It couldn't have been worse than this, at least.
- BulliesPhan87

No it wouldn't have and no offense to berube but he really might be the new Wayne cashman. However they had a much better pool of candidates over the summer.. I'm sorry but there's just too many former players involved in the mix here.
Next up hextall as GM! Damn how bout bill barber as snider' successor!?

How's that giroux signing looking these days?
- JoeRussomanno

Like it always has. Grossly overpaying for a 2nd tier star.

That blocker save he made on the 2-1 was unbelievable.

He deserves better.
- PLindbergh31

you're g-ddamn right he does. i just hope he doesn't lose his focus/edge because of the endless ineptitude in front of him. that's what worries me.

I hear you...I have been in the military for 20+ years and had to watch from afar...I was fortunately able to get to quite a few games in 94-98 and a game here and there over the last couple of years when I was home at the holidays, but watching this team has been soooo frustrating...

All that being said, my wife and I can't wait until we can get back the area for good as i told her my only requirement when i retire is to be a season ticket holder for the Flyers as it is the only sport that is truely better in person (unless they play like this....)

i feel for the season ticket holders that have now had two seasons of this...
- JW98FlyerFan

i lived in new mexico for a while and would go to the sports bar to watch games. in 97 i took a loa from work and my good friend and i took a road trip home for the finals so we could be here for the parade. a great trip that didn't exactly work out as we had hoped. hard to believe there have been 16 more seasons of futility since then

No it wouldn't have and no offense to berube but he really might be the new Wayne cashman. However they had a much better pool of candidates over the summer.. I'm sorry but there's just too many former players involved in the mix here.
Next up hextall as GM! Damn how bout bill barber as snider' successor!?
- JoeRussomanno

Personally, I don't care if the guy is or isn't a former Flyer. I don't love their insistence on sticking to former Flyers, but the solution to their problems isn't simply hiring non-ex-Flyers. As far as coaching goes, the problem was a weak-kneed, middle ground approach to the Lavi situation. They should've fired him when they had a market to peruse.

No it wouldn't have and no offense to berube but he really might be the new Wayne cashman. However they had a much better pool of candidates over the summer.. I'm sorry but there's just too many former players involved in the mix here.
Next up hextall as GM! Damn how bout bill barber as snider' successor!?
- JoeRussomanno

they have the same hair

Like it always has. Grossly overpaying for a 2nd tier star.
- MBFlyerfan

It hurts... Hopefully he turns it around but at this point I really think those scoring numbers were inflated playing in an offensive minded system.

Personally, I don't care if the guy is or isn't a former Flyer. I don't love their insistence on sticking to former Flyers, but the solution to their problems isn't simply hiring non-ex-Flyers. As far as coaching goes, the problem was a weak-kneed, middle ground approach to the Lavi situation. They should've fired him when they had a market to peruse.
- BulliesPhan87

Here's the thing ... I just see a pattern of hiring former players for various roles in the organization. And while that is going on the team remains either mediocre or slightly above average. It's like the organization is stuck in a self serving comfort zone.

Here's the thing ... I just see a pattern of hiring former players for various roles in the organization. And while that is going on the team remains either mediocre or slightly above average. It's like the organization is stuck in a self serving comfort zone.
- JoeRussomanno

I just don't think hiring 'fresh blood' is a magic bullet. Not saying I like their tendency to only hire ex-Flyers.

I just don't think hiring 'fresh blood' is a magic bullet. Not saying I like their tendency to only hire ex-Flyers.
- BulliesPhan87

It's not a magic bullet no, as the remedy to this problem IMO is multifaceted. They can't just hire outside and think it'll solve their problems no, but instead of just bringing in former guys and "grooming" them to take over it be better, perhaps to open up their options. I think they just want people who know the program and come in to continue without disrupting synergy... But sometimes you need that voice in the boardroom to play devil's advocate and keep you honest.

How about the Toronto Mayor admitting he smoked Crack while in office. Drug test Holmgren immediately.

