Heres the thing that always burns me up about most pens fans, they gave up on the team. Ten years removed from 2 cups and the can't support the team?
- twotoekenn

Let me just tell you that those fans are Steelers fans that watch hockey when its wintertime and ask what offsides is every single game. That just like to grab an Iron and watch some guys hit eachother on skates. NOT REAL HOCKEY FANS.

This season is a lost cause. If the Flyers want to make a coaching change it's hard to argue with it. Obviously things can't stay status quo. I think it makes more sense to let Laviolette finish out the season and hire a guy before the draft. An interim guy for the last 15 games or so, is a waste of time imo.
- PLindbergh31

Agree. I'd rather have a new guy from the full set of possibilities (because you are getting a guy who's currently unemployed if you go for someone now) come in and have a training camp to work with the guys he's likely to have long haul than have someone try to piece something together with this bunch as it is.

It a coaching move were to happen in Season. Wouldn't it have to happen today? I can't see it. Holmgren would prob rather not look like a total smacked ass and just ride this out
- Just5

There's no looking like a smacked ass when you consider the kings did just that last year, seemed to work out well for them.

Of course not. I just don't like the entire interim coach theory. Let this season crash and burn, and bring in a fresh face for next year. A full camp the new coach can put his stamp on the team.
- PLindbergh31

I'd rather start the process now. Never too soon to start making changes. The only thing hanging on to Laviolette does is allows the undisciplined play to continue.

Agree. I'd rather have a new guy from the full set of possibilities (because you are getting a guy who's currently unemployed if you go for someone now) come in and have a training camp to work with the guys he's likely to have long haul than have someone try to piece something together with this bunch as it is.
- bodiva88

The voice of reason. I want a fresh face, with some new ideas. Not a retread like Murray.

Let me just tell you that those fans are Steelers fans that watch hockey when its wintertime and ask what offsides is every single game. That just like to grab an Iron and watch some guys hit eachother on skates. NOT REAL HOCKEY FANS.
- nbartley9

Same thing here with eagle fans. They think you need to drop the gloves in order to stage a comeback and even if you lose 1-0 in a shoot out its the goalies fault *true story I've witnessed that with my own eyes.

I really am hating the Briere-Schenn-Simmonds line right now.
- nastyflyergirl

I seem to find myself disliking whatever line contains Briere.

I'd rather start the process now. Never too soon to start making changes. The only thing hanging on to Laviolette does is allows the undisciplined play to continue.
- Jsaquella

So say Murray is named interim coach the last 15 games. The team goes 4-11-1. You are going to sell Murray as the coach for the following year? Murray starts implementing his ideas, and the Flyers decide to go in a different direction you are sending the players mixed messages.

Who is currently playing well on this team? If Laviolette is going to start reducing ice time for players who aren't performing, he's going to have about 6 players to use.
- PLindbergh31

So, perhaps its time to pull a Mike Keenan.
If only 8 or 9 guys are playing well and/or showing up, play the hell out of those guys!

Agree. I'd rather have a new guy from the full set of possibilities (because you are getting a guy who's currently unemployed if you go for someone now) come in and have a training camp to work with the guys he's likely to have long haul than have someone try to piece something together with this bunch as it is.
- bodiva88

I'm talking about bringing in a guy like Murray or Paddock that will be more about teaching and developing the rest of this year, and them hiring a new coach in the summer to have a full camp and install their system and set thing how they want them.

It's not an attempt to hire a permanent head coach now.

I think it makes sense to send Couturier down. He's not performing at an NHL level right now. Perhaps demoting him lights a fire under his ass.
- PLindbergh31

He doesn't need a fire lit under his ass. That is completely misunderstanding the problem with him. Veteran players that have been in the League, can't figure out how to get out of this. Couturier is pressing and is trying to do to much with the puck. It all comes down to furstration and lack of confidence, due to the situation. If you want to state sending him down can remove him from this mess, and help him to clear his head and take some pressure off of him, then I would agree. But beleive me, he is trying out there. He is just struggling like the rest of the team. And is likely facing this situation for the first time, and at the NHL level to boot. Where nobody is going to take pity on you.

