Flyers playing for Stevens' job; Briere, Gagne progressing
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers playing for Stevens' job; Briere, Gagne progressing
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
What's my take on John Stevens' future as the Flyers' coach?
The Flyers, who have lost five of their last six, are playing for his job.
Either they step up, or the gentlemanly Stevens might be asked to step down.
Yes, injuries have played a role in the club's mediocre first two months. But the Flyers' brass has not been thrilled with the team's inconsistent nature _ a trait that started before the injuries piled up.
Stevens is a classy man who is one of the NHL's most dedicated coaches, but if the Flyers (13-10-1) are around .500 a month from now, I don't think he will still be here.
Asked to evaluate Stevens' job this season, GM Paul Holmgren, who is a staunch supporter of his coach, didn't exactly give a ringing endorsement Sunday.
“We’re ninth in the conference and I’d like to be in a better position,” he said, “but the coaches are working hard.”
He paused.
“But it goes back to what I was saying about the players. The results need to be more positive.”
If they're not, if this team doesn't show marked improvement in the next month, you'll probably see a new man behind the bench.
After all, the Flyers didn't make the mega-deal for Chris Pronger just so they could fight for a playoff spot.
They did it to become one of the NHL's elite.
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The Flyers received some good medical news Sunday: Danny Briere, who missed Saturday's 1-0 loss in Atlanta with the flu, was feeling better and should be close to 100 percent for Thursday's contest against visiting Vancouver.
In addition, Simon Gagne _ sidelined after undergoing abdominal and hernia surgery _ is slightly ahead of schedule and will skate with his teammates at practice Monday. The plan is for Gagne to avoid contact until next week. Best-case scenario: He returns to action in three weeks.
Darroll Powe and Blair Betts, each of whom are out with shoulder injuries, are on schedule to return in early January.
Gagne will play 7 games and...— retzlaff- I am terrified any time I hear a Flyer is ahead of schedule with their injury. It never ends well.— perfectcrime
- Who's next? Craig Berube? And the cycle continues....— booman55
- Probably John Paddock. When the Flyers did go outside their organization to hire a head coach, they have done well with Fred Shero, Pat Quinn, and Mike Keenan. Homer really needs to make a change but not just hire someone already working for the team.— BobbyD
- And the coaching/goaltending carousel continues. Also, I agree with Retzlaff...there is about a 140% chance that Gagne reinjures himself within a week of returning. Just keep him out until March. Then he might actually remain healthy and have his legs back for the playoffs.— toccheyhockey
- You forgot Hitchcock. He coached the best Flyers team in recent memory. I still don't know why he was fired.— phillyfan412
- Until they get a coach with a "system" this is what we will get year after year. Team has 0 identity. What are they? When all else fails what can they fall back on? Hard work only goes so far....— Living_Legend
- Seems a little alarmist... The Flyers have a Nov/Dec swoon nearly every year, and yet they almost always finish near the top of the East. They're still right in the thick of things, and have good players returning in the next week or two. Besides, the regular season is all about finishing in the top HALF of the conference. After that, the real season starts, and home-ice often doesn't mean squat.— jpb
- Agree. Hitchcock was one of the best. He did a great job in the 2004 playoffs. They need to figure out whether it's Pronger's or Richards' team. They should get rid of the trainer before anyone. Years of over agressive rehabbing whether it be a concussion or hernia. McCrossin must have pictures or something because he should have been let go years ago.— Rabe56
- It's hard to believe with the depth problems, Briere could miss a third game after a suspension. He too, will be playing for his career when he returns (and has been). To answer the posted questions, Hitch was relieved when he couldn't get Rathje and Hatcher to play like Sergei Gonchar. The problems back then were due more to personnel than coaching, but that's how it goes in the NHL. It takes a few cycles before things catch up with the GM. Paddock is next, but I agree with BobbyD, they need to look outside the organization. As for jpb, not sure how long you've been a fan, but Nov/Dec is usually their big months, and then they wind down into mediocrity the 2nd half of the season. If they are struggling now, it is no mirage. I give it about a month before the trade deadline until they decide on coaching. Then they'll make some sort of deadline move afterwards. Hopefully it will involve a jolt, as the identity thing is killing them. One of the other blogs had more critical comments, saying this team dogs it. I didn't think so until last year watching Crosby steal the puck from Carter with 40 seconds to go and scoring. Then Carter sulked about it. That is not going to get it done. Who's going to say what needs to be said?— Danno
- How about putting players on the squad who can hold up to the game? It seems that certain players are always on on the injured and not playing list, come back for a few games and go out again. Sure, they may be great when they are playing, but, it leads to a lack of continuity.— psuwelsh
- When was the last time you heard a trainer's job being called into question? I don't think you will see the press speculating on the trainer getting fired, that's for sure ....— snakeman
- Mike Keenan is available...— tralala
- Either Laviolette or Bob Hartley will be the next coach.— Crosscheck42
- Hire me. I will kick their tails all over the ice, send them to siberia for a month, bring them back, torture them with music by avril lavigne during practice, and bar them from the bar for the rest of the season. A winning formula!— T3rdEyevisual
- .......and that's the bottom line, 'cause STONE COLD SAID SO!— T3rdEyevisual
- Keenan? I like that idea. But just for a year or two, as his message gets old after that.— Blvd Al
- Keenan is not the answer.— zammer25
