Spring Break
Flyers Hoping to Overcome Poor Start with Major Changes
Bryan Ford
Issue date: 10/27/06 Section: Sports
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The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Sunday the resignation of General Manager Bob Clarke and the firing of Coach Ken Hitchcock. These changes come after a dismal 1-6-1 start to the season by the Flyers, their worst since the 1989-'90 season.
Changes needed to be made, that was clear. After a 9-1 thumping at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, Clarke waived center Peter Nedved (with a career 705 points), defenseman Nolan Baumgartner (who was coming off a career year with 34 points) and right winger Niko Dimitrakos (only in his 4th year in the NHL). Not only did this move clear $3-4 million under the $44 million cap, it also sent a message to veterans and rookies alike in the organization that losing is not an option in Philadelphia.
Just days after these moves, and after losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers on back-to-back nights, the changes moved from the ice to the front office. Clarke resigned, citing being "burnt-out" and not wanting to make the decisions that general managers make. Speaking about his recent duties, dating back to the end of last season, Clarke said, "I was not willing to make them. I was letting other people make them." These decisions were being made by Assistant GM Paul Holmgren, now the interim GM after Clarke's resignation. When asked if they would stick with Holmgren or look in another direction, Flyers owner Ed Snider said that he had not had a chance to sit down and speak with Holmgren on the issue.
Taking over for Hitchcock is John Stevens, former head coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms (the Flyers minor league affiliate) and assistant coach under Hitchcock. Stevens led the Phantoms to a Calder Cup in 2005 with many of the players who are on the Flyers' current roster.
Between Holmgren and Stevens, the Flyers are receiving more of the same. Holmgren served as Clarke's assistant for many years and is a former Flyers coach. Stevens played for the Flyers and Phantoms and has also coached both teams. What the Flyers need is a fresh start. Snider needs to bring in someone who is not familiar with the philosophies that Clarke and Hitchcock brought to the table. The players need a fresh face behind the bench who will motivate them and let them play a style of hockey that is conducive to their skills. Hitchcock coached a defensive style of hockey that was trying to fit square pegs into round holes by forcing players like Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter into that style. The rule changes that were implemented last season opened the game up to offense and Hitchcock's style, which had previously worked so well, was exposed to the league and didn't recover.
Changes needed to be made, that was clear. After a 9-1 thumping at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, Clarke waived center Peter Nedved (with a career 705 points), defenseman Nolan Baumgartner (who was coming off a career year with 34 points) and right winger Niko Dimitrakos (only in his 4th year in the NHL). Not only did this move clear $3-4 million under the $44 million cap, it also sent a message to veterans and rookies alike in the organization that losing is not an option in Philadelphia.
Just days after these moves, and after losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers on back-to-back nights, the changes moved from the ice to the front office. Clarke resigned, citing being "burnt-out" and not wanting to make the decisions that general managers make. Speaking about his recent duties, dating back to the end of last season, Clarke said, "I was not willing to make them. I was letting other people make them." These decisions were being made by Assistant GM Paul Holmgren, now the interim GM after Clarke's resignation. When asked if they would stick with Holmgren or look in another direction, Flyers owner Ed Snider said that he had not had a chance to sit down and speak with Holmgren on the issue.
Taking over for Hitchcock is John Stevens, former head coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms (the Flyers minor league affiliate) and assistant coach under Hitchcock. Stevens led the Phantoms to a Calder Cup in 2005 with many of the players who are on the Flyers' current roster.
Between Holmgren and Stevens, the Flyers are receiving more of the same. Holmgren served as Clarke's assistant for many years and is a former Flyers coach. Stevens played for the Flyers and Phantoms and has also coached both teams. What the Flyers need is a fresh start. Snider needs to bring in someone who is not familiar with the philosophies that Clarke and Hitchcock brought to the table. The players need a fresh face behind the bench who will motivate them and let them play a style of hockey that is conducive to their skills. Hitchcock coached a defensive style of hockey that was trying to fit square pegs into round holes by forcing players like Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter into that style. The rule changes that were implemented last season opened the game up to offense and Hitchcock's style, which had previously worked so well, was exposed to the league and didn't recover.
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