I anticipate his voice sounding like a life long chain smoking 90 year old
- nastyflyergirl

He looks like the love child of Chewbacca and Scott Hartnell.

I anticipate his voice sounding like a life long chain smoking 90 year old
- nastyflyergirl

Or that of a 6 yr old girl... Increasing the creep factor about 10x.

It was a very good read and, for the most part, I understand and agree with what Hakstol has been trying to do. He's spent the last 3 seasons working on installing his system and getting his team to play the game the way he wants it to be played. My biggest complaint has nothing to do with benchings or even, for the most part, with his lineups. I'm more concerned that he tends to get locked into this system and doesn't adjust well on the fly if things aren't working. However, in his defense, this is a failing of many NHL coaches. My only other complaint is that he has a tendency to ride a hot goalie until the guy just falls apart. You can get away with that if you have a stud, workhorse number 1 guy, but when your goalies are Elliott, Neuvirth and whatever kid steps in for Neuvirth while injured, you just can't do that. He needs to improve in this facet of his game. Obviously the other issue is the PK. We all lob most of the blame on Lappy, but Hak is the head coach and, at the end of the day, it falls on him. Obviously, personnel has a lot to do with the success/failure of the PK. When you only have average goalies and only 1 Dman who can really match up well against a top pp unit, you are going to have problems. However, being a little more aggressive in how they pressure the opponent when coming through the neutral zone and in their D zone puck pursuit, would also help quite a bit.

This will be an interesting year. He finally has pretty good talent at all positions, save possibly the most important position (goal), and the expectations will be greater. Just squeaking into the playoffs is not going to be enough, I think the front office will be disappointed with another first round exit. I also think the decision to go forward with Hakstol will be made following this season as well. He'll either be signed to an extension or let go. I don't think they want to go into 19-20 with a lame duck coach. I don't think you can say he has to win a round or he's gone as injuries and whatnot make that pretty difficult to say. However, I think Hextall will want to see him give more responsibility to younger players who have been here for a while and also he'll be closely watching how he eases rookies into the lineup of what should be a playoff team.

He seems like a good guy, and I hope he can get us into the playoffs, win a round or better yet 2 this season and be the guy who leads us to a Cup in another year or two, but time will tell. The jury is still out.
- BiggE

a lot of truth in what you say. You can't hammer home the point enough that Hak has been building with a sub par roster, that really handicapped what HaK could do. This year is a different story. I do think Elliot is good enough to not make him the excuse why the Flyers can't make it out of the first round, as long as he is healthy. Elliots career save % is 913, last year it was 909, the league average last year was 912. The Flyers should have enough fire power to win even if Elliot comes in at 909.

on another note-

Trade Weise to Montreal now... He scored 2 games in a row, he has peaked for the season and someone might take him on.

Or that of a 6 yr old girl... Increasing the creep factor about 10x.
- FlyersGrace

I agree, I think he would be fine mentally if he were to get shelled in the NHL. But I just don't see the need to rush him. Neuvirth should be back not long after the regular season begins and then Lyon a little bit after that.

I also see your side though, if Elliott falters again and then Hart plays well against Boston I could see them keeping Hart up with Elliott. I just want them to be careful with Hart because if he pans out and they finally have that bonafide number 1 goalie, they're going to have a long window of being cup contenders.
- ajw12

Yup, and I'm not saying or expecting him to be up with the team all season. I just think, at least until one of Neuvirth/Lyon is ready, you keep the kid up and let Stolarz get in steady work in LHV. Now if he comes out on fire, is clearly outplaying and outperforming Elliott, and is winning games, then you keep him up and when all 5 are healthy (if ever), you figure it out then.

a lot of truth in what you say. You can't hammer home the point enough that Hak has been building with a sub par roster, that really handicapped what HaK could do. This year is a different story. I do think Elliot is good enough to not make him the excuse why the Flyers can't make it out of the first round, as long as he is healthy. Elliots career save % is 913, last year it was 909, the league average last year was 912. The Flyers should have enough fire power to win even if Elliot comes in at 909.

on another note-

Trade Weise to Montreal now... He scored 2 games in a row, he has peaked for the season and someone might take him on.
- wcorvette

Please!

Yup, and I'm saying or expecting him to be up with the team all season. I just think, at least until one of Neuvirth/Lyon is ready, you keep the kid up and let Stolarz get in steady work in LHV. Now if he comes out on fire, is clearly outplaying and outperforming Elliott, and in winning games, then you keep him up and when all 5 are healthy (if ever), you figure it out then.
- BiggE

I really don't see how they have a choice. They have to keep him up here.

Please!
- BiggE

Even Bergevin's stupidity has its limits.

Lets go with Carter. We aren't winning more games with Brian Elliott. He's gone after the season along with his partner. Lets start now.

Please!
- BiggE

I really think this is the year you see Hakstol kind of take the reins off. I know he likes his vets but he has plenty of "young" vets that are ready. I am starting to get a fell that Weise is waived, Lehtara is an extra and we have our youth in the lineup. Guys like Twarynski, Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev just bring more to the lineup and the roles and provide more upside for the flyers.

I really think this is the year you see Hakstol kind of take the reins off. I know he likes his vets but he has plenty of "young" vets that are ready. I am starting to get a fell that Weise is waived, Lehtara is an extra and we have our youth in the lineup. Guys like Twarynski, Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev just bring more to the lineup and the roles and provide more upside for the flyers.
- J35Bacher

I really think that premise implies that they've been holding back and I just think that is ridiculous

I really think this is the year you see Hakstol kind of take the reins off. I know he likes his vets but he has plenty of "young" vets that are ready. I am starting to get a fell that Weise is waived, Lehtara is an extra and we have our youth in the lineup. Guys like Twarynski, Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev just bring more to the lineup and the roles and provide more upside for the flyers.
- J35Bacher

Having Lehtera in the lineup isn't much of an upgrade over Weise.

