I talked to plenty of fans that were willing to give Hak a chance because he wasn't the safe bet.

That's the thing about fans we cry for something, "don't give me another old Boys club retread" then cry as soon as it doesnt work.
- opeth_pa

I think what fans were try to say was don’t give us another Stevens/Berube/Murray etc... I’m pretty sure if the Flyers had brought in a guy like Trotz or Babcock, no one would have been complaining. Most of us, myself included, were more than willing to give Hak a chance.

Well, here we are in year 4 and the team is a complete (frank)ing mess. Again, it’s not all on the coach, but he and his staff are absolutely part of the problem. You aren’t going to call up a dozen guys from LHV,nor are you going to trade 6-8 players over the next couple of days. The only realistic option to immediately shake things up is to fire the coach.

I think what fans were try to say was don’t give us another Stevens/Berube/Murray etc... I’m pretty sure if the Flyers had brought in a guy like Trotz or Babcock, no one would have been complaining. Most of us, myself included, were more than willing to give Hak a chance.

Well, here we are in year 4 and the team is a complete (frank)ing mess. Again, it’s not all on the coach, but he and his staff are absolutely part of the problem. You aren’t going to call up a dozen guys from LHV,nor are you going to trade 6-8 players over the next couple of days. The only realistic option to immediately shake things up is to fire the coach.
- BiggE

This whole situation is on hextall. When it’s not even November and the team is playing this poorly with no accountability...it’s every bit as bad as Holmer going into the season with lava his last year. The only difference is hextall is being more patient.

It’s a failure on the GM to recognize it. It’s why I lean towards getting rid of the core and the coach. Is there anyone being honest with each other over the state of the team when they sit down over the summer? Does anyone speak up?

Soooo how are things?

This whole situation is on hextall. When it’s not even November and the team is playing this poorly with no accountability...it’s every bit as bad as Holmer going into the season with lava his last year. The only difference is hextall is being more patient.

It’s a failure on the GM to recognize it. It’s why I lean towards getting rid of the core and the coach. Is there anyone being honest with each other over the state of the team when they sit down over the summer? Does anyone speak up?
- Just5

This team, which mainly means this GM, has never replaced what they got behind the scenes from guys like Timonen, Hartnell and Briere. Wayne Simmonds should have the "A" torn off of his jersey as should AMac. And Voracek is about as fine a leader as a lemming.

I really don't think that Giroux is part of the problem, and I really feel that Couturier is trying to play through a knee injury. Those are the 2 core players that I would keep. However, I'd be moving Simmonds for picks/prospects and I'd be looking to make a hockey trade sending Voracek to a team that will send back, perhaps a slightly lesser talented player, but one with heart who plays his ass off each and every shift and perhaps a prospect or pick too. I'd also take a pick and/or a prospect and try to upgrade the goaltending. Playing in front of a legit #1 goalie has a way of making the entire team in front of him play with more confidence.

Of course, my first move would be firing the coach. IMO, that needed to be done after the Bruins game.

This whole situation is on hextall. When it’s not even November and the team is playing this poorly with no accountability...it’s every bit as bad as Holmer going into the season with lava his last year. The only difference is hextall is being more patient.

It’s a failure on the GM to recognize it. It’s why I lean towards getting rid of the core and the coach. Is there anyone being honest with each other over the state of the team when they sit down over the summer? Does anyone speak up?
- Just5

Over the Summer they're looking at a team that the previous season, improved by 10 points and finished 3rd in the Metro division. They're also looking at the possibility of young player like Patrick being healthy and improving, same with Konecny. Additions of Sanheim to the team as well as maybe other young players winning a spot. There was absolutely no reason for Hextall to not be optimistic and think this team would take another step forward this season.

There was no reason to make major changes over the Summer. They also added vanRiemsdyke. So I don't know what you're talking about.

I think what fans were try to say was don’t give us another Stevens/Berube/Murray etc... I’m pretty sure if the Flyers had brought in a guy like Trotz or Babcock, no one would have been complaining. Most of us, myself included, were more than willing to give Hak a chance.

Well, here we are in year 4 and the team is a complete (frank)ing mess. Again, it’s not all on the coach, but he and his staff are absolutely part of the problem. You aren’t going to call up a dozen guys from LHV,nor are you going to trade 6-8 players over the next couple of days. The only realistic option to immediately shake things up is to fire the coach.
- BiggE

That is my fear too.

