Right from the day he took over as GM of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ron Hextall has preached patience in regard to the Flyers prospects. To quote Flyers president and former GM Paul Holgrem, “Ron would rather overcook than have a guy be raw.” NHL prospects are drafted at the age of 18 and therefore usually take two or three years before they are both physically and mentally mature enough to play in the NHL.
Holmgren had a win now mentality when he was in charge. He had no problem trading high draft picks for players that would help the Flyers in the here and now.