I don't necessarily disagree, and I honestly understand why Hextall was reluctant to eff up the cap with risky moves.

But at some point, my Lord. You can't hold on to draft picks like they're the only thing that ever matters in the cap era -- at some point, you gotta use all the tools at your disposal

They got annihilated in Buffalo and Toronto. Absolutely annihilated. If somebody asks you what your response is to that, some people just aren't trying to hear, "Well, Carter Hart might be ready in 2020"
- AllInForFlyers

Personally I don’t think this just started this last season.

Hextall was probably approached about Hakstol multiple times before this year and dug in. His choice to tie his noose beside his HC seems to be what did him in. That’s reallt disappointing because I thought Ron was better than that.

It really is too bad.Hextall was my all time favorite flyer.He was the reason i became a true flyer fan.I was hoping he could have been one of those gm who could stay a long time.Like clarke and Holland .I guess at the end of the day he stood for what he believed in and paid the price.

It's shocking to me. I can't say its the right move. Really the only major thing that can be hung on Hextall is the goaltending situation. What does this signify? Does it mean we go back to wheeling and dealing? It tells me that the upper brass will not accept nor have the patience for the draft and develop approach that Hextall hung his hat on.
- MJL

I am absolutely terrified of this. The path to the cup comes from solid drafting and developing and then pulling the trigger when the time was ready. I'm not happy with this move, or more specifically what this move means for the future of this team

thing is the old way doesn't work in the salary cap era.
- nastyflyergirl

I don't think they are just gonna start spending indiscriminately and I don't think they are gonna stray too far from keeping the organizational pipeline with some young prospects.

I really don't even think this was 100% because of the goalies.

I think this was Hextall falling on his sword (unnecessarily) for Hakstol and Lappy.

I'm sure they'll cover it -- from 11:30 to 11:32.
- Flyskippy

sadly, this will be true.

this is my real worry. but i have to think part of the problem was that hex wouldn't fire hak, and they want to get the coaching right. they can survive without a real GM for now.
- hammarby31

Agreed

Worst case scenario. Hakstol stays on, and they let Hex go.

I’m pretty done if that’s the decision.
- flyer_nutter

Don't worry Nutter, Haks is as good as gone! The new GM will slash him on day one of his new job. Only an idiot can take this much of Hakstol.

It really is too bad.Hextall was my all time favorite flyer.He was the reason i became a true flyer fan.I was hoping he could have been one of those gm who could stay a long time.Like clarke and Holland .I guess at the end of the day he stood for what he believed in and paid the price.
- flyeredup85

He was a martyr for Dave (frank)ing Hakstol? That’s who you willingly choose to die on the hill on for? Jesus Christ.

Why does it have to be one way or the other? You can build via the draft but still make a deal or 2 to improve your club at the same time. Between the mess that is the goaltending and Hextall’s reluctance to make any trades, it’s really not that shocking to see him gone.

Like I said a few days ago, it’s a business. Ownership was only going to tolerate mediocrity for so long without making a change. 2 first round exits, 2 years missing and this year just looking horrible on way too many nights. The brass finally had enough.
- BiggE

We also don't know if deals were out there to be made and Hextall was steadfast on letting this team try to play through it.

Personally I don’t think this just started this last season.

Hextall was probably approached about Hakstol multiple times before this year and dug in. His choice to tie his noose beside his HC seems to be what did him in. That’s reallt disappointing because I thought Ron was better than that.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed.

Personally I don’t think this just started this last season.

Hextall was probably approached about Hakstol multiple times before this year and dug in. His choice to tie his noose beside his HC seems to be what did him in. That’s reallt disappointing because I thought Ron was better than that.
- flyer_nutter

Ron is a stubborn individual who could not see the forest because of the trees.

Not necessarily.

Maybe it means they wanted to see something change and Hextall didn't feel the team needed that. You can only keep pushing out the future for so long. They probably wondered why you would go out and sign JVR which was a now move but not do anything to address the goalies or other parts of the team. If he sold them on taking a step forward this year but the teams looks to have regressed they probably figured something was off.

I don't know. I'll wait to see where they go now.
- J35Bacher

For something like this to happen, there has be a major disconnect between the two parties. Not about making or not making an individual move.

