Bill Meltzer: What Can Flyers Expect from Dave Hakstol?, Sam Morin Wins QMJHL Title

exciting.

not gonna lie.

I think the Flyers employed a "bend but don't break" mentality against the Devils in 2012. Unfortunately, they broke.

Bill Meltzer: What Can Flyers Expect from Dave Hakstol?, Sam Morin Wins QMJHL Title
- bmeltzer

Ready for the journey

Interesting.

Wonder if he had any defensemen with the limitations that Luke Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann have, as far as foot speed, average-at-best passing and average-at-best hockey sense in Schenn's case, yet found ways to help them improve and adapt to a higher pace with fewer glaring errors

I don't want the Flyers to limit themselves in their attempts to improve and Lord knows I think Schenn has had plenty of chances -- the guy's an '08 draftee, for gosh sakes -- but at times, I do wonder if he's been coached consistently well enough to minimize his shortcomings. Laviolette seemed to find a way to get the most out of him in the lockout season

You can tell it's the offseason, where I think all things are possible, and I don't want to give up on a guy with Schenn's physical gifts and I ignore what I watched for 70-plus games

Awesome and thorough write-up Bill!

3. Expect to hear the word "accountability" used a lot

This is one of the things that concerns me, regarding how effective he will be. In college, you can basically sit anyone who is under-performing or isn't putting forth effort... in the NHL, you know it's almost impossible to sit you "star" players without any push-back from above. And we aren't talking about 18 year old kids here... we're talking 18-40 year old men. The "response" to his accountability might not be received well.

All that being said, I'm excited... they went outside the box, instead of getting another re-tread or former Flyer. It's a fresh new take. I'm open to the possibilities.

Buckle up, people!

Nice write up, Bill.

Sounds to me like one of two things will happen: The players will hate it and there will be a fast and hot flame-out or they will buy into it and there will be a long, slow progression to success. Obviously I hope it's the latter. Without some roster changes I'm not sure they make the playoffs next season either way.

Interesting.

Wonder if he had any defensemen with the limitations that Luke Schenn and Nicklas Grossmann have, as far as foot speed, yet found ways to help them improve and adapt to a higher pace with fewer glaring errors

I don't want the Flyers to limit themselves in their attempts to improve and Lord knows I think Schenn has had plenty of chances -- the guy's an '08 draftee, for gosh sakes -- but at times, I do wonder if he's been coached consistently well enough to minimize his shortcomings. Laviolette seemed to find a way to get the most out of him in the lockout season

You can tell it's the offseason, where I think all things are possible, and I don't want to give up on a guy with Schenn's physical gifts and I ignore what I watched for 70-plus games
- AllInForFlyers

I think part of Schenn's problem was that he was miscast and rushed. He seemed like a guy who got by in juniors based solely on his physical tools. Then, he was thrown to the wolves in Toronto as an 18-year-old.

I read that Hakstol's players at the UND found out he was leaving via Twitter.

Hope that isn't true. Complete garbage if it is.

Tremendous game in Rimouski last night. Tough to watch in French but hey, what's a guy to do.

Awesome and thorough write-up Bill!



This is one of the things that concerns me, regarding how effective he will be. In college, you can basically sit anyone who is under-performing or isn't putting forth effort... in the NHL, you know it's almost impossible to sit you "star" players without any push-back from above. And we aren't talking about 18 year old kids here... we're talking 18-40 year old men. The "response" to his accountability might not be received well.
- WarriorHockey21

I agree. A lot will also depend on what are the repercussions for inaccountability. Will he be allowed to bench the big $ boys or will that be reserved for the 4th line guys only?

I read that Hakstol's players at the UND found out he was leaving via Twitter.

Hope that isn't true. Complete garbage if it is.
- PLindbergh31

But then again, releasing information like that via social media seems to be the norm these days...

Tremendous game in Rimouski last night. Tough to watch in French but hey, what's a guy to do.
- mayorofangrytown

I kept it on mute

September should be an interesting month. Find out if the players are buying in or tuning him out.

I agree. A lot will also depend on what are the repercussions for inaccountability. Will he be allowed to bench the big $ boys or will that be reserved for the 4th line guys only?
- Scoob

But seriously -- think about it for a second.

