It's funny how different people look at things totally differently at times... You see it as me being more forgiving... while I take it as my being more suspicious.
I find it hard to believe that Hakstol would not look past the incumbent coaches and Murray... who had to have been 'suggested' to him from Hextall, who once played under him in Philly... Why, if he actually and REALLY had full reigns, would he limit himself so greatly?
He could have delved down into the pool of college coaches he worked with... or competed against... for one or so of the coaches... He could have also checked out some other experienced NHL coaches, ala Terry Murray, who have established themselves and displayed needed traits, but were not is a position to step back in the HC role in the NHL.
I'm just feeling that Hexy's and Homer's 'suggestions' were more than mere suggestions... I suppose I'm not very knowledgeable in this, but as GM, isn't Hexy responsible for all coaching hires, when all is said and done? Doesn't he and, I suppose the President (Homer), have final say so in the matter? Hakstol doesn't appear to be a lazy sort... nor does he seem the sort that is not willing to check out all available avenues... but he also may not be one to not see the writing on the wall, and to not take a not so subtle hint... I'm of the opinion that he was basically told that the Flyers were happy with the existing Assistants and any change would have to be done after completely convincing them that they were wrong.
All being merely my outsider's opinion... It will be interesting to see if after missing the PostSeason Hak doesn't seek some changes... lest next Season's major OffSeason change might be he himself.