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Forums :: Blog World :: Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Poor Preseason Comes to an End, Phantoms
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richiewinthecup
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: canada
Joined: 04.07.2010

Sep 28 @ 11:57 AM ET
I will say that i do think lavy has to go but.If the flyers play his system well like they did in the second.Is the lack of consistency on the coach or players?I do think there are a few floaters on this team.
LJF
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Jersey Baby Jersey
Joined: 04.17.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:00 PM ET
I like Lava think he is a good coach, but I think his time has expired with the Flyers. Either he doesn't know how to adjust this team or they have tuned him out. Either way doesn't look good for Lava. I was saying the same last year, but gave him some forgiveness since there were a lot of injuries it just doesn't look good. If they keep this play up, Lava is out within 20 games.

This is a good not great group of players, but it isn't a team.
JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Sep 28 @ 12:00 PM ET
Last nights game was a painful one to watch. For about 10 minutes, the Flyers actually did play some hockey. I hate the trend they have for falling behind, and then trying to catch up, only to get tired or lazy afterwards. You really have to play a full game, and quit having just one decent period of play. I don't know if it's lack of leadership, or just the wrong attitude, but this is ridiculous. The best player of the game was Wilson for the Caps. Sheesh, he was kicking our butts up, and down the ice. Once the season starts, I hope that someone will take care of him during the game, and quit letting him hit our guys. Rosehill maybe? Anyway, I have a feeling that it might be a long season if the Flyers keep playing like they are. I hate to keep bringing this up, but those long contracts are player killers. As mentioned, no goalie can survive in goal with those types of games. Razor had a few miscues, but nobody showed him any support. I just hope that Grossman is ok. He looked shaken up with that hit early on. If he is concussed again, then who will replace him in the lineup? Come on Tuesday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that someone will show up for the game. By the way, who is next in line as our coach? Thanks for listening.
- OrangeAndBlack1


I think Terry Murray is next in line.
FlyerMike18
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 03.07.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:05 PM ET

- -davies-


i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
PhillySportsGuy
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: any donut with a hole in the middle can get (frank)ed right in its hole, NJ
Joined: 04.08.2012

Sep 28 @ 12:07 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18


Giroux looks like a top 5 player despite the injury. Couturier has gotten noticeably stronger and faster.
vejim
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: FL
Joined: 07.08.2007

Sep 28 @ 12:09 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18

2 backup goalies and a slow D is depressing
LJF
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Jersey Baby Jersey
Joined: 04.17.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:09 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18


they are undefeated in the regular season
LJF
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Jersey Baby Jersey
Joined: 04.17.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:11 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18



they can't get much worse
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:15 PM ET
I think Terry Murray is next in line.
- JAKEw1234


That's why they should have made the move last season. There were a number of excellent candidates available in the summer. Now those guys all have jobs. If they were to hire outside the organization, they'd almost certainly have to give compensation, in the form of draft picks.

That limits it to probably eithe rtrading for somebody's assistant or AHL head coach, or hiring Terry Murray or John Paddock.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:17 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18


Giroux looks healthy. Lecavalier and Simmonds seem to have developed good chemistry. Matt read has been flying. Couturier looks a lot more comfortable and confident on the offensive side of things. They might be able to trade the corpse of Andrej Meszaros for a actual NHL player
LJF
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Jersey Baby Jersey
Joined: 04.17.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:23 PM ET
That's why they should have made the move last season. There were a number of excellent candidates available in the summer. Now those guys all have jobs. If they were to hire outside the organization, they'd almost certainly have to give compensation, in the form of draft picks.

That limits it to probably eithe rtrading for somebody's assistant or AHL head coach, or hiring Terry Murray or John Paddock.

- Jsaquella



I agree, who would you have liked to see behind the bench for this year?
Feanor
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: DE
Joined: 02.13.2013

Sep 28 @ 12:25 PM ET
Giroux looks healthy. Lecavalier and Simmonds seem to have developed good chemistry. Matt read has been flying. Couturier looks a lot more comfortable and confident on the offensive side of things. They might be able to trade the corpse of Andrej Meszaros for a actual NHL player
- Jsaquella


This would be a nice lineup to start the season with.

