It would appear that someone jumped the gun. As of this hour, Dave Hakstol is still the coach of the Flyers. So far, the Flyers have denied the rumors that Hakstol had been fired by the Flyers.
Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher needs to decide Dave Hakstol’s fate now | Sam Carchidi
https://t.co/REd8YPFHHO— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 17, 2018
Philadelphia is sticking with Dave Hakstol at the helm — for now.
Amid reports the Flyers head coach had been fired, a team spokesperson confirmed to ESPN on Sunday that “Dave Hakstol is our coach.”
It had been rumored that Hakstol would be replaced by longtime Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, who was fired by Chicago in November. Despite being the second-winningest coach in NHL history, Quenneville was sacked after a 6-6-3 start to the season and replaced by Jeremy Colliton.
New Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher, who was hired earlier this month to succeed Ron Hextall following his firing in November, said the club will “make whatever adjustments we need to make the staff better” over time.
It seems like we’ve been here before. When Dave Hakstol was the head coach of the University of North Dakota hockey team, there was a vocal minority of fans wanted him fired because his teams had failed to win a national championship. Having a winning record and making the NCAA playoffs every year wasn’t good enough.
Status quo in Philadelphia. No decision has been made on Dave Hakstol.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 16, 2018
Yesterday the Courier Post reported that the ax had fallen, Hakstol’s stay in Philly had come to an end. Again, it would appear that someone jumped the gun. This is developing story I and keep you posted.
https://twitter.com/capt_jamarder22/status/1074416285801439238?s=11
Checking out Twitter, I find some of the comments people make about Hakstol troublesome. In case you weren’t up to speed on Hakstol’s coaching career, here’s a refresher.
Not an Untalented Hack
During his 11 seasons as head coach, UND advanced to the Frozen Four seven times. Statistically, that’s very good. Hasktol’s teams went to the Frozen Four 60 percent of the time he was the coach. His only crime, his teams didn’t win an NCAA title.
During the summer of 2015 season, Hakstol would leave UND to coach the Philadelphia Flyers. It was a seamless move, assistant coach Brad Berry would take over as head coach and lead them to an NCAA title during his first season.
Coach Berry was the first rookie coach to win an NCAA title in his first season. While Hakstol wasn’t able to win a national title in 11 seasons behind the UND bench. Berry finally pushed UND over the top in his first season. That said, UND fans shouldn’t forget that coach Hakstol laid the groundwork for the 2015-16 championship team.
This seems like deja vu all over again. Below is an article that I wrote for the Hockey Writers in April of 2015. I included this to refresh your memory. Fire Hakstol, Not likely (The Hockey Writers)
The Hakstol file
During his 11-year coaching career at UND, Hakstol’s teams have amassed a 289-142-43 (.655) record.
Under coach Hakstol, UND is 54-23 (.701) combined in the conference and NCAA tourney. For those that are keeping track at home, that’s 19 more wins than any other NCHC school.
Making the NCAA tourney is no easy task. Under coach Hakstol, UND has made the NCAA tournament 11 consecutive years. At the time, that was the third-longest streak of any coach in NCAA tournament history. Only Michigan’s Red Berenson (22, 1991-2012) and Minnesota’s Gophers former head coach Doug Woog (12, 1986-97) have had longer streaks.
During Hakstol’s tenure as head coach, his teams are 17-11 in the NCAA Tournament, that’s second only to Boston College’s Jerry York (21). During that period, UND has gone to the regional final nine of 11 seasons and has a 7-2 record in regional finals.
Hakstol’s Stay with the Flyers
In three and a half seasons with the Flyers, Hakstols teams have a 134-101-42 (.559) record. The Flyers have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs two of the three years, losing in the first round.
During the 2018-19 season, the Flyers have struggled. Currently, the Flyers are 12-15-4. That’s dead last in the Eastern Conference.
Statistically, the Flyers are a mess, their power play is ranked 28th, their penalty kill is ranked 30th and their goals against per game are ranked 30th.
While Hakstol’s days in Philly have come to the end. He won’t be unemployed long. Another team will come calling.
Links
Could This Be the End of the Road for Dave Hakstol as Flyers Head Coach? (nbcphiladelphia.com)
Sources: Flyers make the decision to fire Dave Hakstol, hire Joel Quenneville (courierpostonline.com)
Report: Flyers fire Dave Hakstol, will hire Joel Quenneville as next head coach (www.phillyvoice.com)
Flyers: ‘Dave Hakstol is our coach’ (TSN.CA)
Flyers shoot down report linking them to Joel Quenneville (ESPN)
Flyers deny report that coach Dave Hakstol will be fired and replaced (www.cbssports.com)
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