Howie58

Greetings: I'll begin by saying that a coaching change will probably not do much given the assembled talent. But some might say a disciplinarian is in order. Is Lavy on the hot seat? If so...another few losses? Mid-point? Best, Howie

At 2-6, things are heading off the cliff. We seem to be getting killed by short-term defensive lapses. There was hustle tonight. We even did well on faceoffs. But the offense is dormant. And 10-30 second defensive lapses result in bang-bang goals or the breakaway. This isn't Bryz's fault. Peace, Howie P.S. If Simmonds is out of commission, it will be interesting to see who takes on a spark plug role.

Bear: Good to hear from you. Peace and let's hope we don't go through a shake-up of coach without thinking about the reality of the players we have with this GM. Best, Howie

Bear: I got home for a chunk of the third. Other than our aging warrior scoring...I wasn't sure if the team should be called Philadelphia Flyers or Keystone Cops? They can't handle more disciplined teams. On paper there is talent. On the ice there is no "us," but rather, a bunch of skaters. I wonder how long Lavy will last? Howie

Ron: See my response on the "Accountability" Thread. We are a "forward-centric" franchise that doesn't seem to develop good goalies or D-men. Me thinks it is a leftover from the Cup days...toothless Bobby C. is still on their minds. Leighton is, as you note, a symptom, not a cause. The inconsistency of this franchise since '06-'07 should be a warning sign to any outsider that a system, rather than the coach, may be the issue. Howie

Greetings: Rad is right...accountability starts at the top, but then you would have to put Holmgren and his staff in the proverbial cross-hairs. We complain about Leighton..OK, why isn't there a good young goalie somewhere in the system who could be backup? You read about Subbhan signings...well the rumor was false but why did it start....do we draft/build good young puck carrying defenders? I'll say it for the umpteenth time--the only constant for this franchise since the first lockout is inconsistency between and within season/games. Carchidi and Seravali have said something along these lines the past two days--we have had this inconsistency through three coaches and their respective systems (Hitch, Stevens, Lavy). I would also say our deepest playoff runs have been flukey rather than predicted as top-seeds. Bottom line: I think the Flyers are "forward-centric" in how they approach player development and too impatient. So, we collect other's people's first round picks who may or may not pan out as cohesive hole. And we seem to pick up 2nd tier defenders (Grossman, Gervais) who may be competent but not stellar, and wonder why we have defensive lapses. If I sound like a broken record it's because we seem to have witnessed one since '06-07. I really wonder if this team will earn another Cup in my lifetime. Best, Howie

Van: I can only report what I saw. My friend attending with me felt it was that they did not throw the hat but instead dropped it on a Flyer by the glass. They were the only ones I saw escorted and my friend may be right but just the same, I didn't want to fart with the inevitable. Peace, Howie

Rad: I do not know Homer's rationale for Leighton over Boosh. Your point is well-taken. But I still wonder about the organization's difficulties in building goaltenders. Best, Howie

RAD: I noted your concern as well...we don't develop good goalies.And I am not sure D is much better. We are a "forward-centric" club. Howie

Greetings: I think you're both right .But we lost to Chicago for a number of reasons and the Blackhawks' 6-0 start this year speaks to that. But I would add that we have an "organeyesation" that seems to go hog wild on forwards and their development, while goalies and D-men seem to be given short shrift. Our system developed Nitty; for a number of reasons he went. Boucher came of age with the Flyers and we have had a fairly good return on investment, though probably not as much as hoped for a decade+ ago. And Bobo was went packing due to cap. But we are not a Nashville that breeds goalies. So...we look to the Leightons of the world for backup..and overpay the free agents we anoint as goaltending saviors. Peace, Howie

Greetings: Leighton may have been at fault on 2 of the goals but the others were great shots and defensive lapses...or teammate assist on the way in off Talbot. After a two year layoff from the majors, I wouldn't get too harsh. And he did have some good saves. This was a team loss. Howie

Greetings: I think we had an interesting contrast this weekend. We demolished a glorified AHL squad with a disengaged audience (the Miami Herald noted that his morning; we Flyer fans were more vocal than the locals), but are in turn demolished by TB. It was unpleasant to watch and Leighton cannot be a scapegoat. Maybe 2 of the 5 were weak, but he made some great saves. For the most part he was a sitting duck. Tampa Bay and Buffalo have been good benchmark teams for us since the first lockout. I'd say we have gotten an inkling that this could be rough sledding for a chunk of the season...or maybe the whole thing. D is not cleaning house, and discipline is lax. Howie

Well, I guess collecting hats means more than exterminating rats from their vantage. Howie

