Bill,
Do you think the key players like Giroux had any input at all in the coaching selection?
I'm guessing apart from maybe asking VandeVelde his opinion on the guy, there was no input asked for by even the captain.
- Marc D

Hextall said he didn't talk to the players about the decision at all.

I personally like one voice speaking for a team. It eliminates a lot of second guessing and mixed messages. Especially with some of the media in this town.
- MJL

Yes but it leads to a lot of questionably sourced stuff. It also wastes time and energy at times. I'll use two positive situation examples here.

Let's say the power play is 6-for-11 over the last four games after a 1-for-20 stretch. It's silly not to be able to ask Mullen about it as he walks right past you and instead wait for the head coach to be available an hour later to discuss it.

Likewise, if an already prospect is player of the week in his league, it's kind of silly to need Hexy to give permission for someone other than himself to talk about it or to wait for Ron to be available to talk about the same topic.

These are things the GM and the head coach really don't need on their plate but, in effort to make it crystal clear that negative issues or "big news" stuff can only come from the GM or head coach, even the mundane or positive stuff has to come from them too.

Hexy walks the micromanagement fine line sometimes in the first year-plus of his tenure. Homer really didn't micromanage. Oddly enough, though, Hexy tends to be more analytical on-the-record when he does speak. Homer has that side to him, too, but fewer get to see it.

So you are comparing being made aware of a death in the immediate family via twitter, to a hockey coach leaving a program?

The guy made a decision to move from collegiate ranks to the NHL, and had to be quiet about it. Not that crazy. I am sure he will talk to the guys. I am also sure they will wish him the best.

As for the incoming class, thats where things get hairy. BUT, they can also thank him for getting them into one of the best hockey colleges in the country.
- jak521

You know PL doesn't give a poop about these UND players. It's just something to complain about.

I'm not comparing the two situations, I'm just making a point about how I think it's wrong what happened. I've said my peace on the situation. No need to keep discussing it.
- PLindbergh31

You know PL doesn't give a poop about these UND players. It's just something to complain about.
- Feanor

Babcock wouldnt have had to tell his players. They already knew he "may or may not be returning"

So you are comparing being made aware of a death in the immediate family via twitter, to a hockey coach leaving a program?
- jak521

"Jim, something terrible has happened!"

"Oh my God, coach left the program? It's not fair. IT'S NOT FAIR! I came here to just to play for him. WHY DIDN'T HE TELL US!?!?!?"

"No, dude; your mom died."

"Oh. But, coach stayed, right?"

Yes you do. In the case of student athletes I think they deserve the benefit of a phone call at the very least. Just me, but if I were put in that position I would have the courtesy to do what is right. If doing the right thing is a deal breaker, then so be it.

I mean are people so desensitized these days that eventually notifications to next of kin will be made via social media?
- PLindbergh31

lol so you'd essentially turn down an NHL job because Hextall wouldn't let you tell your college players until after officially announced?

If the Flyers are so paranoid about things being leaked to the media, why don't they lock the media out of every practice, post game etc, and just pay the mandated league fines that will be incurred. Show some balls, show some guts! Do it!

"Jim, something terrible has happened!"

"Oh my God, coach left the program? It's not fair. IT'S NOT FAIR! I came here to just to play for him. WHY DIDN'T HE TELL US!?!?!?"

"No, dude; your mom died."

"Oh. But, coach stayed, right?"
- jmatchett383

I audibly laughed at this.

/I'm going to hell

You know PL doesn't give a poop about these UND players. It's just something to complain about.
- Feanor

Dude has done nothing but female dog and mudsling the entire hiring since it was announced. Not surprised he found a new angle today.

30 thoughts

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...he-last-days-of-babwatch/

So you are comparing being made aware of a death in the immediate family via twitter, to a hockey coach leaving a program?

The guy made a decision to move from collegiate ranks to the NHL, and had to be quiet about it. Not that crazy. I am sure he will talk to the guys. I am also sure they will wish him the best.

As for the incoming class, thats where things get hairy. BUT, they can also thank him for getting them into one of the best hockey colleges in the country.
- jak521

Kids are always told to choose their school based on a variety of things and NOT just the coach because coaches are routinely fired or leave for better positions.

I'm sure it's a surprise to the kids and they're upset, but they aren't there just because of the coach.

There are also assistants who are likely to stick around. Possibly all of them. The assistants are often the ones who are closest with the players as they spend more time with them while recruiting and in season.

Kids are always told to choose their school based on a variety of things and NOT just the coach because coaches are routinely fired or leave for better positions.

I'm sure it's a surprise to the kids and they're upset, but they aren't there just because of the coach.

There are also assistants who are likely to stick around. Possibly all of them. The assistants are often the ones who are closest with the players as they spend more time with them while recruiting and in season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly.

30 thoughts

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...he-last-days-of-babwatch/
- ob18

One paragraph in, and an unnecessary shot at Alex Ovechkin. Fantastic.

30 thoughts

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...he-last-days-of-babwatch/
- ob18

...and here it comes

"Finally: This is not the first time Brett Hextall’s career has led to his father hiring a coach.

Brett, who played for Hakstol at North Dakota, also attended Northwood Prep, where he was coached by Mark Morris. While in Los Angeles, Ron Hextall hired Morris to coach the AHL Manchester Monarchs."

One paragraph in, and an unnecessary shot at Alex Ovechkin. Fantastic.
- johndewar

I'd like to know what the price is for Kerby Rychel

Yes you do. In the case of student athletes I think they deserve the benefit of a phone call at the very least. Just me, but if I were put in that position I would have the courtesy to do what is right. If doing the right thing is a deal breaker, then so be it.

I mean are people so desensitized these days that eventually notifications to next of kin will be made via social media?
- PLindbergh31

If these kids are pursuing NHL careers they better get used to the idea that it's a business. Plain and simple. If there are policies to follow (Hextall demanding he doesn't talk to anyone) then so be it, you follow them unless you want to jeopardize your opportunity.

Ready for the journey
- ob18

Who's Crying Now?

Did you confuse Morin with McSween again
- ob18

Yes. Yes I did. 68 and 55 look so similar from a distance and those guys are built eerily the same. They play together a lot so that's no help.

...and here it comes

"Finally: This is not the first time Brett Hextall’s career has led to his father hiring a coach.

Brett, who played for Hakstol at North Dakota, also attended Northwood Prep, where he was coached by Mark Morris. While in Los Angeles, Ron Hextall hired Morris to coach the AHL Manchester Monarchs."
- jmatchett383

Considering that the Monarchs took two trips to the Calder Cup semis in his first four years as a pro coach, I think the hire worked out just fine.

Who's Crying Now?
- Flyskippy

Nobody yet, give it time.

Fantastic article, Bill.

Thanks for being so thorough. I look forward to a learning curve of a season. The Flyers might not win every night, but it sounds like there could be a return to Shero's pre-Cup teams' MO of outworking the opposition each game.

Nobody yet, give it time.
- ob18

Any Way You Want It

Considering that the Monarchs took two trips to the Calder Cup semis in his first four years as a pro coach, I think the hire worked out just fine.
- bmeltzer

I'm just saying, there's the local media/Debbie downers ammunition.

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

Outside the box? They went outside the cereal factory altogether -- and I dig it.