Who would be okay with it?

Didn't we all know at the beginning of the season that they were/are a bubble team? Do we all not know what a bubble team does?
- Scoob

we did and we do, that doesn't mean we should accept a collapse and waste G's best year. Being a bubble team excuses none of it. Expectations have changed, not to be a contender but to make the playoffs

take a guess on my feelings.
- hammarby31

I'd guess steroid level rage

Have you already got your excuses lined up for when they don't?

Since Hakstol has carte blanche to fail with no repercussions, I'll be happy for the good players who have carried this team if they make the playoffs. It's not like even a disastrous choke job would be enough for Hak to get fired.

One win in March and being basically level with 3 other teams in Points% doesn't mean they are headed for a playoff spot. It means that when the pressure went on they collapsed into a choking situation.
- Feanor

Hakstol doesn't have carte blanche with no repercussions. You continue with the hyperbole. All season long this team has been on the edge of wins and losses. That's the kind of team they are for various reasons. That's why they can go on the runs of wins they have and then have losing streaks. When they lose the detail in their game, they have issues because they simply don't have a lot of room for error. When looking at the progress overall of what is important for the future, Hakstol has done a strong job. Hakstol isn't going to get fired simply because there is no reason why he should be fired. That's the reality.

I'd guess steroid level rage
- nastyflyergirl

i'm recovering from back surgery, so i can't quite exert that level...but otherwise i'd pretty much be right there. yes, i know we have depth problems and coaching problems...but none of that matters when i'm watching. i don't have the capacity to compartmentalize that way. it's 38 years of rage.

Hakstol doesn't have carte blanche with no repercussions. You continue with the hyperbole. All season long this team has been on the edge of wins and losses. That's the kind of team they are for various reasons. That's why they can go on the runs of wins they have and then have losing streaks. When they lose the detail in their game, they have issues because they simply don't have a lot of room for error. When looking at the progress overall of what is important for the future, Hakstol has done a strong job. Hakstol isn't going to get fired simply because there is no reason why he should be fired. That's the reality.
- MJL

I will agree with you. While Hakstol, in my opinion, has made a few questionable decisions, I do believe that he has done a pretty damn good job with what he has to work with. He deserves to see this through at least one more season but I don't know if I can get behind another year of Lappy as PK coach. Yes it could have some reason to do with the personnel but the last time they were above the league average in PK% was in 2013.

Hakstol doesn't have carte blanche with no repercussions. You continue with the hyperbole. All season long this team has been on the edge of wins and losses. That's the kind of team they are for various reasons. That's why they can go on the runs of wins they have and then have losing streaks. When they lose the detail in their game, they have issues because they simply don't have a lot of room for error. When looking at the progress overall of what is important for the future, Hakstol has done a strong job. Hakstol isn't going to get fired simply because there is no reason why he should be fired. That's the reality.
- MJL

I would expect Hextall to at least review the situation. Obviously a deeper review is required if this collapse leads to missing the playoffs.

I think some of the core players having strong years would voice their opinions about the coaching staff(good or bad). That along with the development of younger players should be considered.

Just as he was right to ignore them before, the opinions of the fan base will hot weigh into his decision.

Wondering if Gudas is really that bad, or an average defenseman who’s looking worse being paired with Manning. He seemed better, paired with a more skilled defenseman. Manning is out of position so often, it may be that anyone who is paired with him tries to overcompensate for his less than adequate skills. Thoughts?

Wondering if Gudas is really that bad, or an average defenseman who’s looking worse being paired with Manning. He seemed better, paired with a more skilled defenseman. Manning is out of position so often, it may be that anyone who is paired with him tries to overcompensate for his less than adequate skills. Thoughts?
- Hokeeguy9

I think it's a little of both. He hasn't looked like himself this season with or without manning next to him and it hasn't gotten better having those two together. I think there was an article written not too long ago about how he feels as if the refs are targeting him and that it's been throwing him off his game.

I think it's a little of both. He hasn't looked like himself this season with or without manning next to him and it hasn't gotten better having those two together. I think there was an article written not too long ago about how he feels as if the refs are targeting him and that it's been throwing him off his game.
- ajw12

It's not so much that the refs are "targeting him" as his game is what needed to change. Hopefully he understands that.

Wondering if Gudas is really that bad, or an average defenseman who’s looking worse being paired with Manning. He seemed better, paired with a more skilled defenseman. Manning is out of position so often, it may be that anyone who is paired with him tries to overcompensate for his less than adequate skills. Thoughts?
- Hokeeguy9

ive actually said that before, i think they are both bottom pair D and they comp for each other

you remember correct, though I thought Gudas was on Mannings side, Manning should have switched for sure but Gudas overplays a lot of plays and Flip will just Flip
- wcorvette

Players switch all the time. i am fine with that. Manning should have stayed back. pretty sure you see him gliding towards the play (possibly because it was 3 vs 2 on the boards? I don't recall) but he should have stayed put. Why Gudas kicked the puck up I have no idea.

i'm recovering from back surgery, so i can't quite exert that level...but otherwise i'd pretty much be right there. yes, i know we have depth problems and coaching problems...but none of that matters when i'm watching. i don't have the capacity to compartmentalize that way. it's 38 years of rage.
- hammarby31

Oh poop, didn't know you had back surgery. How long are you on the IR from playing hockey?

