Not snarky at all, just a major cop out of reasoning.

If Weal would just play better and execute he could be a 35 goal scorer! I can say that about ANYONE, but what you refuse to accept is sports is based on what you do and not what you could do.

If a player or player(s) display they can not execute time after time, but show they can once in awhile...they purely are proving they can not do it.

Again I don't give a poop on what a player or team could possibly do, they are judged on what they do. Lindros could of been the most dominating player in the NHL history, but he didn't so he is not. It is not a tough concept to grasp.
- Glak18

You're telling me my reasoning is flawed and then bring Weal into it? First of all he doesn't play on the PK and secondly, the reason why Weal is not the right player for his spot is that he lacks the talent and ability. The real reasoning flaw is done here by you. If you watch the video and see the mistakes made on the PK, they're not mistakes that are made due to not having the talent and ability. As example, Couturier skating backwards away from the net and letting a top goal scorer sit right at the net for an easy tap in is not due to a lack of ability. Couturier not having his stick in the right position on a routine set play on a 5 0 3 PK and allowing a cross ice pass for a one time, is not due to a lack of ability. Provorov steeping aside and allowing a clear shooting lane to the net is not due to a lack of ability.

I'll finish with this. If you want to call someone out, be able to back it up.

You're telling me my reasoning is flawed and then bring Weal into it? First of all he doesn't play on the PK and secondly, the reason why Weal is not the right player for his spot is that he lacks the talent and ability. The real reasoning flaw is done here by you. If you watch the video and see the mistakes made on the PK, they're not mistakes that are made due to not having the talent and ability. As example, Couturier skating backwards away from the net and letting a top goal scorer sit right at the net for an easy tap in is not due to a lack of ability. Couturier not having his stick in the right position on a routine set play on a 5 0 3 PK and allowing a cross ice pass for a one time, is not due to a lack of ability. Provorov steeping aside and allowing a clear shooting lane to the net is not due to a lack of ability.

I'll finish with this. If you want to call someone out, be able to back it up.
- MJL

It's easy to point out the mistakes. I'm more concerned with why the mistakes are being made.

Without knowing the specifics of what exactly it would cost to make these improvements, I can't agree or disagree with Hextall. I can only state that he publicly stated that it was time for the team to take the next step, and so far, they've failed miserably. I can't see how some of the blame for that doesn't fall on the GM.
- BiggE

I think there are some things that can be hung on Hextall, mainly the backup goalie situation. How that unfolded wasn't completely on him but he could've made that situation better relatively cheaply I believe. However the setbacks of players like Provorov and Gostisbehere as well as other players such as Patrick not developing as quickly as hoped, are not on him. Neither is the inconsistent and slow starts mainly due to the veterans on the team.

It's easy to point out the mistakes. I'm more concerned with why the mistakes are being made.
- BiggE

Why are they being made?

well I believe, and this is my opinion, they were behind where he thought they would be because the young players haven't quite taken enough steps. We all scream PLAY THE KIDS, PLAY THE KIDS. Can't have it both ways. And yes, I know some people were in the corner of moving some younger players for immediate help.
- nastyflyergirl

I personally don't see it that way. I expect lots of mistakes and growing pains from young players (Patrick, Provorov, Lindblom, etc), but when you constantly have regression from your top players that is where the struggles of the young players get highlighted.

How well did this team play when Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds struggled 3-4 years ago? When this team struggled last year, which players were not performing well? When your top players (the players who have already shown they can perform) do not play well, the team does not.

I am all for patience, but Hextall also admitted that the team was behind where he expected them to be. That is more telling than anything else. Why was the team behind course? That means Hextall failed at assessing the situation big time. Waiting a bit longer will never change that.
- Glak18

That's not really what he said tho...

He pretty much said he expected the kids to take steps forward this year, but it didn't turn out that simply. And the goaltending fell apart (which we all agree was not that surprising). And special teams fell apart (PP was surprising, PK not).

So yeah, he had a blind spot to the goaltending/PK (and perhaps coaching), but it's not like the entire plan was off course or anything.

Without knowing the specifics of what exactly it would cost to make these improvements, I can't agree or disagree with Hextall. I can only state that he publicly stated that it was time for the team to take the next step, and so far, they've failed miserably. I can't see how some of the blame for that doesn't fall on the GM.
- BiggE

There’s the rub. What could Hextall have done ? At what cost ? Welp....that’s the job of a GM to get that figured out. He couldn’t ....and he was fired. Hextalls inability to help the current team was always his MAJOR glaring weakness. I wished he’d at least tried.

