After being shut out for 8 straight periods and going on a long losing streak that sees the team currently sitting outside of the Eastern Conference's top 8 seedings, the Flyers have fired head coach John Stevens.
There is no definitive word yet on his successor, but names like Peter Laviolette and Craig Berube had been mentioned earlier in the week. Update: TSN says Laviolette will make his debut behind the Flyers bench on Saturday against the Capitals. No confirmation from the Philly beats yet, but considering Laviolette currently works for TSN, it's probably a safe bet.
We discussed the possibility of Stevens' firing in some detail before last night's game, and I think most Flyers fans knew it was likely coming soon.
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As we said last night, it's hard to blame Stevens for the current losing streak, which has included some bad luck due to injuries and a major blackout in scoring. However, this is how it works in hockey, particularly with the Flyers—if a team with a lot of talent can't get over the hump, the coach gets the axe. There have certainly been guys who deserved to go more than Stevens did, but he also couldn't escape the fact that his team was flat out underachieving.
The organization wants this season's direction turned around in a hurry. As the Penguins showed last year, it's entirely possible. The Pens had a horrible start to last season, but immediately after Michel Therrien was replaced behind the bench by Dan Bylsma, the team quickly turned it around and ultimately won the Stanley Cup...
More to come.