I agree, but his point was that this "pseudo-rebuild" is wasting Giroux/Voraek's prime years.

If that's the issue, there were only 2 solutions - go full-on tank mode and trade all "vet" players of value, or go the Homer/Clarke method and deal high-end picks and prospects for immediate help.
- jmatchett383

I hear you. Hextall has made some mistakes, just like every other GM in the NHL, but overall, I think he’s done a good job. That being said, I do think this team may be nearing the point where it’s time for a coaching change.

I mean I wouldn't call it tanking but yes, that's how every other team rebuilds in pro sports.
- hereticpride

So Boston did it wrong by holding on to Chara at age 33 when they missed the playoffs in back-to-back years in the mid-00s? I don't know, seemed to work out okay for them.

So we should have gone all-in for the rebuild and trade Giroux, Voracek, Simmonds, and basically anyone over 25 years of age and tanked for a few years? No thank you.
- jmatchett383

you either make the commitment to rebuild or you don't. doing it half ass rarely works.

at some point trading should have been an option. if you wanted to rebuild that is; if not then no.

What was the point of keeping them while really accomplishing nothing as a team the last 5 years?

Hak can not even get a horny teenage boy UP before games.

I hear you. Hextall has made some mistakes, just like every other GM in the NHL, but overall, I think he’s done a good job. That being said, I do think this team may be nearing the point where it’s time for a coaching change.
- BiggE

I'm not against trading a high-profile player or for dealing a top-tier prospect, but I'm not all for it just to shake things up or to see how it works. If you want to trade Voracek, who is probably a top-20 playmaker in the league, then you better get more of a return than a late 1st round pick and/or some B-level prospects. Similarly, if you want to trade a guy like Morgan Frost for immediate help, it better be a player who fits your cap situation over the long haul and is a surefire difference maker.

Not sure how thats applicable. People are over-reacting end of story. The team will pick up and play better. There is a lot of youth in the lineup, they are going to make mistakes. Its called growing pains.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I agree overall with your basic premise but this is more than just about growing pains. Top veteran players are making mistakes costing them. Which veteran leader stepped up last night to try and turn momentum in the first?

Hak can not even get a horny teenage boy UP before games.
- Landsbergfan

Probably because the majority of his players were either heterosexual and/or attracted to guys their own age.

I agree overall with your basic premise but this is more than just about growing pains. Top veteran players are making mistakes costing them. Which veteran leader stepped up last night to try and turn momentum in the first?
- MJL

Brian Elliott

I'm not against trading a high-profile player or for dealing a top-tier prospect, but I'm not all for it just to shake things up or to see how it works. If you want to trade Voracek, who is probably a top-20 playmaker in the league, then you better get more of a return than a late 1st round pick and/or some B-level prospects. Similarly, if you want to trade a guy like Morgan Frost for immediate help, it better be a player who fits your cap situation over the long haul and is a surefire difference maker.
- jmatchett383

Heck, I’m not even thinking about trading any top prospects right now. That would be asinine IMO. If you can make a reasonable deal to upgrade the goaltending, do it. If someone is willing to give up a good package for Simmonds, move him. Outside of that, I really don’t see any trades to be made right now. The only moves I’d make right now are the lineup/line changes I proposed earlier and the firing and replacement of Lappy.

Probably because the majority of his players were either heterosexual and/or attracted to guys their own age.
- jmatchett383

😆🤣😆

Heck, I’m not even thinking about trading any top prospects right now. That would be asinine IMO. If you can make a reasonable deal to upgrade the goaltending, do it. If someone is willing to give up a good package for Simmonds, move him. Outside of that, I really don’t see any trades to be made right now. The only moves I’d make right now are the lineup/line changes I proposed earlier and the firing and replacement of Lappy.
- BiggE

Well I'm talking about a few years ago when we should have done these wise moves. I was using Frost as an example of the type of prospect you'd have to give up for a game changer.

No one is saying this team should win every game.

The team has the same issues year after year. That's the problem.
- hereticpride

Yes they have the same issue every year because they are rebuilding and inserting youth into the lineup. Young guys are learning, Hagg and Provorov are going through rough patches. We all knew going in Neuvirth and Elliot were bandaid solutions while we wait for Hart. Starting goalies dont want short term contracts. They want long term security. There hasnt been anything worth wile in FA and to trade you gotta give to get. Something Hextall is not prepared to do with our young prospect pool. Perhaps this year or maybe next year we may move a Dman if enough guys are knocking on the door. Friedman and Myers seem close but Morin doesnt appear to be making the jump any time soon.

