Latest news with #BradShaw
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
REPORT: Brad Shaw Not Returning To Flyers Coaching Staff
As first reported by PHLY's Charlie O'Connor, Brad Shaw, once considered a leading candidate for the Philadelphia Flyers' head coaching vacancy, will reportedly not be returning to the team's coaching staff under newly-appointed head coach Rick Tocchet. Some Flyers news: I've heard that Brad Shaw -- who served as Flyers assistant and interim head coach -- will NOT be returning to the Flyers bench as assistant coach under Rick story below, but my understanding is that it was Shaw's decision: — Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) May 15, 2025 According to the report, this was Shaw's decision. Shaw served as an assistant coach for three seasons under former Flyers head coach John Tortorella, overseeing the team's defensive structure and penalty kill. When Tortorella was let go from bench duties late in the 2024–25 season, Shaw took over as interim head coach and was widely viewed as a legitimate contender for the full-time role. Previously, Shaw had expressed a willingness to remain with the Flyers in a supporting role if he didn't land the permanent head coaching gig. He cited his strong relationship with the defensive group and his interest in helping continue their development. Brad Shaw said that if Danny Briere decides to go with a different HC, he'd be open to returning to his assistant coach role because 'I've invested three years into this D core' and has enjoyed his time with the organization. #LetsGoFlyers — Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 18, 2025 However, it now appears that Tocchet, who was officially named head coach this week, will be moving in a different direction with his staff. It's not yet clear whether Shaw is seeking opportunities elsewhere or if another role within the Flyers organization could be in discussion, but for now, the longtime coach appears to be on his way out of Philadelphia. Shaw leaves behind a clear mark on the Flyers' back end. Under his guidance, players like Travis Sanheim and Cam York took noticeable steps forward. "He's been great to me," York said of Shaw during the team's exit interviews back in April. "I would say he's an overthinker—in a good way—of the game. He's really good at sitting down with guys, going over video; he tells you how it is in a good, honest done a lot for me and helped develop my game in a good way and taught me things that I didn't even think of prior to him." "He has meant so much to my game personally," Sanheim said in his exit interview. "I think a lot of guys on the D core could probably say the same thing...I'm just super thankful for where he has taken my game and I really enjoyed my time working with him." As Tocchet begins assembling his coaching staff, all eyes will be on who he taps to oversee the next generation of Flyers—and how his vision will build upon the foundation that Shaw helped lay.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gameday 77 Preview: Flyers vs. Canadiens
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster (71) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) There's something about Montreal in the spring that brings a certain cinematic energy to the game. A classic building. A storied opponent. And tonight, the stakes for the Philadelphia Flyers couldn't be clearer. If they lose in any fashion, whether in regulation, overtime, or a shootout, their playoff hopes are officially extinguished. Advertisement It's not where they wanted to be. But it's not necessarily the end, either. The Flyers have been playing some inspired hockey under interim head coach Brad Shaw. They're skating hard, playing loose, and showing a kind of purpose that doesn't always show up in the standings—but speaks volumes in the locker room. Tonight's clash against the Canadiens is more than just a math problem involving the standings; it's a chance to keep pushing, to embrace the role of disruptor, and to look forward—because there's still plenty to look forward to. 1. This Is It: Facing Elimination with Pride Still on the Line Let's not beat around the bush—this one has emotional weight. Advertisement The Flyers are on the brink. A loss, in any form, and their postseason hopes vanish. But this team doesn't sulk. They fight. Brad Shaw has been honest since taking the reins from John Tortorella: he wants this group to embrace the 'spoiler' role. If the Flyers go down, they're going to drag other teams into the mud with them. They're going to keep skating like their playoff lives still matter. Because to them, the way they finish the season says just as much as where they finish in the standings. Shaw's approach has been simple and effective. He's loosened the reins a little, allowed for some more fluid creativity, and the team's energy has reflected that. They're playing with more pace, making more high-skill plays, and having more fun out there. And even in the wake of gutting losses and mounting injuries, there's been no quit. That matters. Advertisement Tonight is their first road test under Shaw, and the Bell Centre is no gentle place to try and find your footing. The Canadiens will want to deliver the final blow to Philadelphia's playoff chances on home ice. For the Flyers, it's not just about survival. It's about making a statement that says: we're not done fighting. 2. Karsen Dorwart's NHL Debut: A Glimpse of What's to Come It's always special when a player makes his NHL debut. And for Karsen Dorwart, it comes at a time when the Flyers' organizational messaging has been consistent: the youth movement is real, and it's here. Signed out of Michigan State after an impressive senior season, Dorwart brings a compelling mix of motor, intelligence, and grit. He's not the flashiest prospect, but he's the kind of two-way forward the Flyers covet—one who plays with detail, supports the puck, and makes the right reads. He earned this look, plain and simple. Advertisement And don't be surprised if he makes an impact early. Dorwart has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He keeps his feet moving, battles hard on the boards, and plays a selfless brand of hockey that tends to endear quickly to coaches. More than anything, his debut marks another brick laid in the Flyers' rebuild—not a teardown, but a purposeful build. And while the focus will be on his first NHL shifts, his presence is also a signpost of how the Flyers are evaluating, experimenting, and setting up next year's camp to be a competitive cauldron of opportunity. 3. Calder Clash: Matvei Michkov vs. Lane Hutson There's no shortage of intrigue in tonight's game, but one of the most compelling storylines is the unofficial Calder Trophy showdown between Flyers sensation Matvei Michkov and Canadiens blueliner Lane Hutson. Advertisement Michkov, simply put, has been electric. With his dazzling puck control, elite vision, and uncanny ability to find soft space in dangerous areas, he's become—unsurprisingly—a crucial part of Philadelphia's offense. He's made a legitimate push for the rookie scoring title, all while adapting to a new culture, language, and league. Every night, he gives fans something to talk about. And he's still only 20. Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (39) moves from behind the net against the Detroit Red Wings at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 21, 2025. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News) Hutson, on the other hand, has been a standout on the back end. Undersized but fearless, his offensive instincts and transition skills have sparked the Canadiens from the blue line all season. He's cerebral, slippery, and smooth, with the kind of spatial awareness that lets him walk the line like a tightrope artist. This isn't just about who's putting up more points. It's about style, creativity, and who can take the spotlight when the game gets tight. It's a fascinating chess match between two of the brightest young stars in the league—and it's the kind of side narrative that makes a late-season game between two playoff outsiders feel like must-watch television. Advertisement The Bottom Line There are games that matter in the standings, and there are games that matter in the soul. Tonight might be both. The Flyers don't want this to be the night they're mathematically eliminated—but if it is, you can bet they'll go out swinging. There's youth making its debut, stars putting on a show, and a new coach trying to ignite something that lasts longer than a playoff push. The foundation is still being built. And if you watch closely, you can already see what's coming next. Tonight, in Montreal, another brick gets laid. Projected Lines Philadelphia Flyers Forwards: Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink Advertisement Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny Jakob Pelletier - Ryan Poehling - Owen Tippett Nicolas Deslauriers - Karsen Dorwart - Garnet Hathaway Defense: Nick Seeler - Travis Sanheim Cam York - Jamie Drysdale Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae Goalies: Samuel Ersson Ivan Fedotov Montreal Canadiens Forwards: Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Juraj Slafkovsky Emil Heineman - Alex Newhook - Patrik Laine Josh Anderson - Christian Dvorak - Brendan Gallagher Michael Pezzetta - Jake Evans - Joel Armia Defense: Mike Matheson - Alexandre Carrier Kaiden Guhle - Lane Hutson Jayden Struble - David Savard Goalies: Sam Montembeault Jakub Dobes
