Everyone knows where I stand on Hakstol. To this point of the season, this team has underachieved somewhat. Even with the issue you mentioned. The team has regressed in a lot of areas. Hakstol has some culpability in that. Up to this season though, Hakstol has done a solid job with what he has to work with. I keep repeatedly reading about lineups, line combos, defense pairings, and player deployment complaints. Fans will single out one issue and jump on the coach for it. As if there is a magic lineup for this team and the coach is just too stupid to see it. There are holes in the lineup and no perfect remedy for any coach to choose from.
- MJL

I get what you're saying but fans are just desperate for the team to turn around. So if lineup changes or pairings may get the team a tiny jump go for it.. some lines like the jvr simmer Patrick one.. just truly dont make sense

I agree that we have 3 or 4 minimum players that don’t fit. Remember when Bobby abreau was putting up all those great numbers for the Phillies but the team wasn’t winning? As soon as we traded him we started winning. Great player, bad fit.

I absolutely think coaching solves the problem. Put the players that fit the system best. Unfortunately, the system our coach uses is more effective for heavy, grinder type of players and most of our players are smaller skilled players. Its why lavy was fired. His system requires defenseman to carry the puck out and we had mostly stationary space eaters on d. Lavi didn’t change so he got canned. If anyone can explain what berube was trying to do i am willing to listen because I had no idea what he was doing.

There is so much skill on this team yet hakstol continues to use a system that minimizes its effect. We need the puck away from the boards where we can stick handle, dangle and pass instead of sending Jordan weal and giroux into the corners to dig the puck out. That’s why hakstol play guys like lehtera an vandevelde so much, they are wall grinding knuckle drafters who stay along the wall where his system wants the puck.
- Shrike

I'd like to hear your explanation of specifically what Hakstol's system and specifically how Hakstol's system minimizes skill.

I have some questions for you. If Hakstol's system minimizes skill. How did Claude Giroux put up his career best scoring year last season. How did Couturier? How did Gostisbehere wind up as one of the top scoring defenseman in the NHL. How did Provorov lead NHL defenseman in goals scored?

I would love to know who you think we are getting thsts this miraculous coach that will fix all this teams issues thats available in the middle the season ? Coach Q? What if he told us no? You want a guy like Yeo?
- Tfaehner

You don’t hire a name, you hire a system. Tell the interested coaches to submit the system you intend to run and pick the one which best suits your players.

I am truely amazed that coaches at the highest level of the sport are incapable of altering the system their teams play.

Professional sports coach “I will smash this square peg through that round hole or get fired trying”

You don’t hire a name, you hire a system. Tell the interested coaches to submit the system you intend to run and pick the one which best suits your players.

I am truely amazed that coaches at the highest level of the sport are incapable of altering the system their teams play.

Professional sports coach “I will smash this square peg through that round hole or get fired trying”
- Shrike

Please keep him. The rest of the NHL is simply dying for the Flyers to do so.

Probably won't, but you need to take a look and see -- the leash won't be long, but it's ridiculous to not see what you do or don't have. Just look at it and see
- AllInForFlyers

Or was he just called up for depth since they are heading out west? Honestly, I can’t see how he’d be any worse than Lehtera on the 4th line. At least he’s skilled.

You don’t hire a name, you hire a system. Tell the interested coaches to submit the system you intend to run and pick the one which best suits your players.

I am truely amazed that coaches at the highest level of the sport are incapable of altering the system their teams play.

Professional sports coach “I will smash this square peg through that round hole or get fired trying”
- Shrike

Hasktol has altered his system several times to try and fit our players. However the system he proposed thst he was hired to implement he has not once had a team capable of executing it. That's on the now unemployed gm. I'm not dismissing all of hasktol flaws I've taken issue with plenty of his. Of the coaches who are available in season coach Q is the 1 and only one I would entertain otherwise wait till the offseason when a potential shining assistant coach or solid vet could be gotten.

Or was he just called up for depth since they are heading out west? Honestly, I can’t see how he’d be any worse than Lehtera on the 4th line. At least he’s skilled.
- BiggE

You don't call up your phantoms 28 year old leading scorer to be depth. Hurts the farm team. You do it to see if he can help this team.

Or was he just called up for depth since they are heading out west? Honestly, I can’t see how he’d be any worse than Lehtera on the 4th line. At least he’s skilled.
- BiggE

That's where I am -- as Bacher said, most of those guys aren't gonna help you, but maybe you catch lightning in a bottle and get some guy's best week or two of his life

Guys like Lehtera...when you're winning, you can carry them. They're fine.

But when you're not winning, they don't do enough for you to not take a look at what else you have -- and it may not be much. But you already know what some guys are and aren't, and some of them aren't coming back no matter where you finish

What I'd do: Evaluate Stolarz for another 7-10 games -- yeah, it's a small sample size, but you're gonna have to project if he can honestly hold down a roster spot. If he does enough, don't trade for a goalie. Ride it out with Elliott and Stolarz. If he gets torched, then you have to decide about trying to insert Neuvirth
- AllInForFlyers

Neuvirth will probably start tomorrow or on Sunday.

I don't think Holmgren is going anywhere unfortunately. Scary the guy who gave McDonald a 6 year contract is making the decisions here.
- PLindbergh31

Funny thing is, I'm pretty sure Hextall negotiated that contract

Neuvirth will probably start tomorrow or on Sunday.
- Feanor

Oh good, he'll be back on IR so we won't have to worry about waiving him.

