1) If he was focused on long-term building, I think he could have done much better. Either you trade Giroux or Voracek (horrible contract he gave him too) and star over or you try to win while they were in their prime.

When Hextall took over, they were one of the best combos there was. I think Hextall was stuck in no-man's land (again, he was way too conservative) and should have picked a lane.


- James_Tanner

Again, misinformed. The Flyers are not a team that was going to tank or go into an all out rebuild. They wanted to remain competitive and try to win with what they had while building up the prospect base and improving the cap situation.

3) I meant Giroux and Voracek, both of whom he signed to big deals. They're now on the downside of those deals and they didn't pan out. (By which I mean they didn't come close to winning while they were good contracts) It's nice and all that Girioux is aging gracefully, but the time to win was the second those contracts were signed, not now when they're both 31.


- James_Tanner

Both Giroux and Voracek are likely to remain quality players for at least another 5 years or so barring major injuries. Both can still be a part of the future.

The Couturier and Ghost contracts were very good, still are. And I would have no problem with the contracts for the two big stars if they tried to win when these deals were still paying dividends. (The Giroux contract isn't terrible today, but who wants to pay almost nine millino for ages 31-34?)


- James_Tanner

If the players remains one of the top players, why not. Who is one of the top players in the league that you tout as the best defenseman in the league? He's 29 and just signed an 8 year deal for 11M a year! That contract will pay him that in years 31-34. Hypocrite.

4) The Schenn deal is still bad. It's nice if the prospects work out, but a known commodity for two late round picks isn't great. Again, if the Flyers were also trading other players from their roster this trade would make more sense, but Hextall wouldn't commit one way or the other and he waffled until he was fired.


- James_Tanner

It was a great trade. You just don't understand it. Hextall was absolutely committed to his plan. There was no waffling. This shows more ignorance on your part.

5) I'm not guessing - the evidence that he's not a very good GM is strong. I do hope he knows more about hockey than me though since it's his job. You can't really compare the knowledge of a career hockey man with that of a guy who has to spend 50 hours a week on a different profession.


- James_Tanner

Yes you did guess on the issue concerning analytics. You're completely misinformed.

Bottom line: Hextall was too risk adverse, and too conservative to be a good GM. He did nothing that stands out as excellent, and several things that don't seem too hot. While I don't think he's terrible, I do think limiting a team's job search to just ex-NHL players is extremely stupid.
- James_Tanner

You're again, incorrect. He built one of the best prospect bases in all of the NHL. So stating that he did nothing that stands out as excellent is again, misinformed.

1) Never finished higher than third

Chaka Khan's highest finish?

2) Way too conservative - didn't make a single trade you could call a blockbuster

Not a technical/advance stats way of looking at a GM's tenure now is it, Jimmy?

3) wasted Girioux's best years / Didn't capitalize on having one of the best combos in the game while it was.

Started with Giroux and Vorachek, not much else. What did you expect? Didn't have multiple years of drafting top 5 like some GMs in the desert Jimmy

4) Schenn trade probably his biggest and it's a dud (though prospects could work out)

Will you retract this statement if/when Frost works out? No, you will not. Do not even lie.

5) Lacks aggression, doesn't appear interested in statistical analysis. Classic old-school guesser.

Name the last GM that won the cup who stood and swore by advance stats?

Go back to the 200 cup winner and find me one! One, Jimmy, one? You can't

I am just not generally a fan. It's not like he was horrible - and in the NHL that says something - but he didn't do enough over five years that would make me want to give him a job.
- James_Tanner

God forbid he took a team with no prospects and cap space and mofe the playoffs two or the four seasons he was in charge. Please tell us how the ANALytical driven Chaka Khan has delivered better results?

Age discrimination is real!... And Jimmy Tanner is guilty of it!
- camfor

and he is a RACIST!

What if their GM was Jenn Chayka instead?

You mean Megan Chayka? Put it this way, her press conferences would be appointment viewing...

