If I was Hextall I would not let the current state of the team change my process and philosophy on developing younger players. I would not bring up a young player based on what do we have to lose, you never know, or it can't be worse and place them on a team that is dysfunctional right now. That would be a mistake. If I thought a young player was NHL ready or real close, and that they might be able to help then I would do so.

If this team doesn't come out tonight with a burr under their saddles then there is a real problem.
- MJL

So that leads me to this question. If that happens, where would you say the problem is? And how would you address it?

Personally I am not seeing a lack of effort as much as I am seeing a lack of cohesion.

If I was Hextall I would not let the current state of the team change my process and philosophy on developing younger players. I would not bring up a young player based on what do we have to lose, you never know, or it can't be worse and place them on a team that is dysfunctional right now. That would be a mistake. If I thought a young player was NHL ready or real close, and that they might be able to help then I would do so.

If this team doesn't come out tonight with a burr under their saddles then there is a real problem.
- MJL

Well I think you'll see Morin tonight based on reports I saw unless MacDonald is ready to go which would be contrary to reports that he still needed a little time.

And maybe its the neanderthal in me but someone needs to take a run at someone and stir it up. Give me a good fight. Line brawl. Something. Right now this team doesn't look like a team playing for one another....in my opinion.

10 losses in the last 13 games. Basically this has been the worst team in the NHL over the last 5 weeks.

Schenn tearing it up in St. Louis only underlines the lack of secondary scoring. I get Schenn wasn't producing at this level for the Flyers, but you really have to bring a cap anchor in Lehtera back as part of the deal? Really?

This team is pretty much putting an unwatchable product on the ice.
- PLindbergh31

The thing that baffles me is everyone talks about how our core doesn't work. Since 2011 we have had the same issues. We have had 3 head coaches and only have 4 guys from those teams left - coots g Jake Simmonds. Assuming Simmonds is injury related the other 3 lead one the best lines in the NHL. So whose to blame? In my eyes hasktol is a bad coach compared to the rest of the nhl BUT who would fix this ? Sutter?

Well I think you'll see Morin tonight based on reports I saw unless MacDonald is ready to go which would be contrary to reports that he still needed a little time.

And maybe its the neanderthal in me but someone needs to take a run at someone and stir it up. Give me a good fight. Line brawl. Something. Right now this team doesn't look like a team playing for one another....in my opinion.
- J35Bacher

I would agree. They are all playing like individuals.

“Effort was not lacking."

100% bullpoop. The team quit after they gave up that second goal. They got beat to every loose puck, weren't pressuring, weren't forechecking, nothing.

By far their worst game of the season, in my opinion.

Mark alt cleaned out his locker so you're either seeing a recall for someone else or MacDonald activated
- Tfaehner

MacDonald now saying probably won't make either the islanders games so sounds like we got our wish in Morin

So that leads me to this question. If that happens, where would you say the problem is? And how would you address it?

Personally I am not seeing a lack of effort as much as I am seeing a lack of cohesion.
- MBFlyerfan

Last night they were flat footed and slow pretty much all game except for about a 5 minute period of surge but the deflated again. I agree on the cohesion part as there are a few players such as Provorov and Konecny who are really just trying to make something happen. There was no fight back last night. The problem is mostly the players no doubt but the coach is not immune. If lackadaisical and uninspired play continues, there is only one way to address it and that is to look at the coach. Hakstol is being hung out to dry by the players and the leadership on the team right now.

Well I think you'll see Morin tonight based on reports I saw unless MacDonald is ready to go which would be contrary to reports that he still needed a little time.

And maybe its the neanderthal in me but someone needs to take a run at someone and stir it up. Give me a good fight. Line brawl. Something. Right now this team doesn't look like a team playing for one another....in my opinion.
- J35Bacher

So basically, we need to resign Ray Emery?

I mean, hell, it worked a few years ago.

“Effort was not lacking."

100% bullpoop. The team quit after they gave up that second goal. They got beat to every loose puck, weren't pressuring, weren't forechecking, nothing.

By far their worst game of the season, in my opinion.
- jmatchett383

No doubt. The effort last night was appalling in my opinion.

The thing that baffles me is everyone talks about how our core doesn't work. Since 2011 we have had the same issues. We have had 3 head coaches and only have 4 guys from those teams left - coots g Jake Simmonds. Assuming Simmonds is injury related the other 3 lead one the best lines in the NHL. So whose to blame? In my eyes hasktol is a bad coach compared to the rest of the nhl BUT who would fix this ? Sutter?
- Tfaehner

I think Hextall and Hakstol are equally culpable. Hakstol often doesn't have any rhyme or reason to his lineup decisions, and outside of the draft, Hextall has done a pretty lousy job in supplementing the roster through FA and trades.

10 losses in the last 13 games. Basically this has been the worst team in the NHL over the last 5 weeks.

Schenn tearing it up in St. Louis only underlines the lack of secondary scoring. I get Schenn wasn't producing at this level for the Flyers, but you really have to bring a cap anchor in Lehtera back as part of the deal? Really?

