I don't think that is going to happen. Not saying Chief will not be fired (because I still tend to think he will be) but I also do not expect Hextall to make an immediate declaration tomorrow. I could be wrong, though.

I don't think it is fair to Berube or to the assistants -- who will clearly also be affected -- to let this drag on. I also think that if the team is waiting to see if a candidate like McLellan, Tippet, Julien, maybe even Hitch again is let go by his current team, that is also unfair to the current coach. Either commit to him or let him go, because other teams won't base their own coach choice for next season or the timing of it on what the Flyers plan are.

Do the exit interviews with Chief and the assistants, think everything over for a day or two and then, hopefully, make a decision by the end of this week. I see no need to drag it out behind that. The last thing I want to see the Flyers do is what the Penguins did last summer.
- bmeltzer

Or even worse, be in a situation where they are firing him 5-10 games in to next season.

OK, for next year I'm ok with something like this. Personally I'm ok with Simmonds on the 1st line but not with Raffl. I'd like either a sniper or a little more skill. I've agreed with you all along that moving Jake to 2nd line might balance the lineup more. If they get a true LW and bump Raffl to the 3rd line, I'm ok with that for next year.

But I was talking more about long term planning. What is your roster for 2-3 years out, and are you ok with a forecasted roster that has G-Couts-Laughton?
- TheGreat28

Depends on who is drafted and what trades are made. Obviously if they draft a guy like Barzal, he might be the 2C with Laughton traded for help on the wings and Couturier playing 3C. If it's Crouse, he'd probably be the top LW with Couturier or Schenn as 2C. If it's Provorov, then perhaps a kid like Aube Kubel is the top LW

Or even worse, be in a situation where they are firing him 5-10 games in to next season.
- MBFlyerfan

THIS!

This is the main reason why they need to make a change.

Either he is your guy for the next few seasons, or its time to find a guy who you want around for the next few seasons.

Dont wait till November to find a new coach.

Depends on who is drafted and what trades are made. Obviously if they draft a guy like Barzal, he might be the 2C with Laughton traded for help on the wings and Couturier playing 3C. If it's Crouse, he'd probably be the top LW with Couturier or Schenn as 2C. If it's Provorov, then perhaps a kid like Aube Kubel is the top LW
- Jsaquella

These conversations are so much easier in the middle of July.

I'm gonna say this all summer. I don't believe Brayden Schenn's success has anything to do with what side he plays on but who he's playing with. He's getting more time playing with the puck then he would with Giroux and Voracek. I don't think you can take Schenn from Couturier and Read. Simmonds isn't really center dependent, although he shouldn't be the guy on any line. I'd see how Simmonds and Laughton work but I'd also consider getting a playmaking center.
- SuperSchennBros

I'd be fine juggling these lines, it's sort of a jumble anyhow. I'd like to reward Simmonds and I don't know if Schenn fits with Giroux.

But I'm flexible, I just want to see more balanced usage for the guys up front.

I don't think that is going to happen. Not saying Chief will not be fired (because I still tend to think he will be) but I also do not expect Hextall to make an immediate declaration tomorrow. I could be wrong, though.

I don't think it is fair to Berube or to the assistants -- who will clearly also be affected -- to let this drag on. I also think that if the team is waiting to see if a candidate like McLellan, Tippet, Julien, maybe even Hitch again is let go by his current team, that is also unfair to the current coach. Either commit to him or let him go, because other teams won't base their own coach choice for next season or the timing of it on what the Flyers plan are.

Do the exit interviews with Chief and the assistants, think everything over for a day or two and then, hopefully, make a decision by the end of this week. I see no need to drag it out behind that. The last thing I want to see the Flyers do is what the Penguins did last summer.
- bmeltzer

Agreed -- what the Pens did last summer was unduly harsh. With Berube, my thoughts are that you missed the playoffs, you have completed the exit interviews, you watched the season and know what you asked of him...if he's not fired yet, or by tomorrow, I am a little concerned that it might not happen

I'm gonna use Jsaq's well written post and ask Bill, how much do you think this affects Berube's future with the Flyers? Are these comments being taken into serious consideration right now? I'm these are bad.
- SuperSchennBros

See my response to JS. These comments were not new or surprising at all to those around the team on a daily or at least semi-regular basis. I'm sure Chief goes much, much further than than when talking directly with Hexy because they are both very much believers in being straight shooters.

As such, I don't think anything Berube said yesterday will affect anything. There was nothing new, except saying everything in front of the TV cameras.

Simmonds said yesterday that he personally likes Chief's blunt directness, whether good or bad. I don't think every player does, but they also can't say they never knew where they stood with the coach or what his rationale was (whether they agreed or disagreed).

THIS!

This is the main reason why they need to make a change.

Either he is your guy for the next few seasons, or its time to find a guy who you want around for the next few seasons.

Dont wait till November to find a new coach.
- jak521

Absolutely, no repeating the Laviolette errors.

The coach has bearing on the guys you decide to sign, such as in the case of Vinny. When you nuke a guy after 5-10 games, you risk a repeat of the Lecavalier mess.

- jmatchett383

That was a beating.

These conversations are so much easier in the middle of July.
- jak521

Yeah, by then you know who was picked, who was traded, what FAs were signed and targeted by the teams, so you get a better idea of the direction they're going.

In terms of what I'd do myself, I have ideas, but they're also based on who is there. If I was to draft Barzal, it's a different plan than if I drafted Provorov or Hanifin or Crouse.

Yeah, by then you know who was picked, who was traded, what FAs were signed and targeted by the teams, so you get a better idea of the direction they're going.

