Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Wheels Falls Off in Washington, Alumni Game, and More

Not a knee-jerk reaction, but more on a case of lack of effort/production over a series of games: Give Giroux a seat for a night. If you're not scoring, I can live with that (sort of). If you're wearing the C and you're not giving an effort, that's not something I can forgive.

I've tried to stay as positive as I can this year, and have defended Giroux, Mason, and Hakstol. But at this point, none of the 3 are giving me any reason to be confident, and I'm running out of ways to defend them.

This has to be rock bottom...right???

Also, as far as the alumni game goes...if you gave Lindros a full offseason to train, I think he could (theoretically) play in at least a 4th line role. His skill is still there, and while the body isn't nearly what it was 20 years ago, he's still got a spark left when he's out there.

Also, as far as the alumni game goes...if you gave Lindros a full offseason to train, I think he could (theoretically) play in at least a 4th line role. His skill is still there, and while the body isn't nearly what it was 20 years ago, he's still got a spark left when he's out there.
- jmatchett383

A full offseason to train would put him at what 43-44 years old? Throw in the concussion history, and he wouldn't be able to play in the NHL. Who is the last player that age to play in the League?

Bill,

Their literally seems to be no anger or aggression bring shown on the ice..


Players being hammered
Caps laughing and having a good time
Flyers just HAKing through the game like robots.

It comes across on TV as their being no pride in the jersey they are wearing.

How does that get addressed.

A full offseason to train would put him at what 43-44 years old? Throw in the concussion history, and he wouldn't be able to play in the NHL. Who is the last player that age to play in the League?
- PLindbergh31

Jagr

Fire Dave Hakstol.

A full offseason to train would put him at what 43-44 years old? Throw in the concussion history, and he wouldn't be able to play in the NHL. Who is the last player that age to play in the League?
- PLindbergh31

That's why I said "theoretically." And yes, he'd be 43, one year younger than Jagr.

Again, he would be a guy who plays 10-12 minutes a night in a role similar to what VandeVelde or Bellemare play. Not asking him to be a 70-point player.

Bill,

Their literally seems to be no anger or aggression bring shown on the ice..


Players being hammered
Caps laughing and having a good time
Flyers just HAKing through the game like robots.

It comes across on TV as their being no pride in the jersey they are wearing.

How does that get addressed.
- opeth_pa

I gotta agree. Throw in Hakstol's seemingly random healthy scratches coupled with his unwillingness to scratch certain players and i gotta think his seat could be getting hot. I know the coach can't go out there and play, but his players seem completely uninspired right now, and I'm wondering if the carousel of healthy scratches has the players playing super tight.

Bill,

Their literally seems to be no anger or aggression bring shown on the ice..


Players being hammered
Caps laughing and having a good time
Flyers just HAKing through the game like robots.

It comes across on TV as their being no pride in the jersey they are wearing.

How does that get addressed.
- opeth_pa

I said Thursday night during the mess that ended up a 5-4 shootout win that some of the old guard in attendance for the Alumni game prefestivites needed to go down and give that team a reaming. It really does come down to pride. I know some of the guys in that locker room right now have to be burning inside with the way things are going. But no one is really showing it outside.

Remember the game before Christmas where NJ came out and blistered the Flyers. Well Saturday should be payback if this team has any testicular fortitude. I'm not saying have Simmer or Jake go out there and fight someone. But if he isn't scratched like he deserves, as I have said and jmatchett says above, Maybe G needs to come out first shift and deliver a shift like he did after he told Lavy to start him during the Pens playoff series a few seasons ago. Then hope it snowballs from there and they put a beating on a team that really helped start this slide.

Fire Dave Hakstol.
- BINGO!

Not happening. This ain't his fault other than some roster choices. It's more the players on the ice that are the issue right now.

Not happening. This ain't his fault other than some roster choices. It's more the players on the ice that are the issue right now.
- dragonoffrost

I know. I'm just hoping for further turmoil.

Not happening. This ain't his fault other than some roster choices. It's more the players on the ice that are the issue right now.
- dragonoffrost

I agree to a point, but this team looks completely uninspired right now. I know he can't go out and play, but it's like they're going through the motions for the most part, they seem mentally fragile, and just have no mojo right now. I think some of the is attributed to the coach.

That's why I said "theoretically." And yes, he'd be 43, one year younger than Jagr.

Again, he would be a guy who plays 10-12 minutes a night in a role similar to what VandeVelde or Bellemare play. Not asking him to be a 70-point player.
- jmatchett383

He'd probably be better than VDV. No argument on that.

I agree to a point, but this team looks completely uninspired right now. I know he can't go out and play, but it's like they're going through the motions for the most part, they seem mentally fragile, and just have no mojo right now. I think some of the is attributed to the coach.
- jmatchett383

Lavy, Berube, Hak nope... all similar results on the ice.

I'm done blaming coaches.

Jagr
- aightwebang17

Oh yeah. Durrr on my part.

Lavy, Berube, Hak nope... all similar results on the ice.

I'm done blaming coaches.
- dragonoffrost

Most coaches has a shelf life, Lavy had his. I think Berube was a bad coach. Not as bad as some make him out to be, but bad. Hakstol seems like a good systems guy, but right now, that system isn't working, and I think the players realize that and he isn't adapting.

mlk

I gotta agree. Throw in Hakstol's seemingly random healthy scratches coupled with his unwillingness to scratch certain players and i gotta think his seat could be getting hot. I know the coach can't go out there and play, but his players seem completely uninspired right now, and I'm wondering if the carousel of healthy scratches has the players playing super tight.
- jmatchett383

Were I the GM, his seat temperature would be fine.

Not happening. This ain't his fault other than some roster choices. It's more the players on the ice that are the issue right now.
- dragonoffrost

This (and I likely don't wonder about as many of the roster choices as some here do)

Same issues through three different coaches now. Time to start looking at the common threads between the regimes.

Most coaches has a shelf life, Lavy had his. I think Berube was a bad coach. Not as bad as some make him out to be, but bad. Hakstol seems like a good systems guy, but right now, that system isn't working, and I think the players realize that and he isn't adapting.
- jmatchett383

I think the plug was pulled too quickly on Laviolette. He's a proven NHL coach. 145-98-29 with the Flyers. Firing him an favor of a guy like Berube was questionable at best.

Oh yeah. Durrr on my part.
- PLindbergh31

Messier played pretty long, too.

Were I the GM, his seat temperature would be fine.
- Scoob

I'm thinking Hak's seat is warm. Lappy, Murphy and Mullen I'd be turning the dial up on. Also the Captain has a C ever been stripped. I know Rico stepped down during an ugly time.

EDIT: Dave Poulin was stripped during a season of the C. So there is precedent.

I think the plug was pulled too quickly on Laviolette. He's a proven NHL coach. 145-98-29 with the Flyers. Firing him an favor of a guy like Berube was questionable at best.
- PLindbergh31

Homer trying to save himself from going with Lavy if they missed the playoffs that season?