If it isn't what he wanted then why did he let it happen all season?
- YuenglingJagr

Unfortunately coaches don't have a magic wand and something doesn't change just because they want it to. Coaches call a timeout late in a game and design a play. Does that mean it's automatically going to work? I don't think there is any doubt that the coach preferred shots on net from the point with traffic in front in comparison to no shots at all if that's all his team was able to generate.

Unfortunately coaches don't have a magic wand and something doesn't change just because they want it to. Coaches call a timeout late in a game and design a play. Does that mean it's automatically going to work? I don't think there is any doubt that the coach preferred shots on net from the point with traffic in front in comparison to no shots at all if that's all his team was able to generate.
- MJL

I think a full NHL season is a large enough sample size to say that is false

On Flyers serious business talk, I'm not saying it's the singular reason, but I don't discount the effect Hakstol has had on Jake and Giroux, but more Jake because this came out of nowhere, but he doesn't look any different physically (besides late in the 1st year with that nagging injury).

His entire game is based on skill, holding onto the puck, CREATING. But Hakstol's offensive system is predicated on perimeter play, low to high up to the point, have d-men shoot from a mile out for tips, forwards not geared to create much themselves. That's fine, but it's been to absurd proportions their primary method of offense. And it flies in the face of Jake's game. You can see him overthinking out there, losing confidence, and this has probably been a reason why.
- Mononoke

Do YoU tHiNk HaKsToOl Is TrYiNg To PlAy LiKe ThAt!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!? It'S nOt HiS fAuLt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think a full NHL season is a large enough sample size to say that is false
- YuenglingJagr

Sample size has zero to do with it. If we look at a team and how they play, is that based solely on how the coach wants them to play, or is that based far more on execution, talent, and ability. If your premise is true than I hope Hakstol simply decides he wants the Flyers to score more and institutes his "take better shots and score more goals offensive system".

The coach was telling them to get the puck back to the point to create offense. That has been said by multiple people at this point
- YuenglingJagr

But not the one that matters

It's a fact that the Flyers took no danger shots from further out than any team in the league and conservatively barely attempted plays in the juicy areas of the ice. They were a disaster offensively at ES. Anyone with two working eyes, before the eclipse, could see that. That part is indisputable. Why? is the only matter for discussion.

Now, if some want to believe -- as a difference of opinion -- that the players dictate the offensive schemes and the coach plays Pokemon Go all day and has little to no input on the systems, go for it lol! But there has been a clear style Hakstol has established in his regime. Since I know you're someone who values quotes, all of Schenn, Simmonds, and Voracek voiced, towards the end of the year, their dissatisfaction with the team's offensive style. They said exactly what many of us are: that their offense system was too formulaic, and you can't create goals in the NHL by never working the dangerous areas. It was actually a bit surprising how blunt they were, especially Schenn, but it's not surprising they saw what we saw.
- Mononoke

I think people undervalue coaches. A good coach can make a pretty big difference. The old way of thinking is that coaches are a dime a dozen and when one "loses the room," it's time to make a switch. That's probably not the right philosophy.

But not the one that matters
- PhillySportsGuy

DJT?

Where is the Oxycodone you promised
- Bonerfide69

Oxycodone is the generic name and does not need to be capitalized.

DJT?
- Mononoke

DMJLT

I think people undervalue coaches. A good coach can make a pretty big difference. The old way of thinking is that coaches are a dime a dozen and when one "loses the room," it's time to make a switch. That's probably not the right philosophy.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't even think Hakstol has lost the room or anything. He does some good things in his systems, just not in the o-zone. I think surrounding him with some doofus assistants in his first ever NHL experience didn't help (oh right, they're still here). But I'm hoping Knoblauch has a big impact in opening up the offensive structure as another voice, even beyond the PP.

Structured hockey is essential, but offensively, there has to be more room to breathe. You can't micromanage too much there as a coach so as to sap the skill. Sometimes the most important thing a coach can do is just allow your best players to do what they do best. You can't coach your top players and make them play like you do your 4th liners. That is college type stuff, and it was something he seemed guilty of. Iffy personnel usage and overbearing structure aren't a good recipe. Silver lining was they seemed to make a slight shift the last few weeks.

