You Talkin' to Me? How much has the Flyers' coach helped?

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Coaching

The Flyers had a strange, up-and-down season. There were injuries and drama and, along the way, the organization fired coach John Stevens and replaced him with Peter Laviolette.

Laviolette has been well-received in Philly, especially after calling that time-out in Game 7 against Boston. How much of the Flyers' turnaround is owed to Laviolette? That is, relative to the other major sports, how much influence does a hockey coach have?

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Coaching

Laviolette really has done a masterful job getting this team to mesh. I never knew that calling time-outs was such an art in the NHL, but he really has made the practice meaningful.

I don't know how you feel about it, Bernie, but I give the players more of the credit. They're the ones doing the work. Laviolette's merely pulling the strings.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Coaching

That might be the most famous time-out in Philly sports history. Laviolette has certainly gotten them to play better, but I think Ashley is right. The coach can only push them so far. Eventually the players have to take over and push themselves.

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Coaching

The forwards need to tighten up defensively.  The Blackhawks slash to the net, and they somehow get open for a good scoring chance. If the Flyers' forwards pick up on this, they can intercept passes and create good transition.

The Flyers' big guns haven't scored yet, with the exception of Briere. Once the big guns get going and the forwards tighten up defensively, the series should swing to the Flyers' favor.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Parent, Bernie

Subject: Coaching

How much of that is on the players, and how much is on the coach?

From: Parent, Bernie

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Coaching

It's the Stanley Cup. It's on both. This is going to be a long series.