I could see the case for Lappy to go or be reassigned. However Mullen would be the one assistant coach I'd be adamant in keeping. He's had too much success coaching the PP over his Flyers career. He's not exactly failing at it this year either, they rank in the top half of the league. They're just too dependent on it.
- Baxter27

I could see that.

Kind of hard to blame Provy for the PK struggles which have been going on since October 2014. And even if he's not a great NHL PKer now, he has upside.



Nope, why?
- Feanor

non-embedded youtube link

I don't like how he's handled the goalies either but who is the last coach we can say that we have really?

Hak has definitely made some strange moves but it not like he's got that great of a roster to work with anyway. I'll give him a shot to get things off in the right foot next year before I start calling for his head. Not his fault both goalies can't be realized on and the Captain fell off a cliff out of nowhere.
- hereticpride

LAVY RUINED BOB

Yeah, you may be right. Some guys do have the mental makeup, especially as they age, to be a backup. I don't think that applies though to either of the Flyers current goalies. My guess is that both see themselves as starters, and both want to play as much as possible.
- BiggE

I think Neuvirth clearly came here knowing he was a backup. That may have changed though

And Bellemare has lost over 60% of his SH DZ draws this season

http://puckbase.com/stats...PHI&situation=sh&zone=def
- Feanor

That puts your team at a HUGE disadvantage.

Actually its more in line with wanting a full tear down. Something he does not want to do.

Yet.
- flyer_nutter

Something he won't do. Because a full tear down doesn't guarantee success.

Bill hitting Flyers fans hard on Twitter today. lol
- Scoob

Has to be one of the perks of the job haha

The WIP twitter question of the day was do you think the Flyers try hard enough or something like that

82% no

Something he won't do. Because a full tear down doesn't guarantee success.
- J35Bacher

It's a genius analysis. Just tear it down. Done deal, problem solved.

I have to go back to work, so I'll say this one last time. I believe the Flyers biggest issue on the PK is losing the opening faceoff and not pressuring the opposition when they come up the ice and at the top of the box. I'm not sure how any of that is on the D or on the goalies.
- BiggE

Even if you perceive those 2 specific things as the biggest issue, you can't just give everyone else on the ice a free pass because you think they have nothing to do with them.

I think it's been recognized that face offs are an issue on the PK, hence Giroux being reintroduced to it.

Pressure on the PK is a balance that needs to be found all over the ice, not just while the other team is approaching and at the top of the box. It's up to all 4 players to defend the blue line and clear it if the other team enters. Teams aren't only making plays from the top of the box either. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of defensemen(even Provorov) not applying enough pressure down low, along the walls or at the top of the box when the rotation calls for it.

Short handed save % has been another weakness on this team over the years. While I wouldn't put it all on the goalies they certainly own some responsibility for it .

Hope Sota miss 5 regulars to like that WinniPig
- Landsbergfan

Well said. Thanks.

It's a genius analysis. Just tear it down. Done deal, problem solved.
- MJL

Just watch the blue chippers come flying in. Even though the Flyers have never made a franchise altering top 5 draft pick. Be sure to fire Hakstol. Who ever replaces him surely won't be questioned while coaching an even worse team. He'll be a top 5 coach, can't be his fault.

Has to be one of the perks of the job haha

The WIP twitter question of the day was do you think the Flyers try hard enough or something like that

82% no
- YuenglingJagr

proof that morons vote in Twitter polls

I'll make this very simple for everyone.

The Flyers have a terrible coach

The Flyers have a terrible GM

Every player on the Flyers sans Provorov is terrible

The Flyers front office/ownership group always make the wrong decision

Everyone feel better now?

Babcock was available. Flyers couldn't compete with the Leafs for his services though.
- PLindbergh31

Yes because the other side of the equation never comes into play..

It is always the Flyers fault.

I'll make this very simple for everyone.

The Flyers have a terrible coach

The Flyers have a terrible GM

Every player on the Flyers sans Provorov is terrible

The Flyers front office/ownership group always make the wrong decision

Everyone feel better now?
- jmatchett383

Not sure if everyone feels better but Team Negative is highfiving this list.

I'll make this very simple for everyone.

