I left early in the 2nd. Watching this game hakstol had a ripe opportunity to send a message to the team when voracek took a lazy tripping penalty in the 1st period 5 minutes in. A perfect spot to put the team on notice and take charge he should've benched jake for the period. He scratches ghost for whole games. Instead the caps take a penalty and jake is right back out there. Early in the 2nd jake takes a holding penalty

Hak is losing control of the team. I don't care what's been done before; you start losing credibility when you're only holding certain players to the standard you want.

It make me wonder if Hak is a believer in what he's trying to preach or if he thinks something needs a change system wise

Only the Devils and Sabres have a worse goal differential in the Eastern Conf.
- PLindbergh31

Speaking of goals. I missed today's game, but from what I see this season the goaltending is also letting the club down.

Last season it was almost dominant, winning them games they shouldnt have won at times.

Sometimes you need those momentum saves. Not enough of those, and too many weak goals this year. I keep Mason but Stolarz sees more time next year.

I have a weird fear we see something like Duschene in and G out. Something weird like that.

Personally I just hate the idea of losing G. He's done so much over the years, put into a captain role so early. Carried this team for years when it was basically just him.

I do think he can be a solid #2 centre for years to come.
- flyer_nutter

He's been a very good player and durable. It looks as if injuries/wear and tear has taken a toll on him. He just doesn't look like the same player.

I left early in the 2nd. Watching this game hakstol had a ripe opportunity to send a message to the team when voracek took a lazy tripping penalty in the 1st period 5 minutes in. A perfect spot to put the team on notice and take charge he should've benched jake for the period. He scratches ghost for whole games. Instead the caps take a penalty and jake is right back out there. Early in the 2nd jake takes a holding penalty

Hak is losing control of the team. I don't care what's been done before; you start losing credibility when you're only holding certain players to the standard you want.

It make me wonder if Hak is a believer in what he's trying to preach or if he thinks something needs a change system wise
- Just5

I disagree. NHL players know that the same standards don't apply to every player. They never have, and they never will. If you think the players are thinking that way, I would speculate that you're wrong about that. Benching Voracek would've been a mistake at that point.

He's just a troll....don't bother. Seriously this site needs a filter.
- nastyflyergirl

I know he is, i just chose to bite to see the stupidity he would post next and i wasn't disappointed.

He's been a very good player and durable. It looks as if injuries/wear and tear has taken a toll on him. He just doesn't look like the same player.
- PLindbergh31

That jump isn't there, and he is such a perimeter guy now. He still has the hands, but that extra energy burst doesn't seem to come in his skating.

I do wonder if he is banged up at the moment. The thing is, what other centre in the league could you play with Raffl and Read for some time and expect results? Crosby and McDavid?

I do not think they can get enough for G via trade to offset that loss. You trade Giroux and you not only need a #1 C, but you now need a #2.

They will be rested after the bye week but rusty a excuse Hak can use on his next loss
- Landsbergfan

where have you seen hakstol make any excuses for the team? pressure sure he has said they need to be better

where have you seen hakstol make any excuses for the team? pressure sure he has said they need to be better
- nastyflyergirl

We will never know, especially with how tight lipped Hak and Hex are...

I do truly wonder what the relationship between core and coach is though.

That jump isn't there, and he is such a perimeter guy now. He still has the hands, but that extra energy burst doesn't seem to come in his skating.

I do wonder if he is banged up at the moment. The thing is, what other centre in the league could you play with Raffl and Read for some time and expect results? Crosby and McDavid?

I do not think they can get enough for G via trade to offset that loss. You trade Giroux and you not only need a #1 C, but you now need a #2.
- flyer_nutter

I think you are right. Aging player with a big contract. Likely you would be disappointed with the return. He is still very good on the PP, but at even strength he's invisible/liability.

My lack of confidence is disturbing
- PhillySportsGuy

Not really

I think you are right. Aging player with a big contract. Likely you would be disappointed with the return. He is still very good on the PP, but at even strength he's invisible/liability.
- PLindbergh31

The question simply becomes is how much of a drop off is this.

Is it one where he can still contribute as a #2 for some years? If not then the time has come to dump him because the more he plays like this the less trade options become available.

I dont think he's done. I think he's similar to say Briere where he needs another guy to help him take the reigns and he can step back a bit.

The trading Giroux talk really sucks but I understand it


Wonder what his run here would've looked like if the Pronger injury never happened. Even if it was just another 2 years of playoff runs, having a guy like that in the post season is such a difference maker, even at his age

Only the Devils and Sabres have a worse goal differential in the Eastern Conf.
- PLindbergh31

Not to mention both of these recently Btch slapped the Flyers

I know I bash the guy, but I will be the first to say I really do hope he finds a way. He seems to have so many positives, and initially systems wise he impressed me a great deal.

