Sean Maloughney: Hakstol Fired in Seattle

I am not surprised to see him go. I was never a fan of him for the team. All that being said, and in complete speculation on my part, I feel that his relationship with Shane Wright maybe played a part in this.

Perhaps a difference in opinion in how he is supposed to develop?

For head coach they should hire Boudreau. Good for helping teams gain identity

Sounds like Kraken fans are hoping the Bolts hit the panic button and fire Jon Cooper.

This is a day that will be long remembered.

Never liked the choice of Hak in the first place. There were far better options then as there is now. Last year was a fun anomoly. The team rallied around one another and won despite the poor systems and strategy Hak kept in place.

I do think the handling of the you ger players was a problem, and not just with Wright. Beniers struggled huge, Kartye wasnt really used right. The handling of Borgen theust into the 3/4 d man role and struggling.

Fact is this team has an identity built ny the players themselves but they lack guidance and structure from the coaching staff. This was the right move.

Sounds like Kraken fans are hoping the Bolts hit the panic button and fire Jon Cooper.
- Minnyhock

IF he becomes available he would be very sought after with his resume and results. An interesting speculation. IF he became available.

Obviously it isn’t fair to compare Vegas to this franchise. But it is fair to compare the mentality of the drafting. Vegas went balls to the wall, I was left wondering if Seattle even wanted to be competitive. The point here is that Hak wasn’t given a great team. I’m not a huge fan of his but he overachieved one year and got the expected results the other years.

Some of the draft choices were head scratching at the time and still are today

Obviously it isn’t fair to compare Vegas to this franchise. But it is fair to compare the mentality of the drafting. Vegas went balls to the wall, I was left wondering if Seattle even wanted to be competitive. The point here is that Hak wasn’t given a great team. I’m not a huge fan of his but he overachieved one year and got the expected results the other years.
- coffee junkie

There are still some draft selections that I am not happy with but there is certainly some revisionist history going on with the Golden Knights. No one was looking at the roster that Vegas drafted as being good enough with an abundance of digital ink used to talk about how they failed at their expansion draft.

The biggest difference in the Vegas and Seattle model is the acquisition of players. Seattle is trying to build the core of their team through the draft while the Golden Knights have aggressively spent their draft capital to add immediate impact players.

Thanks Sean.

Don’t forget Bylsma in Coachella.

No thanks to Bruce B, no structure. What about AV, or maybe Mike Babcock

Happy with the build through the draft and be patient model. Next year we should see a couple more kids make the jump.

There are still some draft selections that I am not happy with but there is certainly some revisionist history going on with the Golden Knights. No one was looking at the roster that Vegas drafted as being good enough with an abundance of digital ink used to talk about how they failed at their expansion draft.

The biggest difference in the Vegas and Seattle model is the acquisition of players. Seattle is trying to build the core of their team through the draft while the Golden Knights have aggressively spent their draft capital to add immediate impact players.
- freelancer

The other aspect of that too is also teams were not as prepared and understood tgat draft. Vegas really was able to get some great pieces as teams panicked. While RF tried that same route teams were far better prepared and there was less panic/urgency.

Agreed there was some moves that really you had to scratch your head overall with the inaugural draft and season. RF though showed he wasnt afraid to pivot and make changes though. One of Vegas smart moves was a coach who instilled a strong team vision and set in stone system/game plan that the whole team bought into. Hak wasnt able to do that at all.

I think the thing for Hak was there was no real improvement and growth. 3 years the system being used was still a mess. The PP/PK. I also think the handling/use of the young guys or lack there of was also a point of contention.

Thanks Sean.

Don’t forget Bylsma in Coachella.

No thanks to Bruce B, no structure. What about AV, or maybe Mike Babcock

Happy with the build through the draft and be patient model. Next year we should see a couple more kids make the jump.
- 1970vintage

Bylsma would be good. Knows the kids and has experience. Bruce B as assistant would be good but not as HC I agree. Gallant perhaps, or maybe Rod B if he is available and doesnt stay in Carolina.

With how good Coachella has been? I would definitely lean towards Bylsma.

Not surprised. Never liked the hiring.

Fired from Philly
Fired from Toronto as an assistant
Fired from Seattle now

The other aspect of that too is also teams were not as prepared and understood tgat draft. Vegas really was able to get some great pieces as teams panicked. While RF tried that same route teams were far better prepared and there was less panic/urgency.

Agreed there was some moves that really you had to scratch your head overall with the inaugural draft and season. RF though showed he wasnt afraid to pivot and make changes though. One of Vegas smart moves was a coach who instilled a strong team vision and set in stone system/game plan that the whole team bought into. Hak wasnt able to do that at all.

I think the thing for Hak was there was no real improvement and growth. 3 years the system being used was still a mess. The PP/PK. I also think the handling/use of the young guys or lack there of was also a point of contention.
- Roadrunner75

I mean Vegas got Rielly AND Marreschault from the Panthers. Conn Smyth winning Marre whatever you spell his name.

GMs got fleeced.

RF tried but failed to come off his asking price of 1st round picks for that stuff, could have got some 2nds. Took some odd choices for sure.

I mean Vegas got Rielly AND Marreschault from the Panthers. Conn Smyth winning Marre whatever you spell his name.

GMs got fleeced.

RF tried but failed to come off his asking price of 1st round picks for that stuff, could have got some 2nds. Took some odd choices for sure.
- Aaron_85

Yup and then the weird play with the goalies and all that too. Certainly was a head scratcher there at the time.

Overall though think heading in the right direction and starting to see the payiff with Wright, Kartye, Evans, Daccord etc so....

Yup and then the weird play with the goalies and all that too. Certainly was a head scratcher there at the time.

Overall though think heading in the right direction and starting to see the payiff with Wright, Kartye, Evans, Daccord etc so....
- Roadrunner75

Yeah I mean I think the best idea is to play the young guys. Either trade them like Vegas did (but vegas had/has an arguably better vet squad) for impact NOW or just grow with the team. Wild card chases and playoffs (even just a round) are excellent for the team.

Utah needs to aim for the same!

Happens all the time, he'll rebound quickly. Best of luck to him, goes down in history as the first Seattle Kraken coach. Nobody can take that from him.

Interesting watching the coaching carousel in full effect. Keefe talking to NJ, Berube looks like the front runner in Toronto. Ruff back to Buffalo and Travis Green in Ottawa.

And pretty silent on the Seattle front.

I wonder if that is due to them maybe looking at Bylsma moving up from Coachella?

So strike Berube and Rod off the possible list.

Which basically leaves McLelland, Keefe, Gallant in the open market

Longer this gos and as quiet as it has been, have to think it will be RF going to an in house option for new head coach.

Coachella once more is back to the Western Conference Final after 3 game sweeping the Ontario Reign. Lind and Dreidger lead the way in the last game.

With strong results could it be a Bylsma return to the NHL? Especially since he has developed and brought along and gotten results of the young guys and vets down?!