It's not just the one year. It's a litany of things. All of these are arguments to why he should be fired:

-Mishandling of the goalies in the 2011 playoffs, by burying Bobrovsky behind Boucher and Leighton, which led to Snider dictum to "Fix" the goalie situation

-Failure to adapt his system despite the lack of personnel needed for it to be at it's most effective

-Continuing troubles in being able to over come tight checking teams that play disciplined hockey.

-A total lack of discipline by his team

-The rarity at which he holds players accountable for their mistakes.

Now, one or two of these things would be something that could be ignored. But taken altogether, it's too much

Add in the 5-17-1 record this season and last vs NJ and NYR and the obvious dawning of the realization of the Penguins that if they just stay disciplined against the Flyers that they'll go through them like a Panzer division against the Polish cavalry in 1939 means that Laviolette has to make major adjustments.

In that regard, he's shown he's unwilling or unable to do so.
- Jsaquella

Bring in Murray to teach these guys to play the right way... Briere needs to go.

The only thing I disagree with is blaming the coach for the Pens loss.

The Flyers defense was completely over matched in the 2nd when the Pens turned up the heat.

They could not deal with the Pens forecheck, constantly failed to clear pucks they had on their sticks.

This is because of a lack of talent on D and also a failure of team D. Sure the coach has some responsibility. But guys like Gusty and Gervais were overwhelmed out there. The team this year has some big holes that good teams exploit.
- Marc D

But why was the Flyers defense over matched in the 2nd. That's what you have to look at. Is the Pens defense really that good? Why couldn't the firepower the Flyers have on offense, get anything going against that Pens defense once the Pens got the go ahead goal in the 3rd?

Last year against the same Pens the system worked.
- section32

How much of it was the system working versus how much of it was Fleury completely falling apart?? Outside of game 6, the Flyers failed to put together a solid 60 minute effort.

Besides that Lavy has shown no ability to adjust his style to fit his personnel, nor the ability to adjust to trapping, slow down teams like the Rangers and Devils. It is time for a change.

I think that, failure to adjust and not being able to beat NJ or NYR, along with the two public statements from the owner that he wants to see adjustments, will be the end for Laviolette unless he makes those changes.

When Snider makes a public pronouncement, it generally is a shot fired across the bow.
- Jsaquella

Very possible. Anything can happen.

I went in Carolina's thread and asked for a rundown lavas ending in Carolina...
- Just5

I'd say that guy knows what he's talking about. And it's like looking in a mirror.

I blame Laviolette for Timonen's 6 million dollar salary for next year. Holmgren wanted to give Kimmo 3 or 4 million, Laviolette demanded he get 6.
- PLindbergh31

How did you know about this? I saw someone else asked but not sure if this ever get answered?

A very curious statement.

The only thing I disagree with is blaming the coach for the Pens loss.

The Flyers defense was completely over matched in the 2nd when the Pens turned up the heat.

They could not deal with the Pens forecheck, constantly failed to clear pucks they had on their sticks.

This is because of a lack of talent on D and also a failure of team D. Sure the coach has some responsibility. But guys like Gusty and Gervais were overwhelmed out there. The team this year has some big holes that good teams exploit.
- Marc D

You miss the point. You need to adjust to that type of pressure by 1. setting up a trap and stressing 5 man coverage in the D zone and 2. Use the advantage of last change and make sure Gus and Gervais are mostly only matched up against 3rd and 4th lines.

I'm not sure the Organization knows either. That's part of the problem.
- MJL

This is the biggest problem of all. What style do you want to play? Why extend this coach if you have any doubts about his ability to adjust?

Makes no sense to me.

You miss the point. You need to adjust to that type of pressure by 1. setting up a trap and stressing 5 man coverage in the D zone and 2. Use the advantage of last change and make sure Gus and Gervais are mostly only matched up against 3rd and 4th lines.
- BiggE

You don't even have to play a trap. You can still remain aggressive, switch to a 1-2-2, where you stay on the defensive side of the puck, like the Pens did once they go the lead in the 3rd. And the game is over. Unless you do some stupid like take a bunch of penalties.

But why was the Flyers defense over matched in the 2nd. That's what you have to look at. Is the Pens defense really that good? Why couldn't the firepower the Flyers have on offense, get anything going against that Pens defense once the Pens got the go ahead goal in the 3rd?
- MJL

The team started sitting back and coasting in the second.

The Flyers offense 5 on 5 stopped getting chances because the Pens buckled down on team D and stopped running around taking penalties.

The Pens defense is the same as the Flyers. Above average at best, with one or two very good players.

How did you know about this? I saw someone else asked but not sure if this ever get answered?

A very curious statement.
- Marc D

It's a fishing attempt Mark!

You miss the point. You need to adjust to that type of pressure by 1. setting up a trap and stressing 5 man coverage in the D zone and 2. Use the advantage of last change and make sure Gus and Gervais are mostly only matched up against 3rd and 4th lines.
- BiggE

Nah I get it.

I am unhappy with the coach too.

But don't overestimate the Flyers team this year.

A lot of youth with growing pains, and a lot of vets underperforming.
Some very big holes.
And the coach running a system that works best with no holes and a championship calibre team.

The team started sitting back and coasting in the second.

The Flyers offense 5 on 5 stopped getting chances because the Pens buckled down on team D and stopped running around taking penalties.

The Pens defense is the same as the Flyers. Above average at best, with one or two very good players.
- Marc D

It is only normal for a team with 4-1 lead to come out and play cautious. The problem is this team doesn't know how to play that way. It was not a lack of effort. So the only other choice is to keep playing the ultra aggressive style they're use to playing. Either way the Flyers are going to give up big time chances to the Pens. There is no checking element to this team. That is the problem. This Coach is only willing to play one way.

