Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Good Enough

Look towards next year!

what you are seeing is a team that truly isn't prepared...
it wasn't prepared in the beginning of the season and they have been playing catch up ever since. Everyone is to blame for this lost season. the biggest thing that could come out of this is that Homer kept the core intact and it will help going forward. With the addition of Mason, the goalie situation can be a lot more productive.
it's time to let the young kids play to see what you have in them. focus on the offseason to get everyone healthy. once again, way to many injuries this year...

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Good Enough
- bmeltzer

Need a second line center, a top four defenseman, and whole lotta of dumb to fix.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Not Good Enough
- bmeltzer

Bill,
Let's say the forwards get their act together next season and provide defensive support, can the Flyers win with this roster and with Laviolette's system?

Does one (or both) have to change?

I hate to say it, as much as I hate the chemistry of this team as built, the problems that Meltzer describes are due to poor coaching. Lava has to go.

Bill - I'm glad you tell it like it is. So many people wear orange glasses and can't see things for what they are this season.

And I'm tired of CSN, and others counting numbers on "if they do this this, and this... and that team loses this game and this game, the Flyers have a chance at playoffs".. I've been saying for weeks they aren't going to be in with the current attitudes and lack of play. And even though the facts are eminent, people are still playing the hope and numbers game.

Time to realize this season is over, and start preparing for next season, without selling out 3/4 of he team and starting from scratch again... they need to build off the young core they've been developing, but all while developing, drafting, or trading for a defensive upgrade.

i typically goto islanders games, since i live in queens NY...50$ for one row from the glass.....last year it was a mausoleum....this year the place was filled with islanders fans.....tried to leave after the third goal...walking up those stairs to leave was like walking through gauntlet of insults and threats lol.

Mason i thought played well, a bit of bad luck on the third goal....

At this point if he is going to play at the same level as bryz, there is no point in keeping bryz here with that cap hit, or contract.

Im not a bryz hater and have supported him in the past and still do now...I get the feeling the writing is on the wall and he knows it...Personally i think he got a raw deal here...

losers lose...the flyers are losers this yr

Hammer, meets the head of the nail!

Bill - I'm glad you tell it like it is. So many people wear orange glasses and can't see things for what they are this season.

And I'm tired of CSN, and others counting numbers on "if they do this this, and this... and that team loses this game and this game, the Flyers have a chance at playoffs".. I've been saying for weeks they aren't going to be in with the current attitudes and lack of play. And even though the facts are eminent, people are still playing the hope and numbers game.

Time to realize this season is over, and start preparing for next season, without selling out 3/4 of he team and starting from scratch again... they need to build off the young core they've been developing, but all while developing, drafting, or trading for a defensive upgrade.
- WarriorHockey21

I agree, what scares me is snider and his comments of retooling... to me a flyer's retooling is signing over the hill players to contracts and trading young guys away...

Bill,
Let's say the forwards get their act together next season and provide defensive support, can the Flyers win with this roster and with Laviolette's system?

Does one (or both) have to change?
- bradleyc4

regardless of the system, the defense needs to be address.

I hate to say it, as much as I hate the chemistry of this team as built, the problems that Meltzer describes are due to poor coaching. Lava has to go.
- Tartan69

And again - can Laviolette hustle for a loose puck? Can he not ice the puck? Can he score a goal for them? Can he make a defensive play?

Laviolette can coach these guys to the worlds end... it's up to them to play. People complain about his system... but let's look at what they're doing wrong most of the time: Bunching up along the boards in the offensive zone - Laviolette and Berube yell at them constantly not to bunch up, and yet they do it. Turnovers - Really? A bunch of pro hockey players needs to be coached on turnovers? Inexcusable. Lack of defense from everyone - Pro hockey players should know that it's everyone's job to play defense. Again, no excuse. Lack of offense - As a pro hockey player, mainly speaking of the forwards, it's your job to either provide pressure and keep the puck in the O-zone, to be a playmaker, or to score. Does this really need to be coached? Do you really need to tell a pro hockey player like Giroux that he needs to create better chances? Do you really need to correct his positioning and trailing position?

The list can go on and on. Fact remains, the coach cannot play for the players. And not only that, but 95% of what they are messing up at, is fundamentals, and Mite-league hockey occurrences. A coaching change isn't what's needed... it's an attitude change. I'm not saying Lavvy isn't at fault at all. But I'm tired of people acting like Laviolette is the #1 reason they're losing. The last person they should be looking at right now is the coach. You shouldn't have to scold, or teach professional hockey players in the friggin NHL to hustle, play defense, correct positioning, make crisp line changes, don't ice the puck, etc. It's just ridiculous...

