I have two tix for next Tuesday night against the Panthers. Section 207. $85 face value but ill sell both for that. I live in the delco area.

People are still concerned that Laviolette isn't the right coach. Like him or not, the fact is that the team has gotten progressively worse each year that he's been the head coach. Like him or not, the fact is that against the Rangers, Devils and Lightning the team has gone 9-23-1 over the past couple seasons. Like him or not, the fact is that teams that forcheck with discipline and trap well have given Laviolette's teams a lot of trouble over the last few years and he seemingly has no answers to correct the problem.

There's plenty of legitimate questions about Laviolette and whether or not he should be the coach of this team. We'd all be happier if that wasn't the case, but it is.

If you want to defend Laviolette, then do it by defending his performance, not by ripping posters who provide factual evidence that shows why they have issues with the coach. Don't just pop in and complain that people are picking on poor Lavi
- Jsaquella

I have no issue with Lavy overall, but I am concerned that the team has not performed well last year and so for this year although it's only preseason and 1 game. With the new format, if we don't get off to a good start, we could be buried.

Voracek needs to back on the top line, not only for the good of the Flyers, but for my fantasy team as well.
- Shephardbd

At least you are honest! This is as good a reason as any.
I'll give these lines some time to shake out. Being able to move them around isn't a bad thing. At the very least it will keep the opposition guessing. It's much harder to counter lines when the players in them consistently change.

As a Pens fan I'm looking forward to hating him.
- nbartley9

I see your boy Cooke's on pace for 82 goals.

At least you are honest! This is as good a reason as any.
I'll give these lines some time to shake out. Being able to move them around isn't a bad thing. At the very least it will keep the opposition guessing. It's much harder to counter lines when the players in them consistently change.
- FlyersGrace

Can't wait for that Giroux - L. Schenn - Rosehill forward unit.

I see your boy Cooke's on pace for 82 goals.
- jmatchett383

He has more goals than Dupuis, Geno, and Kunitz combined.

12/19/13

Can't wait for that Giroux - L. Schenn - Rosehill forward unit.
- jmatchett383

Voracek needs to back on the top line, not only for the good of the Flyers, but for my fantasy team as well.
- Shephardbd

Same

Just pointing out that last week when I said that the inability to score in the preseason wasn't going to be as funny after Game 1 if the issue continued and that potential means nothing without production. I was getting mocked quite a bit.

Yeah. Just sayin'.

Bottom line: The inability to score on 5v5 is killing this team. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know why this team isn't scoring 5v5.

But nothing matters this season, nothing at all -- not the goaltending, not the coach, not the defense, NOTHING -- matters with this team until they start scoring even at a league average pace at 5v5.

They shouldn't have lost Wednesday. That's a game where, if you simply score once at even strength, you should've gotten at least a point.

My prediction is this, if this roster continues to not be able to score at even strength: The coach isn't getting fired before a trade gets made for a scoring winger, a true Top 6 forward who might have defensive issues but can flat-out score.

Just pointing out that last week when I said that the inability to score in the preseason wasn't going to be as funny after Game 1 if the issue continued and that potential means nothing without production. I was getting mocked quite a bit.

Yeah. Just sayin'.

Bottom line: The inability to score on 5v5 is killing this team. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know why this team isn't scoring 5v5.

But nothing matters this season, nothing at all -- not the goaltending, not the coach, not the defense, NOTHING -- matters with this team until they start scoring even at a league average pace at 5v5.

They shouldn't have lost Wednesday. That's a game where, if you simply score once at even strength, you should've gotten at least a point.

My prediction is this, if this roster continues to not be able to score at even strength: The coach isn't getting fired before a trade gets made for a scoring winger, a true Top 6 forward who might have defensive issues but can flat-out score.
- AllInForFlyers

And they're going to move who/what exactly for this proven top-6 winger? And what team is going to be desperate enough to trade said winger this early on?

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Newbury, Laughton, Holding the Lines, Scud Missiles
- bmeltzer

a well crafted blog, sir

And they're going to move who/what exactly for this proven top-6 winger? And what team is going to be desperate enough to trade said winger this early on?
- jmatchett383

Anybody not named "Giroux" or "Voracek" or "Lecavalier" or "Timonen" or "Streit" will be eligible for trade, and trades always happen after the first eight games or so, after GMs see what kind of start they've had.

I have two tix for next Tuesday night against the Panthers. Section 207. $85 face value but ill sell both for that. I live in the delco area.
- Stinkfitz

I found a ticket upstairs for 16 after all fees. I kid you not.

