Hextall. An amazing job.

[deadhead]

These zero-cost acquisitions - Elliott, Neuvirth, Weise, Schultz, and on and on - with virtually no investment in today that comes at any cost, sends a terrible message. And what you're left with is a lack of urgency, terrible special teams, and bad intangibles.

I think Hextall has alot more to answer for right now.

These "zero-cost acquisitions" bought time to rebuild the talent pipeline.
Hextall had no cap room even if he wanted to overpay for free agents.
And no young NHL ready prospects other than Ghost and Laughton left him by Homer.
When he finally had cap room he signed JVR.

 

[Delete99991]

These "zero-cost acquisitions" bought time to rebuild the talent pipeline.
Hextall had no cap room even if he wanted to overpay for free agents.
And no young NHL ready prospects other than Ghost and Laughton left him by Homer.
When he finally had cap room he signed JVR.

Can you think of a single instance where he targeted a player to fill a need (other than in Goal, where obviously he had to bring some vets in)?

A PK guy, a shootout guy, a speedy winger, a scrappy 4th liner?

I can't. All I see is an accountant, improving the balance sheet but ignoring the actual performance of his business in the meantime.

 

[deadhead]

Why would he give up assets 2 or 3 years ago in the middle of the rebuild.
It's not like a specialist would make much of a difference.

This offseason he was more active, but there just wasn't much of value on the market, 2 solid defensemen who got 4 year deals for $16-17M, a few top scoring forwards, he landed one of them, and a bunch of 4th line types who got 2-4 year deals for $2-4M a year, basically Dale Weise types.

Schultz is a good example, a workable 3rd pair veteran defenseman cost $2M a year for 2 years.
Would that be worth it? We have to pay AMac in any case. Hagg has more upside. Folin was signed for cheap as the 7th D-man because Morin has to be activated this spring and at some point he may want to bring up Friedman and/or Myers.

 

[hatcher]

Can you think of a single instance where he targeted a player to fill a need (other than in Goal, where obviously he had to bring some vets in)?

A PK guy, a shootout guy, a speedy winger, a scrappy 4th liner?

I can't. All I see is an accountant, improving the balance sheet but ignoring the actual performance of his business in the meantime.

Hexy has to go.

 

[Tripod]

A reporter with a backbone just needs to ask Hextall:

What is your plan to fix the goaltending issue for next year? You have no NHL level goalies signed, Lyon and Stolarz have not shown starters ability, and Hart won't be ready."

 

[madlee]

You have to consider that Hexstall has his eye on a list of possible candidates to replace hakstol. Keeping Hakstol around is probably more of a positioning move - he'll be easy to dispatch when the time comes.

If Hexstall were to simply grab the best available coach, you might be saddled with them and unable to fire them when the one he really wants is available.

This team at best is on the lower end of playoff caliber teams. We don't have a goalie and we still have issues with players who are not in the franchise's long term plans. Shooting your wad now would just be the same old Flyers story of trying to win now and coming up short.

 

[deadhead]

A reporter with a backbone just needs to ask Hextall:

What is your plan to fix the goaltending issue for next year? You have no NHL level goalies signed, Lyon and Stolarz have not shown starters ability, and Hart won't be ready."

Well, he'd be kinda foolish to have a "plan" for next year until he sees how Hart, Lyon and Stolarz play this year.
He also needs to know who reaches FA and who has emerged, making a veteran with only a couple years left on his contract available in trade.
A bit early to have a plan.

 

[Striiker]

A reporter with a backbone just needs to ask Hextall:

What is your plan to fix the goaltending issue for next year? You have no NHL level goalies signed, Lyon and Stolarz have not shown starters ability, and Hart won't be ready."

We have a better chance of finding an elite #1 for next year than we do a beat writer with the balls and knowledge to challenge Hextall and Hakstol with questions that matter.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

A reporter with a backbone just needs to ask Hextall:

What is your plan to fix the goaltending issue for next year? You have no NHL level goalies signed, Lyon and Stolarz have not shown starters ability, and Hart won't be ready."

