Maybe I jumped to the wrong conclusion about him. But it does baffle me that he would put that much effort into proving James wrong. Cheers
- shack67

What effort? It was a few paragraphs regarding a team/GM he has covered for years.

it would give you some resemble of intelligence
- 2Real

“some resemble”

What effort? It was a few paragraphs regarding a team/GM he has covered for years.
- BenderRodriguez

But he’s a co-worker. Who does that? If he was just a fan I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

it would give you some resemble of intelligence
- 2Real

“some resemble”
- shack67

that's all you got? a typo? low energy SAD!

That would be fine. But, Tanner too often tries to pass his opinion off as fact. And once again, said opinion was an uninformed one as well.
- Tonybere

I really don't think it was uninformed. I stand by the fact that Hextall had two of the best players in the NHL in their primes, Giroux was just starting his contract when Hextall took over, and then Hextall signed Girioux to a bad contract.

He did not capitalize on having two great 26 year old superstars, and essentially wasted their primes.

And while Giroux is still racking up points, he has declined from being one of the best overall players in the NHL.

And I stand by the fact that Hextall was not aggressive enough, and did not utilize statistical analysis enough. It's a cap league - you literally cannot expect to win if you're not aggressive.

You guys can lay out all the excuses you want, but Hextall doesn't have any major trades you can point to as great, and other than the contract he gave to Cuturier, nothing else he did could be called excellent or amazing.

I don't think he'd be a good hire for another team.

The current Flyers are in an OK situation with some great young pieces, he does get credit for that, but that's not enough - in my opinion - to make up for the five years of Girioux's prime he wasted.

But he’s a co-worker. Who does that? If he was just a fan I wouldn’t have a problem with it.
- shack67

Honestly, I'm touched you are sticking up for me, but I didn't mind Bill jumping in. I thought it was cool.

Honestly, I'm touched you are sticking up for me, but I didn't mind Bill jumping in. I thought it was cool.
- James_Tanner

It would have been cool if he stuck around. But as usual you’re the only blogger who interacts with the fans.

that's all you got? a typo? low energy SAD!
- 2Real

So what did you mean it to say? Because I really don’t know.

In the NHL today you've got to be all in on analytics and you've got to act aggressively and take risks.

I don't think Hextall does that.
- James_Tanner

I thought trading Schenn for two 1sts was pretty risky. Don't you? And it's looking like it paid off handsomely.

He also showed some aggressiveness trading up in the draft to get Konecny and Ratcliffe where he did. Looking like those moves paid off too.

If Hextall had been with the Flyers for a few more years, when they were actually ready to contend, we'd see blockbuster trades like the ones the Kings made to get Carter and Richards to put them over the top to win the cup when he was Assistant GM there.

I really don't think it was uninformed. I stand by the fact that Hextall had two of the best players in the NHL in their primes, Giroux was just starting his contract when Hextall took over, and then Hextall signed Girioux to a bad contract.

He did not capitalize on having two great 26 year old superstars, and essentially wasted their primes.

And while Giroux is still racking up points, he has declined from being one of the best overall players in the NHL.

And I stand by the fact that Hextall was not aggressive enough, and did not utilize statistical analysis enough. It's a cap league - you literally cannot expect to win if you're not aggressive.

You guys can lay out all the excuses you want, but Hextall doesn't have any major trades you can point to as great, and other than the contract he gave to Cuturier, nothing else he did could be called excellent or amazing.

I don't think he'd be a good hire for another team.

The current Flyers are in an OK situation with some great young pieces, he does get credit for that, but that's not enough - in my opinion - to make up for the five years of Girioux's prime he wasted.
- James_Tanner

Even given ample time, you're still showing that you're uninformed.


In a cap league, there is a time and place to be aggressive. You contradict your own points and aren't even aware of it. You're certainly not aware of how there are many factors that go into how a team operates and builds up the roster and the timing of it all. Chayka by the way is going about it the wrong way.

There is zero legitimate factual information that you have to state that he did not use statistical analysis enough. None. You're flat out making them up and pulling it out of your arse.

It would have been cool if he stuck around. But as usual you’re the only blogger who interacts with the fans.
- shack67

False

I really don't think it was uninformed. I stand by the fact that Hextall had two of the best players in the NHL in their primes, Giroux was just starting his contract when Hextall took over, and then Hextall signed Girioux to a bad contract.

He did not capitalize on having two great 26 year old superstars, and essentially wasted their primes.

And while Giroux is still racking up points, he has declined from being one of the best overall players in the NHL.

And I stand by the fact that Hextall was not aggressive enough, and did not utilize statistical analysis enough. It's a cap league - you literally cannot expect to win if you're not aggressive.

