PHILADELPHIA – It was inevitable. The Flyers returned home from a dismal 1-4-0 road trip and on Monday new general manager, Chuck Fletcher, had seen enough.
Philadelphia Flyers Coach Dave Hakstol was fired Monday after a dreadful road trip ended with two ugly losses in Edmonton and Vancouver
Head coach Dave Hakstol was relieved of his coaching duties Monday in the latest firing in the National Hockey League this season.
Earlier in the season, the Flyers had gone through a losing skid but seemingly righted the ship on a west coast swing. But this time, the team responded to none of the urgency they should have felt.
Fletcher released a statement Monday morning saying, “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.”
This is not all on Hakstol, though. The Flyers players deserve the lion shore of the blame for being in last place in the Eastern Conference and ranked 29th in the NHL.
This season, the Flyers have been pushed around on the ice and there has been little response from across the bench.
The issues in the net have not made life any easier either. Paired with the firing announcement, Fletcher also said that goalie prospect, Carter Hart, would be called up from the Leigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey league.
When Hart takes the crease, he will be the sixth goalie to do so this season in Philadelphia.
The Phantoms’ head coach, Scott Gordon, was named interim head coach by Fletcher.
Of course, the rumors have started as to a permanent replacement and Joel Quenneville, former Chicago Blackhawks bench boss has been rumored as the leading contender.
Quenneville has denied taking the position.
The Flyers next game is Tuesday night at home against the Detroit Red Wings.
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