That's a very long-winded way of saying, yes, if they go 0-3-0 on this trip in ugly fashion, Hexy might have to bite the bullet and make a change behind the bench.
- bmeltzer

what if they win all three in ugly fashion?

I cant wait to see Konecny get some good scoring chances, then try to make something happen and turn over the puck. Hak will then further chip away at his confidence by benching him as always.

Try to score kid, but don't try any funny stuff. If you do and if fails, get your Lemon Pledge ready.

I was firmly in Hak's camp until this last game. Not any more.
- MBFlyerfan

Bingo. He will kill TK's creativity if he hasn't already.

-clipped-

All in all, I see a guy who is just in over his head. When you are coaching college or Junior for that matter, you can just say to the kids "this is how we play my system, go do it". You don't really need to explain yourself beyond that, you just need to teach them the system and put them on the ice. It's not so easy at the NHL level though. Players, especially highly paid veteran players, are going to question you. And, if they don't like what they hear, they're going to tune you out. The players aren't stupid, they know the GM can't trade 18 players, so who is going to win in the players vs coach struggle? The players.

If you have the track record of a Babcock or Quennville, then you can say it's my way or the highway and management will likely back you. Also, having that track record garners you instant respect in the room and you will have veteran players who want to win who will back you and keep the boys in line. I don't think Hak has much of any respect from this Flyers squad and I don't think that can be fixed at this point. He may last the season, but he's done here. It's just a matter of time. I certainly don't feel sorry for him. He's going to make a lot of money for doing nothing for 2 years and, if he wants one, I don't think he'll have a hard time finding another NCAA head coaching post.
- BiggE

So basically, you would agree that he's the hockey equivalent of Chip Kelly?

Not Bill, but I'm not sure I blame the coach. I think a lot of criticisms towards Haktol's lineup decisions are unfounded and are more based on what fans think is the optimal lineup. Not all but a lot. Wouldn't you agree?
- jmatchett383

To some degree yes, but when you don't have the skill you would like, put the guys who give you effort on the ice. That means you don't sit Leier for 3 games while vets like Weise and Lehtera give you nothing. It also means you take one of the guys off of your top line to try and get another line going. I just don't see a top quality NHL head coach when I watch Hakstol. I look at teams with comparable or perhaps even lesser talent than the Flyers like New Jersey, Carolina, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Colorado all out performing the Flyers, some by quite a big margin. This has to mean something.

Yes, it's certainly not all on the head coach, but some of it certainly is. I've had my fill.

"this is how we play my system, go do it".
- BiggE

I don't think he has one.

I was at the game on Saturday.

They were awful.

They played like a bunch of guys who know how to play hockey fairly well but have never played together.
- Scoob

My mom-in-law, a season ticket holder since autumn 1968 (was introduced to the team in 1967-68 by her brother), left the game early for the first time ever while well. The only other times she left early was due to her being ill.

I don't think he has one.
- Scoob

Burn

#GotEmScoob

I can honestly sat that game Sat was brutal to watch on TV and probably even moreso in person.

This current flavor of the Flyers is probably the softest I have ever seen as a fan. Part of that is the league, Provy getting 2 mins for a hit that was borderline at very best, and some of that is the makeup of the team, Simmonds being the only consistently physical player.

IM not asking for Zak Rinaldo levels of Mayhem but this team has to feel like you are playing a bunch of cotton balls for the opponents. I mean Morin could maybe bring some snarl but look he is hurt again and not even on the big team.

Its just brutal, boring, oatmealish hockey.;l
- opeth_pa

Morin is injured again..... he may be out until after Christmas. Scott Gordon didn't say so directly, but hinted at it by saying two injured Phantoms D are close to being ready to play, and two are probably out until around Christmas.

By process of elimination, Phil Myers is almost definitely one of the two out until the holidays because it's all but confirmed that he's had his third recurrence of a nagging lower-body (groin?) issue. Max Lamarche is almost definitely one of the two almost ready to play again.

