holmgren can easily steer the ship the rest of the season. it's not like he doesn't have the experience. if that happens...how long until he hires a coach?

it's possible he takes interim tag, finds his coach, and then finds a gm.
- hammarby31

If Holmgren takes over as interim GM and hires Quenneville I'd be fine with that. I'd prefer to get Quenneville on board opposed to waiting and possibly see him snapped up by another team.

If my memory serves me correctly, when JVR was traded to Toronto there were whispers from certain segments in management that he was a "soft" player or not "tough" enough.

My spidey sense tells me that Holmgren was in that camp of thought.

Will be interesting to see what happens with this roster.

Are we not all entertained by this move?

Hopefully they bring in a GM who builds through draft, trade, signings, etc.. We'll see.
- Dkos

Well there you go. They did this just for a day of press in the news cycle and to increase traffic on the discussion boards. Ticket sales will now soar.

I disagree with the sentiment that the philosophy of the team will change to "win now" or "make the playoffs now". That's jumping several steps ahead. Let's see who the new GM hire is, who he might bring in as coach, and what he does with the roster before crying that the sky is falling.
- Flyskippy

right

If my memory serves me correctly, when JVR was traded to Toronto there were whispers from certain segments in management that he was a "soft" player or not "tough" enough.

My spidey sense tells me that Holmgren was in that camp of thought.

Will be interesting to see what happens with this roster.
- StepfordSam

Holmgren is the guy who had to sign on to the contract given to JVR.

By all accounts, Hextall and his staff drafted well. We know he improved the Cap position of the team. We know they have one of the highest rated farm systems in the league. What could the philosophical difference be? I have a hard time believing that Hextall stood on a hill of refusing to fire the coach and have it wind up costing him his job.
- MJL

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

holy crap

holmgren can easily steer the ship the rest of the season. it's not like he doesn't have the experience. if that happens...how long until he hires a coach?

it's possible he takes interim tag, finds his coach, and then finds a gm.
- hammarby31

If he hires a coach he better be damn sure the next GM will like said coach.

Well there you go. They did this just for a day of press in the news cycle and to increase traffic on the discussion boards. Ticket sales will now soar.
- MJL

oh, please, you know that's not what I'm saying. You're usually the level-headed guy. Calm down.

In today’s NHL you need to draft well. For those whining about the change in philosophy....that probably won’t be the case..you need to a balance of quality youngsters playing significant roles on cheap contracts to be successful. Look at every good team. Unfortunately for Hextall you also need to address weaknesses when they arise. Hextall did some great things but I for one think it was time he was held accountable for the on ice product.

I’m going to low key call it.

If he had fired Hakstol he still would have his job. He basically dug in and got blown up.

If that’s really what it came down to, good riddance. I am in favour of a draft and develop plan but you need to be analytical of your own decisions. He started to smell of a guy that was far too loyal/arrogant.

Sucks, because I really hoped for better from him.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed. Keeping a coach who is stubborn, ineffective, and misusing a roster because he's "your hire" is a substantial "philosophical difference."

If my memory serves me correctly, when JVR was traded to Toronto there were whispers from certain segments in management that he was a "soft" player or not "tough" enough.

My spidey sense tells me that Holmgren was in that camp of thought.

Will be interesting to see what happens with this roster.
- StepfordSam

Oh, my gosh. I have no doubt that Homer thought JVR was soft, years ago.

I have no idea what he thinks now, but I have no doubt whatsoever of that when he traded him

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.
- MJL

This is not a panic move at all. I am sure Holmgren wanted to do this two years ago but after a nice shutout at home and then a lopsided no show shutout loss in Toronto was about the end of story. Hot and cold and no consistency and that falls on coach and gm. New GM will bring in a new coach and get a fresh start, watch for Coach Q in Philly real soon.

In today’s NHL you need to draft well. For those whining about the change in philosophy....that probably won’t be the case..you need to a balance of quality youngsters playing significant roles on cheap contracts to be successful. Look at every good team. Unfortunately for Hextall you also need to address weaknesses when they arise. Hextall did some great things but I for one think it was time he was held accountable for the on ice product.
- landros 2

It was two fold, he didn't fix some issues but I can almost guarantee he also fell on a sword for Hak, Lappy, or both.

If Holmgren takes over as interim GM and hires Quenneville I'd be fine with that. I'd prefer to get Quenneville on board opposed to waiting and possibly see him snapped up by another team.
- PLindbergh31

My second choice is Todd McLellan. My dream would be to hire Q and McLellan as an assistant.

A new coach has to be brought in asap. Hopefully Quenneville. The players know Hakstol is a dead man walking, and I don't see them playing for him. Season is still young enough to be saved. With some adroit trades they can make the playoffs, and maybe even win a round.

If Holmgren takes over as interim GM and hires Quenneville I'd be fine with that. I'd prefer to get Quenneville on board opposed to waiting and possibly see him snapped up by another team.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe Quenneville can stop the (frank)ing puck.

According to some people, since Ron Hextall was fired as GM, it is assured that his replacement will trade every one of our promising prospects and draft picks for veterans.

I do not think this is a sure thing, or even a likely thing, personally.

oh, please, you know that's not what I'm saying. You're usually the level-headed guy. Calm down.
- Dkos

It's amazing what happens when the unexpected happens.

I’m going to low key call it.

If he had fired Hakstol he still would have his job. He basically dug in and got blown up.

If that’s really what it came down to, good riddance. I am in favour of a draft and develop plan but you need to be analytical of your own decisions. He started to smell of a guy that was far too loyal/arrogant.

Sucks, because I really hoped for better from him.
- flyer_nutter

i agree. i think this was the crux of the issue more than anything else.

It was two fold, he didn't fix some issues but I can almost guarantee he also fell on a sword for Hak, Lappy, or both.
- dragonoffrost

Then he deserved his fate.

My second choice is Todd McLellan. My dream would be to hire Q and McLellan as an assistant.
- Flyskippy

That would be great, but I believe McLellan will probably get another head coaching job. Not sure he'd agree to be an assistant.

Lets face it, the Flyers are in the entertainment business and this has not been an entertaining product for a long time and has just gotten more boring (for most fans) since Hextall's arrival. I don't think this move necessary means a return to the old balls-out Flyers approach management. This organization needed a swift kick to the balls and it just got one. I'm for whatever makes this a more exciting team.
- Dkos

yes.

Oh, my gosh. I have no doubt that Homer thought JVR was soft, years ago.

I have no idea what he thinks now, but I have no doubt whatsoever of that when he traded him
- AllInForFlyers

Homer also thought LSchenn was a top 4 dman back then. Presumably his opinions change over time.