The Philadelphia Flyers, losers of three straight and six of their past seven games, have fired head coach John Stevens according to Comcast SportsNet writer, Tim Panaccio.

TSN has learned that the Carolina Hurricanes have granted the Flyers permission to speak to Peter Laviolette, who is believed to be Stevens’ successor.

— TSN.ca, 4 Nov ‘09

I shouldn’t have been surprised to hear the news, but I was. I know some sections of the Flyers fanbase were calling for Steven’s head, even before the latest losing streak of three games, and six in the past seven, but I thought the team would give him more time, more of an opportunity to get out of the mess and put things right considering he had lead them out of last place three seasons ago and into the playoffs the last two years. I had kept the faith that Stevens could fix things, but more importantly the Flyers management had lost the faith and the chance has been made.

A lot of talk will now revolve around what brought about Stevens’ demise. I know about the loss in form, but what caused a talented cup contending team to turn so bad? It certainly wasn’t lack of talent, and Stevens himself didn’t forget how to be a good young coach. I think a lot of the fans attention will turn to the players who will have to look at themselves in the mirror now knowing their actions and lazy play of late has got their coach fired. Stevens didn’t deserve that and I hope he lands in a good job before long … and I think he will. A new face, if it is indeed Laviolette, will hopefully help and bring about a new attitude. It’ll give the players a kick up the backside to get back to playing like they should.

There has been rumors doing the rounds for a while now that a split in the dressing room might be a reason to a lot of these problems. The veteran players are wanting to win now and are upset by some of the partying antics of the younger group. These are rumors, and fan-hearsay however but following last nights latest defeat, 3-0 to Vancouver, the players had a player-only meeting amongst themselves were hopefully some home truths were read out. With Steven’s getting the sack less than 24-hours later it was one of two things: 1. The players had lost faith in Steven’s and requested a change, or 2. Management seen a big split between the players and felt Stevens couldn’t med it. If it was the former then a coaching change was necessary – unfortunately you cannot sack the entire roster of players, but if it was the later then the players ought to be ashamed of themselves.

New coaches can come until the cows come home but as they say, you can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink it. Laviolette will have his work cut out to bring the dressing room together and set things right, if indeed there is a split.

John Stevens leaves the Flyers just one game shy of tying the man who just sacked him, current GM Paul Holgrem for third in total games coached for the Philadelphia Flyers (conspiracy theorists begin going wild!), but the fact that Stevens has been in the job for just two and a half seasons says a lot for the lack of time coaches are given in Philadelphia. This lack of time to get the job done might say a lot as to why the franshise has been without a cup since the mid-70’s. In fact, Laviolette will be the Flyers third coach since the lock-out. If Laviolette is the man the Flyers brass decide to throw their money behind,  just hope the organization gives him the support he deserves and while we want to be winning ASAP, I hope they give him the time to turn things around and put it right.

I can tell you something. Given the pre-season expectations and even the start to the year, I did not expect Stevens to be the first head-coach in the NHL to be sacked this season.

The Flyers will have a press conference on their official website at 8 p.m. (4 December 2009)

Read more about: Flyers, John Stevens, Peter Laviolette, Sackings | ALL SUBJECTS |

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