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!
- PLindbergh31

you aren't serious are you

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

But! But! #Narratives!



Like there have never been guys hired because their new boss was familiar with them from elsewhere in the world of hockey.

I'm just saying, there's the local media/Debbie downers ammunition.
- jmatchett383

Oh, I know . But there's also an instant retort that he had success.

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 feel like people don't realize that nearly every hire has some previous connection to someone in management.

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

North Dakota has long been an elite level hockey program prior to Hakstol's reign. In fact the previous two coaches have had a higher winning percentage than him with championships to boot. Don't cry for these kids they're getting a nice scholarship to an elite level program.

I'd like to know what the price is for Kerby Rychel
- ob18

I saw that he might be available.

Columbus needs d. Would a Haag for Rychel be a fair player for player swap? Especially if the Flyers take Provorov at 7.

I'd like to know what the price is for Kerby Rychel
- ob18

It's worth a try....intriguing prospect, when healthy.

I feel like people don't realize that nearly every hire has some previous connection to someone in management.
- PhillySportsGuy

This is pretty much how a lot of jobs work, in general. At least in my experience.

30 thoughts

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

zero conformation? Don't those guys proofread?

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

On one hand,, I think we can all see that L Schenn's if gonna fall far short of expectations.

On the other, I look at a guy like Stralman, who was an '05 draftee, languished for years as a spare part/3rd-pair guy, couldn't even crack the Devils' blueline on a PTO a few summers ago... today he's got a solid grasp on a top-4 spot on a deep blueline for one of the best teams in the league.

Yeah, I don't think Chief was as good for Schenn as Lavi was. Ditto Ron Wilson (who also didn't get much out of Stralman). Hopefully Hakstol can harness what the kid can do well and give him a role he can really run with, because Luke should be better than this, even if he's never going to be great.

On one hand,, I think we can all see that L Schenn's if gonna fall far short of expectations.

On the other, I look at a guy like Stralman, who was an '05 draftee, languished for years as a spare part/3rd-pair guy, couldn't even crack the Devils' blueline on a PTO a few summers ago... today he's got a solid grasp on a top-4 spot on a deep blueline for one of the best teams in the league.

Yeah, I don't think Chief was as good for Schenn as Lavi was. Ditto Ron Wilson (who also didn't get much out of Stralman). Hopefully Hakstol can harness what the kid can do well and give him a role he can really run with, because Luke should be better than this, even if he's never going to be great.
- Tomahawk

Both Schenn brothers should be looking at this coaching change as an opportunity, IMO.

This is pretty much how a lot of jobs work, in general. At least in my experience.
- johndewar

It's exactly how every industry works. Better to know someone than be good at something

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

#3 on my list, then.

I feel like people don't realize that nearly every hire has some previous connection to someone in management.
- PhillySportsGuy

6 degrees of Ron Hextall

They also have the option of transferring for a little bit of time, if they should be so inclined.
- jmatchett383

Yep, but from what I've read here that program was very successful before Hakstol so I'm sure they'll find someone who can continue the success. It's not like they're stuck with me for a coach now.

It's exactly how every industry works. Better to know someone than be good at something
- PhillySportsGuy

"It's not what you know, but who you know that gets you through...
We'll call you..."
-- Magdallan, "This 1's 4 U"

"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

6 degrees of Ron Hextall
- mayorofangrytown

More like 6 degrees of Brett.

(wonder if Hexy re-ups his kid... he really didn't do much down there this season)

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

But this comment from Hakstol should give some here a sense of relief.

It’s believed he considered bringing his assistant coaches, Brad Berry (241 NHL games played) and Dane Jackson (45) to help with the adjustment, but they stayed. Berry is the new head coach. “The top priority, the most important thing was ensuring a proper transition at North Dakota. That’s done.”

Any Way You Want It
- Flyskippy

Here's to hoping he picks this one up, otherwise you two might have to go separate ways.

More like 6 degrees of Brett.

(wonder if Hexy re-ups his kid... he really didn't do much down there this season)
- Tomahawk

He looked completely average to me.. Was pretty much a non-factor on the ice whenever he was out, and you barely notice he's even there. If Ron basis his decision on honest hockey sense with no conflict of interest, he needs to let his kid move along...

jmo of course...

Here's to hoping he picks this one up, otherwise you two might have to go separate ways.
- Scoob

Both Schenn brothers should be looking at this coaching change as an opportunity, IMO.
- johndewar

If they are still here in October.

If they are still here in October.
- Marc D

oh ish

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.
- bmeltzer

The questionably sourced stuff is going to happen no matter what. The problem comes in when an assistant says one thing, and a head coach or GM says another thing. Next thing you know, there's a disconnect among the team, and the coach and GM aren't on the same page, or the assistant and the head coach aren't on the same page. Blah,blah, blah.