I don't know how many reporters would boldly say Hart won't be ready to the GM (since Hart could be ready).

But even if someone asked Hexy that, you know what he'd say (what every GM would say): "We'll take a look at our guys about to be free agents, see how Carter Hart is progressing down there and of course we'll explore free agency and the trade market but probably try to avoid the market if teams are looking for too much"

Not sure why asking him that would make anything better or give any satisfaction to folks -- Hextall isn't a guy who sweats when confronted.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Can you think of a single instance where he targeted a player to fill a need (other than in Goal, where obviously he had to bring some vets in)?

A PK guy, a shootout guy, a speedy winger, a scrappy 4th liner?

I can't. All I see is an accountant, improving the balance sheet but ignoring the actual performance of his business in the meantime.

Left wing?

as in James f***ing VanRiemsdyk?

 

[Ruck Over]

Scenario- Hextall fires his current head coach, fills with someone. There's another coach Hextall really wants, he then fires/demotes/promotes his new coach to make room for the desired coach.

"A bit early to have a plan." False. A good plan today, is better than a great plan tomorrow. A plan is not a contract, but a collected grouping of ideas and intentions. If Hextall isn't already thinking about what he's going to do in goal for 2019-20, regardless of the performance of Hart, Stolarz, Lyon, X, he's not doing his job. That doesn't mean go tampering, but he can have a plan of guys to target in a trade, or folks whom if they make it to FA he targets to bring to Philly. C'mon man!

 

[MacDonald4MVP]

Best players on this team:
G
Jake
Couts
Ghost
3 of them were drafted by flyers. So much for Homer being bad at drafting and blowing all his money to won know.
This team is winning on the shoulders of the core Homer has assembled.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Best players on this team:
G
Jake
Couts
Ghost
3 of them were drafted by flyers. So much for Homer being bad at drafting and blowing all his money to won know.
This team is winning on the shoulders of the core Homer has assembled.

Well Homer drafted 2 of those 4 guys. I'd certainly argue Provorov is better than Ghost btw, but you could expand the list to Top 5 to include Ghost if you'd like.

And am I missing something -- are we winning? Doesn't seem like we're winning. In fact what I'm hearing is that the guys on the top line aren't playing well (but I could be wrong -- haven't seen a game yet this year as I've been abroad).

 

[Delete99991]

Left wing?

as in James f***ing VanRiemsdyk?

Zero-cost, slam dunk acquisition.

I'm talking a mvoe he made to proactively fill a need, where he actually risked something or gave up an asset.

I can think of one: Petr Mrazek. That's it.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Zero-cost, slam dunk acquisition.

I'm talking a mvoe he made to proactively fill a need, where he actually risked something or gave up an asset.

I can think of one: Petr Mrazek. That's it.

Oh none -- because that isn't his plan. His plan has been the exact opposite. Mrazek was out of desperation.

The time will come, but not now.

 

[Delete99991]

Oh none -- because that isn't his plan. His plan has been the exact opposite. Mrazek was out of desperation.

The time will come, but not now.

You disciples of this "plan". The time is now.

How many real contributors has Hextall actually brought to the current team? I'll give him credit for Konecny, not that he's lighting the world on fire. Patrick and Provorov were the result of tremendous good fortune.

Yes, there are the Frosts and Harts of the world. But as other posters have pointed out, the Morin/Sanheim experiences should teach us -- or remind us -- that we shouldn't take a thing for granted with these hyped up prospects until they deliver at the NHL level.

 

[46zone]

Oh none -- because that isn't his plan. His plan has been the exact opposite. Mrazek was out of desperation.

The time will come, but not now.

That time should be soon, given the state of our goaltending and defense at the NHL level. Hextall can make a trade to upgrade at least one of these spots without sacrificing the future.

