Jay Greenberg: It is Not The End of the World In Philly

I've broken 5 teeth gritting them consistently for the last 6 seasons.

Here's hoping you're seeing things I'm not because I'm reading what seems to be a wonderful gift of hope for the Holidays but I'm watching a mess.

Didn't like the hasktol hire. Hasn't proven to me that I should like him. Don't care who coaches this team this year at this rate as player development and another high end prospect in a deep draft should be the priority. We are building something special but I've heard this with plenty of other franchises. They actually have to go out there and progress. I don't see it happening under hasktol.

Didn't like the hasktol hire. Hasn't proven to me that I should like him. Don't care who coaches this team this year at this rate as player development and another high end prospect in a deep draft should be the priority. We are building something special but I've heard this with plenty of other franchises. They actually have to go out there and progress. I don't see it happening under hasktol.
- Tfaehner

I was okay with the Hakstol hire, as I liked going outside of the organization. I was willing to give him a chance. In my view, he's failed that test.

You rock, Jay!

You rock, Jay!
- BiggE

my man, slurp.

Therapy for the fan base. Addresses a lot of the nonsense coming from some of the fans. Well done Jay

I understand who the blog was mostly aimed at, but I do think the truth lies somewhere in the middle (mostly towards the end that aligns with the thinking on this blog). The sky isn't falling, but it isn't all horseshoes and rainbows either.

Hextall has done a wonderful job doing a lot of things for the franchise and certainly has them headed in the right direction, but I don't think the answer is simply "wait long enough and it will be worth it" There are definitely things he could do better and that certainly applies to the coach as well.

I am very excited for the prospects, but he has to show me another gear in terms of NHL talent evaluation

Great article Jay, thank you.

I understand who the blog was mostly aimed at, but I do think the truth lies somewhere in the middle (mostly towards the end that aligns with the thinking on this blog). The sky isn't falling, but it isn't all horseshoes and rainbows either.

Hextall has done a wonderful job doing a lot of things for the franchise and certainly has them headed in the right direction, but I don't think the answer is simply "wait long enough and it will be worth it" There are definitely things he could do better and that certainly applies to the coach as well.

I am very excited for the prospects, but he has to show me another gear in terms of NHL talent evaluation
- YuenglingJagr

This entire post 😍. Some drink too much kool aid. Others view everything as literally terrible.

This entire post 😍. Some drink too much kool aid. Others view everything as literally terrible.
- Tfaehner

Too real

The world through orange colored glasses. This team is bad. This team is small. This team is slow. This team is soft. The prized prospects are looking like career third line forwards and 3rd pair defensemen. Save Provorov, he might be a second pair guy on a bad team.

The world through orange colored glasses. This team is bad. This team is small. This team is slow. This team is soft. The prized prospects are looking like career third line forwards and 3rd pair defensemen. Save Provorov, he might be a second pair guy on a bad team.
- acd513

Absolutely. Twenty some games in to an NHL career, you can tell exactly what a defense prospect is going to be.


Provorov will be a second pair guy if he's lucky!

Let’s see...They’ve played .377 hockey over their last 77 games since their winning streak last year. We had every reason to believe there would be progress, if only a modest amount. They’ve had a core in place for several years that has won nothing, yet two of those players seem stapled to the roster for contractual reasons, even as they are just heading into the downside of their careers.

Clearly, they are trying to have their cake and eat it too by “retooling” instead of a tear-down rebuild. It’s not working because there are not enough support pieces, nor do many of the players compliment each other well enough. Heading into the season w/ a D this young, there seemed to be a need for a better veteran as mentor. That happened in ‘08 w/ Jason Smith and a facsimile could still be a useful addition. Gudas is an effective player, but not intelligent, and going forward is a threat to get suspended into irrelevance. AMac is a 3rd pair talent whose shortcomings are not worth rehashing.

Notice how Ghost has freaked out on two occasions. However, he was merely mimicking behavior he had seen from some of the vets earlier this year and last. There have been too many occasions where players not getting calls they wanted in the 1st period, were still b*tching about it in the 3rd. That’s a cultural issue and while it was great to see Couturier bring it up after the CAL game, Ghost still lost it again vs BOS. Where’s the accountability?