The reason why I think Hakstol should be fired:

Would a coach change fix the problems, no. Would making a trade fix the team, no. This team is in complete turmoil, it is not a having a bad game and bounce back situation. Professional sports teams win a championship because how they are built from top to bottom and how ALL pieces work together. That is the beauty of sports, finding that right combination of players, coaches and executives.

Firing the coach starts the process and it doesn't always mean starting over from scratch, but they need to start somewhere. Once Hextall finds a suitable replacement, which is one of his duties and how he is judged in his role, then he can make the change. Then it would be the responsibility of the new coach to come in and evaluate the personnel he has to work with, which is one reason I would not want a change at the end of the year because it will make the process longer. Only at this point will we find out if only a few changes have to be made or a complete overhaul because right now this team is not the right combination or even close to it at being a winning team.

That is my fear too.

The reason why I think Hakstol should be fired:

Would a coach change fix the problems, no. Would making a trade fix the team, no. This team is in complete turmoil, it is not a having a bad game and bounce back situation. Professional sports teams win a championship because how they are built from top to bottom and how ALL pieces work together. That is the beauty of sports, finding that right combination of players, coaches and executives.

Firing the coach starts the process and it doesn't always mean starting over from scratch, but they need to start somewhere. Once Hextall finds a suitable replacement, which is one of his duties and how he is judged in his role, then he can make the change. Then it would be the responsibility of the new coach to come in and evaluate the personnel he has to work with, which is one reason I would not want a change at the end of the year because it will make the process longer. Only at this point will we find out if only a few changes have to be made or a complete overhaul because right now this team is not the right combination or even close to it at being a winning team.
- Glak18

Yup, and it was the same situation in 1979. Following another 5 game loss to Boston in the 78 semis, Shero bolted the team to go coach NY. Keith Allen rightly realized that it was time to go to youth and brought in the experienced minor league coach, Bob McCammon to take over the reins, rather than the less experienced assistant coach, Pat Quinn.

McCammon though was in over his head, and much like today’s team, the 78-79 team was mediocre in goal and full of struggling youth and veterans who didn’t buy into the system and had tuned out McCammon by mid season.

At that point, Allen replaced McCammon with Quinn. While there was no immediate improvement, Quinn was able to get a better grasp on both what he had and what he needed. The following season, the Flyers decided to roll with their top goal prospect, along with a solid vet, Phil Myre. They added another good young rookie, Brian Propp and Quinn installed an aggressive attack system that played to the team’s strengths.

The result? A 35 game unbeaten streak and a trip to the finals. And if not for Leon (frank)ing Stickle, there would have been game 7 at the Spectrum.

Any of this look familiar?

That is my fear too.

The reason why I think Hakstol should be fired:

Would a coach change fix the problems, no. Would making a trade fix the team, no. This team is in complete turmoil, it is not a having a bad game and bounce back situation. Professional sports teams win a championship because how they are built from top to bottom and how ALL pieces work together. That is the beauty of sports, finding that right combination of players, coaches and executives.

Firing the coach starts the process and it doesn't always mean starting over from scratch, but they need to start somewhere. Once Hextall finds a suitable replacement, which is one of his duties and how he is judged in his role, then he can make the change. Then it would be the responsibility of the new coach to come in and evaluate the personnel he has to work with, which is one reason I would not want a change at the end of the year because it will make the process longer. Only at this point will we find out if only a few changes have to be made or a complete overhaul because right now this team is not the right combination or even close to it at being a winning team.
- Glak18

This is far too reasonable. Please delete.

Yup, and it was the same situation in 1979. Following another 5 game loss to Boston in the 78 semis, Shero bolted the team to go coach NY. Keith Allen rightly realized that it was time to go to youth and brought in the experienced minor league coach, Bob McCammon to take over the reins, rather than the less experienced assistant coach, Pat Quinn.

McCammon though was in over his head, and much like today’s team, the 78-79 team was mediocre in goal and full of struggling youth and veterans who didn’t buy into the system and had tuned out McCammon by mid season.

At that point, Allen replaced McCammon with Quinn. While there was no immediate improvement, Quinn was able to get a better grasp on both what he had and what he needed. The following season, the Flyers decided to roll with their top goal prospect, along with a solid vet, Phil Myre. They added another good young rookie, Brian Propp and Quinn installed an aggressive attack system that played to the team’s strengths.

The result? A 35 game unbeaten streak and a trip to the finals. And if not for Leon (frank)ing Stickle, there would have been game 7 at the Spectrum.

