Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Decision Looms

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher is said to be conducting a thorough review of available coaching candidates. Buzz involving Barry Trotz, John Tortorella, Rick Tocchet, Jim Montgomery, Kirk Muller, Mike Vellucci, and others exists.

Interviews are said to have taken place with other suitors for various candidates impacting every team's ability or desire to finalize a contract. Also, the National Hockey League playoffs have yet to fully play out, meaning that other potential candidates could become available shortly. 

Fletcher and his staff will telegraph the direction they intend the organization to go through the hire that is made. A need to re-energize the fan base is part of the consideration as well. 

Label the state of the Flyers as a rebuild, retool, or anything else. The NHL roster and organizational depth do not appear to be near that of the remaining Stanley Cup contenders. A decision shortly after the Cup is raised seems most practical.

The best fit will be a subjective choice that will not be testable until a reasonable amount of time passes to fairly gauge the effectiveness of the new top bench boss.

 

Philadelphia Flyers 2021-22 Hall of Fame Finalists - One Clear Candidate Stands Out?

It would be hard to argue against inducting Bob Kelly into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame. His two Stanley Cup rings serve as credentials that no other former player has on his hockey resume. The other finalist candidates on the 2021-22 induction list include Simon Gagne, Paul Holmgren, Lou Nolan, Mark Recchi, and Rick Tocchet.

Lou Nolan has worked for the organization since 1967. He served as the team's public address announcer during the championship seasons of 1973-74 and 1974-75. So, the Cup argument can be used on his behalf as well.

According to the Flyers - "A nominating committee selected the six finalists, and now, a voting committee comprised of current Flyers Hall of Fame members, Flyers alumni, members of the Flyers front office, broadcasters, and members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) will vote to decide which individual(s) will be enshrined in the rafters of Wells Fargo Center. The voting committee is not limited to selecting only one inductee."

The current members of their Hall of Fame and their induction years are:  

1988 - Bob Clarke and Bernie Parent
1989 - Bill Barber, Ed Snider and Keith Allen
1990 - Rick MacLeish and Fred Shero
1991 - Barry Ashbee and Gary Dornhoefer
1992 - Reggie Leach and Gene Hart
1993 - Joe Scott and Ed Van Impe
1994 - Tim Kerr
1996 - Joe Watson
1999 - Brian Propp
2001 - Mark Howe
2004 - Dave Poulin
2008 - Ron Hextall
2009 - Dave Schultz
2014 - Eric Lindros and John LeClair
2015 - Eric Desjardins
2015 - Rod Brind'Amour
2016 - Jimmy Watson

(Hockey card image via O-Pee-Chee.)