Flyers should give Ian Laperriere a look for next head coach

The Philadelphia Flyers fired John Tortorella on Thursday and named Brad Shaw the interim coach. Shaw, who previously served as the associate coach, will serve as the interim coach to close out the 2024-25 season.

The move comes just three days after Tortorella made comments about the Flyers’ future and how he didn’t know how to coach the team in a rebuilding.

“I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season, where we’re at right now,” Tortorella told the media in Toronto on Tuesday. Tortorella coached the Flyers to a 28-36-9 record through 73 games in 2024-25. The team sits second last in the Eastern Conference and is currently 1-8-1 over the past 10 games. 

Today on Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli listed Ian Laperriere as a possibility for the next head coaching job in Philly.

Laperriere has led the Flyers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, to a record of 98-92-30.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Do you think they’re going with a young and coming-up coach that can grow with the core?

Frank Seravalli: I think they should give a real long look to Ian Laperriere, who’s been coaching their minor league team in Lehigh Valley for the last couple of years. But I think he’s got the perfect temperament for what this team needs. He’s a well-established voice and name in the Philadelphia market. He’s someone that fans would get behind, and if you’re planning on having a few rough years, have someone that’s gonna drag some compete out of your team and is familiar with the development process because he’s been doing that in the AHL with the Phantoms. I think he’s earned the opportunity, and I’d love to see him get a look.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Yeah, I love that pick as well.

You can watch the full episode here…