Everyone who has a proven track record was at one time unproven. You gotta take a chance on someone eventually. I for one am glad we didn't bend over backwards for Babcock. Yes, there were other good proven options, but as I said everyone starts from nothing.
- Fryman4

I think this is a cop out answer. Most Coaches also work their way up through the ranks. From juniors, to the minors, to an assistant coach to head coach. We just missed the playoffs, so how does an extremely inexperienced coach at any other level other than University improve us? I can't say whether or not it will workout but either way, it's a gamble. A big gamble.

I think this is a cop out answer. Most Coaches also work their way up through the ranks. From juniors, to the minors, to an assistant coach to head coach. We just missed the playoffs, so how does an extremely inexperienced coach at any other level other than University improve us? I can't say whether or not it will workout but either way, it's a gamble. A big gamble.
- SuperSchennBros

Because it's a 5 year plan. The Flyers, more likely than not, are not Stanley Cup contenders next season, and they might not even be a playoff team. So next season is Hakstol's warmup, his practice throw...his mulligan. Of course the organization would prefer to make the playoffs, but the Flyers are (depending on what happens this off-season) a borderline team with any coach behind the bench. And Hexy knows it. But if the Flyers aren't legit contenders in 2017/18, there's a problem.

Not that the hire of Dave Hakstol wears on me because I don't know much about him but now that he's here, I look forward to what happens next. However, in the back of my mind I feel like Hextall could be wasting a lot of time if there hire doesn't workout at a time where a few experienced names were on the market. It was a rare opportunity to possibly bring in a name with a proven track record. I'm hoping Hakstol does do well here, I'm just gonna be really upset with our GM if this risk is a waste of time.
- SuperSchennBros

Outside of Babcock, what experienced name on the coaching market didn't have a few warts? Bylsma won a Cup, but also had a team with Malkin and Crosby and had won 2 playoff rounds in 5 seasons. McLellan had made deep playoff runs, but had never been to a Final, and was coming off his last two seasons where his team blew a 3-0 series lead and missed the playoffs. Guys like Deboer, Dineen and MacLean also had shortcomings as coaches to overcome.

What if one of them got hired and had the same issues? There's others who have come from college ranks and done well. Bob Johnson. Herb Brooks. Mike Keenan. Fred Shero was a lightly regarded minor league coach when the Flyers hired him.

The two impressive things with Hakstol are his history of developing guys into NHLers and his consistent ability to win a high percentage of his games despite a roster in constant flux. That shows he knows the game and knows how to get young kids on the right path to be NHLers.

Outside of Babcock, what experienced name on the coaching market didn't have a few warts? Bylsma won a Cup, but also had a team with Malkin and Crosby and had won 2 playoff rounds in 5 seasons. McLellan had made deep playoff runs, but had never been to a Final, and was coming off his last two seasons where his team blew a 3-0 series lead and missed the playoffs. Guys like Deboer, Dineen and MacLean also had shortcomings as coaches to overcome.

What if one of them got hired and had the same issues? There's others who have come from college ranks and done well. Bob Johnson. Herb Brooks. Mike Keenan. Fred Shero was a lightly regarded minor league coach when the Flyers hired him.

The two impressive things with Hakstol are his history of developing guys into NHLers and his consistent ability to win a high percentage of his games despite a roster in constant flux. That shows he knows the game and knows how to get young kids on the right path to be NHLers.
- Jsaquella

The Coaches you named who had the inexperience, different times. Different eras. McLellan blew a 3-0 lead in a series to the Stanley Cup champs. Let's not over look most of these facts.

The point is, it's a gamble. Even if it proves to be successful, the hire right now is a huge gamble. Simple as that.

Because it's a 5 year plan. The Flyers, more likely than not, are not Stanley Cup contenders next season, and they might not even be a playoff team. So next season is Hakstol's warmup, his practice throw...his mulligan. Of course the organization would prefer to make the playoffs, but the Flyers are (depending on what happens this off-season) a borderline team with any coach behind the bench. And Hexy knows it. But if the Flyers aren't legit contenders in 2017/18, there's a problem.
- wolfhounds

Why do people keep saying it's a 5 year plan? You can predict a turn around of a team.

Why do people keep saying it's a 5 year plan? You can predict a turn around of a team.
- SuperSchennBros

Because the Flyers are in a rebuilding phase. And because Hakstol was apparently given a 5 year contract worth a lot of money. That means Hexy has faith in what he can do and wants to eliminate the early pressures of the perceived NHL learning curve a college coach is going to experience.

You can predict a team's turn-around? And does that mean they make the playoffs, or do they become strong Cup contenders?

The Coaches you named who had the inexperience, different times. Different eras. McLellan blew a 3-0 lead in a series to the Stanley Cup champs. Let's not over look most of these facts.

The point is, it's a gamble. Simple as that.
- SuperSchennBros

Any of them are a gamble. Experienced or not, it's a gamble. If they had hired Bylsma, could he have changed what he did wrong in Pittsburgh? Can Mc Lellan get a team over the hump? Can DeBoer find a way to handle good young defensemen better than he did Larsson in NJ?

The experienced guys have known flaws, that can be exploited. That's a weakness. The biggest question for Hakstol isn't the X's & Os, it's how well he can handle professionals after dealing with college kids.

I don't disagree, I'd very much kick the tires on him. However I'll see how long Hextall keeps his word on not wanting to move picks and or prospects in deals.
- ob18

Once you accumulate enough of them you can. Hexy has a lot of backfilling to do and he's off to a very good start.

what would it take for Ottawa to land Giroux? Also does he play center more than RW (I'm thinking yes right)

Once you accumulate enough of them you can. Hexy has a lot of backfilling to do and he's off to a very good start.
- jstross

yeah he is

One win away boys

what would it take for Ottawa to land Giroux? Also does he play center more than RW (I'm thinking yes right)
- AlfieisKing

Karlsson and a 1st

what would it take for Ottawa to land Giroux? Also does he play center more than RW (I'm thinking yes right)
- AlfieisKing

Quite a lot. He plays almost exclusively at C

My guess is he'd cost more than Ottawa could pay to make it worthwhile.

At a guess, I'd say Turris and Ceci, plus enough picks to kill an elephant