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Hextall Aware of Clarke’s Criticisms, Declines Comment

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NHL trade, Pittsburgh Penguins, GM Ron Hextall

The story immediately went viral. Philadelphia Flyers Sr. Advisor and icon Bobby Clarke had stern criticisms of former Flyers GM, and current Pittsburgh Penguins GM, Ron Hextall.

Clarke appeared on the Cam & Strick podcast, hosted by former NHL’er Cam Janssen and reporter Andy Strickland based in St. Louis. Among Clarke’s criticisms was that Hextall figuratively locked the door and excluded the rest of Flyers management and scouts in important decisions.

Clarke was still salty the Flyers selected Nolan Patrick with the second overall pick in 2018 instead of taking defenseman Cale Makar, who has become an elite talent.

“…He alienated everybody, right away. Shut his door. He locked the doors. He was the boss, and nobody else was part of it,” Clarke said.

“Hextall made that choice himself. And there were other choices that were made in our draft–We’re paying for it. Now we’ve got two or three first-round picks that are never going to play. That’s why we’re struggling. Hexy made some huge mistakes.”

Clarke didn’t stop there. You can read more or listen to the full Cam & Strick podcast giving the Pittsburgh Penguins GM headaches.

Clarke, 72, had two stints as the Philadelphia Flyers GM. From 1984 to 1990, and again from 1994 to 2006. He is currently a Sr. advisor and lives in Florida.

Philly Hockey Now beat writer Sam Carchidi contacted Hextall on Tuesday evening before the Penguins faced the Anaheim Ducks. Carchidi covered the GM’s tenure with the Flyers. Hextall told our colleague, he “is aware” of the highly critical comments.

“…but (I) don’t want to respond at this time.”

Hextall took the high road, though his tongue may be bleeding.