I really think that premise implies that they've been holding back and I just think that is ridiculous
- YuenglingJagr

Not holding back but more not playing guys like Lehtara, Wiese and Leier. They have roster depth and more talent. Especially in the bottom 6.

I really think this is the year you see Hakstol kind of take the reins off. I know he likes his vets but he has plenty of "young" vets that are ready. I am starting to get a fell that Weise is waived, Lehtara is an extra and we have our youth in the lineup. Guys like Twarynski, Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev just bring more to the lineup and the roles and provide more upside for the flyers.
- J35Bacher

I want to believe this, but I think the reality will be somewhere in the middle. Twarynski has played well, but he hasn't played at the "holy cow is this kid special" level that will have Hextall feeling comfortable to put him on the NHL roster right out of Junior. Aube-Kubel was solid last night, but I still think he needs one more good outing this preseason if he is going to win a spot in the opening night lineup.

Vorobyev, OTOH, is almost a lock at this point to be the opening night 3C and will probably be centering Lindblom and Simmonds. The 4th line still has an opening as I think Laughton and Raffl have locked up 2 of the three spots. However Lehtera, Weise, Weal and Aube-Kubel are all still in the mix. It will likely end up being one of these 4 combos:

Laughton-Lehtera-Raffl
Raffl-Laughton-Aube-Kubel
Raffl-Laughton-Weise
Raffl-Laughton-Weal

Personally, I'd prefer the 2nd unit, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they will start the year with the first and Weal and Leier will be the spares. Weise will get waived, if not traded, and sent down if he clears (which sadly is likely) and Aube-Kubel will start the season getting top 6 minutes at LHV. I do though think it's only a matter of time until Lehtera's lack of speed takes him out of the lineup and he is replaced by Aube-Kubel.

Trivia: What also floats in water?
- YuenglingJagr

Very small rocks!


edit:turns out I was very leight.

So I will change my answer to Gravy!

Very small rocks!


edit:turns out I was very leight.

So I will change my answer to Gravy!
- MBFlyerfan

You must be a wizard!

- nastyflyergirl

The voice of bad toon in Who Framed Roger Rabbit would complete the fright.

To all the Gritty haters, please watch this: https://youtu.be/KVN_0qvuhhw.

And remember, prejeduice is never ok...

You must be a wizard!
- BiggE

There are those who would call me.....Tim?

Natalie Wood...wait...no, that's not it
- Scoob

Robert Wagner agrees.

Personally, I'd prefer the 2nd unit, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they will start the year with the first and Weal and Leier will be the spares. Weise will get waived, if not traded, and sent down if he clears (which sadly is likely) and Aube-Kubel will start the season getting top 6 minutes at LHV. I do though think it's only a matter of time until Lehtera's lack of speed takes him out of the lineup and he is replaced by Aube-Kubel.
- BiggE

Definitely agree. I suspect NAK is going to be sent down, but be one of the first call ups if he's healthy. I think he has looked great and unfortunately just hasn't been able to put up the points to really stand out.

I think a good coach would have figured out a way for this roster to not be the 27th best team at scoring goals in the first period, and to not be the 28th best PK in the league. The roster may not have been great the past three years, but it was not bottom five, either.
- Feanor

I feel like I’ll never be high on Hakstol.

My expectation is we take a second or third seed in our decision. A wild card or missing the playoffs is unacceptable for this season.

To all the Gritty haters, please watch this: https://youtu.be/KVN_0qvuhhw.

And remember, prejeduice is never ok...
- coffee junkie

I finally found Gritty's true identity.

I want to believe this, but I think the reality will be somewhere in the middle. Twarynski has played well, but he hasn't played at the "holy cow is this kid special" level that will have Hextall feeling comfortable to put him on the NHL roster right out of Junior. Aube-Kubel was solid last night, but I still think he needs one more good outing this preseason if he is going to win a spot in the opening night lineup.

Vorobyev, OTOH, is almost a lock at this point to be the opening night 3C and will probably be centering Lindblom and Simmonds. The 4th line still has an opening as I think Laughton and Raffl have locked up 2 of the three spots. However Lehtera, Weise, Weal and Aube-Kubel are all still in the mix. It will likely end up being one of these 4 combos:

Laughton-Lehtera-Raffl
Raffl-Laughton-Aube-Kubel
Raffl-Laughton-Weise
Raffl-Laughton-Weal

Personally, I'd prefer the 2nd unit, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they will start the year with the first and Weal and Leier will be the spares. Weise will get waived, if not traded, and sent down if he clears (which sadly is likely) and Aube-Kubel will start the season getting top 6 minutes at LHV. I do though think it's only a matter of time until Lehtera's lack of speed takes him out of the lineup and he is replaced by Aube-Kubel.
- BiggE

Kind of agree. Even though Twrynski hasn't played at the "holy cow" level he brings a physicality that they really could use and need without sacrificing skill.

Kind of why I think Aube-Kubel and Twarynski need to be on this team. Both just bring more skill and physicality then what they have. Also I just feel both have an energy about them when I watch them play which i think can help a team during a long season.

I really think this is the year you see Hakstol kind of take the reins off. I know he likes his vets but he has plenty of "young" vets that are ready. I am starting to get a fell that Weise is waived, Lehtara is an extra and we have our youth in the lineup. Guys like Twarynski, Aube-Kubel and Vorobyev just bring more to the lineup and the roles and provide more upside for the flyers.
- J35Bacher

Reins off, weight on.

H E A V Y