QUICK HITS: AUGUST 11, 2017
1) After a decade in the Flyers organization as a power play and forwards coach, Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Mullen's contract was not renewed for the 2017-18 season. On June 7, the Flyers hired 38-year-old former Erie Otters head coach Kris Knoblauch to take over Mullen's role of coaching the forwards and the power play.
The Flyers' power play almost annually clicked near or above 20 percent during Mullen's tenure. However, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said he had a gut feeling it was time for a change. The power play went through a roller coaster season after a hot start in 2017-18, and finished at 19.5 percent (21.2 percent at home, 17.5 percent on the road).
One of the most common criticisms of the Flyers power play -- at least when it went cold -- was that it had become too predictable. The reality is that most teams' power plays are fairly predictable, especially with the heavy prescouting that is prevalent in today's game.
For example, when playing Washington, it's no secret that their number one option is to feed Alex Ovechkin for one-timers as often as possible. Every one knows it, but good luck stopping it. The same has often been true with the Flyers. No one is surprised when pucks are primarily funneled from Claude Giroux as the quarterback from the left half boards but, when the top unit has been clicking, knowing what the Flyers are trying to do and preventing them from doing it have been two separate issues.
Few teams have two comparably effective power play units. It is true that the Flyers are heavily geared toward the top unit with Giroux, Shayne Gostisbehere, Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek and whomever will play the role formerly occupied by Brayden Schenn (or Scott Hartnell before him). It's also true that the second unit has rarely done much with the fairly limited time they get on a typical two-minute advantage.
However, that tends to be the case with most clubs. The overall power play efficiency is ultimately what matters. No doubt there is room for the Flyers' second unit to improve under Knoblauch, but it is probably unrealistic to expect a huge jump in the number of power play the unit chips in over the course of the season.
Fortunately, as a team, the Flyers don't need a big surge in power play efficiency numbers. Even strength goal differential is where the bigger improvement is needed.
Even without a change in coach, the Flyers power play would be capable of getting back over the 20 percent mark next season. Connecting on 21 percent is usually good enough for a top-10 spot in the league, while 23 percent is usually right near the top. The Flyers were a 23 percent power play team (third in the NHL) during Mullen's tenure as recently as 2014-15.
Knoblauch, a rising star in the hockey coaching realm who is considered a potential future NHL head coach, will not have to be a miracle worker. A few tweaks here and there should suffice, and the rest comes down to the bottom line of the personnel executing. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Flyers maintain their familiar four-forward umbrella setup with Voracek sliding down from the right point to the circle or if they change the setup.
2) My summertime prospect profile series on the Flyers official website continues today with a look at Felix Sandström and his decision to play one additional season in Sweden. For more,
click here.
3) Aug 11 Flyers Alumni Birthday: Ken Linseman (1958).
4) Today in Flyers History: Aug. 11, 1980 -- The Flyers sell right winger John Paddock's contract to the Quebec Nordiques, ending his first stint in the organization. Paddock subsequently returned to the Flyers as a free agent during the 1982-83 season. After his playing days ended, "Too Tall" would have stints as head coach of the AHL's Maine Mariners and Hershey Bears, Flyers assistant GM under Bob Clarke in 1989-90, assistant GM under Paul Holmgren, Phantoms head coach, Flyers assistant coach and Flyers director of player personnel.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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