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.
- Baxter27

I understand.

But I also can see what the plan is.

I think the one element that has come up is Giroux. I think they assumed he would hit a decline but just didn't figure it would be this quick. That's something that needs to be reviewed.

I think there might be a sense of pride there.
- SuperSchennBros

There's that, but it would also make Hexy look bad. The hiring was clearly 100% on Hextall. It was also very unconventional and likely required a full explanation to the rest of management. To pull the plug after two years would raise eyebrows throughout the organization.

I imagine they won't even entertain the idea of firing him this offseason, but there may be a little more pressure for better results next year.

Dude he scored last game. Too soon?
- mickel25

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

I'm not getting into this

Gagner didn't work out here the previous season.
- MJL

okay

I'm not getting into this
- YuenglingJagr

If you score goals, you create more chances!

Trade Schenn
- Scoob

obviously

There's that, but it would also make Hexy look bad. The hiring was clearly 100% on Hextall. It was also very unconventional and likely required a full explanation to the rest of management. To pull the plug after two years would raise eyebrows throughout the organization.

I imagine they won't even entertain the idea of firing him this offseason, but there may be a little more pressure for better results next year.
- PhillySportsGuy

From who?

Hextall himself last year said they might take a step back this year.

While an equally futile argument, I will say that the Gagner issue is a refreshing change of pace* from the CV issue.



*In the way that a blizzard is a refreshing change of pace from a hurricane.

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

I would as well. I would also take Hitchcock back as well.

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.
- Baxter27

I personally see it as more of a theoretical issue. I think there is a definite idea within the organization that there are top 6 guys and bottom 6 guys. (at minimum, the presence of at least one defense-first "checking line") Evidence suggests that is the case.

Weal supposedly wasn't good enough to be on the Flyers, until he came up and showed that it looks like he is. The reason I am not overly critical about it is because I think the drafting that Hextall has done trumps everything else. Hopefully it leads to an influx of skill because Hextall will have no other choice really

I think we should have another alumni night.

That's the solution.

I would as well. I would also take Hitchcock back as well.
- Glak18

Nahhh brah.

Stevens, Berube and Hak. All fall in the top 10 of NHL coaches.

For an organization with as much financial power as the Flyers that's just sad.

From who?

Hextall himself last year said they might take a step back this year.
- J35Bacher

I think the expectation is that this team be within a certain range and this team is likely on the edge of that range. I don't think finishing 10 points out of a playoff spot is something Hexy anticipated.

Trade Schenn
- Scoob

Thinking outside the box, I like it.

Voracek has scored 6 goals in 67 games at 5 on 5.
- MJL

He's always been more of a playmaker than a goal scorer. His drop in 5 on 5 production from last year is less than anyone else in the top 9.

I think the expectation is that this team be within a certain range and this team is likely on the edge of that range. I don't think finishing 10 points out of a playoff spot is something Hexy anticipated.
- PhillySportsGuy

He anticipated that Weise, Umberger, Gordon and Hak would be contributors to winning.

Not sure I trust the man blindly.

I understand.

But I also can see what the plan is.

I think the one element that has come up is Giroux. I think they assumed he would hit a decline but just didn't figure it would be this quick. That's something that needs to be reviewed.
- J35Bacher

I'm still holding out hope Giroux hasn't fallen off a cliff. There has to be some type of issue with him. His skill is still there. I don't expect him to be one of the top 10 players in the NHL anymore but he's a better player than he's shown this season.

I'm still holding out hope Giroux hasn't fallen off a cliff. There has to be some type of issue with him. His skill is still there. I don't expect him to be one of the top 10 players in the NHL anymore but he's a better player than he's shown this season.
- Baxter27

And that is the problem. Because he is paid to be.

And that is the problem. Because he is paid to be.
- J35Bacher

https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/active

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

Better worded than my original post.

I think Montreal was a team like this but things changed. They realized they needed to get tougher physically to succeed. Weber brings much more than toughness but it helps that he's a hard hitter. They might tried the Zach Kassian route but it didn't workout.

I don't think this new era of Flyers is gonna work.

From who?

Hextall himself last year said they might take a step back this year.
- J35Bacher

Exactly. That mantra had been talked about a lot this past summer as a strong possibility. It's playing out. I think we all including myself got carried away in the preseason with Provorov and Konecny upgrading the roster. But the bottom line is their still rookies finding their way and the goalie play has come back down to earth and G tumbled off a cliff after making it halfway down the mountain.

I need to pee. I'm about to go do it.

He's always been more of a playmaker than a goal scorer. His drop in 5 on 5 production from last year is less than anyone else in the top 9.
- Feanor

Voracek has been fine this year.

I need to pee. I'm about to go do it.
- jmatchett383

over