In terms of what I'd do myself, I have ideas, but they're also based on who is there. If I was to draft Barzal, it's a different plan than if I drafted Provorov or Hanifin or Crouse.
- Jsaquella

Completely agree. And I know you like BPA and all, but my pick for the Lightning pick is potentially influenced by the 1st pick as well. If I get Barzal and don't have a chance to trade up, I'm targeting Kyllington. If I get Provorov, I'd be leery of drafting two dman in the 1st round given our other prospects.

Yeah, by then you know who was picked, who was traded, what FAs were signed and targeted by the teams, so you get a better idea of the direction they're going.

In terms of what I'd do myself, I have ideas, but they're also based on who is there. If I was to draft Barzal, it's a different plan than if I drafted Provorov or Hanifin or Crouse.
- Jsaquella

I think the signings the Flyers will make in July are awful. How are we gonna fit those guys on this team, they have no place.

And the draft? Don't even get me started. That was a terrible pick at 7, and the pick with the TB pick was even worse.

We need to get Hexy out now, he's clueless.

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2015/4/13/8406831/fire-him-now


This is actually hilarious
- jak521

The graphic is excellent.

50 secs per game more on the PP. So 68 1/3 more minutes on the PP. More than a FULL GAME on the power play. Sigh. But let's compare them. Even though "I'm not comparing them" when he just compared them. My head hurts. I wish I could go back to bed.

Yeah, by then you know who was picked, who was traded, what FAs were signed and targeted by the teams, so you get a better idea of the direction they're going.

In terms of what I'd do myself, I have ideas, but they're also based on who is there. If I was to draft Barzal, it's a different plan than if I drafted Provorov or Hanifin or Crouse.
- Jsaquella

I didn't know Provorov was an "area" kid having spent some seasons in Wilkes Barre/Scranton.

What is your opinion that any of the top 3 d-men available may be able to pull an Ekblad and play right away in the NHL? Seems to be that possibility with Hanifin, Provorov and even Werenski.

That was a beating.
- MBFlyerfan

No kidding -- I give that little dude credit for standing in there, but yikes

Completely agree. And I know you like BPA and all, but my pick for the Lightning pick is potentially influenced by the 1st pick as well. If I get Barzal and don't have a chance to trade up, I'm targeting Kyllington. If I get Provorov, I'd be leery of drafting two dman in the 1st round given our other prospects.
- TheGreat28

I would be more likely to go F with the TB pick if Provorov was taken with the top pick, for sure. Conversely, I wouldn't automatically go D with the TB pick if I got Barzal or Crouse or Rantanen at 7 or 8. There's a lot of forwards I like that should be there around TB's slot, so doubling up on forward is a possibility.

See my response to JS. These comments were not new or surprising at all to those around the team on a daily or at least semi-regular basis. I'm sure Chief goes much, much further than than when talking directly with Hexy because they are both very much believers in being straight shooters.

As such, I don't think anything Berube said yesterday will affect anything. There was nothing new, except saying everything in front of the TV cameras.

Simmonds said yesterday that he personally likes Chief's blunt directness, whether good or bad. I don't think every player does, but they also can't say they never knew where they stood with the coach or what his rationale was (whether they agreed or disagreed).
- bmeltzer

Thank you.

I think the signings the Flyers will make in July are awful. How are we gonna fit those guys on this team, they have no place.

And the draft? Don't even get me started. That was a terrible pick at 7, and the pick with the TB pick was even worse.

We need to get Hexy out now, he's clueless.
- jmatchett383

like 12 monkeys

The last ten games or so, after Schenn went on his wing, I think we started to see some of that.

Couts has good hands and a real good shot despite what some say. He isn't the fastest skater but he isn't as slow as his detractors say he is.

I'm hoping an off season without surgery (which he hasn't had the past two) will help him in his training. 50 points is not out of the question for him next season. Especially if he has a healthy Read and B Schenn on his wings.
- MBFlyerfan

The feed of White on that goal late in the Easter game. Unbelieveable. That's the instincts/skill of a damned fine offensive player.

I didn't know Provorov was an "area" kid having spent some seasons in Wilkes Barre/Scranton.

What is your opinion that any of the top 3 d-men available may be able to pull an Ekblad and play right away in the NHL? Seems to be that possibility with Hanifin, Provorov and even Werenski.
- MBFlyerfan

I haven't seen enough of Werenski to really say for sure, but he's got the size to be an option (6'3" 215 on some sites 6'2" 210 on others). I don't see Hanifin as NHL ready, but not far off. Provorov could possibly step in soon, because he's an outstanding skater, but I'd like to see him get at least another year in junior. he's the one I have watched the most of the three.

When I looked up Lappy's stats, and interesting tidbit popped out. In 2012 he was in the movie This is 40 with three other Flyers players - Hartnell, JVR and Carle. All four are gone now.

I'd be fine juggling these lines, it's sort of a jumble anyhow. I'd like to reward Simmonds and I don't know if Schenn fits with Giroux.

But I'm flexible, I just want to see more balanced usage for the guys up front.
- Jsaquella

I think Schenn is a little out of his league with Giroux.

With Simmonds, I'd look into a top six playmaking center. It would be nice if they were all responsible in all three zones but common, not everyone is.

I would be more likely to go F with the TB pick if Provorov was taken with the top pick, for sure. Conversely, I wouldn't automatically go D with the TB pick if I got Barzal or Crouse or Rantanen at 7 or 8. There's a lot of forwards I like that should be there around TB's slot, so doubling up on forward is a possibility.
- Jsaquella

Same page.

I think Schenn is a little out of his league with Giroux.

With Simmonds, I'd look into a top six playmaking center. It would be nice if they were all responsible in all three zones but common, not everyone is.
- SuperSchennBros

Schenn has had good stretches with Giroux, but he's also had times where he looks lost there.

If they drafted a kid like Barzal, in a couple years, he could be that playmaking C for Simmonds. Kid has great vision and feel for the game.