Flyers Associate Coach Shaw Reportedly Candidate For Ducks’ Job

Flyers associate coach Brad Shaw is among the potential candidates for the Anaheim Ducks head-coaching job according to the Orange County Register.

The Flyers hired Shaw last summer. He spent the 2021-22 season with the Canucks as an assistant coach.

Other Ducks potential candidates include Jay Leach, Kirk Muller, Mike Vellucci and Trent Yawney, according to the Register. 

Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that former Ducks coach Mike Babcock could be a candidate. Babcock, 60, took the then-Mighty Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003.

Babcock also coached Anaheim in 2003-04 before leaving for the Red Wings. Babcock won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008. Babcock hasn’t coached in the NHL since 2020.

Shaw, 58, works behind the bench and with the Flyers’ defense. He previously worked with head coach John Tortorella in Columbus for five seasons, 2016-21.

“The familiarity in working closely with Brad in the past and knowing his approach to the game will be a big benefit to our club,” Tortorella said when Shaw was hired.

“Brad’s experience both as a former defenseman and the many years in the coaching ranks has allowed him to implement a style which make his teams hard to play against while allowing players to thrive in their role.”

Shaw has considerable NHL experience. He was an assistant coach for the Blues from 2006-07 to 2011-12 and an associate coach from 2012-13 to 2015-16.

He also finished the 2005-06 season as the Islanders head coach after starting the season as an assistant coach. His head-coaching record was 18-18-4 after replacing Steve Stirling, who was fired.

His first NHL job was in 1999-2000 as an assistant coach with the Lightning.

Shaw played 477 NHL games as a defenseman with the Hartford Whalers, Senators, Capitals and Blues. He scored 22 goals and had 137 assists. He was the Senators’ captain in 1993-94.

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Long Live The Whale

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he will meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to try to bring hockey back to Hartford.

Lamont has his eyes on the Arizona Coyotes. Voters in Tempe recently rejected a proposed new entertainment district that would include an arena. The Coyotes are scheduled to play next season in 5,000-seat Mullett Arena in Tempe, where they played this past season.

Coyotes letter to season-ticket holders pic.twitter.com/JOwnMYpZjy

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 18, 2023

Other cities that could be in play for a potential Coyotes move include Atlanta, Portland, Kansas City, Houston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Quebec City and Hamilton, Ontario, according to the Associated Press.

The Whalers left for North Carolina in 1997.

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Tonight’s Playoff Game:

Game 2: Panthers at Hurricanes, 8, TNT

Sunday’s Playoff Game:

Game 2: Stars at Golden Knights, 3, ABC