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
- AllInForFlyers

This. I think the coaching changed hurt both Couts and Schenn's development. The coaching style/style of play from Lavy to Chief had a big difference

arrêter de se plaindre
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, well same to you, Doctor Jerk Face!

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)
- bmeltzer

So Flyers secrecy trumps ethics? Do you think Hakstol went to the houses of 16-17 year old kids and sold them a bill of goods? I would think these kids made life decisions based on being recruited. I'm not just saying this in this case, but any example of college athletics.

I have zero issue with a pro coach not informing his players, the players are getting paid a lot of money, and are adults and aren't owed anything. IMO student athletes deserve better. If people do not agree with that, it's on them.

Thanks Bill. Agree with WH21. I just want to add that the coach will also need a little flexibility in allowing players to work their way out of the dog house as well. I believe in the firm, but fair take on coaching, and any other leadership positions.
Congrats to Morin on his recovery from the first game, and the ability to move forward; good character trait to possess.
I am looking forward to the end of the long term deals, and for the kids to step up to the NHL level. As a fan, I too must have patience. The best thing is that there is some hope, and light at the end of the tunnel.
Is the summer break over yet?

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.

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.
- WarriorHockey21

That's going to be his biggest challenge -- transferring his college approach to the NHL with no NHL resume at all. I totally agree.

I am still trying to find out the exact terms of Hakstol's contract, because that also makes a big difference here. If he got two years plus a team option year for a third, he is still essentially a lame duck after one season. If I were him, I would not have left the job security at UND for that. But three guaranteed years are a big investment in someone who never coached a single pro game yet.

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.
- PLindbergh31

Oh, I agree... I'm just stating how sad it is, where our country is at in terms of "social norms".... especially with the younger ages. (and I'm 27) Kids don't even know how to have face to face contact anymore... everything is social media and texting. It's now perfectly acceptable to air out your dirty laundry on Facebook, or alert your Facebook friends about your pregnancy before your family even knows... just stuff like that, that takes the personal contact away from society anymore.


Sorry for the rant... that stuff just ticks me off. Thank God I deleted my Facebook a few years ago and never looked back!

I kept it on mute
- ob18

I can at least pick out player names and I know a sprinkling of french when I hear it.

That's going to be his biggest challenge -- transferring his college approach to the NHL with no NHL resume at all. I totally agree.

I am still trying to find out the exact terms of Hakstol's contract, because that also makes a big difference here. If he got two years plus a team option year for a third, he is still essentially a lame duck after one season. If I were him, I would not have left the job security at UND for that. But three guaranteed years are a big investment in someone who never coached a single pro game yet.
- bmeltzer

Good points, for sure. Seems both sides, no matter what, are taking a gamble. I just hope Hextall has a stacked deck on this one.

arrêter de se plaindre
- PhillySportsGuy

no.

That's going to be his biggest challenge -- transferring his college approach to the NHL with no NHL resume at all. I totally agree.

I am still trying to find out the exact terms of Hakstol's contract, because that also makes a big difference here. If he got two years plus a team option year for a third, he is still essentially a lame duck after one season. If I were him, I would not have left the job security at UND for that. But three guaranteed years are a big investment in someone who never coached a single pro game yet.
- bmeltzer

Agreed: Two years plus a team option = Dead Man Walking

Hard to see how the defense would be ready to rock next year, and it'll be a small miracle if all those moving pieces come together in Year 2, though it could happen

If next year isn't great, as in worse than this year, then the Hot Seat for Year 2 might be scorching if all he has in his back pocket is a team option

I can at least pick out player names and I know a sprinkling of french when I hear it.
- mayorofangrytown

Did you confuse Morin with McSween again

So Flyers secrecy trumps ethics? Do you think Hakstol went to the houses of 16-17 year old kids and sold them a bill of goods? I would think these kids made life decisions based on being recruited. I'm not just saying this in this case, but any example of college athletics.

I have zero issue with a pro coach not informing his players, the players are getting paid a lot of money, and are adults and aren't owed anything. IMO student athletes deserve better. If people do not agree with that, it's on them.
- PLindbergh31

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.

