Alain Vigneault Was The Safe Pick But The Right Pick For The Flyers
Mark one thing off the Flyers to do list for the offseason. After firing Dave Hakstol mid-season, the Flyers needed a new direction. A direction that was being lead by interim coach, Scott Gordon. But, instead of moving forward with Scott Gordon, the Flyers went with the more experienced and more proven head coach candidate.
Today, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher announced the organization hired former Canucks and Rangers head coach, Alain Vigneault, to be the new head coach of the team.
“We are extremely excited to have Alain join this franchise and lead our team behind the bench for many years to come,” said Fletcher. “He brings a tremendous amount of success over an extended period of time that will prove valuable to our team to take the next steps in returning the winning culture to the Philadelphia Flyers organization.”
Vigneault, who was fired by the Rangers after last season, sat out of coaching last season. After finishing last in the Metro Division with a 34-39-9 record, the Rangers moved on from Vigneault.
Sitting out the whole 2018-2019 season was a smart move for Vigneault. Still under contract with the Rangers, Vigneault was restricted to a team working out a deal with his former club or pay his full salary. Now, being a free agent coach, Vigneault wasn’t restricted and was a big name on the market.
Before being hired by the Flyers, Vigneault was working with team Canada and is the head coach for Canada at the 2019 World Championships. A roster that will feature some of Vigneault’s new players he will be coaching full-time starting next season.
Vigneault brings 1,216 games of experience as an NHL head coach to Philadelphia over parts of 16 seasons. Alain has also coached an additional 139 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In Vigneault’s 15 full seasons as a head coach, eight of his teams have finished with 100 points or better. A ninth team, Vancouver in 2012-13, achieved 59 points during the lockout-shortened campaign for a points percentage of .610, equivalent to a 100-point season. His teams have won seven division championships and have made the playoffs 11 times, advancing past the first round on eight of those occasions, and reaching the Stanley Cup Final twice (Vancouver, 2010-11 and NY Rangers, 2013-14). Three of Vigneault’s teams have earned the Presidents’ Trophy – Vancouver on two occasions, 2010-11 and 2011-12, and the New York Rangers in 2014-15.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next head coach of the Flyers,” said Vigneault. “The history they have established and the passionate fan base has made this a first-class franchise. I am excited to work with Chuck, the talented group of players, and the prospects coming up through the system in order to return Philadelphia to the top of the NHL landscape.”
After missing the post-season in 4 of the last 7 seasons, the Flyers needed a proven NHL coaching leader. Vigneault making the playoffs in 11 of his 16 season as a NHL head coach will help with that.
Vigneault’s style will also help with the Flyers transitioning into the new age of the NHL. Flyers teams of old played a more physical style of play. Playing out of their own zone transitioning into the offensive zone. Vigneault’s style of play is always offense first. Alain loves to get his defense to pinch & emphasizes quick transitions to move from defense to offense at high-speeds creating more odd-man rush opportunities.
Check head coach off the to do list. Next will be drafting the right player at # 11 in the draft.