Yes it absolutely is a relative scale. What's the bench mark for playing well? Is that the same for every player? With any coach there are going to be decisions that one might not agree with. For example, last night I felt Hakstol played the Manning/Gudas pairing too much in the 3rd and I think he should've played the MacDonald/Sanheim pairing more and had more trust in Sanheim based on his recent play. In terms of playing Manning in the lineup, a very important factor is what is the alternative.
- MJL

Do agree Amac and sanheim earned more ice time. No, all decisions are not the same, playing a manning is a different decision than benching a tk.

Tk getting under 3 minutes in the 3rd? Not sure anyone could defend that, bec bench him at the end but not most of the period. I don’t like what that says to the bench. The guy driving your scoring gets complete hook. I think that is why Hak was so upfront in the presser, not as much for the media but he knows the team will hear it and digest it. Not a bad idea, he knew TK would own his play and not complain.

If they are lucky the whole team sees it as a kick in the axx

It is because every player is different. The players are measured against themselves first.
- Scoob

Contrast that with Manning.....at age 27, he is not going to get better. He is what he is. I think Hakstol likely knows this
- johndewar

I don't disagree, but my point to the quote here is that simply throwing up your hands and saying well this guy isn't going to get any better and living with his flaws is ensuring that the flaws will stay. It does not matter how good someone is supposed to be.

I do not think he treats Konecny differently than Manning because of potential.

Do agree Amac and sanheim earned more ice time. No, all decisions are not the same, playing a manning is a different decision than benching a tk.

Tk getting under 3 minutes in the 3rd? Not sure anyone could defend that, bec bench him at the end but not most of the period. I don’t like what that says to the bench. The guy driving your scoring gets complete hook. I think that is why Hak was so upfront in the presser, not as much for the media but he knows the team will hear it and digest it. Not a bad idea, he knew TK would own his play and not complain.

If they are lucky the whole team sees it as a kick in the axx
- wcorvette

Again this is not giving NHL players enough credit. In my opinion you put way too much on messages sent to the team. The team knows what is happening and why. They may not like but they know why and they're professionals. There is an investment being made in a player in an attempt to make him into a complete player and even more of a weapon for the team in the future. That is the only message sent in my opinion.

I don't think people give NHL players enough credit and place way too much value on what a coach says to the media. Players know that life isn't fair and that "perks" of being a veteran are earned. Konecny to his credit seems quite aware of what is going on and the reasoning behind it.
- MJL

Typically but when a team is lacking confidence everything is magnified. I hope they play their way out of it. Manning? Yeah this is all hall he is, hope Hagg is not 100%, if not, big miss on Hak’s part.

I don't disagree, but my point to the quote here is that simply throwing up your hands and saying well this guy isn't going to get any better and living with his flaws is ensuring that the flaws will stay. It does not matter how good someone is supposed to be.


- YuenglingJagr

That's false. A perfect example is Vandevelde. The Flyers moved on from Vandevelde and they will also move on from stop gap players such as Lehtera, Weise, and Manning.

I do not think he treats Konecny differently than Manning because of potential.
- YuenglingJagr

Konecny is treated differently than Manning simply because there is an investment to be made in Konecny. There is no investment to be made in Manning.

Typically but when a team is lacking confidence everything is magnified. I hope they play their way out of it. Manning? Yeah this is all hall he is, hope Hagg is not 100%, if not, big miss on Hak’s part.
- wcorvette

Team is the key word here. Any lack of confidence is not due to anything being talked about here.

Team is the key word here. Any lack of confidence is not due to anything being talked about here.
- MJL

Well I don’t think they are reading our comments, lol

They do however hear what goes on in the press conference, they do read articles and watch tv. On its own no big deal but when you have a confidence issue or a perceived short coming it can get magnified by what goes on around you, especially in a team environment. Good teams fight through it

That's false. A perfect example is Vandevelde. The Flyers moved on from Vandevelde and they will also move on from stop gap players such as Lehtera, Weise, and Manning.

Konecny is treated differently than Manning simply because there is an investment to be made in Konecny. There is no investment to be made in Manning.
- MJL

If they are playing on the Flyers they should be coached with an intention to improve. Manning isn't even playing as well as he has shown he is capable of. There is no argument to be made that his current level of play is acceptable and he shouldn't be held to a higher standard.

I don't disagree, but my point to the quote here is that simply throwing up your hands and saying well this guy isn't going to get any better and living with his flaws is ensuring that the flaws will stay. It does not matter how good someone is supposed to be.

I do not think he treats Konecny differently than Manning because of potential.
- YuenglingJagr

Well, we don't know what is said to Manning privately.

Imho, coach should've answered the question about Konecny simply as "I made the decision as I felt it was best for the team at that time." Then talk with Konecny in the room about what is needed.

Well, we don't know what is said to Manning privately.

