Multiple reports from solid sources, including Frank Seravalli, Elliote Friedman, and Bill Meltzer indicate that the Philadelphia Flyers have narrowed their head coaching search. Barry Trotz and John Tortorella are said to have reached the finalist category.
Either hire would give the organization a name head coach that would help to make the team relevant heading into the 2022-23 season. The choice of bench boss will set the tone and direction of the team in the immediate future.
If Trotz or Tortorella is the choice, then the organization will fulfill the aggressive retool general manager Chuck Fletcher mentioned in the recent past. Philadelphia will hope to make a playoff push as soon as this upcoming season. Hiring one of those men would likely help to attract name talent, which would theoretically help the organization to return to prominence more quickly.
The hiring of a head coach without a notable track record would imply that an extensive rebuilding process. In-game attendance matters for revenue and appearance reasons, with multiple non-playoff seasons creating unwanted deterioration of fan support.
The Flyers' storied history still makes the team a draw in other National Hockey League cities. So, it is fair to believe that if Philadelphia is relevant then that is better for the game.
The NHL generally does not want major announcements made during the Cup Final, with Game 1 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche set for Wednesday, June 15. So, the Flyers and other teams could make their announcements before that date.
Official head coaching decisions may not be announced until the end of the month. But rumors can, of course, leak regardless.
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