I agree, what scares me is snider and his comments of retooling... to me a flyer's retooling is signing over the hill players to contracts and trading young guys away...
- Philly1980

i would've liked to know the plan about getting a goalie a couple of years ago before Snider spoke publicly about getting a proven goalie. In some ways Snider is his, his own worst enemy. We all want the team we root for to win the cup...
just think in the last two years the Flyers have consistently lost to the Rangers and Devils. that's not a good track record.

I agree, what scares me is snider and his comments of retooling... to me a flyer's retooling is signing over the hill players to contracts and trading young guys away...
- Philly1980

I sincerely hope they don't go that route again. They've finally been sticking to a plan of developing the young core... the worst thing they can do, is trade half of them away for middle aged vets. Sure, they've been going through growing pains, but that happens when you have such a young team overall.

For once in decades, they seem to be sticking to a plan... I hope they don't back out now. Just spot-address the few things that need it, and let the rest alone.

And again - can Laviolette hustle for a loose puck? Can he not ice the puck? Can he score a goal for them? Can he make a defensive play?

Laviolette can coach these guys to the worlds end... it's up to them to play. People complain about his system... but let's look at what they're doing wrong most of the time: Bunching up along the boards in the offensive zone - Laviolette and Berube yell at them constantly not to bunch up, and yet they do it. Turnovers - Really? A bunch of pro hockey players needs to be coached on turnovers? Inexcusable. Lack of defense from everyone - Pro hockey players should know that it's everyone's job to play defense. Again, no excuse. Lack of offense - As a pro hockey player, mainly speaking of the forwards, it's your job to either provide pressure and keep the puck in the O-zone, to be a playmaker, or to score. Does this really need to be coached? Do you really need to tell a pro hockey player like Giroux that he needs to create better chances? Do you really need to correct his positioning and trailing position?

The list can go on and on. Fact remains, the coach cannot play for the players. And not only that, but 95% of what they are messing up at, is fundamentals, and Mite-league hockey occurrences. A coaching change isn't what's needed... it's an attitude change. I'm not saying Lavvy isn't at fault at all. But I'm tired of people acting like Laviolette is the #1 reason they're losing. The last person they should be looking at right now is the coach. You shouldn't have to scold, or teach professional hockey players in the friggin NHL to hustle, play defense, correct positioning, make crisp line changes, don't ice the puck, etc. It's just ridiculous...
- WarriorHockey21

as much as i agree with you...you cannot fire the team...you can fire the coach. it's the reality of sports.

i would've liked to know the plan about getting a goalie a couple of years ago before Snider spoke publicly about getting a proven goalie. In some ways Snider is his, his own worst enemy. We all want the team we root for to win the cup...
just think in the last two years the Flyers have consistently lost to the Rangers and Devils. that's not a good track record.
- phi1671

they make bad decisions....if they waited they could have signed bryz to a better contract....it would have taken a lot of heat off him./

i would've liked to know the plan about getting a goalie a couple of years ago before Snider spoke publicly about getting a proven goalie. In some ways Snider is his, his own worst enemy. We all want the team we root for to win the cup...
just think in the last two years the Flyers have consistently lost to the Rangers and Devils. that's not a good track record.
- phi1671

The best thing for the Flyers could be Bob winning the Vezina this year. Maybe Snider will see that he's done as much harm lately as good.

The best thing for the Flyers could be Bob winning the Vezina this year. Maybe Snider will see that he's done as much harm lately as good.
- TheGreat28

good point...patience is needed if you are going to have a young team.

I think its time to start reducing old man Kimmo's ice time, no need to kill the guy on a lost season, save his minutes for next season.

Steve Mason did a decent job in net for the Flyers in his first start, but it was nothing significantly better or worse than Ilya Bryzgalov likely would have produced.

All in all, Mason was not part of the problem in last night's game. But the same could be said of many of Bryzgalov's losses this season.
- bmeltzer

The Masonites aren't going to like that kind of talk.

Well said Bill. Not once by Philly commentators or analysts did they call out horrendous d-coverage on either the Grabner goal or Moulson goal. I can almost find no fault w/Mason on the Moulson goal as he had to be completely shocked by the decision of Gervais to leave his man to make to play the puck carrier who was moving semi-laterally on his backhand. Had Gervais stuck w/his man the play wouldn't have even yielded a scoring chanc against. I understand the team has been decimated by injuries on the blue line but Gervais is putrid and that lies on Homer.

As far as the forwards go, same old lack of hockey sense and stupidity. Schenn, Hartnell, Simmonds, and Briere, to only name a few, have been responsible of not making the smart play in a tight game way too many times this year, with a turnover directly leading to a goal against. There has been NO accountablity for these players, save a 5 minute benching for Hartnell a few games back. That lies on the coach, who's message IMO has fallen on deaf (or should the word be dumb) ears.

