Posted: Monday, November 8, 2010, 8:35 PM | 6 comments |
 

Holmgren fires Phantoms coach Gilbert
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

Last week, Flyers prospect Pat Maroon - who was leading the Phantoms in scoring with 5 goals in 8 games - was told to pack his gear and leave the team.

Stefan Legein and Jon Kalinski were also given warnings to either shape up their attitudes or ship out like Maroon.

Maroon’s dismissal, which general manager Paul Holmgren pegged in the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Post-Star as a behavioral issue, stemmed from a disagreement with the coaching staff.

It turns out, Maroon wasn’t alone.

Holmgren flew to Glens Falls on Monday night to relieve Phantoms coach Greg Gilbert of his duties, the Daily News has learned.

The young Phantoms are in last place in the AHL with a 2-10-1 record. They’re in the midst of a 9-game losing streak.

“I met with Greg Gilbert earlier this evening and relieved him of his duties as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms,” Holmgren said in a statement. “The lack of success for the team of late is not acceptable and I believe this move became necessary under the circumstances. I think Greg is a good coach, but something needed to be done. We want to thank Greg for his service to our organization and we wish him well. John Paddock will take over as head coach immediately.”

Assistant general manager John Paddock, a long-time AHL coach and AHL Hall of Famer, will take over as interim head coach with Riley Cote remaining as an assistant coach.

“This is not an easy day with having to replace someone that I got to know very well over the last year and a half, but with Paul believing we need to move forward like this, I look forward to the challenge,” Paddock said. “We need to do all we can to get the team playing at a higher level.”

Holmgren called an 8 o’clock meeting on Monday night to inform the team, before heading to Toronto for the NHL’s annual fall general managers meeting on Tuesday.

Maroon could be traded or loaned to another AHL team as soon as Tuesday, when Holmgren will have a chance to meet with all 29 of the other general managers. Tampa Bay has been pegged as a prime candidate for a trade or loan, according to a team source.

To read more about Maroon’s story, click here.

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNFlyers).
Posted by Frank Seravalli @ 8:35 PM  Permalink | 6 comments
6
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:53 PM, 11/08/2010
    Maybe it's me reading this wrong, but if Gilbert was canned and many of the players were disgruntled, shouldn't Homer talk to Maroon again and see if anything can be done to get him back on the team? If he's a head case, that's one thing we have had too much of throughout the years. But if the coach was a major part of the problem, shouldn't the player get another shot?
    — Hockey Al
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:59 PM, 11/08/2010
    If they bring Maroon back, it basically says to the team that if they have trouble with the next guy, they can mutiny again and get their way. The Flyers should know that a demanding coach like Gilbert needs a veteran buffer between him and his young players. Phantoms are 90% guys on entry level deals
    — JSaq
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:05 PM, 11/08/2010
    Boy, talk about a train wreck. I give the Phantoms two years before they fold like a tent.
    — UncleEddie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 AM, 11/09/2010
    Awesome move Homer... That moron should never been here in the 1st place. Now have a serious talk with Maroon and bring him back.

    1st signing Giroux now letting that clown walk. Life is great!!!
    — Nitroglycerin
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:57 AM, 11/09/2010
    Thank God and Thank You Paul Holmgen!! THis is the first step in restoring credibility to the Phantoms. Yes, the team is young but they are much better than they have played. Gilbert lost control last year when the team gave up.Its tough watching a team score 1 goal a night . The fans here know hockey and they will support this team if they play hard. I don't know the whole story on Maroon but the Flyers got rid of Matsamuto( leading scorer last year) and Maroon(leading scorer this year)and that can't help. Both had a problem with Gilbert. We won't hear what other players think because they have to keep it in house. All I know is that having Paddock will go along way to helping this team achieve. Another veteran scorer couldn't hurt either!!
    — phantomfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:25 AM, 11/09/2010
    I hope they don't can Cote, I like having Holly in the Flyers' Organization.
    — jimf


6 comments
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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