I normally don't respond to you, you know that. I've been thinking about changing that. We've had our differences in the past. While I don't agree with you on everything. I think you attempt to be reasonable and objective.

In saying that, I'll address the culture issue. I don't think there is anyone, myself included, who thinks that culture does not exist. My point of view is this. If you overvalue or place building culture higher than building talent and skill with the right mix of players. You will not be successful. Build the talent skill and speed with the right mix and the culture will take care of itself. If, which in the Flyers case is true, you believe in a culture of the past, a legacy of the past, which for the Flyers is all but dead and has been for a long time. You will not be successful. That is what we see playing out with the Flyers. An organization overly focused on outdated and ancient principles such as culture and leadership that is not in tune with the modern day NHL. They believe that culture is more important than talent and skill. It infects their entire being.
- MJL

I don’t think just having skill has really helped the Leafs. We will see what type of culture Berube can help usher in.

Culture hasn’t taken care of itself there despite your claim it will simply by having talent

Yes, Peter White is one of the ultimate examples: three-time AHL scoring champion, perennial top line/top PP unit center in the top minor league. Fourth-line forward in the NHL who had to try to find other ways to contribute because other centers were a stride faster and bigger.
- bmeltzer

I vaguely remember a guy named Steve Maltais who was fire in the minors but scored only 8 goals in the NHL.

He mentioned Bjarnsson and Zavragin… did not even mention Kosolov… that kid ain’t coming back.
- landros 2

They are being cautious, is the short answer. It's August 17, and KHL regular season starts in just over two weeks (they're well in to preseason now). Neither Kolosov nor Dinamo has requested a loan for 2024-25, which is the only legal way he can play for anyone but the Phantoms/Flyers. However, he has not said for sure that he's coming back. That's the most accurate way to describe it.

Is the loss of Bryce Brodzinski old news?
- roenick97

When he want back to college for a 5th season -- due to Covid allowance for one extra eligibility season -- and there was no offer after either his 4th or 5th season, it was a foregone conclusion that he's not in the plan. There's only a minor league contract, at most, in his realm and I hope he can get one. But that article calling him a "top NCAA prospect" was nowhere near reality.

If he discussed the goaltending as a whole in the organization and didn't mention Kolosiv. That's interesting.
- MJL

Yes, agreed, that's what I caught in his response and that was concerning.

They are being cautious, is the short answer. It's August 17, and KHL regular season starts in just over two weeks (they're well in to preseason now). Neither Kolosov nor Dinamo has requested a loan for 2024-25, which is the only legal way he can play for anyone but the Phantoms/Flyers. However, he has not said for sure that he's coming back. That's the most accurate way to describe it.
- bmeltzer

Hopefully the kid has a change of heart. At his age and this early in his career he has to be 100% in….mentally he has to want this. I get the Flyers cautious approach but 1/2 in kids do not make future pro’s. There’s just to many that would absolutely die for that opportunity, willing to do anything to be play pro hockey.

I don’t think just having skill has really helped the Leafs. We will see what type of culture Berube can help usher in.

Culture hasn’t taken care of itself there despite your claim it will simply by having talent
- anti-lame

I actually thought the Leafs took a big step against the Bruins last season. Yes, they lost game 7 in OT, but they fought back from 3-1 down in the series and played a really good game 7. And they did it without Matthews for a couple of games. I was really imrpessed with Nylander especially, he showed grit and compete I never knew he had. I was certainly down on Marner though, he really demonstrated the opposite of Nylander, and at one point in the series on the Leafs bench, Nylander called him out. It will be interesting to see how Marner meshes with Berube. He will either find a new gear or be moved out.

Hopefully the kid has a change of heart. At his age and this early in his career he has to be 100% in….mentally he has to want this. I get the Flyers cautious approach but 1/2 in kids do not make future pro’s. There’s just to many that would absolutely die for that opportunity, willing to do anything to be play pro hockey.
- landros 2

True, but at the same time, if the kid is unwilling to compete for a job, good riddens. Better the Flyers find this out now versus later. Still, very disappointing if he decides to stay in Belarus. The Flyers cannot keep pissing away high draft picks like this. They need to 1. do a better job vetting these players before they draft them and 2. Look deeply in the mirror to understand how they can do things differently with these players moving forward.

