System was a bit plain vanilla but that's OK.
- bmeltzer

His system was far from the Patrick Roys of the world. Plain vanilla is a good descriptor.

But a plain vanilla system is not ok to me, Bill. It is not how you win a Stanley Cup or contend for one when a team is ready. Passivity, chip outs, "contain" defense...no Stanley Cup contender or wannabe plays a system like that. And you don't even have to be a great team to run a great system...just look at the Maple Leafs, the Canes, etc.. And that has nothing to do with personnel imo. They had the personnel to run a more up-tempo modern system. Berube chose to a) not run that system and b) use players who couldn't run that system instead. Berube's system, to me, was competently mediocre.

It was Briere, Drury, and Gomez...

I think we made out on that one.
- jak521

I was pushing hard for Gomez

Hell this pre-dates HB for me

interesting: http://thehockeywriters.c...ng-to-pay-off-for-flyers/

are players that haven't played in the NHL also protected?
- 2Real

Pretty silly that this article is trying to state that this "trade" is paying dividends. We got 2 years of no production from Umberger. And now we're going to buy out Umberger for two years of dead cap space!

Please article, continue to piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.

The alternative would have been to keep Hartnell and his 109 points over the past two years. And simply keep him for the length of his contract, as he doesn't seem to be taking that "guaranteed" drop off a cliff that all power forwards take.

Not even to mention that they simply could've made a different trade that didn't result in the Flyers getting fleeced. What's that, Columbus? We just need to take 3 years of dead-weight in exchange for 50+ point player? Sign me up.

That article had one thing right. This was probably Hexy's only real bad trade. But that doesn't mean it gets swept under the rug. Living with Hartnell's contract until the end is more advantageous than two years of dead Umberger at cap value followed by two years of dead Umberger at buyout cap value.

That Laviolette trash system has them keeping pace with the Sharks.

Ohhh how I would chuckle with another collapse by San Jose.

I disagree a bit with Del Zotto. I thought he played well early on and was pretty unlucky. I just find it hard to believe that a 9 game scratching was the cause of a turnaround. The guy was traded from the Rangers, benched in Nashville, wasn't qualified and signed at a 7th defenseman rate, but it was a 9 game benching in December that changed him? I think it was more that pucks began going in the net and his PDO regressed to the mean.


- PhillySportsGuy

Berube didn't scratch Del Zotto because he wasn't scoring goals, it was for how he played in the structure of the team, so pucks going into the net for Del Zotto had nothing to do with the scratching. The main cause of the turnaround was Del Zotto, on the ice, rebuilding his game. The benching was the motivation for it.

I disagree a bit with Del Zotto. I thought he played well early on and was pretty unlucky. I just find it hard to believe that a 9 game scratching was the cause of a turnaround. The guy was traded from the Rangers, benched in Nashville, wasn't qualified and signed at a 7th defenseman rate, but it was a 9 game benching in December that changed him? I think it was more that pucks began going in the net and his PDO regressed to the mean.

My gripes regarding Couturier were more about chief giving him weaker linemates and putting him in difficult situations. I think it hurt the team and and stagnated his development.

I know a lot of people give Berube credit for the playoff run and turnaround after Lavi was fired, but what they were doing was unsustainable. They had a top 5 power play, top 5 penalty kill and great goaltending. It's hard to miss the playoffs with those kinds of numbers unless you're woeful at even strength.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yahtzee!

The difference there for me is really how good of a team the Flyers were across all stats and phases of the game the last few months of this season. It was different from a team that lacked the right players coming together to get into the playoffs...they were actually playing within a system to outplay opponents. It is only going to get better with more skill throughout the lineup.

I just find it hard to believe that a 9 game scratching was the cause of a turnaround. The guy was traded from the Rangers, benched in Nashville, wasn't qualified and signed at a 7th defenseman rate, but it was a 9 game benching in December that changed him?.
- PhillySportsGuy

I know right.

I know a lot of people give Berube credit for the playoff run and turnaround after Lavi was fired, but what they were doing was unsustainable.
- PhillySportsGuy

Right-O.

The most impressive thing about the Hak revolution is how sustainable and repeatable his process is. Be smart, be aggressive, win the NZ.

His system was far from the Patrick Roys of the world. Plain vanilla is a good descriptor.

But a plain vanilla system is not ok to me, Bill. It is not how you win a Stanley Cup or contend for one when a team is ready. Passivity, chip outs, "contain" defense...no Stanley Cup contender or wannabe plays a system like that. And you don't even have to be a great team to run a great system...just look at the Maple Leafs, the Canes, etc.. And that has nothing to do with personnel imo. They had the personnel to run a more up-tempo modern system. Berube chose to a) not run that system and b) use players who couldn't run that system instead. Berube's system, to me, was competently mediocre.
- Mononoke

How a system is executed has everything to do with personnel. As an example, most teams forecheck schemes are to take away the walls, and force the puck to pressure points. The open ice on breakouts is in the middle, but that is a dangerous area to put the puck. You need the personnel to execute using the middle of the ice. Berube, in my opinion, did not trust the majority of his defense, or his team, to use the middle of the ice, so they struggled on breakouts. Was he wrong about that? Sometimes a coach has to utilize a strategy that best suits his team, even if it's not the system of play to use to win a cup with. He used a center lock forecheck scheme, which a lot of teams use. I think in a lot of cases here, systems are being confused with execution.

His system was far from the Patrick Roys of the world. Plain vanilla is a good descriptor.

