Lets look at the kids one by one and see how they are doing. I'm lumping Weal into this group, though he's not really a kid, it's only his first full NHL season:

FORWARDS
Patrick:
Coming off surgery this past Spring, I was counting on too much from him from the start. Add to that an early season concussion and it's hard to expect too much from him right now. For the most part, he seems to play a pretty responsible game, but right now, like most of his teammates, he's clearly pressing. He has a rep as being a very smart player and his past coaches have all remarked about how easy he is to coach. I think Hak needs to give this kid a longer leash, he seems to be the kind of player who learns from his mistakes.

Konecny:
It is a little troubling that he seems to make the same mistakes again and again, the mystery is why. Is he just not the smartest kid? Or, are the coaches failing to reach him? Without actually being with the team in meetings and practices, it's hard to answer that question. However, one thing I would like to see is for the coaching staff to just leave him either at LW or RW and on the same line for an extended period of time and just let him get comfortable. He also needs to play with at least one other skilled and speedy linemate to maximize his potential

Weal:
Weal is an older guy but with limited NHL experience. He's undersized and doesn't have the blazing speed or world class to compensate for it. He may just not be a guy who is going to have long term success as an NHL player, but the only way to find out is to play him consistently in a top 9 role. On a team with no chance to contend, this is the time to give him that shot.

Laughton:
Laughton has settled in nicely as a 4C/PK guy. I think if they had more depth and skill on the wings, he might be able to slide up and be a solid 3C. Can't fault the coaches at all for how they've used him so far this season

Leier:
Kid's got good wheels, but limited skills and is undersized. Could be a decent 4th line/PK guy though, but he needs to stay in the lineup to show it. I can understand sitting him for a game now and then, but keeping him out of the lineup for 3 games in a row is just pointless and a bad coaching move, IMO

Up next, the young D
- BiggE

cant wait for your next list, any timeframe?

I was adding to your point against what he was saying. Not saying that's what you were alluding to. Probably quoted the wrong person.
- Tfaehner

got it

Sanheim isn't trusted much yet, and made a couple mistakes tonight where he was trying to do a little too much. I get it. Don't love it but I was expecting it with a 10-game losing streak and the tendency to rely on vets. Pretty clear that when Gudas is back that Sanheim sits some games. Also don't love that.

But for tonight, under the circumstances, I get that Hakstol didn't want to risk a mistake by a young player (Sanheim, Konecny or Patrick) ending up in the Philly net and turning it back into a two-goal game.
- bmeltzer

I get that in year 3 Hakstol is feeling the pressure to win but I HATE HATE HATE seeing young kids not get to work thru their struggles. you can practice all you want but you need to play. Didn't surprise me as I said but not a fan of it.

We allowed the first goal in the game but stormed back. In my opinion, if you're gonna sit Patrick, Konecny and Sanheim, does Leier, Weal or Hagg get a pass because of AHL season? I understand limited ice time but not an all out benching. If we allowed another goal on top of a three goal cushion, than sure. Bench whoever you think deserves it. We're in early December. Is Hakstol gonna bench these kids all season late in games to hang on to a lead or gain a lead?
- SuperSchennBros

Patrick had a bad turnover that lead to the second Flames goal. TK made the same dumb play he's been benched before for. And Weise was out, I know he returned to the bench but he wasn't going to be used. Easier to shorten the bench? I'm not going to slam him for it this game.

Hak was riding a 10 game losing streak and he made the safer play. It's now to the point where even if he makes the play any of the coaches the crowd wants him fired for he's getting bashed.

Sanheim isn't trusted much yet, and made a couple mistakes tonight where he was trying to do a little too much. I get it. Don't love it but I was expecting it with a 10-game losing streak and the tendency to rely on vets. Pretty clear that when Gudas is back that Sanheim sits some games. Also don't love that.

I get going to 3 lines with Weise in the room and Patrick and TK getting hammered in shot attempts, but changing all the D pairings just to give extra minutes to Brandon "Matador" Manning is nuts.

agreed as only took 7 years to "break out" offensively.
- rinaldo

He broke out as a 22 year old in 15-16. You were just too dumb to notice.

Ghost next year will have as many years as Gudas does this year. Manning is #7 next year. The need for Gudas is overrated especially if Morin gets healthy and can fill the physical role.
- dragonoffrost

I don't disagree just seems hextall does.

Realistically, I'd rather see any of Vecchione, Lindblom or Martel in for either one of the 2 stiffs, but I'm not holding my breath.
- BiggE

Vecchione could play in the NHL right now, but if you send Weise or Lehtera down you're tanking their value with term left on their contract. Maybe they already have no value even with 50% retention, but that would confirm it.

Also, the Phantoms already have so many veterans they have to sit one out every game, so adding Lehtera or Weise to their roster would mean they have to sit two.

