Go, Yotes, go!

Were Shane Doan on an Eastern Conference team, he'd be talked up by NBC the way Andreychuk was in 2004. Hope Doan gets his Cup this year.
- Flyskippy

agreed

and if they lose, hopefully it's this round. definitely rooting for a western conference cup champ this year

gaustad would be perfect for this team
- Don'tForgetTocchet

they could use a 4th line center who could take defensive zone draws and win a few

IF Holmgren is no not pleased with the system, maybe he can change Coaches again. He said when firing Stevens that he want to "hunt the puck" more. Well he brought in the right Coach for it. Now he wants to change again? Maybe the GM needs to make up his mind how he wants his team to play.

IF Holmgren is no not pleased with the system, maybe he can change Coaches again. He said when firing Stevens that he want to "hunt the puck" more. Well he brought in the right Coach for it. Now he wants to change again? Maybe the GM needs to make up his mind how he wants his team to play.
- MJL

I don't think Lavi is going anywhere, do you?

they could use a 4th line center who could take defensive zone draws and win a few
- Marc D

Gaustad is a UFA who made 2.3M last year. How much are you going to pay for a 4th line Center?

I don't think Lavi is going anywhere, do you?
- Marc D

i don't. i think he just sounded a little pissed that this offensive hunt the puck team didn't play like one. nor did they play defensive... they didn't play like much of anything

I don't think Lavi is going anywhere, do you?
- Marc D

No! Nor should he. But he is the Coach that he is. And his system is his system.

Gaustad is a UFA who made 2.3M last year. How much are you going to pay for a 4th line Center?
- MJL

i heard on the fan590 he has always wanted to be a flyer.

IF Holmgren is no not pleased with the system, maybe he can change Coaches again. He said when firing Stevens that he want to "hunt the puck" more. Well he brought in the right Coach for it. Now he wants to change again? Maybe the GM needs to make up his mind how he wants his team to play.
- MJL

To be fair I dont think Homer is asking the coach to change his system rather than make a tweak to it. If that means teaching the forwards to back check harder and take responsibility in their own zone, I have no problem with that. They have to make some sort of adjustment imo. Lavi's system is fine but nothing wrong with asking your players to be more responsible in their own end. Homer is right this team needs to be much better than the bottom half in GAA. Too much talent for that to happen.

they could use a 4th line center who could take defensive zone draws and win a few
- Marc D

might not be the best on draws, but i'd like gregory campbell as a 4th line center as well

probably would be cheaper than gaustad at least

To be fair I dont think Homer is asking the coach to change his system rather than make a tweak to it. If that means teaching the forwards to back check harder and take responsibility in their own zone, I have no problem with that. They have to make some sort of adjustment imo. Lavi's system is fine but nothing wrong with asking your players to be more responsible in their own end. Homer is right this team needs to be much better than the bottom half in GAA. Too much talent for that to happen.
- stveshdy

Teaching the forwards to back check harder and take responsibility in their own zone isn't tweaking the system. Isn't that already required? That's part of the fundamentals of Hockey.

Gaustad is a UFA who made 2.3M last year. How much are you going to pay for a 4th line Center?
- MJL

well, not that much, but I thought Talbot was getting overpaid at $2M a year for a grinder, and he turned out to be worth every cent

I do agree with you, given their team and cap right now

In reality, I think on the 4th line the Flyers are going to be stuck with guys making between 500K and 1.2M given their cap constraints, especially if they resign Carle at 5M and Jake V at 3-4M and don't trade any top six forwards.

I guess if they move someone like Jvr for a defenseman making less they could bring in a Gaustad. Not sure I like that, unless it is a young and promising D man

Teaching the forwards to back check harder and take responsibility in their own zone isn't tweaking the system. Isn't that already required? That's part of the fundamentals of Hockey.
- MJL

It is but that part of the fundamentals is lacking on this team imo. In Lavi's system the forwards are constantly pushing and dont get back. Are they too aggressive at times? Maybe. I'm not asking for them to become this defensive powerhouse just want the forwards to hustle back and help out. Sometimes the forwards are leaving the zone early looking for the homerun pass.

If you don't stress that part of the game its hard for players to do it.

i don't. i think he just sounded a little pissed that this offensive hunt the puck team didn't play like one. nor did they play defensive... they didn't play like much of anything
- Don'tForgetTocchet

I'm still really ticked that a team with their talent lost to a team with slightly less talent (and maybe even talent) but that the Devils outworked them or played smarter or whatever. Totally sucks.

To lose to a better team is one thing, to lose because of being outworked is another

I'm not concerned with a 4th line center, I think given more experience Coots and Schenn will be able to handle the responsibilities of taking late game defensive draws. I would rather see money spent on a gritty forward with some scoring touch to compliment Coots and Talbot on the third line.