God forbid he took a team with no prospects and cap space and mofe the playoffs two or the four seasons he was in charge. Please tell us how the ANALytical driven Chaka Khan has delivered better results?
- corduroy

So where you mad when he was fired? He deserved it. What's the big deal? I don't think he's as bad as Chiarelli, my main concern was that teams just go "oh we need a guy with experience, get me the last guy who got fired," which you have to admit is a bad way to do things.

What's so bad about opening things up and considering other, outside candidates?

1) If he was focused on long-term building, I think he could have done much better. Either you trade Giroux or Voracek (horrible contract he gave him too) and star over or you try to win while they were in their prime.

When Hextall took over, they were one of the best combos there was. I think Hextall was stuck in no-man's land (again, he was way too conservative) and should have picked a lane.

2) I'm sure he tried, but he didn't make any really good or any really big trades.

3) I meant Giroux and Voracek, both of whom he signed to big deals. They're now on the downside of those deals and they didn't pan out. (By which I mean they didn't come close to winning while they were good contracts) It's nice and all that Girioux is aging gracefully, but the time to win was the second those contracts were signed, not now when they're both 31.

The Couturier and Ghost contracts were very good, still are. And I would have no problem with the contracts for the two big stars if they tried to win when these deals were still paying dividends. (The Giroux contract isn't terrible today, but who wants to pay almost nine millino for ages 31-34?)

4) The Schenn deal is still bad. It's nice if the prospects work out, but a known commodity for two late round picks isn't great. Again, if the Flyers were also trading other players from their roster this trade would make more sense, but Hextall wouldn't commit one way or the other and he waffled until he was fired.

5) I'm not guessing - the evidence that he's not a very good GM is strong. I do hope he knows more about hockey than me though since it's his job. You can't really compare the knowledge of a career hockey man with that of a guy who has to spend 50 hours a week on a different profession.

Bottom line: Hextall was too risk adverse, and too conservative to be a good GM. He did nothing that stands out as excellent, and several things that don't seem too hot. While I don't think he's terrible, I do think limiting a team's job search to just ex-NHL players is extremely stupid.
- James_Tanner

Why are you digging your grave deeper Jimmy. Bill is actual hockey writer. This is a sad response where you double down on your completely wrong positions

So where you mad when he was fired? He deserved it. What's the big deal? I don't think he's as bad as Chiarelli, my main concern was that teams just go "oh we need a guy with experience, get me the last guy who got fired," which you have to admit is a bad way to do things.

What's so bad about opening things up and considering other, outside candidates?
- James_Tanner

Well Chayka has truly been super successful his first 3 years with all those playoff appearances

Well Chayka has truly been super successful his first 3 years with all those playoff appearances
- bulet13

Yet Tanner has called Chayka the best GM in the NHL numerous times.

Yet Tanner has called Chayka the best GM in the NHL numerous times.
- MJL

But Hextall was bad because his team never did better than third in the division?? #logic

So where you mad when he was fired? He deserved it. What's the big deal? I don't think he's as bad as Chiarelli, my main concern was that teams just go "oh we need a guy with experience, get me the last guy who got fired," which you have to admit is a bad way to do things.

What's so bad about opening things up and considering other, outside candidates?
- James_Tanner

I was upset he was fired. I also notice you choose not to answer any questions about GMs/analytics and winning cups jimmy?

Chayka knows more about hockey than Hextall. Not even close. Chayka sips his tazo chai tea and nibbles on his avocado toast while studying stats. This led him to trade Domi for Galchenyuk, Strome for Schmaltz, and then locked up Schmaltz, Dvorak, and Chychrun to terrible contracts. His genius is so genius that only Tanner can understand it. Hiring Hextall would be as bad as Lou, who Tanner has called the most overrated GM in the NHL. Minnesota is better off just asking Chayka if he has any friends looking for a job. Start with male candidates, and once you get to the bottom of that barrel then I guess just hire a woman. Signed, Tanner

