Would this have been acceptable:

"Well, lets face it, except for a few of our players, our vets aren't playing up to our standards right now. We've been making some bad decisions with the puck and I think that a few players may be battling some injuries to try to pull us out. The young players on this team are all having the usual ups and downs and that is to be expected, and we expect the veterans to pick them up and help the team win some games, and that hasn't been the case lately".

Hextall goes on,

"The coaching staff certainly needs to do a better job too, especially in just settling this team down. We have had some issues on the PK that we need to work out. Our goaltending has been generally solid, but of course we'd like to see it get even better. We've had some issues with players missing time due to injuries and other reasons, and we're hoping that we can get them back and up to speed.

Yes, I'm frustrated right now, but I still think we are a playoff team, but there is no excuse for playing as bad as we played tonight. We need to get back to playing better quickly, and I believe that we will"

That is basically what BiggE said, but without singling out any player and with less vitrol.
- jmatchett383

Even that, is something you rarely hear from a GM. You might hear something similar from the GM of a contending team that's badly underperforming, but not from a guy who's team is in the middle of a rebuild.

Not saying I don't wish it was different, but that's just how GMs do it these days.

There's 800 pages of back reading to do and I wouldn't back read anything over 6, and I'd skim that at best. So keeping that in mind, apologies to anyone I (possibly) echo here.

Bill mentions the Timonen type and others have mentioned the Pronger type personality this team lacks. Timonen, as Bill pointed out, would say "we need to just calm down". Isn't that kind of what Hextall just said? That sentiment is there. Pronger would take the puck off the ice after a Cup loss so everyone would talk about him being a jackass instead of smoking a young Giroux or a timid Richards. Isn't that what Hextall just did? He just took some heat off some of his younger players and his young coach.

To keep it to the point, why does it have to be a player who pulls the media strings?

I'm not happy with the way they're playing and I'm sure Hextall isn't either, but tactically not saying that and taking the Timonen approach of "we can do this, just have to relax" combined with a Pronger "take some heat off" approach might not be the worst thing for a team with bottomed-out confidence right now.

I think they should trade Ghost, Jake, Giroux, and 3 firsts for McDavid and RNH. bLoW iT uP!!!
- Giroux_Is_God

I think they should just sacrifice Weise to the hockey gods

Is anyone worried about Rubstov's injury's since coming to NA. Seems he is quite fragile. Similar to Myers.

I think they should just sacrifice Weise to the hockey gods
- YuenglingJagr

I am strangely comfortable with this.

Is anyone worried about Rubstov's injury's since coming to NA. Seems he is quite fragile. Similar to Myers.
- Konalover

It is all I think about, except for the times when I am worrying about Myers' injuries

- YuenglingJagr

As Patrick goes, the second line goes.

We know about the d corps being super young.

When Weal was flying in the beginning of the year that gave them another threat at least.

Even Laughton and Leier on the 4th line that we have so much about.

What does a GM ripping a young team say to Hart, Myers, Lindblom...

I read Hextall's comments as coy, not tone deaf.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall read Hakstol and the coaching staff the riot act. Hextall is right, this team hasn't been playing like they lost nine games. They've blown a lot of leads recently, which points to the fact that they're not terribly awful. What is noticeable though is that they seem to have stopped going the extra mile, or having a jump.

I think if we can point to one thing that has been absolutely actrocious during this nine game losing streak is Hakstol's man management and lineups.

I read Hextall's comments as coy, not tone deaf.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall read Hakstol and the coaching staff the riot act. Hextall is right, this team hasn't been playing like they lost nine games. They've blown a lot of leads recently, which points to the fact that they're not terribly awful. What is noticeable though is that they seem to have stopped going the extra mile, or having a jump.

I think if we can point to one thing that has been absolutely actrocious during this nine game losing streak is Hakstol's man management and lineups.
- KGBflyers10

They're not playing 60 minutes of brutal hockey. What they are doing is having periodical lapses that are totally inexcusable and often in critical situations. Down a man and they fire a puck over the glass. Up a man, and they take a stupid penalty killing off a perfectly good PP. Cement headed turnovers at either blueline. Its not just one guy either.

There's 800 pages of back reading to do and I wouldn't back read anything over 6, and I'd skim that at best. So keeping that in mind, apologies to anyone I (possibly) echo here.

Bill mentions the Timonen type and others have mentioned the Pronger type personality this team lacks. Timonen, as Bill pointed out, would say "we need to just calm down". Isn't that kind of what Hextall just said? That sentiment is there. Pronger would take the puck off the ice after a Cup loss so everyone would talk about him being a jackass instead of smoking a young Giroux or a timid Richards. Isn't that what Hextall just did? He just took some heat off some of his younger players and his young coach.

To keep it to the point, why does it have to be a player who pulls the media strings?

I'm not happy with the way they're playing and I'm sure Hextall isn't either, but tactically not saying that and taking the Timonen approach of "we can do this, just have to relax" combined with a Pronger "take some heat off" approach might not be the worst thing for a team with bottomed-out confidence right now.

I think they should trade Ghost, Jake, Giroux, and 3 firsts for McDavid and RNH. bLoW iT uP!!!
- Giroux_Is_God

This is the comical part. He did this to take the heat but then when the fans react to it, the way Hextall planned it, everyone gets up in arms for the reaction the fans had to Hextall comments.

