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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/10/13 vs Sabres
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ggunky
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: I like cold beverages, NJ
Joined: 04.09.2008

Mar 10 @ 9:46 AM ET


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!!!




the deaninator
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Purgatory, DE
Joined: 08.06.2006

Mar 10 @ 9:47 AM ET
With this team currently the biggest issue is Coaching.
- MJL


I think its 1 and 1a: coaching and personel.

The coach is starting to look like Andy Reid at the end: not making adjustments, putting guys in the wrong positions for their skill set, and they get burned, and no accountability.

The players, on the other hand, are not paying attention to the details of the system, and are taking themselves out of the play to do stupid things, like cheat up for an offensive break, etc. Some players (gervais, fedotenko) just are what they are at this point, and are not going to help unless they are moved to better fit their role.

After 26 games in 06-07 the team was 9-15-2, with 4 one goal losses, 3 two goal losses

This year, they are 11-14-1, with 3 one goal losses, 4 two goal losses.

It's time to trade what you can and regroup for next year.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 9:48 AM ET
I put blame on both coach and players, but you can't fire the whole team so Lava has to go. Problem with keeping him is it hurts the young players. These guys are hurting and they need help.
- LJF


The problem I have is Lavi's style of play was never this big of an issue until this season (had flaws obvious in playoffs). The team had produced over 100 points last year so we know it can work. This team lost Jagr, JVR, and Carle.

You replaced that with Fed, Gervais, Schenn and Knuble (injuries). They tried to give Couturier another winger who could play in Gagne but his offensive game still isn't clicking yet.

I don't know if its all the coaches fault but you have to adjust your system to your personnel. Not asking him to change it but to tweak it a bit.
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Mar 10 @ 9:49 AM ET
S
I believe the opposite in regards to a change in systems play. I believe becoming better defensively will improve the offense. The Flyers don't generate any turnovers and break up plays in mid ice that lead to odd man rushes and transition breaks for the team. If you get guys like Giroux, Voracek, and even Briere in open ice with number advantages, that will increase offense. As well as spending less time in their own end and more time with the puck.
I'm not looking for the Flyers to play like the NY Rangers. But this team just doesn't have the horses to play a 3-2 press forecheck game in and game out.

- MJL

spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Mar 10 @ 9:50 AM ET
I put blame on both coach and players, but you can't fire the whole team so Lava has to go. Problem with keeping him is it hurts the young players. These guys are hurting and they need help.
- LJF


Normally I am against changing coaches in mid season. But maybe everybody needs a break.

Paul MacLean is known as a players coach. Has a puck possession system but believes it needs to be adapted to the skill and effort of the players. Lindy Ruff is also a players coach. If you change coaches it probably won't impact the standings, but a players coach like Ruff might build some confidence going forward.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 9:50 AM ET
I believe the opposite in regards to a change in systems play. I believe becoming better defensively will improve the offense. The Flyers don't generate any turnovers and break up plays in mid ice that lead to odd man rushes and transition breaks for the team. If you get guys like Giroux, Voracek, and even Briere in open ice with number advantages, that will increase offense. As well as spending less time in their own end and more time with the puck.
I'm not looking for the Flyers to play like the NY Rangers. But this team just doesn't have the horses to play a 3-2 press forecheck game in and game out.

- MJL


Not sure you would agree but they don't have the mobility on the blueline to play this style.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 9:51 AM ET
Coaches can mess up a team. They can also push guys to accomplish above their talent level for a period of time.

But there is nothing a coach can do to help overcome the player frustration of a goalie letting in a bad goal every game. Over time it wears a team down. On the other hand, a coach cannot overcome a forecheck if the team does not have the back end skill to clear the zone. Great coaches know you need to get out of the way of great talent. You need to build your team around what your players are capable of doing (or, not doing).