You guys can lay out all the excuses you want, but Hextall doesn't have any major trades you can point to as great, and other than the contract he gave to Cuturier, nothing else he did could be called excellent or amazing.

I don't think he'd be a good hire for another team.

The current Flyers are in an OK situation with some great young pieces, he does get credit for that, but that's not enough - in my opinion - to make up for the five years of Girioux's prime he wasted.
- James_Tanner

He said from the beginning change was going to happen through the farm, which was in shambles when he took over. Let’s be honest. They were never going to get Giroux any help through that broken system the way it was stacked.

They could have kept trading for patches the way the Flyers have been doing for god knows how long, going to the playoffs with 1st and 2nd round losses, or he could stock picks and build from within.

He didn’t completely bottom out, but he did choose a more time consuming, yet wiser approach to getting better.

Look at what Lombardi did. That’s who Hextall learned after. Build through youth, and trade for some help at the end of your near finished project.

The Flyers went from bupkis to pretty stacked when it comes to pipelines. And yeah, it took sacrifices like trading a VERY streaky Schenn for a couple very bright spots.

Hextall had his issues, but with what he did well, we really gave this team a potential future. Dunno how it’ll turn out, but just about every prospectus will give them a nod as one of the deepest group of kids.

He said from the beginning change was going to happen through the farm, which was in shambles when he took over. Let’s be honest. They were never going to get Giroux any help through that broken system the way it was stacked.

They could have kept trading for patches the way the Flyers have been doing for god knows how long, going to the playoffs with 1st and 2nd round losses, or he could stock picks and build from within.

He didn’t completely bottom out, but he did choose a more time consuming, yet wiser approach to getting better.

Look at what Lombardi did. That’s who Hextall learned after. Build through youth, and trade for some help at the end of your near finished project.

The Flyers went from bupkis to pretty stacked when it comes to pipelines. And yeah, it took sacrifices like trading a VERY streaky Schenn for a couple very bright spots.

Hextall had his issues, but with what he did well, we really gave this team a potential future. Dunno how it’ll turn out, but just about every prospectus will give them a nod as one of the deepest group of kids.
- Hesh_

You're on the ball Hesh! Thanks.

Tanner continues to display his ignorance...

Hextall was hired in May 2014. At the time, the Flyers prospect system was virtually empty. Go to www.google.com on the interwebs and you'll see that various organizational ranking services had the Flyers in the bottom 5 in the NHL in terms of talent.

Yet Tanner thinks Hextall should have stepped into that situation and started making bold, aggressive moves to surround Giroux with the talent to compete for a Cup?? The supporting cast was old - Hartnell, Lecavalier. The defense was led by - Mark Streit, Timmonen, Coburn, Schenn. Steve Mason and Ray Emery were in net.

This was not a roster that was 1-2 moves away from competing for a Cup.

Hextall showed some wisdom recognizing that this organization needed to patiently rebuild. He identified Giroux, Voracek, Couterier as his core to see him through what would be some difficult years. And then he started to sell off non-core pieces, including Brayden Schenn. Could he have also traded Giroux and Voracek to go scorched earth - yeah, but there are downsides to that plan. No different than Chayka the genius who chose not to sell OEL.

When Hextall left 5 years later he had transformed the organization. Giroux, Voracek, Couterier are still there to provide that continuity, but the Flyers now boast the BEST pipeline in the NHL. From bottom 5, to the best in the league. It's a shame Hextall won't enjoy the next 5-10 years as that talent blossoms. Don't believe me...here are some quotes on the Flyers organization from people who actually understand the game.

"The Flyers were the consensus number one ranked team. GM Ron Hextall has done a tremendous job of acquiring a bevy of good to elite prospects at every position. The top 10 scored high across the board, they received a healthy boost from their U-21 roster talent as well as bonus points for their depth beyond the top 10". – Peter Harling

"One of the deepest and most dangerous pipelines in hockey, the Flyers are primed for success on the front and back end. The plethora of high-end prospects in their system, not to mention the ones ALREADY contributing in the NHL, could potentially lead to the Flyers trading one or more of them away in exchange for high-end help now". Brayden Olafson

"They continue to lead the way with depth and options. Lots of talent who will have solid NHL careers. This team will be the next one to surprise and grab a division title soon". – Joel Henderson

"One of the deepest and most dangerous pipelines in hockey, the Flyers are primed for success on the front and back end. The plethora of high-end prospects in their system, not to mention the ones already contributing in the NHL, could potentially lead to the Flyers trading one or more away in exchange for high-end help now". – Jokke Nevalainen

Boom. Roasted. Again. Just stop.

