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Philadelphia Flyers: Final thoughts regarding Ron Hextall’s departure

By Justin Bonner

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: Ron Hextall attends the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: Ron Hextall attends the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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(Mandatory Credit: Ken White /Allsport)
(Mandatory Credit: Ken White /Allsport) /

Hextall was emotional at his press conference

Let’s start off by acknowledging one thing, which is that it’s fairly uncommon for fired executives or coaches to hold press conferences following their termination. It almost never happens. So when Hextall announced that he would be speaking to the media the Friday following his release, fans collectively raised their eyebrows in curiosity, wondering what the former team boss could possibly have to say. Hextall indeed held his very own press conference with the local Flyers media.

When Hextall began his press conference, one thing that was immediately clear was how emotional the often stoic former goalie was. He admitted that the firing came as a shock to him, though it’s hard to imagine that he didn’t know his job was on the line following a disastrous start to the 2018 campaign.

Hextall believed in his plan, and he stuck to his guns. He repeatedly said that he wasn’t going to make a trade for “a player in his mid 30’s with term on his contract” while possibly costing a prospect and a pick. And while ultimately his inability and somewhat unwillingness to pull the trigger on a move that might help the team now essentially led to his downfall as a general manager, you have to sort of appreciate Hextall’s belief in his plan.

His emotion showed once again when he spoke about winning two Stanley Cups as part of the Los Angeles Kings organization, and even more so when he talked about how badly he wanted to bring a cup to Philadelphia. It’s easy to empathize a bit with Hextall there, because no matter what, he is a Flyers legend and always will be. In all likelihood, it would have made his career to bring a cup back to the city that had shown him so much love and devotion as a player, even after his career had long since ended.

I believe that Hextall will always feel like his work here was unfinished, and I believe that he still feels he could have gotten the job done. We may never know, but in the end, Hextall should be thanked for his efforts. He did a fine job setting the table, and now it’s the job of the next GM to serve up the winning dish.

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