Frank Seravalli ‏@frank_seravalli 5m5 minutes ago
Hextall: “If I’m looking back and the goalie had a great year, the coach must’ve done a good job with him, right?” #notatypo

- PhillySportsGuy

I agree. Look at Mason's numbers this season. I wonder how good those numbers would have been if he wasn't so badly mishandled?

I would too. Not sure why he didn't just pull the trigger today
- PhillySportsGuy

My guess, and it's only a guess is that he really likes and respects Berube going back to their days as teammates and he wants to be able to look him in the eye and say something like "I've really agonized over this Chief and thought long and hard, but as much as I respect you and think you are a good coach, I just think it's time to move in a different direction".

That or he's keeping him.

I think there is something to player buy in. Some coaches can get a team to respond better then other did. Let's look at last year, the team struggled early, Berube took over, changed some things, and the team responded. They had a solid record under Berube last year, one of the better records in the league over that time period. What changed between then and this year? The team is no longer responding to Berube? If that's the case, then whose fault is that?

The same coach prepared the team for the games against the good teams, as against the weaker teams. Berube has repeatedly said that they prepare the same way against the weaker teams as they do against the better teams. That method of preparing works with they're playing the good teams. Whose fault is it that the same method doesn't work against the weaker teams?
- MJL

if the coach doesn't get results the coach gets the blame. right or wrong. it could be that the flyers just mistakenly drafted and signed players who cannot play well on the road or against lesser teams but you won't see the team getting released, en masse.
who knows what changed or what it is......many people, including the GM, are not sold on berube as coach

Meh. I would rather have seen Akeson flounder all year but at least given a shot, or same for Straka than knowing you have a piece of poop in Umberger with no room to grow.
- flyer_nutter

Hell yes!!

knew someone would immediately bring that up.

- mayorofangrytown

Nothing gets by BiggE

So your telling me Michael Raffl was never a better option?
- SuperSchennBros

Raffl was already in the lineup. If he replaces Umberger, who replaces Raffl?

Meh. I would rather have seen Akeson flounder all year but at least given a shot, or same for Straka than knowing you have a piece of poop in Umberger with no room to grow.
- flyer_nutter

What would they have done with the roster if both Read and Umberger had to go on IR (like they should have)? I guess with no better options they would have just dressed 8 defensemen.

Why the hell not. The world is obviously out of forwards.

Raffl was already in the lineup. If he replaces Umberger, who replaces Raffl?
- MJL

On the Power Play! That was the original point! That was the root to my question. How does RJ Umberger maintain his PP time without production and better options behind him?

My guess, and it's only a guess is that he really likes and respects Berube going back to their days as teammates and he wants to be able to look him in the eye and say something like "I've really agonized over this Chief and thought long and hard, but as much as I respect you and think you are a good coach, I just think it's time to move in a different direction".

That or he's keeping him.
- BiggE

Keep him. Honestly I'd be down for it. Whatever comes their way after they deserve to have shoved up their ass.

Meh. I would rather have seen Akeson flounder all year but at least given a shot, or same for Straka than knowing you have a piece of poop in Umberger with no room to grow.
- flyer_nutter

Akeson has to first be called up, and then he has to earn icetime, as a young player. There are serious doubts if Akeson ever becomes a regular NHL player. Sometimes young players are better off in the AHL then in the NHL. Regardless, that's Hextall's call, not Berube's

My guess, and it's only a guess is that he really likes and respects Berube going back to their days as teammates and he wants to be able to look him in the eye and say something like "I've really agonized over this Chief and thought long and hard, but as much as I respect you and think you are a good coach, I just think it's time to move in a different direction".

That or he's keeping him.
- BiggE

I honestly believe Hexy just has a process with which he makes decisions. I feel like he told himself to take his time on decisions after the season. He may feel like he wants to fire him now, but wants to wait it out and see how he feels after really thinking about it.

Keep him. Honestly I'd be down for it. Whatever comes their way after they deserve to have shoved up their ass.
- flyer_nutter

It's going to be angry around here all off season if we don't win the lottery or do something about the coach.

My kinda thread. Where were you guys last off season. Basking in the "If Mason had played we'd have beaten the Rangers and they went to the Cup." sunshine?

if the coach doesn't get results the coach gets the blame. right or wrong. it could be that the flyers just mistakenly drafted and signed players who cannot play well on the road or against lesser teams but you won't see the team getting released, en masse.
who knows what changed or what it is......many people, including the GM, are not sold on berube as coach
- hogweed

Coaches get fired all the time, when they aren't really at fault. It's a results oriented business. It's part of the job. We can debate all the little issues forever. My stance on it is one, the results aren't there, and I don't want to risk going into another season, and then have to fire the coach a month in. I don't think that's good. If a new coach is coming in, give him a training camp and the off season to implement his program. I agree with the sentiment that if there are doubts, then a move should be made. I don't think Berube deserves to be fired, but I also don't think he cemented his position. That may be contradictory, but that's how I feel. I think he's a good coach, but is he the right coach.

Akeson has to first be called up, and then he has to earn icetime, as a young player. There are serious doubts if Akeson ever becomes a regular NHL player. Sometimes young players are better off in the AHL then in the NHL. Regardless, that's Hextall's call, not Berube's
- MJL

Its both, when a young player is brought up he has to actually be given time to play. Not with a guy like Rinaldo, and not playing 6 minutes a game because he makes a mistake or two. That's not how you develop kids. Or is the right to earn a spot only given to those that are drafted in the upper rounds.

Yes though, 100% right that a player has to be called up first. No matter what Berube does, Hextall is the boss if someone wishes to believe that. He has the ability to tell his coach that the kids should play more.

