Exploring Options for the Next Flyers Head Coach

As the aftershocks of the firing of John Tortorella settle, the focus will shift to what comes after the final eight games of the season are played. The Flyers will need a new head coach for the 2025-26 season. 

The coaching search will certainly heat up once the offseason arrives, but for now, here’s an early look at candidates that are veterans that could be on the market, in-house options, and a couple outside the box candidates.

The Veterans

Rick Tocchet

If the Flyers are going to go the traditional ex-Flyer route, this seems like the most logical choice. Tocchet was linked to the Flyers before they hired Tortorella, and he’s going to be again. He’s currently with Vancouver, but not under contract for next season. The Canucks are still in a playoff race, but if they miss the playoffs, it’s certainly possible that Tocchet becomes a free agent himself.

The former Flyer played 1,144 games in his NHL career, scoring 440 goals and 952 points. In 621 games over 11 seasons with the Flyers, Tocchet had 232 goals and 508 points.

Tocchet, 60, has nine seasons of coaching experience. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008 to 2010. He was the head coach of the Arizona Coyotes from 2017 to 2021. He has been the head coach of the Vancouver Canuck since midway through the 2022-23 season.

In his coaching career, Tocchet has a 282-261-85 record in 628 games.

Mike Sullivan

If the Penguins were to make a change, could John Tortorella’s best buddy behind the benches become the next Flyers coach? 

Sullivan, 56, has been the Penguins coach for the last 10 seasons after serving as a long-time assistant for Tortorella. He has won two Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, his first two seasons with Pittsburgh. He has a 404-252-88 record in 744 games with the Penguins.

Sullivan also coached the Boston Bruins in 2003-04 and 2005-06. In 164 games, he had a 70-56-15-23 record.

Jay Woodcroft

Remember those visits to Flyers training camp back in September? Jay Woodcroft is still without a team as the 2024-25 season winds down. Could he be next in line for the Flyers?

Woodcroft’s only NHL head coaching experience has come with the Edmonton Oilers from 2021 to 2024. In 133 games, he had a 79-41-13 record.

Woodcroft was a long-time assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks before joining the Edmonton organization as the head coach of the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL from 2018 to 2021, when he took over on an interim basis following the firing of Dave Tippett.

In-House Options

Brad Shaw

Is it possible that the Flyers already have their next head coach? Brad Shaw takes over in the interim, and there was some speculation that Shaw could be the heir apparent to Tortorella if he decided to move into a management role.

Shaw, 60, now gets the chance to coach the remainder of this season. He also coached 40 games for the New York Islanders in the 2005-06 season with an 18-18-4 record.

Ian Laperriere

Another in-house option is about 90 minutes away in Lehigh Valley. Ian Laperriere has been with the Flyers organization since the 2009-10 season. 

Laperriere, 51, officially joined the Flyers organization on the coaching side in the 2012-13 season as director of player development. In 2013, he started serving as an assistant coach with the Flyers.

Laperriere has also been the head coach of the Phantoms since the 2021-22 season.

Outside the Box Candidates

David Carle

One of the rising stars of the hockey coaching world is David Carle. Carle has been the head coach at University of Denver since 2018, winning a National Championship in 2022 and 2024.

Carle, 35, has also served as the head coach of the US World Junior team in 2024 and 2025, helping them to gold medals both years.

Carle’s brother, Matt, had an 11-year NHL career, spending four seasons with the Flyers from 2008 to 2012.

Todd Nelson

If the Flyers are looking to tap into the AHL ranks outside of the organization, Todd Nelson is a name to watch. Nelson, 55, has been the head coach of the Hershey Bears since 2022, winning back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Nelson has also served as an assistant coach for the Edmonton Oilers from 2010 to 2014 and the Dallas Stars from 2018 to 2022. Nelson was also the interim head coach of the Oilers in the 2014-15 season after the firing of Dallas Eakins.