The date is December 16th, 2018. The Dave Hakstol led Philadelphia Flyers held an awful 12-15-4 record, sitting at the basement of the Eastern Conference with 28 points. For the past three-plus seasons, Hakstol has stood tall behind the bench for Philly, helping them reach the playoffs twice. However, he was unable to escape the first round.
Flyers’ fans were then blessed with a news headline on December 17th, which, in hindsight, could alter the next decade for the franchise:
“After meeting this morning with Dave Hakstol and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to relieve him of his duties as head coach. As I continue to assess the team, I feel that this is the best course of action for our group moving forward. I’d like to thank Dave for his service to the team and the organization. Scott Gordon will serve as head coach on an interim basis.”
(New) General Manager Chuck Fletcher, Dec. 17, 2018
Soon enough, enter Scott Gordon. Gordon did well for the remainder of the season, helping to show the team’s potential. By the end of the year, the Flyers clawed back to a .500 record, but lost eight of their last ten. To make a long story short: Scott Gordon would serve better back in Lehigh Valley.
A quick nine days after their season ended, the Flyers found their man. Alain Vigneault was brought in to end the 44-year cup drought in Philadelphia. And now, we know the rest.
The Jack Adams award
For those who may not know, the Jack Adams award is essentially the coach of the year in the NHL. The trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.”
Last season, Barry Trotz took the crown. In one season, he took the basement-bound Islanders and turned them into a legitimate Eastern Conference threat. Trotz, who joined the Islanders in 2018-19 after coaching the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup during the previous season, helped New York post a 23-point improvement over 2017-18 and yield an NHL-low 196 goals.
Sound familiar?
AV’s case:
The case for Vigneault was lies in his personality. Aside from his low demeanor in press conferences that consist of many martinis, Vigneault brings that calmness into his locker room. His low-key vibe provides his players proper resting time, and he pushes his players when he needs to. Not only does this keep energy alive for a full season push, but it establishes trust in the locker room:
“I think his experience is most important in tie games, close games,” right winger Jake Voracek said last week. “When it goes down to the wire, he doesn’t lose his cool. He’s always real calm and I think that comes from past coaching. It’s been a fun change, and I think you can tell by the way we play” that the calmness translates to the players. “I think we’re playing better hockey than ever.”
Jake isn’t wrong, the Flyers are playing some of their best hockey in nearly a decade. After a big win against the Hurricanes last night, along with a Capitals overtime loss to the Rangers, the Flyers sit atop the Metropolitan division. But of course, it isn’t just personality alone that can spark this remarkable run.
Metrics
The reasoning doesn’t stop at his ability to stay as cool and collected in alll situations. Vigneault has installed a new system, which the players have bought into because of the established trust.
Just by the eye test, you can acknowledge Vigneault’s changes. Last season, the Flyers played a true dump and chase style. They would get pucks in deep, and wouldn’t do much after. This season, AV has their style varying game in and game out. Overall, however, he has brought a new and creative style of zone entries to table. In almost every instance, the Flyers will send one heavy forechecker, leaving a guy lingering backdoor and their third man, usually the center, almost at the blue line.
This may sound like a stretch, but it works. In fact, Ivan Provorv’s goal against the Hurricanes is a prime example:
Laughton forced that puck into a turnover, with their Thompson and Provorov waiting for it to hit their stick. Niskanen, their third man in this specific situation, floating wide. This gave Provorov space to work with, and the option to drive the net, shoot, or pass it for a solid back door chance. Along with this, having the extra man high encourages the D-men to join the play with comfort that another skater is back if need be.
Alain Vigneault brings this sense of creativity and originality to the table.
This mutual respect, trust and understanding has turned them from a basement 5-on-5 club into one that is among the top half of the league in a number of metrics. Because of that, Vigneault has also been able to author a significant season-over-season turnaround in Philadelphia. That in itself is flying under the radar as well. The Flyers had 82 points last season, while on pace for 106 this season. Similar to Trotz’s 23 point turnaround, AV’s potential 24 increase would be one of the largest improvements in the past three seasons.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