I don't even think Hakstol has lost the room or anything. His demeanor might be one of the better things about him, despite people poopting on him for it. Those coaches tend to not wear out welcomes. He does some good things in his systems, just not in the o-zone. I think surrounding him with some doofus assistants in his first ever NHL experience didn't help (oh right, they're still here). But I'm hoping Knoblauch has a big impact in opening up the offensive structure as another voice, even beyond the PP. He'll get more talent, but a coach can be judged independently of winning/talent, which some can't grasp. Sometimes it's easier to judge actually without the fluff.

Structured hockey is essential, but offensively, there has to be more room to breathe. You can't micromanage too much there as a coach so as to sap the skill. Sometimes the most important thing a coach can do is just allow your best players to do what they do best. You can't coach your top players and make them play like you do your 4th liners. That is college type poop. If they or the team struggle, step in and tweak. Iffy personnel usage and overbearing structure aren't a good recipe. Hakstol has this year to show he has any grasp of his own culpability and weaknesses or we'll have to trade him for a LW sniper. Silver lining was they seemed to make a slight shift the last few weeks.
- Mononoke

I hope Sanheim gets here soon enough. I can't wait to have 5 guys on the ice at any time capable of rotating around the offensive zone and beat guys one on one

I hope Sanheim gets here soon enough. I can't wait to have 5 guys on the ice at any time capable of rotating around the offensive zone and beat guys one on one
- YuenglingJagr

He won't be here until 2018-19. Myers until 2019-2020.

He won't be here until 2018-19. Myers until 2019-2020.
- PhillySportsGuy

Nah fam

So you're overly concerned about Elliot after he out played that absolute wall King Henry was last season?

Elliot: GAA: 2.55, SV%: 910

Lundqvist: GAA: 2.74, SV%: 910
- Baxter27

In how many games? Who has the better track record?

Columbus is overrated. The other 3, no. I've said this team will be wild card or bust for a few more seasons.
- Pelle31Forever

Is Seth Jones and Bob overrated? I don't think so. In fact I think Torts has changed the culture of that Jackets team.

Do YoU tHiNk HaKsToOl Is TrYiNg To PlAy LiKe ThAt!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!? It'S nOt HiS fAuLt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't even think Hakstol has lost the room or anything. He does some good things in his systems, just not in the o-zone. I think surrounding him with some doofus assistants in his first ever NHL experience didn't help (oh right, they're still here). But I'm hoping Knoblauch has a big impact in opening up the offensive structure as another voice, even beyond the PP.

Structured hockey is essential, but offensively, there has to be more room to breathe. You can't micromanage too much there as a coach so as to sap the skill. Sometimes the most important thing a coach can do is just allow your best players to do what they do best. You can't coach your top players and make them play like you do your 4th liners. That is college type stuff, and it was something he seemed guilty of. Iffy personnel usage and overbearing structure aren't a good recipe. Silver lining was they seemed to make a slight shift the last few weeks.
- Mononoke

First of all if the Flyers assistant coaches were doofus assistants, why hasn't Hextall made a change there? He made a change with Mullen.

Secondly, your characterization that Hakstol has coached his top players to play like 4th line players and put a leash on their creativity as players is simply false.

So basically, as a coach, Hakstol rates somewhere between drooling moron and the next coming of Scotty Bowman.

Got it, thanks.

So basically, as a coach, Hakstol rates somewhere between drooling moron and the next coming of Scotty Bowman.

Got it, thanks.
- BiggE

I personally would rate Hakstol as a good hockey coach but it remains to be seen whether he ultimately rates as a good NHL coach. Jury is still out for me.

Is Seth Jones and Bob overrated? I don't think so. In fact I think Torts has changed the culture of that Jackets team.
- SuperSchennBros

Everything I needed to know about that I saw when Pittsburgh thrashed them. Well coached, but they aren't that great.

Oxycodone is the generic name and does not need to be capitalized.
- Giroux_Is_God

can you give me some?