Philadelphia Flyers: Dave Hakstol “We All Take Some Responsibility”

The Philadelphia Flyers fired General Manager Ron Hextall on Monday. Those close to the team feel that Hextall’s loyalty to embattled coach Dave Hakstol cost the former Flyers goaltender his job.

Philadelphia Flyers fans have been calling for a firing for weeks. Chants of “Fire Hakstol” have been emanating from the stands of the Wells Fargo Center, as those same fans have watched a team that has shown sparks of greatness, but has most often been lethargic and frustrating to watch,

After the Flyers sandwiched a sound drubbing of the New York Rangers between lethargic losses to Buffalo and Toronto, word on the street was that head coach Dave Hakstol would be let go before Tuesday’s home game against Ottawa. A firing did happen – but it was not Hakstol. Instead, it was general manager Ron Hextall.

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

Hakstol spoke to the media after the firing of the man that hired him and said he feels some responsibility.

Sources close to the team have suggested that Hextall refused to fire his coach, and was then handed his own walking papers. The official statement from the Flyers seems to back that theory as it discussed “philosophical differences” between the team and now former GM Hextall.

Hakstol also said he is not looking over his shoulder and that the entire team had to take responsibility for the firing of Hextall. While it is indeed the players on the ice, and there have been goalie issues in Philadelphia for ages, the lack of player engagement in recent games points to poor coaching.

The Flyers special teams are horrific. Their power play is 25th in the league at 15.7%. The penalty kill is at 69.7% for 30th place. Average goals against per game is 3.57 for 29th in the NHL. Simply put, the Flyers are better than this.

The same sources that suggest Hextall’s loyalty to his coaching staff cost him his job describe disjointed practices where Hakstol is barely involved. I myself have seen Hakstol’s distance from his players.

After Monday’s practice, the leadership players were made available to the media. It was notable that not one player interviewed mentioned Hakstol. Giroux, Voracek, and Simmonds all discussed that Philadelphia is a city that wants to win, that hockey is a business and that they need to play better, but not one player gave the coach a mention.

Most players mentioned that no one is safe when a team is playing this badly. If Hakstol is not looking over his shoulder, it is only because he does not see the writing on the walls of the Wells Fargo Center.