You didn't really answer any of the questions. And you also fail to include the career ending injury that took away an impact defenseman, and gave more urgency to needing to add an impact defenseman. Which certainly can't be blamed on Holmgren. And I don't think you've made a solid case for the high stakes. Like I said previously, the only real gambles were the Carter and Richards trade. Which if I remember correctly, you were in favor of.
- MJL

i didn't fail anything, homer did. you want gambles besides rich/carts? the bryz gamble which led to trading vezina bob, the weber gamble, the eminger gamble, pronger at 34 was a gamble, at over 35, it's been an obstacle. streit is certainly a gamble, as is managing right up against the cap most every yr, which leads to upshall-type cap trades; not having a cogent org plan is certainly a gamble. yea, he's won a few, but would more patience have yielded a better result- i think so.

don't worry, you won't have to defend him if the flyers miss the plyoffs, cause he'll be gone.

Is Berube capable?

That's probably the important q right now isn't it?
- walshy66

Flyers think so, but no one really knows until he has numerous games under his belt. I'll give him a shot

Hmmm. You might be onto something there
- Dkos

McCrossin. It's his fault. Even if it isn't, it is. I hate that guy, if for nothing more than just being near the freak accidents that happened on the ice. I just picture him taking the guys who are coming out of unconsciousness into the training room... and then beating them over the head with a baseball in an attempt to fix the head injury.

mckenzie on NHL net not impressed w/ flyer D...just keeping it real.

mckenzie on NHL net not impressed w/ flyer D...just keeping it real.
- isaiah520

Not spectacular but with a more defensive system they'd be more than capable

I think one sentence you posted, says it all. It seems like this team isn't a team. That's exactly right. I don't think there is an issue among the players in the room. There obviously was something with the Coach.
- MJL

It is hard, with the amount of turnover there's been in this room over the past 2-3 years. to create that team atmosphere/attitude. But it doesn't come from team building exercises. Hopefully there can be a bit more stability in the roster and a lot more stability in lines and pairings, so that guys can develop chemistry and commitment with and to each other.

mckenzie on NHL net not impressed w/ flyer D...just keeping it real.
- isaiah520

the D is no worse than New Jersey, it's the way you utilize them, as well as the rest of the players
I've said ir before, Salvador is not a #1 D man, unless you have him employed in the proper system with structure.

Growing pains of bringing players up young. Ie schenn and coots. Leave Laughton in minors to grow

Flyers think so, but no one really knows until he has numerous games under his belt. I'll give him a shot
- eayost

I suppose that's all you cam do now, it's always an exciting ride....

So what are those strengths that were under utilised?

How would they be used better? Didn't watch a lot of preseason Flyers games and have missed the 3 so far.
- walshy66

They have a strong PK and a strong PP. They are horrible 5 on 5. They need to simplify their breakouts so they are able to gain the offensive zone better. They lack the speed and the puck skills to be the run and gun system Lavi uses. Play a system 5 on 5 that draws on the same skills that make their PK and PP so good.

I would also like to seem them be able to adjust how they play depending on the game situation. Lavi's system could be described as one size fits all.

They have a strong PK and a strong PP. They are horrible 5 on 5. They need to simplify their breakouts so they are able to gain the offensive zone better. They lack the speed and the puck skills to be the run and gun system Lavi uses. Play a system 5 on 5 that draws on the same skills that make their PK and PP so good.

I would also like to seem them be able to adjust how they play depending on the game situation. Lavi's system could be described as one size fits all.
- MBFlyerfan

Would you think chip and chase, or puck possession moving into the o zone? What's going to suit the roster, for the even strength?

Would you think chip and chase, or puck possession moving into the o zone? What's going to suit the roster, for the even strength?
- walshy66

Flying V

Not spectacular but with a more defensive system they'd be more than capable
- ob18

adequate, but needing an infusion of youth/mobility. way too much dependence on fragile and /or declining plyrs

the D is no worse than New Jersey, it's the way you utilize them, as well as the rest of the players
I've said ir before, Salvador is not a #1 D man, unless you have him employed in the proper system with structure.
- puckhead17

if larsson is a stud, they are ahead of us easy. i wonder if berube will be able to ingrain a system like NJ has had under deboer...

Would you think chip and chase, or puck possession moving into the o zone? What's going to suit the roster, for the even strength?
- walshy66

Depends on the lines. But I would rather them be more defensive and counter attacking instead of trying an over aggressive forecheck that leaves them caught. And on the breakouts keep the forwards less aggressive. Control the gaps, and give the dmen more options for higher percentage outlet passes.

Meh, I wish Lavi just adjusted.

I suppose that's all you cam do now, it's always an exciting ride....
- walshy66

PO's are exciting. Changing coaches after three games tend to give me a headache.

