Down 2-0 early in what is basically a must win game, changing goalies isn't dumb. It's a common coaching tactic.
- MJL

I agree, changing goalies when down 2-0 isn't dumb. It may be dumb when you consider that your team was outplaying the other team up to that point, both goals were scored on breakaways caused by defensive breakdowns, and your starting goalie is coming off injury and had little practice time. THAT may be considered dumb.

- PhillySportsGuy

Hey, Craig.

Mason is very frustrated with the Flyers organization and I wouldn't be shocked if he requested a trade
- vejim

Let's pump the brakes a bit on this.

It was the Flyers that took Mason when NO ONE wanted him and he was left on the proverbial scrap heap. They took him, gave him a chance, and gave him a nice big contract.

I agree that there has been some strange handling of Mason (I did not agree with pulling Zepp against TML, but whatever) and the Reese situation should not have been allowed to happen, but let's not pretend the Flyers haven't done anything for Mason, because that's completely false.

Hey, Craig.
- Tomahawk

Lawson Crouse 2 goals & 1 assist last night.

Well, at least we won the game
- BulliesPhan87

Yeah. I think we can pick a stuffed animal from the middle row with those 2 points.

Oh, wait...you fibbed.

"I didn't really see mistakes on either goal," Berube said. "It's a broken play [on Bozak's goal] and not much we can do. Stuff happens and they scored two goals."

But I pulled Zepp anyway, cause I'm a wildman like that and you can't control a hurricane! Wooo!

I agree that Berube had some real head scratching moments, but he was handed a rock and stick and told to fight off the the 10th Armored Cav. Does anyone really think that even Scotty Bowman could have made these scrap pile players contenders?
- redcoat75

Let's not pretend that this is the worst roster in the league... the worst money can buy, maybe... full of ill-fitting pieces, yes... but not the least talented.

Tippett got the shoestring budget, ownership in flux 'Yotes to the PO's 3 seasons in a row... once winning 50-games (in the Western (frank)ing Conference) for pete's sake. Leading scorer was like in the 50-point range and they had one 20-goal scorer that year.

Good coaching can transcend roster issues. Mediocre coaching... well we know what that looks like.

But I pulled Zepp anyway, cause I'm a wildman like that and you can't control a hurricane! Wooo!
- wolfhounds

I know coaches make that move to do SOMETHING, but given the circumstances that have come out since then (i.e. -- Mason probably shouldn't have been on the bench to begin with), it looks like it was the exact wrong move.

Let's pump the brakes a bit on this.

It was the Flyers that took Mason when NO ONE wanted him and he was left on the proverbial scrap heap. They took him, gave him a chance, and gave him a nice big contract.

I agree that there has been some strange handling of Mason (I did not agree with pulling Zepp against TML, but whatever) and the Reese situation should not have been allowed to happen, but let's not pretend the Flyers haven't done anything for Mason, because that's completely false.
- johndewar

Still, he has value now, and if there's one thing we know for certain about hockey and the Flyers, it's a business first.

Still, he has value now, and if there's one thing we know for certain about hockey and the Flyers, it's a business first.
- wolfhounds

Oh, I agree, but to think that Steve Mason has built up the political capital to demand a trade is over the top.

He has every right to be non-plussed, hate Berube, whatever. Demanding a trade after what the Flyers have done for him is silly.

I know coaches make that move to do SOMETHING, but given the circumstances that have come out since then (i.e. -- Mason probably shouldn't have been on the bench to begin with), it looks like it was the exact wrong move.
- johndewar

No doubt. The move has to be viewed in context. Mason probably shouldn't have been on the bench if he wasn't ready for a start. 2 goals on 8 shots is bad, but was it all on Zepp? Berube didn't seem to think so. And putting Mason - the first legit franchise goalie this team has had in a long time - in net, given the circumstances, was a bad move.

Every game the Flyers have played since Christmas (Thanksgiving?) has been a "must win" game, but risking your starting goalie when the game was far from lost? So dumb.

Berube yanked Zepp after two goals, forcing injured netminder Steve Mason to inexplicably enter cold off the bench in the second period. That came just hours after admitting he wasn't fully ready to play. He had 60 percent of the meniscus removed in his right knee in an arthroscopic surgery just 16 days earlier.

"I'd be able to go in there and do the job, but I hope it doesn't come to that," Mason said at the pregame skate. "The game is not there yet. I haven't had a good skate yet because of the schedule."

Let's not pretend that this is the worst roster in the league... the worst money can buy, maybe... full of ill-fitting pieces, yes... but not the least talented.

Tippett got the shoestring budget, ownership in flux 'Yotes to the PO's 3 seasons in a row... once winning 50-games (in the Western (frank)ing Conference) for pete's sake. Leading scorer was like in the 50-point range and they had one 20-goal scorer that year.

Good coaching can transcend roster issues. Mediocre coaching... well we know what that looks like.
- Tomahawk

Oh, I agree, but to think that Steve Mason has built up the political capital to demand a trade is over the top.

