O'Brien was hurt. Took a hit in a game.

should be back this weekend

Allison just got back to playing after recovering from the ACL injury.

playing every other game to start but had 1g 1a first game back
Zamula I haven't followed much.
- J35Bacher

started slow but has picked up points lately, something like 10 in 16 games

Bill, I have some questions for you if you have the time.

Should Ron Hextall be facing criticism for going into the season with a goalie tandem featuring one guy coming off a major surgery and another who never makes it through a season without spending time on IR? To me, its baffling that the GM on one hand, says it's time for this team to take the next step, then does nothing to shore up a critical component of the team.

Along the same lines, should Hextall also be facing criticism for doing nothing to address the 3C position during the offseason?

Should the Flyers be in the market for an experienced NHL goalie?

Should the Flyers be looking to acquire another center who can fill the 3C role in the short term?

At the very least, if not relieved of his duties all together, should Ian Lapperierre at least be relieved of his PK coaching duties?

And finally, if they miss the playoffs this year, can Hextall realistically bring back Dave Hakstol as head coach in what would be a lame duck situation?

Thanks and here's wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!
- BiggE

1) Goalies: Yes, I think it should have been addressed this summer.

2) 3C/PKing forward: I see both sides of the coin on this one. There were guys the Flyers pursued but a) do you do it at all cap costs/term? and b) what if the player(s) you want choose another offer? Do you sign someone else for its own sake? On the flip side, can you go into a season with pretty much everything the same and expect a different result?

3) I think all options should be on the table. What has gone on is unacceptable. On the flip side, changing PK coaches isn't going to produce miracles.

4) I think a decision will have to be made by the end of this season on whether to extend Hakstol or let him go. A lame-duck season is rarely a good situation.

Oilers fire coach...

it is time to let Ian go...

Never been to a practice but this looks like something to help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emglLDmL5S4

So much for retirement , would have loved to have Hitch back.
- BiggE

Knew he didn't want to be retired. Why I said yesterday that he would've been someone great for the Flyers to have consulted with about this PK

I respect him a lot. I don't always agree with him, but one thing I will always respect about that man is that he is a straight-up lifer

He's never gonna retire willingly. Just not that kind of guy

You are so wrong it’s laughable. When the same breakdowns keep happening again and again, it is on the coach because, for whatever reason, there is an obvious disconnect between the players and coach.
- BiggE

coach is the leader too, confidence is huge in life. For 3 years Lappy hasn't found the right players to execute his system, be able to adjust his system or at this point have the players believe in the system.

Like I said yesterday, I'd love to see what the price is for Crawford. He potentially could be a solution in net. They are on a downward spiral and it may be time to blow it up in Chicago.

I guess I just look at other players and wonder would I like Voracek and what he brings or would i be better of with maybe a more well rounded type of player who maybe isn't as dynamic but more solid.

Jake gets a rough ride, he always is on a line with young players. I like Patrick and Lindbolm but Jake is carrying the load. G gets Coots. Last game Patrick and Lindbolm were invisible.

LOL at Edmonton thinking the coach was the issue. How does chia still have a job

4) I think a decision will have to be made by the end of this season on whether to extend Hakstol or let him go. A lame-duck season is rarely a good situation.
- bmeltzer

Man. That's just wrong to me whether they make or miss. How can you give the guy the prison-yard shank when you literally gave him Mr. Glass as his backup goalie and had Laperriere as a holdover from Chief's staff?

I'm not saying Hakstol is perfect or blameless. But holy hell -- give the man a 3C and PKers and a goaltending tandem that doesn't need a stretcher every night and see what he does with it

1) Goalies: Yes, I think it should have been addressed this summer.

2) 3C/PKing forward: I see both sides of the coin on this one. There were guys the Flyers pursued but a) do you do it at all cap costs/term? and b) what if the player(s) you want choose another offer? Do you sign someone else for its own sake? On the flip side, can you go into a season with pretty much everything the same and expect a different result?

3) I think all options should be on the table. What has gone on is unacceptable. On the flip side, changing PK coaches isn't going to produce miracles.

4) I think a decision will have to be made by the end of this season on whether to extend Hakstol or let him go. A lame-duck season is rarely a good situation.
- bmeltzer

Thank you, and thanks for doing such a great job year round!

In your opinion, do you know what Hextall knows??
- ZechsMarquise

no, hextall knows what he knows

LOL at Edmonton thinking the coach was the issue. How does chia still have a job
- bulet13

I'd love to hear someone like Bob Mckenzie honestly comment on how this man still has a job.

LOL at Edmonton thinking the coach was the issue. How does chia still have a job
- bulet13

Agreed, but what are you gonna do

I watched them this weekend. The players quit on McClellan on Saturday, after Calgary came back on them. A pretty weak-to-average Vegas team absolutely rolled them Sunday, and that was it

THE HITCH IS BACK, BABY

Maybe Darryl Sutter comes out of retirement for the Flyers.

Agreed, but what are you gonna do

I watched them this weekend. The players quit on McClellan on Saturday, after Calgary came back on them. A pretty weak-to-average Vegas team absolutely rolled them Sunday, and that was it
- AllInForFlyers

What worries me is we wait to long to make a move somewhere. Teams like St.Louis and Edmonton are making these moves because the expectation was to compete this year.

Like BiggE pointed out. JVR was a NOW move. Hextall himself stated what the expectations was this year. To sit idle seems to be confusing right now.

With all the firings it’s incumbent on everyone to dig for more snot. Reach down for more balls. Stay the course

THE HITCH IS BACK, BABY
- KINGKENZO

Maybe Darryl Sutter comes out of retirement for the Flyers.
- Djapana

Welp, you've got Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall in the Flyers' front office, so I guess that bit of deja vu can't be completely ruled out.

THE HITCH IS BACK, BABY
- KINGKENZO

Maybe Darryl Sutter comes out of retirement for the Flyers.
- Djapana

Sutter is 100% done with coaching. No amount of money in the world can take him away from his family on the farm. Have to respect that.

Sutter is 100% done with coaching. No amount of money in the world can take him away from his family on the farm. Have to respect that.
- Doctor DOOM

A lot thought Hitch was 100% done also...

You are so wrong it’s laughable. When the same breakdowns keep happening again and again, it is on the coach because, for whatever reason, there is an obvious disconnect between the players and coach.
- BiggE

I'll repeat again, coaching is an results oriented business. I'm not against replacing Lappariere. Removing the players from blame and solely blaming the coach is what is wrong. Not recognizing that even if a coaching change is made, what I'm suggesting needs to be fixed and changed will still need to happen, is wrong. Not knowing what the actual issues are is what is laughable.

A lot thought Hitch was 100% done also...
- dragonoffrost

Hitch was still collecting consulting $$ from Dallas. Kinda surprised he took this gig, but he's also from Edmonton, so that, coupled with coaching the best player in the world enticed him to come out of retirement?