This team is pretty much putting an unwatchable product on the ice.
- PLindbergh31

When you get 2 1st round picks for Brayden Schenn, yes, yes you do.

When you get 2 1st round picks for Brayden Schenn, yes, yes you do.
- Streit2ThePoint

I would have liked Hextall to try to get a portion retained (even $750K or $500K), but it was what it was. Braydon Schenn was a good complimentary player, but likely not a player who would turn this team into a contender. He's a player that could help a team like St. Louis go from very good to contender.

When you get 2 1st round picks for Brayden Schenn, yes, yes you do.
- Streit2ThePoint

We are going to see how many 50+ point seasons Frost has for the Flyers, and what they get when they pick at the end of the first round this year. Time will tell how this deal is judged. We all knew short term it would be a win for the Blues, not sure anyone thought it would be a first round knockout.

it is very enjoyable watching schenn thrive in another team. But hey frost will be here in maybe 3 years

I don't think this needs to happen. The beginning of the season this team looked fast and played aggressive.

Also I think IF he was to be fired, I have a sneaking suspicion that Knoblauch is the coach in waiting.
- J35Bacher

The reason I want a coaching change is that whenever this team hits any adversity they seem to wither away. I put at least some of that on the coach. He also lets certain vets get away with too much and that sends a bad message to both the kids and the vets he does hold accountable.

For example, Simmonds has been flat out awful the last few weeks. Has he been benched? Has he even missed shifts? I understand the effort may be there, but he's being paid to produce, not to try hard. Voracek on multiple occasions has made lazy plays with the puck and/or dogged it defensively. I'm not calling for him to be scratched, they can't afford to sit what little offense they have right now, but he should at least miss a few shifts or even spend a period glued to the bench.

I understand he doesn't yet have all the horses he needs to be successful, but I just don't see anything special in him. If he had a track record of professional success, I might be inclined to be more patient, but he doesn't. Having success at the NCAA level is virtually meaningless in my book. It's a different style game and there is no comparison to coaching college kids as compared to NHL players. I think he is in over his head and I want to see a change asap. Knob can and should be kept on as an assistant and one day the job may be his, but right now this team a veteran NHL head coach who has seen it all, will command respect from the players, and will hold these guys accountable

What I saw last night was a bunch of guys freewheeling. They were going hard doing it, but they looked like they were all on different pages, not playing as a team in all three zones.

While it is a player's decision to do that stuff, it is also on the coach to put a stop to it. Sadly three games in 4 nights doesn't present the best opportunity to get back on the practice ice and reinforce the systems play.

I am not going to go down the "fire the coach" route just yet. But as much as the players need to start performing, especially anyone not named Couturier, Giroux, Voracek, Provorov, and to a lesser extent Ghost (who I thought had a decent game last night). These are pros, the coach should never have to motivate them to put out effort. But what IS his job is to make sure they are all playing the way he wants them to play. Right now, I don't see that as the case. Hak needs to straighten that out or he needs to go.

Weise, Lehtera, Raffl are all useless and we have better options in Lehigh for all three (don't bother to argue that point). This season would be the perfect time to get them up and see what they can do because there is no cup coming this season and there never was.

WTF is wrong with Simmonds? He gets the benefit of the doubt from all of us because we know what kind of player he is. He HAS to be hurt. And if he is, get him off the ice and let him heal. This team can not afford to allow him to turn in to the new Matt Read. A guy who we could pencil in for 15-20 goals before he got hurt, tried to play through it, and was never the same afterwards.

Comon Hexy, you know what you need to do.
- MBFlyerfan

One quibble with the bolded part. While the coach shouldn't have to motivate them, it can be an effective tool when used properly. Just look at Lavi for an example. It's a long, grueling season, sometimes you need to fire the boys up and I'm not sure that Hak has it in him to do so.

What I saw last night was a bunch of guys freewheeling. They were going hard doing it, but they looked like they were all on different pages, not playing as a team in all three zones.

While it is a player's decision to do that stuff, it is also on the coach to put a stop to it. Sadly three games in 4 nights doesn't present the best opportunity to get back on the practice ice and reinforce the systems play.

I am not going to go down the "fire the coach" route just yet. But as much as the players need to start performing, especially anyone not named Couturier, Giroux, Voracek, Provorov, and to a lesser extent Ghost (who I thought had a decent game last night). These are pros, the coach should never have to motivate them to put out effort. But what IS his job is to make sure they are all playing the way he wants them to play. Right now, I don't see that as the case. Hak needs to straighten that out or he needs to go.

Weise, Lehtera, Raffl are all useless and we have better options in Lehigh for all three (don't bother to argue that point). This season would be the perfect time to get them up and see what they can do because there is no cup coming this season and there never was.

WTF is wrong with Simmonds? He gets the benefit of the doubt from all of us because we know what kind of player he is. He HAS to be hurt. And if he is, get him off the ice and let him heal. This team can not afford to allow him to turn in to the new Matt Read. A guy who we could pencil in for 15-20 goals before he got hurt, tried to play through it, and was never the same afterwards.

