Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Desperation, Expectations vs. Realities

edit: Nice blog, bill. This team is a complete messz. It's a combination of everything...too high expectations on the young kids, coaching, vets getting old/not producing, and trading/drafting. Everything has caught up to the Flyers this season. The only question is now what will next season be like? Oh boy.

You are the best hockey blogger-writer worldwide

Turn out the lights...the party's over!

I can honestly say I didn't watch one minute of last night's debacle in Newark or any of the lowlights on CSN or the local news.

Funny how a group of highly skilled Russians and gritty hockey players can pound the Fly Guys into submission.

I guess we couldn't have picked up the "Lokomotiv" instead of Gags from the LA Kings.

Something has to change...where to begin?

This team looks out of control and undisciplined in positioning and puck control. There is clearly enough blame to go around. Its evident that personnel wise this team is not best suited to play Laviolette's style. I don't think Laviolette is a bad coach but this group, especially the young core, needs to learn to be more disciplined in puck control, shortening gaps and being disciplined with positioning. I just don't think they will be successful until they learn that. This team is just too predictable, teams know how to play against them and be successful.

I don't even know where to start, like you said Bill, not much positives to go on or build false hopes

fire lavvy, trade briere, kimmo, Coburn, mezzy and replace them with phantoms and tank the season and hope for a #1 or #2 pick

Turn out the lights...the party's over!

I can honestly say I didn't watch one minute of last night's debacle in Newark or any of the lowlights on CSN or the local news.

Funny how a group of highly skilled Russians and gritty hockey players can pound the Fly Guys into submission.

I guess we couldn't have picked up the "Lokomotiv" instead of Gags from the LA Kings.

Something has to change...where to begin?
- puckhead7

I think they need to change coaches (the quicker the better so these young players start forming better habits). There are some changes that need to be made with Briere and get better defensively. If they can do well with the draft and make a few solid moves in the offseason, I think they can compete for a playoff spot next year. They aren't that far away

I don't even know where to start, like you said Bill, not much positives to go on or build false hopes

fire lavvy, trade briere, kimmo, Coburn, mezzy and replace them with phantoms and tank the season and hope for a #1 or #2 pick
- mydoglicks

I think one of Coburn/Mez could be traded. Mez might get a pass because of injured riddled season and having no value in trade.

I don't even know where to start, like you said Bill, not much positives to go on or build false hopes

fire lavvy, trade briere, kimmo, Coburn, mezzy and replace them with phantoms and tank the season and hope for a #1 or #2 pick
- mydoglicks

You can't even do that though. They have zero D depth in the system. Odds are the entire top 5 are back next year as there are next to no options in FA.

I don't even know where to start, like you said Bill, not much positives to go on or build false hopes

fire lavvy, trade briere, kimmo, Coburn, mezzy and replace them with phantoms and tank the season and hope for a #1 or #2 pick
- mydoglicks

Sounds like a nice place to start....good read Bill

Well balanced response to last night's game. It would be so easy to say these guys don't care or are not trying. Yet, last night, you could see them melt away with each goal. Everybody has different theories about what the primary issue might be.

But, I don't this team lacks skill or talent or heart. I don't think there is an absence of leadership skill. I believe the core issue is the inability of the defense to be able to effectively support the high skill level of the forwards. Hard to believe how dominate the Devils were in the Flyers end.

But, I do not believe they are anywhere near as bad as recent results suggest they might be.

Sometimes the smartest thing to do in a crisis is to decide to do nothing. This might be one case where it is better to step back and figure out what can be done in the off season as a long term response.

You are the best hockey blogger-writer worldwide
- Ondrej F

Thank you

Bill,

Any additional information on the reported post game meeting between Holmgren and Laviolette ?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Desperation, Expectations vs. Realities
- bmeltzer

Bill summed up perfectly what I've been saying for weeks about this team. It's got zero to do with lack or heart, or work ethic. You can work as hard as you want, but it needs to be with purpose and direction. This team doesn't have it. And that points in one direction.

Sad but true blog, Bill. This team is playing dumb, uninspired hockey. Of all the players you touched upon, the youngsters are doing more of "their part". The veterans who should know better are the problem. I have been hesitant to blame Lavy with the participation he has had from those vets, but that is his job.

G, Briere, Coburn, and even Kimmo have been almost invisible this year. The best players have been Simmonds, Voracek, Grossman, and sometimes L. Schenn. But I will continue to say that we had too high expectations for this club this year. We are not as good as last year...yes, we dug a hole because of how banged up we were but we simply are not good enough on the blue line to play a press attack style. I have defended Lavy and his style because I saw it work in Carolina and watched them raise a Cup. I have even defended him on here. The problem is: the players have stopped playing for whatever reason ...him, lack of belief in the system, lack of belief in each other, or maybe they know they just aren't that good. Either way change is coming and Mr. Snider doesn't suffer fools well. That's one thing this town loves about him.

Bill summed up perfectly what I've been saying for weeks about this team. It's got zero to do with lack or heart, or work ethic. You can work as hard as you want, but it needs to be with purpose and direction. This team doesn't have it. And that points in one direction.
- MJL

MJL I need to apologize to you in regard to our discussion on the Devis' style of play. I have noy followed them closely and did not realize that they played such an aggressive forecheck. You were entirely correct, I was entirely wrong, I apologize for disputing your judgement.

So does Lindy Ruff like his cheesesteak wit or witout?

So does Lindy Ruff like his cheesesteak wit or witout?
- hereticpride

I hate Mindy Muff. That would be worse than having to suffer Tortarella in O&B.

Bill summed up perfectly what I've been saying for weeks about this team. It's got zero to do with lack or heart, or work ethic. You can work as hard as you want, but it needs to be with purpose and direction. This team doesn't have it. And that points in one direction.
- MJL

Of course it points in "one" direction...as you've been stating for weeks now coaching and Lavy's system. Maybe you should get off that soapbox and realize that there are more issues than that...

Somone posted on the other thread a statement made by Mike Milbury of all people ,that accurately describes the Flyers and how they play. The Flyers are "recklessly aggressive".

I hate Mindy Muff. That would be worse than having to suffer Tortarella in O&B.
- section32

I sure as hell hope Ruff doesn't come here...can't stand that guy! Outside of making the cup finals once and eastern conference finals once (which I may be forgetting one), he has not been that successful a coach.

Of course it points in "one" direction...as you've been stating for weeks now coaching and Lavy's system. Maybe you should get off that soapbox and realize that there are more issues than that...
- aantny88

My comments fall right in line with the topic of Bill's blog. So it is definitely an apropos comment. If you want to discuss other issues on the team, I'd be glad to discuss that also. And your comment suggesting that I don't realize there are other issues, is highly inaccurate.

This is the worst TEAM playing in the league

This is the worst TEAM playing in the league
- Just5

If you look at them in terms of what they're getting out of their talent. Probably so. Least bang for their buck for sure.

MJL I need to apologize to you in regard to our discussion on the Devis' style of play. I have noy followed them closely and did not realize that they played such an aggressive forecheck. You were entirely correct, I was entirely wrong, I apologize for disputing your judgement.
- spatso

Thanks, but totally not necessary.