Is the entire season on this blog going to be marred with questioning every single thing Lavy does? One game in and it is already beginning. Let's but B. Schenn on the top line and Voracek on the 3rd line, but that sucks according to many of you. I agree that Jake was great on the top line last year, but if you notice the top three lines all have a playmaker/finisher on each one. G with Hartnell, Vinny with Read, and Coots with Jake. Last year it was the system blows and Lavy is a not the right coach for this mix of players. Some people are just never happy
- aantny88

pretty much
if it creates balance, i'm all for it. Its one game...game two is coming soon

For instance: I could easily see Wayne Simmonds getting moved for the kind of winger who would've put that penalty shot under the bar.

Again, you've got to give to get. But there's hockey trades to be made. You just have to have the stomach to make them.

I have two tix for next Tuesday night against the Panthers. Section 207. $85 face value but ill sell both for that. I live in the delco area.
- Stinkfitz

Same here section 211. Same face, same asking price. Live in South Jersey, can meet or leave at will call.

As a Pens fan I'm looking forward to hating him.
- nbartley9

love the honesty

For instance: I could easily see Wayne Simmonds getting moved for the kind of winger who would've put that penalty shot under the bar.

Again, you've got to give to get. But there's hockey trades to be made. You just have to have the stomach to make them.
- AllInForFlyers

Buffalo want to trade Vanek, but his cap hit and pending UFA status make him a bad fit here. Unless the Sabres were to retain salary this season, and the Flyers were confident they could sign him to a cap friendly deal.

For instance: I could easily see Wayne Simmonds getting moved for the kind of winger who would've put that penalty shot under the bar.

Again, you've got to give to get. But there's hockey trades to be made. You just have to have the stomach to make them.
- AllInForFlyers

Most teams aren't looking to make early season deals for big-name players. But we'll see. Don't know why anyone would be interested in a player who plays on a top-6 of Hartnell, Giroux, Voracek, Lecavalier, and Read/Shcenn but can't score.

Buffalo want to trade Vanek, but his cap hit and pending UFA status make him a bad fit here. Unless the Sabres were to retain salary this season, and the Flyers were confident they could sign him to a cap friendly deal.
- Feanor

See? Exactly what I'm talking about -- there's always guys who can be had. The question becomes, how much do you want to pay?

Because yes: Thomas Vanek, as an example, is expensive. And, as an example, he might not be available.

But that's the kind of guy the Flyers need. And if they continue to not score, that's the kind of guy they're going to go get.

Most teams aren't looking to make early season deals for big-name players. But we'll see. Don't know why anyone would be interested in a player who plays on a top-6 of Hartnell, Giroux, Voracek, Lecavalier, and Read/Shcenn but can't score.
- jmatchett383

Because you might want to change your mix -- for instance, take Montreal. Or Edmonton. Again, just two random teams. But what some people are always talking about with those teams is a lack of size, a lack of grit, in their Top 6.

Those are the kinds of teams, if they get off to bad starts and are getting exposed because of those factors, who would be looking for a guy like Wayne Simmonds -- because he is what they don't have.

Because you might want to change your mix -- for instance, take Montreal. Or Edmonton. Again, just two random teams. But what some people are always talking about with those teams is a lack of size, a lack of grit, in their Top 6.

Those are the kinds of teams, if they get off to bad starts and are getting exposed because of those factors, who would be looking for a guy like Wayne Simmonds -- because he is what they don't have.
- AllInForFlyers

I guess it could, I just don't think it will. We'll see.
Also, it's one game. Let's wait and see what happens before we condemn these guys. I know many people (yourself included) pointed to the top-6 forwards as something to look forward to, not something to look forward to trading.

I guess it could, I just don't think it will. We'll see.
- jmatchett383

Certainly -- and for the record, I'd prefer for this Flyers team, as constructed, to score. I don't want to see anyone get moved.

But at the same time, Wednesday's game looked exactly like last year's team, with not an even-strength goal to be found.

It's one game, and we'll see. But as I always say, if something is so obvious that I can see it, I guarantee a professional saw it first.

For instance: I could easily see Wayne Simmonds getting moved for the kind of winger who would've put that penalty shot under the bar.

Again, you've got to give to get. But there's hockey trades to be made. You just have to have the stomach to make them.
- AllInForFlyers

I just wonder, was 2 years ago really just an anomaly? I mean Talbot scored, Simmonds scored, as did several others..and we had balance. Now it seems we couldn't score on a $5 hooker. I have to believe that with more time and the better transition game with Streit (who I thought played well Wednesday BTW) that we'll stat scoring.

I just wonder, was 2 years ago really just an anomaly? I mean Talbot scored, Simmonds scored, as did several others..and we had balance. Now it seems we couldn't score on a $5 hooker. I have to believe that with more time and the better transition game with Streit (who I thought played well Wednesday BTW) that we'll stat scoring.
- Hextall271

I wouldn't say it was an anomaly.

I'm willing to give it a bit of time before I can say whatever it is they are doing isn't working. I thought the chances were there on Wednesday. They just didn't bury them.