Bill Meltzer: Exit Day II: Fletcher and Gordon

Great read Bill, thanks for that! After reading it I was left wondering, Scott Gordon had 50 games to change things, why is he talking now about what he feels the team needs to do?

I guess, to me, he made it sound like it took him 50 games to get a handle on things. That's too long. He should've given it 10 to 15 games to get his finger on the teams pulse and then 35 games to change things, but I didn't see much change. Other than the goaltending improving when Hart arrived.

But I could be wrong ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

How refreshing to hear a coach talk X’s and O’s About what is needed to get better. The last 4 in Buffalo backpedaled and pointed fingers.

I really really liked what Gordon has to say about the urgency in the offensive zone.

Guess they were to engrained in Haks get it back to the point and shoot with traffic philosophy

@DraftandDestroy

To me those expectations sound like the beginning of a season expectations. The type that include an preparation time, training camp, preseason and practice. Not come in cold when uncertainty is at an all-time high and playoffs are already considered a long shot and there is hardly any practice time.

@ Draft and Destroy

Most coaches have time to study the team. Every potential coach out there is doing that as we speak if he wants the job. Gordon did not have that, he went from running a team in the AHL to being handed the reigns to an NHL team with a lot of problems in one day. It didn't take him 50 games, it only took a few and they started to improve. I think he might be the guy for the job, just know he brings a little more risk...

Bill, Why do your quote things never work? Something I'm doing wrong?

@BadCowboyDan

Pretty sure the quotes have the issue on the first page of comments only. No idea why.

Guess they were to engrained in Haks get it back to the point and shoot with traffic philosophy
- Just5

When they get the # 1 pick in the draft tonight, everyone will forget about Quenneville!

Impossible no way we get first. Obviously the flyers are picking second.

Make no mistake, both Hakstol and Gordon are good coaches. Gordon may end up going forward with this team and if that happens, they probably do need to address who the assistants are, because the staleness of the message has to change. To me, this team needs a reboot. I see talent like everyone else, but don't watch a solid hockey team night in and night out. The guys buy in but only intermittently.

When they get the # 1 pick in the draft tonight, everyone will forget about Quenneville!
- PLindbergh31

wouldn't that be nice.

@BadCowboyDan

Pretty sure the quotes have the issue on the first page of comments only. No idea why.
- NC Flyers Fan

I'm working with CaptEO to correct the issue.

How refreshing to hear a coach talk X’s and O’s About what is needed to get better. The last 4 in Buffalo backpedaled and pointed fingers.
- Pairo11

You'd have to go back to Hitch to find a Flyers coach exit interview as detailed and thoughtful as this.

What he said about the ozone was really spot on. Most days they looked like they were happy playing pond hockey instead of working hard and working together to maintain possession, pressure and support.

Impossible no way we get first. Obviously the flyers are picking second.
- bird_dog_pa

Makes me smile

In one of the last paragraphs Gordon mentions guys being first on the ice and last off. He also mentioned then guys are first off the ice.... Is there a players or group of players that typically come off the ice first on a regular basis?

@ Draft and Destroy

Most coaches have time to study the team. Every potential coach out there is doing that as we speak if he wants the job. Gordon did not have that, he went from running a team in the AHL to being handed the reigns to an NHL team with a lot of problems in one day. It didn't take him 50 games, it only took a few and they started to improve. I think he might be the guy for the job, just know he brings a little more risk...

Bill, Why do your quote things never work? Something I'm doing wrong?
- BadCowboyDan

You have to make one post then the quote works....don't ask me why?

In one of the last paragraphs Gordon mentions guys being first on the ice and last off. He also mentioned then guys are first off the ice.... Is there a players or group of players that typically come off the ice first on a regular basis?
- youarewrong

If I had to guess, I'd put my money on JVR.

Pigeons don't like to practice.

@DraftandDestroy

To me those expectations sound like the beginning of a season expectations. The type that include an preparation time, training camp, preseason and practice. Not come in cold when uncertainty is at an all-time high and playoffs are already considered a long shot and there is hardly any practice time.
- NC Flyers Fan

Well, whoever coaches the team, I hope they were listening

In one of the last paragraphs Gordon mentions guys being first on the ice and last off. He also mentioned then guys are first off the ice.... Is there a players or group of players that typically come off the ice first on a regular basis?
- youarewrong

Me personally I wouldn’t give a crap whose in or off the ice first or last. How are they treating the practice time? Are they engaged and hustling all practice? If so and their done with everything then get off the ice, get your time in the tub started, meal, rest etc. I don’t get the first on last off.

You'd have to go back to Hitch to find a Flyers coach exit interview as detailed and thoughtful as this.

What he said about the ozone was really spot on. Most days they looked like they were happy playing pond hockey instead of working hard and working together to maintain possession, pressure and support.
- Tomahawk

Gordon is obviously an intelligent hockey coach with a strong grasp of the game. Quite the opposite of sources that claimed on here that he was a bad coach with no system. He did a good job with what he had to deal with but I still feel the Flyers need to look elsewhere for a coach.

If I had to guess, I'd put my money on JVR.

Pigeons don't like to practice.
- Tomahawk

JVR was their best forward since he had the sit down with Gordon. I had zero issue with his game after that. He was better in his own end too

Me personally I wouldn’t give a crap whose in or off the ice first or last. How are they treating the practice time? Are they engaged and hustling all practice? If so and their done with everything then get off the ice, get your time in the tub started, meal, rest etc. I don’t get the first on last off.
- Just5

I think it's different for every player and should be. Based on a number of factors.

I would like to see an interview lined up with Todd Richards. I think he’ll get one. Fletcher hired him in 09 and fired him. But he’s seasoned and has spent 3 years under Cooper. He may be a good candidate

I wonder if Fletcher's nonchalance about a new coach, I mean I'm not sure how else you would describe not beginning your search before yesterday, is an indicator that he's really had his eyes on Gordon the whole time.