I'd like to hear your explanation of specifically what Hakstol's system and specifically how Hakstol's system minimizes skill.

I have some questions for you. If Hakstol's system minimizes skill. How did Claude Giroux put up his career best scoring year last season. How did Couturier? How did Gostisbehere wind up as one of the top scoring defenseman in the NHL. How did Provorov lead NHL defenseman in goals scored?
- MJL

Hakstol system is dump, forecheck one guy, pass to the point for a shot then hope for a rebound.

Giroux: icetime, linemates the are compatible, and power play.

Couturier: talented linemates finally, his ability to get possession along the boards and keep it. Also a lot of his goals were on rebounds from point shots.

Ghost: giroux feeding him relentlessly and being the only defenseman who doesn’t get benched for carrying the puck in the neutral zone gets you a bunch of secondary assists.

And proverov is like gudas, if you have the puck and don’t know what to do, shoot. He just has a better shot than gudas and way more icetime.

Plus when your system focuses on point shots, defensemen will get some points.

Neuvirth will probably start tomorrow or on Sunday.
- Feanor

That's regrettable, to me -- and I recognize that maybe Neuvirth doesn't give up that first one last night. But he's shown that he's not a real answer for this organization, and while Stolarz might not be either, I'd give him games right now

Just me. I recognize others would play Neuvirth and I understand why

GMs/Executives cant make mistakes I guess. Yzerman gave an over the hill Callahan a 6 year deal worth more and is the hockey world's dream GM candidate.
- Baxter27

Was Callahan banished to the minor leagues for half a season? Has he been a healthy scratch 40+ times?

Give it time my friend. A lack of results, will leave him in the same boat as Hextall.

Name me an organization that would continue to trot out this HC after 280+ games.

His defenders can high five each other after every OT loss. Just don’t sit too far apart, because that rink is looking more and more empty with him at the helm.
- flyer_nutter

I don't think I can.

Nearly 30 games in, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I feel bad for Hakstol

He had no say whatsoever when it came to 2 of his assistants and his goalie coach and only limited input on the hiring of Knoblauch.

His GM did nothing to improve his options for goaltender in the offseason and also failed to provide him with a 3rd legit center.

Hard to see any coach being successful when you had to spend a significant part of the season with Cal Pickard as your top goalie and Jordan Weal your 3C

I have my doubts that Hakstol is the guy that can take this team to the next level, but he deserves the rest of the season to see what he can do.
- BiggE

The PP and the PK are both terrible. Is that all the fault of Weal and Pickard? If it's not the job of the head coach to get competent performances from the special teams, what is his job?

So far in the post-Hextall era, Hak's big moves have been to slash the TOI of Lindblom in half, and cut three minutes from Sanheim to give to MacDonald. Does anyone really think the long term path to success of this team is helped by moves like that?

You don't call up your phantoms 28 year old leading scorer to be depth. Hurts the farm team. You do it to see if he can help this team.
- Tfaehner

Yup. If he's not going to be tried at 3C then there was no point calling him up.

The PP and the PK are both terrible. Is that the fault of Weal and Pickard? If it's not the job of the head coach to get competent performances from the special teams, what is his job?
- Feanor

coaches can't turn poop players into gold

Funny thing is, I'm pretty sure Hextall negotiated that contract
- ajw12

what makes you think that?

coaches can't turn poop players into gold
- 2Real

I didn't realize the Arizona Coyotes were full of Hall of Fame defensive players.

what makes you think that?
- PLindbergh31

I'm pretty sure Bill or someone tweeted that when Hexy got canned

That's regrettable, to me -- and I recognize that maybe Neuvirth doesn't give up that first one last night. But he's shown that he's not a real answer for this organization, and while Stolarz might not be either, I'd give him games right now

Just me. I recognize others would play Neuvirth and I understand why
- AllInForFlyers

Elliott isn't healthy AFAIK so it would be dumb to play Stolie in back to back games. That's a lot of wear and tear in a short period for a kid who blew out his knee twice last season.

I didn't realize the Arizona Coyotes were full of Hall of Fame defensive players.
- Feanor

280+ games and still not enough to be properly evaluated.

Hakstol system is dump, forecheck one guy, pass to the point for a shot then hope for a rebound.

Giroux: icetime, linemates the are compatible, and power play.

Couturier: talented linemates finally, his ability to get possession along the boards and keep it. Also a lot of his goals were on rebounds from point shots.

Ghost: giroux feeding him relentlessly and being the only defenseman who doesn’t get benched for carrying the puck in the neutral zone gets you a bunch of secondary assists.

And proverov is like gudas, if you have the puck and don’t know what to do, shoot. He just has a better shot than gudas and way more icetime.

Plus when your system focuses on point shots, defensemen will get some points.
- Shrike

That's not a description of a hockey system. The Flyers system does not focus on point shots.

The point totals that the Flyers skilled players put up last season shows that the statement that Hakstol's system limits skill is false.

I'm pretty sure Bill or someone tweeted that when Hexy got canned
- ajw12

Well maybe Hextall negotiated the contract, but Holmgren traded for him. The third round pick traded to the Islanders in 2014, the pick after that selection the Bolts drafted Brayden Point.