[ad_1]
It took Chuck Fletcher a week to find out who he wanted to get the Flyers team, a group that had been severely depressed in 2018-2019 and was considering returning to the race for 2019-2020.
In fact, Fletcher probably had Alain Vigneault in the lead for some time. Over the past week, the general manager has understood that Vigneault was the "good candidate for the Flyers" as a head coach. (see the story).
"I think it's a great day for the Flyers organization," Fletcher said Monday night during a conference call. "Every time you have the chance to find a guy like Alain Vigneault, it's a really positive move." He's one of the best coaches in the league and he's been doing it for many years. very happy that he agreed to work. "
Here are five things to remember after Fletcher speaks to the media:
1. Summary speaks volumes
It is clear that Fletcher was looking for a coach with deep experience. He was not about to become cute with this hiring.
Frankly, there is not much room for patience or error. Fletcher wants to be competitive next season. Each year, the core is turning and young people need to make greater progress. To bring in a coach who was there, it was important.
The decision to hire Vigneault says a lot about senior management, which has brought Fletcher to move things much faster.
Vigneault, 57, competed in two Stanley Cup finals, three seasons of 50 wins and eight 100-point campaigns.
"He's always been what I've considered to be one of the best coaches in the NHL," Fletcher said.
"He has coached for many years in this league, winning many games, both regular season and playoff, and his teams have been successful in the playoffs, winning the Jack Adams Trophy. Presidents' assessment of winning parties is critical. "
2. "Hold your players accountable"
A week ago, Fletcher lamented the Flyers' bad habits on the ice, drawing a long list of problems that resulted in an exasperating incoherence and another year without a playoff game.
Finding a coach to improve his fundamentals and making sure bad habits were short lived was obviously in Fletcher's mind when he sued Vigneault.
"He has a lot of experience in developing players, empowering his players and instilling good habits in his players," Fletcher said. "I think he's one of the best coaches in the National Hockey League, and his ability to adapt and read the game and make the changes he wants is great." is obviously a hard worker.
"Since I've been with him these past few days, I've discovered that he's also a really good person and someone with whom I communicate well."
3. Faith in the Flyers
Vigneault's decision to get on board means that the Flyers are still an attractive destination. They do not lack a ton of talent, the prospect pool is promising, Philly is one of the most important markets and the fan base is dedicated.
Fletcher said Vigneault was impressed by the makeup of the Flyers. Both parties are in win-win mode. The fact that Vigneault chose the Flyers shows that he believes in the possibility of turning this team into a competitor.
"He obviously loves our team, likes our group and thinks that there is a lot of potential here," Fletcher said.
"Alain, I think he's at a stage of his career where he wants to win, and he sees a lot of potential in our lineup." At the moment, it's trying to continue to build our group and become as competitive as possible. "
4. What's next for Gordon?
Similar to Dave Hakstol, Scott Gordon had a hard time convincing a new general manager other than the organization.
A general manager almost always wants to hire his guy for the position of head coach. This is one of the firmest and most important footprints that a GM can make in his team.
Gordon is joined on the fly with little practice time throughout the program. He should be congratulated for bringing the Flyers to within three points of a playoff spot after the team finishes last in the NHL standings on 31 teams over half of the season.
"First of all, I just want to say that he's done a good job for the Flyers," Fletcher said of his former interim head coach. "He arrived in difficult circumstances and I thought he had done a very good job with our hockey team.When I spoke to him this morning, he was obviously disappointed.He wanted to be the coach- I simply advised him to take time, we can talk again in the coming weeks. "
Gordon said the race with the Flyers had heightened his desire to coach again in the NHL. On the contrary, he has recovered his previous position within the organization.
"Certainly, Lehigh Valley's work is up to him, but for now, I do not think it's a good time to discuss it," Fletcher said. "I just think that he needs to take time and let everything in, and in a few weeks we will have another discussion on the way he wants to borrow."
5. What about assistants?
The fates of assistant coaches Kris Knoblauch (power play), Ian Laperriere (shots on goal), Rick Wilson (defenders) and Kim Dillabaugh (goalies) are not very beautiful.
This is what happens when a new head coach is hired. With Vigneault's experience at three different stops, he will probably have a lot of names in mind for his assistants.
"We have not made any decisions," Fletcher said. "We are going to work together to hire the assistant coaches, we have had a conversation about this, we have not made a final decision yet, we have not really discussed many names other than the one for which we had agreed to work together to find the right group to surround it. "
Click here to download the MyTeams app from NBC Sports! Get complete coverage of your teams and easily play Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games on your device.
More on flyers
[ad_2]
Source link