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

that was not good. But gotta give it up to the kid....what didn't kill him made him stronger. He has played better. Makes you wonder why he lost his confidence in the first place??

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

You mean like calling out a poster then objecting with sarcasm when he responds?

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

you know what this means, plenty of smiley faces for you.

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.
- joegreif17

You mean Raffl who scored the first goal of the game on the first line last night or a different Raffl?

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.
- 77rams

all true....I hope he proves the doubters wrong and gets this team to the next level.

Having players play the right way is how you win games.
- MJL

Your batting 1000 today, amazing insight.

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👍
- Hokeeguy9

Flyers are out.

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.
- MJL

ends up to be a mistake but I am sure the intent was to get him back in. They were winning so he didnt get back in. I guess the mistake is thinking if you are winning that you can't insert a young player for marginal vets

Your batting 1000 today, amazing insight.
- joegreif17

Sometimes the simplest of things apparently need to be explained.

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👍
- Hokeeguy9

The greater number of games won, excluding games won in the Shootout (a.k.a ROW - Regulation+Overtime wins). Right now our ROW is tied with the panthers. But should they win their next two games (at least 1 in regulation) they would surpass us on the tiebreaker. It's why we need 1 point to clinch our spot. If we get 1 more point then it won't matter what they do we'd win on points and the tiebreaker won't be needed.

EDIT: After ROW would be the greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs. But I doubt we get there.

If they lose in regulation or overtime in their next 2 games we get our 1 point and we go in.

My thoughts all along on Hak have been that Hextall didnt view him as the coach that will be there when they win the cup but rather the coach that develops the young players to a level they can get to that point.

From about the last 5 mins on of every game I cringe at his choices more often then not.

I dont understand how Gudas\Manning stay in while Hagg stays out.

I also see obvious improvement in young players and whatever he is doing he has a winning % of 570 over the past 3 years which isnt horrible and isnt great.

That sums up what I think of Hak..Isnt horrible..isnt great.

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.
- MJL

We seem pretty close on this. I don’t think they have a great option for the D guys in crunch time at the end of the game, beyond Provorov.

Gost can be pushed around, and Gudas is prone to getting out of position and turning the puck over.

You mean Raffl who scored the first goal of the game on the first line last night or a different Raffl?
- opeth_pa

Even Raffl gets lucky once in awhile, lol Konecny does it for me and we got the win so it does not even matter. If you think Raffl is a goal scorer and first line material you are sadly mistaken.

ends up to be a mistake but I am sure the intent was to get him back in. They were winning so he didnt get back in. I guess the mistake is thinking if you are winning that you can't insert a young player for marginal vets
- wcorvette

I think it's safe to assume that the GM wanted and was hoping that Sanheim would get back in. I just don't buy that practicing in the NHL is better for a younger player than playing in the AHL. They let it go on for too long. It was a mistake.

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

👍👍👍

Even Raffl gets lucky once in awhile, lol Konecny does it for me and we got the win so it does not even matter. If you think Raffl is a goal scorer and first line material you are sadly mistaken.
- joegreif17

What else did Raffl do well last night Joe?

Even Raffl gets lucky once in awhile, lol Konecny does it for me and we got the win so it does not even matter. If you think Raffl is a goal scorer and first line material you are sadly mistaken.
- joegreif17

Except for the fact that Raffl has been a first line player.
Do I think he is better or more dynamic than TK..in no way.
To state he isnt first line material has already been proven wrong.

My thoughts all along on Hak have been that Hextall didnt view him as the coach that will be there when they win the cup but rather the coach that develops the young players to a level they can get to that point.

From about the last 5 mins on of every game I cringe at his choices more often then not.

I dont understand how Gudas\Manning stay in while Hagg stays out.

I also see obvious improvement in young players and whatever he is doing he has a winning % of 570 over the past 3 years which isnt horrible and isnt great.

That sums up what I think of Hak..Isnt horrible..isnt great.
- opeth_pa

Pretty much the way I see it with the exception that Hextall did not just sign him to develop players and then leave. I think any GM that hires a coach has a vision of winning a cup with him.

On another note...

The Captain has to an MVP finalist...

Second in the league with 99 points and has the best +/- of any player in the top 10 in points with a +24.

Not only did he only finish with 58 points last year but he was also a -15.

I think it's safe to assume that the GM wanted and was hoping that Sanheim would get back in. I just don't buy that practicing in the NHL is better for a younger player than playing in the AHL. They let it go on for too long. It was a mistake.
- MJL

from that we can opinion; Hextall believed Hak should have gotten Sanheim back in. I mentioned earlier, in the off season Hak and Hex would go over areas for improvement. I do believe usage and vet vs rooks will be high on the list. All in an effort for Hak to grow as a head coach and make better decisions in season.

My thoughts all along on Hak have been that Hextall didnt view him as the coach that will be there when they win the cup but rather the coach that develops the young players to a level they can get to that point.

From about the last 5 mins on of every game I cringe at his choices more often then not.

I dont understand how Gudas\Manning stay in while Hagg stays out.

I also see obvious improvement in young players and whatever he is doing he has a winning % of 570 over the past 3 years which isnt horrible and isnt great.

That sums up what I think of Hak..Isnt horrible..isnt great.
- opeth_pa

This sums it up pretty good...al though if the young guys take flight then this team can win with Hak as coach...perhaps Hextall wants Hak to grow with these young guys....Coaching in the pro's is different then coaching in college.

Pretty much the way I see it with the exception that Hextall did not just sign him to develop players and then leave. I think any GM that hires a coach has a vision of winning a cup with him.
- joegreif17

That is a fair point..

I think if you asked Hextall the GM in public he would say "yup we think he is going to win the cup"

If you asked Hextall the GM in private he would say "yup we think he is going to develop young players and we hope we can with the cup with him"

from that we can opinion; Hextall believed Hak should have gotten Sanheim back in. I mentioned earlier, in the off season Hak and Hex would go over areas for improvement. I do believe usage and vet vs rooks will be high on the list. All in an effort for Hak to grow as a head coach and make better decisions in season.
- wcorvette

one way to get kids in over some of the fringe vets is to get rid of the fringe vets.

On another note...

The Captain has to an MVP finalist...

Second in the league with 99 points and has the best +/- of any player in the top 10 in points with a +24.

Not only did he only finish with 58 points last year but he was also a -15.
- opeth_pa

and down the stretch, going for the playoffs, 15 points in 8 or 9 games and big time goals

Except for the fact that Raffl has been a first line player.
Do I think he is better or more dynamic than TK..in no way.
To state he isnt first line material has already been proven wrong.
- opeth_pa

Raffl best year on the first line he managed a cool 7 assists, 18 the next year and now has a combined 20 assists in his last 137 games. He sure did not play much of a part in 93 and 28 goal production and actually was in part why they were slumping for long stretches the past two years. Either way I like Raffl but not on the first line and long term he would serioulsly be part of an offensive decline.