Excuse my negativity and my low Hockey IQ but I never had this team making it a series. We simply have trouble keeping the puck out of the net and we don't match up well against the Penguins. We were a sacrificial lamb the moment we made the playoffs and we would be absolute world beaters just to get to Game 6 against Pitts. What troubles me now is, in order to get between the pipes for Hakstol is, you have to be hurt for two months and out of rhythm.
- SuperSchennBros

I don't think may people had them winning the series, so that's not a concern. The concern, to me at least, is the total lack of effort and cohesion they've displayed. They're not even putting a fight (figuratively or literally), and that's my issue.

Like I said, I'd rather they get swept because the other team is simply better as opposed to what we've seen through 4 games.

Like I said, Hakstol's choices are limited by what Hextall gives him. Hextall is, to me, a little too patient and over-cautious. I understand his reasons for not adding big pieces, although I don't agree with them.

So overall, I think he's done more good than bad, although I don't like his unwillingness to go for it a bit more and promote young players.
- jmatchett383

I think you could see a change coming. They lucked into Patrick and that kind of moved the needle a little quicker. Prior to that, Hextall had to be patient to make sure guys were ready as they didn't have that franchise type center coming.

I don't think may people had them winning it a series, so that's not a concern. The concern, to me at least, is the total lack of effort and cohesion they've displayed. They're not even putting a fight (figuratively or literally), and that's my issue.
- jmatchett383

I find a lot of the time it’s nice to get a feel from fans of other teams. Helps put things in perspective.

Pens fans compare Dave to the guy they had before Sullivan pretty frequently for whatever that’s worth. A lot of comments about how the players basically have just rolled over. I love G, but some blame has to go to the leadership group.

Far too much dead weight on the club in the bottom 6. Hextall needs to fix that.

I think you could see a change coming. They lucked into Patrick and that kind of moved the needle a little quicker. Prior to that, Hextall had to be patient to make sure guys were ready as they didn't have that franchise type center coming.
- J35Bacher

I agree to a point. I thought that Sanheim needed to be sent back (although that month in the press box was mind-boggling) and he came back much better. But Lindblom should have been up about 2 months earlier. Morin should have made the team and stayed up.

I don't like his "young players have to significantly outplay vets" mentality. If they're a better player, they should be playing.

Did anyone else see the stick and hockey helmet sitting on the Flyers bench dressed in a Couturier jersey?

I thought that was a pretty clever gambit to throw off the Pens.

Anyone know if his practice jersey is hanging in the locker today?

IMO Hak needs to go. He is out coached all the time. He never calls a time out to settle down the team. Lavy has one of the most famous time outs in history.

He plays vets that screw up all the time, but screws the rookies out ice time if they make a mistake.

The PK has been below league avg for his whole tenure.

Also Hagg should have started some games just for the experience, plus he much better than Manning. I thought Hex wanted to groom players for the future?

I find a lot of the time it’s nice to get a feel from fans of other teams. Helps put things in perspective.

Pens fans compare Dave to the guy they had before Sullivan pretty frequently for whatever that’s worth. A lot of comments about how the players basically have just rolled over. I love G, but some blame has to go to the leadership group.

Far too much dead weight on the club in the bottom 6. Hextall needs to fix that.
- flyer_nutter

I agree that the players are the ones who are playing the game, so I do put blame on the players as well. Absolutely.

But I agree. If the next game is Filppula's last as a Flyers, I'll be happy. Same with Lehtera.

Completely gutless performance last night. Hak and Hextall have completely neutered this team of any identity whatsoever. At least if you get your doors blown off, show some damn pride. Make the other team at least earn it to some degree. The entire organization should be embarrassed about the product put on the ice last night. Ed is rolling in his grave!

Like I said, Hakstol's choices are limited by what Hextall gives him. Hextall is, to me, a little too patient and over-cautious. I understand his reasons for not adding big pieces, although I don't agree with them.

So overall, I think he's done more good than bad, although I don't like his unwillingness to go for it a bit more and promote young players.
- jmatchett383

I am fine with Hexy so far. However, this summer I expect him to add to this team. They have a good top half of the roster. They need to fix the bottom. They have $15mil freed up and another $13-20mil in players they could move/buyout and replace. I expect this team to be a lock playoff team going into next year.

Also, at minimum Lappy has to go. I would be fine with Hakstol getting the boot as well.

Berube was given a team that was much worse than this current team, especially on defense, and was able to take them to a 7-game series against the Rangers where Jason Akeson was one of his top offensive players, not to mention the corpse of Vinny Lecavalier and Ray Emery started 3 games with his dead hip.

