Sunday: Despite the Flyers falling 5-1 to Vancouver Saturday and the road trip being completed, there has been no coaching changes made of yet, according to Philly.com’s Sam Carchidi. The scribe writes that while a coaching change MAY happen at some point, rumors that the team has hired Joel Quenneville are not accurate. Hakstol remains the coach in Philadelphia.
Saturday: While it likely wouldn’t come as any surprise, they Philadelphia Flyers may be ready to make a coaching change. The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor tweeted that he’s heard rumblings from key people that the Flyers may be ready to fire head coach Dave Hakstol after their road trip ends, which will be tonight after their game against Vancouver.
While Hakstol had an impressive coaching resume when he was hired back in 2015, that success hasn’t necessarily translated to the NHL. While he’s reached the playoffs twice on a rebuilding roster, the team has failed to get past the first round of the playoffs and the team has been abysmal in a season where many people felt the team was ready to compete for the top of their division. Instead, the Flyers have struggled this season, currently holding a record of 12-14-4, tied for last place in the Metropolitan Division.
The team’s struggles already cost the job of general manager Ron Hextall back on Nov. 26 and replaced soon after with new GM Chuck Fletcher, whose intention was to sit back and observe the team before making any changes. Hakstol’s chances are likely near an end, however, after the team’s recent losing streak as they have gone 3-7-3 in the last 13 games. That has included a recent string of tough losses, which started with a 7-1 loss to Winnipeg last Sunday, followed by a 6-5 overtime loss to Calgary in which the Flyers held a two-goal lead with 68 seconds left in the game and still lost. The team followed that up with a 4-1 loss Friday to Edmonton.
While the team seems to be waiting until after the road trip, that’s not too unusual. The Los Angeles Kings fired head coach John Stevens on Nov. 4 after the team pulled off a 4-1 victory over Columbus the day before, suggesting the team had already made up their mind about firing Stevens. The same could happen here. The Flyers are a team loaded with a core of top forwards, including Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Nolan Patrick, James van Riemsdyk, Wayne Simmonds as well as top defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov, but haven’t been able to put anything together. The team’s goaltending situation is a mess and likely to be one of Fletcher’s first acts as GM, to find a reliable netminder. Regardless, the team doesn’t seem to be responding to Hakstol at the moment.
This is the worst news I have ever heard. The coach can coach and the team will win.
Possibly Q or Mclellan?
I’ll take coach Q but no thanks on mclellan
Q it was,good choice!
Dan Bylsma or Mike Keanan
Thank you, good god, we waited these news for eternity it seems, i hope 1) McLennan, 2) quenneville, 3) Michel Therrien, 4) Dan Bylsma or 5) Vigneault our next coach. We are a huge storied franchise, just need guidance
Bad news, Edgars. 1. McLennan (Noodles?) has a cushy gig on TSN1050’s OverDrive & those coveted Sens games with Gord or C.C. If you meant McLellan (Todd, not Doug), then I can’t see that either. Worse D & Netminding than Edmonton.
2. Coach Q? Had a better roster in Chicago, even though they may have tuned him out a bit.
3. Michel Therrien / 5. A.V. – not unless the old cash reserves are really low…, (but you never know)
4. Disco Dan? Already in the starting blocks to take over in Detroit when they pitch Blash overboard…
I’d almost rather see Paul Holmgren take over again. Cliff has to address the roster deficiencies first, though…
Make that CHUCK (Fletcher, not Cliff)…
Pull the trigger and get a new coach. Tired of looking at this disorganized demoralized bunch. Team badly needs an overhaul.
This is chuck fletcher we are talking about. I have seen first hand with chuck as being a massive wild fan. Mike Yeo will be your next coach. Just watch.
Man, I hope not! Makes me second my vote for a Paul Holmgren reunion tour. Yeo is only slightly more patient with the quick hook on sketchy goaltending… Perfected the ol’ Stink-Eye from Hitch…
Hallelujah! Hak was a hack from day 1. Coach Q and a couple major trades and things are back on track (insert hopeful Flyers fan, like myself, here)
Should start by getting a goalie first.
..and second…and third. Seriously, who is (apparently) ruining Carter Hart’s development. Worse yet, when he does get the odd call-up, he isn’t likely to get any more support than the other guys. Makes him look like an overrated draft pick. The kid can play, but needs a better support cast than the Flyers have to offer right now.
Most of these teams who are quick to pull the trigger on a coaching change or not even looking at the problem. Most of these teams have below average goaltending even worse defense. Maybe these teams should focus more on improving their roster then the coach.
This is Therrien 2 years ago all over again. Just do it already