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

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

Gritty on GMA

https://6abc.com/sports/g...questions-on-gma/4334767/

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.
- J35Bacher

are the reins back on if they play?

are the reins back on if they play?
- YuenglingJagr

There are no reins, there is only Zule.

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.
- J35Bacher

yes skill and willing to hit, not something the line up has but really needs.

With the talent we have, it’s always possible to have a slow start. Fire our coach and still make the Stanley Cup final.

#2009-2010.

Gritty on GMA

https://6abc.com/sports/g...questions-on-gma/4334767/
- jmatchett383

Though he slipped while running out, he won fans over with his t-shirt gun.

lolz

Gritty on GMA

https://6abc.com/sports/g...questions-on-gma/4334767/
- jmatchett383

Joined by his handler, Flyers host Andrea Helfrich, inside the Wells Fargo Center, the mascot answered questions from GMA host Lara Spencer.

kinda jealous of Gritty tbh

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

Actually Hakstol did adjust his system from the 2-1-2 that he really wants to play to a 1-2-2 in the past. What Head coach wouldn't ride a hot goalie with the situations he's been faced with? Hakstol coached this team to the playoffs last.season and deserved the coach of the year votes he received.

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

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

I enjoyed this

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

Good post!

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

Ah, an enchanter you are. Good thing we brought the holy hand grenade, you enchanters are an unreliable bunch.

Ah, an enchanter you are. Good thing we brought the holy hand grenade, you enchanters are an unreliable bunch.
- BiggE

Im going to count to 5, sorry 3, and you will take that back.

Actually Hakstol did adjust his system from the 2-1-2 that he really wants to play to a 1-2-2 in the past. What Head coach wouldn't ride a hot goalie with the situations he's been faced with? Hakstol coached this team to the playoffs last.season and deserved the coach of the year votes he received.
- MJL

I have no problem with riding a hot goalie but not for 10+ consecutive games. Especially when it's an injury prone guy like Neuvirth or a guy like Elliott who hasn't started 50+ games in a season for a long time. Unless you are blessed with a guy like Marty Brodeur in his prime, you still need to get the other goalie in there now and then.

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

That is the punchline for...
What kind of Wood doesn't float...
And her killer becomes mr Hart.

Im going to count to 5, sorry 3, and you will take that back.
- MBFlyerfan

Careful, if you don't behave, I'll be forced to sic the Knights who say knee on you and you will be forced to spend your entire day searching for just the right shrubbery.

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

we might not see cooter start the year so i would assume they roll with vorobyev as the 1st line center if he doesnt. if cooter does play game 1 then he is for sure a lock for the 3c spot flanked by lindblom and simmer

I have no problem with riding a hot goalie but not for 10+ consecutive games. Especially when it's an injury prone guy like Neuvirth or a guy like Elliott who hasn't started 50+ games in a season for a long time. Unless you are blessed with a guy like Marty Brodeur in his prime, you still need to get the other goalie in there now and then.
- BiggE

You need to do what it takes to win. Hakstol did that.

In Dave Hakstol's three seasons, he has had 96, 88 and 98 points, all with a roster that has been retooled, if not rebuilt, on the fly.

Maybe there was someonee else out there who could have gotten more out of them. I don't know, either way.

But I don't think so. I don't agree with every decision he makes, but I don't agree with every decision any coach makes.

That dude isn't a perfect coach. But he's a good coach, and if the goaltending doesn't screw them, they're getting 100 points

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

I'd like to blow Gritty up with the Holy hand Grenade of Antioch.

Contrary to what most of your probably think about my thoughts, I dont hate Hak. He's a good X's and O's coach.

My biggest issue with him is his reliance on the 'heavy' vet type player. He over uses players, and doesn't always put the right player in the right role. He overvalues the safe players. His player deployment is what gets me.

That is the punchline for...
What kind of Wood doesn't float...
And her killer becomes mr Hart.
- Konalover

Thanks Soupy

Contrary to what most of your probably think about my thoughts, I dont hate Hak. He's a good X's and O's coach.

My biggest issue with him is his reliance on the 'heavy' vet type player. He over uses players, and doesn't always put the right player in the right role. He overvalues the safe players. His player deployment is what gets me.
- VladDrag

That's no different than any other coach, though -- almost every single one has favorites who they use more than they should

Mike Babcock is one of the top five coaches in the league over the last 25 years, and it took Kyle Dubas becoming the GM to keep him from wanting to use Roman Polak for 17 minutes a night

I'd like to blow Gritty up with the Holy hand Grenade of Antioch.
- Konalover

Contrary to what most of your probably think about my thoughts, I dont hate Hak. He's a good X's and O's coach.

My biggest issue with him is his reliance on the 'heavy' vet type player. He over uses players, and doesn't always put the right player in the right role. He overvalues the safe players. His player deployment is what gets me.
- VladDrag

This is one criticism that is not valid concerning Hakstol. A valid case can't be made for it. The proof is overwhelming that if he is given a young player who is capable of taking on a role he will play the crap out of that player.

I'd like to blow Gritty up with the Holy hand Grenade of Antioch.
- Konalover

oops, sorry, I inadvertently flagged this