It's not so much that the refs are "targeting him" as his game is what needed to change. Hopefully he understands that.
- hereticpride

I don't know, I think he has gotten calls against him based on his rep.

Wondering if Gudas is really that bad, or an average defenseman who’s looking worse being paired with Manning. He seemed better, paired with a more skilled defenseman. Manning is out of position so often, it may be that anyone who is paired with him tries to overcompensate for his less than adequate skills. Thoughts?
- Hokeeguy9

If he doesn't play with an edge, he takes away from some of what he does well.

Many of us thought this sort of thing could happen with Gudas.

Wondering if Gudas is really that bad, or an average defenseman who’s looking worse being paired with Manning. He seemed better, paired with a more skilled defenseman. Manning is out of position so often, it may be that anyone who is paired with him tries to overcompensate for his less than adequate skills. Thoughts?
- Hokeeguy9

Dude has no idea how to play any more. His biggest strength of being a physical force and an intimidating player is gone.

He’s being watched too closely to play the way he used to.

Sad. I liked Gudas. Time to move on.

As far as Hakstol goes...it's always easy to give a coach the shiv. Sometimes it's more obvious than others when a coach is out of his depth.

Just my opinion, but to me, Hakstol hasn't done anything to get fired this season. I don't love every single decision he makes, but that's life.

But for me, just based on the last few games for example, it's not like he is telling Flip and Lehtera -- two veterans who should absolutely know better -- to make soft plays with the puck. He isn't telling guys to lose 50-50 battles. He isn't telling guys to let pucks come off the wall in their own zone.

If you want to knife him for the PK, that's debatable. That PK hasn't been right for years and years now, under multiple coaches.

Hakstol, to me, is doing exactly what an NHL coach is supposed to do: ensuring that his systems are getting production from the best players on the roster. To my mind, he has done that.

To me, at a minimum, three players from the Bottom 6 have to go, and two more need to be slotted properly but can't because of the overall weaknesses of that crew, while the defense jas, for the most part, been fine.

It's not Hakstol's fault that Michal Neuvirth is the most unreliable goalie I have ever seen, forcing them to play Lyon and acquire Mrazek.

I think they should make the playoffs. But if they don't, that's on the segment of players not named Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Ghost, Provorov, MacDonald and Elliott, and excluding the rookies.

Because no one is telling Flip, Weise, Manning, Gudas, etc., to not get the job done. It wouldn't kill Simmonds to score an ES goal. The coach doesn't need to tell you that

Manning is also not an NHL every day dman on most NHL clubs who are more than mediocre.

Same goes for players such as Leier, Lehtera and Fil.

Everyone matters in a league of parity and this club has too many who should simply not be playing. When looking at issues with the team, that can’t be ignored imo.

As far as Hakstol goes...it's always easy to give a coach the shiv. Sometimes it's more obvious than others when a coach is out of his depth.

Just my opinion, but to me, Hakstol hasn't done anything to get fired this season. I don't love every single decision he makes, but that's life.

But for me, just based on the last few games for example, it's not like he is telling Flip and Lehtera -- two veterans who should absolutely know better -- to make soft plays with the puck. He isn't telling guys to lose 50-50 battles. He isn't telling guys to let pucks come off the wall in their own zone.

If you want to knife him for the PK, that's debatable. That PK hasn't been right for years and years now, under multiple coaches.

Hakstol, to me, is doing exactly what an NHL coach is supposed to do: ensuring that his systems are getting production from the best players on the roster. To my mind, he has done that.

To me, at a minimum, three players from the Bottom 6 have to go, and two more need to be slotted properly but can't because of the overall weaknesses of that crew, while the defense jas, for the most part, been fine.

It's not Hakstol's fault that Michal Neuvirth is the most unreliable goalie I have ever seen, forcing them to play Lyon and acquire Mrazek.

I think they should make the playoffs. But if they don't, that's on the segment of players not named Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Ghost, Provorov, MacDonald and Elliott, and excluding the rookies.

Because no one is telling Flip, Weise, Manning, Gudas, etc., to not get the job done. It wouldn't kill Simmonds to score an ES goal. The coach doesn't need to tell you that
- AllInForFlyers

It’s no secret I am not a fan.

We won’t be able to really assess him all that well anyway as the team is bound to improve with the infusion of talent.

He’s Hextall’s man. I’m not really sure what it would take for him to be fired.

As far as Hakstol goes...it's always easy to give a coach the shiv. Sometimes it's more obvious than others when a coach is out of his depth.

