Yeah but if it doesnt then i would flip kimmo and briere to a contender for picks....if your going to suck then suck a lot.....it pays to do so.
- Philly1980

Both have nmc

I agree. People need to realize, a coach can make all the changes in the world, but in the end, you can't play for the players. It's still on them to perform. I think Laviolette is trying to make changes. But all you can do is coach. And if it comes down to a few player's attitudes not listening to the coach or working to improve their game, then they need to go... not the coach.

I think it all comes down to the players just playing lousy. Timonen has made a bunch of bonehead mistakes and looks slow. Grossmann and L.Schenn have taken a bunch of bad penalties... Giroux is trying, but is forcing some bad passes, and he just needs to relax and play his game... B.Schenn and Couturier have underperformed so far... Hartnell has taken some bad penalties, and hasn't been a light on offense. And while I like the work Simmonds has done deep, he only has 1 assist to his name so far.

They have talent... unfortunately that doesn't always translate to goals and wins. I like pretty much all these guys, but if one or two need to go in order to improve the team, and to gain chemistry, then so be it. Chemistry is something that can't be seen on the roster sheet. (and no.. the cancer that is Subban would not be a gain in the chemistry department.)

No doubt something needs to change, but I personally don't think it's the coach.
- WarriorHockey21

They'll probably fire the coach before making a major trade. As Bill just tweeted, Snider declared before the year that they were going to have to "tighten up"

He specifically mentioned what the Devils did in the playoffs and said that the Flyers have to "...adjust accordingly, and make sure we're up to date with what's going on in the league"

That sounds like, to me, that the coach will be the first casualty. I don't agree with that, but it's out there.

Soon as Schenn threw the hit I knew it was gonna be punishable. He launched himself.
- jak521

He'll get 10 games.. haha Doesn't really matter..he hasn't contributed much so far.

Soon as Schenn threw the hit I knew it was gonna be punishable. He launched himself.
- jak521

I felt like it was w cheap shot but didnt feel bad when I found out it was the a-train

Its either the coach or the players. Cant be neither.

I had no expectatione from this team this year. Its early to sqy its over, but I think a bad season has been brewing.

Rather suck in a 48 gm season then suffer thru 82 gms of this.
- Flyersgod

exactly time to clear out some contracts and give kimmo and briere a chance to win....get some picks/prospects for them.

They'll probably fire the coach before making a major trade. As Bill just tweeted, Snider declared before the year that they were going to have to "tighten up"

He specifically mentioned what the Devils did in the playoffs and said that the Flyers have to "...adjust accordingly, and make sure we're up to date with what's going on in the league"

That sounds like, to me, that the coach will be the first casualty. I don't agree with that, but it's out there.
- Jsaquella

To me, he is talking about changing the system.

Both have nmc
- Flyersgod

im pretty sure if you traded them to a contender they would go...both are older and want another shot at the cup....unfortunately it wont happen this year with the flyers.

I felt like it was w cheap shot but didnt feel bad when I found out it was the a-train
- Flyersgod

Im not against it.. but not up to me

To me, he is talking about changing the system.
- Flyersgod

And who determines the system to use?

To me, he is talking about changing the system.
- Flyersgod

If the system doesn't change or the changes don't work, it will be the coach that pays the price.

I wouldn't be amazed if, at the 10 game point, if things don't shape up, Paddock or Murray will be behind the bench.

what did i say about that shanahan (frank), constantly looking to suspend flyers. #biasedas(frank)
- flyerscup2011

C'mon, he left his feet and got the elbow up in the head region. He'll probably get 1-2 games. Is he a repeat offender??

im pretty sure if you traded them to a contender they would go...both are older and want another shot at the cup....unfortunately it wont happen this year with the flyers.
- Philly1980

Briere won't. He's got a family situation and isn't likely to waive his clause, even in a down year.

Timonen also has kids and may be unwilling to accept a deal.

Great analysis as always Bill. If every player on this team played to the level they are capable of then the problems we've seen may not even exist. Most of the guys on the team are playing below their own normal level. Read, Hartnell, Voracek, the Schenns, Grossmann, Timonen, Coburn, Talbot and Couturier have all played at a lower level than last year thus far. If they can pick it up, they'll start winning some games.

