IMO, Hakstol's error, stripped his confidence. Last year he was fearless, confident, esp on the PP, now he hesitates, taking time to 'think'. Haks criticisms aren't always the best method. It's not just being scratched it's during games when he makes a mistake and then his minutes are taken away. Some is 2nd year adjustment, which alot players adjusting to the major leagues go thru, but I don't like Haks methods. Did it to Konecky too...in 5-1 loss to Canes, he made a costly turnover that led to goal in 1st period. Played 5 min in 1st, 7 for rest of game. He was benched vs Habs too. What i disagree with is the amount of errors the veteran players make, esp Giroux (lazy backchecker) who had 2 turnovers that led to goals in that game and a dumb penalty that led to a 3rd, Voracek, who is brutal at turnovers , Schenn as well. Make mistakes all the time, never get benched. Which send mixed signals. They should not be exempt, esp when they do it so often.
Haks has a brusk, tough approach and it's affected Ghost.
There isn't much about Haks I do like, esp the fact he's gimmecky college system that is th e reason this team is the worst 5 x5 team in the NHl and every player is a minus, not one player is on the right side of 0 .
