NHL Daily: Flyers’ Changes Keep Coming; L.A. Kings Are Rolling

The Philadelphia Flyers are going through a metamorphosis.

Hey, when you have won only one playoff series in 11 years, and when you will miss the playoffs for the third straight season, well, change is good.

Right?

The Flyers made a change at the top on Monday. Dave Scott, a classy man who is chairman of the Flyers’ parent company, Comcast Spectacor, announced he will retire after the season. Dan Hilferty will be his successor.

If you are scoring at home, in less than a year, the Philadelphia Flyers will have a new chairman, a new general manager, a new coach, and several new assistants.

This summer, they also figure to have several new players as the Great Rebuild picks up steam.

“Our No. 1 goal for the Flyers will be to consistently compete for the Stanley Cup,” Hilferty said.

It was refreshing that he said his goal was to compete for the Cup — and not just get into the playoffs. In recent years, too many Flyers front-office execs have lowered the standards of this once-proud franchise. Making the playoffs was their weak goal.

Hilferty is setting the bar high, which is good. He is also a realist, and that’s good, too.

“It’s going to take time to get on that path,” he said, “but I’m confident we are headed in the right direction with Danny Briere as our interim general manager, coach (John) Tortorella, and our hiring of a president of hockey operations soon.”

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers will have a new look in the front office, headed by Dan Hilferty, a former Independence Blue Cross president and CEO. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: A famous Flyers name — Shero — is making his mark in the scouting department. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers should try to sign this big free-agent center who plays for the University of Minnesota. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: Promising defenseman Emil Andrae signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Flyers. Danny Briere’s rebuild is in full swing. Philadelphia Flyers.

LA Hockey Now: The Kings have a franchise-record 12-game point streak (10-0-2) and could be a dangerous Western Conference team in the playoffs. Los Angeles Kings.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers again ran into penalty problems as they fell to Ottawa, 5-2. It was Florida’s fourth straight loss, and their playoff hopes are fading. Florida Panthers.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens nipped Buffalo in a shootout, 4-3, and moved to within two points of the Flyers in the draft-lottery derby. The Flyers host the Habs on Tuesday. Montreal Canadiens.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Isles moved three points ahead of the Penguins with  5-1 win over the Devils. Kyle Palmieri scored a pair of goals for New York, which has played two more games than Pittsburgh. New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Being in a tight playoff race will help the Penguins, the players say. Pittsburgh Penguins.