There are a lot of solid candidates for the Flyers' next head coach. Some are familiar names like
Ian Laperrière and Rick Tocchet. Other candidates are a little more creative, like Brad Shaw and Pat Ferschweiler. Each of them has solid credentials and is deserving. They are all qualified and would bring something unique to the Flyers' bench.
However, I'm bringing up a name that is going to be new. It's totally out of the box, but when you do a deep dive, it makes total sense. He would be someone who could instantly turn this organization around, especially if he followed the program and steps he's witnessed under his current boss. I'm talking about current Carolina Hurricanes assistant coach Tim Gleason.
Why He Should Be The Flyers' Next Coach
Ok, ok, Gleason's name doesn't exactly jump off the page. However, take a look at his credentials, and you may change your opinion on the man.
Gleason was an eleven-year vet in the NHL. Nothing spectacular, but he did play the gritty defender role that every team needs. Hey, he was good and feisty enough to spend nine of those years in Raleigh. He arrived on the team following their 2006 Stanley Cup Championship. And much like aforementioned Laperrière, he is famous in Carolina for taking a puck to the face, getting stitches, returning to the game, and scoring a game-winning goal. His brother Ben is currently a member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
After retirement, he rejoined the organization. He has been an assistant coach of the Hurricanes since 2021 after being the team's director of defensive development since 2018. More importantly, Gleason oversees the team's penalty kill unit. Carolina led the NHL in penalty kill with a blistering 83.6 percent. They also led the NHL in 2024 at 84.6 percent and in 2023 with an 83.6 percent group. Oh yeah, in 2022, they also had an 83.6 percent kill. Those are pretty consistent numbers. You see a pattern here?
Carolina has had a top 10 defense in the NHL ever since current head coach Rod Brind'Amour showed up in 2017. They've made the playoffs every year. During that time, they have the sixth most wins in the NHL with 397, behind only Tampa, Boston, Toronto, Washington, and Winnipeg. Philly, by the way, is sitting not so pretty at 22nd overall.
The Flyers have struggled on the special teams front for a few years now. Carolina has not. They are well disciplined, take few penalties, and when they are penalized, make sure that the team does not capitalize on their mistakes. Much like their head coach, the Canes preach fundamentals like winning the battles in the corner and faceoffs. The result has been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Why He Shouldn't Be The Flyers' Next Coach
Gleason has no head coaching experience. He hasn't coached at the NHL level, USA development, or AHL. He hasn't coached for a Canadian junior team or been part of the Olympic team. He has never coached at the collegiate level.
He's also young. Gleason is only 42 years old. To be fair, that is older than San Jose head coach Ryan Warsofsky, but then again, that team is a mess. Combined with a lack of coaching experience, Gleason is young and would appear to be too raw to be granted such an opportunity.
Final Verdict
Gleason may be young and inexperienced, but he has learned under the best possible coach he can. Brind'Amour is very beloved in North Carolina. He could punch a kid and probably not get fired. He captained the team to a Stanley Cup Championship and has turned the Canes from a joke into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. His players love and respect him. In short, Brind'Amour isn't leaving Raleigh unless he wants to.
So, if we can't get him, let's get one of his disciples. He can't be interviewed until the Canes exit the playoffs or bring home the Cup. However, he'd be a fine head coach who could turn the Flyers around, especially on the penalty kill. Carolina has had one of the best defensive squads over the last five years. He could work with our young defense and whip them into shape. At that point, the Flyers might return to their previous glory.
It's an out-of-the-box candidate. He's not one of the normal ones that have been batted around. But maybe that works. He wouldn't be a recycled coach off the trash heap. He'd be a new guy getting a chance to shine after showing some initiative on a winning team. Might be worth a call.