Ex-Flyers Coach John Stevens One Win Away From Another Stanley Cup

Former Flyers head coach John Stevens is one victory away from having his name engraved on the Stanley Cup for the third time — all since being fired by the Flyers in December 2009.

Stevens is an assistant coach with the Vegas Golden Knights, who lead the Stanley Cup finals, 3-1, over Florida. Game 5 is Tuesday in Vegas.

Stevens runs the Vegas penalty kill, a major reason the Golden Knights are so close to winning the Cup.

The Golden Knights came into the Panthers’ series killing only 62 percent of power plays. They were torched in the previous round by the Oilers. But the Golden Knights haven’t allowed a power-play goal to Florida in 13 chances.

Stevens coached the Flyers starting in 2006-07. He replaced Ken Hitchcock early in the season. He was 120-109-34 as the Flyers’ coach. In 2004-05, Stevens was the head coach as the Phantoms won the Calder Cup.

Stevens was on the Los Angeles Kings’ staff from 2010-19, winning two Cups under head coach Darryl Sutter, in 2012 and 2014. Stevens then was an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars for three seasons. This is his first year in Vegas. It’s already a memorable one.

Huffman Honored In Hometown

Former Flyers defenseman Kerry Huffman was enshrined in the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame in Ontario on Saturday night.

Huffman, a Peterborough native, was the Flyers’ first-round pick in 1986, the 20th pick overall. He played 207 games in seven seasons with the Flyers. He also played three seasons in Ottawa and two seasons in Quebec.

He was the Phantoms’ assistant coach from 2016-21. Huffman had a distinguished junior career that included a Memorial Cup title with the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Platers.

“Mom and Dad made so many sacrifices for us playing youth hockey,” Huffman said at the enshrinement ceremonies, as reported by the Toronto Star.

“All my friends and guys I played with I’m still in close contact with. All the coaches I had from Ab Allen all the way through to Terry Bovair there were some really great people who influenced me.”

In October 2022, he was named Penguins’ director of professional scouting. He was fired two weeks ago along with Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall, when new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas was hired.

Fletcher To Cover Draft

Former Flyers general manager and president of hockey operations Chuck Fletcher, fired in March, will be on the main desk of Sportsnet’s coverage of the NHL draft.

Fletcher landed the Flyers’ job in December 2018. He replaced Ron Hextall.

Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Could Nolan Patrick get his name on the Stanley Cup if Vegas wins?

Piece of Flyers’ history could be taken by Golden Knights.

NHL Draft, In Case You Missed It:

Connor Bedard is ‘going to exceed’ expectations.

Stanley Cup Finals:

Vegas leads series, 3-1

Who: Florida Panthers at Vegas Golden Knights

What: Game 5

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

TV: TNT

Game 6 (if necessary): Vegas at Florida, 8 p.m. Friday

Game 7 (if necessary): Florida at Vegas, 8 p.m., Monday, June 19

Around The National Hockey Network:

Vegas Hockey Now: Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo could face a suspension for leaving the penalty box during the melee at the end of Game 4.

Florida Hockey Now: Injured Matthew Tkachuk gives Panthers everything he has. Panthers return to Vegas in survival mode, down 3-1 in the Stanley Cup finals.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Charles Barkley said former Sabre Jack Eichel “had zero idea who I was.”

Calgary Hockey Now: Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin is the subject of trade rumors.

Chicago Hockey Now: Connor Bedard is impressive at combine fitness tests.

Detroit Hockey Now: Taking a look at Red Wings goalie Ville Husso’s future.

Los Angeles Hockey Now: After trading Cal Petersen to Flyers, Kings have to address goaltending situation.

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens have options with their second first-round pick.

San Jose Hockey Now: Will Smith, one of the top prospects in the draft, denies he visited San Jose. The Sharks have the No. 4 pick.

Washington Hockey Now: The Hershey Bears, a Capitals affiliate, is down 2-0 in the Calder Cup finals to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Hershey was a Flyers’ affiliate from 1984-96.