It's not the only solution, but it's a sound solution. It works. What is your biggest problem with acknowledging that many of the best teams in hockey have more than one right-handed defenseman in their Top 6?

Is it really so difficult for you to simply say, "Huh. Yeah. Maybe the Flyers would be better off if they did look for another right-handed defenseman?"

Is that really so hard to acknowledge, knowing that many other teams already have?
- AllInForFlyers

My biggest problem is that you seem to think that just add a RH defenseman and the problem is solved. You mention top puckmoving defenseman in the NHL such as Doughty, Karlsson, and Keith. Is it because they're RH, or because they're just that dam good?
My point is that getting a top puck moving defenseman would be really nice, and would make the team better. But that is not the only solution available. They can improve and get much better with the personell they already have in place. You made some great points in how the Devils attacked the Flyers. But I think they attack the breakout scheme, just as much as they do the lack of RH defenseman. I'm not in disagreement with you on the point of RH defenseman. I'm more focused on what they can do with the current personell, versus making a trade.

Exactly this. It's always the "system" and the coach that is the issue. I can tell you this right now...my son's U9 soccer team that I coach does the same thing. The d hangs back and the offense moves too far forward. I coach it and practice it until I am blue in the face for them to close that gap, but some players just don't get it. Like you say, it is early in the freaking preseason and we'll see what happens!
- aantny88

Great Point.

It's not the only solution, but it's a sound solution. It works. What is your biggest problem with acknowledging that many of the best teams in hockey have more than one right-handed defenseman in their Top 6?

Is it really so difficult for you to simply say, "Huh. Yeah. Maybe the Flyers would be better off if they did look for another right-handed defenseman?"

Is that really so hard to acknowledge, knowing that many other teams already have?
- AllInForFlyers

you obviously haven't been on HB very long.

On HB, I practice the pull-out method.
- flyer_nutter

Some people's parents in here should have used multiple forms of birth control!

Wow...you really are a pretentious moron. I was simply illustrating that a coach can sometimes work on correcting a team wide issue and there will be those players that buy in and get it, and those that don't for whatever reason.
- aantny88

So if after a certain amount of time, and changing players constantly, don't you think a good coach would change his system due to its lack of success?

Wow...you really are a pretentious moron. I was simply illustrating that a coach can sometimes work on correcting a team wide issue and there will be those players that buy in and get it, and those that don't for whatever reason.
- aantny88

It's obvious that it's not about the players buying in. Kids sometimes just don't care. These players are professional athletes, playing the way they're told to play. Comparing what happens with a youth soccer team is non sensical.

When we all learn to stop feeding that sad pedantic troll...
- Tomahawk

These days I like to get him all wound up, and see which of us pulls the trigger. I call it MJL roulette.

When we all learn to stop feeding that sad pedantic troll...
- Tomahawk

Pedantic means "like a pedant," someone who's too concerned with literal accuracy or formality. It's a negative term that implies someone is showing off book learning or trivia, especially in a tiresome way. You don't want to go antique-shopping with a pedantic friend, who will use the opportunity to bore you with his in-depth knowledge of Chinese porcelain kitty-litter boxes.

- FlyerGuy

Last night on TSN's That's Hockey 2 out of 3 of the "reporters" agreed Lavi will be the first coach fired this season. Said they do not believe also our defense is very good.

It's obvious that it's not about the players buying in. Kids sometimes just don't care. These players are professional athletes, playing the way they're told to play. Comparing what happens with a youth soccer team is non sensical.
- MJL

the basic theory behind what was stated is true. But, i know you will say otherwise, bring forth charts, graphs, pictures and illustrations to prove otherwise.

Last night on TSN's That's Hockey 2 out of 3 of the "reporters" agreed Lavi will be the first coach fired this season. Said they do not believe also our defense is very good.
- Buzzo

TM (not tangentman) will be head coach by TurkeyDay

Pedantic means "like a pedant," someone who's too concerned with literal accuracy or formality. It's a negative term that implies someone is showing off book learning or trivia, especially in a tiresome way. You don't want to go antique-shopping with a pedantic friend, who will use the opportunity to bore you with his in-depth knowledge of Chinese porcelain kitty-litter boxes.


- hammarby31

So if after a certain amount of time, and changing players constantly, don't you think a good coach would change his system due to its lack of success?
- jak521

Laviolette probably figures his system has won a Stanley Cup, and the team he's coaching hasn't since the days of bell-bottoms and eight tracks.

It's obvious that it's not about the players buying in. Kids sometimes just don't care. These players are professional athletes, playing the way they're told to play. Comparing what happens with a youth soccer team is non sensical.
- MJL

ok, i'll bite. don't you think it's possible that a professional athlete "just doesn't care"? isn't it possible, just possible, that a players doesn't play the way he is being told to play?

Glad to see that all the children are playing together so nicely today!

My biggest problem is that you seem to think that just add a RH defenseman and the problem is solved. You mention top puckmoving defenseman in the NHL such as Doughty, Karlsson, and Keith. Is it because they're RH, or because they're just that dam good?
My point is that getting a top puck moving defenseman would be really nice, and would make the team better. But that is not the only solution available. They can improve and get much better with the personell they already have in place. You made some great points in how the Devils attacked the Flyers. But I think they attack the breakout scheme, just as much as they do the lack of RH defenseman. I'm not in disagreement with you on the point of RH defenseman. I'm more focused on what they can do with the current personell, versus making a trade.
- MJL

Your use of the word "Dam" is incorrect. In this instance it should be "damn" according to Websters.

the basic theory behind what was stated is true. But, i know you will say otherwise, bring forth charts, graphs, pictures and illustrations to prove otherwise.
- phi1671

So if that theory is true, then the onus is still on the coach to change his system. How many different players do you need to go through before his system will work?

ok, i'll bite. don't you think it's possible that a professional athlete "just doesn't care"? isn't it possible, just possible, that a players doesn't play the way he is being told to play?
- hammarby31

Totally possible, and it happens pretty often.. especially right before a coach is fired.

It's obvious that it's not about the players buying in. Kids sometimes just don't care. These players are professional athletes, playing the way they're told to play. Comparing what happens with a youth soccer team is non sensical.
- MJL

You think all professional athletes care about what the coach tells them? You really are delusional!

Laviolette probably figures his system has won a Stanley Cup, and the team he's coaching hasn't since the days of bell-bottoms and eight tracks.
- PLindbergh31

OK: I'll admit it. I laughed at that one.

So if that theory is true, then the onus is still on the coach to change his system. How many different players do you need to go through before his system will work?
- jak521

The onus is still on the coach and the player(s)...they both need to buy into it. It's always easier to get rid of the coach, the system then the player(s). it goes hand in hand. If you agree great, if you don't...great...either way...

It's obvious that it's not about the players buying in. Kids sometimes just don't care. These players are professional athletes, playing the way they're told to play. Comparing what happens with a youth soccer team is non sensical.
- MJL

Are you saying there aren't players that "just don't care"? Your dismissing the gentleman's anicdote as non-sensical is in itself non-sensical.

You think all professional athletes care about what the coach tells them? You really are delusional!
- aantny88

Don't be silly! Of course they do!

Laviolette probably figures his system has won a Stanley Cup, and the team he's coaching hasn't since the days of bell-bottoms and eight tracks.
- PLindbergh31

We should probably look to Mike Keenan next...