http://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-1050/hextall-hakstol-checked-all-the-boxes-1.286462
- Landsbergfan

Interesting interview. Only took Hextall 30 seconds to mention his son playing for Hakstol. My question is if Hextall's son never played for this guy, how would he have been on Hextall's radar?

I heard it was a mass text to all his players of this emoji:



- aightwebang17

you're such a buster.

If Hakstol was serious about coming here, making absolutely sure there were no leaks beforehand was a prerequisite. Hextall is adamant about when things can and can't be said and by whom (for example, assistant coaches, scouts, etc. cannot be quoted without his prior approval). If there had been so much as a UND player leaking that Hakstol told him he was going to Philly and the news getting national, it would have really upset Hextall. Guaranteed.
- bmeltzer

Was Hextall born in Sicily?

See, this is where I feel like there might be a flaw in this signing. Hakstol has worked with young players his entire career. If he has any intention of staying in the NHL, he's gotta understand that he's no longer going to working with boys. He'll be working with men, most of which lose their skating legs and have wear and tear on them. He's going to come across a fair share of vets who have lost a step.
- SuperSchennBros

That's the catch 22 of it all. I know very little about Hakstol, but what I've read about him, there is no doubt that he wants his teams to play what I consider to be the right way to play in the NHL today. I have no doubts that this coach is strong systems wise, and strong strategy wise. In other words he knows the technical side of the sport very well. What it comes down to with any coach, is first having the players, and secondly, getting the player to buy in and play the way he wants to them play. Talking about weak side defenseman pinching in, which is how a lot of teams like to play, they overplay the forecheck to the strong side to force the puck to the weak side, and use a defenseman to keep the puck in the O zone. If Grossmann, Schultz, Gudas, or Luke Schenn are that weak side defenseman, that gives me pause.
He knows the game, how it should be played. Now we have to see how well he can implement it and get an entire team to buy in.

Interesting interview. Only took Hextall 30 seconds to mention his son playing for Hakstol. My question is if Hextall's son never played for this guy, how would he have been on Hextall's radar?
- PLindbergh31

That was a quick no info interview. At the beginning of the show Jeff O'neill was killing the pick. Never came up in the least in the actual interview.

Interesting interview. Only took Hextall 30 seconds to mention his son playing for Hakstol. My question is if Hextall's son never played for this guy, how would he have been on Hextall's radar?
- PLindbergh31

Why does it matter?

Also, when Berube was let go, team massage therapist Brad Smith - a popular locker-room figure - was relieved of his duties, leaving some to wonder whether other changes to the equipment or training staffs could be on the horizon.
- wilsonecho91

Oh no. There goes my connection to post game meet and greet. Never again.

Not at all. I described a guy who uses a system that needs guys who can skate and move the puck well. Gudas and Schenn are still young, but if the Flyers don't feel they fit the style of play they want to use, I'm sure they'll be shipped out.

If there's a 30 year old guy who can skate well and is good at moving the puck, and can generate offense from the transition game, I'm sure they'll have interest. Has nothing to do with age. From what Hextall, Snider and Hakstol have said, that's the direction they seem to be headed in,
- Jsaquella

I think it's likely after 30 you won't find guys like these. At least not often.

I thought buffalo was the no brainer pick for Babcock. Young assets out the ass with tons of picks.
- Just5

And an owner intent to spend all the money necessary where you can, including on scouting and developing assets.

why would a popular massage guy get shown the door ?

Why does it matter?
- feelingkettle

The Flyers are supposed to hire coaches that everyone knows about, but has absolutely no connection to anyone in management.

Keys to success

That's the catch 22 of it all. I know very little about Hakstol, but what I've read about him, there is no doubt that he wants his teams to play what I consider to be the right way to play in the NHL today. I have no doubts that this coach is strong systems wise, and strong strategy wise. In other words he knows the technical side of the sport very well. What it comes down to with any coach, is first having the players, and secondly, getting the player to buy in and play the way he wants to them play. Talking about weak side defenseman pinching in, which is how a lot of teams like to play, they overplay the forecheck to the strong side to force the puck to the weak side, and use a defenseman to keep the puck in the O zone. If Grossmann, Schultz, Gudas, or Luke Schenn are that weak side defenseman, that gives me pause.
He knows the game, how it should be played. Now we have to see how well he can implement it and get an entire team to buy in.
- MJL

Exactly! I even have a litle bit of a concern with a good skater like Del Zotto but can be a little overly aggressive on his part and may not make the right reads in the offensive zone.

why would a popular massage guy get shown the door ?
- -davies-

Why would a popular massage girl get shown the door?

The Flyers are supposed to hire coaches that everyone knows about, but has absolutely no connection to anyone in management.

Keys to success
- PhillySportsGuy

But once they are hired, they are connected. Does that still count as having no connection? When does the connection begin?

why would a popular massage guy get shown the door ?
- -davies-

Homophobia

why would a popular massage guy get shown the door ?
- -davies-

It moved.

The Flyers are supposed to hire coaches that everyone knows about, but has absolutely no connection to anyone in management.

Keys to success
- PhillySportsGuy

But connections to Hex's son

The "Next Step in Evolution" ad is a problem.
Surfing HB from work is not an issue but having folks in the office see that image, especially from a distance, is totally not cool.
- Scoob

ad block is a wonderful thing.

So I guess we're keeping Chris Vandevelde.

Oh, I really can't tell any more who is being "funny" and who is funny in the head.
- bodiva88

I like to think I'm a little bit of both. Maybe more of an be than the other

But once they are hired, they are connected. Does that still count as having no connection? When does the connection begin?
- feelingkettle

Well, Hak had a nice run

You, sir, need to get your sarcasm detector serviced.
- jmatchett383

Ahem, that's MAM', not sir

Can't compete with a team coming off a 54 point season, in the armpit of the United States.

That's ok, Snider is hoping the Flyers have the next Babcock!
- PLindbergh31

29 teams with egg on their face!

Interesting interview. Only took Hextall 30 seconds to mention his son playing for Hakstol. My question is if Hextall's son never played for this guy, how would he have been on Hextall's radar?
- PLindbergh31

The horse was pronounced dead hours ago

So I guess we're keeping Chris Vandevelde.
- SuperSchennBros

he's okay
def not the problem