So i should believe that this was a master stroke by Hextall to take the heat off of the players and the coach and to have it solely focused on him and his comments.

He truly doesnt think the team is playing well other then a "critical" error here or there?

Then me the stupid guy who can't read between it all should just say, well gosh golly, that Hextall, he is good. He took the heat for his team and coach.

Also, if everyone knew what he was doing then how does that actually work? Wouldn't everyone just see through it and still focus on the players and the coach?

Sorry for all the questions, clearly i am just not smart enough to follow all this logic.

I am strangely comfortable with this.
- FlyersGrace

Comfortable? Hell, I'm excited!

Martel sent back to Lehigh. Does that mean Weal slides back in then?

I read Hextall's comments as coy, not tone deaf.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hextall read Hakstol and the coaching staff the riot act. Hextall is right, this team hasn't been playing like they lost nine games. They've blown a lot of leads recently, which points to the fact that they're not terribly awful. What is noticeable though is that they seem to have stopped going the extra mile, or having a jump.

I think if we can point to one thing that has been absolutely actrocious during this nine game losing streak is Hakstol's man management and lineups.
- KGBflyers10

Yup

Hit 4 posts too.

Again it's frustrating to watch. I was furious past night just like all the other nights they've blown leads. They're better than this, but if they hold a few of those leads they're right where most expected them: .500, just like Hexy said.

How many new players are on the team now that weren't on that date?
- MJL

True some guys have been replaced but they were a couple games under .500 both to finish last year after that date and are obviously the same this year. My point is they are a below average team and have been for a year +. I know the whole patience argument but this team is really stagnant and could use some help from their GM if he’s not to busy preparing for the draft next June.

- YuenglingJagr

That show - I just don't find the funny anywhere

I am strangely comfortable with this.
- FlyersGrace

Hextall press conference after the sacrifice:

Is it true Weise was beheaded in an ancient human sacrifice after the morning skate?

I am not going to get into specifics. Weiser is a great guy, hard worker, team player. He is a veteran guy that knows how to get pucks in deep and get them to the net. Not afraid get into the greasy areas and to sacrifice his body for the team. We really liked what he broug- brings...


Sacrifice...you mean, like human sacrifice? Is Dale Weise alive?

You guys want an answer, I am not going to get into specifics. Even if I had an answer I wouldn't tell you guys. We had a good meeting after the morning skate. I like where our team is at. We are gonna regroup here, get all 22 - I mean 23 - battling. We have some things to clean up here, but we are gonna stick together and get ready to play against Boston.

That's great, then please stop being a fan and posting here. Thank you.
- jmatchett383

Your welcome and for the record a HB membership entitles everyone to their opinon whether your or anyone else likes it or not. In time you will say that fool joe was right

I think they should just sacrifice Weise to the hockey gods
- YuenglingJagr

After they trade G, Jake, Ghost, and 3 firsts for RNH and McDavid?

Martel sent back to Lehigh. Does that mean Weal slides back in then?
- J35Bacher

Not thrilled to see Martel go, but hopefully Weal and Leier return and Weise is never seen again.

As Patrick goes, the second line goes.

We know about the d corps being super young.

When Weal was flying in the beginning of the year that gave them another threat at least.

Even Laughton and Leier on the 4th line that we have so much about.

What does a GM ripping a young team say to Hart, Myers, Lindblom...
- Giroux_Is_God

I dont have any issue with what he said. Just don't see a huge "reliance" on young guys. They are there on the team, no doubt, but not really relied on

Hextall press conference after the sacrifice:

Is it true Weise was beheaded in an ancient human sacrifice after the morning skate?

I am not going to get into specifics. Weiser is a great guy, hard worker, team player. He is a veteran guy that knows how to get pucks in deep and get them to the net. Not afraid get into the greasy areas and to sacrifice his body for the team. We really liked what he broug- brings...


Sacrifice...you mean, like human sacrifice? Is Dale Weise alive?

You guys want an answer, I am not going to get into specifics. Even if I had an answer I wouldn't tell you guys. We had a good meeting after the morning skate. I like where our team is at. We are gonna regroup here, get all 22 - I mean 23 - battling. We have some things to clean up here, but we are gonna stick together and get ready to play against Boston.
- YuenglingJagr

https://www.glassdoor.com...ers&locT=&locId=&jobType=

Get yourself in the door and start moving towards management

Hextall press conference after the sacrifice:

Is it true Weise was beheaded in an ancient human sacrifice after the morning skate?

I am not going to get into specifics. Weiser is a great guy, hard worker, team player. He is a veteran guy that knows how to get pucks in deep and get them to the net. Not afraid get into the greasy areas and to sacrifice his body for the team. We really liked what he broug- brings...


Sacrifice...you mean, like human sacrifice? Is Dale Weise alive?

You guys want an answer, I am not going to get into specifics. Even if I had an answer I wouldn't tell you guys. We had a good meeting after the morning skate. I like where our team is at. We are gonna regroup here, get all 22 - I mean 23 - battling. We have some things to clean up here, but we are gonna stick together and get ready to play against Boston.
- YuenglingJagr

- BiggE

Dale Weise - LTIR for UBI

Dale Weise - LTIR for UBI
- YuenglingJagr

upper brain injury

Not thrilled to see Martel go, but hopefully Weal and Leier return and Weise is never seen again.
- BiggE

I thought he played well but dam it something had to be done.”

Edit: so Hextall was being coy when all along he planned on this move.