I don't believe Gagner is any different now than he was last year. I just think he's been put in a better position to succeed. His numbers really aren't that different from what he was doing in his Oiler days.

We're making this too much about Gagner. The main premise of what I'm saying is why are the players on this team struggling to score so much over the last two years and why is the guy they had no use for excelling in a different place? Look for the common variable!
- PhillySportsGuy

It's a good question, but I'm guessing Hakstol is still safe for this year. And depending on what Hextall does with the roster, probably next year too.

Flyers were a team which thrived when getting their opponents off their game. They ended up in the box a lot but had pretty strong penalty killing to deal with it. I'm not advocating being a goon squad but they need some sort of identity because they're in limbo right now. If I were to give them an identity it would be PP specialists which also goes through it's cold streaks.

I assume Hextall's vision is a big fast skilled team who is strong in transition with better support from the back end. They don't have the horses for this right now.
- Baxter27

I think you can see it with some of the recent draft picks and prospects. Lots of two way forwards with size. Guys who play a 200ft game and get to the net. Still a little away but look at guys like Allison, Brunnaman, Rubstov, Marody, Lindblom, Vorobryov, Doves-McFalls.

I think you'll start to see a transition into a tough physical team that plays a 200ft game. Especially with the defenseman they have coming will allow for them to help exit the zone better.

no i think hextall has done very well in his moves that he has done. however being able to repeatedly turn a dollar into six quarters doesnt do much when confronted with the issue of your house burning down.
- stayinthefnnet

I agree....I am a huge Hextall fan. To add to your analogy, I think if he were to begin wanting to roll 4 skilled lines it would help him turn the burning house into one with more quarters

I'm not frustrated or even worried about what other teams are doing with players that didn't workout here. I don't care about what Sam Gagner is doing in Columbus or that Patrick Sharp has three Cups or whatever. I'm frustrated with Ghost being pulled for three straight games, when he's a key part of generating offense. I'm frustrated with constant changing of line combinations due to scratches. I'm frustrated with not seeing the very best of our best players. I'm frustrated with Neuvirth playing six in a row, two of the six being awful games and even if he did play well, still lost. To add to this, Mason returns between the pipes strong but in what would have been Mason's fifth start in an impressive string of games, plays Neuvirth again, who wasn't very good. I think lost against Boston not only because we were the lesser team but Hakstol tried to fix something that wasn't broken heading into Toronto at a time where we need the points the most.

It's a good question, but I'm guessing Hakstol is still safe for this year. And depending on what Hextall does with the roster, probably next year too.
- johndewar

He's definitely safe. Hexy can't fire him for a while or it will reflect very poorly on himself.

He's definitely safe. Hexy can't fire him for a while or it will reflect very poorly on himself.
- PhillySportsGuy

Not to mention that they gave Hakstol a 5 year deal right out of college. No way do they want to eat that money (even though this org has eaten plenty of money in the past).

So, they definitely don't poopcan him after 2 years.

After 3 years, they might start looking at him sideways, but not after this year.

If Brandon Manning was hurt for tonight, he should be scratched anyway. He's been garbage as of late.

If Brandon Manning was hurt for tonight, he should be scratched anyway. He's been garbage as of late.
- SuperSchennBros

Dude he scored last game. Too soon?

I don't believe Gagner is any different now than he was last year. I just think he's been put in a better position to succeed. His numbers really aren't that different from what he was doing in his Oiler days.

We're making this too much about Gagner. The main premise of what I'm saying is why are the players on this team struggling to score so much over the last two years and why is the guy they had no use for excelling in a different place? Look for the common variable!
- PhillySportsGuy

There are many common variables. Your ignoring the players themselves as a variable.

oh sorry, i thought you said offensive catalyst
- YuenglingJagr

Success leads to more success. Do you think that scoring goals is not a catalyst to offensive success?

the jackets have injuries at C...he has not played C all year for them. I think the answer to the Filppula vs Gagner debates is why not both?
- YuenglingJagr

Gagner didn't work out here the previous season.

Dude he scored last game. Too soon?
- mickel25

Brandon Manning?

He's definitely safe. Hexy can't fire him for a while or it will reflect very poorly on himself.
- PhillySportsGuy

Hextall could care less how it reflects on himself. If he thought the right thing to do was fire Hakstol, he'd do it in a heartbeat.

Brandon Manning?
- SuperSchennBros

At the end. Beautiful tip in.

He's definitely safe. Hexy can't fire him for a while or it will reflect very poorly on himself.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think there might be a sense of pride there.

Not to mention that they gave Hakstol a 5 year deal right out of college. No way do they want to eat that money (even though this org has eaten plenty of money in the past).

So, they definitely don't poopcan him after 2 years.

After 3 years, they might start looking at him sideways, but not after this year.
- johndewar

I have a feeling Hexy made a promise to Hak that he'd give him plenty of time in order to convince him to leave ND.

It's 5 years, but only $2M per year. Julien just signed for 5 years, $25M, so that gives you an idea of the going rate for top tier guys.

the jackets have injuries at C...he has not played C all year for them. I think the answer to the Filppula vs Gagner debates is why not both?
- YuenglingJagr

The roster was already viewed as undersized after last season and getting bigger was a priority that Hextall was vocal about.

It wasn't Gagner vs Filppula when the decision was required. It was Cousins/Laughton/Weal vs. Gagner. I'm just happy that Hextall found a way to fill a clear void which Cousins/Laughton/Weal and Couturier to an extent have been unable to fill. Just like Gagner couldn't fill it last season.

There are many common variables. Your ignoring the players themselves as a variable.
- MJL

I don't even know what this means

I think you can see it with some of the recent draft picks and prospects. Lots of two way forwards with size. Guys who play a 200ft game and get to the net. Still a little away but look at guys like Allison, Brunnaman, Rubstov, Marody, Lindblom, Vorobryov, Doves-McFalls.

I think you'll start to see a transition into a tough physical team that plays a 200ft game. Especially with the defenseman they have coming will allow for them to help exit the zone better.
- J35Bacher

Yeah I see it as well. Right now they just don't have the horses to keep up with Hextall's long term vision. I'd still like to see a little more edge from them. They've become a very easy team to play against except for brief stretches at a time.

Hextall could care less how it reflects on himself. If he thought the right thing to do was fire Hakstol, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
- MJL

Things would have to be so toxic for Hexy to do that after 2 seasons

The condom broke and now my girl is pregnant. (frank)ing Hakstol.
- J35Bacher

Stevens
Laviolette
Berube
Hakstol

Who are coaches that suck, fans want fired and MJL stick up for.



Hmmm wonder if it could be all the overpaid and underperforming players and/or lack of team identity/direction during all those coaches.

Hmmm is the curve of coaching college hockey vs pro hockey vastly different then college hoops to nba?
- Konalover

No idea; I don't follow, or even like, pro hoops.

Stevens
Laviolette
Berube
Hakstol

Who are coaches that suck, fans want fired and MJL stick up for.



Hmmm wonder if it could be all the overpaid and underperforming players and/or lack of team identity/direction during all those coaches.


- Glak18

I would take Lavi back now that we actually have some D men.

Trade Schenn