Joe Yerdon

Flyers fire Peter Laviolette; Craig Berube to take over

By Oct 7, 2013, 9:45 AM EDT
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According to Philly Daily News’ Frank Seravalli and CSNPhilly.com’s Tim Panaccio, the Flyers have fired coach Peter Laviolette after four seasons and three games.

Seravalli reports assistant coach Craig Berube will take over. Whether that’s on an interim basis or not remains to be seen. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports John Paddock and Ian Laperriere will join as Berube’s assistants. He adds that assistant coach Kevin McCarthy was also let go.

After missing the postseason last year and getting off to an 0-3-0 start this season, rumors had already begun swirling that perhaps a trade was coming. Instead, it appears Laviolette’s time as bench boss is at an end.

Laviolette was hired during the 2009-10 season after John Stevens was dismissed as Flyers coach. That year he led Philly to the Stanley Cup Final before ultimately losing to the Chicago Blackhawks. He then led the team to the playoffs the next two seasons, bowing out in the second round each time.

According to Kevin Gibson of TSN Research, this is the quickest firing to start an NHL season.

A press conference has been called for 11 a.m. ET today in Philadelphia.

Rumor: Flyers interested in Calgary’s Glencross

By Oct 7, 2013, 9:15 AM EDT
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The Flyers’ 0-3-0 start to the season doesn’t have anyone in Philadelphia feeling good. The biggest problem for them so far is that the offense is nowhere to be found as they’re scoring just one goal per game.

Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News reports there’s talk the team is looking to make a deal to help their goal-free woes and Calgary is on their radar.

One name the Flyers have been kicking around is winger Curtis Glencross, who has been playing on Calgary’s first line. Glencross, 30, netted 26 points in 40 games last season. He has 24- and 26-goal seasons on his resume, he’s consistent, and he’s one of the few players on Calgary’s roster to play a gritty game.

One thing the Flyers have that the Flames can use is defensemen.

Philly has eight blue liners on their current roster and sent Bruno Gervais to AHL Adirondack to make room for newly signed Hal Gill.

Andrej Meszaros’ name has come up in trade rumors more often than not in the past two months. With a cap hit of $4 million this season, he’s a bit tricky to move in a deal. For what it’s worth, Glencross has a $2.55 million cap hit, something Philly can easily afford.

Related: TSN’s Dreger thinks Flyers coach is on thin ice

PHT Morning Skate: Fight debate still making the rounds

By Oct 7, 2013, 8:05 AM EDT
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PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

The fighting debate isn’t likely to go away, but B.J. Crombeen of the Tampa Bay Lightning adds his two cents to the discussion. Reminder: His GM, Steve Yzerman, says it’s time for fighting to go. (The Tampa Tribune)

Meanwhile, Larry Brooks of the New York Post says now is the time to eliminate fighting from the NHL. (New York Post)

Editor’s Note: ProHockeyTalk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a $2,000 Fantasy Hockey league that includes Monday and Tuesday’s NHL games. It’s just $10 to join and first prize is $400. Starts Monday at 9:30pm ET. Here’s the link.

Colorado’s Ryan O’Reilly is a natural center playing left wing. So far the transition is treating him well. (The Denver Post)

New Jersey’s Jacob Josefson is hoping he can finally crack the lineup on the team’s upcoming road trip, starting tonight in Edmonton. (The Star-Ledger)

NHL ice guru Dan Craig is about to have one very busy year having to help make sure the surface is playable for six outdoor games. (Edmonton Journal)

Mika Zibanejad was a surprise cut during Ottawa’s camp but he’s taking the demotion in stride. (Senators Extra)

Finally, is this what the Calgary Flames’ third jersey is going to look like? (Icethetics, Puck Daddy)

Selanne to play in Winnipeg for the last time tonight

By Oct 6, 2013, 4:53 PM EDT
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While tonight’s NHL schedule is light, perhaps the most heart-warming game of the day is set to take place in Winnipeg.

The Anaheim Ducks face the Jets in Winnipeg and with it being their only visit there this season, it’s their chance to say goodbye to future Hall of Famer  Teemu Selanne.

Selanne, who says he’s retiring after this season, began his career in Winnipeg in a most triumphant way breaking the rookie goal-scoring record with an incredible 76 goals in 1992-93. When he returned to the city two seasons ago, it made for one of the year’s most emotional scenes as it was the first time he’d played there since being traded by the original Winnipeg Jets to Anaheim in 1996.

Tonight, they’ll say farewell to him for the final time… Unless the two teams manage to face each other in the postseason. This may be one of the few, if not only, times a visiting player could score a goal and get a standing ovation for it.

In case you’ve forgotten or missed it, here’s video of that moment back in 2011 as Jets fans saluted Selanne during the game.

Predators’ Josi out with concussion

By Oct 6, 2013, 3:39 PM EDT
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The news out of Nashville for Predators defenseman Roman Josi is about as expected as it can get.

Joshua Cooper of The Tennessean reports Josi did not skate at the team’s practice this morning and he’s officially out with a concussion. Ryan Ellis is believed to get the call to take his spot in the lineup.

Josi suffered the injury on Friday night in Denver courtesy of a monster hit from Avalanche forward Steve Downie. The hit was ruled to be legal by the NHL Player Safety Board and he went unpunished for the play. He was, however, assessed at two-minute minor for charging.

This turn of events, as Cooper noted in his story, could lead to seeing Seth Jones pair up with Shea Weber. Josi has been his defensive partner since last season after Ryan Suter signed with Minnesota. Jones and Weber did work together a little bit in training camp this year.

Replacing Josi won’t be easy as he’s good for 25 minutes played per game.

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