So they fired the GM because they want to see minor tweaks to the plan?
- MJL

No, they fired the GM because he took the huge risk of not upgrading the goaltending and the lesser risk of not acquiring another solid center in the offseason. The results of his non actions were a team sitting in dead last in the conference at the quarter pole. Coming off a 98 point season after which the GM publicly states its time for the team to take the next step, this was simply a flat out failure on the GMs part.

Honestly, I don’t think it will matter. I think Hextall got fired more for what he didn’t do. Primarily not upgrading the goaltending and/or adding another center in the offseason. If Fletcher goes to Holmgren and tells him that other than moving Simmonds to the highest bidder, there is no other move to be made that makes sense for us right now, I think Holmgren will get. Holmgren can sell it to his bosses by saying that the time to make the necessary moves was last summer and we need to give Fletcher an offseason to make the moves that will get us not just back into the playoffs, but able to win in the playoffs too.

Holmgren and Fletcher aren’t rookies, they know how the league works and the reality of where this team is at right now. I think the odds of Fletcher making a panic move are somewhere between extremely slim and none. Don’t read too much into what was said publicly about getting better now. That’s simply what you need to say to appease the STHs, it’s just standard sports talk and means little.
- BiggE

If Holmgren and his bosses are willing to remain patient and let the market develop in the off season, then why fire Hextall now? Doesn't add up. I think they want some moves made pretty quickly.

Well put.

Also Fletcher and Holmgren can also pin whatever shortcomings this team has on the previous GM so he has time.
- J35Bacher

So they have an excuse now to remain patient? Can't make this up.

If Holmgren and his bosses are willing to remain patient and let the market develop in the off season, then why fire Hextall now? Doesn't add up. I think they want some moves made pretty quickly.
- MJL

They fired him because he utterly failed to improve the team in the past offseason and likely was arrogant and unwavering about it too.

No, they fired the GM because he took the huge risk of not upgrading the goaltending and the lesser risk of not acquiring another solid center in the offseason. The results of his non actions were a team sitting in dead last in the conference at the quarter pole. Coming off a 98 point season after which the GM publicly states its time for the team to take the next step, this was simply a flat out failure on the GMs part.
- BiggE

Replacing the coaching staff would have had a greater impact. The Flyers are actually better at center this year than they were a year ago with Patrick really struggling to get up to NHL speed, and Flip getting caved in every night. An expensive veteran 3C wouldn't have fixed the utterly broken PP and PK.

Honestly, I don’t think it will matter. I think Hextall got fired more for what he didn’t do. Primarily not upgrading the goaltending and/or adding another center in the offseason. If Fletcher goes to Holmgren and tells him that other than moving Simmonds to the highest bidder, there is no other move to be made that makes sense for us right now, I think Holmgren will get. Holmgren can sell it to his bosses by saying that the time to make the necessary moves was last summer and we need to give Fletcher an offseason to make the moves that will get us not just back into the playoffs, but able to win in the playoffs too.

Holmgren and Fletcher aren’t rookies, they know how the league works and the reality of where this team is at right now. I think the odds of Fletcher making a panic move are somewhere between extremely slim and none. Don’t read too much into what was said publicly about getting better now. That’s simply what you need to say to appease the STHs, it’s just standard sports talk and means little.
- BiggE

yeah I think the Holmgren will sell the farm for the top prize is overdone. He was the GM for the most part with no CAP, he has had plenty of time to study the new NHL.

Blame this year's crop of goalies for the terrible PK, even though it's been bad for five years with nine different goalies in net. It certainly couldn't have anything to do with the coaching staff.

I guess the PP going to poop is the fault of young players and Hextall, too. It certainly couldn't have anything to do with the coaching staff.
- Feanor

They have the same group of players for the most part and have been using the same PP formation as when the PP was among the best in the league. What did the coaching staff change? Was Schenn the key to the Flyers PP?

No, they fired the GM because he took the huge risk of not upgrading the goaltending and the lesser risk of not acquiring another solid center in the offseason. The results of his non actions were a team sitting in dead last in the conference at the quarter pole. Coming off a 98 point season after which the GM publicly states its time for the team to take the next step, this was simply a flat out failure on the GMs part.
- BiggE

They fired him because the team was losing and tickets weren't selling well. It never comes down to a few moves. They brought in a new GM to see some "action" not to continue to remain patient.

They have the same group of players for the most part and have been using the same PP formation as when the PP was among the best in the league. What did the coaching staff change? Was Schenn the key to the Flyers PP?
- MJL

mostly on the players but I don't see much of an adjustment on the PP. The only change is they don't feed the slot for the 1 timer. Maybe because it is not there but they are missing that piece.

They fired him because he utterly failed to improve the team in the past offseason and likely was arrogant and unwavering about it too.
- BiggE

Doesn't address the statement I made. There is no longer a need to further debate the reasons why Hextall was fired.

They have the same group of players for the most part and have been using the same PP formation as when the PP was among the best in the league. What did the coaching staff change? Was Schenn the key to the Flyers PP?
- MJL

No Schenn wasn't, because the top unit was good in 17-18. The fact is the PP has gone completely off the rails this season, and the only thing Hak has tried to fix it is taking Voracek off it, when he is one of the best PP producers in the league.

If anyone wants to claim this roster doesn't have enough offensive talent to be at least middle of the pack on PP, go for it. I really won't ever understand why the coaching staff is supposed to be immune from criticism when important areas of the team have completely collapsed under their watch.