- spatso


A Coach can absolutely make adjustments and correct repeated errors that lead to repeated breakdowns in defensive zone coverage. The mistakes the Flyers are making are repeatable, and are numerous. And by numerous players. There are issues with systems play on this team. And those repeated breakdowns are having an affect on the Goalie. Because he bears the weight of every game having to stand on his head and carry the team, and he has to make game saving saves every game for his team to win. Instead of just having to play solidly in net behind a solid team structure. The adjustments that are necessary aren't coming from Laviolette.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 9:51 AM ET
Not sure you would agree but they don't have the mobility on the blueline to play this style.
- stveshdy


I do agree totally.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 9:54 AM ET
I do agree totally.
- MJL


Okay. Then the coach needs to adjust to his weakness. Instead he plays right into the hands of the opponent. It's an easy fix if he would just tweak his system and ask the players to play more responsibly in their own end. The scoring chances will come off of the back checking and turnovers you force on the opponent.

Make some adjustments. We aren't re-inventing the game here.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Mar 10 @ 9:55 AM ET
I believe the opposite in regards to a change in systems play. I believe becoming better defensively will improve the offense. The Flyers don't generate any turnovers and break up plays in mid ice that lead to odd man rushes and transition breaks for the team. If you get guys like Giroux, Voracek, and even Briere in open ice with number advantages, that will increase offense. As well as spending less time in their own end and more time with the puck.
I'm not looking for the Flyers to play like the NY Rangers. But this team just doesn't have the horses to play a 3-2 press forecheck game in and game out.

- MJL


I don't disagree. But the D is as bad as the forwards are good. They are slow. Do you not think that you may be wanting them to do something that is beyond their current skill level. This would be a non issue if Chris Pronger was still playing a key role at both ends of the ice.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 9:56 AM ET
Okay. Then the coach needs to adjust to his weakness. Instead he plays right into the hands of the opponent. It's an easy fix if he would just tweak his system and ask the players to play more responsibly in their own end. The scoring chances will come off of the back checking and turnovers you force on the opponent.

Make some adjustments. We aren't re-inventing the game here.

- stveshdy


You're right, no need to invent the game. Some simple changes are all that's needed. Although there are a lot of bad habits that need to be corrected.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 9:58 AM ET
You're right, no need to invent the game. Some simple changes are all that's needed. Although there are a lot of bad habits that need to be corrected.
- MJL


Playing the same way obviously isn't working. What do you have to lose by making adjustments? I feel like he's being stubborn and it reminds me a lot of Andy Reid. Starting to give me the impression that he knows more than everyone else and he's going to do it his way no matter what.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:00 AM ET
I don't disagree. But the D is as bad as the forwards are good. They are slow. Do you not think that you may be wanting them to do something that is beyond their current skill level. This would be a non issue if Chris Pronger was still playing a key role at both ends of the ice.
- spatso


The Flyers defense as is, is more then adequate to be a solid playoff team. The Defense is not that slow. You are far too focused on personel here. This team is not a contender, and is not expected to be this year. Why is this team struggling and underachieving. That is the focal point that this team needs to be looked at from right now. Why is it taking a step back, when it should be moving forward. Not from the prism of what the team needs personel wise to be a contender down the road. There is nothing this Coach, or the players on this team can do to change that. But what can they change right now.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:01 AM ET
You're right, no need to invent the game. Some simple changes are all that's needed. Although there are a lot of bad habits that need to be corrected.
- MJL


Sorry, this is where you lose me.

Players cannot consistently perform above their skill set. As it becomes more apparent to opponents that there is a problem, the more they will take advantage of it. It is not just a coaching issue that the Flyers have trouble getting the puck out of their own end. It is also about speed and skill.
sulshawn
Joined: 07.28.2008

Mar 10 @ 10:01 AM ET
Could the Flyers tell Briere they have to amnesty his cap hit for next year and ask him to move his NMC to a team that just wants him for playoffs? And if that teams amnesty Briere, could he resign with the Flyers for a much more cap-friendly hit?

I'm Not sure about the NHL amnesty laws
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 10:03 AM ET
Sorry, this is where you lose me.

Players cannot consistently perform above their skill set. As it becomes more apparent to opponents that there is a problem, the more they will take advantage of it. It is not just a coaching issue that the Flyers have trouble getting the puck out of their own end. It is also about speed and skill.