Chayka knows more about hockey than Hextall. Not even close. Chayka sips his tazo chai tea and nibbles on his avocado toast while studying stats. This led him to trade Domi for Galchenyuk, Strome for Schmaltz, and then locked up Schmaltz, Dvorak, and Chychrun to terrible contracts. His genius is so genius that only Tanner can understand it. Hiring Hextall would be as bad as Lou, who Tanner has called the most overrated GM in the NHL. Minnesota is better off just asking Chayka if he has any friends looking for a job. Start with male candidates, and once you get to the bottom of that barrel then I guess just hire a woman. Signed, Tanner
- uofcguy

white male candidates, jimmy is not a fan of color

What happened tanner?

surprised daddy let you write another blog after he limited the amount witnesses of that emasculating asskicking you were given,

he locked it after only 18 posts hahahahahahahah

1) Was focused on long-term -- rebuilding the farm system, investing in development infrastructure (a state-of-the-art training facility, expanding the development coaching staff, creating a sports science section) and creating long term cap space -- rather than "win now". It may work out long-term. It may not. But there was very much a plan, and it was well-articulated.

2) No he didn't make any blockbuster trades but the Flyers had a deal 99 percent done to get the first overall pick in 2014, and Florida got cold feet at the last moment.

3) Last I checked, Giroux has 197 points over the past two seasons. Moving to wing prolonged his prime, and he's not close to looking on the downside yet. Voracek (if that's who you are referring to, even though they haven't been on same 5-on-5 line the majority of the past two seasons) has averaged 75 points over the past two seasons. He's still pretty good. If you mean Couturier, the past two seasons have been the best two of his career to date, and he's still only 26 (so he's in what should be his prime).

4) Any GM that wouldn't take two first-round picks -- the two of whom (Frost and Farabee) now comprise the organization's top two forward prospects -- in exchange for a non-nucleus player (albeit a quality one), should be fired on the spot. The Flyers had to eat a bad contract for two seasons with Lehterä, but the picks obtained were excellent asset management.

5) The only guesser here, James, is you. You jump to a conclusion that is not grounded in reality. While Hextall isn't an "analytics first" GM, he does incorporate it to some degree because he's very much a leave-no-stone unturned type who is always searching for those 1% and 2% boosts. It was actually during his tenure that the Flyers expanded upon some of their proprietary analytics and hired full-timers to run analytics. Additionally, if you want an education on how the game has changed, talk to Hextall sometime. He has forgotten more about hockey than you and I combined will ever know.
- bmeltzer

oh poop....ek lock it down again and call the cops. I just seent a man die

*seent is done for effect*

1) Was focused on long-term -- rebuilding the farm system, investing in development infrastructure (a state-of-the-art training facility, expanding the development coaching staff, creating a sports science section) and creating long term cap space -- rather than "win now". It may work out long-term. It may not. But there was very much a plan, and it was well-articulated.

2) No he didn't make any blockbuster trades but the Flyers had a deal 99 percent done to get the first overall pick in 2014, and Florida got cold feet at the last moment.

3) Last I checked, Giroux has 197 points over the past two seasons. Moving to wing prolonged his prime, and he's not close to looking on the downside yet. Voracek (if that's who you are referring to, even though they haven't been on same 5-on-5 line the majority of the past two seasons) has averaged 75 points over the past two seasons. He's still pretty good. If you mean Couturier, the past two seasons have been the best two of his career to date, and he's still only 26 (so he's in what should be his prime).

4) Any GM that wouldn't take two first-round picks -- the two of whom (Frost and Farabee) now comprise the organization's top two forward prospects -- in exchange for a non-nucleus player (albeit a quality one), should be fired on the spot. The Flyers had to eat a bad contract for two seasons with Lehterä, but the picks obtained were excellent asset management.

