Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 2/16/13 @ Canadiens

The days of Philly running wild over Montreal and barely allowing them into scoring areas may be over.

Giroux and Briere need to show up soon.

Those D pairings look brutal. The D really will need a co mplete retooling in the offseason.

Those D pairings look brutal. The D really will need a co mplete retooling in the offseason.
- hereticpride

With Mez and Kimmo in the line up we are much better. But this clearly is not pretty right now. We still need a puck mover. Should have paid Carle...spilt milk.

Those D pairings look brutal. The D really will need a co mplete retooling in the offseason.
- hereticpride

Call up Gustafsson.

Mez will be back soon enough.

I'm more concerned with the Flyers putting together a full effort for three periods.

before we jump all over homer, let me remind you that the eagles last two signings were guys named wang and dixon. freudian implications augur much worse for the eagles than the flyers...next patient!

Those D pairings look brutal. The D really will need a co mplete retooling in the offseason.
- hereticpride

Yes, and John Bonham will return from the dead to lead the Led Zeppelin reunion tour.

It's not likely that they will be able to completely retool the defense.

Call up Gustafsson.

Mez will be back soon enough.

I'm more concerned with the Flyers putting together a full effort for three periods.
- stveshdy

Depending on how long Timonen is out, I am gravely concerned about the blueline group (and calling up Gustafsson doesn't alleviate that much, if at all).

Tonight's projected starting D would be fine for the DEL; in the NHL, it looks like something the Flyers might have had to had to use in the early 1990s. Just swap the names Yves Racine, Corey Foster and Ric Nattress for Bruno Gervais, Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja.

Depending on how long Timonen is out, I am gravely concerned about the blueline group (and calling up Gustafsson doesn't alleviate that much, if at all).

Tonight's projected starting D would be fine for the DEL; in the NHL, it looks like something the Flyers might have had to had to use in the early 1990s. Just swap the names Yves Racine, Corey Foster and Ric Nattress for Bruno Gervais, Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja.
- bmeltzer

I just threw up in my mouth a little. Really? Yves Racine?

Bill,
In your opinion, which is more responsible for the poor start : roster or coaching? For me, I look at New Jersey's roster, and say it has to be coaching.

Depending on how long Timonen is out, I am gravely concerned about the blueline group (and calling up Gustafsson doesn't alleviate that much, if at all).

Tonight's projected starting D would be fine for the DEL; in the NHL, it looks like something the Flyers might have had to had to use in the early 1990s. Just swap the names Yves Racine, Corey Foster and Ric Nattress for Bruno Gervais, Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja.
- bmeltzer

The defense is a mess with Timonen and Mez out no question. However, I would take Gustafsson over Foster, Gervais, and Lilja. Hes a better skater than all three IMO and can move the puck.

Whats the deal with Manning? I don't understand why the Flyers don't trust their younger defenseman and give them an opportunity to play. You only can get better with experience and not allowing them to play doesn't help their game IMO. Instead we keep sticking out players who are over the hill and have no future with the club.

Maybe they feel these kids aren't ready like Gust and Manning but I rather go down with these players if it was up to me.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!



LET'S GO FLYERS!!! CLAP! ~ CLAP! ~ CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!!!

I just threw up in my mouth a little. Really? Yves Racine?
- Jsaquella

Yup, and Racine ca. 1994 was the best of that aforementioned group. At least he produced some offense, though he gave it all back (and more) in his own of the ice. Sort of like how Gervais is what has to pass for a puck mover in the current lineup.

Bill,
In your opinion, which is more responsible for the poor start : roster or coaching? For me, I look at New Jersey's roster, and say it has to be coaching.
- psuhockey

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.

Yup, and Racine ca. 1994 was the best of that aforementioned group. At least he produced some offense, though he gave it all back (and more) in his own of the ice. Sort of like how Gervais is what has to pass for a puck mover in the current lineup.
- bmeltzer

I worry because after watching the replay last night, I saw zero adjustments made.

I don't know if it's coaching or the players themselves, but they get a lead and seem content to try and make it stand, be it one goal or five. Worse, when the ball starts rolling the other way, they seem incapable of stopping it.

There's a lot of youth on the team, but that's where coaching and veteran leaders need to step up and deliver the message.

Management-especially Snider's public comments-can't help the coach.

i HATE the pairings

watching that up close and personal in new jersey last night really hammered that home for me

foster and grossmann are terrible together, instantly hemmed in their own end

gervais is just terrible by himself and dragging coburn down

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.
- bmeltzer

what do you mean "leaded coaching life preserver"?

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.
- bmeltzer

Flyers have real organizational issues past the players on the ice. You hit it on the head

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.
- bmeltzer

The roster is a mess.

You basically have a possibility of 3 guys on D (Foster, Lilja, Gervais) that a vast majority of the NHL might not even consider dressing.

The thing is. What did they expect? Kimmo was bound to wear down eventually and not be able to play a full season.

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.
- bmeltzer

Bill, is there honestly any system that this team would look good playing right now?

i HATE the pairings

watching that up close and personal in new jersey last night really hammered that home for me

foster and grossmann are terrible together, instantly hemmed in their own end

gervais is just terrible by himself and dragging coburn down
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Lose with the young kids like Manning and Gustafsson. How much worse can they be then what we have already?

what do you mean "leaded coaching life preserver"?
- Dkos

No idea.

I do think Lava's job may be in jeopardy however.

It was either Snider or Holmgren that pretty much said the Flyers need to adjust their approach and tone things down.

The whole notion of bringing in Paddock to do who knows what, is weird to me as well.

I think Laviolette may have reached the "been tuned out" stage especially once upper management threw him a leaded coaching life preserver even before the season started. But you know what they say about sow's ears and silk purses.

The roster does not fit the system that Laviolette wants them to play and they've actually tried to play it a little closer to the vest style-wise, with subpar results thus far.
- bmeltzer

sounds like lavi was on a short leash. guess with him being surrounded by paddock and murray in the org...i like an attacking style, but the one NJ is employing appears to be more successful right now. what are some of the differences?

Depending on how long Timonen is out, I am gravely concerned about the blueline group (and calling up Gustafsson doesn't alleviate that much, if at all).

Tonight's projected starting D would be fine for the DEL; in the NHL, it looks like something the Flyers might have had to had to use in the early 1990s. Just swap the names Yves Racine, Corey Foster and Ric Nattress for Bruno Gervais, Kurtis Foster and Andreas Lilja.
- bmeltzer

Oh Bill...that may be too on the point.
By missing the Keaton Ellerby train the Flyers seem to be resigning themselves (Homer, I am ranting at you) to living/dying with the blue line that he has "assembled". That and the obvious issues that Giroux is experiencing right now...and I am not 100% convinced that his wrists/hands are where they were...there is not enough NHL caliber talent on the blue line or wings on this team. Period.

I guess since we're putting Lavi on the hotseat, who would be a candidate to replace him? Terry Murray seems to be an obvious choice, what with already being in the organization and having an NHL resume. Who else is out there?

To play a bit of fantasy hockey, there's split opinions over on the Lightning thread. A number of posters are tired of Guy Boucher, but their blogger Michael Stuart feels he's quite safe. Would he be a fit here, were he canned?