Flyers fire Stevens; Laviolette new coach
Daily News Flyers blog
Flyers fire Stevens; Laviolette new coach
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.
Heard Peter Laviolette is being named the new coach. I like him but he needs to establish what he expects up front.... the players need to clearly understand that without results they will be benched. Peter was successful in Carolina. He just wore out his stay.— whsbuss- Yes it was Stevens fault. Without a system in place, the defense has no consistent plays for breaking out of the zone, which leads to turnovers. The forwards run around clueless as to who to cover and they never give the D a solid passing lane for breakouts. I'd panic with the puck in my zone if I never knew that I was going to get help from my forwards. Plus lifeless coach = lifeless players. Good bye Stevens you won't be missed.— Zeke24a
- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!— phillyj123
Snider should be the one to go. Both his teams have sunk to dismal depths under his stewardship.— Atomic Fury- Who will Clarkie choose from the inner circle now? What in-house hand picked yes-man gets the job now?— bvl390
- Work hard, go to the net, eh!— 2Parm
- Okay, next victim.— mindstorms
- When the coach sits their number one acquisition over the summer (Emery), and is still juggling lines to find the best fit (granted we have some injuries, but what team doesn't) it signals a man that has no Master Plan. This team can't compete with the middle of the road teams let alone pittsburg, washington, etc. The talent is there, he just has no clue how to put them in positions to succeed (ie Richards as captain...bad move. I know Richards was picked by the team but stevens should have narrowed the choices to who "he" felt could lead this team. Richards is not ready to lead in my eyes). Any coach who can lead a team like Carolina (who didn't have the talent like Pittsburg or Washington) to win it all has my vote.— drantonio1
- This must be the back side of that awesome Brind'amour - Primeau trade. Figured it would pay off sooner or really really later...— bvl390
- Who cares about hockey? There are only about 22,000 Flyer fans in the Philly area. Nobody else cares.....— John Lara
- Peter Laviolette is a great coach! Now if Flyers fail it is on the players. Carter and Richards need to show us some heart!— ChrisM
- John Lara-22,000 fans? You need to get out more.— camtheman
Unless Mr.Clarke-Bob wanders back on up Flin-Flon way, and Mr. Snider goes soft and brings back Jay-Jay, I'm guessing P. Laviolette will look good and die fast. Boys and Girls: The skating talent is very, very bryte. The management is very, very troglodyte. Peace be unto all your tents, O' Sheiks of Phil'istan.— ColKurtz- Why do you people think it is abnormal for an NHL team to get a new coach every three years? That is the way the NHL WORKS! It has for a while now. Coaches don't last but 3 years. Stevens stayed the average. This is nothing new. Coaches wear out on teams.— ChrisM
- HAHAHAHA!!! GO SABRES!— RANCOR