It would have been cool if he stuck around. But as usual you’re the only blogger who interacts with the fans.
- shack67

From the poster who said he only visits three blogs.

The Blackhawks, Kings, Blues, Predators and a couple more will post in the comment
section.

Expand your horizons before making a blanket statement like that.

It would have been cool if he stuck around. But as usual you’re the only blogger who interacts with the fans.
- shack67

The only blogger that interacts with the fans...

Love this.

Most bloggers are happy to spew crap and then watch the indigent masses huff the jenkum. Very few are willing to huff the crap with us. They are the Outback Steakhouse to our Waffle House majority of bloggers on here. Good on James.

The only blogger that interacts with the fans...

Love this.

Most bloggers are happy to spew crap and then watch the indigent masses huff the jenkum. Very few are willing to huff the crap with us. They are the Outback Steakhouse to our Waffle House majority of bloggers on here. Good on James.
- ChrisMS

Smothered hashbrowns > blooming onion.

I only read Leafs, Oilers and Tanner blogs on here. Leafs and Oilers because they’re the two teams that Interest me the most.
And Tanner because he has the most interesting takes, not just something that’s been copy and pasted.
I would never read anything, anywhere just for the sole purpose of criticizing the writing. Could there be a bigger waste of a persons time than that?
- shack67

Exactly!!

Even given ample time, you're still showing that you're uninformed.


In a cap league, there is a time and place to be aggressive. You contradict your own points and aren't even aware of it. You're certainly not aware of how there are many factors that go into how a team operates and builds up the roster and the timing of it all. Chayka by the way is going about it the wrong way.

There is zero legitimate factual information that you have to state that he did not use statistical analysis enough. None. You're flat out making them up and pulling it out of your arse.
- MJL

But is there any legitimate factual information that you have to state that he DID use statistical analysis enough?

Not trying to be a smartass...just a legit question. I just think everyone in here is voicing their opinion. Unless you worked for an NHL team, we are all just making guesses and assumptions.

But is there any legitimate factual information that you have to state that he DID use statistical analysis enough?

Not trying to be a smartass...just a legit question. I just think everyone in here is voicing their opinion. Unless you worked for an NHL team, we are all just making guesses and assumptions.
- bullethead7

What we know and what Tanner was not aware of was that Hextall hired a director of analytics and develop a department of hockey science within the organization.

I thought trading Schenn for two 1sts was pretty risky. Don't you? And it's looking like it paid off handsomely.

He also showed some aggressiveness trading up in the draft to get Konecny and Ratcliffe where he did. Looking like those moves paid off too.

If Hextall had been with the Flyers for a few more years, when they were actually ready to contend, we'd see blockbuster trades like the ones the Kings made to get Carter and Richards to put them over the top to win the cup when he was Assistant GM there.
- Coburns_Nose

I think trading up in the draft is one of the single dumbest things a GM can do.

He said from the beginning change was going to happen through the farm, which was in shambles when he took over. Let’s be honest. They were never going to get Giroux any help through that broken system the way it was stacked.

They could have kept trading for patches the way the Flyers have been doing for god knows how long, going to the playoffs with 1st and 2nd round losses, or he could stock picks and build from within.

He didn’t completely bottom out, but he did choose a more time consuming, yet wiser approach to getting better.

Look at what Lombardi did. That’s who Hextall learned after. Build through youth, and trade for some help at the end of your near finished project.

The Flyers went from bupkis to pretty stacked when it comes to pipelines. And yeah, it took sacrifices like trading a VERY streaky Schenn for a couple very bright spots.

Hextall had his issues, but with what he did well, we really gave this team a potential future. Dunno how it’ll turn out, but just about every prospectus will give them a nod as one of the deepest group of kids.
- Hesh_

I guess my problem is that you either trade Girioux and Voracek in their primes and stack your system , or you trade the future to get them help now. But he couldn't pick a lane - which ultimately got him fired.

When you look at how the Leafs, Avs and Rangers tore it down and rebuilt in such short time periods, I just don't think anyone should be defending Hextall. The more I read about him, the more info I get the worse he seems.

What we know and what Tanner was not aware of was that Hextall hired a director of analytics and develop a department of hockey science within the organization.
- MJL

THis is so stupid. Almost every team has done this in the last five years. But a lot of it is tokenism. The Leafs have 8 or so guys. The Flyers might have hired a couple dudes, but they sure as hell don't act like they listen to anything they have to say.

What we know and what Tanner was not aware of was that Hextall hired a director of analytics and develop a department of hockey science within the organization.
- MJL

You and the UFC guy are so obsessed with me that you have no credibility. If I was extremely hot and in extreme pain and you told me I was on fire, I still wouldn't believe you.