A few weeks ago, it was reported by The Fourth Period’s Anthony Di Marco that Philadelphia Flyers associate coach, Brad Shaw, was potentially in the running for the head coaching positions in Anaheim and Washington.
However, as things stand today, it looks like Shaw will remain behind the bench for the Flyers as part of John Tortorella’s staff in 2023-24.
The Anaheim Ducks fired Dallas Eakins after 4 seasons behind the bench. It was one of those moves that you knew was on the horizon with the rebuilding Ducks faltering in his presence to a combined 100-147-44 record and never once finishing above .500, let alone higher than 6th in the Pacific Division.
After his successful start to his coaching career in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies, Eakins was dubbed as a future coaching sensation, however he has not been able to replicate that success at the NHL level. The Ducks replaced Eakins with Greg Cronin last Monday.
The Washington Capitals have been a regular season machine since 2007-08, making the playoffs in all but 2 of those seasons and claiming their sole Stanley Cup in 2017-18. Before 2022-23, the Capitals were ousted in 4 consecutive first rounds – 2 under Todd Reirden and 2 under Peter Laviolette.
Injuries and age finally caught up to the Capitals this season as they failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in 9 years, and that cost Laviolette his job. The Capitals ended up hiring Spencer Carbery, a former assistant coach in Toronto and former head coach for Washington’s AHL affiliate in Hershey.
Brad Shaw has been an assistant or associate coach at the NHL level since 1999-00. He had a stint as a head coach for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL between 2002-03 and 2004-05, however he returned back to the NHL as the assistant coach for the New York Islanders. He was given a brief opportunity as a head coach for the Islanders in 2005-06 when he replaced Steve Stirling midseason and finished the year 18-18-4.
Shaw then became an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues from 2006-07 to 2011-12, before being bumped to associate coach from 2012-13 to 2015-16. He joined John Tortorella in Columbus from 2016-17 to 2020-21 before making a quick pit stop in Vancouver in 2021-22 as Tortorella was without a coaching gig. They reunited in Philadelphia the following season, and he provided help for the defense and penalty kill this season and played a role in revitalizing players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Nick Seeler.
The only 2 vacancies remaining in the NHL belong to the Calgary Flames and the New York Rangers. The Flames just recently fired Darryl Sutter after not only failing to qualify for the playoffs, but also because the team was about to set out a mutiny against him. Whereas Gerard Gallant was let go in New York after their first round defeat to the New Jersey Devils and for his alleged rift with general manager, Chris Drury.
Peter Laviolette was the frontrunner at one point for the Rangers gig, which would represent his 5th Metropolitan Division team if he got the job.
Mike Babcock is also set to return to the NHL as the head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but an announcement won’t be made until the end of June.
At the end of the season, John Tortorella spent some time in the press box with Daniel Brière, which gave his associates and assistants the opportunity to head coach with the season about to conclude.
Brad Shaw’s first opportunity came on March 30th against the Ottawa Senators, a game in which the Flyers mounted a furious comeback only to fall 4-3 in overtime. They were severely outplayed and outshot, but woke up in the third period to force overtime. Shaw also coached the Flyers in a 6-3 loss against the Buffalo Sabres the next game.
2024 Stadium Series Trip
Flyers Nation and Philly Sports Trips have teamed up to bring you on an amazing bus trip to the 2024 NHL Stadium Series between the Flyers and Devils. Place an early deposit to reserve your spot at the ultimate tailgate experience at MetLife Stadium before the game. The package includes a game ticket, round-trip charter bus, an all-inclusive tailgate party with unlimited cold beverages, “Philly Style” catered food, live entertainment, and more.
