Posted: Friday, December 4, 2009, 4:59 PM | 106 comments |
 

Flyers fire Stevens; Laviolette new coach
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The Flyers have fired coach John Stevens, the Daily News has learned. Stevens will be replaced by Peter Laviolette, who led the Carolina Hurricanes to the 2006 Stanley Cup.

The official announcement took place at a news conference tonight at the Wachovia Center.

“I’m very excited to be here in Philadelphia,” Laviolette said at tonight’s news conference. “When you think about the organization, Philadelphia is at the top of the list.”

Comcast-Spectator chairman Ed Snider said: “I know this was a very difficult decision for Paul to make. And, I really feel bad for John because he's been a terrific long-time member of our organization. I was hoping that the team would play better and that this could have been avoided, but after last night's game, I think Paul felt he had to make this change. I make it a policy never to overrule my general manager, because once I do, it means I've lost confidence in him. I really want to wish John the best."

Laviolette also has coached the Islanders.

With a record of 13-11-1, the Flyers are tied for 10th place in the Eastern Conference - the farthest they have fallen in the standings since November 2008. They have lost six of their last seven and play Washington on Saturday at the Wachovia Center.

Once the league's most potent offense, scoring at a 3.6 goals-per-game clip, the Flyers have gone eight consecutive periods without a goal. Thursday night’s 3-0 loss to Vancouver marked the first time they have been shut out in back-to-back games since Minnesota built a brick wall in front of their net on Feb. 10-12, 2003.

After Thursday night’s game, team captain Mike Richards called a team meeting. He declined to reveal what was said.

Stevens was named the Flyers' head coach on Oct. 22, 2006, succeeding Ken Hitchock. Stevens was in his first season as a Flyers assistant at the time after a successful run with the Phantoms.

In Stevens' first full season, the Flyers reached the Eastern Conference finals before losing to Pittsburgh. Last season, they were bounced in the first round by the Pittsburgh. Still, they were picked by the Hockey News to win the Stanley Cup this season and have underachieved.
Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 4:59 PM  Permalink | 106 comments
106
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:08 PM, 12/04/2009
    They better get someone besides Berube.
    — P Even
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:08 PM, 12/04/2009
    Is there anything shorter in sports than the tenure of an NHL head coach?
    — mikeydee1020
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:09 PM, 12/04/2009
    thank god
    — soliteryman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:10 PM, 12/04/2009
    Gotta do better than Berube.
    — P Even
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:11 PM, 12/04/2009
    So once again we must blame the coach for not scoring more goals and for not playing better in the net! Unbelievable!
    — erniebanks14
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 12/04/2009
    who?
    — CallerNo9
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 12/04/2009
    Nothing personal against Stevens. He just wasn't the guy to get us to the next level
    — duffers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:14 PM, 12/04/2009
    can't wait for baseball season
    — drrush
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:17 PM, 12/04/2009
    It's about time!!!
    — bedece1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:19 PM, 12/04/2009
    Bring back the Phantoms and send this bunch of babies packing....
    — Goodhands
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 12/04/2009
    Long overdue. Stevens should've been fired five games ago when he didn't respond to Darroll Powe's injury. He was drilled with 40 seconds to play and the Flyers didn't respond. Last night Carcillo should've gone against Bieksa instead of Richards. They need a coach who will implement an actual system and not be afraid of a nasty game.
    — EC1981
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 12/04/2009
    I guess Stevens wasn't hustling enough out there last night. And I hated it when he let those Canuck forwards skate untouched into the zone and run over the goalie. Stevens should have done something! How about looking to the lack of leadership from any of the players on this "team". And start with this "Captain" will ya. This is the softest Flyer team I have seen in 30 years! But I guess that was Stevens' fault
    — beermoney
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 12/04/2009
    GM - 50 Goals = Coach * 86
    — mlogan49


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About Frank Seravalli
Frank Seravalli is in his fourth year with the Daily News and third season covering the Flyers. He started at the Daily News as an intern writing about the boozing legends of the Lincoln Financial Field lots and hasn't left. Since joining the Flyers beat, he has covered everything from the Winter Classic to the Stanley Cup Final and everything in between. Prior to joining the Daily News, the Bucks County native did a large amount of freelance work for local media outlets, covering high schools, colleges and all four of Philly's major sports teams. He resides in Center City. E-mail Frank at seravaf@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter @DNFlyers.

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