They are being cautious, is the short answer. It's August 17, and KHL regular season starts in just over two weeks (they're well in to preseason now). Neither Kolosov nor Dinamo has requested a loan for 2024-25, which is the only legal way he can play for anyone but the Phantoms/Flyers. However, he has not said for sure that he's coming back. That's the most accurate way to describe it.
- bmeltzer

- Bill is there anyone in the flyers organization management or coaching wise who the "bosses" are high on? someone they are perhaps "grooming"?

- do they view lappy as future NHL head coach?

- Bill is there anyone in the flyers organization management or coaching wise who the "bosses" are high on? someone they are perhaps "grooming"?

- do they view lappy as future NHL head coach?
- hello it's me 2050

Let me say something about Lappy, every player that has come up to the Flyers from the Phantoms has demonstrated they can play, so Lappy is doing something right in terms of development of young players.

Let me say something about Lappy, every player that has come up to the Flyers from the Phantoms has demonstrated they can play, so Lappy is doing something right in terms of development of young players.
- jd250

who has cement head pushed to the nhl outside any 1st rd pick? of those 1st rd picks how many spend significant time under him?

Interesting that Jones basically said it’s not a rebuild… they can’t and will not tear it down…which again is what ANY rebuild encompasses ….they hope to add to the current group and build to what they already have…. Again that is not a rebuild… jonsey basically said it really is a tough way to build a team… “they are threading the needle” … his words.
Jonesy harped on the importance of “culture”… something some around here do not seem to think exists. Talked about becoming “relevant” again… that I can get behind… talked about getting Lucky in the draft is all part of it…
- landros 2

The higher a team picks in the draft, the less luck is involved. I still don't think the Flyers plan on actually selecting players with these picks. Maybe they use them to pry Zegras from Anaheim?

I actually thought the Leafs took a big step against the Bruins last season. Yes, they lost game 7 in OT, but they fought back from 3-1 down in the series and played a really good game 7. And they did it without Matthews for a couple of games. I was really imrpessed with Nylander especially, he showed grit and compete I never knew he had. I was certainly down on Marner though, he really demonstrated the opposite of Nylander, and at one point in the series on the Leafs bench, Nylander called him out. It will be interesting to see how Marner meshes with Berube. He will either find a new gear or be moved out.
- jd250

I don’t disagree, losing Matthews changed the dynamic of the team on the ice - but that group has been together for a while now and they haven’t just magically put culture together like some think will happen. If they do find greater success this year Berube will get all the credit most likely

Let me say something about Lappy, every player that has come up to the Flyers from the Phantoms has demonstrated they can play, so Lappy is doing something right in terms of development of young players.
- jd250

Name one player that has developed under Lappariere and has exceeded his projection?

The higher a team picks in the draft, the less luck is involved. I still don't think the Flyers plan on actually selecting players with these picks. Maybe they use them to pry Zegras from Anaheim?
- jd250

We’ll see if Zegras gets moved…I think if he has a slow start it may actually happen sooner then later…I agree they may not use all that draft capital next year on making the picks.

who has cement head pushed to the nhl outside any 1st rd pick? of those 1st rd picks how many spend significant time under him?
- hello it's me 2050

York spent a couple of more months with Lappy, came back a much better player. Zamula spent a couple seasons with Lappy and is demonstrating he can be a solid NHL defenseman. I expect Hunter MacDonald will at least start this season in the AHL and I expect will also develop. Ginning showed last season he can be a viable NHL defenseman. Attard possible also. Right now with the forwards its unclear because the Flyers don't have that many good young forwards in their system right now, but clearly Tuomaala took a nice step last season under Lappy. Lycksell also demonstrated he can play in the NHL, as did Brink of course. In fact, Brink was sent down last season and once he came back, I think played in every game down the stretch and Torts was much happier with his forecheck and puck battle skills.

I don’t disagree, losing Matthews changed the dynamic of the team on the ice - but that group has been together for a while now and they haven’t just magically put culture together like some think will happen. If they do find greater success this year Berube will get all the credit most likely
- anti-lame

Berube was the perfect type of coach this team needed. I think he will have a very positive effect on that squad.

Name one player that has developed under Lappariere and has exceeded his projection?
- MJL

I don't know about exceeded, that's a pretty high bar. However at least we are seeing young players develop enough to hold their own in the NHL. How many times did we see players go backwards before Lappy took over the Phantoms? At least now we see young players developing, including Tuomaala as I mentioned and Andrae.

