Speak for yourself, you can not disprove JoeG is not an NHL GM...
- Glak18

Not just that but a GM with 92 years experience.

What realistic thing could he have done to be more aggressive in those areas you listed?

Its easy for us all to say "they should have done x, y or z" but those things typically require a second party to also go alone with it.

Note I dont disagree with you just trying to figure out how we got so locked into what we currently are.
- opeth_pa

I would have gone much harder into the rebuild. Traded Simmonds and Voracek. Given myself a chance at some top 5 picks. No one wanted to hear that though. Everyone wanted them to be the 8 seed every year because two home playoff games!!!!

It's one thing to have a plan and it's another thing to not be able to reevaluate the plan as time goes on.

The foundation of Hextall's plan was solid but he failed to address the shortcomings of the coaching staff and the roster as the plan progressed.

No plan is going to work if you can't honestly assess your progress and be willing to make the hard choices. Staying the course isn't always what's best.

Regarding the Simmonds situation, I hope they trade him. I like him and enjoy watching him play but I feel his play is going to fall off a cliff half way through his next contract.

I would have gone much harder into the rebuild. Traded Simmonds and Voracek. Given myself a chance at some top 5 picks. No one wanted to hear that though. Everyone wanted them to be the 8 seed every year because two home playoff games!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

If only we could be where Edmonton is right now...

It's one thing to have a plan and it's another thing to not be able to reevaluate the plan as time goes on.

The foundation of Hextall's plan was solid but he failed to address the shortcomings of the coaching staff and the roster as the plan progressed.

No plan is going to work if you can't honestly assess your progress and be willing to make the hard choices. Staying the course isn't always what's best.

Regarding the Simmonds situation, I hope they trade him. I like him and enjoy watching him play but I feel his play is going to fall off a cliff half way through his next contract.
- Flyers_01

See, that, too -- I understand wanting to let things play out, and it's not wrong, but sometimes, make the call and move on. Simmonds is the 3RW on this team, and that's a luxury, not a necessity

When you rebuild from the middle, it’s hard to find those truly impactful players; guys that are the best players on cup winning teams. Hexy needed to be more aggressive in acquiring those types of players whether it was trading up in the draft, offer sheeting a young player or trading for an established star.

The things like goaltending and leaving the PK unaddressed for years are things you can get away with if you’ve done enough to acquire elite level young talent.
- PhillySportsGuy

100% - He should've blown it up when he arrived. Can anyone say they see winning a cup in these final years of Giroux? I don't. If Holmgren and company think this group can win a cup then I fear more years of mediocrity. Embarrassing really

Finally .....accountability. I really liked Bill’s point about where this team “actually” is and how the future looks. Hextall had every chance to get this turned around...and obviously didn’t do it.

If only we could be where Edmonton is right now...
- jmatchett383

You wouldn't trade the Oliers team for the Flyers team today? I sure would

I would have gone much harder into the rebuild. Traded Simmonds and Voracek. Given myself a chance at some top 5 picks. No one wanted to hear that though. Everyone wanted them to be the 8 seed every year because two home playoff games!!!!
- PhillySportsGuy

If they don't flip the switch, you might see Voracek traded yet

You can almost smell that one coming. Obviously, I know nothing at all. But that one might be closer than we all think

You think Hextall still has a job today if they won the 3rd lotto pick instead and drafted Heiskanen or Pettersson?
- Nucker101

Maybe. I think the hopelessness plays a big factor in fan apathy. Hexy has been here almost 5 years and he hasn’t produced one elite talent yet. Maybe one of the young guys develops, but the truly special players usually begin making an impact fairly early in their careers (I know there are always exceptions like G, so please spare me)

You wouldn't trade the Oliers team for the Flyers team today? I sure would
- Cootehill

You're saying you'd rather have Edmonton's 50-man?

If so, go home. You're drunk

If only we could be where Edmonton is right now...
- jmatchett383

I mean McJesus/Hall/Draisaitl/Eberle/RNH/Klefbom/Nurse and potentially Barzal before the stupid trades/signings would’ve been a nice core to build around

Hi Bill - great analysis as always!

Heres what I would like to see now - and I have been a loyal Hextall supporter!:

Ghost Simmons Picks - for - Nylander Gardiner;

sign Hayes, Stralman and Bob in FA;

Bring up Hart and Frost;

Quenneville;
and let Brierre coach the PK and PP.

You wouldn't trade the Oliers team for the Flyers team today? I sure would
- Cootehill

Why so you could say "We have the best player in the league"? That is literally the only thing Edmonton has over the Flyers.

Hi Bill - great analysis as always!

Heres what I would like to see now - and I have been a loyal Hextall supporter!:

Ghost Simmons Picks - for - Nylander Gardiner;

sign Hayes, Stralman and Bob in FA;

Bring up Hart and Frost;

Quenneville;
and let Brierre coach the PK and PP.
- timothylutte

Lay off the booze there big guy.

I mean McJesus/Hall/Draisaitl/Eberle/RNH/Klefbom/Nurse and potentially Barzal before the stupid trades/signings would’ve been a nice core to build around
- Nucker101

Would have, yes...

You wouldn't trade the Oliers team for the Flyers team today? I sure would
- Cootehill

Not a chance in hell. Aside from McDavid and Draisaitl, the Flyers have a better player at every position, a much deeper prospect pool, and a better 50-man roster.

at least the eagles won...

Lay off the booze there big guy.
- ajw12

haha ... at least I wouldnt trade JVR in his prime for Luke Schenn?!

You wouldn't trade the Oliers team for the Flyers team today? I sure would
- Cootehill

Nope.
Sure McJeebus is god and all but outside that no.

If only we could be where Edmonton is right now...
- jmatchett383

There is a difference between a competent rebuild and an incompetent rebuild.

The oilers are actually an example of why tanking works. They have been the worst run franchise in the NHL and, despite all of it, have the best player in the world locked up for 8 more years

If only we could be where Edmonton is right now...
- jmatchett383

That'll happen when your owner makes the first overall pick and you can't hit on a single player outside the top 10 for a decade and a half.

No plan is fool proof and sports is loaded with the fools to prove it.

There is a difference between a competent rebuild and an incompetent rebuild.

The oilers are actually an example of why tanking works. They have been the worst run franchise in the NHL and, despite all of it, have the best player in the world locked up for 8 more years
- PhillySportsGuy

Well if the Flyers land Hughes then that solves that problem. He will probably never be as good as McDavid, but I believe he will be around the guys people talk about after him.

Ohhh that skating

Speak for yourself, you can not disprove JoeG is not an NHL GM...
- Glak18

He’s Joe McGrath

Listening to NHL radio on XM...hosts are saying the Flyers have a trade in place that will be announced soon. Word is it involves “3 to 4 pieces.”

We’ll see...