Hextall's first real test

[brelic]

This is Hextall's first real test as GM. It's all good and fine to say the right things and lay out your philosophy, but if it's not backed up by actions that support that philosophy, there's really no point.

 

The easiest thing to do is fire Berube. That might provide a short term boost, but to what end? Is there a coach out there that Hextall has identified as being the right fit for his long-term vision? And if so, would it be premature to bring such a person in right now?

 

The smart thing is to give Berube the season to see if he can bring a modicum of success to the team. He did last year. They were in almost exactly the same spot at this time last year - and they made the playoffs.

 

The next easiest thing to do is make a trade. It could be a band-aid trade that all of us know all too well - and would probably make us collectively groan, or worse, gag. Or it could be a forward-thinking trade - one that might not pay dividends at first, but that adheres to Hextall's vision.

 

The hardest thing to do is nothing. Fans aren't happy and will rain boos down on mediocrity. The media will do their typical finger-pointing and wild accusations, speculations, and turn up the heat for no other reason than to sell subscriptions. The players might start to doubt themselves. 

 

Nothing worth doing is easy, however. How Hextall reacts will speak volumes.

 

What do you guys think he will do? What do you think he should do?

[Samifan]

Based on his presser today where he said he doesn't invision making a trade for just to make a trade,I think Berube is gone Sunday night. Easier to fire one rather than 20, even if 15 of the 20 deserve to be fired.

[brelic]

Based on his presser today where he said he doesn't invision making a trade for just to make a trade,I think Berube is gone Sunday night. Easier to fire one rather than 20, even if 15 of the 20 deserve to be fired.

 

I think he has to say that publicly. Otherwise he's advertising weakness - you know, kinda like trading for a player and putting yourself over the cap, broadcasting to the entire league that you *have* to make a trade and have no leverage

[vonginous]

Trade for the future. Picks and or prospects. The only nhl ready players that would come back should be pieces that are good for future plans or at the end of current contracts and can walk at seasons end. All are tradable at the right price. Though I would keep G and jake.

not saying the rest suck (though most of them do) or I want them gone. Just think this semi rebuild on the go crap has got to stop somewhere. I think this is a good spot.

[pilldoc]

Agree firing Berube is the easiest thing to do...however, who is out there?  We don't know who might be available at the end of the season....if anyone at all.

Sure they can make a trade...but again unless you can miraculously unload either Vinny or Crapberger, any other move will be a window dressing.  Now if you can move Coburn for a solid piece in in your vision then I might make the trade......

 

My gut feeling (and many may disagree)... is to just stand pat and do nothing.  There is nothing that will suddenly change the fortunes of this team.  It may be a very bitter pill to swallow, but there CANNOT be anymore band-aid fixes to this team.  Let Hexy do his job.  Frankly in order to move forward this team needs to purge itself.  Getting a top 5 pick in next years draft will certain help.

[Mad Dog]

My guess, there will be nothing dramatic done.  He will probably make some insiginficant trades - mainly because the Flyers don't have many trading chips to offer without weakening the team.  It's pathetic that Homer really left this in such a sad state. No matter who the GM would be, he was doomed.

[brelic]

Agree firing Berube is the easiest thing to do...however, who is out there?  We don't know who might be available at the end of the season....if anyone at all.

Sure they can make a trade...but again unless you can miraculously unload either Vinny or Crapberger, any other move will be a window dressing.  Now if you can move Coburn for a solid piece in in your vision then I might make the trade......

 

My gut feeling (and many may disagree)... is to just stand pat and do nothing.  There is nothing that will suddenly change the fortunes of this team.  It may be a very bitter pill to swallow, but there CANNOT be anymore band-aid fixes to this team.  Let Hexy do his job.  Frankly in order to move forward this team needs to purge itself.  Getting a top 5 pick in next years draft will certain help.

 

Agree with this completely, doc. Well said. What is the likelihood that Hextall will do nothing? Do you think he'll get pressure from the old man upstairs? I'm sure they've had these conversations when Hextall told him about his vision, right? I mean, would any CEO ever *not* present a short, medium, and long term plan to the owners or his board? No, right? So you gotta figure that Hextall laid that out for him, possibly during the 'interview' or discussions he's had about being promoted to the top job. So do you think Snider's still on board when he sees the garbage on the ice?

