Bill Meltzer: Wrapup: Sharks Down Flyers, 3-1; Hextall Comments

Bill, hello.

Reaction to Hextall’s comments?

Lots of talk about bringing up the youth. Is the team really missing a strong veteran presence? A guy that the flyers used to always have like an ex captain that has been around the block that even guys like giroux and company can look to for help or are we at a point where they should be relied on as a veteran leadership group? Many of the core guys have been on the flyers their entire career and may lack that diverse experience to draw on. I don’t know, just spit ballin’

Flyers coach the first to be fired this year? I'm thinking so!

Lots of talk about bringing up the youth. Is the team really missing a strong veteran presence? A guy that the flyers used to always have like an ex captain that has been around the block that even guys like giroux and company can look to for help or are we at a point where they should be relied on as a veteran leadership group? Many of the core guys have been on the flyers their entire career and may lack that diverse experience to draw on. I don’t know, just spit ballin’
- funmaster18

I think the current leadership group is experienced enough to where they should be the guys. On the flip side, there's no one with a knack for relieving pressure. Timonen used to be able to say something as simple as "Everyone just needs to relax" and he'd say it with such confidence and conviction that the others would buy in.

On Twitter yesterday, I recounted a story about Jagr where he feigned being upset over being credited with a hit the previous night. He said, "When I get to 100 career hits, I'm gonna have to retire."

Everyone laughed and the room became a lot more lively. Mind you, this was during a time where there were a lot of tensions, especially with Bryzgalov and the team.

Sometimes a team could also use a Pronger-like personality -- someone who isn't necessarily well-liked but is respected -- who is the bad cop. Simmonds is very emotional and not afraid to say things in a very straightforward way, but I get the sense it's more of a colleague-to-colleague dynamic.

I think the current leadership group is experienced enough to where they should be the guys. On the flip side, there's no one with a knack for relieving pressure. Timonen used to be able to say something as simple as "Everyone just needs to relax" and he'd say it with such confidence and conviction that the others would buy in.

On Twitter yesterday, I recounted a story about Jagr where he feigned being upset over being credited with a hit the previous night. He said, "When I get to 100 career hits, I'm gonna have to retire."

Everyone laughed and the room became a lot more lively. Mind you, this was during a time where there were a lot of tensions, especially with Bryzgalov and the team.

Sometimes a team could also use a Pronger-like personality -- someone who isn't necessarily well-liked but is respected -- who is the bad cop. Simmonds is very emotional and not afraid to say things in a very straightforward way, but I get the sense it's more of a colleague-to-colleague dynamic.
- bmeltzer

Thanks bill, that’s exactly what I was getting at. Bringing in someone that can be looked at as a role model versus a peer. Not that I think it’s acceptable that the current group can’t or shouldn’t be accountable for it, but sometimes it’s a personality dynamic that can really make an impact

Something needs to change. I am a Hextall fan but I'm not thrilled with his comments. Kudos to whatever reporter grilled him on the being happy with how they played during a 0-9 run.

Then again what do you want him to say to the press really? The product is garbage right now. If he goes out and says that it turns everything into a circus. I expect changes to be made should this team not turn it around in a substantial way these next couple of weeks.

I know Hextall say things one minute and then does the complete opposite the next minute but, to say that his team isn't playing poorly...

I know he needs to protect the kids but that doesn't mean he can't call out the leadership group. He can call out the vets. He could say something about a goalie needing to steal a game.

To have ZERO reaction to the crowd, to totally down play it, comes off as tone deaf. To treat the fans as if they are not knowledgeable about the game and what they are seeing isnt what is playing out is offensive.

Consistently shooting yourself in the foot and making critical mistakes at critical moments does not equate to playing poorly......got it


I’m going to be ok with staying the course and letting the kids develop. But I’m tired of hextall placating to the fan base and saying their a playoff team.

Your not a playoff team. You don’t get to call yourself a playoff team until you’ve earned it. Tired of this bs. You don’t trade away a Brayden Schenn for futures and expect a filpulla/lehtera combo to pick up the slack.