I love Paul Gaustad as a player, I really do.

Not the right time or the right situation though.

He's one of the best bottom six center in the league. I salivate over his size and his tremendous face-off ability. His price-tag, not so much.

Give me Travis Moen.

Teaching the forwards to back check harder and take responsibility in their own zone isn't tweaking the system. Isn't that already required? That's part of the fundamentals of Hockey.
- MJL

In reality there isn't a lot the coach can do, except to control the ice time of players that aren't performing

Sure he can tweak the lines and work match ups and try to get good defensive wingers to play with Briere, etc, but it is up to the skaters for the most part

I love Paul Gaustad as a player, I really do.

Not the right time or the right situation though.

He's one of the best bottom six center in the league. I salivate over his size and his tremendous face-off ability. His price-tag, not so much.

Give me Travis Moen.
- mochoson

I agree. If you going to spend that kind of money than Gaustad will have to play solid minutes and get a lot of ice time to warrant that cap hit.

I'm still really ticked that a team with their talent lost to a team with slightly less talent (and maybe even talent) but that the Devils outworked them or played smarter or whatever. Totally sucks.

To lose to a better team is one thing, to lose because of being outworked is another
- Marc D

I still think it is more accurate to say they were out executed.

In reality there isn't a lot the coach can do, except to control the ice time of players that aren't performing

Sure he can tweak the lines and work match ups and try to get good defensive wingers to play with Briere, etc, but it is up to the skaters for the most part
- Marc D

Agreed. My thing is if you dont stress defense you cant expect the players to be as successful at it. This system or style of play is more focused and geared to offense. Nothing wrong with that just like to see them get alittle more responsible in their own end.

well, not that much, but I thought Talbot was getting overpaid at $2M a year for a grinder, and he turned out to be worth every cent

I do agree with you, given their team and cap right now

In reality, I think on the 4th line the Flyers are going to be stuck with guys making between 500K and 1.2M given their cap constraints, especially if they resign Carle at 5M and Jake V at 3-4M and don't trade any top six forwards.

I guess if they move someone like Jvr for a defenseman making less they could bring in a Gaustad. Not sure I like that, unless it is a young and promising D man
- Marc D

Talbot's cap hit is 1.75M. And he averaged 15.59 a game in ice time. They can afford someone like Gaustad. But at what he will cost, I think you'd need to use him in a bigger role then 4th line Center.

It is but that part of the fundamentals is lacking on this team imo. In Lavi's system the forwards are constantly pushing and dont get back. Are they too aggressive at times? Maybe. I'm not asking for them to become this defensive powerhouse just want the forwards to hustle back and help out. Sometimes the forwards are leaving the zone early looking for the homerun pass.

If you don't stress that part of the game its hard for players to do it.
- stveshdy

Let's clear something up. That isn't Laviolette's system. And what your talking about, has nothing to do with systems play. That lack of fundamentals and execution isn't by design.

Let's clear something up. That isn't Laviolette's system. And what your talking about, has nothing to do with systems play. That lack of fundamentals and execution isn't by design.
- MJL

What im saying is stressing defense more. Lavi's system is aggressive and at times can lead to fowards not getting back in time. I'm asking to scale the aggressive play back alittle and have the forwards also focus on defense as well as offense. If you dont think thats part of his system thats fine. Call it whatever you like but the fact is their fowards are terrible at times supporting in their own end. If you dont stress it I dont see how that improves imo.

Talbot's cap hit is 1.75M. And he averaged 15.59 a game in ice time. They can afford someone like Gaustad. But at what he will cost, I think you'd need to use him in a bigger role then 4th line Center.
- MJL

If the Flyers go after more of a 4th line center who is really good on draws, I think the best bang for the buck might be Dominic Moore. The guy has absolutely killed the Flyers over the years for a variety of teams, I would assume his cap hit wouldn't be too bad and he would add some versatility like Talbot to play both center and wing, plus move up or down on lines.

What im saying is stressing defense more. Lavi's system is aggressive and at times can lead to fowards not getting back in time. I'm asking to scale the aggressive play back alittle and have the forwards also focus on defense as well as offense. If you dont think thats part of his system thats fine. Call it whatever you like but the fact is their fowards are terrible at times supporting in their own end. If you dont stress it I dont see how that improves imo.
- stveshdy

He does stress it. His system has a defensive component to it. What your saying here does relate to systems play. But forwards not hustling back, or not picking up the right man isn't. That's a lack of attention to detail, and missed assignments. and lack of extra effort. Or all of the above