We were not praising Lavas system when we ran into the Rangers all season. You posted in here about how you'd like a tweak of Lava's system and it's not your favorite. We've had discussions in here about that. If coaching/systems isn't part of the problem....the Flyers should've have had enough energy to muster a win against the Rangers and it didn't happen. I feel he and the coaching staff share the blame in the series. The Devils played just like the Rangers, even better though.
- Just5

Sounds about right and the Flyers had no answer to the pressure.

If a coach and his system don't have any impact, and it's all about the players, how do you explain what happens when a coach is fired because a team is losing, and once a new coach is hired, the same team all of a sudden becomes good? For example see St. Louis this year, and Devils last year... It because they impliment a different system, and coach the team in a way that works for them. If all coaches know all the systems, then this shouldnt happen right?
- RooNosHockey

First of all, we'll clarify something. I never said a Coach and his system doesn't have an impact. So it's inccorrect for you to imply that I have.

There are a lot of reasons why a team plays better under a new Coach. Most of it is motivation and knowing that they got the Coach fired, and they may be next. It's a kick in the pants. teams can tune a Coach out and a new voice is needed. New Coaches come in and use players differently, place them in better suited roles. Top players can play better for one Coach versus another. And on and on. And sometimes it is a change in style of play.

If what you say is true, then the Devils and Deboer's system, will always beat the Flyers under Laviolette and his system. Because Deboer has the better system.

Explain how this happens. Bylsma takes over for Therrien, makes some changes, and the Pens have great success. What happened this year? Did Bylsma change his system, so they're no longer as good?

What NHL Coach has the best system? And what is that system?

I feel sorry for Timonen.



Giroux has a bright future ahead of him. If the Flyers ever solve their goaltending problems, he might even win some cups.

To me, it boils down to: do you continue to use the system that got you here even if it's a very poor match-up with your opponent, or try to change on the fly to better go after your opponent's weaknesses?

I really don't know what the answer is, but am leaning towards the former.
- bradleyc4

I think it's the former. Changing your style of play that you've been playing all year would be suicide.

First of all, we'll clarify something. I never said a Coach and his system doesn't have an impact. So it's inccorrect for you to imply that I have.

There are a lot of reasons why a team plays better under a new Coach. Most of it is motivation and knowing that they got the Coach fired, and they may be next. It's a kick in the pants. teams can tune a Coach out and a new voice is needed. New Coaches come in and use players differently, place them in better suited roles. Top players can play better for one Coach versus another. And on and on. And sometimes it is a change in style of play.

If what you say is true, then the Devils and Deboer's system, will always beat the Flyers under Laviolette and his system. Because Deboer has the better system.

Explain how this happens. Bylsma takes over for Therrien, makes some changes, and the Pens have great success. What happened this year? Did Bylsma change his system, so they're no longer as good?

What NHL Coach has the best system? And what is that system?
- MJL

Some said Hitch in St Louis... so much for that.

What's all this re-sign Kubina nonsense. The man is a traffic cone.

I think it's the former. Changing your style of play that you've been playing all year would be suicide.
- MJL

the coach:

the system:

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I don't completely disagree with you. I have said many times the players need to get their fair share of the blame. But the fact is that Lavy's teams have now lost to teams playing this style two playoffs in a row. So it's more than just a bad matchup, or players not ready yet. Lavy needs to figure out how to get his teams to be successful against teams that play this way. Until he does that, people will continue (and rightfully so imo) to assert that he is out-coached when his teams loose series like these.

And for the record, I have praised the team, it's youth, the personnel changes, etc. But I've never been wild about Lavy's system, and certainly have not praised it. I think it's high risk/high reward, and gives up too many quality scoring chances. I would much prefer to see a more defensively oriented system. But whatever system Lavy coaches, he needs to do it in such a way that his teams can be successful against the Devils, Bruins, and Rangers of the world. And that hasn't happened yet.
- BringBack25

If what you said is true, then Holmgren wouldn't have made all the player changes he made. He would have changed Coaches again. It's simply about who is the better team.

I'm not rooting for a JVR trade this summer. I do hope we move on from Jagr unless he wants to sign for cheap. Even then I'm not sure. JVR had a hell of year with injuries.

We were not praising Lavas system when we ran into the Rangers all season. You posted in here about how you'd like a tweak of Lava's system and it's not your favorite. We've had discussions in here about that. If coaching/systems isn't part of the problem....the Flyers should've have had enough energy to muster a win against the Rangers and it didn't happen. I feel he and the coaching staff share the blame in the series. The Devils played just like the Rangers, even better though.
- Just5

So win and the system is a good one. Lose and the system is a bad one. Got it.

The Flyers didn't beat the Rangers all year, or the Devils in this Series, because they didn't play well enough. They didn't do what it takes to beat them. And that's on the players on the ice. We'll see who's better if the Rangers meet the Devils in the Finals.

Just so I know who whould win that Series. Who has the better system? The Rangers or the Devils?

So win and the system is a good one. Lose and the system is a bad one. Got it.

The Flyers didn't beat the Rangers all year, or the Devils in this Series, because they didn't play well enough. They didn't do what it takes to beat them. And that's on the players on the ice. We'll see who's better if the Rangers meet the Devils in the Finals.

Just so I know who whould win that Series. Who has the better system? The Rangers or the Devils?
- MJL

Why even bring up that you want a tweak in the system? The Flyers just need to play better. Spin the wheel round and round we go...

