Daniel Briere is in a tough spot right now. One year removed from almost making the playoffs, the Flyers had a rough season that culminated in the ouster of their head coach. There is quite a lot that this team needs to change, but at the same time, there are some positive signs.
However, if not handled correctly, this team will continue in this never-ending cycle of rebuilding, which they've be stuck on for the last decade. After all, there is only so much that fans will take. We're not used to seeing our beloved Flyers be so stagnant. Changes need to be made.
A lot of that is going to come down to Briere's decision on who will helm the bench. It's going to be hard to attract a free agent if they see Philly as stuck in the doldrums. Yes, money is nice, but athletes want to win, especially in the NHL, where champions are engraved forever on the Stanley Cup.
Perhaps the Flyers already have that. It's tempting to look at some of the coaches who have been dismissed across the NHL. It's also tempting to look within at some of the guys who've been in the organization for years. However, ever since the team parted ways with John Tortorella, assistant coach Brad Shaw has gotten the most out of the players on this lackluster team. Maybe he is the guy this team needs to give some serious consideration to.
Why He Should Be The Flyers' Next Coach
First of all, in the final eight games of the season, the team went 5-3-1. While that doesn't seem all that impressive, let's dig a little deeper. In those nine games, the team scored 36 while giving up 32. Most of those came in the final three losses. You have to go back and add up the goals scored from the trade deadline on to Tortorella's firing to get that kind of offensive output. The Flyers almost knocked themselves out of a top lottery spot because they kept winning.
Shaw unlocked something with this young offense that Tortorella was holding back. These wins also came with Sam Ersson and Rasmus Ristolainen out as well. With two key players out, the Flyers put on an offensive show. When you consider that this offensive output also came after the team traded away Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, and Scott Laughton, it becomes even more impressive.
Shaw has been around the NHL for years. He's been an assistant coach for several organizations, both in the NHL and AHL. He had briefly served as an interim coach for the New York Islanders in 2005-06, posting an 18-18-4 record. He has hockey knowledge. He just needs his shot.
Why He Shouldn't Be The Flyers Next Coach
Which begs the question, "Why hasn't he had his shot?" Why hasn't he gotten that coaching job? To some degree, it might be because the NHL, more than any other sport, loves to recycle cast-off guys. Maybe this "good ol' boy" system has prevented him from getting his job.
At the same time, he's 61. Someone at some point should have had an interview and an opportunity to take on a head coaching role. Why hasn't it happened? Is there something wrong with him? Has he never stood out as a guy who has leadership potential? Is he someone who is "doomed" to be the assistant, but never the top guy?
Furthrmore, in the few years he was coaching at the AHL and IHL levels, his teams didn't play well. Now, is this because of the quality players he had working with him or is this a reflection on him? Is he good at working with and developing young players? For a guy who will be called upon to mentor, train, teach, and build up a youthful core, that is going to be a necessary factor in consideration his future here.
Final Verdict
Should he be the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers? I don't know. His lack of coaching experience does raise flags. However, Rob Thomson never managed an MLB team and was forever a bench coach or assistant coach until the Phillies hired him. In three seasons, the team has made it to the playoffs every season, including capturing a pennant in his first season. Thomson just needed a chance to prove himself. Maybe the same is true for Shaw.
Again, I look at how the offense flourished under Shaw. We've long thought that these players could score. In the final few weeks of the season, they did. There could be something there.
I do think that he at least deserves an interview. Likewise, I feel that Briere should ask some of the veteran players, such as Travis Konency, Travis Sanheim, and Sean Couturier, for their opinions of Shaw. After all, they've been here under quite a few coaches now and would have great input on how the locker room felt under Shaw. That's important. If the guys are willing to go to battle for him on the ice, he may be the guy to lead the Flyers.
He may not be the sexiest candidate out there in terms of credentials, but he has some things going for him. I don't know if he is the best person for the job, but he at least deserves a shot to prove himself.