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

Gaustad would get similar minutes on the Flyers. I thought Talbot was getting 2+M, maybe that was his salary, my mistake.

Gaustad might be the wrong guy, if you think they need a winger and not another center.

Giroux, Briere, and Couts will be in the middle.

I think Schenn is better at center then wing, but as long as Briere is around they have an imbalance with too many top centers.

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
- MJL

Their aggressive play all leads to that imo. Lavi's system is to be aggressive and get pucks deep and designed more offensively. I think he stresses offense more than worrying about defense, but thats my opinion based on watching the Flyers play. This isn't a team that looks for their defensive play to help counter their offense.

Just throwing that out there.

Gaustad would get similar minutes on the Flyers. I thought Talbot was getting 2+M, maybe that was his salary, my mistake.

Gaustad might be the wrong guy, if you think they need a winger and not another center.

Giroux, Briere, and Couts will be in the middle.

I think Schenn is better at center then wing, but as long as Briere is around they have an imbalance with too many top centers.
- Marc D

Maybe, but would he get similar minutes as a 4th line Center?

Their aggressive play all leads to that imo. Lavi's system is to be aggressive and get pucks deep and designed more offensively. I think he stresses offense more than worry about defense, but thats my opinion based on watching the Flyers play. This isn't a team that looks for their defensive play to help counter their offense.
- stveshdy

I agree with most of that. I think a lot of it is players making mistakes also. I see plenty of defensive breakdowns on this team that have nothing to do with the system. Now maybe Laviolette could drastically change the way they play by design and put players in different positions. But that's not likely.

I agree with most of that. I think a lot of it is players making mistakes also. I see plenty of defensive breakdowns on this team that have nothing to do with the system. Now maybe Laviolette could drastically change the way they play by design and put players in different positions. But that's not likely.
- MJL

I'm not suggesting that Lavi change his system just asking him to maybe scale the aggressiveness alittle if it will help them defensively. Reading some of his comments though, I dont see Lavi doing that. Seems to me like he was trying to defend himself about his system after what Homer said.

I'm not suggesting that Lavi change his system just asking him to maybe scale the aggressiveness alittle if it will help them defensively. Reading some of his comments though, I dont see Lavi doing that. Seems to me like he was trying to defend himself about his system after what Homer said.
- stveshdy

The problem I have with it is that the way the Devils played had as much to do with why the Flyers didn't execute as the Flyers themselves. Lavy must understand that sometimes adjustments have to be made. That the team must learn how to play another way when the situation warrants it. I am not talking drastic go from Lavy's system to a perfect left wing lock, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

The Flyers looked to me like they had no answer to what the Devils were doing and were getting frustrated beyond belief. They looked lost.

Maybe, but would he get similar minutes as a 4th line Center?
- MJL

That would only be his position 5 on 5. With his addition, we could structure the lines so that they are constantly rolling. Not that Lava doesn't utilize all four lines now, but with Gaustad, there really shouldn't be a forward getting less then 9 or 10 minutes a night. Idk what the numbers look like now without him.

Gaustad was playing over 11 minutes for Nash in the playoffs. Between the massive minutes he sees on the PK and 5 on 5, I think you get your use out of him.

The price is the question.

The problem I have with it is that the way the Devils played had as much to do with why the Flyers didn't execute as the Flyers themselves. Lavy must understand that sometimes adjustments have to be made. That the team must learn how to play another way when the situation warrants it. I am not talking drastic go from Lavy's system to a perfect left wing lock, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

The Flyers looked to me like they had no answer to what the Devils were doing and were getting frustrated beyond belief. They looked lost.
- MBFlyerfan

The Flyers did look lost out there. The Devils play an aggressive style as well but they were more responsible supporting on the walls and back checking. If you stress that part of the game as well I think you will see different results. I could be wrong but I dont see Lavi stressing it like he does with the offense.

Lavy, irrc, used a similar system when the 'Canes won the Cup. But then again, they had Ward playing out of his mind.

Obviously the system Laviolette employs can work. The man has a Stanley Cup on his resume, as well as a second Final berth and has also had fair to good success with teams that were not the most talented on paper.

That said, hockey can largely be a battle of match-ups and adjustments. Either the Flyers players failed to execute the adjustments & system properly or the coach failed to make effective adjustments. The blame probably lies in the middle, but it's a fair question.

Laviolette's system is a highly demanding one, that requires a lot of effort and can look really bad if it's not executed properly.
- Jsaquella

It can be tweaked, like everything once the league figures out how to handle it, it needs to be adjusted.

Maybe it's something that is worked out for next season.

It can be tweaked, like everything once the league figures out how to handle it, it needs to be adjusted.

Maybe it's something that is worked out for next season.
- ob18

When your system gets smoked (assuming the coach doesn't get canned), you either make some changes to the system, or change some players. Probably a bit of both.

Obviously, against disciplined, tight checking teams, the Flyers had issues this year. You either correct that or become satisfied with winning only a round or two in the PO's.

That would only be his position 5 on 5. With his addition, we could structure the lines so that they are constantly rolling. Not that Lava doesn't utilize all four lines now, but with Gaustad, there really shouldn't be a forward getting less then 9 or 10 minutes a night. Idk what the numbers look like now without him.

Gaustad was playing over 11 minutes for Nash in the playoffs. Between the massive minutes he sees on the PK and 5 on 5, I think you get your use out of him.

The price is the question.
- mochoson

No team truly rolls 4 lines. If he wants what he's currently making or most likely a raise. He's far too expensive for the role of 4th line Center Pker.

