That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out post.
- Scoob

I have my moments

Of course he'll go for the win. Minute ~4,915 of the season is not a time to be worrying about development.
- Scoob

No, it's the time to send out Lehtera, Filppula, Simmonds, Manning and MacDonald in a tied game with the playoffs on the line. If you're going to lose, you want it to be with veteran, defensive stalwarts who play the right way on the ice.

Of course he'll go for the win. Minute ~4,915 of the season is not a time to be worrying about development.
- Scoob

That is my point.

So yes, while a coach should put much emphasis on player development, his primary concern should be trying to win games.

So tomorrow, when they need to win or at least get to OT to make the playoffs, if they're down by a goal with 5 minutes left, Hakstol's primary goal should be to ensure that his players develop correctly? Or should he more concerned with winning the game?

I'd hope he does whatever it takes to win the game, even if it goes against what may be best for the player long-term.
- jmatchett383

One and the same. A coach isn't going to limit or bench a player for playing the right way and playing effectively. That leads to winning. If a player is not playing well away from the puck or making poor decisions with the puck, that leads to losing. Not sure what point you're trying to make here but they are often the same.

We didn't see his play directly after this because, after the month-straight benching (minus 6 minutes), he was finally reassigned to the AHL and then recalled.

I can agree that letting him refine his game in the AHL helped, sure. But having him sit in the press box for a full month in the middle of the season did him no favors.
- jmatchett383

just think if they would have sent him down a week earlier, he would have came back up a week earlier

Konecny wasn't benched because of that. There is no indication at all that Konecny has been ruined. In fact every indication is that he has been flourishing. All of the young players under Hakstol have been progressing nicely. Sanheim is getting better and both Konecny and Patrick look like future top NHL forwards.
- MJL

Agree with all that, I correct myself and in no way did I mean the demotion would ruin him. For the record not too many were happy with Konecny moved on line one for Raffl. Still baffles me but I am just a fan of the team.

Great news, he should get the 100 point milestone now.
- joegreif17

this game doesn't need the added pressure.

One and the same. A coach isn't going to limit or bench a player for playing the right way and playing effectively. That leads to winning. If a player is not playing well away from the puck or making poor decisions with the puck, that leads to losing. Not sure what point you're trying to make here but they are often the same.
- MJL

yes, I am quite handsome/

So tomorrow, when they need to win or at least get to OT to make the playoffs, if they're down by a goal with 5 minutes left, Hakstol's primary goal should be to ensure that his players develop correctly? Or should he more concerned with winning the game?

I'd hope he does whatever it takes to win the game, even if it goes against what may be best for the player long-term.
- jmatchett383

See this is where I think there is legit criticism of the coach, his use of guys at the end of a tight game.

I don’t want Ghost benched so that Gudas is paired with Provorov get the tough minutes in the 3rd period.

I don’t want to see 51 out there in place of Nolan Patrick at this point.

I don’t want to see Manning getting 20 minutes in a must win game. It may not be ideal but Amac/Sanheim should be playing more than Manning Gudas.

TK/Filp/Simmonds are not a line that should be protecting a lead in the 3rd.

It’s exactly why he was hired. Hextall thought he was the best guy to develop youth and build a solid program. This does not necessarily mean that Hextall thinks that the current HC is also the guy to take a solid team to the next level and win a Cup. Next season will go a long way to determining Hak’s future with the team. No GM, except in rare circumstances, likes going into a season with a lame duck coach. So, after 18-19, Hak is either getting a pink slip or an extension. At this point, I’m guessing Hextall is nowhere near decided one way or the other.
- BiggE

I agree. The jury is still out on Hakstol. There's a good chance it will become clearer in the weeks to come. Hopefully, the decision to give him a new contract will eventually become an easy one.

That said, Hextall did go out on a bit of a limb hiring Hak so he'll get a little more rope than if he was a coach who Ron inherited.

A head coach can do both at the same time. Coaches teach and "coach" players. That's how they're developed.
- MJL

Hey, that is awesome. Thank you for your invaluable insight.

It’s exactly why he was hired. Hextall thought he was the best guy to develop youth and build a solid program. This does not necessarily mean that Hextall thinks that the current HC is also the guy to take a solid team to the next level and win a Cup. Next season will go a long way to determining Hak’s future with the team. No GM, except in rare circumstances, likes going into a season with a lame duck coach. So, after 18-19, Hak is either getting a pink slip or an extension. At this point, I’m guessing Hextall is nowhere near decided one way or the other.
- BiggE

agreed...Hextall also realizes he's responsible for some of these turds that Hak is forced to play night in and night out. If the Flyers should fail, Hextall is just as responsible. Now come next year, this whole rebuild-Patience thing really will have reached it's conclusion. When a team like Vegas rolls out a season like this after one year, the excuses and calls for patience really become meaningless. Hopefully this team gets in to the playoffs and builds on that next year.