Why are they being made?
- MJL

I can only see one probable cause and that is the players are pressing which almost always leads to mistakes. Coaching is more than just getting players to buy into and execute a system. It also involves keeping players loose and confident so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.

There’s the rub. What could Hextall have done ? At what cost ? Welp....that’s the job of a GM to get that figured out. He couldn’t ....and he was fired. Hextalls inability to help the current team was always his MAJOR glaring weakness. I wished he’d at least tried.
- landros 2

Agreed.

I personally don't see it that way. I expect lots of mistakes and growing pains from young players (Patrick, Provorov, Lindblom, etc), but when you constantly have regression from your top players that is where the struggles of the young players get highlighted.

How well did this team play when Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds struggled 3-4 years ago? When this team struggled last year, which players were not performing well? When your top players (the players who have already shown they can perform) do not play well, the team does not.
- Glak18

Simmonds regression and injuries has certainly hurt but I still believe the support cast hasn't progressed enough. Patrick hasn't produced as a 2nd line center (only 20), TK has been up and down, Vorobyiev not ready for the NHL. and yes once again I get that its the GM's responsibility to create the roster. All I am saying is not having the young players quite to where they need to be has slowed the progress of the team.

You're telling me my reasoning is flawed and then bring Weal into it? First of all he doesn't play on the PK and secondly, the reason why Weal is not the right player for his spot is that he lacks the talent and ability. The real reasoning flaw is done here by you. If you watch the video and see the mistakes made on the PK, they're not mistakes that are made due to not having the talent and ability. As example, Couturier skating backwards away from the net and letting a top goal scorer sit right at the net for an easy tap in is not due to a lack of ability. Couturier not having his stick in the right position on a routine set play on a 5 0 3 PK and allowing a cross ice pass for a one time, is not due to a lack of ability. Provorov steeping aside and allowing a clear shooting lane to the net is not due to a lack of ability.

I'll finish with this. If you want to call someone out, be able to back it up.
- MJL

Ok let's dance...

I used Weal as an example of your flawed reasoning, he has absolutely no relation to the PK...other than showing your reasoning.

Alexander Daigle had plenty of talent and ability...but he didn't execute in the NHL. Execution in any sport is the be-all judge of any player. I don't care about what-ifs.

So what should a good coach do in a situation where he is watching his players not execute plays they should?

I can only see one probable cause and that is the players are pressing which almost always leads to mistakes. Coaching is more than just getting players to buy into and execute a system. It also involves keeping players loose and confident so that they can perform to the best of their abilities.
- BiggE

I agree on your premise that a lot of it is mental and due to a lack of confidence. I believe that is a major reason why they're so passive at times. It's one area where I think a coaching change might and I emphasize might help and act as a reset. However that is really an unfair burden to place on a coach. Players have to take responsibility on that.

Ok let's dance...

I used Weal as an example of your flawed reasoning, he has absolutely no relation to the PK...other than showing your reasoning.

Alexander Daigle had plenty of talent and ability...but he didn't execute in the NHL. Execution in any sport is the be-all judge of any player. I don't care about what-ifs.

So what should a good coach do in a situation where he is watching his players not execute plays they should?
- Glak18

This is not dancing, this is sitting on the sidelines. Let's look at what the coaches have done. Try different players. Look at the number of forwards they've tried. Secondly, review mistakes and problems in video, run drill designed to improve in practice. Coach and give feed back during games.

Weal was a ridiculous example to use because what it did was point out your flawed reasoning, not mine.

Simmonds regression and injuries has certainly hurt but I still believe the support cast hasn't progressed enough. Patrick hasn't produced as a 2nd line center (only 20), TK has been up and down, Vorobyiev not ready for the NHL. and yes once again I get that its the GM's responsibility to create the roster. All I am saying is not having the young players quite to where they need to be has slowed the progress of the team.
- nastyflyergirl

Greatly!

Agreed.
- BiggE

You agree that Hextall didn't try?

