Maybe it was. Babcock most likely wasn't coming here and the rest of the coaches had smudges on their records. This guy has a clean slate and has a history of NCAA success (without a championship).
- jmatchett383

i like everything i read about him but damn he's got a huuuuge learning curve ahead of him.

Hakstool
- Feanor

I see the nickname has already been created.

Now we can focus on the draft... the more I think of it, I think Hextall should target a LW with the first and second pick should also be a winger. Morin is starting to look more and more like a solid pick along with Sanheim. We need some young forwards in the mix that have skill.
- Hextall271

yup.
But if a great D man falls to them, I have no problems with them picking another.
If they all turn out to be NHL caliber D men, you can always trade one for something you need.
And after this year, the forward cupboard doesn't look completely bare in the minors.

i like everything i read about him but damn he's got a huuuuge learning curve ahead of him.
- JoeRussomanno

Other than dealing with pros what does he not know about the game?

yup.
But if a great D man falls to them, I have no problems with them picking another.
If they all turn out to be NHL caliber D men, you can always trade one for something you need.
And after this year, the forward cupboard doesn't look completely bare in the minors.
- nails

This franchise needs more of everything....

For example: Who is the goaltending prospect other than Stolarz? What happens if Stolarz doesn't pan out?

Haha, that never stopped anybody here before... oh hi Lawson Crouse.

No idea why ppl are putting this hire in terms of the Cup... this is a team in transition that was needing a transitional coach.
- Tomahawk

Everyone always wants the biggest name and its a disappointment if they don't get him

YEAH BUT HE'S NEVER WON AN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SO HE SUCKZZZ!
- jmatchett383

LOL! How can he be expected to win an NCAA Championship with schlubs like Parise and Toews.

Know whats great?
they didn't wait until game 3 to decide to hire the unknown/untested coach.
He actually gets an off-season AND preseason AND practices to work with the players.
This new forward way of thinking that Hexy brought with him from the west coast is pretty amazing!

Transitional coach you say.... Hmmmmm....


- PLindbergh31

Gonna reserve all judgement until I actually know something about his tactics/methods/record.

... but I really hope the above had no bearing in the decision making.
- Tomahawk

i am currently having the same sensation

LOL! How can he be expected to win an NCAA Championship with schlubs like Parise and Toews.
- PLindbergh31

So it's BU's coach's fault they didn't win with Guadreau?

Know whats great?
they didn't wait until game 3 to decide to hire the unknown/untested coach.
He actually gets an off-season AND preseason AND practices to work with the players.
This new forward way of thinking that Hexy brought with him from the west coast is pretty amazing!
- nails

lets win a couple playoff rounds before we start talking about how amazing hextall is, mkay?

Apparently hockey in College is a different game played on sand with scythes, and the purpose of the game is to put a large badger in to a coal fired pit.

I could see hiring this guy even with no pro experience if the game was played on ice with sticks and the purpose was to score a small rubber disc in to a net, while preventing the other team from doing the same. but apparently this isn't the case in college.

This franchise needs more of everything....

For example: Who is the goaltending prospect other than Stolarz? What happens if Stolarz doesn't pan out?
- johndewar

Now there is an interesting one to me.
They really have nothing waiting, but at the same time, there is such a glut of second tier goaltending/youg goalies in the league right now that you can either trade/FA one.
they obviously need to draft one this year, but again, you only that if there isn't a better prospect available.

I'd love to know what Toews, Parise, Oshie, Zajac, Stafford and others think of him and their development under him.

This signing tells me this season is going to be another rough season for us. And this signing also worries me that one of top guys is going to be traded for more youth since this is the highest value they will ever have and by the time our defensive prospects are NHL ready the players will be heading towards the downward end of their careers. I hope I am wrong but does this signing Impact one of giroux, jake, or simmonds future with our team?

i laughed when they hired that guy.
- JoeRussomanno

Any good prospects coming out of ND for the draft? Maybe he'll pull a chip and push for his guys.

lets win a couple playoff rounds before we start talking about how amazing hextall is, mkay?
- JoeRussomanno

I don't expect them to win any playoff rounds this year. That said, until I actually see how he gets this team to play, I'm not gonna string him up by the thumbs.

lets win a couple playoff rounds before we start talking about how amazing hextall is, mkay?
- JoeRussomanno

I see I failed to engage the sarcasm button again

Glad that he went outside the box and not theold boys club. Hopefully the next keenan as far as results!!!!

No problem with this hire even though I know nothing much about him. As said he needs a strong assistant with nhl experience to help him a little.

Hextall will sink or swim though with this hire. His GM career is possibly on the line. Glad it was very hush hush as well. I applaud him for not going the "safe" route

agreed. hes also been very successful some of the Nhl guys hes coached:


- PhillaBully

Wow, that's actually surprisingly reassuring. Some good names up there. Nelson, grenne, oshie, parise, toews, Stafford, zajac. I'm excited to see what he can bring/ contribute to the team. Does anyone know anything about his "system"?

Apparently hockey in College is a different game played on sand with scythes, and the purpose of the game is to put a large badger in to a coal fired pit.

I could see hiring this guy even with no pro experience if the game was played on ice with sticks and the purpose was to score a small rubber disc in to a net, while preventing the other team from doing the same. but apparently this isn't the case in college.
- MBFlyerfan

hahahaha

I need to watch more college hockey.

Apparently hockey in College is a different game played on sand with scythes, and the purpose of the game is to put a large badger in to a coal fired pit.

I could see hiring this guy even with no pro experience if the game was played on ice with sticks and the purpose was to score a small rubber disc in to a net, while preventing the other team from doing the same. but apparently this isn't the case in college.
- MBFlyerfan

He's got more head coaching experience than Berube did... that's a start.

I'd love to know what Toews, Parise, Oshie, Zajac, Stafford and others think of him and their development under him.
- BOSS_TWEED

I would love to know what Vinny thinks of this hiring......

Funny how some of the same people who complain that they always hire ex Flyers are now complaining about the new hire.

I was hoping for a new coach with fresh ideas, not a retread. I'm happy.