After scoring three goals in Game 6, Wayne Simmonds was shut down in Game 7. Credit: Getty Images
Here are the five things Flyers’ head coach Craig Berube hopes to improve on during his first full season with the team.
More Consistency — Not only game-to-game and week-to-week, but period-to-period. Inconsistent play proved their undoing last year, especially in the playoffs
Better Discipline — Maintain better control of their emotions and cut down on foolish penalties. One reason Scott Hartnell is gone and Zac Rinaldo could be next if he doesn’t clean up his act.
Stronger Defense —That’s on all of them, not just the defensemen. It starts with getting the puck out of their own zone quicker and transitioning to the attack.
Developing the Kids — Unless someone wows them at camp, center Scott Laughton and budding defensemen Samuel Morin, Shayne Ghostisbehere and Robert Hagg will probably open the season with the Phantoms, where they can make mistakes without the NHL glare cast upon them. Where they go next is up to them.
Improving Shootouts — The Flyers went 3-8 in shootouts last season, costing them a shot at second place in the Metropolitan and home ice advantage. Throughout their history, in fact, they’ve struggled going for the extra point. “We’ll work on it—with a purpose,” promised Berube.
