Flyers hire Hakstol as head coach.

[Skatingpen]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=7680 ... l:topheads" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

At least it is not Babcock

[penny lane]

Tim Panaccio ‏@tpanotchCSN 40s40 seconds ago

This is a risky, bold move by Hextall that reinforces his mantra of patience and long process. Wont be a popular sell with the fan base

[Jim]

Wait... I thought that you were supposed to wait until the draft to hire office folk?

[KG]

Tim Panaccio ‏@tpanotchCSN 40s40 seconds ago

This is a risky, bold move by Hextall that reinforces his mantra of patience and long process. Wont be a popular sell with the fan base

Far from a sexy pick by Hextall. But he worked under Lombardi for years. He is a good hockey guy. Curious to see how this works out. Thanks.

[Great58]

Tim Panaccio ‏@tpanotchCSN 40s40 seconds ago

This is a risky, bold move by Hextall that reinforces his mantra of patience and long process. Wont be a popular sell with the fan base

Far from a sexy pick by Hextall. But he worked under Lombardi for years. He is a good hockey guy. Curious to see how this works out. Thanks.

Hextall's son played under Hakstol at UND. So he should be very familiar with him.

[Lt. Dish]

The list of NHLers who played under Hakstol at UND is impressive. This could be a disaster or ingenious. Whatever; the Flyers will just can him in a year or two if they decide it's not working out.

Maybe they're hoping to recreate the success of Badger Bob, who was elevated from U. Wisconsin to CGY and then took the Flames to the Cup Final a few years later. There was only one Badger Bob, though. I'll bet this Hakstol guy will be good with the young, up-and-coming talent in the system. The Flyers have rebuilt a bit of the system over the past few years.

I wonder if college success to pros is as much of a leap in hockey as it is in football (see Nick Saban). Anyway, I think it's a far cry riskier than the Pens' hiring of MJ. At least MJ had some pro experience.

I'm reading that the Flyers were never in on Babcock? Weird. I guess Hextall is confident in his plan.

[Fast B]

Maybe he was just looking for a guy with a similar sounding name?

[Lt. Dish]

So, FWIW, the consensus around message boards and media is that it's an inspired and fine hire.

I'll be honest--it scares me that they went outside the organ-I-zation. That's not what they're supposed to do--ever. We were supposed to see another round of Cashman or Murray.

Tactician-wise, does anyone know if he's a better tactician than MJ?

[Gaucho]

Hackstool?