We wanted to run Berube out of town. He did more with less than Hak has, so I don't see why people want Hak more than they wanted Berube.

I know, it is crazy to think people get emotional about a team they root for, support and are invested in.
- ggunky

Going over the edge is a bit extreme, no?

Did they play Kate Smith before the game last night?

Another black eye for this organization. Something that should’ve been put out to pasture a few years ago. It demonstrates there is a clear disconnect between the Flyers and the present.

It does! So why did they bench Hall, Palmeri, Vantanen, Zajac and Kinkaid?

Columbus benched Bob, Panerin, Jones and Werenski.
- Hckygoalie31

Reduce risk of injury to be ready as possible for the playoffs, the games that really matter.

I agree that the players are the ones who are playing the game, so I do put blame on the players as well. Absolutely.

But I agree. If the next game is Filppula's last as a Flyers, I'll be happy. Same with Lehtera.
- jmatchett383

I think we've seen the last of Filppula, Read, Manning, Weiss. Not so sure about Lehtera. He hasn't played badly. But he is extremely slow.

Hexy could bury them both in the AHL...or find a trade for a couple of very low draft picks.

Laying down and dying is the only thing that's unacceptable in my opinion. There was no question the Penguins are the better the team and should win the series, but in blowout fashion for every single loss is a joke. Elliott hasn't been great, but team defense overall has been a disaster the entire series.

IMO Hak needs to go. He is out coached all the time. He never calls a time out to settle down the team. Lavy has one of the most famous time outs in history.

He plays vets that screw up all the time, but screws the rookies out ice time if they make a mistake.

The PK has been below league avg for his whole tenure.

Also Hagg should have started some games just for the experience, plus he much better than Manning. I thought Hex wanted to groom players for the future?
- SpaceRockr

While maybe you should call a timeout things have changed a little. With the goal and offside challange i can understand him not using them, not absolving him of mistakes but understand it.

Can you imagine the anger of him using a timeout early and then a clear goalie interfence on a game winning goal happens and he can't challenge?

Lavy didn't have to have that worry because the review rule wans't in place.

Going over the edge is a bit extreme, no?
- Scoob

So people should not be allowed to be upset with a product they they invest hundreds and thousands of dollars into? They should not be allowed to want that product changed?

Oh wait, no, Hak moved Giroux to win, so nothing else matters.

He had the opening goal in the only game they won. I can look at the video and show you evidence of him putting a goal onto the scoreboard for his team.
- jmatchett383

I see you're in MJL response type mode. Have a good day.

While maybe you should call a timeout things have changed a little. With the goal and offside challange i can understand him not using them, not absolving him of mistakes but understand it.

Can you imagine the anger of him using a timeout early and then a clear goalie interfence on a game winning goal happens and he can't challenge?

Lavy didn't have to have that worry because the review rule wans't in place.
- J35Bacher

let's just worry about scoring a goal for now

I see you're in MJL response type mode. Have a good day.
- Scoob

I see you are MJL blindly supporting the coach mode. You have a good day too, sir.

So they're both huge defenseman. Going the TBL route of getting every giant you can? What about Hagg? What's every so high on him for?
- j.boyd919

because he hits.

While maybe you should call a timeout things have changed a little. With the goal and offside challange i can understand him not using them, not absolving him of mistakes but understand it.

Can you imagine the anger of him using a timeout early and then a clear goalie interfence on a game winning goal happens and he can't challenge?

Lavy didn't have to have that worry because the review rule wans't in place.
- J35Bacher

true. But you can't let a game get of hand either.

When it was 3-0 in game 3...should have called one.

When it was 3-0 last night....again, should have called one.

So people should not be allowed to be upset with a product they they invest hundreds and thousands of dollars into? They should not be allowed to want that product changed?
- jmatchett383

They can be as irrationally upset as they want.

While maybe you should call a timeout things have changed a little. With the goal and offside challange i can understand him not using them, not absolving him of mistakes but understand it.

Can you imagine the anger of him using a timeout early and then a clear goalie interfence on a game winning goal happens and he can't challenge?

Lavy didn't have to have that worry because the review rule wans't in place.
- J35Bacher

Agreed, no coach should ever use a timeout when it's needed because they may need it later.

I see you are MJL blindly supporting the coach mode. You have a good day too, sir.
- jmatchett383

Not sure how pointing out that Ghost has been sucky this series is blindly supporting the coach, but you keep on being you.