Sean Maloughney: Issues With Hakstol Already Rearing Their Head

Totally agree, Sean!

One of the worst coaches in nhl history. Always looks like he just smelled his own fart. His college coaching record is a shame. Coaching at one of the best schools in ncaa always got him the best talent. He should be fired by thanksgiving

He should have been let go this offseason. Francis’ biggest mistake was in hiring hom as head coachbin the first place. It is abundantly clear he has ZERO interest in using and having Wright out there, which is at total odds to his GM who has said Wright is ready and wanted him in there. Wright has seen the ice in the home opener, scratched the next two, finally getting in only to see the same 6 min in ice once again.

The same issues of having utterly no structure is so apparent even Stevie Wonder could recognize it. Defensively they should be much better this year but the goalies continue to get hammered with the team hemmed in and chasing the play with too many turnovers. Offensively they are most often stuck trying to force things and taking low percentage one and done shots. Positioning had been touched on repeatedly. Last night Beniers for example had time and space off the half boards going to the net. Man to the side of it. Dunn is on point wide open but instead of moving in for a perfect one timer with Anderson having to move to reposition he stays glued to the blue line. Beniers passes but nothing comes of it as its just too much time.

The goaltending is fine. The talent is there. The skill is there and shows in flashes. How this team prepares and executes is what is holding them back and killing them. That falls right on Hak.

He has to go.

I watched from the end of the first to the end of that game last night and saw at least two power plays where either Burky wasn't on PP1 or PP1 didn't start the PP - don't know enough about Seattle to know which. WTF? He's the best pure scorer on that team and if you're willing to bear the liability of him playing D for a whole game you want him out there on the friggin' PP. Just weird. Grub made some nice saves but just isn't good enough to be a difference maker.

I watched from the end of the first to the end of that game last night and saw at least two power plays where either Burky wasn't on PP1 or PP1 didn't start the PP - don't know enough about Seattle to know which. WTF? He's the best pure scorer on that team and if you're willing to bear the liability of him playing D for a whole game you want him out there on the friggin' PP. Just weird. Grub made some nice saves but just isn't good enough to be a difference maker.
- FoppaForever

Thats the thing. Gru and even Jones have been good enough to win. The issue is a complete lack of support in front of them. They chase the play, have no structure, and turn the puck over for how many grade A scoring chances?! At this point the goaltending really isnt the problem. It’s the structure and coaching. It’s just hard to overcome.

Francis won't fire him unless told he has to.

Hell the man gave Bill Peters an extension after Rod Brind'amour went to Francis and told him the dude punched one player and kicked another on on the bench.

Francis won't fire him unless told he has to.

Hell the man gave Bill Peters an extension after Rod Brind'amour went to Francis and told him the dude punched one player and kicked another on on the bench.
- BINGO!

Can hope he has learned since then?

I dont think him bringing in the new Asst Coach was just filling a spot. I think there was intent behind that move. Putting a backup plan in place. Im not sure Francis wont make a move. He is expecting more than last year after the reset of the roster. Hak not being on the same page with Wright I think is another sign too.

Thats the thing. Gru and even Jones have been good enough to win. The issue is a complete lack of support in front of them. They chase the play, have no structure, and turn the puck over for how many grade A scoring chances?! At this point the goaltending really isnt the problem. It’s the structure and coaching. It’s just hard to overcome.
- Roadrunner75

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that goaltending was the biggest problem just that Grubi isn't quite good enough to overcome crappy D play if needed. And totally agree about the lack of structure. I never understood the Hakstol choice and every time I see that team play it reinforces that opinion. The problem is that many of the coaches who were available back then are off the market now. Jim Montgomery would have been perfect for a young team. They'll probably end up throwing heaven and earth at Trotz and he'll get them to win but it may not be very fun to watch.

Can hope he has learned since then?