Of the 18 skaters (not counting two goaltenders) that teams may dress for a game, at least 13 must be qualified as “development players.” Of those 13, 12 must have played in 260 or fewer professional games (including AHL, NHL and European elite leagues), and one must have played in 320 or fewer professional games. All calculations for development status are based on regular-season totals as of the start of the season.

Caught the first and bits and pieces of the remaining 2 periods. Much better effort. They played like a team with each member's job on the line.

You mean getting outshot 45-21 and winning isn't sustainable?
- PLindbergh31

I mean they largely won the shot quality battle last night, but yeah, I don't think its sustainable long term for this team.

I mean they largely won the shot quality battle last night, but yeah, I don't think its sustainable long term for this team.
- JFlyers00

We only had 1 more scoring chances than them on the game. So it's not like all their shots were harmless either.

Vecchione could play in the NHL right now, but if you send Weise or Lehtera down you're tanking their value with term left on their contract. Maybe they already have no value even with 50% retention, but that would confirm it.

Also, the Phantoms already have so many veterans they have to sit one out every game, so adding Lehtera or Weise to their roster would mean they have to sit two.
- Feanor

Maybe hextall shouldn't of signed so many ahl vets when they had all these kids incoming and only more coming next year

cant wait for your next list, any timeframe?
- rinaldo

Good For You

Ghost next year will have as many years as Gudas does this year. Manning is #7 next year. The need for Gudas is overrated especially if Morin gets healthy and can fill the physical role.
- dragonoffrost

Who's filling the great possession defenseman role?

Good For You
- BiggE

😂

Maybe hextall shouldn't of signed so many ahl vets when they had all these kids incoming and only more coming next year
- Tfaehner

Well, once Gudas returns and Alt goes back down, they can recall a forward from the AHL without demoting Weise or Lehtera.

I don't disagree just seems hextall does.
- Tfaehner

Morin has had bad luck with injuries while Gudas is suspended. So it's tough to say what the view is on Morin.

We only had 1 more scoring chances than them on the game. So it's not like all their shots were harmless either.
- Tfaehner

55 xGF% despite the huge disparity in shot differentials.

I'm just sayings its not as bad as 45-21, but I wouldn't call last night "turning things around."

Well, once Gudas returns and Alt goes back down, they can recall a forward from the AHL without demoting Weise or Lehtera.
- Feanor

This!

He broke out as a 22 year old in 15-16. You were just too dumb to notice.
- Feanor

Savage

Well, once Gudas returns and Alt goes back down, they can recall a forward from the AHL without demoting Weise or Lehtera.
- Feanor

Welcome back Matt Read

There's a kid in my homeroom who knows a girl in Barzal's English class. Want me to have him pass her a note to give to Barzal?
- Scoob

I wouldn't know what to do if he told me he liked me back

I wouldn't know what to do if he told me he liked me back
- YuenglingJagr

Say yes to the dress

It's also possible the Flyers would get shut-out in that situation.
- Scoob

You spelled "likely" wrong.

#ShootAtTheLogoWhenItsABackup

Hakstol would just stare back
- YuenglingJagr

Hakstol actually does have a sense of humor, but rarely loosens up enough to show it. None of it side-splitting stuff, but it goes a long way during the grind of the season. It almost caught us off guard a few times when he let his guard down and joked around.

One time last year, I forgot to turn off my cell phone during media availability (a no-no, that I have made double sure not to have happen again).

"That's a fine," Hakstol said. "Goes to my beer fund."

Then Jay Greenberg's phone went off not even five seconds later.

"Today's a windfall for my beer fund!"

Another time, he was asked whether, as a former defensemen, what he later applied to working with young defensemen.

"Well, I wasn't a very good defenseman. Chip off the glass and out. If not, I was in trouble. "

A third occasion, he joked that as a dual citizen, he roots for ties in games between Team Canada and Team USA.

Again, not really hilarious stuff. Just little moments that I think he ought to allow to happen more often instead of the game face.

One thing I do think he's gotten better at doing -- a little blunter player assessments with less generic. I wish he'd be more like Scott Gordon or Terry Murray when you ask him about a player, though. They'd go into lots of detail and nuance about what they do well and what needs to get better. Hak is more prone to say "well, I'm not going to go into specifics but.."

Hakstol gave a great answer -- very detailed with various factors behind the thought process -- about the decision to move Couturier to the top line and Giroux to wing: Giroux's enthusiasm to try it, Couturier's puck-possession ability, adding more two-way element in the middle with a chance to free up Giroux a bit more, Voracek's size and playmaking and the possible matchup benefits.

Wish he'd do more of that. He doesn't have to be like Hitch -- who would bring reporters to his office and talk over video to illustrate a point or give a 3-minute answer to either agree or disagree with a question -- but not everything needs to be Fort Knox, either.