Van: I was tempted to but it was a 2012 Winter Classic hat and didn't want to sacrifice it. Also--a couple that threw a hat out was escorted off by the boys in black...appears Sunshine Sports and Entertainment doesn't like the behavior...Go figure. Good to hear from you. Best, Howie

Alaska: Good to hear from you...hope all is well. I told my Costa Rican neighbor she brought good luck. There were plenty of Flyers fans in attendance. They were more vocal than the Panthers folks. I commented in the game thread on what I saw. Peace, Howie

Greetings: I just got back from the game. 1) I was pleasantly surprised at attendance. But they now charge $20 for parking...ouch. 2) The Flyers fans were incredibly vocal. I got high-fived by several folks. An older Flyers couple was behind me. A young guy and his girlfriend who just moved to South Florida from Cincinnati sat in front of me. 3) On D, Gervais looked small and tentative. Foster looked a bit out of place too. But Timmo looked amazing for a guy his age. 4) Knuble can still skate. But I wonder if he can shoot. 5) Simmonds is tough but he took some dumb penalties. 6) Bryz was good, despite looking spastic on occasion. I guess we have to get used to it. I am not sure if the Flyers are that good or the Panthers are that bad...they are an injured and depleted. 7) Briere was not a factor. Let's hope this carries forward to Tampa Bay. Best, Howie

Howdy: I will be at the game tomorrow (the 26th) versus the Panthers. Just got seats in Section 104; visitors shoot twice side. I am in row 14--probably wearing a 2012 Winter Classic hat! Stop by and say hello if you are there. It looks like there is pretty good attendance. Other than nose bleeds, seats were a bit scarce. I may go to the Applebee's nearby for a pre-game Merlot or other fermented stuff...the 9 dollar a glass Cavit crap they serve at the Arena makes me angry. If you see a gray temple dude at the bar--it's me. This is the only time I will see the boys in person this year, so I am looking forward to it. My Costa Rican native friend will go with me while her hubby does night shift...she gets a kick out of the madness--reminds her of "football." This will be a match of two decimated rosters. I really don't know what to expect, other than the fact we have had a tough time in Sunrise the past few years. Maybe Knuble will pretend he's 30 and score a game winner. Best, Howie

Howdy: I could see this as a short-term event with waiver once Hartnell is back. About the only downside is taking time away from a youngster but that may not be such a problem now with too few vets. I always liked the guy and hope he has some gas left. He seemed like a class act. Best, Howie

Canoli: Good to hear your voice on the forum. I hope you are well. I came home from teaching at 10:48 and didn't like this news. Yikes. At this juncture...give the kids experience. I am hoping this is not a 2006-2007 redux. Peace, Howie

Pilldoc: Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Maybe we will live to see another Cup! Best, Howie

This is a great thread. I am upset as are many. One thought comes to mind And Meltzer's take has an element of my thinking. The one constant of this team since the first strike is inconsistency. It is between and within games and seasons. Our deepest playoff runs have been "flukey." And this seems to be an issue regardless of coach. What does it mean? I can't answer the question but will ask questions. 1) Is Homer a strategist or an opportunist? 2) Is this organization "blind" in terms of goaltending and defensive recruitment-development? 3) Is this franchise still wedded to "old-style" hockey that puts physicality over speed/skill? 4) Have we been patient enough to develop a cadre of young players as a cohesive whole? I think the last may be important because on paper, this is a good group of youngsters. But...it may be "forward centric" and we don't know if it will gel into a real unit. Lavy may be a problem. And if there are few more losses to start the season, we may not have time to test the theory of "coach vs. other." But the patterns we observe are long-standing. My training and outlook say we have a "system" problem that starts with management. Homer is ballsy. But that may not be a substitute for drafting and patience. Peace, Howie

Sami: That is a good observation. You have to wonder if it's maturity or arrogance on the players' parts, or lousy preparation from the coaching. I don't know. What we can say is that the team is playing below its skill level and you can't blame Bryz. Best, Howie

When we got off to a bad start in '07-'07, you had a feeling the team was slow and built for a bygone era of which Hitchcock was born so to speak. We are off to a bad start with a team that's good on paper. You cannot fault Bryz. He has looked OK to Very Good. This seems like parts with no whole. I agree with Millbury that the frustration and dumb penalties are just stupid. Another loss or two like this and I see Lavy's job on the line. Sadly, Homer is at fault to the extent we seem to develop forwards...but D doesn't happen. Howie

Welcome to The Philly.com site is filled with bad posts...and lots of spyware. This is a good crew. Welcome. Best, Howie

Greetings: I posted on the game thread but repeat part of it here; I worry about the speed of this D against skill players. This has been an issue against Buffalo in the past but it's one that we may be "hitting" again. And Grossman's penalties may reflect some injury-related slowdown. Best, Howie