PHILADELPHIA – While not many would consider Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw a strong candidate to be the next permanent coach, he isn’t ruling out the possibility.
After Thursday’s firing of head coach John Tortorella, the team’s associate coach suggested he wants to see how these final eight games play out before tossing his hat in the ring.
The Flyers certainly made a good first impression by taking care of a Montreal team still in the playoff chase with a resounding 6-4 win at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
Would he take the job if it were offered?
“I came to Philly to be an assistant coach with John,” Shaw, 60, said after the game. “I never really put a lot of thought into head coaching because I had never planned on it.
“But now that it’s here, I have these nine games (eight after Thursday night) to see how good we can get those nine games to be. We check one off the list tonight. It’s been a long time since I ran a team. I told myself I was going to enjoy it (the Flyers experience), the last nine games. If it goes longer than that, then great. But right now just trying to take this team to a point where we can build something somewhat positive into the offseason and then get way better next year.”
When Shaw learned the news on Thursday morning, he had mixed emotions. He’s been Tortorella’s assistant for a number of years, so he has a certain amount of allegiance to the man.
“Crazy,” replied Shaw when asked to describe the emotions of the day. “He’s been a real mentor in my career as a coach. A very bittersweet. . .a real bittersweet day in so many ways, an emotional rollercoaster. But once the day starts rolling, you’re prepping.
“I got lots of support from the staff. We kept things mostly status quo. We weren’t interested in doing much tinkering. I thought the guys played hard and played smart. Obviously we finished more plays at the net, reaped the benefits.”
Captain Sean Couturier, who enjoyed a two-goal game, said the start of the day wasn’t easy.
“It’s probably a shock,” Couturier said. “I mean it’s tough but I think we’re all responsible at some point for the way the season has gone. I just think it’s time to regroup, move on and try to build something for the rest of the season. Try to go into the summer feeling somewhat good and bring it into next year.”
The Flyers showed up for the morning skate at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J. not knowing about the news of the coach’s dismissal.
“We had a meeting with management,” Couturier disclosed. “And it was announced to us.”
With Tortorella out of the picture, it might be up to some of the team leaders to step up and take a bigger share of the direction this team is going.
“As a team I think we got younger,” Couturier said. “I think it’s time for some guys to show what they’re made of. Play loose. Just have fun out there. At the same time, stay accountable to each other. Make sure it doesn’t become a free-for-all.
“ ‘Torts’ built a good foundation for the young guys and the older guys as well to kind of be accountable and how to handle yourself as a pro. We have to keep that philosophy but at the same time maybe mold into our own image from now on.”
It would appear the Flyers will play these last eight games with a little less nerves on edge.
Travis Sanheim has been through coaching changes before. They’re never easy and seldom leave a good taste.
“Obviously a tough day today,” he said. “But for the guys to show up the way they did tonight feels pretty good. Happy to be on the winning side.”
Sanheim said Tortorella taught him a lot so from a personal standpoint the change didn’t make it too much of a positive thing for him.
“Me especially,” the defenseman said. “Taught us a lot. Had some hard times with him but made me a better player. I’m really thankful for the time I had with him. Probably wouldn’t be where I was this year – the 4 Nations – without his coaching and pushing me to be a better player and a harder player to play against.
“I’ll always be thankful for that. At the same time, it’s a business so we have to move forward. I think we’re happy with the results tonight, hope we can keep building.”
Sanheim confirmed the Flyers played with a bit more abandon compared to the bad losses at Chicago and Toronto, where the team looked very tight.
“I think when you don’t win games it becomes challenging,” he said. “You’re not playing loose because you don’t have the confidence. Probably helps to come back to home ice. I thought the guys played great. Made some plays, had some fun out there.”
In a way, having a game to play was a bit of a relief. No time to dwell on personnel moves.
“It’s been a challenging day,” Sanheim agreed. “Go out, have some fun, play hockey, get your mind off other stuff. Come together as a group and try to push this thing forward.”