 

Man, it's quite a bizarre situation for the Flyers. I mean, they did go through this in 2007, but the Flyers have a reputation as a playoff team. We just always find a way.

 

But, they also have a reputation as a team with no plan - a team that throws money at the problem a lot like the Rangers did for a long time. 

[Mad Dog]

Do you think he'll get pressure from the old man upstairs?

Of course he will - you can just about take it to the bank.  The Old Man is probably already giving his marching orders to trade for another over-the-hill, washed up old bird. 

[brelic]

It's pathetic that Homer really left this in such a sad state. No matter who the GM would be, he was doomed.

 

Yeah, pretty crazy, isn't it? Really bad management of assets.

[FD19372]

When do the players get held accountable? Who will be our next coach/ex-Flyer?  Although Chief gets a small dose of the blame here, I think the leadership group on this team sucks even though I am  not in the locker room. So "the room" didn't like Lavy, so they go and get a "players coach" in Berube and now that doesn't work. To me it's not the coach, its the mix of parts on this team. GM has to realize that by doing nothing to this team, particularly on defense, is another way of accepting failure. Something has to change. Yes, we'll have Ghost and Morin possible next year on D, but they need a commanding veteran presence back there as an anchor for the D. Now we see just how truly important Timonen was. At this point, trading for a STUD D-man back there is more important than ANY player on the team. Call me crazy, but that includes Jake, G and God forbid in all sincerity they trade him, Simmonds.  A mobile leader on D is the most important position on a professional hockey team, bar none. Get one ASAP, Hexy. I don't care who goes.

[mojo1917]

When do the players get held accountable? Who will be our next coach/ex-Flyer?  Although Chief gets a small dose of the blame here, I think the leadership group on this team sucks even though I am  not in the locker room. So "the room" didn't like Lavy, so they go and get a "players coach" in Berube and now that doesn't work. To me it's not the coach, its the mix of parts on this team. GM has to realize that by doing nothing to this team, particularly on defense, is another way of accepting failure. Something has to change. Yes, we'll have Ghost and Morin possible next year on D, but they need a commanding veteran presence back there as an anchor for the D. Now we see just how truly important Timonen was. At this point, trading for a STUD D-man back there is more important than ANY player on the team. Call me crazy, but that includes Jake, G and God forbid in all sincerity they trade him, Simmonds.  A mobile leader on D is the most important position on a professional hockey team, bar none. Get one ASAP, Hexy. I don't care who goes.

Simmonds has been dreadful for 5 weeks now, he's been terrible in our end and is not competing for pucks at his usual level. Nicked up maybe? Regardless , he is a complementary piece playing to his best level, he has not reached that level since week 2

Berube a players coach? No - where do you draw that conclusion from?

I agree about needing a leader for the defense corps though, that group is rudderless .

[FD19372]

Mojo,

 

Berube is more of a players coach than Lavy was. As far as Simmonds goes, look at Dustin Brown on LA. Is he their best player? Hell no. That would be Kopitar or Doughty. Is he a grinder, a work horse and a guy who doesn't back down to anyone at anytime and isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas in front of the net? Hell, yes. Simmonds is the same type of player, and is far from a "complementary piece". He's much more than that.

[doom88]

If Hexy trades, I only want to see prospects/picks, or an energy/effort NHL player in return. Why the latter? Because the team needs a heart transplant. And, the PK is abysmal.

To be honest, I bet most of us wouldn't be so disappointed or pissed if we felt the players were actually trying to win.

[The Quigster]

Apparently the present crew feel they don't answer to anybody,aren't required to give 100% for sixty minuets,minimal physical contact(nobody is exempt) and management won't or can't do a thing about it. G and Snag are as guilty as anybody(goalies exempt) on the team. Hexie already dealt with Hartnell!

[brelic]

We've scored 20 goals in the last 9 games.

 

Only 4 of those goals were scored without help from Giroux or Voracek. 