Let me just tell you that those fans are Steelers fans that watch hockey when its wintertime and ask what offsides is every single game. That just like to grab an Iron and watch some guys hit eachother on skates. NOT REAL HOCKEY FANS.
- nbartley9

Well from your anti talbot posts lately I have to question if you are a real hockey fan.

Same thing here with eagle fans. They think you need to drop the gloves in order to stage a comeback and even if you lose 1-0 in a shoot out its the goalies fault *true story I've witnessed that with my own eyes.
- JoeRussomanno

Yup. This might be the only city where a guy can record a shutout and still get blamed for a loss.

So say Murray is named interim coach the last 15 games. The team goes 4-11-1. You are going to sell Murray as the coach for the following year? Murray starts implementing his ideas, and the Flyers decide to go in a different direction you are sending the players mixed messages.
- PLindbergh31

Not at all. I'm looking for Murray to do one thing. Teach. Teach the younger guys the importance of two way play. Teach them the value of disciplined aggression, rather than reckless abandon.

The record is immaterial. The development and teaching is what I want and Murray does that very well.

I have little interest in making Murray the permanent head coach. I'd look for a permanent guy in the spring and summer

So say Murray is named interim coach the last 15 games.
- PLindbergh31

15 less games of Lavy letting them be undisciplined and defensively unsound sounds good to me.

I'd like to see Briere be a scratch on Sunday.
- Jsaquella

I'll second that motion.

You think that simply bringing in Murray or Paddock would immediately fix things? Hell, I've been preaching it for a couple weeks and I have no expectation for an immediate change.
- Jsaquella

Bringing in Scotty Bowman wouldn't change this mess overnight!

If it crushes his confidence he would be pretty weak mentally. He must realize based on his performance that he doesn't deserve to wear an NHL sweater right now.
- PLindbergh31

That's uncalled for. He is a struggling 20 year old player. And you're acting like he is doing something malicious out there, and is undeserving of being an NHL player.

Same thing here with eagle fans. They think you need to drop the gloves in order to stage a comeback and even if you lose 1-0 in a shoot out its the goalies fault *true story I've witnessed that with my own eyes.
- JoeRussomanno

When the flyers stunk from 89 to 95 the building was still full of hockey fans not eagles fans with nothing to do. There also was never any danger of the team having to relocate.

Not at all. I'm looking for Murray to do one thing. Teach. Teach the younger guys the importance of two way play. Teach them the value of disciplined aggression, rather than reckless abandon.

The record is immaterial. The development and teaching is what I want and Murray does that very well.

I have little interest in making Murray the permanent head coach. I'd look for a permanent guy in the spring and summer
- Jsaquella

Make Murray an assistant under the new coach. I don't have an issue with that. Veteran coach would be a good asset to have on the bench.

Murray named interim coach for the last 6 weeks of the season won't change much or break any bad habits imo.

Not to mention if Murray is an interim coach, his accountability won't stick if he's not around next year.

Not at all. I'm looking for Murray to do one thing. Teach. Teach the younger guys the importance of two way play. Teach them the value of disciplined aggression, rather than reckless abandon.

The record is immaterial. The development and teaching is what I want and Murray does that very well.

I have little interest in making Murray the permanent head coach. I'd look for a permanent guy in the spring and summer
- Jsaquella

That's uncalled for. He is a struggling 20 year old player. And you're acting like he is doing something malicious out there, and is undeserving of being an NHL player.
- MJL

He's not an NHL player right now. Simple as that.

Bringing in Scotty Bowman wouldn't change this mess overnight!
- BiggE

Again... This isnt about trying to make the playoffs or finding an "overnight" remedy. Its about looking at this team and its terrible habits, and trying to begin the change to a more reliable two way game. Teach these young guys that two way play is not optional.. its mandatory.

He's not an NHL player right now. Simple as that.
- PLindbergh31

Sure he is.

I'll second that motion.
- Lexington Flyer

He looks like he's playing at about 30%. Game in game out Rinaldo (i hate him) is giving 110%. I really don't see the harm putting him in Briere's spot. I think a line of Rinaldo-Schenn-Simmonds would be a handful to play against.