Two days removed from the biggest news in the Flyers organization since Peter Forsberg slipped on his orange and black sweater, I still see Ken Hitchcock’s firing as change for change’s sake. Yes, Bob Clarke’s resignation represents a significant shift in team philosophy – moving focus from lumbering, workmanlike veterans to young, swift scorers – and that shift suggests that the Flyers have finally decided to catch up with the “new NHL,” but the appointment of John Stevens, a noted developer of young talent – to replace Hitch strikes me as another in a long line of examples of prima donna athletes who need to be handled with kid gloves instead of extra large Bauers.
Already, reports from the hockey beats suggest that Stevens has brought an influx of relaxation to Flyers practices. Is that what the team really needs? Yes, millionaire hockey players are people too, but is it too much to ask when you expect them to have the competitive drive to take the coach’s marching orders, put their heads down, and play?
Time will tell if Stevens can get the most out of a team that is clearly talented but has as of yet underachieved – his first game is Thursday against Atlanta. I’m just hoping that Stevens’ coaching style includes as much “We’re going to do up-downs until Blue is no longer tired and thirsty” as it does “Don’t stop the pass; cradle it.” After all, if these guys can handle being ridden into the boards, they can handle having the coach on their case.