From CSN Philly’s John Clark:
Ed Snider says Paul Holmgren will be back as GM
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) May 2, 2014
No surprise, really. The Flyers may have lost in the first round of the playoffs, but it was largely assumed Holmgren’s job was saved (if it was ever truly in jeopardy) when Philadelphia fought back from an awful start to make the playoffs.
It does, however, bring up the future of assistant general manager Ron Hextall, who’s reportedly “in the mix” for the GM opening in Vancouver, and could certainly be a candidate to replace George McPhee in Washington.
It was thought last year when Hextall came to Philly from the Kings that he might one day replace Holmgren.
“I do want to be a general manager,” Hextall said, per NHL.com. “I talked to [Holmgren] about that when we talked about this job. If something else becomes available, I at least want to look at it. He was absolutely fine with that. My goal still hasn’t changed in terms of where I want this to all end.”
It might end up that Holmgren becomes team president in Philadelphia (a position that doesn’t currently exist), and Hextall steps into the GM role.
In fact, something along those lines appears to be Snider’s plan:
Snider: “That’s why [Hextall] was brought in. He didn’t come in to stay assistant GM forever, but that doesn’t mean tomorrow."
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchRET) May 2, 2014
As for the players?
Snider says he likes the Flyers' core but team needs "several tweaks"
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) May 2, 2014
Veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen is the club’s most important pending unrestricted free agent. In March, the 39-year-old said he’d “figure out during the summer” if he wants to keep playing.
Oh, and there was this:
Snider doesn't think Preds will deal Weber. If they do, he said #Flyers will get in the line.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) May 2, 2014
CSN Philly has more on what was said today.