The John Tortorella era in Philly is officially over. After a brutal stretch where the Philadelphia Flyers failed to win in 14 straight games, the front office had seen enough. Associate coach Brad Shaw has stepped in for the final nine games, but nobody’s expecting him to be the long-term answer. So the big question now is, who’s next?
If the Flyers are serious about their “New Era of Orange,” they’ll need a bench boss who can connect with a young, talented roster—and steer them back into the playoff mix. And with a few high-profile names floating around the coaching market, the timing couldn’t be more interesting.
Jay Woodcroft: The proven fixer with a Playoff track record
If the Flyers want to flip the script fast, Jay Woodcroft checks all the boxes. He’s already shown he can walk into chaos and turn it into a playoff run. Just ask Edmonton. When he took over midseason in 2021–22, the Oilers were floundering—then he rattled off a 26-9-3 stretch and took them all the way to the Western Conference Final.
Across 133 games behind the Oilers’ bench, he posted a .643 points percentage—hardly the numbers of someone in over their head. His firing last season came after a brutal run of bad luck, not bad coaching. The save percentage dipped, the shooting dried up, and even McDavid and Draisaitl publicly backed him on the way out.
Woodcroft could bring structure and offensive flow to a Philly team that’s been stuck in neutral under a grind-it-out style. After two seasons of John Tortorella’s tough-love era, this would be a fresh reset—and a strong message that the Flyers are ready to play a different brand of hockey.
David Carle: The college coach with a winning blueprint
He’s young, he’s smart, and he’s got a track record of winning. David Carle, head coach at the University of Denver, has racked up two national titles (2022, 2024) and a 177-73-17 record since 2018.
Also, he was the one to captain Team USA to World Junior gold medals in 2024 and 2025.
There’s even a little Philly lineage in there. His brother, Matt Carle, was a key player in the Flyers’ Stanley Cup Final run in 2010. What really makes David stand out, though, is the way he can develop young players and build winners from the ground up. With top prospects like Matvei Michkov in the pipeline, Carle could be the forward-thinking addition the Flyers need.
Yes, he hasn’t coached an NHL game—but that might be the benefit. Philly might get the next Jon Cooper or Jared Bednar before he’s a household name.
Marc Savard: A modern mind for a young core
Marc Savard isn’t the flashiest name, but he’s got a system that screams 2025 hockey. Now an assistant with the Maple Leafs, Savard lets his skilled players play—emphasizing speed, creativity, and constant motion.
John Tortorella’s rigid structure often handcuffed Philly’s most talented guys. Under Savard, players like Morgan Frost, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink could finally unlock their upside.
He hasn’t run his own NHL bench yet, which could hold him back in the eyes of some execs. But if the Flyers want a coach who speaks the language of today’s NHL, Savard deserves a serious look.
Rick Tocchet: A familiar face—if things blow up in Vancouver
Tocchet is still employed… for now. But with the Canucks slipping out of playoff position and drama swirling in Vancouver, things could change quickly. If he becomes available, Philly might pick up the phone.
Tocchet played 621 games for the Flyers and still holds strong ties to the organization. Last season, he helped turn Vancouver into a gritty, structured playoff squad. But replacing one tough coach with another? That might not fly with a roster that just spent two seasons under John Tortorella’s no-nonsense rule.
Still, if Philly wants experience, edge, and someone who understands the city, Tocchet checks those boxes.
Mike Sullivan: The wild card with two cups
He’s got the rings. He’s got the resume. And he might be available. Mike Sullivan’s time in Pittsburgh could be nearing its end, especially with the Penguins stumbling toward a third straight playoff miss.
Sullivan led the Pens to back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017, and his offensive-first mindset could give Philly a major lift. But there’s a wrinkle—Sullivan is close with Tortorella. That connection might keep him off the Flyers’ radar… or maybe he’s exactly the kind of experienced voice they need.
With John Tortorella out and a young core taking shape, the Flyers are at a crossroads. Whether they go with a proven NHL name like Woodcroft, a rising star like Carle, or a bold thinker like Savard, this hire has to reflect the direction the organization wants to go.
They’ve called it a “New Era of Orange.” Now it’s time to prove it.
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