FORWARDS
Scott Hartnell ($4.750m) / Claude Giroux ($3.750m) / Jakub Voracek ($4.250m)
Brayden Schenn ($3.110m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($4.500m) / Wayne Simmonds ($3.975m)
John Mitchell ($1.100m) / Sean Couturier ($1.375m) / Matt Read ($0.900m)
Maxime Talbot ($1.750m) / Adam Hall ($0.600m) / Zac Rinaldo ($0.750m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.675m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Kimmo Timonen ($6.000m) / Braydon Coburn ($4.500m)
Mark Streit ($5.250m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Nicklas Grossmann ($3.500m) / Erik Gustafsson ($1.000m)
Chris Pronger ($4.941m) / Bruno Gervais ($0.825m)
GOALTENDERS
Ray Emery ($1.650m)
Steve Mason ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,534,356; BONUSES: $2,800,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,565,644
TheGreat28
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Chadds Ford, PA
Joined: 06.20.2010

Sep 28 @ 12:26 PM ET
i need some positives for this team, pronto. all this negative energy is getting to me
- FlyerMike18


1. Lavi and Holmgren will be gone soon.

2. We should have a decent draft pick for the first draft in Philly!

3. We'll pick another physical, 2 way center in said draft. (oh wait, you said positives. Sorry)

EDIT: We won't have to shell out the big bucks for playoff tickets.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:26 PM ET
I agree, who would you have liked to see behind the bench for this year?
- LJF


I liked Steve Spott, but I would have loved to see Dallas Eakins or Jon Cooper.

FlyerMike18
Philadelphia Flyers
Joined: 03.07.2009

Sep 28 @ 12:31 PM ET
Giroux looks healthy. Lecavalier and Simmonds seem to have developed good chemistry. Matt read has been flying. Couturier looks a lot more comfortable and confident on the offensive side of things. They might be able to trade the corpse of Andrej Meszaros for a actual NHL player
- Jsaquella


i just can't get too down on them before they even play a real game. i understand why people are concerned, it certainly does look like more of the same old issues

but i believe in their talent man. and even if it may require a coaching change mid-season, i gotta still believe that this is a playoff team. too many horses on the offensive side, and while the d may not be perfect, there's enough talent there as well

i guess this whole going into the season with a doomsday mentality thing is wearing on me a bit. people have been tossing out 06-07 comparisons
JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Sep 28 @ 12:33 PM ET
I liked Steve Spott, but I would have loved to see Dallas Eakins or Jon Cooper.
- Jsaquella

What is Steve Spotts style?
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:39 PM ET
What is Steve Spotts style?
- JAKEw1234


Philosophy is similar to Pete DeBoer, who he was under with Kitchener. I came to prefer Eakins and Cooper because they were coaching at the AHL level, where Spott was still in juniors.

Spott is now coaching for the Marlies, and he has said he will try to use a similar system to what Carlyle is running to make it easier for call ups to fit in with the Leafs
2Real
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: IT'S GRITTIN TIME, CA
Joined: 07.14.2007

Sep 28 @ 12:41 PM ET
I will say that i do think lavy has to go but.If the flyers play his system well like they did in the second.Is the lack of consistency on the coach or players?I do think there are a few floaters on this team.
- richiewinthecup

We need Terry Murray back as coach. He set the Kings up for great success.
JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Sep 28 @ 12:41 PM ET
Philosophy is similar to Pete DeBoer, who he was under with Kitchener. I came to prefer Eakins and Cooper because they were coaching at the AHL level, where Spott was still in juniors.

