First 5 games crucial toward job security of Stevens

I was looking over the Flyers schedule earlier today, and I've come to the conclusion that the first 5 games, will be crucial to the job security of head coach John Stevens. They start the season Fri Oct 2nd against one of last year's conference finalists-Carolina. The next night, they face perennial playoff team, New Jersey. After a couple days off, they open their home schedule vs some people's pick to win the East-Washington. Two nights later they face the team that ended their season 2 years in a row, the defending Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins. They finish off the homestand vs a solid opponent from the west-Anaheim. After that, they dont play again for nearly a week, so if the coach were going to get fired early in the season, that would be a good time to do it.

Why would you fire the coach if they start poorly in their first 5 games? Simple, because Paul Holmgren has assembled the best Flyers team since 2004, or dare I say, 1997. Not to mention, he mortgaged away alot of the future to win now. If this team falls short of expectations this season, Homer's job security could come into question. One of Holmgrens complaints about this team over the last couple of seasons has been the inconsistent effort from night to night, which is something the head coach should notice, and take care of, one way or another. Already this preseason, Holmgren has commented that he is not happy with the effort.

Stevens is a good coach, just not a great coach. He doesn't seem like the kind of coach that can get a sluggish team going, which is why many think he wont last the season. Ive heard people saying that the addition of guys like Pronger & Lappy will help solve this problem, but its the coaches job to coach and motivate, and the players job to play.

All of this will be irrelevant when the Flyers burst out of the gate 5-0. Including a 32 save shutout by Razor on opening night (you heard it here first!!) and a physical tone-setting win against the Penguins on Oct 8

8 days till the puck drops for real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO FLYERS!!!!!!!