There are multiple accounts EMANATING from the Flyers’ annual season ticket holder event last night that paint a disfavorable picture of Dave Hakstol.

If you’re unfamiliar with the STH event, it is an annual event where the Flyers, for some reason, allow their crazy-ass fans to pitch questions at Paul Holmgren and whomever the coach happens to be that year. For now… it’s Dave Hakstol, and last night he was apparently cornered by overzealous Ghost defenders in multiple sessions, and people are – how should I put this? – NOT HAPPY!

Broad Street Hockey has one account:

Asked why A-Mac is getting top minutes when his Corsi is one of the worst in league … questioner had specific statistics he cited to back up the question. Hak got all red in the face, and went on several minutes defending A-Mac. Flat out said A-Mac is a top 3 or 4 defensemen in the NHL. Specifically said “you can throw Corsi out the window.” Hak seemed to legitimately believe A-Mac is a top defensemen, deserves top minutes. He said last year when he was sent down to AHL, his game was totally different and A-Mac has turned it around and become one of the best on the team. Hak doesn’t like it when fans “boo” A-Mac when he makes a mistake on the ice during home games.

Became very angry when someone asked how far the Flyers are away from Capitals and Penguins. Said they can compete with any team in the NHL. That was the last question directed to him. He left the room somewhat flustered. Looked like he was happy to get out of the room.

??????????

Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?


This has been the most widely cited account on Twitter and the greater interwebs today, but there are others. [It’s worth noting that Hakstol obviously meant that MacDonald was a top 3-4 defenseman on any team, not in the league as a whole.]

Redditor dwsiftbr0, who has a Yuengling logo in his handle, spun the following yarn:

One question was brought up to Hak about why he plays MacDonald so much. AND I QUOTE……… “throw his stats out the window…he’s a good match with Provorov.” He literally said he couldn’t think of anyone else who deserves that spot than AMac.

What’s he smokin…can I get some

…

The guy that asked the question had paper he was reading off of with AMacs stats. Haks was basically like I don’t care what the number are, AMac isn’t going anywhere

There were Twitter reactions:

https://twitter.com/ryanveilleux/status/829177095418966017

https://twitter.com/EddieMac83/status/829108927929401350

This all seems to stem from a pointed and fact-based question from (@ronlextall), whose Twitter name is, and I quote, #freeghost #firehak. He might be biased. Anyway, here’s how he explained it:

The fans who attend these events are, respectfully, a unique breed. The kinda guys and gals who make Philly a unique sports town, but also the type who take about as kindly to divergent viewpoints on the Flyers as Neo Nazis take on black Jewish Muslim converts teaching their kids in public schools. So Hak was dealing with a tough crowd, (rightfully) tweaked that Ghost has been a healthy scratch in favor of the age-d and unpopular Andrew MacDonald.

Others in attendance say these accounts are overblown. Here is video from one of the sessions where things got a little bit awkward, but maybe not as hostile as the exchange with #freeghost #firehak, for which video doesn’t exist:

Not so bad, though fairly awkward. And needlessly hostile on both sides.

Chances are the other exchange wasn’t as bad as the accounts make it out to be, but the end result is that fans are sufficiently pissed by both Hakstol’s answers and, apparently, his tone. Philly!