I expect there to be a surge in energy, but a lot of needless running around until the team can figure out what Berube wants them to do. I'm assuming early on he'll keep to Lavi's blueprint to a large degree and hold the players accountable for their responsibilities.

adequate, but needing an infusion of youth/mobility. way too much dependence on fragile and /or declining plyrs
- isaiah520

They need to add a top line puck mover, that's beyond debate anymore. They have Streit and Gus with Alt, Ghost and Hagg in the system. I'm not too worried about the future of our mobile D outside of that top line spot.

A fundamental change in defensive schemes will do this team wonders.

i didn't fail anything, homer did. you want gambles besides rich/carts? the bryz gamble which led to trading vezina bob, the weber gamble, the eminger gamble, pronger at 34 was a gamble, at over 35, it's been an obstacle. streit is certainly a gamble, as is managing right up against the cap most every yr, which leads to upshall-type cap trades; not having a cogent org plan is certainly a gamble. yea, he's won a few, but would more patience have yielded a better result- i think so.

don't worry, you won't have to defend him if the flyers miss the plyoffs, cause he'll be gone.
- isaiah520

Signing the best available goaltender and a former vezina finalist isn't a gamble. it's trying to make the team better. If you think it is then pretty much every player move is. Neither was trading for Pronger. As he instantly raised the Flyers to a legitimate Cup contender. Streit isn't a gamble either. There was a need for a puck moving defenseman.
I love when the Upshall card is played. As if losing Upshall was a big deal, and that resembles a gamble. And I disagree that there isn't a cogent organizational plan. You may not like or agree with the plan, but there definitely is one. And that plan is to try and win. And to use all the assets available to them, including Cap space to try and win.
And Holmgren has shown patience with the current young core of the roster. To not recognize that is to ignore the facts. And I don't need to defend Holmgren. I don't think Holmgren is in danger of losing his job. Even if they miss the playoffs this Season. Although I don't think that's an unreasonable thought, and I certainly could be wrong about that.

if larsson is a stud, they are ahead of us easy. i wonder if berube will be able to ingrain a system like NJ has had under deboer...
- isaiah520

And "if" Morin, Alt, Ghostibehere, or Haag develop into studs, the Flyers will have a solid defense going forward.

PO's are exciting. Changing coaches after three games tend to give me a headache.

I expect there to be a surge in energy, but a lot of needless running around until the team can figure out what Berube wants them to do. I'm assuming early on he'll keep to Lavi's blueprint to a large degree and hold the players accountable for their responsibilities.
- 77rams

I agree there is liable to be a jump in energy in the first few games. But it's going to take a little bit of time for Berube to add the changes he wants to make.

I agree there is liable to be a jump in energy in the first few games. But it's going to take a little bit of time for Berube to add the changes he wants to make.
- MJL

Yep.

Probably not in earnest until after the Pen game when he has a week off.

And "if" Morin, Alt, Ghostibehere, or Haag develop into studs, the Flyers will have a solid defense going forward.
- MJL

larsson was a top 5-6 draft pick and is in the nhl now. we can only hope about the others in a couple of yrs.

larsson was a top 5-6 draft pick and is in the nhl now. we can only hope about the others in a couple of yrs.
- isaiah520

I'm aware of that. But that doesn't change that the Flyers have a strong staple of defense prospects. And they have the same "ifs" in potential for the future. And the future is more then just now.

larsson was a top 5-6 draft pick and is in the nhl now. we can only hope about the others in a couple of yrs.
- isaiah520

Right now, Larsson's playing fewer minutes than Peter Harrold, so calling him a stud is a bit premature.

That said, you can't ask a team to build through the draft and be miffed if they aren't showing returns immediately.

Signing the best available goaltender and a former vezina finalist isn't a gamble. If you think it is then pretty much every player move is. Neither was trading for Pronger. As he instantly raised the Flyers to a legitimate Cup contender. Streit isn't a gamble either. There was a need for a puck moving defenseman.
I love when the Upshall card is played. As if losing Upshall was a big deal, and that resembles a gamble. And I disagree that there isn't a cogent organizational plan. You may not like or agree with the plan, but there definitely is one. And that plan is to try and win. And to use all the assets available to them, including Cap space to try and win.
And Holmgren has shown patience with the current young core of the roster. To not recognize that is to ignore the facts. And I don't need to defend Holmgren. I don't think Holmgren is in danger of losing his job. Even if they miss the playoffs this Season. Although I don't think that's an unreasonable thought, and I certainly could be wrong about that.
- MJL

proper vetting was not done on bryz and that's obvious. rumors of his act were rife from his cincy days in the A. it was an expensive fiasco based on paroxysm of nutty impatience by the org that cost us a good prospect in bob. that's a colossal fail and you're delusional if you can't see this. the rest is just your opinion which your entitled to, but i think you wear orange-colored glasses.

homer is hardly one of the top GMs in the league as you have opined here. i think hexy will have his job if they miss the plyoffs.