It’s that time again! The Philadelphia Flyers are in need of a new head coach after relieving Craig Berube of his duties on April 17. Here at Skate in the Crease, we’ve decided to look at potential candidates to be Berube’s successor. So, here we go:
Mike Babcock
I can’t think of a time when another head coach has been more sought after than what we’re seeing with Mike Babcock right now. Currently the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Babcock might be looking for a new situation in the summer. He’s been the behind the Red Wings bench since the summer of 2005, where he’s led them to a playoff berth in every single season (Seriously though, it’s been 20+ years since the Red Wings have missed the playoffs.) The Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009, winning against the Penguins in 2008. In his ten year span as coach of the Red Wings, Babcock has kept the Red Wings afloat with the retirements of Yzerman and Lidstrom, and the decline of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Before his tenure with the Red Wings, Babcock took the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 on the back of J.S. Giguere who won the Conn Smythe trophy. He became the second fastest NHL coach to reach 500 wins this season.
Success factor: 9/10
Three Stanley Cup appearances, one Stanley Cup victory, two Gold Medals (2010 and 2014). 2004 World Championship Gold Medal too.
Sexy factor: 10/10
Without a doubt, Babcock is the most attractive potential head coach on the market. He would look good in orange ties and shouting out instructions to Claude Giroux. Babcock is a winner and would certainly make the Flyers into a fine playoff-caliber team next season without even doing a thing.
The Flyers connection: 0/10
No connection whatsoever with the organization, which is wonderful.
Celebrity doppelganger: Olmec from Nickeleodon’s “Legends of the Hidden Temple”
Mike Babcock
I can’t think of a time when another head coach has been more sought after than what we’re seeing with Mike Babcock right now. Currently the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Babcock might be looking for a new situation in the summer. He’s been the behind the Red Wings bench since the summer of 2005, where he’s led them to a playoff berth in every single season (Seriously though, it’s been 20+ years since the Red Wings have missed the playoffs.) The Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009, winning against the Penguins in 2008. In his ten year span as coach of the Red Wings, Babcock has kept the Red Wings afloat with the retirements of Yzerman and Lidstrom, and the decline of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Before his tenure with the Red Wings, Babcock took the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 on the back of J.S. Giguere who won the Conn Smythe trophy. He became the second fastest NHL coach to reach 500 wins this season.
Success factor: 9/10
Three Stanley Cup appearances, one Stanley Cup victory, two Gold Medals (2010 and 2014). 2004 World Championship Gold Medal too.
Sexy factor: 10/10
Without a doubt, Babcock is the most attractive potential head coach on the market. He would look good in orange ties and shouting out instructions to Claude Giroux. Babcock is a winner and would certainly make the Flyers into a fine playoff-caliber team next season without even doing a thing.
The Flyers connection: 0/10
No connection whatsoever with the organization, which is wonderful.
Celebrity doppelganger: Olmec from Nickeleodon’s “Legends of the Hidden Temple”
Stone-faced, most of the time, if Mike Babcock ends up coaching the Flyers we’re certain at some point he’ll bring out the red eyed lasers too. We’re looking at you, Zac Rinaldo.
Odds of actually being hired: 3/10
I REALLY wanted to give a higher number here, but I just don’t see it. Babcock’s name is going to be floated all over the place from Buffalo to Tornoto to even Pittsburgh. The thing about Babcock is he wants more control in player personnel decisions, which is something I don’t see happening here in Philadelphia with Ron Hextall. That said, Ed Snider can throw millions of dollars Babcock’s way. You never know though, right?
Stone-faced, most of the time, if Mike Babcock ends up coaching the Flyers we’re certain at some point he’ll bring out the red eyed lasers too. We’re looking at you, Zac Rinaldo.
Odds of actually being hired: 3/10
I REALLY wanted to give a higher number here, but I just don’t see it. Babcock’s name is going to be floated all over the place from Buffalo to Tornoto to even Pittsburgh. The thing about Babcock is he wants more control in player personnel decisions, which is something I don’t see happening here in Philadelphia with Ron Hextall. That said, Ed Snider can throw millions of dollars Babcock’s way. You never know though, right?