I’m ok with that trade, but for Christ sake you didn’t think you could be worse off this year?

Something needs to change. I am a Hextall fan but I'm not thrilled with his comments. Kudos to whatever reporter grilled him on the being happy with how they played during a 0-9 run.

Then again what do you want him to say to the press really? The product is garbage right now. If he goes out and says that it turns everything into a circus. I expect changes to be made should this team not turn it around in a substantial way these next couple of weeks.
- hereticpride

No fan, including the people who paid to watch that poor excuse for a product last night, should be.

Who is running this thing? Who is holding others accountable? Hextall's comments make me thing there isn't an issue. That a 9 game winless streak is all just part of a normal season.

Consistently shooting yourself in the foot and making critical mistakes at critical moments does not equate to playing poorly......got it


I’m going to be ok with staying the course and letting the kids develop. But I’m tired of hextall placating to the fan base and saying their a playoff team.

Your not a playoff team. You don’t get to call yourself a playoff team until you’ve earned it. Tired of this bs. You don’t trade away a Brayden Schenn for futures and expect a filpulla/lehtera combo to pick up the slack.

I’m ok with that trade, but for Christ sake you didn’t think you could be worse off this year?


- Just5

That's looking at it the wrong way. Hextall is not going to give his team permission at the end of November to not push to make the playoffs. Would you really expect him to say that they're not now? That statement is not for the fans or the press, it's for the team. It's giving them an expectation.

No fan, including the people who paid to watch that poor excuse for a product last night, should be.

Who is running this thing? Who is holding others accountable? Hextall's comments make me thing there isn't an issue. That a 9 game winless streak is all just part of a normal season.
- ggunky

I really can't believe he said it to be honest. I really think it falls into his constant misdirection as a GM speaking to the media.

Unfortunately, as we know, there is rarely a midseason trade a team can make to magically fix your problems. I'd like to think Hextall is close to the point where he's willing to deal. I just don't think you're going to find good value in November.

That said, there's no excuse for not putting heat on the coaching staff. Hakstol and Lappy should be dangerously close to losing their jobs at this point. I am totally fine with Knoblauch filling in as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

No fan, including the people who paid to watch that poor excuse for a product last night, should be.

Who is running this thing? Who is holding others accountable? Hextall's comments make me thing there isn't an issue. That a 9 game winless streak is all just part of a normal season.
- ggunky

The team isn't holding a closed door meeting and Hextall isn't coming down to the locker room to hold an impromptu press conference if it's all just part of a normal regular season.

The team isn't holding a closed door meeting and Hextall isn't coming down to the locker room to hold an impromptu press conference if it's all just part of a normal regular season.
- MJL

OK, so what i read and what i heard i should just ignore?

A lot of his comments bother me. His gudas comment makes me want to vomit as he's been objectively horrendous this year. But I will say he specifically did not mention manning which hopefullymeans he's back to the press box come gudas return.

I get what everyone is saying about captain's and leadership but who you going to get ? You gonna sign an iginla? Doan as a 4th liner? C'mon. Leadership has to come from the people we have and somebody needs to step up. Whether it be a kid a vet a coach SOMEBODY.

Hate to break to you Ron but they are not a playoff team, however on the other hand what else can he say? He can't really come out and say we didn't expect to make the playoffs. Trading Schenn for futures is not something a team battling for the playoffs would do IMO unless he thought Patrick was going to replace Schenns #'s. I would like to see Morin in the lineup nightly and I would look to deal Gudas for sure. I would also give Hak another year. The whole team is a mess, let's not give up on Ron yet, hopefully he can make some nice deals near the end of the year to set it up for next. If we are sitting here next year.... Then clean it out!!!

