Players, coach agree with Hextall’s view of mediocre play

Claude Giroux

VOORHEES, N.J. – If your boss calls your performance “mediocre,’’ it’s hard to disagree.

Especially when he’s right.

So that’s why there was virtually no pushback at Flyers’ practice on Wednesday, one day after general manager Ron Hextall described his team’s effort to date with the “M’’ word.

Given the Flyers’ 4-5 record, their second-worst 37 goals allowed and their dismal special teams, who from the coach down to the rink custodian could argue?

Heading into Thursday night’s game at Boston (where the Bruins are 3-0-0, the only undefeated team at home in the Eastern Conference), the Flyers are looking to turn things around.

Captain Claude Giroux said it’s easy to criticize his team because it is falling short of public expectations.

“You look at our record, it’s pretty mediocre,’’ Giroux said. “We don’t want to be a mediocre team.

“It’s frustrating now being in the position we’re in. But the good thing is, just nine games played in the season. A lot of hockey left to play here.

“We want to be a consistent team and it’s got to start soon. Why not start in Boston?’’

Travis Konecny, who looks like he’s headed back to the top line of Giroux and Sean Couturier for the Bruins game, concurred with the captain.

“I agree with what he (Hextall) is saying,’’ Konecny said. “It’s definitely not been our best hockey. And for the group that we have in here and what we’re capable of doing, I definitely agree.

“Our starts have been mediocre (the Flyers have allowed the first goal of the game eight times in nine contests, including a franchise-record six straight to start the season) at best and we have a lot more to give.’’

Coach Dave Hakstol also nodded his head in agreement when the subject of a sub-par first nine games came up.

“I think we call it how it is here,’’ he said. “I mean, we’re a game under .500. That’s mediocre at best.

“Now you have to back away and really look at the performances to evaluate the performance of your team. I think if we want to be honest with ourselves, the performance of our team equals our record right now.

“If you want to put mediocre on it, I’d say we’ve been mediocre at best in terms of what our expectations are.’’

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About Wayne Fish 2534 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.

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