And that my friend, is known as being shortsighted.

If you ignore all that Timonen does for this team, the impact he has on the players that play with him, the fact that despite numerous injuries that would keep 95% of the leagues players out for a game he would be suiting up, and the fact that there are few people that hate losing the way Timonen hates losing....
- jak521

I can't debate that.

But I still feel there are leadership issues on this team.

How do I reconcile the two?

Hatch...what a beast during those playoffs. Best playoff performer on the team that year...leading by example.
- Lexington Flyer

He was a scary dude when he got fired up. Then age caught up to him and he turned into a pylon on the ice.

I can't debate that.

But I still feel there are leadership issues on this team.

How do I reconcile the two?
- wolfhounds

Well, what exactly do you think the leadership group needs to do a better job of? Personally, I think the work ethic is there, but I think that, as Bill has said, it's all of the small things that build on top of each other (Schenn not getting the puck in deep, 2 tired players not changing, turnover, overcommitment on D, lack of proper positioning) that lead to goals. Those are things that the coaching staff has to improve upon. Yes, it would be nice to have someone like Pronger on the team, but that wouldn't make them a contender instantly.

I can't debate that.

But I still feel there are leadership issues on this team.

How do I reconcile the two?
- wolfhounds

I think it is safe to say there is no one of Pronger's stature on this team...
that is undeniable and has been part of the problem this year.

I can't debate that.

But I still feel there are leadership issues on this team.

How do I reconcile the two?
- wolfhounds

i get what you mean, but the bigger problem to me is the big leader. Mr Laviolette

I think it is safe to say there is no one of Pronger's stature on this team...
that is undeniable and has been part of the problem this year.
- Marc D

I agree. Unfortunately though, we are gonna need to figure out how to move on without a player like him.

So why did Mason really start last nite?

According to 97.5, citing a "solid source", mason was given the start because bryz fell asleep at a team meeting.
- isaiah520

maybe he was tired?

It does begin with the players, yes, but at the same time, if the coach needs to remind them of certain things and they still don't do anything about it, maybe he's lost their ear.

I'm sure the exit interviews will be interesting this year, and I hope management's decisions put the team in the right direction going forward. It sure has been difficult to watch this year's model.
- tangent_man

Let's blow it up.





Actually, let's cull the coaching staff. I'd keep Joe Mullen on. Not sure who I want as coach right now; I'm just disgusted with this year.

maybe he was tired?
- hammarby31

He was up late the night before planning a trip to Las Vegas.

Could not believe my eyes when I saw Gervais leave Moulson and head toward the puck in that situation. Horrible, horrible decision.
- bradleyc4

That set me off... I used to point out when Rico did stuff like that at the tail end of his career. It didn't happen that often 2-on-2, but he'd almost never let the goalie have the shooter, leaving the other opponent open for an easy tap-in.

However, Rico was a stud defenseman who was smart on the ice and great in all three zones. Gervais... well, I guess he's meeting expectations.

He was up late the night before planning a trip to Las Vegas.
- bradleyc4

Blocker hand is tired...

maybe he was tired?
- hammarby31

It was a meeting to discuss his amnesty buyout.

maybe he was tired?
- hammarby31

Probably very tired....tired of hearing Lavy tell the forward to cover their damn checks and stop making bonehead decisions with the puck for the eleventy billionth time.

Bryz has his issues, no question, but it really must suck to play goalie on a team like this one. Pretty sure he'd buy himself out of his contract right now if he could.

Another 10% guy here.

- MBFlyerfan

Same here. I wanted Bob and, as a veteran backup, someone like Nabby or Biron.

Probably very tired....tired of hearing Lavy tell the forward to cover their damn checks and stop making bonehead decisions with the puck for the eleventy billionth time.

Bryz has his issues, no question, but it really must suck to play goalie on a team like this one. Pretty sure he'd buy himself out of his contract right now if he could.
- BringBack25

Love how after two straight games of scoring 1 goal, the attention is still on our goaltender.

I hate to say it, as much as I hate the chemistry of this team as built, the problems that Meltzer describes are due to poor coaching. Lava has to go.
- Tartan69

No question about it. One point from the blog of needless risk taking. Of players pushing the attack when the smart play is to dump the puck, and change. They are a product of the Coach and his philosophies.

No question about it. One point from the blog of needless risk taking. Of players pushing the attack when the smart play is to dump the puck, and change. They are a product of the Coach and his philosophies.
- MJL

Love how after two straight games of scoring 1 goal, the attention is still on our goaltender.
- Flyskippy

I think there are issues with the whole team.
The solutions are time, good drafting, likely a new coach...
and success seems minimum 3 years years away.

Only noticeable difference I saw from mason was stick handling ability. He also had his glove on the wrong hand.

Well, what exactly do you think the leadership group needs to do a better job of? Personally, I think the work ethic is there, but I think that, as Bill has said, it's all of the small things that build on top of each other (Schenn not getting the puck in deep, 2 tired players not changing, turnover, overcommitment on D, lack of proper positioning) that lead to goals. Those are things that the coaching staff has to improve upon. Yes, it would be nice to have someone like Pronger on the team, but that wouldn't make them a contender instantly.
- jmatchett383

It's tough to say. I guess I just think there's an intangible leadership quality missing from this team. But that could also be the result of a brutal lockout condensed schedule, lots of injuries, player slumps, poor coaching and no team chemistry.

Only noticeable difference I saw from mason was stick handling ability. He also had his glove on the wrong hand.
- funmaster18

I think there are issues with the whole team.
The solutions are time, good drafting, likely a new coach...
and success seems minimum 3 years years away.
- Marc D

I agree with all of this - the last sentence reluctantly, but I think you're right.

Love how after two straight games of scoring 1 goal, the attention is still on our goaltender.
- Flyskippy

it's the only thing people here know to do. i mean, if he could have just gotten a SO, they'd have won the game. all you need is 1 goal. right?

flyers have gone about half the season scoring 2 goals or less per game.

Stole this from BSH but had to share.
Some guy got this in his email this morning.

Only noticeable difference I saw from mason was stick handling ability. He also had his glove on the wrong hand.
- funmaster18

agreed.

what about this guy?