Claude Julien
Another name floating out there is current Bruins head coach, Claude Julien, who might find himself out of a job pretty soon. The Bruins got rid of GM Peter Chiarelli and are in the process of hiring a new GM—who that might be, we don’t know yet, but it remains to be seen whether Julien will be back or not. Julien has coached the Bruins since 2008, and has previous stints in Montreal and New Jersey.
Success factor: 8/10
Two Stanley Cup appearances with the Boston Bruins, winning it all in 2011. He’s five wins away from reaching 400 wins in his NHL coaching career. Winner of the Jack Adams award in 2009. He was an assistant coach for the 2014 Olympics Canadian team.
Sexy factor: 7/10
Julien is an interesting case here. Yes, he’s won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins. But that was helped by having a pretty good core in Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron. Could he do the same with the likes of Mason, Giroux, Voracek, and Couturier?
The Flyers connection: 1/10
Claude Julien’s only connection with the Flyers organization is the fact that he coached Marty Biron’s junior team in 1997 when Hull won the Memorial Cup.
Celebrity doppelganger: Bill Dauterive
Odds of actually being hired: 3/10
I REALLY wanted to give a higher number here, but I just don’t see it. Babcock’s name is going to be floated all over the place from Buffalo to Tornoto to even Pittsburgh. The thing about Babcock is he wants more control in player personnel decisions, which is something I don’t see happening here in Philadelphia with Ron Hextall. That said, Ed Snider can throw millions of dollars Babcock’s way. You never know though, right?
Stone-faced, most of the time, if Mike Babcock ends up coaching the Flyers we’re certain at some point he’ll bring out the red eyed lasers too. We’re looking at you, Zac Rinaldo.
Odds of actually being hired: 3/10
I REALLY wanted to give a higher number here, but I just don’t see it. Babcock’s name is going to be floated all over the place from Buffalo to Tornoto to even Pittsburgh. The thing about Babcock is he wants more control in player personnel decisions, which is something I don’t see happening here in Philadelphia with Ron Hextall. That said, Ed Snider can throw millions of dollars Babcock’s way. You never know though, right?
Claude Julien
Another name floating out there is current Bruins head coach, Claude Julien, who might find himself out of a job pretty soon. The Bruins got rid of GM Peter Chiarelli and are in the process of hiring a new GM—who that might be, we don’t know yet, but it remains to be seen whether Julien will be back or not. Julien has coached the Bruins since 2008, and has previous stints in Montreal and New Jersey.
Success factor: 8/10
Two Stanley Cup appearances with the Boston Bruins, winning it all in 2011. He’s five wins away from reaching 400 wins in his NHL coaching career. Winner of the Jack Adams award in 2009. He was an assistant coach for the 2014 Olympics Canadian team.
Sexy factor: 7/10
Julien is an interesting case here. Yes, he’s won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins. But that was helped by having a pretty good core in Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara, and Patrice Bergeron. Could he do the same with the likes of Mason, Giroux, Voracek, and Couturier?
The Flyers connection: 1/10
Claude Julien’s only connection with the Flyers organization is the fact that he coached Marty Biron’s junior team in 1997 when Hull won the Memorial Cup.
Celebrity doppelganger: Bill Dauterive
The similarities are so uncanny!
Odds of actually being hired: 6/10
I like Julien. He’s a good coach and has had success in the NHL, even with the Devils in 2007 when he led them to 47 wins until Lou Lomarilleo fired him right before the playoffs. (Classic Lou!) Julien would be a good fit for the Flyers, considering they have a decent core and some defensive prospects working their way up the pipeline.
Odds of actually being hired: 6/10
I like Julien. He’s a good coach and has had success in the NHL, even with the Devils in 2007 when he led them to 47 wins until Lou Lomarilleo fired him right before the playoffs. (Classic Lou!) Julien would be a good fit for the Flyers, considering they have a decent core and some defensive prospects working their way up the pipeline.