 

I knew we were a one line team, but man, I had no idea to what extent.

[ruxpin]

Stand pat.

No move at this point structurally helps the team. Any such move would cost either picks or prospects or core.

So, since they clearly knew this and possibly next year are a total loss (if the Hartnell trade isn't a clear indication of this, you aren't paying attention), they need to stick with the plan.

This team blows monkeys. No coaching change or trade for a stud defenseman is going to help (and the trade will actually only inflict long term damage).

Wait until the deadline and see if you can unload some garbage to a desperate team (we got the Bruins to take Meszaros last year so there ARE suckers out there). But to do anything now would serve absolutely no purpose.

[pilldoc]

We've scored 20 goals in the last 9 games.

 

Only 4 of those goals were scored without help from Giroux or Voracek. 

 

I knew we were a one line team, but man, I had no idea to what extent.

 

are you serious???  good god.....had no idea it was this bad.....there really some drastic changes and they really need to acquire a legit sniper or two.....

[pilldoc]

Stand pat.

No move at this point structurally helps the team. Any such move would cost either picks or prospects or core.

So, since they clearly knew this and possibly next year are a total loss (if the Hartnell trade isn't a clear indication of this, you aren't paying attention), they need to stick with the plan.

This team blows monkeys. No coaching change or trade for a stud defenseman is going to help (and the trade will actually only inflict long term damage).

Wait until the deadline and see if you can unload some garbage to a desperate team (we got the Bruins to take Meszaros last year so there ARE suckers out there). But to do anything now would serve absolutely no purpose.

 

Absolutely agree 100% .... as I posted in another thread....

 

"if we only knew then what we know now...."

[OccamsRazor]

We've scored 20 goals in the last 9 games.

 

Only 4 of those goals were scored without help from Giroux or Voracek. 

 

I knew we were a one line team, but man, I had no idea to what extent.

 

 

It's really rough sledding when you're skating down two forwards every night (VLC and RJ)and the other team dresses 12................really really hard.

[Samifan]

It's really rough sledding when you're skating down two forwards every night (VLC and RJ)and the other team dresses 12................really really hard.

 

 I would argue that the Flyers are down three forwards every night if you include the liability that is Zac RInaldo

[pilldoc]

It's really rough sledding when you're skating down two forwards every night (VLC and RJ)and the other team dresses 12................really really hard.

 

you know what is really disheartning..... together they are being paid 9.1 million.

 

their combine stats ----->  3G,  6A,  9 PTS, (-11)    are you freaking kidding me what an absolute waste of 2 roster spots!!!!

[OccamsRazor]

 I would argue that the Flyers are down three forwards every night if you include the liability that is Zac RInaldo

 

 

Good point he sure didn't help yesterday with his two boneheaded penalties........so therefor skating down a line every night then.

[OccamsRazor]

you know what is really disheartning..... together they are being paid 9.1 million.

 

their combine stats ----->  3G,  6A,  9 PTS, (-11)    are you freaking kidding me what an absolute waste of 2 roster spots!!!!

 

 

Yes only chance they have of getting rid of these two is someone firing their GM and then we trade Homer to them to replace him then we trade these two to Homer!!! Sounds like a plan...........now we just hold tight till the first shoe drops!!!

[OccamsRazor]

Swing a trade for Yotes Mikkel Boedker....i'd give up Coburn and Read for him, for Boedker and Connor Murphy....and if they need throw Luke in as well.

 

Connor is Gord's son....righthanded Dman....21 and 6-4 212 i'd love to add him to Sanheim, Morin, Hagg, Ghost and Alt. Future blueline would be set for the next 10-12 years.

[Mad Dog]

are you serious???  good god.....had no idea it was this bad.....there really some drastic changes and they really need to acquire a legit sniper or two.....

 

Yep, that's the case.  This is a one-line team in a true, classic meaning of this expression.  And I am sure the defense is one of the worst in the league, and has been over the last several years even with Timonen.  Without Timonen, it's basically non-existent.  Might as well remove those 6 guys from the line-up and play forwards only - I bet nobody will notice the difference.