They brang Murray into Adirindack because he is an excellent Coach at teaching and developing young players, and getting them to play the right way. Look at what Murray's approach has been with players down there. Tells you what you need to know. Far too much is being placed on Coaching. And what's happening now, is the same as what happened before. Laviolette is now going from a great Coach with a great system, to now being the problem. Instead of looking at the big picture.
- MJL

Perhaps the obvious is being ignored. The Flyers made a big play for Weber and missed. They lost Carle while they were trying to get Weber. Pronger is down with a career ending injury. This is about fate. Holmgren will adjust. This is about skill and talent. Change the coach or system but the problem remains the same.

Both have nmc
- Flyersgod

I bet Briere would come to Buffalo

If the system doesn't change or the changes don't work, it will be the coach that pays the price.

I wouldn't be amazed if, at the 10 game point, if things don't shape up, Paddock or Murray will be behind the bench.
- Jsaquella

Easier to fire a coach then give up on your players.

I do t know what the right move is. But im behind whatever they decide as long as they get better.

C'mon, he left his feet and got the elbow up in the head region. He'll probably get 1-2 games. Is he a repeat offender??
- cap1681

No, not a repeat offender. FWIW Bob McKenzie felt it was a "fine" hit, more than a suspension hit, but said the NHL may want to send a message

And who determines the system to use?
- Pecafan Fan

The coach?

I bet Briere would come to Buffalo
- Ripped Fuel

He's said it's always been his dream.

No, not a repeat offender. FWIW Bob McKenzie felt it was a "fine" hit, more than a suspension hit, but said the NHL may want to send a message
- Jsaquella

If he doesn't leave his feet, that's a huge, clean hit. Him launching himself is what will get him suspended.

Ill be honest.. we really dont have that much we can sell without really hurting the team.
- jak521

One of the reasons the phantoms are the NY Islanders of the AHL is that every year Holmgren is willing to spend every asset he has to overpay for a perceived need this year.

Trading a 1st round draft pick for Steve Eminger is the reason the Flyers don't have a John Carlson to call up on defense, etc.

They also need to revamp their draft strategy/scouting. Very few flyers picks outside of the first round ever contribute to the team.

Since 2004. The only players that the flyers drafted who are still on the team who have played for the Flyers are :

2005 - 1st Giroux
2011 - 1st Couterier
2012 - 1st - Laughton
2008 - 3rd - Marc Andre Bourdon
2008 - 6th - Zac Rinaldo
2010 - 4th - McGinn

That's it as far as i can tell and outside of the 1st round it's all 3rd pairing or 3rd or 4th liners. I'm not counting guys on the phantoms who may or may not ever play in the NHL.

I can only think of 2 other players the flyers drafted in the last 9 years (2004 -) playing anywhere in the NHL .. Van Riemsdyk and Luca Sbisa.

From 10 years ago you would add Richards and Carter (both 1sts). It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since they were drafted.

In a salary cap world it is important to maintain a pipeline of young (cheap) talent and to give them time to develop.

Laughton (as well as he's played) and McGinn wouldn't even be playing if they had anyone else to put there.

The coach?
- Flyersgod

So if upper management thinks the system needs to change, but it doesn't or doesn't succeed, their first (and easiest) target will be the head coach.


Not that I think it's the right thing to do, though.

If he doesn't leave his feet, that's a huge, clean hit. Him launching himself is what will get him suspended.
- cap1681

He'll be fined. If anything. imho.

Great analysis as always Bill. If every player on this team played to the level they are capable of then the problems we've seen may not even exist. Most of the guys on the team are playing below their own normal level. Read, Hartnell, Voracek, the Schenns, Grossmann, Timonen, Coburn, Talbot and Couturier have all played at a lower level than last year thus far. If they can pick it up, they'll start winning some games.
- NickTheKid87

Our players had career years last year and had the same issues they have now. Their career highs would have to become the norm for them to compete like last year.

Imo of course

If the system doesn't change or the changes don't work, it will be the coach that pays the price.

I wouldn't be amazed if, at the 10 game point, if things don't shape up, Paddock or Murray will be behind the bench.
- Jsaquella

I don't even feel like it's the system as much as it's the players simply not playing well enough. In a way, Holmgren also failed to give Lavy the pieces he needs to properly execute the system he wants to run. We lost out on Suter, Parise, Carle and Weber in the offseason. One or more of these guys would make a huge difference.