 

[Garbage Goal]

Left wing?

as in James f***ing VanRiemsdyk?

In fairness, he said a speedy winger. JVR is not speedy and he’s entering his 30’s. I’d say he also doesn’t fill a need. He’s a one-dimensional goal scorer who makes his living on the net front, especially the PP. Simmonds can be described exactly the same way. Patrick showed signs of being able to fill that PP role as well last year. So I would say that doesn’t count as filling a need at all, seeing as winger depth and PP help are probably our strengths and D or goaltending are our weaknesses.

 

[The Madrigal]

Really because if I remember they were one of the best teams in the NHL from December onward, and took the Penguins to 6 games despite Elliott/Mrazek (.852 S%) in goal, which was about as bad as Elliott/Pickard (.862%).

No, I'm not going to panic after 7 games, maybe after 20 or so (though they turned it around last year after 26 games).

The last time the defense was this bad was 2008-09, when they started 0-3-3.
They then won 4 in a row, lost 3 in a row and were 4-6-3. Panic time?
Rest of the season they went 40-21-8.

4 seasons with zero playoff series wins, and year 5 is off to a horrible start with the same old problems, so no it's not just 7 games.

 

[Tripod]

Oh none -- because that isn't his plan. His plan has been the exact opposite. Mrazek was out of desperation.

The time will come, but not now.

Why not now?

Why not when you have a 100 point guy, a 80 point guy, a Selke C, a 60 point guy, a Dman who was 1st in goals, a Dman who was near the top in points.

Identify the core prospects you want to keep, making a list of those that likely never make it on the Flyers due to too many prospects, not enough spots.

Then trade some of that youth or future picks for immediate help. Get a f***ing goalie for 2-3 years. Get a f***ing Dman that the kids can actually lean on.

Just those 2 moves take us from playoff tweeners, to a team that should win in the playoffs. How many rounds? Who knows. Because we all know anything can happen in the short series, match ups matter, injuries, etc...

For 2 years and looking like a 3rd next year, every game we have a disadvantage in net. Wouldn't it be nice if that was even changed to a 50% ratio??

I was all about being patient before this year. But now it's time. Add a few pieces to bridge the gap to the rest of the kids. Make them HAVE to bump off a good player to make the team. Get the current kids not only a playoff taste, but a taste of winning and what it takes.

Hextall did the easy part of the job well. He sold guys off to desperate teams for good/great returns. Now it's time he himself takes the next step. Time to step up and make a few good trades to help the product on the ice win now, not just maybe in the future.

Time to man-up Hextall!

 

[BrindamoursNose]

In fairness, he said a speedy winger. JVR is not speedy and he’s entering his 30’s. I’d say he also doesn’t fill a need. He’s a one-dimensional goal scorer who makes his living on the net front, especially the PP. Simmonds can be described exactly the same way. Patrick showed signs of being able to fill that PP role as well last year. So I would say that doesn’t count as filling a need at all, seeing as winger depth and PP help are probably our strengths and D or goaltending are our weaknesses.

I know what he said, but the problem is he's glossing over two big issues that JVR was brought in to fix:

1) We didn't have a legitimate 2nd line LW. JVR brings that.
2) 5-on-5 scoring. JVR had 25 5-on-5 goals last year...Flyers had 1 guy who had as much (Giroux).

I know we're turning it into JVR just being a PP guy, but the guy is just a dead-on goal scorer and we needed another to make the top 6 deadly. There's so many passers that it was key to get a shooter.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

Why not now?

Why not when you have a 100 point guy, a 80 point guy, a Selke C, a 60 point guy, a Dman who was 1st in goals, a Dman who was near the top in points.

Identify the core prospects you want to keep, making a list of those that likely never make it on the Flyers due to too many prospects, not enough spots.

Then trade some of that youth or future picks for immediate help. Get a ****ing goalie for 2-3 years. Get a ****ing Dman that the kids can actually lean on.

