Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
Out with the old, and in with the new. C’est la vie to the dump and chase system that Former Flyers Head Coach instilled during his tenure as the coach of the orange and black. The Flyers just don’t have the speedy forwards that is required for this system to work efficiently band effectively.
Mike Yeo started giving the players the free reign to either carry the puck into the offensive zone or to dump the puck in the offensive zone due to the defensive schemes of their opponents. This allows the forwards more offensive creativity, and allows the players to have more freedom to make plays. If you don’t think it works, just look at Travis Sanheim for instance. Sanheim is skating better, and has netted two goals, and four assists since Yeo has taken over the helm.
Defensively the Flyers just look more confident and composed, but maybe that has to do with trust. Yeo trusts his players judgments and it has been noticeable in the effort. They have been more effective with clearing the puck, thus it’s leading to a more efficient transition with their play up the ice. No one is leaving the defensive zone early, rather they are supporting each other better with better puck support.
James van Riemsdyk said of the coaching and system change, “There are always different subtleties, generally throughout the league teams play a 1-3-1. He has made some adjustments with the new coaching staff.”
“Like I said before, give a reset, regroup, refocus on certain things, and maybe play a little more freer in certain situations that should be a part of it too. We have had some good zone time, whether it’s on the power play or not.” – James van Riemsdyk
The Flyers and JvR appear to be oozing with confidence lately, and yes things haven’t been perfect, even with the wins, but the Flyers are finding ways to win under Yeo. Take for instance last night, the Flyers hung around against the Seattle Kraken, mainly because the Kraken lacked the finish for goals. However, the Flyers received timely scoring from JvR, and Ivan Provorov finished with the eventual game winner in overtime.
“As a team, we’re headed in the right direction,” Ivan Provorov said following a press conference right before the NHL postponed the season.
Hopefully, the Flyers continue to execute Yeo’s new system, as they are just two points back now for the last Wild Card spot. Whatever the case maybe for the orange and black, they just have to continue to find ways to win.
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