There are a dearth of shoot-first players, not just on the current roster, but in the org as a whole. Understanding that it takes time for teams to come together when they’re being restructured, it is up to Hextall to smooth out that process with pieces that fit. He is responsible whether this is a bump in the road, as some have suggested, or really a downturn in a plan that needs a reset. I stand in the latter camp.

Hakstol is largely irrelevant. Yes, it’s difficult to watch younger players not get ice time that could seemingly aid their development, but we are not watching the film or at practice. It’s also frustrating that it took so long for adjustments to be made even though some, like a 1st line breakup, seemed so overdue. Ultimately, if Hexy’s position on Hak is so case-hardened, we’ll have to wait until season’s end...unless the spiral is a clear disaster and games like the one vs SJ are the rule, not the exception. That’s when reality sets it and idealism heads for the exit. Then, all the enlightened prose in the world won’t mean a thing.

O&B Puckcast@isaiah_520

Let’s see...They’ve played .377 hockey over their last 77 games since their winning streak last year. We had every reason to believe there would be progress, if only a modest amount. They’ve had a core in place for several years that has won nothing, yet two of those players seem stapled to the roster for contractual reasons, even as they are just heading into the downside of their careers.

Clearly, they are trying to have their cake and eat it too by “retooling” instead of a tear-down rebuild. It’s not working because there are not enough support pieces, nor do many of the players compliment each other well enough. Heading into the season w/ a D this young, there seemed to be a need for a better veteran as mentor. That happened in ‘08 w/ Jason Smith and a facsimile could still be a useful addition. Gudas is an effective player, but not intelligent, and going forward is a threat to get suspended into irrelevance. AMac is a 3rd pair talent whose shortcomings are not worth rehashing.

Notice how Ghost has freaked out on two occasions. However, he was merely mimicking behavior he had seen from some of the vets earlier this year and last. There have been too many occasions where players not getting calls they wanted in the 1st period, were still b*tching about it in the 3rd. That’s a cultural issue and while it was great to see Couturier bring it up after the CAL game, Ghost still lost it again vs BOS. Where’s the accountability?

There are a dearth of shoot-first players, not just on the current roster, but in the org as a whole. Understanding that it takes time for teams to come together when they’re being restructured, it is up to Hextall to smooth out that process with pieces that fit. He is responsible whether this is a bump in the road, as some have suggested, or really a downturn in a plan that needs a reset. I stand in the latter camp.

Hakstol is largely irrelevant. Yes, it’s difficult to watch younger players not get ice time that could seemingly aid their development, but we are not watching the film or at practice. It’s also frustrating that it took so long for adjustments to be made even though some, like a 1st line breakup, seemed so overdue. Ultimately, if Hexy’s position on Hak is so case-hardened, we’ll have to wait until season’s end...unless the spiral is a clear disaster and games like the one vs SJ are the rule, not the exception. That’s when reality sets it and idealism heads for the exit. Then, all the enlightened prose in the world won’t mean a thing.

O&B Puckcast@isaiah_520
- isaiah520

The coaching staff, GM, and the players all praise MacDonald's veteran presence and leadership. You don't have to be a star player to be a good leader so the opinion that MacDonald is a 3rd pair talent is irrelevant to the issue of leadership.

If Hakstol were to bench Gostisbehere for the two mistakes, he would be ripped for it by the fanbase.

If you are going to point out the draft picks in the Schenn trade, you have to include Lehtera as well. Blues traded a first round pick for Schenn, and paid a first round pick for Flyers to take on Lehtera's cap hit.

Holy man, cant believe anyone can actually think Coma Man Hextall is doing a good job. Five years of garbage and guys like Konecny sliding away with no improvement. Trading Schenn was absurd and 30 other teams would kill for him. Hakstol is pretty much useless and has done nothing to improve this team on the ice. They are a joke and will remain a joke until these two clowns are torched.
So basically I have to disagree with you Jay, time to retire or change koolaids

If you are going to point out the draft picks in the Schenn trade, you have to include Lehtera as well. Blues traded a first round pick for Schenn, and paid a first round pick for Flyers to take on Lehtera's cap hit.
- Antilles

Good point and the Blues and every other team knows the Blues won this in a big way. Like winning a lottery thank you Coma Man

The coaching staff, GM, and the players all praise MacDonald's veteran presence and leadership. You don't have to be a star player to be a good leader so the opinion that MacDonald is a 3rd pair talent is irrelevant to the issue of leadership.