- spatso


Without the support of your forwards it can make a defensive pair look bad. There is no outlet pass, no support along the wall, no where to go with the puck. Too much is being asked of this defensive group to skate the puck out with mobility which they lack, IMO.
stveshdy
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 06.28.2010

Mar 10 @ 10:04 AM ET
Could the Flyers tell Briere they have to amnesty his cap hit for next year and ask him to move his NMC to a team that just wants him for playoffs? And if that teams amnesty Briere, could he resign with the Flyers for a much more cap-friendly hit?

I'm Not sure about the NHL amnesty laws

- sulshawn


I'm pretty sure if you amnesty a player you can't resign him for an entire year. Not 100% sure though.
section32
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Raleigh, NC
Joined: 02.15.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:05 AM ET
The Flyers defense as is, is more then adequate to be a solid playoff team. The Defense is not that slow. You are far too focused on personel here. This team is not a contender, and is not expected to be this year. Why is this team struggling and underachieving. That is the focal point that this team needs to be looked at from right now. Why is it taking a step back, when it should be moving forward. Not from the prism of what the team needs personel wise to be a contender down the road. There is nothing this Coach, or the players on this team can do to change that. But what can they change right now.
- MJL

Exactly the point. It is what it is. We aren't a contender.
ob18
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: That matters less than you hope it does
Joined: 07.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:05 AM ET
What the hell already with this team's love affair with leighton?
- JoeRussomanno


It has to be Lavvy, has to be
section32
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Raleigh, NC
Joined: 02.15.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:05 AM ET
I'm pretty sure if you amnesty a player you can't resign him for an entire year. Not 100% sure though.
- stveshdy

Correct.
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:06 AM ET
Sorry, this is where you lose me.

Players cannot consistently perform above their skill set. As it becomes more apparent to opponents that there is a problem, the more they will take advantage of it. It is not just a coaching issue that the Flyers have trouble getting the puck out of their own end. It is also about speed and skill.

- spatso


What I said has zero to do with wanting or asking players to perform above their skill set. The Flyers defense is no less skilled then the NJ Devils defense is. Yet the Devils went to the Cup finals last year. No one is arguing that the Flyers don't have some holes in their lineup. Coaching isn't the only facto, but it is the biggest factor right now.
sulshawn
Joined: 07.28.2008

Mar 10 @ 10:07 AM ET
I'm pretty sure if you amnesty a player you can't resign him for an entire year. Not 100% sure though.
- stveshdy


Guess my question was if Flyers traded Briere to Boston this month and Boston amnesty Briere, could the Flyers resign him because they aren't the team to amnesty him but Flyers were the team that gave him the contract


(Used Boston as example. not sure if they have cap room for Briere)
MJL
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Candyland, PA
Joined: 09.20.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:08 AM ET
Guess my question was if Flyers traded Briere to Boston this month and Boston amnesty Briere, could the Flyers resign him because they aren't the team to amnesty him but Flyers were the team that gave him the contract


(Used Boston as example. not sure if they have cap room for Briere)

- sulshawn


Yes, the Flyers could then could sign Briere to a new deal.
section32
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Raleigh, NC
Joined: 02.15.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:09 AM ET
Guess my question was if Flyers traded Briere to Boston this month and Boston amnesty Briere, could the Flyers resign him because they aren't the team to amnesty him but Flyers were the team that gave him the contract


(Used Boston as example. not sure if they have cap room for Briere)

- sulshawn

Why would a team trade for a player only to use their buyout on him?
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Mar 10 @ 10:13 AM ET
What I said has zero to do with wanting or asking players to perform above their skill set. The Flyers defense is no less skilled then the NJ Devils defense is. Yet the Devils went to the Cup finals last year. No one is arguing that the Flyers don't have some holes in their lineup. Coaching isn't the only facto, but it is the biggest factor right now.
- MJL


But, but, but! The Devils play a trap system where they clog up the ice and take speed and skill out of the game. Do, you really want the Flyer forwards to start trapping?
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