Some forget just how out of whack the Flyers' cap situation was and how utterly bare the cupboard was before he took over.

Have a feeling that Hexy's gonna do a great job in Pittsburgh with whatever lessons he learned from getting axed here.

Flyers fans should be nervous.
- Tomahawk

The cupboards were bare, and zero cap as you say.. I am happy he didn't try to acquire vets and UFAs or we'd still be screwed. To Fletch's credit, he's largely stayed the course Hexy set which to me is a sign that Hexy was doing things correctly.

We know that GMs love going after their former players.

It's been over a decade since the last Flyers/Pens deal. Have to go back to early 90's to find the last significant hockey trade betweenb the two teams (Recchi for Tocchet).

Like to see Letang on the Flyers? Or Malkin?
- Tomahawk

Yikes, now this is getting really uncomfortable.

As you know..I agree.. I think that he relayed his thoughts at his final press conf. You have to be sure it's go time (as he called it) before you flip assets/cap for established players and he didn't think we were there yet. In LA, they felt they had the goalie, stud dman and 1C to go for it. They then added pieces like Richards carter etc to help push them over the edge.. I expect he thought we had a goalie a year or two away.. maybe the top Dman and 1C with coots. JVR addition looks good now, but as always, I want to see how everyone does come playoffs.
- Hextall271

You also need to see what your need is. You won't really know that until your team develops into a good team ready to take another step. If you draft well and Hextall did, you'll have a bunch of good players who will need good contracts. You'll have limited cap assets to fine tune your team. You don't want to make moves prematurely and waste assets until your needs are better defined.

The cupboards were bare, and zero cap as you say.. I am happy he didn't try to acquire vets and UFAs or we'd still be screwed. To Fletch's credit, he's largely stayed the course Hexy set which to me is a sign that Hexy was doing things correctly.
- Hextall271

Yeah, Hexy set the table up so well for Fletch that his tenure has basically been on rails.

Niskanen would have been a no-brainer for Hexy. Confident he would have done that same deal if it were presented to him.

Not so sure about Hayes tho.

Not even worried one iota if he gets the Pitt GM job. His drafting was very overrated imo. He did a piss poor job at the NHL level. Was a tyrant who had an assistant coach be his snitch. Ripped apart the Flyers identity.

We shall see if he learned. Seems like an odd choice as to me the Pens still should be in ALL in mode. Time will tell what direction they go. Cant see Malkin and Crosby wanting any part of any rebuild.
- login

I think that it's not an odd choice at all. Seems as though many in pro hockey think he did a good job with the Flyers.

I think it will be a retool on the fly.. Crosby won't be traded. If they're serious..they flip Malkin and letang for a king's ransom to re stock the cupboards and bring in some young talent.

Not even worried one iota if he gets the Pitt GM job. His drafting was very overrated imo. He did a piss poor job at the NHL level. Was a tyrant who had an assistant coach be his snitch. Ripped apart the Flyers identity.

We shall see if he learned. Seems like an odd choice as to me the Pens still should be in ALL in mode. Time will tell what direction they go. Cant see Malkin and Crosby wanting any part of any rebuild.
- login

This assumes of course that Hextall is only a "rebuild from scratch" type of GM. What is he is not? What if he only was like that here because that is what was needed? Maybe with Pittsburgh he shows us an entirely different side.

Yeah, Hexy set the table up so well for Fletch that his tenure has basically been on rails.

Niskanen would have been a no-brainer for Hexy. Confident he would have done that same deal if it were presented to him.

Not so sure about Hayes tho.
- Tomahawk

Definitely agree about the Niskanen deal. It fits the parameters of a deal Hextall would make. Don't know about Hayes but the situation was escalated with the health issues of Patrick.

Yeah, Hexy set the table up so well for Fletch that his tenure has basically been on rails.

Niskanen would have been a no-brainer for Hexy. Confident he would have done that same deal if it were presented to him.

Not so sure about Hayes tho.
- Tomahawk

Yeah..I don't know for sure on either. Full marks to Fletch. The part I am happy about is keeping picks and young prospects. It wasn't about succeeding for a 2 or 3 year window..it's about long term contention.

I think that it's not an odd choice at all. Seems as though many in pro hockey think he did a good job with the Flyers.

I think it will be a retool on the fly.. Crosby won't be traded. If they're serious..they flip Malkin and letang for a king's ransom to re stock the cupboards and bring in some young talent.
- Hextall271

I've always felt that in all pro sports, teams hang on too long. Always wanting to take a few more chances. Of course it's a business and fan PR issue but teams would be better off if they were more realistic and starting retooling sooner.

The cupboards were bare, and zero cap as you say.. I am happy he didn't try to acquire vets and UFAs or we'd still be screwed. To Fletch's credit, he's largely stayed the course Hexy set which to me is a sign that Hexy was doing things correctly.
- Hextall271

That's a really good point. Have the Flyers really advanced that much farther and faster under Fletcher? Yes they finally won a playoff series, but what else? There have been no block-buster trades or rushing players to the NHL level. I think the best thing he has done so far is hire AV, who I think is a hockey coach you can win a cup with.

I think that it's not an odd choice at all. Seems as though many in pro hockey think he did a good job with the Flyers.

