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PA • United States • 50 Years Old • Male
The Flyers recent game is nearly over and quite frankly I don't really care to know if they win or lose. Yes, I would love for them to mount a comeback and I still have faith.

But, what I don't have faith in is the coaching staff. Management yes but coaching staff no. I just don't understand how a team can come out so flat in the last 20 games of the season. They keep on saying, "we have time and we control our own destiny". Well, no kidding and quite frankly, your losing the battle.

Yes, I would agree that injuries have taken their toll on this team but even with the injuries they have managed to find a way to win. In some respect I think some of the players are playing in spite of Stevens. I think Stevens is a good players coach but beyond that I think he's terrible when it comes to game time coaching along with preparing his team. He's been outcoached lately and it baffles my mind why he can't keep lines together. Plus, my favorite thing is why The Flyers suck so bad at shootouts when in fact they have have the talent to be one of the better teams when it comes to shootouts.

On each team each players should know their roles. You have four lines and even when the line is not clicking don't bail on the line after one period. This just kills team chemistry. When it comes to team chemistry you need to stick with someone for longer then one period.

Why is the team so flat on big games? Do they do enough film work like football or baseball or even basketball? Teams run generally the same offense and you need to learn your opponent. I don't think this is being done. Why? I don't have an answer.

Shootouts. Let's be honest. They suck. I hated them from the beginning even before the Flyers started to suck at them. I don't like the fact that you take a TEAM game and now have it decided by a one on one situation. It defeats the purpose of the TEAM concept.

Part of being a coach is to be able to make game time decisions. I don't think this is being done consistently or at all. Why not!!!??? You just had two other coaches out smart you and if you have done your homework you would know their weaknesses. Better yet, why not view film on thier previous teams and see if there are similarities.

One thing that I have left out is why can a team play a solid 59 minutes and then fall a part in the last minute of the game. This has happened a lot this year. Ice the puck if you have too. Sit on it. Hand pass it to you fellow teammate. Do something with other then panic. I have an answer. Ice and take a timeout!!!

There is a town meeting at the Center for all season ticket holders. I'm going to try to attend. It shall be interesting.

Side note.
Since they have allowed the dancing guy in 219 to be shown on the in house video screen, the Flyers don't have a winning record the last two years. Oh wait, he's only been dancing for two years. Theres my point. ;o(

In the end, I had faith in Stevens in the beginning but I don't anymore. Something needs to be done because it appears that some players have tuned him out.

Fire someone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Filed Under:   Flyers   Stevens  
March 16, 2008 6:47 PM ET | Delete
The Flyers have major injuries, Richards has be hurt as is Gagne. Those are their 2 top scorers. Not to mention that Hatcher is out this isn't the same team that got into a playoff position.
March 16, 2008 8:16 PM ET | Delete
Actually, they are probably more healthy now than they have been all year. They just flat out do not compete.
March 16, 2008 11:04 PM ET | Delete
I agree that they are healthier now than they have been, and also that they just don't seem to push hard enough to win. Stevens has made some very interesting line combination choices lately - to say the least!
March 17, 2008 8:12 AM ET | Delete
The majority of the players on this team barely show up. Richards always hustles, Cote tries his best, but I've never seen a team hanging on by such a thin thread play so many games without heart. They've got the talent, even without Gagne, so maybe the issue is John Stevens. Personally I think he sucks as a coach. Bad goalie decisions, switching lines all the time and a general lack of emotion make him a poor coach.
March 17, 2008 11:15 AM ET | Delete
March 17, 2008 1:06 PM ET | Delete
Stevens' coaching abilities are severly limited given that he began at the NHL level with the 06-07 Flyers. His gameplan seems more about how to prevent the team from losing as opposed to knowing how to win. Aside from the recent disastrous Toronto, Boston, and especially Pittsburgh losses, the unnacceptable inconsistency the team has had all year long is enough to show that he is not getting the job done. Unfortunately, it seems keeping him as head coach undermines all the work Holmgren has done last year and over the summer to get this team back on track.
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