Time For Change
Posted 11:49 AM ET | Comments 2
It is time for change. How long can this team continue to play .500 hockey. We have seen this before (check last few seasons). The Philadelphia Flyers are just good enough to be competitive and win their share of games, but bad enough to have several losing streaks, be blown out or to be non-competitive. Getting into the playoffs is a struggle and nobody who understands hockey considers them a legit contender for the cup. Defense and goaltending wins champions. This team is getting decent goaltending, sometimes even above average. The problem is the team defense. The forwards are out of position, they don't backcheck, and are lazy far too often. With that said, a larger problem is the core of defensemen on this roster. They play scared, turnover the puck with pressure, and are way too slow to cover faster teams. They get beat on the forecheck, beat to positions on the ice, beat to the puck, and play the chase game far too often. It seems like there are stretches of games where the puck never leaves the defensive zone. Not to mention they can't get the pucks up to the forwards fast enough when they do have possession of the puck. The roster is loaded with stay-at-home defensemen and the offensive minded defensemen on this team aren't exactly great skaters. Management needs to make team speed and defense the main priority for the next several years. They need to draft, trade, & sign faster players who don't panic under pressure. Move the assets they have to accomplish this goal. They are loaded with centers and stay-at-home defensemen on their roster and their farm system. These are the areas they can diminish without having to fill new holes. Please make it happen...sooner than later!
I would agree the problem is with the defense on the team and the makeup of them. I think while history is great the game has evolved well past the broadstreet bullies era and the Flyers also get caught up in their history too much. Much like the Oilers are on the teams case about having the old boys in power. Might be time to clean house there with Bobby Clarke and then the GM as well. Coach has paid the price already and nothing has really changed. It is time for them to revamp the roster but I think starting at the top and having a culture change there is going to be important.
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