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Elliotte Friedman Shares Intelligence on the Flyers’ Coaching Search
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On the latest episode of the mandatory 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said this about the Flyers’ coaching search:
We talked on the last podcast about Rick Tocchet, and you know, the feeling that he’s their number one guy, and I still believe that. But I will say that there seems to be a growing belief that he will consider television next season. If you go back to his release announcing that he’s leaving the Canucks, he talked about other projects or other options besides coaching. There definitely seems to be the belief that he will consider TV next year if the overall landscape isn’t as he wants it.
But Philly’s definitely interested, and I think he’s the first guy on their list. Also on Philly’s list is Brad Shaw, as we mentioned. There were reports they interviewed Pat Ferschweiler from Western Michigan. What a great year winning the NCAA championship.
I think another coach who could be on Philly’s radar, somebody mentioned him to me the other day, he’s got a history with Danny Briere, they were teammates in the NHL, and that’s Jay McKee, the former Buffalo Sabre, who has spent the last seven years coaching in the Ontario Hockey League. First (he was) with the Kitchener Rangers and the last few seasons with the Brantford Bulldogs. He won an OHL Championship in 2022. I think he could be another name on Philly’s radar.
Briere and McKee played together from 2002 to 2006, before Danny joined the Flyers. He’s 47 years old with a career record of 241 wins, 150 losses, and 38 OTL at both Kitchener and Hamilton/Brantford.
Ferschweiler played in the IHL and took over at Western Michigan in 2021. He won the natty this season and twice has been named college coach of the year.
Obviously Tocchet is the experienced NHL guy, but you ask yourself if he’s the right fit for a rebuilding team that isn’t going to win right now. You also get the retread/good-old-boy optics if you hire him. McKee, Ferschweiler, and Shaw make more sense if the job description is as we think it is. You are coming here to help develop a young-ish roster and turn these guys into legit NHL players.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com