That's looking at it the wrong way. Hextall is not going to give his team permission at the end of November to not push to make the playoffs. Would you really expect him to say that they're not now? That statement is not for the fans or the press, it's for the team. It's giving them an expectation.
- MJL

I would hope that's what Hextall is doing. Because if not his comments border on delusional. There is a big difference to being a competitive team and being a Playoff team... Yes they are in games but as some have suggested you can't move a 26 year old decent top 6 forward for futures and not expect a drop off. With all due respect you weren't a playoff team last year and this year your now at a point were you have to try and play the kids. Pretty soon they won't be kids anymore Ronnie.
Cut the poop Ronnie, your half ass'd approach to a rebuild is becoming painful and all you've accomplished is it will now be a drawn out exercise. Call it a retool or what ever you want but don't insult the fan base with these comments.

Hate to break to you Ron but they are not a playoff team, however on the other hand what else can he say? He can't really come out and say we didn't expect to make the playoffs. Trading Schenn for futures is not something a team battling for the playoffs would do IMO unless he thought Patrick was going to replace Schenns #'s. I would like to see Morin in the lineup nightly and I would look to deal Gudas for sure. I would also give Hak another year. The whole team is a mess, let's not give up on Ron yet, hopefully he can make some nice deals near the end of the year to set it up for next. If we are sitting here next year.... Then clean it out!!!
- 3flyerkids

his comments suggest Morin is not one of the top 3 young d men, and 4 might be too many in his book. It will be sad if Morin goes elsewhere and proves Ronnie wrong.

OK, so what i read and what i heard i should just ignore?
- ggunky

No, as fans we have every right to be pissed off and unhappy about the teams play. As a manager he has to look at the big picture. Rather than scream and yell or air any dirty laundry publicly, if there is any, he has chosen to accent any positives and move forward. I know the fans want him to put the coach on the hot seat, or better yet fire the coach, make some trades, etc. Doesn't seem like that is going to happen. This team is a playoff bubble team at it's best. He is consistently looking at the future for this team. There is danger in that because right now it's not a great environment for young players. It has to change but they've decided as of now to change from within.

Post

OK, so what i read and what i heard i should just ignore?
- ggunky

Why ignore it?....he said it.

You can make one move, which do you choose:

1) Make a small trade to change up the roster a little....say like Edmonton and the Kings did last month.

2) Call up someone like Lindblom or Vecchione.

3) Fire Head Coach

4) Fire Lappy

5) Make a big trade like Simmonds, could significantly alter roster.


For me, right now I am at either 4 or 1.

No, as fans we have every right to be pissed off and unhappy about the teams play. As a manager he has to look at the big picture. Rather than scream and yell or air any dirty laundry publicly, if there is any, he has chosen to accent any positives and move forward. I know the fans want him to put the coach on the hot seat, or better yet fire the coach, make some trades, etc. Doesn't seem like that is going to happen. This team is a playoff bubble team at it's best. He is consistently looking at the future for this team. There is danger in that because right now it's not a great environment for young players. It has to change but they've decided as of now to change from within.
- MJL

He stated that the team isnt playing poorly. That statement shows the fans that he isn't seeing what they are seeing.

You can twist his words all you want but what he stated doesnt reflect what we are seeing.

No, as fans we have every right to be pissed off and unhappy about the teams play. As a manager he has to look at the big picture. Rather than scream and yell or air any dirty laundry publicly, if there is any, he has chosen to accent any positives and move forward. I know the fans want him to put the coach on the hot seat, or better yet fire the coach, make some trades, etc. Doesn't seem like that is going to happen. This team is a playoff bubble team at it's best. He is consistently looking at the future for this team. There is danger in that because right now it's not a great environment for young players. It has to change but they've decided as of now to change from within.
- MJL

Yeah I don't think Morin - Whose problems tend to be letting games get away from him and untimely penalties or mistakes - would benefit from the current state of the team. For the first time this year I agree he should stay with the phantoms. Just don't show me gudas manning amac when gudas returns. That'll really piss me off.

Lets be perfectly honest here. Had Holmgren been responsible for hiring Hakstol it would be a lot easier for Hextall to fire him..... But Hextall is responsible for this hire. He went out on the limb and hired a guy with no professional experience to help with this rebuild...opp's retool and we are now seeing a coach that appears to have no answers. Hak's probably wondering why Hextall can't or won't try to help this years team if even a little bit.