from Tom Dougherty of CSNPhilly,
We should be talking about process with the Flyers. Hextall has a plan, and it’s building a winner for years to come. It’s about building a team that can win Stanley Cups, not a Stanley Cup. He’s not about going all-in for one run that we’ve seen fail so many times here with the Flyers.
Hextall understands the importance of having a farm system. He understands the importance of developing players. He understands trading young guys for old guys doesn’t work as often as we believe.
His process includes smart, cap-friendly contracts and excludes signing the Vinny Lecavaliers of the world that leave you strapped against the cap with an aging player and an immovable contract.
It requires backing of the ownership, and Hextall has it. Ed Snider supported Hextall’s decision to fire Craig Berube. On Tuesday, Snider told the Philadelphia Inquirer: "We’re going to be extremely patient with all of the young players we have coming.
"He’s going to do everything in his power to produce a winner as soon as possible, which means it could be trades, it could be coaching, it could be all kinds of things."
As soon as possible doesn’t mean tomorrow. Snider used “extremely patient” when he as talking about young players. Those words used to never come out of Snider’s mouth. It’s a sign Snider believes in the process, and it’s an indicator that the Flyers indeed do have a plan.
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