Not many fans foresaw that at the end of May, the only thing to talk about concerning the Philadelphia Flyers would be the team’s offseason plans. Yet with just a few days to go before June and the first round of the playoffs heating up, Flyers fans already are looking towards the summer.
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Alex Brandon/Associated Press
Welcome to the Bleacher Report NHL mailbag! It s the first of what I hope will be many.
The Stanley Cup playoffs are in full swing, and there is a ton of hockey action yet to come this summer via the NHL Entry Draft and the expansion draft. It s an exciting time in the NHL, and we received a ton of questions on a wide array of topics.
There is no shortage of opinions on the B/R app, so let s get to it and talk about the playoffs, the Seattle Kraken and rebuilds.
Dear Abby gave advice, but this Abbey gives you hockey.
Originally posted on Pro Hockey Rumors | By Brian La Rose | Last updated 5/14/21
With the Flyers going from finishing second in the Metropolitan Division a year ago (and then finishing first in the seeding games) to missing the playoffs this year, some wondered if head coach Alain Vigneault’s job may be in jeopardy. General manager Chuck Fletcher put an end to that speculation, telling Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (subscription link) that the veteran bench boss and his staff will be back behind the bench for Philadelphia next season. One element that Vigneault and his coaches will have to clean up is their defense as the Flyers went from being in the top 10 in goals allowed a season ago to dead last this season as no team allowed more goals than the Flyers which, coupled with a mid-tier attack, made for a tough year on the ice.
Report: Rangers get OK to interview Gerard Gallant for coaching job
Field Level Media
15 May 2021, 01:19 GMT+10
The New York Rangers plan to interview Gerard Gallant for their head coaching job, TSN reported.
The Vegas Golden Knights, who fired Gallant during the 2019-20 season, reportedly have granted permission.
A first conversation between the Rangers and Gallant was expected to take place quickly, before Gallant heads to Latvia to coach Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship, which runs from May 21-June 6.
Gallant, 57, was the first coach of the expansion Golden Knights and led them to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2017-18. The Washington Capitals won in five games.
Rangers hire Mike Grier to replace Brian Leetch, interview Gerard Gallant By Anthony Scultore Nov 9, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils assistant coaches Rick Kowalsky and Mike Grier look on from behind the bench as left wing Taylor Hall (9) and left wing Marcus Johansson (90) watch the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Rangers hire Mike Grier
The 46 year-old Mike Grier played 1060 games in the NHL for the Oilers, Sharks, Sabres, and Capitals. He scored 383 hard-working points in his role as a power winger. Grier spent some time behind the Devils bench as an assistant coach in 2018 for two seasons. He and Drury have a relationship dating back to their BU days.