Todd McLellan
Former head coach for the San Jose Sharks, Todd McClellan will certainly be looked as a candidate for the Flyers head coaching job. McClellan was just let go by San Jose two weeks ago, amidst rumors of a dysfunctional locker room and a strained relationship with former captain Joe Thornton—who was stripped of the captaincy last year. Prior to his coaching of the Sharks, which began in 2009, McLellan served as an assistant under MIKE BABCOCK! in Detroit. During his time in San Jose, the Sharks made the playoffs six out of the seven seasons, and managed to win the Pacific division in his first three seasons as coach.
Success factor: 5/10
Calder Cup victory in 2003 with the Houston Aeros. McLellan and the Sharks won the Presidents’ trophy in 2009. Two Western Conference Finals appearances, but no wins. They gave up a three game to zero series lead to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.
Sexy factor: 7/10
Despite the constant choking of the Sharks in the past couple of years, McLellan’s game plan is usually offensive oriented and he certainly would get the most out of Giroux and Voracek. What’s helpful in this interview process is the fact that he’s currently coaching Giroux, B. Schenn, and Sean Couturier for Team Canada at the World Championships in the Czech Republic. So think of it as an audition.
The Flyers connection: 1/10
He coached Flyers all-star Mark Cullen on the 2003 Calder Cup winning Houston Aeros. (Cullen only played three games for the Flyers in that famous 06-07 season.)
Celebrity doppelganger: Christopher Cousins (Ted Beneke from Breaking Bad)
Former head coach for the San Jose Sharks, Todd McClellan will certainly be looked as a candidate for the Flyers head coaching job. McClellan was just let go by San Jose two weeks ago, amidst rumors of a dysfunctional locker room and a strained relationship with former captain Joe Thornton—who was stripped of the captaincy last year. Prior to his coaching of the Sharks, which began in 2009, McLellan served as an assistant under MIKE BABCOCK! in Detroit. During his time in San Jose, the Sharks made the playoffs six out of the seven seasons, and managed to win the Pacific division in his first three seasons as coach.
Success factor: 5/10
Calder Cup victory in 2003 with the Houston Aeros. McLellan and the Sharks won the Presidents’ trophy in 2009. Two Western Conference Finals appearances, but no wins. They gave up a three game to zero series lead to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014.
Sexy factor: 7/10
Despite the constant choking of the Sharks in the past couple of years, McLellan’s game plan is usually offensive oriented and he certainly would get the most out of Giroux and Voracek. What’s helpful in this interview process is the fact that he’s currently coaching Giroux, B. Schenn, and Sean Couturier for Team Canada at the World Championships in the Czech Republic. So think of it as an audition.
The Flyers connection: 1/10
He coached Flyers all-star Mark Cullen on the 2003 Calder Cup winning Houston Aeros. (Cullen only played three games for the Flyers in that famous 06-07 season.)
Celebrity doppelganger: Christopher Cousins (Ted Beneke from Breaking Bad)
Look at that silver fox, who totally shagged Mrs. White.
Odds of actually being hired: 8/10
I do not like the idea of Todd McLellan being the Flyers next head coach. It scares me. Terrifies me. The fact that the Sharks never end made it to the Stanley Cup Finals during his tenure is a puzzle, particularly when Joe Thornton was one of the best playmakers in the entire league. On top of the lack of success, the rumors and reports of a locker room in turmoil and disarray is also scary as well. Finally, McLellan is an offensive minded coach—that’s quite the change from what Craig Berube preached for two seasons. With a defense in shambles like the Flyers, the last thing they need is another Peter Laviolette high-minded coach. That said, I think it happens. *Gulp*
Part II coming soon...
Odds of actually being hired: 8/10
I do not like the idea of Todd McLellan being the Flyers next head coach. It scares me. Terrifies me. The fact that the Sharks never end made it to the Stanley Cup Finals during his tenure is a puzzle, particularly when Joe Thornton was one of the best playmakers in the entire league. On top of the lack of success, the rumors and reports of a locker room in turmoil and disarray is also scary as well. Finally, McLellan is an offensive minded coach—that’s quite the change from what Craig Berube preached for two seasons. With a defense in shambles like the Flyers, the last thing they need is another Peter Laviolette high-minded coach. That said, I think it happens. *Gulp*
Part II coming soon...