That's if anyone is actually under the impression that Hextall is running things alone without any input from Snider and Holmgren. If that's the case I have a psych ward consult ready to go.

I honestly believe Hexy just has a process with which he makes decisions. I feel like he told himself to take his time on decisions after the season. He may feel like he wants to fire him now, but wants to wait it out and see how he feels after really thinking about it.
- PhillySportsGuy

this is what he earnestly stated today

On the Power Play! That was the original point! That was the root to my question. How does RJ Umberger maintain his PP time without production and better options behind him?
- SuperSchennBros

I agree that Raffl deserved PP time, and replacing Umberger is a likely place for him. I don't think it would've changed much. Umberger really wasn't the problem on the 2nd unit.

It's going to be angry around here all off season if we don't win the lottery or do something about the coach.

My kinda thread. Where were you guys last off season. Basking in the "If Mason had played we'd have beaten the Rangers and they went to the Cup." sunshine?
- mayorofangrytown

People are going to be so annoyed with this team next year. Hexy is really handcuffed and he's not going to be trading youth.

It's going to be angry around here all off season if we don't win the lottery or do something about the coach.

My kinda thread. Where were you guys last off season. Basking in the "If Mason had played we'd have beaten the Rangers and they went to the Cup." sunshine?
- mayorofangrytown

Meh, I prefer the goofy and stupid fun threads. Either way, the frustration flares in the fanbase but I do think a general sense of apathy will slowly set in if things continue to be run in the same fashion.

Im past apathy on most days and approaching wanting to see them fail just for the sake of karma.

I agree that Raffl deserved PP time, and replacing Umberger is a likely place for him. I don't think it would've changed much. Umberger really wasn't the problem on the 2nd unit.
- MJL

I don't agree with this.

Coaches get fired all the time, when they aren't really at fault. It's a results oriented business. It's part of the job. We can debate all the little issues forever. My stance on it is one, the results aren't there, and I don't want to risk going into another season, and then have to fire the coach a month in. I don't think that's good. If a new coach is coming in, give him a training camp and the off season to implement his program. I agree with the sentiment that if there are doubts, then a move should be made. I don't think Berube deserves to be fired, but I also don't think he cemented his position. That may be contradictory, but that's how I feel. I think he's a good coach, but is he the right coach.
- MJL

i'm with you. i would be ok either way given he did have one season of positive and one of negative....i'm sure if the team had continued to struggle last year and this year made the playoffs nobody would be calling for his head.....yet

Its both, when a young player is brought up he has to actually be given time to play. Not with a guy like Rinaldo, and not playing 6 minutes a game because he makes a mistake or two. That's not how you develop kids. Or is the right to earn a spot only given to those that are drafted in the upper rounds.

Yes though, 100% right that a player has to be called up first. No matter what Berube does, Hextall is the boss if someone wishes to believe that. He has the ability to tell his coach that the kids should play more.

That's if anyone is actually under the impression that Hextall is running things alone without any input from Snider and Holmgren. If that's the case I have a psych ward consult ready to go.
- flyer_nutter

I disagree that a player can't earn more playing time with limited icetime, or playing with Rinaldo. That's just an excuse. When Akeson was up in the beginning the season, he did little to earn more icetime.

I disagree with your conspiracy theory that Snider and Holmgren are running things behind the scenes. No offense, but that's ridiculous. If anyone thinks that, they don't know Hextall real well.

What drives me bat-poop insane isn't that you can't drop Chief -- fine. Go for it.

But WTF were you doing when you fired Hitch and Laviolette -- previous Cup winners who had dropped 100-point seasons for you, gotten to conference finals and Stanley Cup finals?

Or when you dropped Stevens, who led you to either the biggest turnaround in league history, or close to it, and a conference final?

Now granted, Hextall's predecessors pulled those triggers. But damn, man -- pick a (frank)ing coach and stick with it! The Flyers turn on coaches as soon as poop gets a little sour, and it's not like Hitch and Laviolette are imbeciles who aren't winning any games now that they've been cut loose!

JFC!
- AllInForFlyers

He didn't pick this coach. He didn't pick these players. But their communications has continued to preach "he's a Flyer" as though "wanting to win" comes in one mediocre talent and tools package that you just have to live with. There are very few players who reach the NHL who don't want to win or don't have the mentality to compete. Let's identify the players with the most skill, speed, and, to some extent for some portion of the roster, size. Yes, you need to be feisty if you're little, but you sure as hell better be fast and have fabulous hockey instincts too, or you're going to fail no matter how big your heart is.

I disagree that a player can't earn more playing time with limited icetime, or playing with Rinaldo. That's just an excuse. When Akeson was up in the beginning the season, he did little to earn more icetime.

I disagree with your conspiracy theory that Snider and Holmgren are running things behind the scenes. No offense, but that's ridiculous. If anyone thinks that, they don't know Hextall real well.
- MJL

If you believe that Hextall is running things alone on this club by all means.

I don't think Snider and Holmgren are just there drooling in a corner.

People are going to be so annoyed with this team next year. Hexy is really handcuffed and he's not going to be trading youth.
- PhillySportsGuy

Truthfully? I only expect them to add a 2/3 LW. That's it

If they aren't really interested in moving picks or young players, I mean, seriously. They aren't going to look much different

I'm not even mad -- I want them to make trades. I desperately wanted them to make trades, and I desperately want them to.

But Hextall keeps saying they won't, and since he didn't make any and he keeps saying he's not moving the currency that makes trades happen, well, what else is there?

this is what he earnestly stated today
- hogweed

I understand that train of thought following a playoff loss, but I don't quite understand why he needs more time when this team has been out of the playoff race for weeks. The evaluations should have been going on for the last few weeks.

Whatever though. A decision will be made at some point and it's likely to happen within a week or two. It will make no difference.