Just my opinion, but to me, Hakstol hasn't done anything to get fired this season. I don't love every single decision he makes, but that's life.

But for me, just based on the last few games for example, it's not like he is telling Flip and Lehtera -- two veterans who should absolutely know better -- to make soft plays with the puck. He isn't telling guys to lose 50-50 battles. He isn't telling guys to let pucks come off the wall in their own zone.

If you want to knife him for the PK, that's debatable. That PK hasn't been right for years and years now, under multiple coaches.

Hakstol, to me, is doing exactly what an NHL coach is supposed to do: ensuring that his systems are getting production from the best players on the roster. To my mind, he has done that.

To me, at a minimum, three players from the Bottom 6 have to go, and two more need to be slotted properly but can't because of the overall weaknesses of that crew, while the defense jas, for the most part, been fine.

It's not Hakstol's fault that Michal Neuvirth is the most unreliable goalie I have ever seen, forcing them to play Lyon and acquire Mrazek.

I think they should make the playoffs. But if they don't, that's on the segment of players not named Giroux, Couturier, Voracek, Ghost, Provorov, MacDonald and Elliott, and excluding the rookies.

Because no one is telling Flip, Weise, Manning, Gudas, etc., to not get the job done. It wouldn't kill Simmonds to score an ES goal. The coach doesn't need to tell you that
- AllInForFlyers

I do blame him for said players usage. after making it 2-1 I would have liked to have seen Patrick's line come out. Filppula's line has been spending way too much time hemmed in the defensive zone since becoming a line going by memory.

Manning is also not an NHL every day dman on most NHL clubs who are more than mediocre.

Same goes for players such as Leier, Lehtera and Fil.

Everyone matters in a league of parity and this club has too many who should simply not be playing. When looking at issues with the team, that can’t be ignored imo.
- flyer_nutter

That's where I am. Hextall is like every other GM -- he's better than most -- in that sometimes, players that you think are gonna get the job done simply don't that you have acquired.

Flip and Read will be gone at season's end. Weise looks like an AHL player and that's where he should be next season. Lehtera is probably a 12/13 forward.

Hextall has to figure out how to get this Bottom 6 to a place where they aren't hurting you. I get it, we all get it. In a capped league, you can't have everything. But they gotta find a way to kill penalties and get that Bottom 6 to be able to check people and not get caved in

Manning is also not an NHL every day dman on most NHL clubs who are more than mediocre.

Same goes for players such as Leier, Lehtera and Fil.

Everyone matters in a league of parity and this club has too many who should simply not be playing. When looking at issues with the team, that can’t be ignored imo.
- flyer_nutter

Its a fair assessment.

They absolutely need to get Sanhiem and Morin in as starters next year. Manning and Gudas should be in a dog fight for that 7th D man role.

I'd also really like to see an offensive prospect up next year too but I'm not sure who they feel is close to being ready. The bottom six absolutely needs to be revamped however.

Would also strongly consider moving on from Simmonds at this point if the offers are strong.

I do blame him for said players usage. after making it 2-1 I would have liked to have seen Patrick's line come out. Filppula's line has been spending way too much time hemmed in the defensive zone since becoming a line going by memory.
- nastyflyergirl

That's fair; he did deploy the line. He can be criticized for that. I think the players, veterans like that, need to at least be able to get a puck out or deep and should be held accountable for such egregious failures, but if they are consistently hurting you, then yeah, it's fair to criticize using them

Its a fair assessment.

They absolutely need to get Sanhiem and Morin in as starters next year. Manning and Gudas should be in a dog fight for that 7th D man role.

I'd also really like to see an offensive prospect up next year too but I'm not sure who they feel is close to being ready. The bottom six absolutely needs to be revamped however.

Would also strongly consider moving on from Simmonds at this point if the offers are strong.
- hereticpride

Frankly there is zero reason to be seeing any more dead weight next season.

Too many of these kids are knocking on the door.

Its a fair assessment.

They absolutely need to get Sanhiem and Morin in as starters next year. Manning and Gudas should be in a dog fight for that 7th D man role.

I'd also really like to see an offensive prospect up next year too but I'm not sure who they feel is close to being ready. The bottom six absolutely needs to be revamped however.

Would also strongly consider moving on from Simmonds at this point if the offers are strong.
- hereticpride

NAK if he could cut out some the penalties would probably be a shoo in but with a team struggling on the pk I don't see it until next year.

Vorobyov I also think has a strong case for 4c. I think his biggest adjustment was his english, north american hockey, etc.

As far as defense I think hagg-gudas should be tried and see if it helps gudas for the back part the year. Sanheim if he continues this upward play I not only think finishes this year up by solidifes himself this year. If hagg gudas doesn't work than ship gudas off in the off season and roll provy gost, sanheim amac, morin hagg

Oh poop, didn't know you had back surgery. How long are you on the IR from playing hockey?
- nastyflyergirl

i'm 2 weeks post-op. 6 months full recovery. i'm healing nicely, but christ this sucks.