It's not the Flyers' big-ticket players who are the problem. Giroux/Voracek/Streit, plus Mason, are the reason this franchise wasn't in the running for the top pick. They did their jobs.

The PK was rancid, the secondary scoring and PP2 were virtually nonexistent, and Matt Read, R.J. Umberger and Brayden Schenn were MIA -- at best -- for half of the season, if not more

I think accountability is great. But the largest salaries on this team earned their money, with the exception of Andrew MacDonald, who did get benched

I read that Hakstol's players at the UND found out he was leaving via Twitter.

Hope that isn't true. Complete garbage if it is.
- PLindbergh31

The season's over, so it's not like he could call a team meeting. Not sure he had time to call them all in the few minutes between his time of hire and the info leaked that he was hired.

But then again, releasing information like that via social media seems to be the norm these days...
- WarriorHockey21

It's not as if many coaches want that but keeping everything quiet until they can call the players these days is tough.

But then again, releasing information like that via social media seems to be the norm these days...
- WarriorHockey21

Not when it comes to dealing with student athletes it doesn't. College coaches recruit players, kids are making decisions for their futures. They deserve better then finding out on social media.

I read that Hakstol's players at the UND found out he was leaving via Twitter.

Hope that isn't true. Complete garbage if it is.
- PLindbergh31

He had to maintain 100 percent secrecy. That's a must with Ron Hextall. Dallas Eakins didn't have much chance to begin with but that chance went from slim to none the second he told TSN the Flyers contacted him (and was the only contacted candidate to go public)

I wonder the impact he will have on Vinny. This whole accountability thing could turn into some drama such as the drama Vinny and Berube had. Regardless I am very excited of this signing and I like that Hexy knows this is a high risk, however, I believe that amplifies Hexy's trust and how highly he views Hakstol. With Snider, and the high risk, Hexy knows his tenure could be short if this is a complete failure and I like that Hexy has that confidence in him. Really hoping Hakstol establishes Schenn's exact role this year and keep him in one position. Center or Wing. not both. All in All i think Hakstol is what we need. A coach with no tolerance for shenanigans who has a proven history of winning. Seems like a more involved coach to have behind the bench than Berube. We all know Berube was a no tolerance guy but I don't think he connected well with the team.

The season's over, so it's not like he could call a team meeting. Not sure he had time to call them all in the few minutes between his time of hire and the info leaked that he was hired.
- jmatchett383

Some coaches have done just that to announce they are leaving..........but it also isn't always possible like now when many players are done school & go back home for a bit.

I think part of Schenn's problem was that he was miscast and rushed. He seemed like a guy who got by in juniors based solely on his physical tools. Then, he was thrown to the wolves in Toronto as an 18-year-old.
- jmatchett383

It's too bad -- part of the onus is one the player to find ways to improve, but I won't lie and say that I think he's always been handled well.

He's been given ample opportunity, yes. But I don't think that's the same as him being coached consistently well

I agree. A lot will also depend on what are the repercussions for inaccountability. Will he be allowed to bench the big $ boys or will that be reserved for the 4th line guys only?
- Scoob

Exactly... so often, I think, coaches are rendered powerless in backing up what they preach because of upper management. In my opinion, I don't care who you are - Toews, Giroux, Crosby... if you aren't performing, or have a pissy attitude and need an adjustment, you're sitting and some 18 year old AHL'er or scratch is going to take your spot for a game or two. But we all know that's never the case. It seems more often than not, if you have star power, nothing ever happens to you, and you know it.

"Accountability" means enforcing consequences. You need to allow your coach some slack to do that, otherwise everything he preaches an teaches means nothing.

Thing I never get is - you're paying the team the same $ regardless (excluding cap hit right now)... Voracek is making his money whether he is on the ice, or he isn't. Granted, you're paying him that money, you want him out there... I understand... but you are paying him $4.25mil to play, or $4.25mil to be on the ice. It's the same figure... so if he's playing like crap, why not scratch him, make him work harder or feel the consequences so he comes back turned around?

I guess it's tough, seeing how it's not my skin in the game... but it just seems senseless when you hire a captain to run your ship, but then you stand in the wheelhouse telling him how to work the controls...

Tremendous game in Rimouski last night. Tough to watch in French but hey, what's a guy to do.
- mayorofangrytown

arrêter de se plaindre