Spott is now coaching for the Marlies, and he has said he will try to use a similar system to what Carlyle is running to make it easier for call ups to fit in with the Leafs

- Jsaquella

So he used to run a very defensive style, and he is readily able to change and adapt his system? Sign me up.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:44 PM ET
So he used to run a very defensive style, and he is readily able to change and adapt his system? Sign me up.
- JAKEw1234


They scored goals, too. It's not uber-defense, it's more a possesion system designed to force turnovers and generate offense off of that, rather than a strict defense system.
JAKEw1234
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: 2Spookyville, PA
Joined: 03.09.2013

Sep 28 @ 12:45 PM ET
They scored goals, too. It's not uber-defense, it's more a possesion system designed to force turnovers and generate offense off of that, rather than a strict defense system.
- Jsaquella

That sounds even better. Know anything about Willie Desjardins? I know he was the AHL coach of the year last year, and he has not yet stepped up to the NHL level. Think he could be an option?
BiggE
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: SELL THE DAMN TEAM!
Joined: 04.17.2012

Sep 28 @ 12:47 PM ET
All coaches have shelf lives. While I think that Lavy is a good coach overall, I think he may have reached his expiration date in Philly. Look at Buffalo, they probably should have pulled the plug on Ruff at least 2 years ago and I think Trotz is at the same point (finally) in Nashville.

The Flyers should have enough talent to be a playoff team, but I would be pretty surprised if they go into the postseason with Laviolette as their coach. Either way it should be interesting.

Some bright points that I took from the preseason:
Matt Read looks simply terrific and I think Holmgren did a real good job getting him signed
Couturier looks poised for a breakout season
Grossmann looks healthy and ready to go, as does Timonen
Both goalies have looked solid for the most part.
Giroux seems to be fully healed from his finger injury

Some concerns that I took from the preseason
The entire team still can't put together a coherent 60 minute effort. Whichs leads to the question: Have they already begun tuning Laviolette out?
Many forwards are still not giving enough of an effort defensively
Neither goalie looked particularly stellar in their last outings



Steelmanpa
Joined: 08.31.2008

Sep 28 @ 12:47 PM ET
I agree with all of this, except when you said we're not built on rising stars. Sure, we have Lecvalier, Streit, and Timonen; but we also have Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, BSchenn, Couturier, and possibly Laughton. These are all young guys who already have, or should soon, emerge as very solid NHL players.
- JAKEw1234



Actually I should have clarified and said
Ticket Marketing & unrealistic expectations are based on the signings of
Streit, LeCavalier and Emery... and that the coaches system is not for use against NHL caliber coaches, especially with this lineup

Certainly not on the defensive core of the team which is a combination of old, uncertain or inhabitants of the neurological or foot/ankle specialist.
At least Mez got his achilles done by the top guy in the region at Rothman
That should work well this season if they keep him. The same guy rebuilt my leg a couple of days after fixing Mez. I wonder who repaired his shoulder ?

**** DOES ANYONE THINK THE PLAYERS ALL KNOW THE SYSTEM STINKS AND THAT LAVVI HAS A FOOT OUT THE DOOR??******
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:48 PM ET
That sounds even better. Know anything about Willie Desjardins? I know he was the AHL coach of the year last year, and he has not yet stepped up to the NHL level. Think he could be an option?
- JAKEw1234


Absolutely. He's got a strong track record and is known as a guy who is great at teaching and communicating. IIRC, he was a leading candidate for Dallas' HC job when the Stars hired Glen Gulutzan a few years ago.
Jsaquella
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Bringing Hexy Back
Joined: 06.16.2006

Sep 28 @ 12:53 PM ET
Actually I should have clarified and said
Ticket Marketing & unrealistic expectations are based on the signings of
Streit, LeCavalier and Emery... and that the coaches system is not for use against NHL caliber coaches, especially with this lineup

Certainly not on the defensive core of the team which is a combination of old, uncertain or inhabitants of the neurological or foot/ankle specialist.
At least Mez got his achilles done by the top guy in the region at Rothman
That should work well this season if they keep him. The same guy rebuilt my leg a couple of days after fixing Mez. I wonder who repaired his shoulder ?

**** DOES ANYONE THINK THE PLAYERS ALL KNOW THE SYSTEM STINKS AND THAT LAVVI HAS A FOOT OUT THE DOOR??******

- Steelmanpa


The system doesn't necessarily stink, it's just not ideal for the current roster. More importantly, at least IMO, is Laviolette has been hesitant to adapt to better fit what he has on hand.

When he finally adjusted last year after the injury wave, the level of play improved, both offensively and defensively. It wasn't because Lauridsen, Manning and the other replacements were that much better. It was because the team was coached within it's abilities.
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