Insanity. For all of my drum beating about firing folks I never thought they’d actually can Ron so fast.

They must have approached him multiple times in the past about some kind of changes.
- flyer_nutter

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.

I still can't believe they poopcanned Hextall.
- johndewar

who knows what's been going on behind the scenes. i wonder if this came from ownership of from holmger. maybe both, and maybe they've put more onus on hextall for the goaltending being a disaster, which he could have addressed, than any other issue, fair or not. that's not on the coach.

i just figured he'd get a longer leash with all of the assets he's stockpiled, and gotten them out of cap hell. he should have canned hakstol after the end of last season.

But it makes perfect sense to have the new GM hire his coach.
- bodiva88

This move has gritty written all over it
- funmaster18

Gritty in as GM? Or at least 3C?

But it makes perfect sense to have the new GM hire his coach.
- bodiva88

I have no idea what this came down to, but it just screams that Hextall didn’t want Hak to be let go, and dug his heels in. This decision didn’t happen overnight.

They fired him for his loyalty. I never thought it was happen so fast.

I think management was in line with a rebuild of sorts but not addressing the goalies probably put a big X on his back also.

But it makes perfect sense to have the new GM hire his coach.
- bodiva88

and he will. thank god.

I’m shocked.

Honestly, I’m ok with holding Hexy accountable because not fixing the goalie situation last summer has pretty much ruined this season.

On the other hand, I do NOT want to see them going away from the draft and develop philosophy that Hextall brought in. Only way to go in the salary cap era.

Not getting rid of Neuvy and bringing a capable 1B or backup to go with Elliot was fatal.

maybe ownership really wanted hak canned and hextall just wouldn't (frank)ing do it, so they canned him first. can't dump everyone at once. that's probably what's going on here.

maybe ownership really wanted hak canned and hextall just wouldn't (frank)ing do it, so they canned him first. can't dump everyone at once. that's probably what's going on here.
- hammarby31

For anyone who wanted to keep Hextall, the Hak hate club still has room.

It’s sad, funny, etc that this moron of a HC cost Hextall his job in a way.

Hexy gone and Hak still has a job?WTF are these clowns doing?.There becoming the damn leafs of 2004-2015.

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

For the life of me, unless there is more to it than this that we don't know about, this was the dumbest hill ever to die on.

Gritty in as GM? Or at least 3C?
- jmatchett383

3C Player/coach/GM. He does it all

either way, i'm just glad SOMETHING has gone on. finally. it's way past due.

For the life of me, unless there is more to it than this that we don't know about, this was the dumbest hill ever to die on.
- johndewar

That could have been the last hill, after Lappy Hill and Get a Better Goalie for 2018-19 Hill.

Isn't Dean Lombardi still hanging around?

Would anybody be against Yzerman if that's who they targeted?

I think you can find a guy that isn't going to put you in cap hell and can still build you a farm system and competitive team

For the life of me, unless there is more to it than this that we don't know about, this was the dumbest hill ever to die on.
- johndewar

I liked Hakstol more than most but I would've fired that entire staff before I took that walk

For the life of me, unless there is more to it than this that we don't know about, this was the dumbest hill ever to die on.
- johndewar

Being a martyr for Dave Hakstol.

Still can’t believe it. Holy poop guys. I wanted Hak out but they dropped the full nuke.

3C Player/coach/GM. He does it all
- funmaster18

gritty can get bent.

gritty can get bent.
- hammarby31

I’m shocked.

Honestly, I’m ok with holding Hexy accountable because not fixing the goalie situation last summer has pretty much ruined this season.

On the other hand, I do NOT want to see them going away from the draft and develop philosophy that Hextall brought in. Only way to go in the salary cap era.

Not getting rid of Neuvy and bringing a capable 1B or backup to go with Elliot was fatal.
- Marc D

I think we have made tremendous progress in the system under Hexy. Top 5 farm system. I hope that we do not go back to the old days of selling the farm for aging veterans. I would hope we could find a happy balance in there. Let a couple of prospects go for help at NHL level.

I definitely think Hexy dug his heels in over firing Hak and/or his staff. Remember, he pulled Hak from one of the top college jobs in the country. I think he wanted him to fulfill the contract length at least. Hak is next. Big trade right after.

Would anybody be against Yzerman if that's who they targeted?

I think you can find a guy that isn't going to put you in cap hell and can still build you a farm system and competitive team
- J35Bacher

I would love to have Yzerman but I highly doubt he's coming here to be GM when he just resigned to be closer with his family

is it possible the new GM doesn't clean house? is it?