Considering the statement I made in my post of " a good GM recognizes a mistake, and moves to fix it" indicates that I also think it was a mistake, not to fire him, after the previous season. I don't think you were around then, but I was one of the few calling for Laviolette to be fired after the previous season. Oh so many objected to it.
- MJL

Nucker was around

But you're smarter for it now. You learned where you erred, and owe a thank you.
- Mononoke

as I recall, it was a pretty split opinion up in here
- BulliesPhan87

As I recall it was myself, Jsaquella, and maybe a few others who called for his firing. The board as a whole was overwhelmingly against it.

- BiggE

The sun has risen!

as I recall, it was a pretty split opinion up in here
- BulliesPhan87

Shh
no facts allowed here

If you believe Frank Seravalli, half the league was interested in signing him.

http://www.tsn.ca/lecaval...with-help-of-son-1.403505
- BulliesPhan87

Have heard pretty much the same thing. Detroit, for one, offered him more money and, I believe, the same term. Dallas also made a big push.

as I recall, it was a pretty split opinion up in here
- BulliesPhan87

Thats being generous. I also remember things a bit differently, as in, a certain poster DID NOT think Laviolette should have been fired.

Sure if you ignore the fact that he obviously wants to play, and doesn't want to waste his last few years in the league as a healthy scratch, everything is peachy-keen for him. Bright as the California sun!
- MJL

If his #1 objective was to play, he would have mutually terminated and signed for the league minimum with some other team.

Thats being generous. I also remember things a bit differently, as in, a certain poster DID NOT think Laviolette should have been fired.
- jak521

Who is that certain poster?

As I recall it was myself, Jsaquella, and maybe a few others who called for his firing. The board as a whole was overwhelmingly against it.
- MJL

I remember differently. I know there were a good group of people who wanted can Lava and aim for one of the guys that were available that summer (I for one wanted Eakins)

As I recall it was myself, Jsaquella, and maybe a few others who called for his firing. The board as a whole was overwhelmingly against it.
- MJL

Hmm, I remember it being a bit more even than that. It doesn't matter, though. On a related note, one criticism of Lavi I recall was burying Couts in defensive situations. Two coaches since then haven't changed much, but I guess there's not much choice in the matter.

Have heard pretty much the same thing. Detroit, for one, offered him more money and, I believe, the same term. Dallas also made a big push.
- bmeltzer

Contracts were so bad then that even 4.5 per year was like...."oh, not bad" even still one bad contract can be worked around, and I think we are seeing the effects of not drafting players more than we are signing players for too much money

Vasiliev is still only 21 years but he's not really progressing much, if at all.
- bmeltzer

what happened to bodrov (sp?)

If his #1 objective was to play, he would have mutually terminated and signed for the league minimum with some other team.
- jmatchett383

That can be his #1 objective, but just not enough to make him want to walk away. He clearly thought that he could work out hard, and get a fresh opportunity under a new coach, as he blamed Berube for what happened.

The Flyers never do anything wrong.

Contracts were so bad then that even 4.5 years was like...."oh, not bad" even still one bad contract can be worked around, and I think we are seeing the effects of not drafting players more than we are signing players for too much money
- YuenglingJagr

No question about it!

Tyrell Goulbourne seems to be disciplined so far. that's actually very impressive imo. He has the drive and will to want it. that you cant teach

whats the deal with Madson Bill? legit prospect or tripp tracy /aaron isreal like?

Wilcox is another I hope pans out.
- rinaldo

Late response, but Goulbourne was never really undisciplined. He's a fighter-and a good one-and a lot of his PIMs came from fighting, where a lot of Rinaldo's PIM in junior was due to undisciplined play.

Goulbourne was never really a Rinaldo's clone, and he's made huge strides the past couple seasons. I still feel he was a reach, but the kid is definitely a prospect, who should make it to the NHL and provide good 4th line or even bottom six play, and even be a decent PK option.

Who is that certain poster?
- MJL

If my memory serves me correct, MLJ

Have heard pretty much the same thing. Detroit, for one, offered him more money and, I believe, the same term. Dallas also made a big push.
- bmeltzer

San Jose really wanted him too

Nucker was around
- Streit2ThePoint

ty

That can be his #1 objective, but just not enough to make him want to walk away. He clearly thought that he could work out hard, and get a fresh opportunity under a new coach, as he blamed Berube for what happened.
- MJL

I thought it was made pretty clear by management what the chances of that happening were.

But no, you're right, because I'm not gonna argue this for 90 (frank)ing pages with you.

That can be his #1 objective, but just not enough to make him want to walk away. He clearly thought that he could work out hard, and get a fresh opportunity under a new coach, as he blamed Berube for what happened.
- MJL

When does he stop blaming others and realize that its his inability to skate at the NHL level what is keeping in the pressbox?

Have heard pretty much the same thing. Detroit, for one, offered him more money and, I believe, the same term. Dallas also made a big push.
- bmeltzer

I remember Detroit was very eager to sign him. A couple of the beat guys from Detroit called Weiss the second choice.

Of course that said, Ray Ferraro said soon after Vinny signed in Philly that he'd be the first guy bought out twice.

Who is that certain poster?
- MJL

If it was you (perhaps the official "a certain poster" of this thread), I definitely remember you were in favor of firing Hot Lava.

If my memory serves me correct, MLJ
- jak521

You have a poor memory on that. I was one at the forefront calling for his firing. I posted extensively on the fact that Laviolette was unwilling to adjust his system and style of play, and that they didn't have the players to play that way. I posted extensively detailing how his overaggressive press forecheck along with aggressive pinching by defenseman, was causing the team all kinds of defensive issues.