First, I want to be clear, the Philadelphia Flyers are a mess. The Flyers have a lot bigger problems than former head coach Dave Hakstol. Whoever takes over this team is bound to fail. I am not sure why anyone would want this job?
Over the past three and a half seasons, I’ve seen some of the most clueless things written about coach Hakstol. As the team failed to meet expectations, the naysayers focused their hate on the head coach and his staff. IMHO, the blame lies with the former general manager Ron Hextall who gave him this bad hockey team. The Flyers players must also take some of the blame.
Yes, Hakstol deserves some of the blame, but I don’t think Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman would have a winning record with this team. There’s some in the Flyers fan base that thinks another coach is going to ride in on a white horse and fix what ails the Flyers. You’re dreaming.
This past weekend, there was a lot of rumors floating around about Hakstol’s status with the Flyers. Yesterday, the courierpostonline.com reported that he had been relieved of his duties. Of course, the Flyers walked back the story and announced that Hakstol was still their head coach.
Now, this afternoon, it’s official, Hakstol’s has been fired by the Flyers. I hope the fans in Philly are happy. You finally got your wish. Hakstol is a class act and deserved a better hand than he was dealt. Hakstol, 50, is a good coach and will land on his feet very soon.
Source: #Flyers fire Dave Hakstol after three-plus seasons as head coach https://t.co/UMQD0t7ES9
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 17, 2018
From Sam Carchidi, of Philly.com:
Joel Quenneville, 60, who was stunningly fired by the Blackhawks on Nov. 6 after a 6-6-3 start, is the second-winningest coach in NHL history. In 22 seasons, he owns an 890-532-77-137 career record with St. Louis, Colorado, Chicago.
By firing the stoic Hakstol, club president Paul Holmgren and Dave Scott, CEO of the Flyers’ parent company Comcast Spectacor, continue to sever ties with Hextall’s associates. Hextall was fired as the Flyers’ general manager on Nov. 26. Two days later, assistant GM Chris Pryor and assistant coach Gord Murphy were dismissed.
Hakstol, 50, had a 134-101-42 record and a .560 points percentage in three-plus seasons as head coach. Two of his teams made the playoffs, but both were eliminated in the first round.
This year’s team has just a .452 points percentage and one of the NHL’s worst home record (5-7-2).
Scott Gordon will be the interim head coach. You can see Gordon’s profile.
Scott Gordon is interim coach.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 17, 2018
Here’s a statement from the Flyers.
OFFICIAL: The #Flyers have relieved Dave Hakstol of his duties as head coach. Scott Gordon will serve as head coach on an interim basis. https://t.co/6ecCm6Wk7X pic.twitter.com/Ie6n5YdunW
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 17, 2018
Official statement from Flyers Executive Vice President & General Manager, Chuck Fletcher:
“After meeting this morning with Dave Hakstol and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to relieve him of his duties as head coach. As I continue to assess the team, I feel that this is the best course of action for our group moving forward. I’d like to thank Dave for his service to the team and the organization. Scott Gordon will serve as head coach on an interim basis.”
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