You're right, the Pens defense is the same as the Flyers. So how were they able to completely shut down the Flyers in the 3rd? Answer that and you find the problem with this team.

Many just want to say, well they just stopped playing hard. Not the case.

And the coach running a system that works best with no holes and a championship calibre team.
- Marc D

To be fair, I think all systems work best under those conditions

This is the biggest problem of all. What style do you want to play? Why extend this coach if you have any doubts about his ability to adjust?

Makes no sense to me.
- stveshdy

Eh, they know what Flyers hockey is all about.
Homer has it in his blood.

How did you know about this? I saw someone else asked but not sure if this ever get answered?

A very curious statement.
- Marc D

Pretty sure it was an attempt at humor based on all the heat Laviolette's taking in here the last few days (and then some).

If there was a quote posted that sales of crab fries at the arena had taken a hit, I'm sure he would have said that was Lavy's fault, too.

Eh, they know what Flyers hockey is all about.
Homer has it in his blood.
- Marc D

Not sure what your getting at. This organization seems to be confused to me. They want the coach to adjust and play more solid in their own end. Yet, they know thats not the style of coach Lavi is. Why extend him? Lavi pretty much stated that he doesnt change his style. So theres two options at this point. Fire the coach or expect him to run his system.

Prediction
They will lose today to a Boston team that is simply better.
They will also put so much pressure on themselves that they will find a way to lose tomorrow to Buffalo, most likely in a shootout.
This will leave them at 11-14-2. A press conference will be held Monday announcing the firing of Laviolette and the hiring of Terry Murray.

It is only normal for a team with 4-1 lead to come out and play cautious. The problem is this team doesn't know how to play that way. It was not a lack of effort. So the only other choice is to keep playing the ultra aggressive style they're use to playing. Either way the Flyers are going to give up big time chances to the Pens. There is no checking element to this team. That is the problem. This Coach is only willing to play one way.

You're right, the Pens defense is the same as the Flyers. So how were they able to completely shut down the Flyers in the 3rd? Answer that and you find the problem with this team.

Many just want to say, well they just stopped playing hard. Not the case.
- MJL

I know this to be true.

I guess the only point to make is they have a team with big holes on D, and only 3-4 forwards right now that seem to be as good at defense as they are on offense.

Again you would be right to say that the coach should demand and expect a commitment to team D from every forward, and those players that can't or won't play D should sit. I would say that there are some forwards on the team that will never be good at it, and on a team coached by Hitchcock or Torts would not be playing.
So I guess its back to the coach.

Prediction
They will lose today to a Boston team that is simply better.
They will also put so much pressure on themselves that they will find a way to lose tomorrow to Buffalo, most likely in a shootout.
This will leave them at 11-14-2. A press conference will be held Monday announcing the firing of Laviolette and the hiring of Terry Murray.
- BiggE

This wouldn't surprise me at all.

Prediction
They will lose today to a Boston team that is simply better.
They will also put so much pressure on themselves that they will find a way to lose tomorrow to Buffalo, most likely in a shootout.
This will leave them at 11-14-2. A press conference will be held Monday announcing the firing of Laviolette and the hiring of Terry Murray.
- BiggE

Nah I get it.

I am unhappy with the coach too.

But don't overestimate the Flyers team this year.

A lot of youth with growing pains, and a lot of vets underperforming.
Some very big holes.
And the coach running a system that works best with no holes and a championship calibre team.
- Marc D

I'm not overestimating them, either.

They should be a playoff team. They don't rate as a division winner or Cup favorite. But there's no way that a team with the talent the Flyers have should be a lottery team.

I know this to be true.

I guess the only point to make is they have a team with big holes on D, and only 3-4 forwards right now that seem to be as good at defense as they are on offense.

Again you would be right to say that the coach should demand and expect a commitment to team D from every forward, and those players that can't or won't play D should sit. I would say that there are some forwards on the team that will never be good at it, and on a team coached by Hitchcock or Torts would not be playing.
So I guess its back to the coach.
- Marc D

Again I'll add, how can this Coach demand that the team make a commitment to team defense, when he won't do so himself? His entire mantra is that we forecheck the other team like mad, pinch in aggressively with the D to keep the puck in the O zone. That's how they play defense. There is no secondary checking element. No layers to their forecheck. No neutral zone presence. And just a very basic D zone coverage scheme.

Not sure what your getting at. This organization seems to be confused to me. They want the coach to adjust and play more solid in his own end. Yet, they know thats not the style of coach Lavi is. Why extend him? Lavi pretty much stated that he doesnt change his style. So theres two options at this point. Fire the coach or expect him to run his system.
- stveshdy

I think they like Lavi and want him to succeed. At heart I think Lavi's aggressive philosophy jibes well with what the management wants to represent Flyers hockey.
This year has been a failure, and its a combination of things. Coach has a part of the blame.

I do think they sent him a message to be more responsible defensively with what Snider said in the press and the bringing in of assistant coaches to that effect.

It hasn't worked well for a number of reasons. Jsaq pointed a lot of them out in an earlier post.

I have no confidence they can close a game where they have a 1 goal lead anymore.

I'm not overestimating them, either.

They should be a playoff team. They don't rate as a division winner or Cup favorite. But there's no way that a team with the talent the Flyers have should be a lottery team.
- Jsaquella

Lindy Ruff...............thoughts......