I am absolutely terrified of this. The path to the cup comes from solid drafting and developing and then pulling the trigger when the time was ready. I'm not happy with this move, or more specifically what this move means for the future of this team
- bulet13

The thing is, a move was in order. A coaching change was being called for and rightfully so. He refused to do it.

Mix that in with the goaltending and he made his own bed. I’m not sure I agree fully until I see the new guy, but any organization would start to point fingers at some point.

this is my real worry. but i have to think part of the problem was that hex wouldn't fire hak, and they want to get the coaching right. they can survive without a real GM for now.
- hammarby31

What GM would take this job if it included being hamstrung by the current coaching staff?

If that is the case then that is pretty dumb on Hextall's part.
- MJL

i agree it would have been dumb. it's absurd that hakstol is still coaching here. aside from asset collection and cap relief, hextall has done very little else to improve the team. you could argue he's hurt the team just as much with some bad signings and failure to address the goalies - which includes shipping mason out, which imho, was a huge mistake.

at this point, it doens't matter. what matters is that the coaches are next. and then start to address player issues.

What GM would take this job if it included being hamstrung by the current coaching staff?
- PLindbergh31

The current staff are dead men walking. They just didn't get the axe because the new guy is choosing his own staff which needs time.

hackstol can follow him out the door and then trade siimmonds and vorachek

I don't think they are just gonna start spending indiscriminately and I don't think they are gonna stray too far from keeping the organizational pipeline with some young prospects.

I really don't even think this was 100% because of the goalies.

I think this was Hextall falling on his sword (unnecessarily) for Hakstol and Lappy.
- johndewar

I agree -- think i'll be some mix of both philosophies, but let's not overlook the obvious: Nobody's safe right now. Nobody

I won't be surprised at a single thing they do, still. Because Hextall didn't coach and didn't play. Some people are gonna get fired or traded, and if I had to bet, it will be sooner than later

Brass: Ron, fire Hak.
Ron: No.
Brass: Ron, fire Hak.
Ron: No.
Brass: Ron, fire Hak.
Ron: No.
Brass: Ron, fire Hak.
Ron: No.
Brass: Bye, Ron.
- Flyskippy

Right on Flyskippy, you nailed it. Besides trading Schenn my biggest issue with Hextall was his continual support of a very bad coach. Hakstol survived a 10 game losing streak two years ago when any other team would have canned their coach. Hakstol line juggling and inconsistencies are killing this team. No penalty kill and really not a lot of accountability.

For something like this to happen, there has be a major disconnect between the two parties. Not about making or not making an individual move.
- MJL

I understand.

My thinking is ownership was told they would be taking steps forward but hextall wasn't doing anything to address that. And if he was steadfast on not firing his coach or making a change then ownereship i guess decided they needed a new person to get this on track.

I don't see them going back to the old days. But I think they see the roster needs some changing and hextall might not have been willing to make those changes.

What GM would take this job if it included being hamstrung by the current coaching staff?
- PLindbergh31

someone desperate to be a GM and needs a gig? i'm sure someone could find a reason to say yes. not the candidate you'd want though.

common sense says, hak et al are out once they get a new GM. and if the coaching buagaboo was the real issue with ownership, a hextall hire, they probably weren't comfy with him finding a replacement.

Why does it have to be one way or the other? You can build via the draft but still make a deal or 2 to improve your club at the same time. Between the mess that is the goaltending and Hextall’s reluctance to make any trades, it’s really not that shocking to see him gone.

Like I said a few days ago, it’s a business. Ownership was only going to tolerate mediocrity for so long without making a change. 2 first round exits, 2 years missing and this year just looking horrible on way too many nights. The brass finally had enough.
- BiggE

My initial reaction, subject to change is that this is a panic move and a signal that the team management wants to go back to trying to contend every year and wheeling and dealing. I hope that reaction is wrong.

Great pull.

I forgot about him.

Hire Steve Y and Quenneville.

Does that bring some excitement?
- J35Bacher

You’ll get Lombardi and Stevens and you’ll like it

hackstol can follow him out the door and then trade siimmonds and vorachek
- kej83

yes. thank you for your service. i'll miss wayne but he's declining. never been a jake fan. i think he's a soft malcontent.

hackstol can follow him out the door and then trade siimmonds and vorachek
- kej83

I could see both going. Wouldn't like to see Voracek go, but I could see it