Bill, I was curious if you knew to what extent the flyers organization has worked with renowned sports psychologist Joel Fish? I know he's been listed as a consultant for the team, but have they really put his services to much use? Knowing how the Flyers "culture" is often perceived, and knowing that some other organizations have been a little hesitant, or perhaps resistant/skeptical of the idea using a sports psychologist to work with their players, I'm just curious as to where the Flyers stand on such a topic? As right now, with the funk this team is in, and all the pressure mounting on the team to produce, it would seem very beneficial to use a sports psychologist to help calm them, help restore confidence etc. A guy like Michael Gervais could do wonders for someone like Giroux right about now.

How about the Toronto Mayor admitting he smoked Crack while in office. Drug test Holmgren immediately.
- youarewrong

You always manage to work politics into your posts somehow.

Bill, I was curious if you knew to what extent the flyers organization has worked with renowned sports psychologist Joel Fish? I know he's been listed as a consultant for the team, but have they really put his services to much use? Knowing how the Flyers "culture" is often perceived, and knowing that some other organizations have been a little hesitant, or perhaps resistant/skeptical of the idea using a sports psychologist to work with their players, I'm just curious as to where the Flyers stand on such a topic? As right now, with the funk this team is in, and all the pressure mounting on the team to produce, it would seem very beneficial to use a sports psychologist to help calm them, help restore confidence etc. A guy like Michael Gervais could do wonders for someone like Giroux right about now.
- Flyerfan2868

leight

you're g-ddamn right he does. i just hope he doesn't lose his focus/edge because of the endless ineptitude in front of him. that's what worries me.
- hammarby31

Very valid concern. It's got to be tough to continue to put up stellar numbers, and get saddled with loss after loss on your record.

Here's the thing ... I just see a pattern of hiring former players for various roles in the organization. And while that is going on the team remains either mediocre or slightly above average. It's like the organization is stuck in a self serving comfort zone.
- JoeRussomanno

So you didn't see Holmgren turn them from the worst team in the NHL in 2006-07 to a ECF team in 2008? Or a SCF team in 2010?

Even if they go outside the organization, and hire a Paul Fenton or Kevin McDonald, they still have to answer to Snider.

It wasn't Holmgren's declaration that led to the signing of Bryz. It allegedly wasn't Holmgren's desire to trade Frick & Frack. If you have a Fenton in place, and Snider says "Lose that guy", then what's Fenton going to do? Say no?

You always manage to work politics into your posts somehow.
- PLindbergh31

I have no politial interest in Toronto Mayor... just thought it was a funny story.

http://thehockeywriters.c...+%28The+Hockey+Writers%29

http://thehockeywriters.com/paul-holmgren-doesnt-deserve-lose-job/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheHockeyWriters+%28The+Hockey+Writers%29


- LeftCoaster

Right now, it probably doesn't make a ton of difference if he stays or goes.

Very valid concern. It's got to be tough to continue to put up stellar numbers, and get saddled with loss after loss on your record.
- PLindbergh31

I hadn't worried about this until last night whey they paused the camera on Mason after the 3rd period goal. For a little bit there he just sat with his head down facing the net.....it looked like doubt to me. Not what I want to see.

I have no politial interest in Toronto Mayor... just thought it was a funny story.
- youarewrong

He was wearing an NFL throwback tie. That was pretty cool.

It hurts... Hopefully he turns it around but at this point I really think those scoring numbers were inflated playing in an offensive minded system.
- JoeRussomanno

I think at best Giroux is and always will be a 70-80 point a year player. That is excellent in today's NHL. But not worth 8.25 per. And he doesn't bring enough defensively to push him up in to that upper elite tier.

Now if his defensive game was the same and he was putting up 100 points, that is different. But he is not.

It is what it is, and Lavi really hung one on him when he called him the "best player in the world". That didnt do him or the team any favors when contract time arrived.

Now IMO he is doomed to live up to this deal and perhaps he knows he cant.

He was wearing an NFL throwback tie. That was pretty cool.
- PLindbergh31

If I ever have to admit to the citizens I represent that I smoked crack in one of my drunken stupors, that's the tie I'm gonna wear

nice insight from that perspective
first off, the word lucky should be in quotes
and second, let us know if you start doing mindless things in the next day or so, like forgetting stuff, or locking your keys in your car....maybe what they have is contagious
- hogweed

Hope not haha

If I ever have to admit to the citizens I represent that I smoked crack in one of my drunken stupors, that's the tie I'm gonna wear
- Jsaquella

He's just further alienating the fine folks in Canada. He should have had a Toronto Argos tie on.