Laughton is at 2nd line LW position. He is not a 2nd line player.

Lindblom is a rookie and 40 points is likely his cap for year 1.

Patrick is in his 2nd year and is just starting to get going, as is Konecny.

Couturier is struggling but no one can really be surprised. Last seasons stats came out of nowhere.

Simmonds is Simmonds, he is not a skill type player. He's a gritty guy who gets into the dirty areas and taps in rebounds or redirects pucks

Weal is nothing special. He has hands but he's not going to be an effective player. He is a bandaid until Frost is ready.

I am not a hakstol hater but it might just need to be the move. Something is off with this team. They have talent. But something just isn't passing the eye test. It's the easiest move to make. But If Hakstol is gone I would also hope Laperriere is too as his PK is terrible.
- J35Bacher

Yes! Teams with this kind of talent normally respond well to a change behind the bench. What exactly did Hakstol do last night to up the tempo of the game and get his team going? Time out? Line juggling? Nothing.

Heck, a new coach might adjust Provorov instead of letting a young work horse work through it.

Great Coach flip a switch and I think it’s way past time that we hired and experienced guy.

Yes! Teams with this kind of talent normally respond well to a change behind the bench. What exactly did Hakstol do last night to up the tempo of the game and get his team going? Time out? Line juggling? Nothing.

Heck, a new coach might adjust Provorov instead of letting a young work horse work through it.

Great Coach flip a switch and I think it’s way past time that we hired and experienced guy.
- SuperSchennBros

There was a lot of line juggling last night......

John Stevens and Hak is two sides of the same coin. Looks anemic. Dangerous low blood pressure Both guys low talkers like you saw in that Seinfeld episode.

The single biggest mistake that has been made to this point is not addressing 3C. Vorobyev is not ready for that right now. Maybe he will be later this season as he acclimates.

if your not a fan of Elliot then what is your solution since you don't like fans talking unless viable solutions.

hutton is one that one to mind. he did his time as a backup / sport starter very well. signed a very friendly deal. Vast improvement over they have right now.
- rinaldo

LOL because I said anywhere I don't like fans talking.

I would have preferred that they went with one of the younger kids in net and Elliot. I would have preferred Varlemov over Elliot.

The only way I see Bob making sense is if you plan on singing him, if that becomes an option, and then trading him again in 2 years because Hart has delivered on his promise.

The single biggest mistake that has been made to this point is not addressing 3C. Vorobyev is not ready for that right now. Maybe he will be later this season as he acclimates.
- MJL

Its not that they didnt address it, they lost out in FA. Their options chose elsewhere. Misha may not be ready but he is no worse than Fillpula......

And there’s the Ek Leafs targeting Sanheim rumor lol

LOL because I said anywhere I don't like fans talking.

I would have preferred that they went with one of the younger kids in net and Elliot. I would have preferred Varlemov over Elliot.

The only way I see Bob making sense is if you plan on singing him, if that becomes an option, and then trading him again in 2 years because Hart has delivered on his promise.
- opeth_pa

That's assuming Bob even wants to come back after the Bryzaster.

That's assuming Bob even wants to come back after the Bryzaster.
- jmatchett383

JVR did. Personally dont believe we will sign Bob though. He's going to want commitment and Flyers want Hart. I would not be surprised if Hart gets a call up later this year.

JVR did. Personally dont believe we will sign Bob though. He's going to want commitment and Flyers want Hart. I would not be surprised if Hart gets a call up later this year.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Yeah, but JvR didn't threaten to opt out of the NHL because the Flyers blocked his path forward. Different regime, but Bob was not happy with how the Flyers handled him.

But I agree that it's not gonna work out with what he wants and what the Flyers want.

Yeah, but JvR didn't threaten to opt out of the NHL because the Flyers blocked his path forward. Different regime, but Bob was not happy with how the Flyers handled him.

But I agree that it's not gonna work out with what he wants and what the Flyers want.
- jmatchett383

he faked an injury to not get traded though

Didn't see the game so I read Bill's write-up and skipped right to page five. No need to back-read as I'm pretty sure I know what's back there. lol

Did they trade Sanheim for Kapanen yet?

Didn't see the game so I read Bill's write-up and skipped right to page five. No need to back-read as I'm pretty sure I know what's back there. lol

Did they trade Sanheim for Kapanen yet?
- Scoob

Sanheim for Kapanen trade discussion happened here:
https://www.hockeybuzz.co...d_id=155466&forum_id=1%22