But a plain vanilla system is not ok to me, Bill. It is not how you win a Stanley Cup or contend for one when a team is ready. Passivity, chip outs, "contain" defense...no Stanley Cup contender or wannabe plays a system like that. And you don't even have to be a great team to run a great system...just look at the Maple Leafs, the Canes, etc.. And that has nothing to do with personnel imo. They had the personnel to run a more up-tempo modern system. Berube chose to a) not run that system and b) use players who couldn't run that system instead. Berube's system, to me, was competently mediocre.
- Mononoke

If it wasn't for his last name Patrick would be out of a job in Colorado. I truly believe that.

That is a team that should be playing much better than it is. He put much of the blame on the core this season.

The one thing that we must not forget is what a good time it is to be a fan of this team.

The future is by no means rainbows, unicorns and promised cup wins but its nice being able to watch an organization develop and improve. These last few years, simply waiting for the dead weight to be purged were tough.

I look forward to the next few and am in a state of content this off-season.

SO many positive things happened this season, and there's lots to look forward to. Why talk about Berube? It's in the past.

SO many positive things happened this season, and there's lots to look forward to. Why talk about Berube? It's in the past.
- MJL

The blog is titled "Berube deserves another shot." Just stop.

SO many positive things happened this season, and there's lots to look forward to. Why talk about Berube? It's in the past.
- MJL

Next season is going to be a dog fight as well. Not sure I see any of the other clubs slipping out of the playoffs other than perhaps the Islanders.

Boston and Jersey will be improved, and not so sure Columbus can be counted out.

Next season is going to be a dog fight as well. Not sure I see any of the other clubs slipping out of the playoffs other than perhaps the Islanders.

Boston and Jersey will be improved, and not so sure Columbus can be counted out.
- flyer_nutter

Very well could be, but one factor always seems to be overlooked. Internal growth.
Flyers won't be improved?

The blog is titled "Berube deserves another shot." Just stop.
- Mononoke

I'm aware of the title of the blog. My post asks a valid question, and is perfectly fine to bring up.

Very well could be, but one factor always seems to be overlooked. Internal growth.
Flyers won't be improved?
- MJL

They had a hell of a run late, I am not sure that can be repeated but if they can start out a little better I think they have a good chance.

I wouldnt be surprised to see a slight "step back" with the infusion of youth into the big team. Who knows really, but its an exciting time to be a fan. I do think Voracek has a strong season next year.

Yahtzee!

The difference there for me is really how good of a team the Flyers were across all stats and phases of the game the last few months of this season. It was different from a team that lacked the right players coming together to get into the playoffs...they were actually playing within a system to outplay opponents. It is only going to get better with more skill throughout the lineup.
- YuenglingJagr

So true. PP and PK...a tad concerning. At those strengths, they neither outplay nor out strategize their opponents. I don't have the same confidence moving forward in that. Those need a drastic reworking -- a Hak-style change in each.

So true. PP and PK...a tad concerning. At those strengths, they neither outplay nor out strategize their opponents. I don't have the same confidence moving forward in that. Those need a drastic reworking -- a Hak-style change in each.
- Mononoke

I think the PP has simply become too predictable. Its a good approach and set up but teams have caught on to it.

Nothing wrong with admitting that they need to try something new. The PK improved as the Washington series went on but I am frankly done with Lappy. It has been far too passive in general and consists of four guys standing still waving their sticks.

Needs more pressure.

Next season is going to be a dog fight as well. Not sure I see any of the other clubs slipping out of the playoffs other than perhaps the Islanders.

Boston and Jersey will be improved, and not so sure Columbus can be counted out.
- flyer_nutter

What in the world makes you think the Islanders are a team on the decline?

So true. PP and PK...a tad concerning. At those strengths, they neither outplay nor out strategize their opponents. I don't have the same confidence moving forward in that. Those need a drastic reworking -- a Hak-style change in each.
- Mononoke

Definitely...it is at least nice to know the team played so well 5v5. I think things will be better on special teams next year

What in the world makes you think the Islanders are a team on the decline?
- YuenglingJagr

Yeah, the Rangers look like the team that's gonna be falling out soon. Damn are bad outside of Lundqvist.

What in the world makes you think the Islanders are a team on the decline?
- YuenglingJagr

What makes you believe I truly think at all?

Vibes man. Voodo vibes.

Very well could be, but one factor always seems to be overlooked. Internal growth.
Flyers won't be improved?
- MJL

I know youve been on vacation for a while so I will fill you in. We have decided Giroux is no longer elite. Jake becomes overpaid next year. And the core is another year older. Umberger may officially be pronounced dead and Streit keeps showing up at Dennys at 5 in the morning asking for discounts. They have some young guys getting better but the core is only getting older. Its like the titanic with a pair of skates

I think the PP has simply become too predictable. Its a good approach and set up but teams have caught on to it.

Nothing wrong with admitting that they need to try something new. The PK improved as the Washington series went on but I am frankly done with Lappy. It has been far too passive in general and consists of four guys standing still waving their sticks.

Needs more pressure.
- flyer_nutter

Yep for both. PK is an easier fix. PP? They need to major reconstruction surgery on that. It's slow, predictable, non-dynamic.

Love watching the speed and fluidity of the Sharks PP. I'd like to see some new ideas like those thrown in.

After watching that disallowed goal. That was a bs call. Pavelski had the brakes on and PICKS UP speed after being shoved from behind and makes contact with rinne OUTSIDE of the crease.

Really was a disaster. This needs to be cleaned up this goalie interference crap