Flyers Rumors: 4 More Names Emerge As Candidates for Flyers Next Head Coach
And while Rick Tocchet's name has been bandied about, it's become apparent that the Vancouver Canucks have no intention of letting him go after this season.
So who else will become a realistic candidate to take over the reins behind the Flyers bench next season?
Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek, on his The Sheet blog, has suggested four intriguing names of interest:
Pat Ferschweiler
The 55-year-old head coach takes his Western Michigan Broncos into the NCAA's Frozen Four with an NCAA-leading 32 victories this season. In his four years there, he owns a 102-50-4 mark, and was an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings for four years back in 2015 before returning to the Broncos and then taking over as head coach in 2021.
He "is ready for the next step in his career," writes Marek.
Jay Woodcroft
The former Edmonton Oilers head coach has been circling the globe learning new coaching techniques since he was let go early last season. At training camp in the fall, he was a "guest coach" brought in by ex-Flyers boss man John Tortorella.
Todd Nelson
Nelson is currently serving as head coach with the Hershey Bears in the AHL, where he's won back-to-back Calder Cups. He has one previous year as a head coach behind an NHL bench, way back in 2014-15 with the Oilers. He was an assistant for a few seasons with the Dallas Stars as well.
Mitch Love
He's currently serving as assistant under the Jack Adams favorite this season in the NHL, Spencer Carbery with the Washington Capitals. Love has previously interviewed for head coaching positions with the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks, and, writes Marek, considering his successful stints working with young players in the WHL and AHL, and the fact that "this Flyers team is going to have plenty of kids around the next few seasons, it’s probably in their best interest to at least have a conversation."
Photo: © Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
