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Dave Hakstol from North Dakota. My god. What is wrong with that front office?
No NHL experience as an assistant or head coach. The hiring is a stunner, to say the least. Hextall has been pretty mute about what he was thinking over the past month. That said, most insiders and/or reporters felt that Mike Babcock was the guy that Hextall really wanted, which is part of why the process took so long.
I believe he's the first NCAA hockey coach to be hired as a NHL head coach since 1982 (Bob Johnson from Wisky to Calgary).
Could turn out to be a great hire, or it could remain a head scratcher for years to come. Only time will tell.
I like it. What I was most worried about was missing out on a guy like Babcock or McLellan and having to settle for the half-dozen retread coaches who cycle around the league. I like it for a few reasons: (1) Hextall has repeatedly talked about his emphasis on player development and the team has been working to improve the talent and depth in the farm system, and hiring a guy from a program like North Dakota will only help on that front. (2) hes not a former Broad Street Bully or career NHL meathead who will have Snider's ear, and hopefully the new coach will have a better grasp on how to succeed in the modern NHL and not the NHL of the 1970s. (3) if you're going to hire a college coach, North Dakota is probably as close as it gets to the facilities, talent level, fan support and expectations that you'll see in the NHL at the college level, and he's certainly succeeded in that environment.
I don't know if he'll succeed or not, but I admire Hextall's willingness to go outside of the box and not just throw the most money at a coach.
Dave Hakstol from North Dakota. My god. What is wrong with that front office?
I'm no Flyers fan. But, they've been to 4 Finals since the Pens drafted Lemieux. The Pens have been to four also. Won three. Flyers have been a lot better than most other fan bases give them credit for.It just doesn't matter. Of all the teams in Philadelphia this one is the worst. They have NO idea on what to do. It's not a money issue. I think they just keep watching the "relplay" of the game when they mugged the Russians to end the Cold War
Dave Hakstol from North Dakota. My god. What is wrong with that front office?
I'm no Flyers fan. But, they've been to 4 Finals since the Pens drafted Lemieux. The Pens have been to four also. Won three. Flyers have been a lot better than most other fan bases give them credit for.
Why is it a desperate move? If they were desperate, they would have thrown ridiculous money at Babcock. I see it being more like the Eagles hiring of Chip Kelly. Risky, but could pay big dividends if it works. He may fail horribly, but I like it better than a retread hire.I hear you. I "used" to be a very big fan. I personally know some of the "original" Broad Street Bullies. Yes, I'm that old.Plus it always seems the don't get that "type" of hockey is done. That being said I can't even watch them anymore. The team "always" seems to be lost?
As far as the coach hire, it seems like a long shot and a desperate move.
Really, I hope I'm proved wrong. There is always hope
Why is it a desperate move? If they were desperate, they would have thrown ridiculous money at Babcock. I see it being more like the Eagles hiring of Chip Kelly. Risky, but could pay big dividends if it works. He may fail horribly, but I like it better than a retread hire.
Why? Steve Mason was one of the five best goaltenders in hockey last year.can he double as a goalie?
What will the Flyers do with Vinny? I think the Flyers did very well receiving Gudas, a 1st, and a 3rd for Coburn; though Coburn has solidified our defense.
I think this coaching move signals a dumping of the old and bringing in young kids that will play hard and give Flyers' fans hope for a bright future...
Dave Hakstol from North Dakota. My god. What is wrong with that front office?