I look at the big picture and in the context of what the plan is. The plan is to develop a true contending team with as wide a window as possible. To create a flow of drafted players to continue to supply the team with young players. I think your time line is a little early. I don't question the retention of Lappariere because I know what Hextall knows. It's not a coaching issue per se, it's a player issue. With that being said, coaching is a results oriented business and coaches pay the price for players not performing. I have no issue with anyone suggesting a coaching change for the PK. If players aren't correcting mistakes then they either aren't capable of it or their not listening to their coaches.

What I can't stress enough is that it is November with a lot of season left. Even with the struggles, the team is 2 points out of the 3rd spot in the Metro.
- MJL

While this is true, it's also true if you consider games in hand, the Flyers could be in last place.

While this is true, it's also true if you consider games in hand, the Flyers could be in last place.
- FlyerFan16

True. Continue this losing streak and that's where they'll find themselves. I personally find a team that simply lacks talent easier to deal with than a team that has talent but continually shoots itself in the foot.

If at the end of 2021, this team is still looking for their first playoff round victory since 2012, I think that will be the end of the Hextall era. The clock is ticking.
- BiggE

Not sure any of us know how patient the corporate ownership will be with the process.

IMO, I hope Hexy has a long leash and they let the process play out completely.

Overall, I like the job Hextall has done, but you cannot deny that he's made some questionable decisions. Re-signing Neuvirth at all was his first mistake and going into this season with the injury prone Neuvirth and Brian Elliott at age 33 coming off major surgery was a risky plan to say the least. I also have to question his retention of Lappy as PK coach after multiple seasons of poor performance.

Again, I'm not calling for Hextall's head and overall, I think he's done a solid job, but lets hold off before we anoint him as the next coming of Keith Allen. He's been on the job long enough that now is the time we should start seeing results. I think how he handles Hak going into his lame duck season after this and how the team performs during the next couple seasons will make or break him as GM of this team. If at the end of 2021, this team is still looking for their first playoff round victory since 2012, I think that will be the end of the Hextall era. The clock is ticking.
- BiggE

There are things Hextall has done that are exceptional...but these are issues he needs to address going forward. I don’t think the guy is stupid, but he needs to find away to help this team. I think they have the skill and talent at certain positions and the pieces to get the others addressed. But will he ?

I look at the big picture and in the context of what the plan is. The plan is to develop a true contending team with as wide a window as possible. To create a flow of drafted players to continue to supply the team with young players. I think your time line is a little early. I don't question the retention of Lappariere because I know what Hextall knows. It's not a coaching issue per se, it's a player issue. With that being said, coaching is a results oriented business and coaches pay the price for players not performing. I have no issue with anyone suggesting a coaching change for the PK. If players aren't correcting mistakes then they either aren't capable of it or their not listening to their coaches.

What I can't stress enough is that it is November with a lot of season left. Even with the struggles, the team is 2 points out of the 3rd spot in the Metro.
- MJL

So you do realize it's a business, good. Well, here's how it works in the business world. Not a whole lot of GMs are going to remain employed if they go beyond half a decade without any on ice success. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it's simply the nature of the beast. Also saying the PK is a player performance issue is just semantics. Yes, of course the players are not playing well on the ice. Hell, Stevie Wonder could see that, but at some point, if the coach cannot get a better performance out of the those players, it's time to make a change. That is simply how the business works.

The owners can see the fans getting restless, and they can see the empty seats that are often being seen during games. While they are still selling at 98% capacity, owners have to be getting at least a little concerned about the rise of no shows and the amount of folks leaving early. They also can't be happy with earning little or no playoff revenue year after year. This team is no longer being run by Ed Snider who, even though he was only a minority owner for the last 20 years, had the respect and clout to run the team pretty much as he saw fit. It's now being run as a business and it's basically part of the sports division of a much larger company. Results do matter and lack of results will cost people their jobs.

Anyone here know if any of the internet TV services offer CSN Philly to people outside the market?

Not sure any of us know how patient the corporate ownership will be with the process.

IMO, I hope Hexy has a long leash and they let the process play out completely.
- Tomahawk

He has a long leash....5th year as GM....no playoff success.

Not sure any of us know how patient the corporate ownership will be with the process.

IMO, I hope Hexy has a long leash and they let the process play out completely.
- Tomahawk

If it were up to me, I'd probably give him a bit more rope, but I'm looking at it purely from a business perspective. If they miss the playoffs this year it will be the 4th time in 7 years and the 3rd time under Hextall's leadership. If they then go on to either miss or go out in the first round in both 2020 and 2021, I have to think ownership will be looking to make a change.

Not sure any of us know how patient the corporate ownership will be with the process.

IMO, I hope Hexy has a long leash and they let the process play out completely.
- Tomahawk

Just guessing that since Hextall hasn't made any panic moves that corporate is giving him that leash, for now. If we start seeing high end prospects traded for quick answers then he's feeling the pressure. Again, just guessing on my part.

