Flyers Fire Coach Stevens
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
Dec 4, 06:05 PM | Hype this story!
Updated at 8:45 (see the bottom of the story)
Tim Panaccio is reporting the Philadelphia Flyers have fired head coach John Stevens after his team got off to an unimpressive 13-11-1 (27 points, 10th place) start.
Rumors have been swirling for a few days that such a move could be on the horizon, but most believed such a move wouldn’t happen until after the new year, at the earliest.
The news is just breaking, and a press conference is scheduled for this evening.
There are no further details at this point.
Update
TSN is reporting former Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette will take over behind the bench.
“Peter Laviolette brings experience along with a different approach to the game,” said Flyers GM Paul Holmgren. “We look forward to him putting his stamp on the team quickly and getting our team headed in the right direction.”
Laviolette will make his Flyers debut tomorrow night in Philadelphia against the Washington Capitals.
“Obviously this is a great opportunity. I am really excited,” said Laviolette. “The Flyers are an organization that has a lot of tradition and a lot of history. This is just an exciting time for me and my family and we are really looking forward to it.”
Comments
Pens1967
Dec 4, 07:10 PM
Wonder if Holmgren will be next. He’s the one who made most of the mistakes that have put the Flyers in salary cap he11 and caused them to be unable to afford to get a quality UFA/RFA goalie.
Pens1967
Dec 4, 07:26 PM
This is completely overshawdowed by AI returning to the Sixers, though. :)
Pens1967
Dec 4, 08:59 PM
The other shoe to drop is rumored to be either Richards resigning his captaincy or having it taken away from him. Wow….
c
Dec 4, 09:09 PM
New Cryers coach is Peter Laviolette, acc. to ESPN and Fox/MSN.
bag o' pucks
Dec 4, 09:20 PM
We can all expect the Flyers to be in top form come the home and home in a week or so, with that burst of adrenaline that often comes with a new coach or drastic move of some sort. I hope the Pens welcome him with a home and home sweep.
On a side note, I wonder if Lav will make any personnel changes, call-ups, demotions, etc.
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 4, 10:17 PM
Everything I’m seeing is that the Flyers are denying Richards has stepped down or has been forced to step down as captain.
What’s interesting, though, is that Tim Panaccio, a very well-respected Flyers beat writer, blogged earlier this week about how Richards isn’t quite the captain he’s been made out to be…
Somewhere Pierre McGuire is crying.
Pens1967
Dec 4, 10:36 PM
I remember Tim Panaccio when he was a sports writer for the “Daily Collegian” at Penn State. :)
Nate
Dec 5, 10:19 AM
“What’s interesting, though, is that Tim Panaccio, a very well-respected Flyers beat writer, blogged earlier this week about how Richards isn’t quite the captain he’s been made out to be…”
But, but, look at him talking to his guys… he just skated over and talked to his guys!
JOKE!
Ray aka WildcatRay
Dec 5, 12:20 PM
The irony is that Stevens is being made the scapegoat for the bad decisions/signings the GM’s, Holmgren and before him Clark, made.
The timing is also a bit ironic considering upcoming opponents—the Pens, of course. I’m sure that had just a wee little bit of influence on the timing of the firing.
Pens1967
Dec 5, 01:43 PM
I wonder if Laviolette’s ban on fighting extends to biting? LOL!
Pens1967
Dec 5, 02:09 PM
Phila Daily News story about Richards’ reaction. The comments are interesting, too.
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20091205_Rumors__Stevens_firing_upset_Flyers_captain_Richards.htm
DaBich
Dec 7, 09:10 AM
Pens67, lol on the biting remark =)
As for Panaccio, you’re showing your age…the Collegian eh?
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