You can't lay singular blame on Ilya Bryzgalov for Philadelphia's loss to the New Jersey Devils, but by the same token, he was brought in to be the answer in net for the Flyers, and he was anything but.

In the clinching game, all three Devils' goals against Bryzgalov weren't great. The first one was a flutter ball, the second one was an absolute gift, and the third one, he may have been screened a little bit. At the end of the day, he didn't get the job done.

You don't want to equate everything to money but this is a guy who actually pulled down $15 million in signing bonus and salary this year. His cap hit is only $5.67 million for the Flyers but he's got a nine-year deal at $51 million, or if you take away the somewhat bogus years at the end, a seven-year deal for $47.5 million.

The Flyers had to know when they got him that he didn't have a playoff track record. He'd never won a playoff series before this year. He got through the first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it was almost in spite of himself along with the fact Marc-Andre Fleury didn't play very well.

He's now played 22 career playoff games and in 14 of those, he's had a sub-.900 save percentage. That's not nearly good enough. Good luck with that contract and good luck with Bryzgalov, Philadelphia because there is no playoff track record there.
- BingoLady

- LordStanley88

That was a direct quote from bob mckenzie

Just want to add to the chorus of thank yous to Bill, I just thoroughly enjoy reading your take on things.

It is really a privilege to have you as the Flyers blogger.
- Marc D

+1

That was a direct quote from bob mckenzie
- jak521

Well then shame on Bob.

unless you're playing the rangers. they mastered the art of just enough interference to where it's effective, but uncalled. complete bullpoop IMO, but it works for them
- flyerscup2011

yes a little rub here and a little rub there...just enough getting in the lanes to cause disruption but not enough to warrant a penalty. But, it's working...

But if this is mentioned, people will point out sour grapes or that the post is totally invalid.

I feel sorry for Timonen.



Giroux has a bright future ahead of him. If the Flyers ever solve their goaltending problems, he might even win some cups.
- atc

This picture honestly makes me want to cry

This picture honestly makes me want to cry
- Giroux_Is_God

great picture...
it's emotionally draining.

I hate watching the handshake when they lose. Just makes me feel gutted. But I wasn't going to leave before the game was over. I didn't think they'd salute the fans. Never have before. Guess Jags influenced that, too. So I'm sad I didn't wait for that.

As for the question of what I think of people leaving early. I get annoyed if the team is still in it. But I can't say I was all that annoyed after the third goal last night. They weren't playing with their heads at all and I could see being too demoralized to stay. It's not like those fans staying was going to keep any energy in the building. The balloon had popped by then.

Mimi is likely gone next year, but she wasn't there last night anyway. Otherwise the regulars were there and are staying. I'm not sure I can handle another hike without relocating to the upper level. And I'd hate to leave my neighborhood. Have been there 16 years.
- bodiva88

I'm already upstairs and only had 10 games altho I ended up going to 23 games. we had a ridiculously low ticket price plan but it has doubled in clost for next season. I'm bummed a lot

yes a little rub here and a little rub there...just enough getting in the lanes to cause disruption but not enough to warrant a penalty. But, it's working...

But if this is mentioned, people will point out sour grapes or that the post is totally invalid.
- phi1671

the point is a valid one, might have been sour grapes on my part for saying it, tho

I see all of those issues as player issues, not Coaching issues.
- MJL

But how often did players like Danny or JVR get punished for loitering instead of backchecking during the regular season? See how Dale Hunter has thrown away the "star player will do what he needs to do and the rest of the team will compensate mantra." If the coach says something that individual players are not doing, isn't it on the coach to set a reward/punishment scheme that reinforced good behavior and punish bad behavior?

I think Lavy seems to be a great motivator and passion guy and heart guy, but less of a mind and discipline guy.

But how often did players like Danny or JVR get punished for loitering instead of backchecking during the regular season? See how Dale Hunter has thrown away the "star player will do what he needs to do and the rest of the team will compensate mantra." If the coach says something that individual players are not doing, isn't it on the coach to set a reward/punishment scheme that reinforced good behavior and punish bad behavior?

I think Lavy seems to be a great motivator and passion guy and heart guy, but less of a mind and discipline guy.
- PT21

So I guess he wasnt playing the mind game with Giroux when he called him the best player in the world? Good point.

pointless.

I really don't care.

I want more Flyers hockey.



- ggunky

+1

"Meanwhile, Claude Giroux took himself out of the final game due to his suspension. Last night's game was one where Giroux individually could have made a difference during the long stretch in which it was a one-goal game. He has no one but himself to blame; it's not Brendan Shanahan's fault."

This is pointless silly talk. The kind generally made by folks who want to establish bona fides as more than a homer.
The rest was pretty accurate.

Also, whoever had the idea that 30 foot passes would work against the Devils...and then stuck with that idea...is lazy or stupid. The passing was hideous in this series.
If Laviolette is to return, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't, I'd suggest an upgrade to the assistants is in order.

brodeur finished with a save percentage greater than the league average exactly five times in 18 seasons.
- OrangeBlack27

As far as I can tell, from NHL.com (Brodeur) and Quanthockey.com (league average), it would be 14 out of 18 seasons.

Having been goalie obsessed (fan and as a player) since 1971 (as well as bleeding orange and black), the only goalie I would consider taking above Brodeur is Hasek. You can't just say that Brodeur benefited from their system. That is a cop out. The team was clearly built around Brodeur and the system benefitted from him as much as he benefitted from the system.