5) The only guesser here, James, is you. You jump to a conclusion that is not grounded in reality. While Hextall isn't an "analytics first" GM, he does incorporate it to some degree because he's very much a leave-no-stone unturned type who is always searching for those 1% and 2% boosts. It was actually during his tenure that the Flyers expanded upon some of their proprietary analytics and hired full-timers to run analytics. Additionally, if you want an education on how the game has changed, talk to Hextall sometime. He has forgotten more about hockey than you and I combined will ever know.
- bmeltzer

RIP James Tanner

Ayo Jimmy,

In your next graphic novel maybe you can include a chapter that’s loosely based on that time a guy from the silent movie era beat you up in your own blog

So where you mad when he was fired? He deserved it. What's the big deal? I don't think he's as bad as Chiarelli, my main concern was that teams just go "oh we need a guy with experience, get me the last guy who got fired," which you have to admit is a bad way to do things.

What's so bad about opening things up and considering other, outside candidates?
- James_Tanner

This isn’t HB, teams want people who have a clue.

Boom. Roasted by Meltzer. Destroyed actually. But since Hextall is absolute bottom of the barrel...well...might as well just hire a woman at that point. Does Chayka have a sister?
- uofcguy

2 sisters, Megan and Laura

1) Was focused on long-term -- rebuilding the farm system, investing in development infrastructure (a state-of-the-art training facility, expanding the development coaching staff, creating a sports science section) and creating long term cap space -- rather than "win now". It may work out long-term. It may not. But there was very much a plan, and it was well-articulated.

2) No he didn't make any blockbuster trades but the Flyers had a deal 99 percent done to get the first overall pick in 2014, and Florida got cold feet at the last moment.

3) Last I checked, Giroux has 197 points over the past two seasons. Moving to wing prolonged his prime, and he's not close to looking on the downside yet. Voracek (if that's who you are referring to, even though they haven't been on same 5-on-5 line the majority of the past two seasons) has averaged 75 points over the past two seasons. He's still pretty good. If you mean Couturier, the past two seasons have been the best two of his career to date, and he's still only 26 (so he's in what should be his prime).

4) Any GM that wouldn't take two first-round picks -- the two of whom (Frost and Farabee) now comprise the organization's top two forward prospects -- in exchange for a non-nucleus player (albeit a quality one), should be fired on the spot. The Flyers had to eat a bad contract for two seasons with Lehterä, but the picks obtained were excellent asset management.

5) The only guesser here, James, is you. You jump to a conclusion that is not grounded in reality. While Hextall isn't an "analytics first" GM, he does incorporate it to some degree because he's very much a leave-no-stone unturned type who is always searching for those 1% and 2% boosts. It was actually during his tenure that the Flyers expanded upon some of their proprietary analytics and hired full-timers to run analytics. Additionally, if you want an education on how the game has changed, talk to Hextall sometime. He has forgotten more about hockey than you and I combined will ever know.
- bmeltzer

Meltzer nails this, and I will add a couple of thoughts. Philly was never higher than third for two reasons-Pittsburgh and Washington, who have had better talent. Also, their goaltending has been average at best, and that has combined with a lack of a strong defensive defenseman or two to make them really mediocre defensively. As a fan of the CBJ i had great respect for Hextall, and he was steadily building a contender. Now, in my opinion they are heading in the wrong direction. I would interview Hextall in a minute, and hope he lands somewhere in the west.

This is the most unity I've ever seen on HB

The Kessel move gets an A+ despite the underlying analytics. 🤔

The Kessel move gets an A+ despite the underlying analytics. 🤔
- BluemanGuruu

Anytime your favourite player is involved it's an automatic A+. How insightful. Maybe Jori Lehtera was Hextall's favourite player. So let's just give that trade an A+ and move on to the next piece of nonsense that Meltzer destroyed for him.

This is the most unity I've ever seen on HB
- bulet13

It’s not hard to do so with the crap he spews these days. He’s always put things as an extreme.. never a middle ground unless he’s backpedaling.

I won’t lie, I, for one, love James. I mean he is the biggest known dirt bag of this site yet everyone keep screaming at it. Gotta give credit where it’s due.