Imho, coach should've answered the question about Konecny simply as "I made the decision as I felt it was best for the team at that time." Then talk with Konecny in the room about what is needed.
- Scoob

True, I am just inferring based on what happens during the game. I also think Konecny is strong enough to take it the right way.

Personally, I just would like to more trust given. Were it one game or one period it is a different story. I don't have an issue with what happened last night, but it isn't something I think is ideal. The younger guys have rewarded him multiple times this year when given opportunities. That is all for me!

Well, we don't know what is said to Manning privately.

Imho, coach should've answered the question about Konecny simply as "I made the decision as I felt it was best for the team at that time." Then talk with Konecny in the room about what is needed.
- Scoob

Hak might have used the presser to get the message to the whole team.

Benching one of their top weapons, when the whole team is bad at coverage might need to be explained

Pulling into Epcot, have a good day all...

Good conversations

Awesome article.

On Friday, the game of the greatest interest to the Flyers is the New Jersey Devils' road match against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since one team is guaranteed to get two points and there are benefits and drawbacks to either side winning in regulation, the primary thing to root for is a game decided in regulation.

I'd much rather see Pit win in OT/SO than NJ win in regulation. NJ and Florida are the teams that can knock the Flyers out of a playoff spot.

With a one goal lead and a player who is having issues with puck management and making the right play in certain game situations, it is the right move to sit that player

Then why didn't Hakstol make the right move and sit Manning?

Ok, someone has to take the other side here.

What would the upside would be for Hakstol, as a coach, to light up Brandon Manning in the press?
- johndewar

Bill didn't say that Hak should light him up, just that he should be honest.

Hakstol knows full well that Manning was struggling for quite awhile and struggled again last night after getting back into the lineup. That much could and should have been admitted without laying out the specific concerns. Manning is a big boy and can take it.

That's false. A perfect example is Vandevelde.
- MJL

Vandevelde is a perfect example of you being in denial about Hakstol overplaying a mediocre veteran. So mediocre, in fact, that at the ripe old age of 30 he couldn't get a job on any team in the NHL just six months after playing his 81st game for the 16-17 Flyers.

How many games in a row did he play one of them?
- jmatchett383

I seriously have no desire to look it up but I do recall people complaining about it.

Hakstol supports Manning in the media because he knows he is a limited player giving his all and there is no value to criticizing Manning to the media.
- MJL

This is an insane statement.

If Manning is a limited player then maybe he shouldn't be in the lineup in the first place.

Vandevelde is a perfect example of you being in denial about Hakstol overplaying a mediocre veteran. So mediocre, in fact, that at the ripe old age of 30 he couldn't get a job on any team in the NHL just six months after playing his 81st game for the 16-17 Flyers.
- Feanor

If they are playing on the Flyers they should be coached with an intention to improve. Manning isn't even playing as well as he has shown he is capable of. There is no argument to be made that his current level of play is acceptable and he shouldn't be held to a higher standard.
- YuenglingJagr

We're talking about the overall level of player here. Manning is not going to reach another level as a player. He is at best a 6/7 NHL defenseman more suited to being a 7th than a 6th. Calling Manning out in the media serves zero purpose. Every player including the stars of the game are coached.

True, I am just inferring based on what happens during the game. I also think Konecny is strong enough to take it the right way.

Personally, I just would like to more trust given. Were it one game or one period it is a different story. I don't have an issue with what happened last night, but it isn't something I think is ideal. The younger guys have rewarded him multiple times this year when given opportunities. That is all for me!
- YuenglingJagr

Hakstol has rewarded the young players for their play, such as elevating Konecny to the top line.

Vandevelde is a perfect example of you being in denial about Hakstol overplaying a mediocre veteran. So mediocre, in fact, that at the ripe old age of 30 he couldn't get a job on any team in the NHL just six months after playing his 81st game for the 16-17 Flyers.
- Feanor

Yah but with the cap the way it is we can find plenty of higher skilled players than VDV that couldnt find a job in the NHL.

Hakstol has rewarded the young players for their play, such as elevating Konecny to the top line.
- MJL

I think that was more Konecny rewarding Hakstol for putting him there

Vandevelde is a perfect example of you being in denial about Hakstol overplaying a mediocre veteran. So mediocre, in fact, that at the ripe old age of 30 he couldn't get a job on any team in the NHL just six months after playing his 81st game for the 16-17 Flyers.
- Feanor

I disagree, Hakstol did not overplay Vandevelde last season. I wish we had a player like Vandevelde this season to play ahead of Weise and Leier. He was a better player then they are now. Every year there is an influx of new players and a turnover.

I'm sure Hextall and the other 30 GMs in the league all feel stupid for letting VdV go to Finland. Matt Read could have been playing ahead of Weise and Leier and Lehtera all season.

This is an insane statement.

If Manning is a limited player then maybe he shouldn't be in the lineup in the first place.
- KGBflyers10

Yeah, he's going to play 60 games despite missing a month with an injury.