I think it will be a retool on the fly.. Crosby won't be traded. If they're serious..they flip Malkin and letang for a king's ransom to re stock the cupboards and bring in some young talent.
- Hextall271

Retools on the fly rarely work. That's what he did with the flyers. They have been stuck in mediocrity for how long now?

Yes if he is allowed to tear it down you absolutely look into moving those pieces. Will he be allowed is the question? Then does he want to? Maybe he now realizes he should have traded clode, jake, and other instead of wasting their prime years.

No Crosby wont be unless he want to be. You think he wants to go through a retool or rebuild? that guy is as competitive as one can get. He is a winner who wants to win.

This assumes of course that Hextall is only a "rebuild from scratch" type of GM. What is he is not? What if he only was like that here because that is what was needed? Maybe with Pittsburgh he shows us an entirely different side.
- jd250

He may.

MJL, was just listening to spittin chiclets and the two ex NHl guys were getting on Voracek for that back check on Barzal LOL

Seravalli reporting Pens to hire Hextall
- NC Flyers Fan

poop they are going to be good in 12 years

He'll have a twelve-year plan for them
- DaveofYork

Said the same thing lol

Retools on the fly rarely work. That's what he did with the flyers. They have been stuck in mediocrity for how long now?

Yes if he is allowed to tear it down you absolutely look into moving those pieces. Will he be allowed is the question? Then does he want to? Maybe he now realizes he should have traded clode, jake, and other instead of wasting their prime years.

No Crosby wont be unless he want to be. You think he wants to go through a retool or rebuild? that guy is as competitive as one can get. He is a winner who wants to win.
- login

GM interviews include basically laying out exactly what your short and long-term plan would be if you're hired. Burkle and Mario would already be on board with whatever big decisions/direction that Hexy feels would be necessary if they offered him the job.

I think that it's not an odd choice at all. Seems as though many in pro hockey think he did a good job with the Flyers.

I think it will be a retool on the fly.. Crosby won't be traded. If they're serious..they flip Malkin and letang for a king's ransom to re stock the cupboards and bring in some young talent.
- Hextall271

2 out of 3 feels like the full rebuild to me. In the end, I do think that would be faster.

2) the nfl just played a full season man

3) you have immunity for at least 3 months
- ClaudeFather

Not sure what the NFL has to do with this. NFL season is much shorter than NHL as well plus they only play 1 game a week

GM interviews include basically laying out exactly what your short and long-term plan would be if you're hired. Burkle and Mario would already be on board with whatever big decisions/direction that Hexy feels would be necessary if they offered him the job.
- Tomahawk

Dont disagree, also some will take a job knowing how it was laid out for them with the hope they can do it their way. He can tell them what they want to hear; then change course or try to after seeing it firsthand.

Not sure what the NFL has to do with this. NFL season is much shorter than NHL as well plus they only play 1 game a week
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The players will be fine

Retools on the fly rarely work. That's what he did with the flyers. They have been stuck in mediocrity for how long now?

Yes if he is allowed to tear it down you absolutely look into moving those pieces. Will he be allowed is the question? Then does he want to? Maybe he now realizes he should have traded clode, jake, and other instead of wasting their prime years.

No Crosby wont be unless he want to be. You think he wants to go through a retool or rebuild? that guy is as competitive as one can get. He is a winner who wants to win.
- login

Yes..Crosby wants to win, but they are not a contender as currently constructed. They have assets that some teams would want, but throwing more 1st picks around will only cause them to crash and crash hard in a couple years.. with no hope for the future.

GM interviews include basically laying out exactly what your short and long-term plan would be if you're hired. Burkle and Mario would already be on board with whatever big decisions/direction that Hexy feels would be necessary if they offered him the job.
- Tomahawk

Its interesting, Hextall is walking into a situation that is somewhat similar to where the Flyers were, in terms of lack of cap space and good prospects. However the Penguins have much more talent on their NHL roster than the Flyers did. The problem with Pittsburgh currently is their defense and goaltending; up front they are stacked. If Hextall comes in and makes one or two really smart trades, the Penguins could be there at the end.

Dont disagree, also some will take a job knowing how it was laid out for them with the hope they can do it their way. He can tell them what they want to hear; then change course or try to after seeing it firsthand.
- login

Hexy telling people what they want to hear? Doubt it, lol.

He probably walked in, put his balls on the table, and told them that he'd put Malkin and Letang on the trade block right away.

Yes..Crosby wants to win, but they are not a contender as currently constructed. They have assets that some teams would want, but throwing more 1st picks around will only cause them to crash and crash hard in a couple years.. with no hope for the future.
- Hextall271

I understand that; point is Crosby doesn't very likely want to hear it. You think he gives a poop about 1st rd picks in the next few years?

Only real assets they may want to move are Malkin letang dumoulin maybe a zucker. With the cap the way it is what is the market for said players? Will have to take money back pretty much. The pens job wont be easy for anyone; especially if they dont tear it down

Hexy telling people what they want to hear? Doubt it, lol.

He probably walked in, put his balls on the table, and told them that he'd put Malkin and Letang on the trade block right away.


- Tomahawk

He will be a yes man like all the prior ones more likely than not. He moves one of the top 3 then maybe i will change my mind.