When blood is in the water, there are few things like Philly media
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think I'd want to mess with Hexy.

Great defense of Couturier!

Great defense of Couturier!
- MBFlyerfan

Even more so, it sure doesn't sound like Hextall minds Couturier's usage

Berube would have been fired by now if Hextall truly didn't like roster usage

He specifically mentioned that Bellemare could take more D zone faceoffs next season to give Couturier more balanced usage.

Great defense of Couturier!
- MBFlyerfan

Twenty-two
Twenty-two

Hetxall says Mase, Voracek and Simmonds took a huge jump in leadership this season, but it's still young and needs to improve.

Woof -- Interesting that he feels older players are less capable of leading as their roles diminish

On trades he says he has things he'd like to do, but you need another team who's thinking the same way.

Says there's no hurry to re-sign Del Zotto since he's restricted.

Wants to upgrade defense and find a skilled forward via free agency or trade. Will look around the backup goalie market.

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Hextall said he would make the Hartnell-Umberger trade over again today.

uh... woof.

On trades he says he has things he'd like to do, but you need another team who's thinking the same way.

Says there's no hurry to re-sign Del Zotto since he's restricted.

Wants to upgrade defense and find a skilled forward via free agency or trade. Will look around the backup goalie market.
- Feanor

Please keep the updates coming. I can't getthe actual p.c. at work.

Interesting to hear Hexy say he would still make the Hartsy trade, even in hindsight. That tells me he values that future cap relief a lot more than making the playoffs now. So even though he believes "this is a playoff team now," I think he doesn't believe they have a real chance to contend for a cup until some of the prospects develop.

Hextall grows a beautiful beard.

also says Lecavalier situation hasn't worked, doesn't know where it'll go in the future.

Raise his game like setting another career high in points?
- Feanor

The bar wasn't that high. Do you honestly feel that Schenn raised his game this year? I thought that there were periods of strong hockey, I think he was effective in his role on the PP. I also think there were long slumps and periods during the season when he was ineffective, to downright invisible on the ice.

It sounds like the decision on Berube will come soon. Says it wouldn't be fair to keep Berube waiting to know.

On Vinny: "It hasn't worked for them or us."

Will you consider a buyout? "No."

Woof -- "it hasn't worked for them, it hasn't worked for us."

You just gave a defense of why he should be retained, you know
- AllInForFlyers

That's because there are legitimate reasons to bring Berube back.

DAMN. damn damn damn. damn.

Interesting to hear Hexy say he would still make the Hartsy trade, even in hindsight. That tells me he values that future cap relief a lot more than making the playoffs now. So even though he believes "this is a playoff team now," I think he doesn't believe they have a real chance to contend for a cup until some of the prospects develop.
- kellyblaise7

Lots of people just look at the point totals between Hartnell and Umberger. A good chunk of Hartnell's production was replaced by other players and not Umberger.

Listening to this, I don't see him turfing the coach

He thinks it's on Vinny, he's fine with Couturier usage, he sees room for growth in leadership for the players, and he thinks they are still young enough to learn

This does not sound like a guy who is sharpening the knives

Hextall says your smartest players are your centers.

Indirect confirmation that BSchenn will remain on the wing going forward.

Says Giroux won't go 1/12 in the SO next year. Compares Couturier to Handzus and says he can be better in the SO.

Listening to this, I don't see him turfing the coach

He thinks it's on Vinny, he's fine with Couturier usage, he sees room for growth in leadership for the players, and he thinks they are still young enough to learn

This does not sound like a guy who is sharpening the knives
- AllInForFlyers

And we'll be part way through a losing season next year, in the same boat... then what? Tough to bring a brand new coach in then, let alone if any decent ones are available. If he truly wants a fresh start, he needs to make a coaching change too. Otherwise, we'll be in the same boat next season.

Lots of people just look at the point totals between Hartnell and Umberger. A good chunk of Hartnell's production was replaced by other players and not Umberger.
- JFlyers00

Not really though.. We are down on the year in points, a lot of players had down years..

It was a brutal trade then, and it definitely has looked as bad if not worse now that the season is over.

What a circle jerk. Complete waste of time. Did anyone ask a question about Reese?

What a circle jerk. Complete waste of time. Did anyone ask a question about Reese?
- PLindbergh31

No that I heard. The answer would have been the same: no comment.

Woof -- "it hasn't worked for them, it hasn't worked for us."
- AllInForFlyers

Wants to upgrade the D and add a sniper. That's pretty obvious, but I don't know how he's going to do this with limited cap space. I hope he can pull a rabbbit out of his hat.. at least we've been stockpiling picks instead of sending them out with no chance of winning.