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.
- PLindbergh31

You would be a great beat writer, Big Sammy

Oh, I agree... I'm just stating how sad it is, where our country is at in terms of "social norms".... especially with the younger ages. (and I'm 27) Kids don't even know how to have face to face contact anymore... everything is social media and texting. It's now perfectly acceptable to air out your dirty laundry on Facebook, or alert your Facebook friends about your pregnancy before your family even knows... just stuff like that, that takes the personal contact away from society anymore.


Sorry for the rant... that stuff just ticks me off. Thank God I deleted my Facebook a few years ago and never looked back!
- WarriorHockey21

I'm with you man. I agree.

During his UND career, one of his biggest strengths was that he adapted elements of his system to suit the talent level of his team.

I like it

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

Fair enough. I just disagree with it is all.

That's going to be his biggest challenge -- transferring his college approach to the NHL with no NHL resume at all. I totally agree.

I am still trying to find out the exact terms of Hakstol's contract, because that also makes a big difference here. If he got two years plus a team option year for a third, he is still essentially a lame duck after one season. If I were him, I would not have left the job security at UND for that. But three guaranteed years are a big investment in someone who never coached a single pro game yet.
- bmeltzer

I don't think it's a big deal. Hextall and the Flyers aren't going to hesitate over firing a coach if they think he's doing a poor job because he has a year left on his contract. Berube had a year left from what I've read.

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
- AllInForFlyers

I understand what you are saying but that was then, this will be now. I'd think that part of his definition of accountability will include buying into his system.

So Flyers secrecy trumps ethics? Do you think Hakstol went to the houses of 16-17 year old kids and sold them a bill of goods? I would think these kids made life decisions based on being recruited. I'm not just saying this in this case, but any example of college athletics.

I have zero issue with a pro coach not informing his players, the players are getting paid a lot of money, and are adults and aren't owed anything. IMO student athletes deserve better. If people do not agree with that, it's on them.
- PLindbergh31

1. You don't know it for a fact that they found out second hand via Twitter, right?
2. "Life decisions" - that is true for a very small percentage of college players.
3. Life is tough sometimes. You don't always get to have all the information you want or need. Deal with it.

Fair enough. I just disagree with it is all.
- PLindbergh31

I hear you, and I personally wish Hextall would relax just a little bit with the "communications policy" because I think it sometimes ends up being counterproductive. The GM ends up worrying about controlling mostly mundane things in an effort to make sure there are no leaks when bigger things arise

But it worked for Lou in NJ. It has worked for Dean Lombardi in LA.

1. You don't know it for a fact that they found out second hand via Twitter, right?
2. "Life decisions" - that is true for a very small percentage of college players.
3. Life is tough sometimes. You don't always get to have all the information you want or need. Deal with it.
- Scoob

Hakstol said yesterday that he had not told any of his players ahead of yesterday's PC. He said he felt awful about it but it was a necessity.

Hakstol said yesterday that he had not told any of his players ahead of yesterday's PC. He said he felt awful about it but it was a necessity.
- bmeltzer

That's somewhat common for coaches at least on the college side, not all but many don't want any news leaked of them leaving until it's a done deal.

At least from the college football side of coaching

I don't think it's a big deal. Hextall and the Flyers aren't going to hesitate over firing a coach if they think he's doing a poor job because he has a year left on his contract. Berube had a year left from what I've read.
- Feanor

Three guaranteed years is not much protection. But two guaranteed years with an option year is almost like being under the gun right away.

That's going to be his biggest challenge -- transferring his college approach to the NHL with no NHL resume at all. I totally agree.

I am still trying to find out the exact terms of Hakstol's contract, because that also makes a big difference here. If he got two years plus a team option year for a third, he is still essentially a lame duck after one season. If I were him, I would not have left the job security at UND for that. But three guaranteed years are a big investment in someone who never coached a single pro game yet.
- bmeltzer

I am hoping Hakstol sticks around for a while. I know short half lives for NHL coaches is getting to be the norm, but I think it is in the team's best interest to have some consistency year to year in the management and coaching staff.

Find an identity that works and stick to the plan. I really like Hextall's approach so far and like what I've heard about the new coach.

I think this was the right hire. After thinking about it, this roster is gong to get younger. The defense will get younger soon and wit guys like Couturier and Schenn and some of our oung forwards like laughton, Cousins and new draft picks. This could be the right guy to start to build this thing.