There are things Hextall has done that are exceptional...but these are issues he needs to address going forward. I don’t think the guy is stupid, but he needs to find away to help this team. I think they have the skill and talent at certain positions and the pieces to get the others addressed. But will he ?
- landros 2

This is exactly how I see it. He needs to do something now, you can't just sit back and let this play out without making some changes.

He has a long leash....5th year as GM....no playoff success.
- landros 2

Poile didn't make it out of the 1st round until his 12th season.

So you do realize it's a business, good. Well, here's how it works in the business world. Not a whole lot of GMs are going to remain employed if they go beyond half a decade without any on ice success. Not saying it's right or wrong, but it's simply the nature of the beast. Also saying the PK is a player performance issue is just semantics. Yes, of course the players are not playing well on the ice. Hell, Stevie Wonder could see that, but at some point, if the coach cannot get a better performance out of the those players, it's time to make a change. That is simply how the business works.


- BiggE

What proof do you have that there are business issues with the team? I think you're ignoring that the team under Hextall has put a plan in place and they're following. It's really an element of the fans who are quite frankly acting like drama queens and overreacting to the growing pains of the team. The PK is a real issue but calling a statement that the PK is a player issue semantics, is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard you say. I don't care how good the plan is, if the player don't execute it, it's not going to matter. You also ignore the part where I stated that coaching is results oriented and I have no issue with anyone calling for a coaching change. Convenient on your part.

Just guessing that since Hextall hasn't made any panic moves that corporate is giving him that leash, for now. If we start seeing high end prospects traded for quick answers then he's feeling the pressure. Again, just guessing on my part.
- FlyerFan16

Anyone who thinks a trade or a firing is a panic move....that’s just ridiculous. That’s just sports. If Hextall trades a high end prospect, it will not be for a short term fix. If he Fires the coach...I’m sure the replacement will have the long term in mind. I trust Hextall that way.

This is exactly how I see it. He needs to do something now, you can't just sit back and let this play out without making some changes.
- BiggE

Of the issues currently plaguing this team, I don't think he will be able to get the goalie concern fixed in season. Maybe could find a 3C. Definitely could be an assistant coaching change.

If it were up to me, I'd probably give him a bit more rope, but I'm looking at it purely from a business perspective. If they miss the playoffs this year it will be the 4th time in 7 years and the 3rd time under Hextall's leadership. If they then go on to either miss or go out in the first round in both 2020 and 2021, I have to think ownership will be looking to make a change.
- BiggE

I hope Comcast never goes full MLSE on us.

Poile didn't make it out of the 1st round until his 12th season.
- Tomahawk

That won’t happen in philly.

I hope Comcast never goes full MLSE on us.
- Tomahawk

MLSE....was smart enough to put good hockey guys in charge.

Lappy should have been canned 2years ago, it’s ridiculous at this point
- BiggE

He needs to be moved to a young player development position. Very good in that capacity.
He has proved he is not a PK coach.

If it were up to me, I'd probably give him a bit more rope, but I'm looking at it purely from a business perspective. If they miss the playoffs this year it will be the 4th time in 7 years and the 3rd time under Hextall's leadership. If they then go on to either miss or go out in the first round in both 2020 and 2021, I have to think ownership will be looking to make a change.
- BiggE

Your not considering that they knew when this plan was put into place that they were looking at least a 3-5 year process to turn the team around and for player development to take place. The only indication of patience running out is coming from some fans.

I would really like to see the media ask Hextall why he hasn't moved on from Lappy. And when he inevitably says it's not Lappy that's the problem, it's the players then I'd like to see them follow up by asking why he has been unable to give Lappy competent PK'ers to work with year in and year out.

They've run out of excuses for the PK and something needs to be done.

Anyone who thinks a trade or a firing is a panic move....that’s just ridiculous. That’s just sports. If Hextall trades a high end prospect, it will not be for a short term fix. If he Fires the coach...I’m sure the replacement will have the long term in mind. I trust Hextall that way.
- landros 2

A trade isn't a panic move. A trade of a high end prospect for a short term fix is, and that is what I was referring to. If Hextall thought his job was on the line he could easily get short term fixes in here. That's my point. He's not doing that.

While this is true, it's also true if you consider games in hand, the Flyers could be in last place.
- FlyerFan16

They are a .500 hockey team. They are no better then the last two years. I think they have developed more young talent, but they haven’t fixed their two biggest problems....goaltending and the PK. Until that’s done it’s hard to know where this teams at.

MLSE....was smart enough to put good hockey guys in charge.
- landros 2

After what, 20-years of constant GM/team overhauls?

A trade isn't a panic move. A trade of a high end prospect for a short term fix is, and that is what I was referring to. If Hextall thought his job was on the line he could easily get short term fixes in here. That's my point. He's not doing that.
- FlyerFan16

I wasn’t referring to your comment as rediculous....but some delusional fans are trying to rationalize why Hextall hasn’t made a move., which is rediculous....poorly worded on my part.

I wasn’t referring to your comment as rediculous....but some delusional fans are trying to rationalize why Hextall hasnt made a move., which is rediculous....poorly worded on my part.
- landros 2