I'm just going to say it, I don't like Dave Hakstol as an NHL coach.
I think he is a good developmental coach, for the most part. When it comes to getting young men to work as part of a system and help them to refine their overall games, I think he does a good, not great, job.
But when it comes to other aspects of his coaching, I am left wanting. Beyond his goaltending choices and timeout usage, I do not think that he is the coach that will take this team to the next level. I feel that he overrelies (even for an NHL coach) on "safe" and "consistent" players in key situations based on how he feels about them as opposed to what players have the best skillsets for those situations. I feel that his lineup decisions also favor players that he is comfortable with as opposed to players who are unknown, which stifles the scratched players from being able to gain his trust. I know some players may be better in practice, but practice and game are two very different situations.
Again, this is how I feel about him. And I realize that the things I don't like about him can be attributed to all coaches, I simply feel that he is more guilty than others. And this doesn't have to do with the Vorobyov scratching, just made me realize that I really don't agree with a lot of his moves (though I understand them). I hope I'm wrong and that he leads this team to 18 consecutive Stanley Cups in the next 20 years. But I don't feel in my heart that he will.
To summarize: tldr - jmatchett383
Im pretty sure just about every coach in the NHL relies on players they are comfortable with or uses safe and consistent players in specific situations.
I dont think Hak is necessarily the coach that brings a team to a cup final but I dont think that the Flyers are ready for that type of coach yet anyway. Until then I have no problem with Hak as the coach.
The comparison to Chris VandeVelde is based on their careers and playing styles prior to them becoming members of the Philadelphia Flyers. I don't care where he went to school or played hockey as long as the coach does not favor him because of that past relationship at a much lower level of hockey. - jmatchett383
I don’t believe their playing styles are all that similar. Vandevelde is more physical with little offensive upside. I also don’t remember him being versatile or as fast. If you think all 4th line players are similar based on being slotted on the 4th line, there’s that. Oh...and they are both 6’ 2”! Knight has produced more points at every level so far and less penalty minutes. As far as the development course similarity...college, AHL/NHL...it’s certainly not unique.
Umm...we went into camp without a third line center. Whether or not Vorobyov is right guy for the job is still up for debate. - SuperSchennBros
Maybe now with injuries I could see being less NHL talent this year but starting the season with this lineup is definitely not much thinner in NHL talent in my eyes.
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot! Joined: 09.01.2012
Oct 18 @ 4:30 PM ET
Maybe now with injuries I could see being less NHL talent this year but starting the season with this lineup is definitely not much thinner in NHL talent in my eyes.
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot! Joined: 09.01.2012
Oct 18 @ 4:39 PM ET
I’m going to let the team play at least 10-15 games before I start drawing any conclusions - BiggE
No disrespect. I promise. You said the exact same thing when I mention that the second unit power play still looks as bad as it has in part seasons after two games. Tonight is game seven, nothings changed.
Now obviously we can only go up from here as far as our Centerman go but I think we need a big game from our centermen tonight, starting with Coots.
Location: Not protected by the Mods...I mean Mob. Take your best shot! Joined: 09.01.2012
Oct 18 @ 4:41 PM ET
3.5 goals per game is higher than league average and higher than what the Flyers scored last year (just over 3). - YuenglingJagr
I’m not talking about the team as a whole. If you’re refusing to see the weakness, that’s not my problem. Are we scoring? Sure we are, but everything else isn’t looking too good, especially in the defense of zone.