That is my point.

So yes, while a coach should put much emphasis on player development, his primary concern should be trying to win games.
- jmatchett383

I call them equal long-term priorities which can swap places in context of the moment.

I call them equal long-term priorities which can swap places in context of the moment.
- Scoob

So the coach sat Sanheim in the press box for a month straight because he thought that it was best for Sanheim's development? Or because he thought scratching him from the lineup gave his team the best chance to win?

This wasn't a 2-3 game wake-up call, it was a month-straight of not being allowed to play.

See this is where I think there is legit criticism of the coach, his use of guys at the end of a tight game.

I don’t want Ghost benched so that Gudas is paired with Provorov get the tough minutes in the 3rd period.

I don’t want to see 51 out there in place of Nolan Patrick at this point.

I don’t want to see Manning getting 20 minutes in a must win game. It may not be ideal but Amac/Sanheim should be playing more than Manning Gudas.

TK/Filp/Simmonds are not a line that should be protecting a lead in the 3rd.
- Marc D

Here is my opinion on that.

As far as center choices, I think that Patrick is getting stronger and stronger while Filppula is clearly in decline as a player. I think the minutes between the two should be shifted more towards Patrick. I think Patrick has shown he is reliable away from the puck.

I think the MacDonald/Sanheim pairing should see more minutes and the Gudas/Manning pairing less.

I don't feel that Gostisbehere should see ice time late in games with a lead. He doesn't do well in board battles, or around the net.

Like most coaches, Hakstol is going to trust the veterans and shelter the younger players for the most part in certain game situations.

No, it's the time to send out Lehtera, Filppula, Simmonds, Manning and MacDonald in a tied game with the playoffs on the line. If you're going to lose, you want it to be with veteran, defensive stalwarts who play the right way on the ice.
- Feanor

Nobody makes correct choices 100% of the time.

See this is where I think there is legit criticism of the coach, his use of guys at the end of a tight game.

I don’t want Ghost benched so that Gudas is paired with Provorov get the tough minutes in the 3rd period.

I don’t want to see 51 out there in place of Nolan Patrick at this point.

I don’t want to see Manning getting 20 minutes in a must win game. It may not be ideal but Amac/Sanheim should be playing more than Manning Gudas.

TK/Filp/Simmonds are not a line that should be protecting a lead in the 3rd.
- Marc D

Well said Marc, not only this but I have never been a fan of this funny looking fellow but some of his decisions really are baffling. Been going on ever since he became coach but have to give him some credit for some positives.

Nobody makes correct choices 100% of the time.
- Scoob

What is it called when you keep doing the same exact thing over and over but expecting a different result?

So tomorrow, when they need to win or at least get to OT to make the playoffs, if they're down by a goal with 5 minutes left, Hakstol's primary goal should be to ensure that his players develop correctly? Or should he more concerned with winning the game?

I'd hope he does whatever it takes to win the game, even if it goes against what may be best for the player long-term.
- jmatchett383

Seriously?

So the coach sat Sanheim in the press box for a month straight because he thought that it was best for Sanheim's development? Or because he thought scratching him from the lineup gave his team the best chance to win?
- jmatchett383

Don't know, don't care, not getting on that bus.

Nobody makes correct choices 100% of the time.

So the coach sat Sanheim in the press box for a month straight because he thought that it was best for Sanheim's development? Or because he thought scratching him from the lineup gave his team the best chance to win?

This wasn't a 2-3 game wake-up call, it was a month-straight of not being allowed to play.
- jmatchett383

I agree, good points. Not 100% but a lot of times it can be in sync. They made a mistake sitting Sanheim for that long. It seems as though the coach and the GM were not on the same page there.

No, it's the time to send out Lehtera, Filppula, Simmonds, Manning and MacDonald in a tied game with the playoffs on the line. If you're going to lose, you want it to be with veteran, defensive stalwarts who play the right way on the ice.
- Feanor

when I read the first part I thought these were the guys that you wanted to send out "permanently" this summer...then I realized that's Haks Vets sent out to protect the lead...scary.

Seriously?
- MBFlyerfan

He's extra today, that's for sure. lol

What is it called when you keep doing the same exact thing over and over but expecting a different result?
- jmatchett383

HBness

Just got on and don’t have time to back read, but has anyone asked what the tie breakers are if both the cats and flyers tie in points? Thanks guys👍