Clearly the blue line needs a complete "re-tool" as Mr. Snider would say. However, I feel almost as much needs to be done up front by finding forwards with some actual hockey sense. I can live w/some growing pains from younger forwards like Schenn or Couturier. But veterans like Simmonds and Hartnell cannot be continued culprits.

It should be an interesting offseason for Homer and crew.

And again - can Laviolette hustle for a loose puck? Can he not ice the puck? Can he score a goal for them? Can he make a defensive play?

Laviolette can coach these guys to the worlds end... it's up to them to play. People complain about his system... but let's look at what they're doing wrong most of the time: Bunching up along the boards in the offensive zone - Laviolette and Berube yell at them constantly not to bunch up, and yet they do it. Turnovers - Really? A bunch of pro hockey players needs to be coached on turnovers? Inexcusable. Lack of defense from everyone - Pro hockey players should know that it's everyone's job to play defense. Again, no excuse. Lack of offense - As a pro hockey player, mainly speaking of the forwards, it's your job to either provide pressure and keep the puck in the O-zone, to be a playmaker, or to score. Does this really need to be coached? Do you really need to tell a pro hockey player like Giroux that he needs to create better chances? Do you really need to correct his positioning and trailing position?

The list can go on and on. Fact remains, the coach cannot play for the players. And not only that, but 95% of what they are messing up at, is fundamentals, and Mite-league hockey occurrences. A coaching change isn't what's needed... it's an attitude change. I'm not saying Lavvy isn't at fault at all. But I'm tired of people acting like Laviolette is the #1 reason they're losing. The last person they should be looking at right now is the coach. You shouldn't have to scold, or teach professional hockey players in the friggin NHL to hustle, play defense, correct positioning, make crisp line changes, don't ice the puck, etc. It's just ridiculous...
- WarriorHockey21

It does begin with the players, yes, but at the same time, if the coach needs to remind them of certain things and they still don't do anything about it, maybe he's lost their ear.

I'm sure the exit interviews will be interesting this year, and I hope management's decisions put the team in the right direction going forward. It sure has been difficult to watch this year's model.

It does begin with the players, yes, but at the same time, if the coach needs to remind them of certain things and they still don't do anything about it, maybe he's lost their ear.

I'm sure the exit interviews will be interesting this year, and I hope management's decisions put the team in the right direction going forward. It sure has been difficult to watch this year's model.
- tangent_man

I forgot about the exit interviews. That'll be some fun. As for Lavi and player mistakes, part of his job is to teach the players, to coach them out of bad mistakes. He does shoulder some responsibility for the lack of improvement in that department.

I really don't envy Holmgren this summer. There's talent on this roster, but this team is a mess. There won't be a simple solution.

And again - can Laviolette hustle for a loose puck? Can he not ice the puck? Can he score a goal for them? Can he make a defensive play?

Laviolette can coach these guys to the worlds end... it's up to them to play. People complain about his system... but let's look at what they're doing wrong most of the time: Bunching up along the boards in the offensive zone - Laviolette and Berube yell at them constantly not to bunch up, and yet they do it. Turnovers - Really? A bunch of pro hockey players needs to be coached on turnovers? Inexcusable. Lack of defense from everyone - Pro hockey players should know that it's everyone's job to play defense. Again, no excuse. Lack of offense - As a pro hockey player, mainly speaking of the forwards, it's your job to either provide pressure and keep the puck in the O-zone, to be a playmaker, or to score. Does this really need to be coached? Do you really need to tell a pro hockey player like Giroux that he needs to create better chances? Do you really need to correct his positioning and trailing position?

The list can go on and on. Fact remains, the coach cannot play for the players. And not only that, but 95% of what they are messing up at, is fundamentals, and Mite-league hockey occurrences. A coaching change isn't what's needed... it's an attitude change. I'm not saying Lavvy isn't at fault at all. But I'm tired of people acting like Laviolette is the #1 reason they're losing. The last person they should be looking at right now is the coach. You shouldn't have to scold, or teach professional hockey players in the friggin NHL to hustle, play defense, correct positioning, make crisp line changes, don't ice the puck, etc. It's just ridiculous...
- WarriorHockey21

I agree its not the coaching, Flyers have a good young nucleus of Giroux, Simmonds, 2 Schenn's, Courterier, Vorecek, and some others....
I also agree with most that Brz has a bad contract. And whats with Pronger, will he be back or bought out?
Too many injuries on D has hurt, but is it time to move Hartnell & Briere, only bc of age and salary?

In a short season, anything can happen, Flyers are still talented and still dangerous to any team .....