All signs point to him going UFA so the Flyers should be under the contract limit when he's available to them on July 1.

The guy reminds me of Mike Green from a couple of years ago -- dominant from the blueline offensively. Great speed, silky mitts, deadly wrister, big slapper, can dish the puck at a very high level and has a head for the game. Downsides are that he's not the strongest guy (although he has room to fill out) and he needs to refine his play on the defensive side of the puck. You can't argue with the raw skills though. He's definitely no Matt Gilroy -- this guy is going to be a top-pairing d-man for somebody sooner than later.
- Tomahawk

Definitely true, the kid has a ton of potential.

I was thinking about the basically dead contract slots of Walker & Pronger, and using another slot for guy that may well be a Phantom off the bat.

I'd still have interest, just wonder if he'd rather go to a team where he can step right in and be a sure fire NHLer

It can be tweaked, like everything once the league figures out how to handle it, it needs to be adjusted.

Maybe it's something that is worked out for next season.
- ob18

If the execution is better, it might not even matter.

Lavy, irrc, used a similar system when the 'Canes won the Cup. But then again, they had Ward playing out of his mind.
- TheRollingPuck

Hot goalies often get you a Stanley Cup.

Hot goalies often get you a Stanley Cup.
- Thehabsfan93

That's my point. A goalie can bail the team out when they play an agressive style and take chances.

The problem I have with it is that the way the Devils played had as much to do with why the Flyers didn't execute as the Flyers themselves. Lavy must understand that sometimes adjustments have to be made. That the team must learn how to play another way when the situation warrants it. I am not talking drastic go from Lavy's system to a perfect left wing lock, but sometimes you need to be flexible.

The Flyers looked to me like they had no answer to what the Devils were doing and were getting frustrated beyond belief. They looked lost.
- MBFlyerfan

Spot on. They need to know how to adjust.

It can be tweaked, like everything once the league figures out how to handle it, it needs to be adjusted.

Maybe it's something that is worked out for next season.
- ob18

I have a different viewpoint on that. There isn't one Coach who plays a system that another Coach hasn't seen before. The systems teams play today are systems devised from the past, and what's been used in the sport for years. Some Coaches take bits and peices of different strategies and combine them, to come up with their style of play. Every Coach can look at film and scout another team and know how to attack another teams system. What strategies to employ to combat a team's forecheck, or their neutral zone checking. Or where they feel they are vulnerable in their own end. So I don't think it's about the League figuring out how to handle it.

i think the lyers should make a push for justin schiltz if he dont sign with the ducks
- griouxmvp2012

I've said that for a while now. July 1st we'll have our shot unless he goes back to school which he can with 1 year left.

I have a different viewpoint on that. There isn't one Coach who plays a system that another Coach hasn't seen before. The systems teams play today are systems devised from the past, and what's been used in the sport for years. Some Coaches take bits and peices of different strategies and combine them, to come up with their style of play. Every Coach can look at film and scout another team and know how to attack another teams system. What strategies to employ to combat a team's forecheck, or their neutral zone checking. Or where they feel they are vulnerable in their own end. So I don't think it's about the League figuring out how to handle it.
- MJL

personnel is also a big issue, imo. obviously its up to the GM to acquire players that, in part, fit into the coach's system and will be able to execute it consistently. But it's also about the coach properly utilizing that personnel and putting them in the right position.. which should hopefully lead to team success. and part of that is recognizing what is working and what is not... especially in a 7 game series. Obviously im not in the room so i cant say what was done and what was not though.

and im not saying laviolette was outcoached, but the way you are talking it seems as if you believe it is nearly 100% about execution.

Definitely true, the kid has a ton of potential.

I was thinking about the basically dead contract slots of Walker & Pronger, and using another slot for guy that may well be a Phantom off the bat.

I'd still have interest, just wonder if he'd rather go to a team where he can step right in and be a sure fire NHLer
- Jsaquella

Anyone have any information on the long-term potential of Matt Konan who Homer signed earlier this year. I read some info on him just wondering if he has a legitimate shot to make it to the NHL some day, or is he considered a real long shot?

Anyone have any information on the long-term potential of Matt Konan who Homer signed earlier this year. I read some info on him just wondering if he has a legitimate shot to make it to the NHL some day, or is he considered a real long shot?
- ravishingone

Maybe this will help

http://www.broadstreethoc...gning-philadelphia-flyers

personnel is also a big issue, imo. obviously its up to the GM to acquire players that, in part, fit into the coach's system and will be able to execute it consistently. But it's also about the coach properly utilizing that personnel and putting them in the right position.. which should hopefully lead to team success. and part of that is recognizing what is working and what is not... especially in a 7 game series. Obviously im not in the room so i cant say what was done and what was not though.

and im not saying laviolette was outcoached, but the way you are talking it seems as if you believe it is nearly 100% about execution.
- Crimsoninja

I agree totally that a Coach can put players in the right position to succeed. Laviolette talked about it in recent interviews, what a Coach can adjust. And I think he tried to do that. I'm going to say this, and it may seem like a contradiction. But I don't like Laviolette's system. I never did. However, that doesn't mean it's not a good system and they can't win with it. Or that that's the reason why they lost the Series. It's been proven that it is. And I'll repeat what I've always said. I don't care how good the game plan is or what adjustments a Coach makes. If the players don't execute it, it won't matter. And a Coach can certainly have the wrong approach, and make the wrong adjustments.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Is System to Blame?
- bmeltzer

sports reporting at its finest. if only the rest of the media was half as good as you.

Joe Beninati(sp) is the PxP guy for the Maryland vs Lehigh college LAX game