Comon Hexy, you know what you need to do.
- MBFlyerfan

Sadly Ronald doesn't see it that way. I waive all, maybe keep read as a spare part. Send Lehtera back to Europe, loan his a** out. Ronald has the assets to make a move to move at least one of these useless players. It is about time he uses them.

In regards to wayne, I no doubt trade him at the deadline. The past is the past and he has been a warrior. Everything you want in a player. That being said no way I give him 5-8 years on a long term high money deal.

If I was Hextall I would not let the current state of the team change my process and philosophy on developing younger players. I would not bring up a young player based on what do we have to lose, you never know, or it can't be worse and place them on a team that is dysfunctional right now. That would be a mistake. If I thought a young player was NHL ready or real close, and that they might be able to help then I would do so.

If this team doesn't come out tonight with a burr under their saddles then there is a real problem.
- MJL

I understand where you are coming from, but I think a guy like Vecchione is more than ready to be given a shot. He's nearly 25 years old and has been dominant at the AHL level for the past couple of weeks. While he's only 5'10, he's a solid 190+ pounds and built like a wrecking ball. I can't see any harm whatsover in moving Fippula to wing and getting this kid into the lineup. I also can't see any reason not to replace Alt with Morin, even if it's only for 1 game. The big guy has earned it.

Can we stop wussyfooting about Schenn already? He’s gone. The deal is done. We all knew our offense would take a step back the day of the deal. Still accept that offer today. Let. It. Go.

It really is astounding that Raffl doesn't have a point in 21 games. He's VDV and Bellamare all rolled up into one.

The reason I want a coaching change is that whenever this team hits any adversity they seem to wither away. I put at least some of that on the coach. He also lets certain vets get away with too much and that sends a bad message to both the kids and the vets he does hold accountable.

For example, Simmonds has been flat out awful the last few weeks. Has he been benched? Has he even missed shifts? I understand the effort may be there, but he's being paid to produce, not to try hard. Voracek on multiple occasions has made lazy plays with the puck and/or dogged it defensively. I'm not calling for him to be scratched, they can't afford to sit what little offense they have right now, but he should at least miss a few shifts or even spend a period glued to the bench.

I understand he doesn't yet have all the horses he needs to be successful, but I just don't see anything special in him. If he had a track record of professional success, I might be inclined to be more patient, but he doesn't. Having success at the NCAA level is virtually meaningless in my book. It's a different style game and there is no comparison to coaching college kids as compared to NHL players. I think he is in over his head and I want to see a change asap. Knob can and should be kept on as an assistant and one day the job may be his, but right now this team a veteran NHL head coach who has seen it all, will command respect from the players, and will hold these guys accountable
- BiggE

Simmonds has been banged up physically which has been clearly affecting his game. With the team struggling to score, no coach would bench Simmonds in that situation. Voracek has made numerous defensive gaffes that have cost this team but with the team struggling and only having one line scoring benching him is biting off your nose to spite your face. It's not going to happen as you said. That's a situation which needs to be handled by the leadership of the team. Hakstol is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Simmonds has been banged up physically which has been clearly affecting his game. With the team struggling to score, no coach would bench Simmonds in that situation. Voracek has made numerous defensive gaffes that have cost this team but with the team struggling and only having one line scoring benching him is biting off your nose to spite your face. It's not going to happen as you said. That's a situation which needs to be handled by the leadership of the team. Hakstol is caught between a rock and a hard place.
- MJL

Banged up or not, Simmonds was terrible last night. Couldn’t get his stick on the puck cleanly all night it seemed. Lost the puck several times too. Love him to death, but man was he frustrating to watch last night

I understand where you are coming from, but I think a guy like Vecchione is more than ready to be given a shot. He's nearly 25 years old and has been dominant at the AHL level for the past couple of weeks. While he's only 5'10, he's a solid 190+ pounds and built like a wrecking ball. I can't see any harm whatsover in moving Fippula to wing and getting this kid into the lineup. I also can't see any reason not to replace Alt with Morin, even if it's only for 1 game. The big guy has earned it.
- BiggE

Vecchione in slide filp to wing makes tons of sense. I don't get why filp has to be at center but g doesn't. Make the slide.

Morin should of been in for every healthy game he could with MacDonald out. When fully healthy I get that Morin doesn't have a spot in the nhl today. But we haven't been fully healthy in forever. He deserved a shot.

I understand where you are coming from, but I think a guy like Vecchione is more than ready to be given a shot. He's nearly 25 years old and has been dominant at the AHL level for the past couple of weeks. While he's only 5'10, he's a solid 190+ pounds and built like a wrecking ball. I can't see any harm whatsover in moving Fippula to wing and getting this kid into the lineup. I also can't see any reason not to replace Alt with Morin, even if it's only for 1 game. The big guy has earned it.
- BiggE

Morin or Vecchione are two possibilities. With Vecchione is could be a question of position. They might think he needs to pay at center and they may not be willing to move say Filppula out of the center spot.

It really is astounding that Raffl doesn't have a point in 21 games. He's VDV and Bellamare all rolled up into one.
- PLindbergh31

42 games dating back to last year.... Yup and hextall when asked about it said he's playing great don't change a thing.