Just those 2 moves take us from playoff tweeners, to a team that should win in the playoffs. How many rounds? Who knows. Because we all know anything can happen in the short series, match ups matter, injuries, etc...

For 2 years and looking like a 3rd next year, every game we have a disadvantage in net. Wouldn't it be nice if that was even changed to a 50% ratio??

I was all about being patient before this year. But now it's time. Add a few pieces to bridge the gap to the rest of the kids. Make them HAVE to bump off a good player to make the team. Get the current kids not only a playoff taste, but a taste of winning and what it takes.

Hextall did the easy part of the job well. He sold guys off to desperate teams for good/great returns. Now it's time he himself takes the next step. Time to step up and make a few good trades to help the product on the ice win now, not just maybe in the future.

Time to man-up Hextall!

Because you and Hextall have different plans. You want to win a Cup this year or go deep in the playoffs whereas Hexy, a long time ago, sees it as a "cherry on top" but not the immediate concern. Developing organically and not rushing the process is his deal. I think the team is very much on the cusp at this moment and he's fine with letting kids find their way and having temporary stopgaps rather than acquiring bonafide players he'll have to pay/give assets for (at least THIS year).

What should he do with the goalie situation? I'm genuinely asking -- who should we acquire and at what price? Not many teams are looking to give up legitimate goaltenders. When they are UFAs, they seem to get stupid money. Elliot was more or less the right call for Hexy in that situation. Let's hope Hart is our stud of the future because I think Hexy has invested a ton in organic goalie growth -- let's let him see it through.

But to be fair -- I'm not sure a lot of winning will happen with Hak there anyway. System seems to not work and I don't know if adding a guy or two will take us anywhere great (maybe a playoff round win, but who cares about 1 round win).

What Hextall has done is not the easy part -- the easy part is throwing away draft picks and NMCs to players to get them to come to your team. What Hextall has done is difficult -- he's forcing Flyers fans to be patient for once in their miserable lives with a revitalization of the farm system and actually developing from within rather than acquiring players from everywhere else when times are tough.

 

[BrindamoursNose]

That time should be soon, given the state of our goaltending and defense at the NHL level. Hextall can make a trade to upgrade at least one of these spots without sacrificing the future.

The defense will be better. Provorov and Ghost don't seem to be doing well right now (which is uncharacteristic). Goaltending won't be great, but it won't be as bad as it has been. Nothing to panic about -- we knew both of those things would be shaky going into the year anyway.

 

[Rebels57]

Tldr: Fire Hextall

 

[Ruck Over]

Why not now?

Why not when you have a 100 point guy, a 80 point guy, a Selke C, a 60 point guy, a Dman who was 1st in goals, a Dman who was near the top in points.

Identify the core prospects you want to keep, making a list of those that likely never make it on the Flyers due to too many prospects, not enough spots.

Then trade some of that youth or future picks for immediate help. Get a ****ing goalie for 2-3 years. Get a ****ing Dman that the kids can actually lean on.

Just those 2 moves take us from playoff tweeners, to a team that should win in the playoffs. How many rounds? Who knows. Because we all know anything can happen in the short series, match ups matter, injuries, etc...

For 2 years and looking like a 3rd next year, every game we have a disadvantage in net. Wouldn't it be nice if that was even changed to a 50% ratio??

I was all about being patient before this year. But now it's time. Add a few pieces to bridge the gap to the rest of the kids. Make them HAVE to bump off a good player to make the team. Get the current kids not only a playoff taste, but a taste of winning and what it takes.

Hextall did the easy part of the job well. He sold guys off to desperate teams for good/great returns. Now it's time he himself takes the next step. Time to step up and make a few good trades to help the product on the ice win now, not just maybe in the future.

Time to man-up Hextall!

You're a tad late* to the party. Grab a beverage, something to eat, and join the crowd. Welcome.

*TDL of last season