I see G going before I see Hak going.
- flyer_nutter

Too often in professional sports the coach goes before the players

http://www.courierpostonl...lyers-landslide/96619940/

“The worst thing you can do is overreact when things aren’t going right and that’s not gonna happen,” general manager Ron Hextall said, “but if we can find a way to make ourselves better we will.”

Too often in professional sports the coach goes before the players
- Pelle31Forever

Dont see it this time.

I get a feeling Hextall is loyal to his man. Its true that there have been a lot of coaches fired over the last number of years.

Stevens, Lava, Berube and now we have Hakstol.

The book is still out on Dave, but Stevens and Berube were poop poor coaches imo.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2017/01/15/ron-hextall-promises-no-overreaction-flyers-landslide/96619940/

“The worst thing you can do is overreact when things aren’t going right and that’s not gonna happen,” general manager Ron Hextall said, “but if we can find a way to make ourselves better we will.”
- feelingkettle

Which means the parameters for making a deal haven't been changed by the recent stretch of poor play.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/sports/nhl/flyers/2017/01/15/ron-hextall-promises-no-overreaction-flyers-landslide/96619940/

“The worst thing you can do is overreact when things aren’t going right and that’s not gonna happen,” general manager Ron Hextall said, “but if we can find a way to make ourselves better we will.”
- feelingkettle

It won't be overreacting . The team is poop Ron. Changes need to be made. Find a way to "start" making it better

Dont see it this time.

I get a feeling Hextall is loyal to his man. Its true that there have been a lot of coaches fired over the last number of years.

Stevens, Lava, Berube and now we have Hakstol.

The book is still out on Dave, but Stevens and Berube were poop poor coaches imo.
- flyer_nutter

That piss poor coach Stevens now has two cups in LA. I don't get the knock on Hextall that he's loyal. The guy helped build the Kings from a dumpster fire into one of the best minor league systems, with a cup to boot. What he learned there he is applying here. Do you really think Hextall is going to choose "his guy" over getting Philly a cup?

It won't be overreacting . The team is poop Ron. Changes need to be made. Find a way to "start" making it better
- 3flyerkids

Other teams GM's wouldn't be circling like vultures now, would they?

It won't be overreacting . The team is poop Ron. Changes need to be made. Find a way to "start" making it better
- 3flyerkids

The thing is, what can be done?

You trade G and you open up such a hole. Giroux is probably ideally a #2 C at this point, so trading him leaves you what?

Moving Couturier I think is foolish, and I dont think they can back enough to again - offset that loss.

Schenn? Hell sure, hes a PP specialist like the rest of them but with such a hole at LW is it worth it for what you will get back?

I don't agree with big moves at this point of the year.

If Giroux is going to be traded mist defiantly Hexy will need to add a d prospect, maybe a goalie prospect and a 1st round pick. The player they get back has to be a young number one center or it doesn't make sense to do it. A Stanley cup contender might be willing to do that deal.
I don't know who that would be. Giroux is the cure for the second line center woes. The flyers forward core is truly dreck. I don't see much in the AHL that can help at this point. Missing on Laughton hurts.

Ironically his system and structure is what I liked best. The lineup decisions, riding goaltenders into the ground, and weird scratches were my issue. He is continuing this trend however, and I dont see an improvement.

Nor so I see appropriate in game adjustments. Hell I mean at times a timeout a silly as it sounds, may help your team calm itself. You have them for a reason.

I have this feeling that Hextall will stand by his man, and we see Giroux gone before we see Hak replaced. Thats quite frankly a joke imo after everything Giroux has done for this club. I dont think they get as much for him as people think. Everyone is riding Giroux at the moment, I am not surprised of the decline based on the abuse he's taken over the years, and how hard he has played.

Do we know Giroux is not injured?
- flyer_nutter

I agree, Giroux is undersized and has played Carlton of hard minutes against top competition for years. I don't blame him, he needs help. He can't carry this team at this point in his career

Other teams GM's wouldn't be circling like vultures now, would they?
- MJL

Sure they would, doesn't mean he has to make a bad deal. There are also other teams that are poop shows that could make a decent trading partner

The thing is, what can be done?

You trade G and you open up such a hole. Giroux is probably ideally a #2 C at this point, so trading him leaves you what?

Moving Couturier I think is foolish, and I dont think they can back enough to again - offset that loss.

Schenn? Hell sure, hes a PP specialist like the rest of them but with such a hole at LW is it worth it for what you will get back?

I don't agree with big moves at this point of the year.
- flyer_nutter

Agreed. Best thing to do is, if we are going to suck, at least continue to draft well and assess the situation later from a place of strength, not desperation. That has never worked out well for the Flyers, has it?

Luckily, the future is soon, not now.