Flyers Rumors: Latest Intel Has 4 Head Coaches Listed on Flyers' Radar

Rick Tocchet is among four names on the Flyers' radar to fill their head coaching vacancy

The Philadelphia Flyers continue their head coaching search after parting ways with John Tortorella near the end of their season after he admitted to the media that he was, essentially, tired of coaching a losing team. They're now in competition with a number of other teams, as there are currently seven NHL clubs looking for a new boss behind the bench. The latest intel names four coaches on the Flyers' radar.

Rick Tocchet a prime candidate to coach Flyers

Rick Tocchet

The former Vancouver Canucks bench boss is tops on the Flyers' list, for a number of reasons. He's a Philly legend as a player, and was a three-time All-Star with the team in 11 seasons there, bookending his career. He was also teammates with current team president Keith Jones and general manager Daniel Briere. Not only that, Tocchet just oozes Philly hockey.

Pat Ferschweiler

According to insider Kevin Weekes, Western Michigan's Ferschweiler has already interviewed in Philly, just a couple of weeks after leading the program to its first NCAA national championship.

Keith Jones played at Western Michigan, and it just so happens that Ferschweiler was his linemate. So, some deep connections here as well.

In his time at WMU, Ferschweiler has led the Broncos to a 104-50-26 record.

Is interim bench boss Brad Shaw a candidate for permanent Flyers head coach?

Brad Shaw

The 61-year-old took over as the interim coach for the last nine games of the season after Torts was shown the door, and led the team to a 5-3-1 record. His previous time as a head coach in the NHL was 20 years ago, for half a season with the NY Islanders.

"It has only been three years, but I love my time here. It's a unique city. I love the inherent pressure the fans put on you. I've never been booed more in three years in my life, but I think it's good."

- Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw https://t.co/lvTEJpjP0N
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) April 7, 2025

He's been an assistant in Philly for three years, and says he's "loved" his time there. "I love the inherent pressure the fans put on you. I've never been booed more in three years in my life, but I think it's good."

Jay McKee

Insider Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday that "he's another name on Philly's radar." McKee played 14 years in the NHL, mostly with the Buffalo Sabres, and is another former teammate of GM Briere. He's been coaching in the OHL in juniors, and has a league championship from 2022.