot.
To me, keeping him in LW Limbo is just stupid. - TheGreat28
Goaltenders are like pitchers. The last way to evaluate them is by wins and losses. The fact Berube applies this archaic, medievil thinking to the situation is pathetic. - PLindbergh31
Agreed...Just stupid to judge by wins/and losses which is more of a team stat...i mean come one hes lost games where hes shut out the other team...Being top 10 in save % says it all for me..
Goaltenders are like pitchers. The last way to evaluate them is by wins and losses. The fact Berube applies this archaic, medievil thinking to the situation is pathetic. - PLindbergh31
True.
I was thinking that it is easier for him to blame something he doesn't control (the goalie) than to blame something he does control directly (skaters).
arichardson22 Season Ticket Holder Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Philly, PA Joined: 06.10.2013
Mar 23 @ 10:23 AM ET
Agreed...Just stupid to judge by wins/and losses which is more of a team stat...i mean come one hes lost games where hes shut out the other team...Being top 10 in save % says it all for me.. - PhillaBully
Wouldn't Ryan Miller be viewed not as highly if solely judged off wins/losses with Buff?
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ Joined: 04.08.2012
Mar 23 @ 10:25 AM ET
I agree. They are 2 to 3 years away in my mind. I think you could fix the forwards if you could draft Strome or Marner, and make one other off-season move. But if it's Marner, he's probably 2 years away. Strome might be able to make the team next year. Maybe.
But even if you could quick-fix the forwards, the defense is more problematic. You are forced to wait on the young guns and pray that at least 2 of them become very very solid contributors.
There are times when I think they'd almost be better to Hinkie the mother(frank)er. - TheGreat28