I don’t disagree, losing Matthews changed the dynamic of the team on the ice - but that group has been together for a while now and they haven’t just magically put culture together like some think will happen. If they do find greater success this year Berube will get all the credit most likely
- anti-lame

The one thing about Berube, he knows what it takes to succeed in the playoffs and win a cup. He'll demand that from the Leaf players, and they will either find another gear or as I mentioned be moved out. I also think Berube will attract the kind of player that will provide the leadership and grit the team needs in the playoffs. I like the move. the talent is there. Now they have a coach that knows how to win and can not only guide the players, but also inform the GM on the types of players to add to the mix.

York spent a couple of more months with Lappy, came back a much better player. Zamula spent a couple seasons with Lappy and is demonstrating he can be a solid NHL defenseman. I expect Hunter MacDonald will at least start this season in the AHL and I expect will also develop. Ginning showed last season he can be a viable NHL defenseman. Attard possible also. Right now with the forwards its unclear because the Flyers don't have that many good young forwards in their system right now, but clearly Tuomaala took a nice step last season under Lappy. Lycksell also demonstrated he can play in the NHL, as did Brink of course. In fact, Brink was sent down last season and once he came back, I think played in every game down the stretch and Torts was much happier with his forecheck and puck battle skills.
- jd250

You named 1 player in York who played about 50 games with lappy. Now did really develop under him or did he finally harness his talent and just need a reset? Could be some of both.

The rest are not everyday nhl players. So in other words there is really only 1 player imo who played a decent amount of games under cement head. The Forest.

So the fact is his track record of development isn't very good. None outside the 1st rd

York spent a couple of more months with Lappy, came back a much better player. Zamula spent a couple seasons with Lappy and is demonstrating he can be a solid NHL defenseman. I expect Hunter MacDonald will at least start this season in the AHL and I expect will also develop. Ginning showed last season he can be a viable NHL defenseman. Attard possible also. Right now with the forwards its unclear because the Flyers don't have that many good young forwards in their system right now, but clearly Tuomaala took a nice step last season under Lappy. Lycksell also demonstrated he can play in the NHL, as did Brink of course. In fact, Brink was sent down last season and once he came back, I think played in every game down the stretch and Torts was much happier with his forecheck and puck battle skills.
- jd250

York has played 62 AHL games and 169 NHL games. York has developed primarily in the NHL. Most of the players you named are still prospects and have not established themselves as NHL player. There is no evidence that Lappariere is anything special as a development coach. There is also no evidence that he is the quality of coach that can eventually become an NHL coach. It is another position in the NHL that the organization should upgrade.

I don't know about exceeded, that's a pretty high bar. However at least we are seeing young players develop enough to hold their own in the NHL. How many times did we see players go backwards before Lappy took over the Phantoms? At least now we see young players developing, including Tuomaala as I mentioned and Andrae.
- jd250

You're slowly moving the goalposts. Who do we see developing to the point where it gives evidence to Lappieriere being a quality development coach?

You named 1 player in York who played about 50 games with lappy. Now did really develop under him or did he finally harness his talent and just need a reset? Could be some of both.

The rest are not everyday nhl players. So in other words there is really only 1 player imo who played a decent amount of games under cement head. The Forest.

So the fact is his track record of development isn't very good. None outside the 1st rd
- hello it's me 2050

Oh yes, I didn't mention Foerster who clearly developed in the 99 games he played on the Phantoms. I am not saying that Lappy is the best AHL coach on the planet, only that players are moving forward in their development under Lappy, not backwards, which we saw too much of under the previous regime.

Oh yes, I didn't mention Foerster who clearly developed in the 99 games he played on the Phantoms. I am not saying that Lappy is the best AHL coach on the planet, only that players are moving forward in their development under Lappy, not backwards, which we saw too much of under the previous regime.
- jd250

he hasn't developed squat. the proof is there for all to see.

You're slowly moving the goalposts. Who do we see developing to the point where it gives evidence to Lappieriere being a quality development coach?
- MJL

Wait, my intention is not to move the goal posts. You asked me what player has exceeded development. That to me is moving the goal posts. I don't think any player has exceeded expectations, but certainly we are seeing players move forward in their development under Lappy. You have to admit, in the previous regime some promising players took steps back in their development, including Morgan Frost.