The Flyers have a terrible coach

The Flyers have a terrible GM

Every player on the Flyers sans Provorov is terrible

The Flyers front office/ownership group always make the wrong decision

Everyone feel better now?
- jmatchett383

But in all honesty, its frustrating, but this is kinda what was to be expected with build from within approach.

I understand there are somethings that drive people nuts (like TK to the 4th line), but patience is needed for the majority of the problems.

How about this. VdV and PEB just plain suck, whether they are on the PK or not. It is high time the team moves on from both players.

Not saying they are the primary cause of the team's issues, but they sure as hell aren't helping. And since they are fourth line players, yes it is an easy fix. Both for the coach and the GM.

Not sure if everyone feels better but Team Negative is highfiving this list.
- opeth_pa

You crack me up, no kidding!
- MJL

Aww, thanks. I wish you had a redeeming quality on here

Even if you perceive those 2 specific things as the biggest issue, you can't just give everyone else on the ice a free pass because you think they have nothing to do with them.

I think it's been recognized that face offs are an issue on the PK, hence Giroux being reintroduced to it.

Pressure on the PK is a balance that needs to be found all over the ice, not just while the other team is approaching and at the top of the box. It's up to all 4 players to defend the blue line and clear it if the other team enters. Teams aren't only making plays from the top of the box either. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of defensemen(even Provorov) not applying enough pressure down low, along the walls or at the top of the box when the rotation calls for it.

Short handed save % has been another weakness on this team over the years. While I wouldn't put it all on the goalies they certainly own some responsibility for it .
- Baxter27

Provorov is a rookie, and while I think that MacDonald is a much better player than given credit for, I don't see him a top pairing PK defenseman. He's a good shot blocker, but other than that, lacks the physical game often required on the PK. It's on the entire group, not just Vandevelde and Bellemare.

How about this. VdV and PEB just plain suck, whether they are on the PK or not. It is high time the team moves on from both players.

Not saying they are the primary cause of the team's issues, but they sure as hell aren't helping. And since they are fourth line players, yes it is an easy fix. Both for the coach and the GM.
- StepfordSam

I'm behind this. Actually, I think PEB could be a solid 4th liner, but VandeVelde is just a warm body, dime-a-dozen player. I'm sure he tries hard and all and is consistent, but he's just not very good at anything hockey-related at the NHL level.

Like you said, getting rid of one or both won't magically transform them into a Cup contender, but they're not both part of the solution, either.

Aww, thanks. I wish you had a redeeming quality on here
- YuenglingJagr

If you don't see a redeeming quality in me on here, I now know I'm doing things exactly right! If you did, then I would know I have to do some soul searching.

Provorov is a rookie, and while I think that MacDonald is a much better player than given credit for, I don't see him a top pairing PK defenseman. He's a good shot blocker, but other than that, lacks the physical game often required on the PK. It's on the entire group, not just Vandevelde and Bellemare.
- MJL

I dont even care what Mac makes. I just dont like him playing 20+ minutes a night..

If he were playing 15 a night and not against top forwards every shift I think he would do much better.

I'm behind this. Actually, I think PEB could be a solid 4th liner, but VandeVelde is just a warm body, dime-a-dozen player. I'm sure he tries hard and all and is consistent, but he's just not very good at anything hockey-related at the NHL level.

Like you said, getting rid of one or both won't magically transform them into a Cup contender, but they're not both part of the solution, either.
- jmatchett383

I think VdV is gone after this year, anyway. I think there are players in the system now who should be given a shot at that gig.

As for PEB.....maybe move him to wing?

The need to defense the PK usage of VDV/Bellemare is as baffling as the coach's need to use them on the PK. You know why we don't know if other forwards would be better? It's because they don't try!

How do you honestly expect improvement if you aren't willing to make a change?
We do know the Flyers have had a below average PK for quite some time now.
We do know that VDV and Bellemare are the worst forwards on the team.
We do know they get the most PK time.
We do know they aren't the only 2 players on the ice during a PK.
We do know that there really aren't other defensemen on the Flyers to replace any of them.
We do know that there ARE other forwards on the Flyers to replace VDV and PEB.

Yet for some reason the idea that they should be replaced needs opposition. For what? So we can watch the same PK that has sucked during the last 10 games of the year? What is the harm in trying something else?