If Hakstol were to bench Gostisbehere for the two mistakes, he would be ripped for it by the fanbase.
- MJL

You really need to wake up man. Who is coaching this team Hakstol or the fanbase?? If the coach does not make decisions because of the fan base that proves he is incompetent. And he is and you are right there with him saying dumb stuff like that.

Let’s see...They’ve played .377 hockey over their last 77 games since their winning streak last year. We had every reason to believe there would be progress, if only a modest amount. They’ve had a core in place for several years that has won nothing, yet two of those players seem stapled to the roster for contractual reasons, even as they are just heading into the downside of their careers.

Clearly, they are trying to have their cake and eat it too by “retooling” instead of a tear-down rebuild. It’s not working because there are not enough support pieces, nor do many of the players compliment each other well enough. Heading into the season w/ a D this young, there seemed to be a need for a better veteran as mentor. That happened in ‘08 w/ Jason Smith and a facsimile could still be a useful addition. Gudas is an effective player, but not intelligent, and going forward is a threat to get suspended into irrelevance. AMac is a 3rd pair talent whose shortcomings are not worth rehashing.

Notice how Ghost has freaked out on two occasions. However, he was merely mimicking behavior he had seen from some of the vets earlier this year and last. There have been too many occasions where players not getting calls they wanted in the 1st period, were still b*tching about it in the 3rd. That’s a cultural issue and while it was great to see Couturier bring it up after the CAL game, Ghost still lost it again vs BOS. Where’s the accountability?

There are a dearth of shoot-first players, not just on the current roster, but in the org as a whole. Understanding that it takes time for teams to come together when they’re being restructured, it is up to Hextall to smooth out that process with pieces that fit. He is responsible whether this is a bump in the road, as some have suggested, or really a downturn in a plan that needs a reset. I stand in the latter camp.

Hakstol is largely irrelevant. Yes, it’s difficult to watch younger players not get ice time that could seemingly aid their development, but we are not watching the film or at practice. It’s also frustrating that it took so long for adjustments to be made even though some, like a 1st line breakup, seemed so overdue. Ultimately, if Hexy’s position on Hak is so case-hardened, we’ll have to wait until season’s end...unless the spiral is a clear disaster and games like the one vs SJ are the rule, not the exception. That’s when reality sets it and idealism heads for the exit. Then, all the enlightened prose in the world won’t mean a thing.

O&B Puckcast@isaiah_520
- isaiah520

Amazing post and dead on correct. Hex and Hax need to go! After 40 plus years of a Flyers diehard fan and acquiring Flyers players for my fantasy keeper league of 38 years I have traded all my Flyers as I can not bare to watch this gong show. I will always be a Flyers guy but drafting Flyers players is a sure way to lose your fantasy league every year. Players just regress and Hakstol holds nobody accountable for poor play or singles out individuals instead of the source. Gostisbehere should have been benched for his me first penalties but gets rewarded with more ice time. Trading Schenn was dumb, Lehtera is a cull and really the second first round pick was just for taking him off the Blues hands. So a first like a Frost midget for Schenn is major loss.

Yes It is Jay, wake up buddy. I used to enjoy your write ups in the old Hockey News 30 years ago but I have to wonder if Hextall told you to write this to help alleviate some of the pressure he is under.

You really need to wake up man. Who is coaching this team Hakstol or the fanbase?? If the coach does not make decisions because of the fan base that proves he is incompetent. And he is and you are right there with him saying dumb stuff like that.
- joegreif17

Dude, every single post you make reinforces the fact that nobody should bother reading them. Including the rants you made on this thread. Jay Greenberg is a hall of fame hockey writer with an expert knowledge of the game.