I dont think him bringing in the new Asst Coach was just filling a spot. I think there was intent behind that move. Putting a backup plan in place. Im not sure Francis wont make a move. He is expecting more than last year after the reset of the roster. Hak not being on the same page with Wright I think is another sign too.
- Roadrunner75

One would hope, but he's also on the selection committee for the Hockey Hall of Fame and, well, there's a reason Daniel (frank)ing Alfredsson got in before Brind'amour.

That Peters incident (and extending him) really (frank)ed up a long time friendship between those guys.

Grubby is way overrated & overpaid

Jones had 1 good game but is way below average

Need much better goaltending to win in NHL

Hasktol is a joke

One of the worst coaches in nhl history. Always looks like he just smelled his own fart. His college coaching record is a shame. Coaching at one of the best schools in ncaa always got him the best talent. He should be fired by thanksgiving
- Fopa21

I feel like Jeff Blashill and Dallas Eakins would beg to differ. But clearly a poop tier coach.

Said it all off season. I don't like him as a coach at all. I don't understand how he keeps getting jobs.

Need someone who can develop the kids, that's most important.

Said it all off season. I don't like him as a coach at all. I don't understand how he keeps getting jobs.

Need someone who can develop the kids, that's most important.
- Aaron_85

Agreed. Benching and playing Wright only 6 minutes is doing nothing for him. I really think he is the biggest issue to the on ice success at the moment.

Last of the homestand to ight against a well rested Blues team.

Tough challenge and expecting Binnington in net so it’s going to be imperative not to give up the fast early goal and to really tighten up on the defence. Haven’t seen news on lineup but expecting Gru back in net. And knowing the Hak Wright will likely be scratched, and if not may as well be playing 4th line and only 6 minutes. 😡🤬

Terrible terrible period and brutal way to open this game. Fact they needed to call a time out? Good on Donato for sticking up for Wright who got rocked there by Barbashev but damn...

Hak really needs to look at the lines here too.

Interesting how talking heads at intermission questioned what they were doing and the structure too!

Have a feeling this is going to be a long game.

Better 2nd but BInnigton robbing the Kraken offence. Least Jones was up to the task to keep the Blues from building on their lead.

DONATO!!!!!!!!!!

Breakaway stopped but just kept whacking at it and Binnington cant keep it out

MUCH better 2nd period and this sucker is ALL TIED UP!!!

Definitely a huge and much needed 20 minutes of effort and some big stops from Jones to get this back to an even game.

Great start to the 3rd here now. Kraken all over the Blues and Binnington having to make a big save. Wright ALMOST got his 1st. Just hit the post!

Borgen also having a very good game tonight. Finally. Scored and then just got into a scuffle after Neighbours bumped Jones. He hasn't been too bad at all.

DAMN!!!! 3 min to go and they leave Barbashev in high slot alone.... thank you Jones

And we got OVERTIME!

Very great game, really solid 40 minutes after a bad start for Seattle here.

And damn... Faulk with the game winner stickside on Jones.

Brutal bounce and Kraken players were not watching the Blues players and all alone high and Beniers screens his own goalie on it too.

At least we got a point but still....

Kempny on waivers for purpose of contract termination. In Coachella a goal so far but clearly moving on from the older player.

Coachella won their opener and first ever game too.

Ugh....Haskol reminds me of Ducharme. Totally unwilling to play the young players despite there being no reason not to. Hopefully a more offensive minded coach is hired after his inevitable firing.

Agreed. Benching and playing Wright only 6 minutes is doing nothing for him. I really think he is the biggest issue to the on ice success at the moment.
- Roadrunner75

I need more from Wright. I took him in my fantasy league! Thought he'd be a calder finalist!

I need more from Wright. I took him in my fantasy league! Thought he'd be a calder finalist!
- Aaron_85

Got to get Hak to play him and not just waste him on the fourth line with only 6 min a game. 😡😡😡

On the road its a friday night matchup with the Avs. Makar and MacKinnon. Going to be a tough opponent.

Gru making his return and starting tonight.


Avs on em early and how the hell is there no penalty with Gru getting run over?!?! How do you miss that???