He has every right to be non-plussed, hate Berube, whatever. Demanding a trade after what the Flyers have done for him is silly.
- johndewar

Yeah, I doubt it would happen, but he definitely has some grievances to air. Just needs a Festivus pole.

Let's not pretend that this is the worst roster in the league... the worst money can buy, maybe... full of ill-fitting pieces, yes... but not the least talented.

Tippett got the shoestring budget, ownership in flux 'Yotes to the PO's 3 seasons in a row... once winning 50-games (in the Western (frank)ing Conference) for pete's sake. Leading scorer was like in the 50-point range and they had one 20-goal scorer that year.

Good coaching can transcend roster issues. Mediocre coaching... well we know what that looks like.
- Tomahawk

Coaching can transcend roster issues, but only for so long.

Ask Barry Trotz. And Dave Tippett for that matter.

When you are regularly scratching guys that make over $5 million per year....those aren't roster holes, so much as roster chasms. MacDonald, Umberger, Lecavalier.....That's over 20% of your player budget that you acknowledge is underperforming to the point where not playing them increases your chance to win. That's pretty goddamn bad.

I think Berube is gonna be gone because, at this point, I think he's lost the team and I don't think Hextall CAN bring him back. But I also don't think that if Berube zigged instead of zagged that this could have ended differently this year.

I vorted for Mason!
- BingoLady

Well i voted for Kodos

Lawson Crouse 2 goals & 1 assist last night.
- ob18

He looks good in orange:

Starting Mason against NJ was one. Bill did a great job of explaining why.

Going back to Rinaldo when he has proven all year that he's not a viable NHL player is another. 44 games, 2 assists, -12, 94 PIM.
- Feanor

i would offer that the seeming regression of read, couturier and schenn along with the mysterious lack of enthusiasm for the game most nights has to fall at the feet of the coach at least in some measure. if the coach can't "coach up" players, and motivate the team why have one?

He looks good in orange:


- Tomahawk

haha

Wasn't the game against NJ a must win, also? Why didn't he pull Mason for Emery after the 3rd goal on Sunday, or the 4th?
- Feanor

I don't think goaltending was the issue in that game. The issue was the team play in front of Mason. I personally would have pulled him there to save him from having to face being hung out to dry further, and to send a message to the skaters.

i would offer that the seeming regression of read, couturier and schenn along with the mysterious lack of enthusiasm for the game most nights has to fall at the feet of the coach at least in some measure. if the coach can't "coach up" players, and motivate the team why have one?
- hogweed

Read was hurt early and has struggled to get his form back.

And for Brayden Schenn, you might as well bring in another voice that can possibly figure what buttons to push on him so that he's not completely useless as he's been most of the year.

Couturier's problems relate to usage which definitely sits with the coach.

Based on what I've seen I honestly have no idea if he is good or not. The roster he was handed certainly leaves a lot to be desired but then some of his player decisions are curious.
- Scoob

Players tend to make coaches look good, and they make them look bad.

Context:

The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
- wolfhounds

Unrelated to the conversation.

I agree, changing goalies when down 2-0 isn't dumb. It may be dumb when you consider that your team was outplaying the other team up to that point, both goals were scored on breakaways caused by defensive breakdowns, and your starting goalie is coming off injury and had little practice time. THAT may be considered dumb.
- jeffherrm

In my opinion, Zepp looked shaky, especially on the 2nd goal. I think Mason makes that save, and maybe gets the first one also. That's speculation on my part. Certainly there were defensive breakdowns on those goals. I have no problem with the decision that Berube made there.

Coaching can transcend roster issues, but only for so long.

Ask Barry Trotz. And Dave Tippett for that matter.

When you are regularly scratching guys that make over $5 million per year....those aren't roster holes, so much as roster chasms. MacDonald, Umberger, Lecavalier.....That's over 20% of your player budget that you acknowledge is underperforming to the point where not playing them increases your chance to win. That's pretty goddamn bad.

I think Berube is gonna be gone because, at this point, I think he's lost the team and I don't think Hextall CAN bring him back. But I also don't think that if Berube zigged instead of zagged that this could have ended differently this year.
- johndewar

I don't believe the results would have changed by much, but the process, I think could have been much different, especially on the development front.

Let's not pretend that this is the worst roster in the league... the worst money can buy, maybe... full of ill-fitting pieces, yes... but not the least talented.

Tippett got the shoestring budget, ownership in flux 'Yotes to the PO's 3 seasons in a row... once winning 50-games (in the Western (frank)ing Conference) for pete's sake. Leading scorer was like in the 50-point range and they had one 20-goal scorer that year.

Good coaching can transcend roster issues. Mediocre coaching... well we know what that looks like.
- Tomahawk

Good coaching cannot transcend injuries, or inconsistent play on the ice. Nor players not playing up to their potential.
How is Tippet doing this year, and what is the difference between years past?

Still, he has value now, and if there's one thing we know for certain about hockey and the Flyers, it's a business first.
- wolfhounds

The Flyers finally have what looks to be a top goaltender, and you think they're going to trade Mason because he has value now, and it's a business?