That leaves Reese Willcox and Morin. Willcox has resumed hard skating. Morin has been out the last two games and looked to be laboring last Wednesday. While it is possible that Morin is actually the one closer to coming back, the fact that he's now on his third absence from the lineup (ala Myers) is not a great sign.

So basically, you would agree that he's the hockey equivalent of Chip Kelly?
- jmatchett383

Chip Kelly was "flashy." The only flashy thing about Hak is his turn signal.

I tried to find you by talking to everyone in the bathroom to see who would ignore me. It didn't narrow it down as much as I expected it to.
- YuenglingJagr

LOL!!!!

Was in 212, first row. Excellent viewing location to witness the disaster.

Chip Kelly was "flashy." The only flashy thing about Hak is his turn signal.
- Flyskippy

You know that dude uses it all the time too

what if they win all three in ugly fashion?
- YuenglingJagr

That would be a pleasant surprise, but I just can't see it happening. I think they'd be lucky to go 1-1-1.

You know that dude uses it all the time too
- YuenglingJagr

Even in Cape May where that one road turns because otherwise you end up in the drink.

Chip Kelly was "flashy." The only flashy thing about Hak is his turn signal.
- Flyskippy

I hear the dude used to tear it up at the roller disco.

So basically, you would agree that he's the hockey equivalent of Chip Kelly?
- jmatchett383

Yeah, minus the overbearing ego and cockiness. He may be a solid coach when it comes to X's and O's but there is more to it than that when coaching in a major professional league and I just don't think he has what it takes.

If we do in fact fire Haks say after a 0-3-0 road trip, who are some realistic coaching replacements?

If we do in fact fire Haks say after a 0-3-0 road trip, who are some realistic coaching replacements?
- arichardson22

Chuck Knoblauch

That would be a pleasant surprise, but I just can't see it happening. I think they'd be lucky to go 1-1-1.
- BiggE

I know...just me poking fun at the result-based opinion. This is one of those times though where I wouldn't care, they just need to win. They have deserved a better fate in some of these games (certainly not the last two)...so it balances out sometimes.

That would be a pleasant surprise, but I just can't see it happening. I think they'd be lucky to go 1-1-1.
- BiggE

Agreed. They lack confidence, jump and cohesive structure. Simmer has been battling injuries and can't get going. The middle 6 is jumbled, stagnant and changes from game to game. The defense is young and some players on the back end aren't the same player night in and night out.

These problems aren't easy fixes and won't go away suddenly. If the right players were playing the right minutes I'd be much more content with the season but the fact that it isn't happening is the tipping point for me.

If we do in fact fire Haks say after a 0-3-0 road trip, who are some realistic coaching replacements?
- arichardson22

Nobody going to like it but many have speculated that Gordon would get interim head coach through end of season and than a real search would begin. Sutter is always out there with the la connection as well.

I know...just me poking fun at the result-based opinion. This is one of those times though where I wouldn't care, they just need to win. They have deserved a better fate in some of these games (certainly not the last two)...so it balances out sometimes.
- YuenglingJagr

Good teams find ways to win games. Bad teams find ways to lose games.

Nobody going to like it but many have speculated that Gordon would get interim head coach through end of season and than a real search would begin. Sutter is always out there with the la connection as well.
- Tfaehner

Honestly...would you entertain Keenan?

what if they win all three in ugly fashion?
- YuenglingJagr

Then they will say it's a positive step from a tough trip, balances off some the winnable games they let slip away and they are a good homestand away from getting the ship righted before the Christmas break.

Honestly...would you entertain Keenan?
- jmatchett383

I was just going to bring up his name.
I wouldn't mind seeing some of these guys get the Iron Mike treatment.

The benching of Konecny was a perfectly cromulent decision. Hopefully it will allow him to embiggen his future performances.
- jmatchett383

Take a hike Jebediah.


I question the cromulence. It embiggens no one.