While general manager Ron Hextall didn’t say he wouldn’t be making changes to the Flyers' coaching staff once the season ends next month, he did say he feels there’s no need for “massive” turnover on his roster.
Hextall made the comment Wednesday night, between periods of the Flyers’ 4-1 rout over the Chicago Blackhawks at the Wells Fargo Center.
“Not going to be massive turnover,” he said. “I think we’re a better team than we’re playing.”
He reiterated what he has seen all season: a lack of consistency from this group while at the same time, a team that plays well against the very best clubs in the NHL then inexplicably goes flat against those of a lesser god.
“You know there’s more there then we are given some nights, because of nights like this,” he said. “Have to keep things in perspective, but we’ve played our best hockey against the better teams.”
Hextall had a very big hand in building both of the L.A. Kings' Stanley Cup rosters as an assistant GM under Dean Lombardi. Last year’s Cup group had 11 players on the roster that came through the Kings' system under him.
It’s a blueprint that both L.A. and Chicago have followed for success. Each team has won two Cups since 2010.
There’s a pretty clear model out there that shows you build winners from drafting and retaining your picks/prospects, then surrounding them with elements acquired via free agency and trades.
For more than two decades, the Flyers have tried a two-third system that saw them use their draft picks as assets for trading to build rosters that were top-heavy with players acquired via trades or free agency.
Under Hextall, the Flyers have changed course to making the acquisition and retention of draft picks and prospects a top priority.
“Look at Chicago or L.A. and Pittsburgh,” Hextall said. “It was built from the bottom. It took a long time. We’re not them. We’re not starting from the ground floor.
“In a perfect world, you want to draft and develop your own players. You want the bulk of your players to be so-called 'homegrown.'”
The Flyers' last homegrown goaltender who spent a career here was Hextall. Their last homegrown defenseman who spent a career here was Chris Therien.
That’s a pretty good indication of how far behind the times the Flyers are as they play catch-up to the rest of the NHL in the two positions that are most critical to winning a Cup.
Hetxall doesn’t buy the notion that there is added pressure in Philly than in L.A. to win.
“There’s pressure to win everywhere, whether you feel it or not,” he said. “There’s always pressure to win for all of us in any market. Here, yeah, it’s a passion[ate] market. If you want to win big and fight for a number of years, you have to draft well.
“You look at Chicago when they win. Then they [shuffle] for players because of the cap. Then they have guys that come from below to stay competitive. I think [Hawks GM] Stan [Bowman] has done a good job when you look at it of having a top team and continuing to have kids come up from below.
“They win a Cup and bring two or three kids in at low numbers. That’s why draft picks are valuable. It’s got to be a steady stream when drafting and evolving. That’s why draft picks are valuable.”
Too often, Hextall’s predecessors, Paul Holmgren and Bob Clarke, used draft picks as bargaining chips for acquiring veteran players already developed from other clubs.
Even though the Flyers won’t be in the playoffs for the second time in three years, Hextall said that doesn’t mean there aren’t assets here worth retaining and building upon.
That said, it’s also fairly obvious the Flyers' roster isn’t on par with the top clubs in the NHL and needs upgrading.
“We have a lot of assets here and I think people tend to forget that,” Hextall said. “We have a lot of good players. It’s not like we don’t have any good players on our team and we are trying to get better. There’s a lot of good players on our team, and we are trying to get better. There’s a big difference.”
Earlier in the week, Flyers chairman Ed Snider said in an interview that the team would not patiently stand by and do nothing, while allowing its younger players to mature and develop. He said people misinterpret Hextall when he says he will exercise “patience.”
“I mean, for us to give up now and say we're not a playoff team and we've got to be patient and all that kind of thing, sends the wrong message, I think,” Snider told Daily News columnist Sam Donnellon. “To the guys who are here, to our fans, to everybody.”
What did Hextall think of his boss’ comments?
“I agree with him 100 percent,” Hextall replied. “We are going to remain patient when it comes to drafting and developing young players and keeping as many of our picks as possible. We are also trying to get better every day whether it’s trades or if we get in the free agent market.
“I have no idea right now whether we will or not, but if we can do it, we will. The one thing that is not going to change is we are going to try to win as much as we can. That’s what pro sports is all about. Without giving away the young players or draft picks.
“We are on the same page. He’s been great. He has supported me 100 percent. Holmgren has supported 100 percent. We are all thinking the same way and going the same direction.”
Hextall said retaining first and second-round picks are vital to creating organizational depth that carries into the future. While the Flyers have done well with their first-round picks over the years, they foolishly discarded too many second-round picks via trade.
Since the 2000 NHL draft — 15 drafts — all the Flyers had to show was seven second-round picks. Only three remain in the organization, all acquired since 2012.
“First-rounders, you have a better chance of hitting on,” Hextall said. “You’re going back to the first, two or three first-rounders: the [Scott] Laughtons, [Sam] Morins, [Travis] Sanhiem.
“All your players are important and you continue to do everything you can to make them the best you can with your amateur staff, development staff, minor league coach and NHL coaches.
“It’s a long process, it doesn’t happen overnight. You draft a kid who just turned 18, you're kind of looking at 21, 22, 23 up to 30 years old where you are working to make them the best you can make them. It’s an ongoing process.”
The Flyers will have two first-round picks this summer — one in the top 10 — and one second-round pick. They will also have two third-round picks — five through three rounds, which is a bonanza when measured against past drafts.
“It’s a good draft to have picks in,” Hextall said. “It’s a really good draft. It’s a good draft and a deep draft. We are excited to have two first-rounders, but we have to hit on them.
“Once you draft them you have to do a good job developing, too. It’s not just drafting them than waiting two years to turn them pro. You have to do everything in your power to make them the best player possible.”