Flyers Notes: Flyers chairman Ed Snider sad to see Berube fired

Ed Snider, chairman of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, said he felt pained when coach Craig Berube was fired Friday, six days after his offensive-challenged team completed a 33-31-18 season.

"It's always difficult to let somebody go that has worked so hard and has particularly been such a good member of our organization," Snider said in a statement.

Berube spent parts of 18 years with the organization as a player, coach, or assistant. He may be given another job in the organization.

Snider said general manager Ron Hextall "agonized over making this decision. . . . Obviously, he is the general manager and I support him in what he does."

Berube's successor will be the Flyers' third coach in three seasons.

"I'm looking forward to whoever he hires and hoping we can have a much better season next year than we did this season," Snider said.

The new coach will be trying to lead the Flyers to their first Stanley Cup since 1975.

Berube finished with a .553 points percentage, which is 11th of the 18 coaches in Flyers history. Berube's points percentage sandwiched him between Peter Laviolette (.586) and John Stevens (.521).

Berube, whose team finished 14 points out of a playoff spot and lost its last 12 games when matched against non-playoff teams, is the eighth Flyers coach to last two seasons or less.

On Monday, Berube said coaching in Philadelphia was a "roller coaster" but that it was a "great job. And it's even more special here. When you're in a sports town like Philadelphia, you have to learn how to accept the good with the bad. You know you're going to get critiqued and you're going to get criticized."

Lecavalier back at center? The firing of Berube means Vinny Lecavalier, provided he isn't traded, may get a shot at being the second-line center next season. Lecavalier was a healthy scratch 17 times this season and was used mostly as a fourth-line right winger.

On Monday, Lecavalier, who finished with a career-low eight goals, said it was "fair to say" he and Berube could not be together another season.

Lecavalier has three years left on his contract, and Hextall said the team will not buy him out.

The Flyers chairman said it was "difficult" to let go of Berube, who has "been such a good member of our organization."

Page D4