The Philadelphia Flyers seem to always come on late in the season for some type of playoff push, but the organization is not waiting around this season. The team announced that they have fired head coach Dave Hakstol on Monday, just one day after the rumors began that the two sides would be parting ways. The team denied those reports on Sunday, saying "Dave Hakstol is our coach." Although, those rumors came true less than 24 hours later. Scott Gordon was announced as the interim coach, as he had been leading their AHL affiliate in the same role. He does have head coaching experience at the NHL level, doing so with the New York Islanders from 2008 to 2010.
Hakstol is now the fifth coach to get fired in the NHL this season, just two months in to the regular season. The league went the entire season last year without one coach losing their job. The now former Flyers coach was in his fourth season with the team, but a 12-15-4 start to the season is good for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. They are riding a four-game losing streak heading in to their home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
This move comes just one month after the team parted ways with general manager Ron Hextall, as he was replaced by Chuck Fletcher, who made the change on Monday. He was asked by Hakstol at the time of his hiring, but said he wanted time to evaluate the coach before making a move. This move comes a little sooner than expected after the Flyers were expected to compete in the playoff conversation, especially after signing James van Riemsdyk in free agency.
Hakstol's job was in jeopardy last season as well after the team underwent a 10-game losing streak in the month of December. Despite those struggles, they ended up finishing in third place of the Metropolitan Division, but falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. The 50-year-old coach spent 11 seasons with North Dakota, but had no previous NHL experience before this gig. His biggest issue with this team has been the goaltending, as five goalies have combined for an NHL-worst .874 save percentage this season. It got so bad that they called up 20-year-old Carter Hart on Monday.
The rumors have already been coming in that the Flyers will be hiring former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville as their new head man, which the team and Quenneville have already denied. Quenneville lost his job with the Blackhawks earlier this season, as they currently sit in last place in the Central Division.
Hakstol is now the fifth coach to get fired in the NHL this season, just two months in to the regular season. The league went the entire season last year without one coach losing their job. The now former Flyers coach was in his fourth season with the team, but a 12-15-4 start to the season is good for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. They are riding a four-game losing streak heading in to their home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
This move comes just one month after the team parted ways with general manager Ron Hextall, as he was replaced by Chuck Fletcher, who made the change on Monday. He was asked by Hakstol at the time of his hiring, but said he wanted time to evaluate the coach before making a move. This move comes a little sooner than expected after the Flyers were expected to compete in the playoff conversation, especially after signing James van Riemsdyk in free agency.
Hakstol's job was in jeopardy last season as well after the team underwent a 10-game losing streak in the month of December. Despite those struggles, they ended up finishing in third place of the Metropolitan Division, but falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. The 50-year-old coach spent 11 seasons with North Dakota, but had no previous NHL experience before this gig. His biggest issue with this team has been the goaltending, as five goalies have combined for an NHL-worst .874 save percentage this season. It got so bad that they called up 20-year-old Carter Hart on Monday.
The rumors have already been coming in that the Flyers will be hiring former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville as their new head man, which the team and Quenneville have already denied. Quenneville lost his job with the Blackhawks earlier this season, as they currently sit in last place in the Central Division.
