OF COURE, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall stepped out on a limb by hiring University of North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol to direct the organization's move forward.
But that was going to be the case, no matter whom Hextall hired to replace Craig Berube as coach.
Hiring an established NHL coach such as Mike Babcock, Dan Bylsma or Todd McLellan would have provided a more stable limb than hiring a college coach with no professional experience, but Hextall would still be on a limb that could break.
That's what this is about. The judging of Hextall's qualities as a general manager starts today.