Any of this look familiar?
- BiggE

I still remember that streak....and that year....and that final game against the Isles. That’s when this organization had accountability and ownership wasn’t snowed into this patience is a virtue train of thought. Patience is a good thing , but you can’t lose a teams soul as a trade off.

I kinda like NFL early on Sunday mornings...

I kinda like NFL early on Sunday mornings...
- landros 2

Breakfast with Carson
👍

Come on Eagles...I need something to feel good about.

Come on Eagles...I need something to feel good about.
- Dkos

Lol if you're relying on this team then you're gonna be disappointed

JFC Eagles, stop trying to out suck the Flyers!

...guess not

The power play needs help ASAP. The slump is smothering any potential “sparks.”

I think you gotta go with 2 shared-time units to get a better chance at a jumpstart.

PP 1

Giroux
Gostisbehere
Sanheim
Lindblom
Patrick

PP2

Voracek
Provorov
Laughton
Couturier
Simmonds

Why do people pronounce it jagwire?

The power play needs help ASAP. The slump is smothering any potential “sparks.”

I think you gotta go with 2 shared-time units to get a better chance at a jumpstart.

PP 1

Giroux
Gostisbehere
Sanheim
Lindblom
Patrick

PP2

Voracek
Provorov
Laughton
Couturier
Simmonds
- NC Flyers Fan

I’m not a fan of having only 1D on the 2nd unit, it’s risky, IMO.

I’d try:
PP1
Ghost
Giroux
Patrick
Lindblom*
Voracek

PP2
Sanheim
Weal
Simmonds
Couturier
Provorov

*to be replaced by JVR when he returns

I’d also switch up the PK rotation
Laughton-Giroux
Couturier-Leier*
Lehtera-Weise
Laughton-Lindblom

The above rotation will give you fresh guys on the ice at all times and one good skater per pair.

*I’m bringing up Leier and sending Vorobyev down, he needs to play more than 8 minutes a night. If Knight is out, I’m bringing up NAK for the road trip as well.

I wouldn’t expose any kids to this toxic mess right now.
- Dkos

Not much of a choice if guys keep getting injured. Also Leier is what, a 5th year pro? Not exactly a rookie at this point. I suppose you could bring up a guy who really isn’t a prospect like Bardreau or Goulbourne if Knight is out, but they are likely gonna bring up someone. I doubt they head out west with only 12 healthy forwards.

I’m not a fan of having only 1D on the 2nd unit, it’s risky, IMO.

I’d try:
PP1
Ghost
Giroux
Patrick
Lindblom*
Voracek

PP2
Sanheim
Weal
Simmonds
Couturier
Provorov

*to be replaced by JVR when he returns

I’d also switch up the PK rotation
Laughton-Giroux
Couturier-Leier*
Lehtera-Weise
Laughton-Lindblom

The above rotation will give you fresh guys on the ice at all times and one good skater per pair.

*I’m bringing up Leier and sending Vorobyev down, he needs to play more than 8 minutes a night. If Knight is out, I’m bringing up NAK for the road trip as well.
- BiggE

The second unit desperately needs help with zone entries and passing to make plays. Voracek would be able to help make them legit.

In light of how the team is currently playing and the organization is run, should’ve named the mascot S*itty, not Gritty (pfft..anything but).

My issue with Hakstol from day one was the lack of pro experience when hired. The NHL isn’t coaching college kids. You’re coaching millionaires. He didn’t work his way up from the AHL. He was just handed a winning lottery ticket.

Fast forward to today, he’s actually worse then I thought he would be. No urgency, just sticks to the system. Lack of attention to detail and slow to adjust. Can’t win a coaches challenge. Rides goalies who clearly do not have a hall of fame entry in their future. List goes on.

In light of how the team is currently playing and the organization is run, should’ve named the mascot S*itty, not Gritty (pfft..anything but).
- BroadSTmayhem

Gritty is about the only thing that's gone right with this franchise.

God bless you guys trying to come up with new line combos. I'm done with this roster until a significant change or two is made.

The second unit desperately needs help with zone entries and passing to make plays. Voracek would be able to help make them legit.
- NC Flyers Fan

I think Weal, Sanheim and Provorov can all handle zone entries, but you can flip with Weal with Voracek if it isn’t working out. The problem with 1 D on the 2nd unit is that, especially in the 2nd period with the long change, you can get stuck with a forward playing D once the penalty expires.

If the defense is an issue, you could go with...

PP 1

Giroux
Gostisbehere
Weal
Lindblom
Patrick

PP2

Voracek
Provorov
Sanheim
Couturier
Simmonds