Patience Was Flyers GM Ron Hextall’s Biggest Attribute, But Was Also His Biggest Fault

The Process was Sam Hinkie and the Sixers. Next Man Up is Howie Roseman and the Eagles. Analytics is Matt Klentak and the Phillies. Patience was Ron Hextall and the Flyers.




Ron Hextall preached patience and time in his role as the Flyers GM. However, that patience never produced in the time the ownership allowed him. Hextall’s main focus with the Flyers was building a team for multiple runs at a cup. Not just one. But, now 5 years into his plan, the Flyers were still in the opening phase of his plan.

When Ron Hextall took over as the Flyers GM, he took over a position that was treading water and barely staying aloft. Whether you say it was cap issues or no future in the pipeline, Hextall entered a situation no man wants to enter. However, Ron Hextall saw an opportunity and took on the job.

From day 1, Ron Hextall preached the word patience. A word that would later became his downfall instead of glory. But, it wasn’t all bad in Hextall’s stay as the Flyers GM. People will immediately go to the bad. However, look at the good he did. Look at the better position the Flyers are in now.




Back in 2013, the Flyers had no direction. The Flyers had nothing to build on. But, Hextall got to work and began to build. His first objective? Get the Flyers out of cap hell and allow them the freedom to bring in high-value, high-profile free agents when the time presented itself.

Whether it was trading away permanent injured reserve contract in Chris Pronger or trading away Scott Hartnell’s contract contract to free up money sooner, Hextall found a way. Hextall went from working to find ways to get under the cap to having $7M + free cap the day he was fired. That is one positive that came from his patience.

However, other than building through the draft over those years, Hextall never made the next move. Hextall never added the next piece to the current prime group present and the young talent he drafted. When you go 5 years as a GM and your only big acquisition when it comes to the team now is James van Riemsdyk last offseason. Why not do more?




That question is why Hextall message of patience became his biggest fault. Ownership had enough of waiting and wanted more action now. But, Hextall remained true to his plan and preached patience.

Coming into this season with the addition of James van Riemsdyk, the Flyers were supposed to take that next step. Move forward in the plan and make the jump to a playoff round win. But, the Flyers sat at 9-10-2 at Thanksgiving. The same position they have been in the past four seasons. Under .500 at the league year’s quarter mark. The last time the Flyers were above .500 at the quarter mark was back in 2011-2012, 12-6-1.

Falling into the same hole from years past, ownership stepped in and told Ron Hextall to make improvements and add now. Now, is the time to go and take the next step. But, Ron Hextall stayed to his morales and didn’t budge. Thus ending his time in Philadelphia as the Flyers GM.

Whether it was Hextall got too comfortable in his position. Got to complacent with the people around him. Mainly his head coach. A change needed to be made. Instead of getting another shot, Hextall took the bullet and was relieved of his duties.




What started as a great way to build a organization for long-term success, was just taking too long. Patience can only last for so long until the next step is needed. It was year 5 of the plan, the next step was needed to be taken and Hextall failed to do so. Now, after preparing and stocking this team with an unlimited amount of talent, Hextall will not get to finish and see the end product.

But, this seems to be the trend in Philadelphia. Ed Wade built the Phillies, Pat Gillick finished the job. Sam Hinkie built the Sixers, Elton Brand finished the process and got the superstar they coveted. It now seems Ron Hextall is in that boat. Ron Hextall built the Flyers, now someone will be brought into to finish the job.

Patience was supposed to be Ron Hextalls greatest success. But, unfortunately, it became his biggest fault.