I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the signing because I really don't know anything about Dave Hakstol. I also believe there is no way to judge what he's able to do without seeing the final result.

With this said, is there anything truth that he Coached Brett Hextall? If this is the case, what's next? Brett Hextall was signed at the last minute before training camp and probably got a long look in preseason than he deserved. Could this mean Brett Hextall is going to get a real chance to become the first call up in an injury situation?

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is, we can give Hextall a pass by making something up like "I'm so proud that he's doing things his own way", when his higher could be based on how Dave Hakstol once waited after Ron at an Applebee's. I just don't want Ron Hextall to higher people because of sentimental connections or trying to prove he's the smartest man in the room.
- SuperSchennBros

Ill ask again of you this time. Do you honestly believe that because he coached Brett Hextall that it has any bearing on this hire? Really?

is hakstol pronounced like hextall
- mydoglicks

Hakstol is what it sounds like when Sean Connery says Hextall.

I saw Deboer get a team to the NHL finals in which his best defenseman was Bryce Salvador. Something to be said for that.
- PLindbergh31

He still lost the last game.

I saw Deboer get a team to the NHL finals in which his best defenseman was Bryce Salvador. Something to be said for that.
- PLindbergh31

Hakstol got a team to the finals in which his best defenseman was Nick Fuhrer. Something to be said for that.

Because he coached in the CHL, where they apparently play "real hockey".

/wanking motion
- johndewar

that's the place that bans foreign goalies because they're too good, right?

I can't believe people rather have nhl coaches that can't win poop

Hakstol is what it sounds like when Sean Connery says Hextall.
- Streit2ThePoint

This is GOLD

He still lost the last game.
- BulliesPhan87

Crap coach. Terrible. Now, with a proven NHL history like Dineen and all of his Stanley Cups, that would have been different.

I can't believe people rather have nhl coaches that can't win poop
- 2Real

Or loser coaches who lost their last game.

that's the place that bans foreign goalies because they're too good, right?
- BulliesPhan87

Only while Don Cherry's still around.

I can't believe people rather have nhl coaches that can't win poop
- 2Real

Agreed! It's better to have a college coach that can't win poop.

that's the place that bans foreign goalies because they're too good, right?
- BulliesPhan87

ONLY GOOD CANADIAN BOYS IN OUR LIGUE, EH!

Hakstol got a team to the finals in which his best defenseman was Nick Fuhrer. Something to be said for that.
- jmatchett383

Ummm.... Ok.

Agreed! It's better to have a college coach that can't win poop.
- PLindbergh31

Bring on the sand badgers!

What's your gut on this hire Hammar? Granted I'm just having some fun, but I would have preferred a guy with NHL experience.
- PLindbergh31

i would have as well, however, at the same time we've been down this road before and had success - albeit without a cup - in mike keenan. i honestly don't know anything about this guy other than that UND is a top program that's produced several NHL players, some of them being top players.

i like that he has zero ties to the organization, has many years of head coaching experience, and is still young himself at 47. they're not a team poised to win now anyway.

there's also something to be said for running a tight ship at the college level. that can't be easy. however, the nhl is a whole other level...he'll have some learning to do.

i'm ok with this is for now. i trust what hextall is doing.

i would have as well, however, at the same time we've been down this road before and had success - albeit without a cup - in mike keenan. i honestly don't know anything about this guy other than that UND is a top program that's produced several NHL players, some of them being top players.

i like that he has zero ties to the organization, has many years of head coaching experience, and is still young himself at 47. they're not a team poised to win now anyway.

there's also something to be said for running a tight ship at the college level. that can't be easy. however, the nhl is a whole other level...he'll have some learning to do.

i'm ok with this is for now. i trust what hextall is doing.
- hammarby31

WRONG!! He coached Brett Hextall and that was the reason he was hired! Stinks like Nepotism in here.

I learned a lot from this post.
- Scoob

How not to spell "hire"?

Bring on the sand badgers!
- MBFlyerfan

They should change the coyote's name to the Arizona Sand Badgers




This is what they should put on the front of their jerseys.

Those that hate hakstool must hate chip
- 2Real

I dont think this guy and Chip compare. Chip has actually won a couple bowl games. Also Chip was seen as an innovator and one of the best coaches in college.

But the biggest difference is that College Football is basically seen as one step down from the NFL, comparable to the AHL, since there are really no lower football league. Hiring Hakstol is basically like if the Eagles would have hired a High School football coach.

High School Football < College Football < NFL
NCAA/Junior < AHL/European/KHL < NHL

To me, if the Flyers liked Hakstol so much, they should have hired him as the Phantoms coach first. Let him gain some professional experience & seen what he could have done there. Then promoted him to the NHL headcoaching job if they saw fit.

How not to spell "hire"?
- shekkie

i would have as well, however, at the same time we've been down this road before and had success - albeit without a cup - in mike keenan. i honestly don't know anything about this guy other than that UND is a top program that's produced several NHL players, some of them being top players.

i like that he has zero ties to the organization, has many years of head coaching experience, and is still young himself at 47. they're not a team poised to win now anyway.

there's also something to be said for running a tight ship at the college level. that can't be easy. however, the nhl is a whole other level...he'll have some learning to do.

i'm ok with this is for now. i trust what hextall is doing.
- hammarby31

I guess the only real ties are that he coached Hextall's son. Not sure if this factored in or not. I'm sure Hextall knew Hakstol because of this. Man it feels bizarre that these names are so similar.

This is one of those hires where a GM is really putting his neck on the line, if this turns out to be a cluster(frank) it's likely going to cost Hextall his job.

Agreed! It's better to have a college coach that can't win poop.
- PLindbergh31

So you're saying college hockey is the same as the nhl?

i would have as well, however, at the same time we've been down this road before and had success - albeit without a cup - in mike keenan. i honestly don't know anything about this guy other than that UND is a top program that's produced several NHL players, some of them being top players.

i like that he has zero ties to the organization, has many years of head coaching experience, and is still young himself at 47. they're not a team poised to win now anyway.

there's also something to be said for running a tight ship at the college level. that can't be easy. however, the nhl is a whole other level...he'll have some learning to do.

i'm ok with this is for now. i trust what hextall is doing.
- hammarby31

I think it also shows that Hextall is following his plan and not just a yes man for Snider. Hextall knows this hire is tied to him and will ultimately be something he is graded on as a GM. I think he did his due diligence and we just have to wait and see.

WRONG!! He coached Brett Hextall and that was the reason he was hired! Stinks like Nepotism in here.
- MBFlyerfan

foiled again. curses.

flyers couldnt get mike babcock so they turned to the babcock of the ncaa... wtf is wrong with that? geez people on here make it sound like he coaches basketball. i for one am i excited.