I agree on your premise that a lot of it is mental and due to a lack of confidence. I believe that is a major reason why they're so passive at times. It's one area where I think a coaching change might and I emphasize might help and act as a reset. However that is really an unfair burden to place on a coach. Players have to take responsibility on that.
- MJL

They take the responsibility time after time. Every interview they keep saying we need to play better, yet they haven't. How have things changed?

Re pk success in Ottawa. I thought their PK looked adjusted for once. They seemed to be pressuring the puck all the way up the ice and again once Ottawa got set up. They even seemed to think that you are allowed to score while shorthanded. It definitely appeared that an adjustment was finally made. Unless it was just players having more jump due to the GM being fired.

👎 put the pipe down
- Duane B

sup Duane did you ever find crim?

was just about to say that

seriously tho as much as this isn't a popular opinion I agree with Hextall saying this wasn't go time yet. Snider and Holmgren said they were behind his plan of patience and for me personally I am disappointed the patience ran out despite the crap end results on the ice. I don't want to see the Flyers make moves in the order of what St. Louis has done where they thought they needed to push forward and moved 2 firsts for Schenn. Is Schenn a good player, of course. he helps you in the present. but was the team in a place where such a move was going to push them forward?

Its all a moot point anymore but I was in Hextall's corner and wanted to his vision thru. I preferred to fire the coach (yes that is on Hextall) first and see if another coach could right the ship.
- nastyflyergirl

so he said it wasn't go time but also said he was on the phone about to improve the team?

i didn't listen to his presser so i'm probably getting mixed up versions of reality but these seem slightly at odds...

This is not dancing, this is sitting on the sidelines. Let's look at what the coaches have done. Try different players. Look at the number of forwards they've tried. Secondly, review mistakes and problems in video, run drill designed to improve in practice. Coach and give feed back during games.

Weal was a ridiculous example to use because what it did was point out your flawed reasoning, not mine.
- MJL

Yeah the sidelines...keeping thinking that. I am still waiting for you to wake up from your nap.

Different players...how has that worked out?
Review mistakes...how has that worked out?
Running drills...how has that worked out?
Feedback...how has that worked out?

Now you have to 2 options...

1) Institute a system your players can execute
or
2) Get players who can execute the current system

There you go. Pick one, there is no time will magically make things different.

Now list some more scenarios where players didn't execute to prove my point further.

Sorry about using Weal as an example...now replace Weal with any other (frank)ing name and it's the same thing.

They take the responsibility time after time. Every interview they keep saying we need to play better, yet they haven't. How have things changed?
- Glak18

Talk is cheap so that is not really taking responsibility. Taking responsibility would be taking leadership on the ice. The real growth on this team has to happen internally. They can't trade their way out of every problem. Even if they bring in a new coach, this has to happen for this team to get to where they need to be.

Yeah the sidelines...keeping thinking that. I am still waiting for you to wake up from your nap.

Different players...how has that worked out?
Review mistakes...how has that worked out?
Running drills...how has that worked out?
Feedback...how has that worked out?

Now you have to 2 options...

1) Institute a system your players can execute


- Glak18

Already have that.

2) Get players who can execute the current system



- Glak18

Already have that also. The Ottawa game showed both on the PK.

https://goo.gl/images/ZzF2J3

Re pk success in Ottawa. I thought their PK looked adjusted for once. They seemed to be pressuring the puck all the way up the ice and again once Ottawa got set up. They even seemed to think that you are allowed to score while shorthanded. It definitely appeared that an adjustment was finally made. Unless it was just players having more jump due to the GM being fired.
- hockeyphan25

No, it wasn't a system adjustment. It was an execution adjustment. The PK has always been about a read and react. Pressure when appropriate, contain when appropriate. Contain does not mean sit back and give easy open passing and shooting lanes.

We have enough assets to acquire a significant player to boost team performance without sacrificing a ton in the system. I truly believe we will see a "significant" move either by TDL or at draft. We need to be prepared to lose a top player or prospect.

Homer and the new GM should be foaming at the mouth. We have NHL talent, cap space, draft picks, and highly regarded prospects. That's a position of strength in being able to make trades. If the new guy can get value for our vets (AMac, Lehtera, etc.) Then that is a win.

With our assets, I'd rather target a player like Duchene instead of a 3C. Moving Coots and/or Patty down would address that. Also get Coots off PP and more regular on PK. We have already started to see that.

Top 4 Dman. Stop gap goalie. We have assests to make this happen.