Simmer to Oiler for RNH, I don't know if possible and I am sure the Oilers would want a sweetener but Simmer would fit nicely with the Oil and the Oil are starting to think they are playoff bound

No Schenn wasn't, because the top unit was good in 17-18. The fact is the PP has gone completely off the rails this season, and the only thing Hak has tried to fix it is taking Voracek off it, when he is one of the best PP producers in the league.

If anyone wants to claim this roster doesn't have enough offensive talent to be at least middle of the pack on PP, go for it. I really won't ever understand why the coaching staff is supposed to be immune from criticism when important areas of the team completely collapse under their watch.
- Feanor

The Flyers PP setup and strategy is proven, over a number of seasons. It's not working because players aren't making plays. That simple.

So they have an excuse now to remain patient? Can't make this up.
- MJL

You act like this never happens.

It happens in sports all the time where the new regime can lay a lot of the failure on the old to by time.

Are we assured Frost, Farabee and Hart are all going to produce and impact this team?

Did Hextall really think he was allowed to plan for 21-22 season and neglect the current product when it was failing?

This team is a bottom of the NHL team right now after he, the GM, mandated they take a step forward but yet didn't have any flexibility in his plan to address the current team.

I love what Hextall did with drafting and the cap. But it's not like we have a Matthews or Laine waiting on the farm to drastically change this franchise in the future. We have to HOPE the potential is there in Frost, Farabee and Hart.

Simmer to Oiler for RNH, I don't know if possible and I am sure the Oilers would want a sweetener but Simmer would fit nicely with the Oil and the Oil are starting to think they are playoff bound
- wcorvette

I think your value for Simmonds is very high.

No Schenn wasn't, because the top unit was good in 17-18. The fact is the PP has gone completely off the rails this season, and the only thing Hak has tried to fix it is taking Voracek off it, when he is one of the best PP producers in the league.

If anyone wants to claim this roster doesn't have enough offensive talent to be at least middle of the pack on PP, go for it. I really won't ever understand why the coaching staff is supposed to be immune from criticism when important areas of the team have completely collapsed under their watch.
- Feanor

Once they made the decision to fire the GM, they had to leave it to the new hire to decide on the coaching change. It’s coming, be patient

Doesn't address the statement I made. There is no longer a need to further debate the reasons why Hextall was fired.
- MJL

yes they want change in season, no, that doesn't mean they also can't be patient with not trading the future. Yes, Hextall partially got canned for the moves he didn't or couldn't make, nature of the position.

And yes, he was a fall guy of sorts

The Flyers PP setup and strategy is proven, over a number of seasons. It's not working because players aren't making plays. That simple.
- MJL

And Giroux runs PP1, so it's all Giroux's fault. Maybe he can be forced to waive his NMC, and then Hak and his crack coaching staff can finally get a real captain to work with.

You act like this never happens.

It happens in sports all the time where the new regime can lay a lot of the failure on the old to by time.

Are we assured Frost, Farabee and Hart are all going to produce and impact this team?

Did Hextall really think he was allowed to plan for 21-22 season and neglect the current product when it was failing?

This team is a bottom of the NHL team right now after he, the GM, mandated they take a step forward but yet didn't have any flexibility in his plan to address the current team.

I love what Hextall did with drafting and the cap. But it's not like we have a Matthews or Laine waiting on the farm to drastically change this franchise in the future. We have to HOPE the potential is there in Frost, Farabee and Hart.
- J35Bacher

Is that what it's really about. Creating a scapegoat for the state of the team? Is that why the move was made. A new marketing strategy to sell tickets. It's all Hextall's fault, buy tickets!

And Giroux runs PP1, so it's all Giroux's fault. Maybe he can be forced to waive his NMC, and then Hak and his crack coaching staff can finally get a real captain to work with.
- Feanor

Giroux, Voracek, Gostisbehere, Couturier, Simmonds, all of them.

Blame this year's crop of goalies for the terrible PK, even though it's been bad for five years with nine different goalies in net. It certainly couldn't have anything to do with the coaching staff.

I guess the PP going to poop is the fault of young players and Hextall, too. It certainly couldn't have anything to do with the coaching staff.
- Feanor

Is that what I said? (rereads post)

I didn't think that is what I said, but thank god you were there to interpret for me.

I think your value for Simmonds is very high.
- Glak18

I think he is worth a good bit, I also think that whoever trades for him knows Simmer will play with a chip on his shoulder. When a team thinks they can win, they will overpay.

Simmer to Oil for RNH and Lucic, Oil retains 50%

Is that what it's really about. Creating a scapegoat for the state of the team? Is that why the move was made. A new marketing strategy to sell tickets. It's all Hextall's fault, buy tickets!
- MJL

Where did I ever say anything about tickets?

You also seem to talk about the Flyers like it's just hockey? It's entertainment business. So as much as no one wants to say it, yes, Hextall still had to make a commitment to make the current product better.

Hextall neglected the 18-19 team. That is a failure on his part.

And Giroux runs PP1, so it's all Giroux's fault. Maybe he can be forced to waive his NMC, and then Hak and his crack coaching staff can finally get a real captain to work with.
- Feanor

the one timer from the slot does not exist, the coaching staff and the players need to figure out why. At their best they had that one timer from the hash. I assume a one timer can come from the left or right, does not have to be G making the pass.

I think he is worth a good bit, I also think that whoever trades for him knows Simmer will play with a chip on his shoulder. When a team thinks they can win, they will overpay.

Simmer to Oil for RNH and Lucic, Oil retains 50%
- wcorvette

NO.

your not geting Nugent-Hopkins for Simmonds if they are pushing for the playoffs. Maybe if your moving Voracek there.

I see Simmonds getting you something like Puljujarvi if they are going on a playoff push.