1997–98 Philadelphia Flyers season

1997–98 Philadelphia Flyers
Division 2nd Atlantic
Conference 3rd Eastern
1997–98 record 42–29–11
Home record 24–11–6
Road record 18–18–5
Goals for 242
Goals against 193
Team information
General Manager Bob Clarke
Coach Wayne Cashman
(to Mar 9)
Roger Neilson
(from Mar 9)
Captain Eric Lindros
Alternate captains Rod Brind'Amour
Eric Desjardins
Arena CoreStates Center
Average attendance 19,519[1]
Minor league affiliations Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)[2]
Team leaders
Goals John LeClair (51)
Assists Eric Lindros (41)
Points John LeClair (89)
Penalties in minutes Dan Kordic (210)
Plus/minus John LeClair (+30)
Wins Ron Hextall (21)
Goals against average Ron Hextall (2.17)
<1996–97 1998–99>

The 1997–98 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers 31st season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost their quarterfinal series with the Buffalo Sabres in five games.

Off-season

Less than a week after losing game four of the Stanley Cup Finals, head coach Terry Murray was fired.[3] San Jose Sharks assistant coach Wayne Cashman was named his replacement on July 7, 1997.[4]

The Flyers made two major acquisitions during the summer. On July 14, unrestricted free agent defenseman Luke Richardson, formerly of the Edmonton Oilers, signed a five-year, $12.6 million contract.[5] A month later the Flyers signed Group II restricted free agent centerman Chris Gratton of the Tampa Bay Lightning to a five-year, $16.5 million offer sheet which included a $9 million signing bonus.[6] However, Tampa Bay claimed they had traded Gratton to the Chicago Blackhawks before the Flyers had signed Gratton.[6] An arbitrator dismissed this and another claim that the offer sheet was illegible because the contract figures were smeared.[7] Fearing Tampa Bay would match, the Flyers agreed to send defenseman Karl Dykhuis and right winger Mikael Renberg to the Lightning in exchange for the four first-round picks Tampa Bay would receive if they did not match.[7]

34-year-old forward Dale Hawerchuk announced his retirement on August 25, 1997, due to a degenerative left hip.[8]

Regular season

With the acquisitions of Gratton and Richardson, the Flyers were expected to make another Stanley Cup run. A 7–3–1 start came crashing down as the Devils posted a 5–0 road win on October 27. Although the club finished the calendar year with an 8–0 strafing of Vancouver on New Year's Eve and began 1998 with a 7–2 road win over Ottawa, there were signs of trouble for Wayne Cashman's team - notably bad shutout home losses to San Jose in November and Boston in early December.

In a move which shocked many in Philadelphia and around the NHL, Cashman was reassigned as assistant coach and Roger Neilson elevated to head coach following a 4–3 overtime victory against Pittsburgh on March 8.[9]

The decision didn't seem to pay off, and after a 5–4 overtime win over the New York Rangers on March 22, the team limped to a 6–8–0 finish, including back-to-back 2–1 losses to the Rangers and Bruins to end the year.

On April 13 in a nationally-televised 2–1 loss in Buffalo, John LeClair scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the first American-born player to score 50 goals in three straight seasons.

Season standings

Atlantic Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils 82 48 23 11 225 166 107
2 Philadelphia Flyers 82 42 29 11 242 193 95
3 Washington Capitals 82 40 30 12 219 202 92
4 New York Islanders 82 30 41 11 212 225 71
5 New York Rangers 82 25 39 18 197 231 68
6 Florida Panthers 82 24 43 15 203 256 63
7 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 17 55 10 151 269 44
Eastern Conference[10]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 48 23 11 225 166 107
2 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 40 24 18 228 188 98
3 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 42 29 11 242 193 95
4 Washington Capitals ATL 82 40 30 12 219 202 92
5 Boston Bruins NE 82 39 30 13 221 194 91
6 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 36 29 17 211 187 89
7 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 37 32 13 235 208 87
8 Ottawa Senators NE 82 34 33 15 193 200 83
9 Carolina Hurricanes NE 82 33 41 8 200 219 74
10 New York Islanders ATL 82 30 41 11 212 225 71
11 New York Rangers ATL 82 25 39 18 197 231 68
12 Florida Panthers ATL 82 24 43 15 203 256 63
13 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 17 55 10 151 269 44

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Playoffs

In a season in which the Flyers despite a hard fall to the Detroit Red Wings the previous year were heavily favored to repeat as Eastern champs and return to the Finals, they never came close, as they were dominated in the first round by the Buffalo Sabres in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

1997–98 regular season[11]

Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

1998 Stanley Cup playoffs

Legend:       Win       Loss

Player statistics

Skaters

Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
10 LeClair, JohnJohn LeClair 28 LW 82 51 36 87 30 32 5 1 1 2 −4 8
17 Brind'Amour, RodRod Brind'Amour 27 LW 82 36 38 74 −2 54 5 2 2 4 2 7
88 Lindros, EricEric Lindros 24 C 63 30 41 71 14 134 5 1 2 3 −3 17
55 Gratton, ChrisChris Gratton 22 C 82 22 40 62 11 159 5 2 0 2 −1 10
20 Klatt, TrentTrent Klatt 27 RW 82 14 28 42 2 16 5 0 0 0 −6 0
44 Niinimaa, JanneJanne Niinimaadouble-dagger 22 D 66 3 31 34 6 56
9 Zubrus, DainiusDainius Zubrus 19 RW 69 8 25 33 29 42 5 0 1 1 2 4
37 Desjardins, EricEric Desjardins 28 D 77 6 27 33 11 36 5 0 1 1 −3 0
77 Coffey, PaulPaul Coffey 36 D 57 2 27 29 3 30
19 Daigle, AlexandreAlexandre Daigledagger 22 RW 37 9 17 26 −1 6 5 0 2 2 0 0
25 Podein, ShjonShjon Podein 29 RW 82 11 13 24 8 53 5 0 0 0 −1 10
11 Sillinger, MikeMike Sillingerdagger 26 C 27 11 11 22 3 16 3 1 0 1 1 0
12 Forbes, ColinColin Forbes 21 LW 63 12 7 19 2 59 5 0 0 0 2 2
6 Therien, ChrisChris Therien 26 D 78 3 16 19 5 80 5 0 1 1 −1 4
45 Prospal, VaclavVaclav Prospaldouble-dagger 22 C 41 5 13 18 −10 17
23 Svoboda, PetrPetr Svoboda 31 D 56 3 15 18 19 83 3 0 1 1 −1 4
15 Falloon, PatPat Falloondouble-dagger 25 RW 30 5 7 12 3 8
29 Otto, JoelJoel Otto 36 C 68 3 4 7 −2 78 5 0 0 0 −1 0
3 McGillis, DanDan McGillisdagger 25 D 13 1 5 6 −4 35 5 1 2 3 0 10
22 Richardson, LukeLuke Richardson 28 D 81 2 3 5 7 139 5 0 0 0 −3 0
32 Lacroix, DanielDaniel Lacroix 28 C 56 1 4 5 0 135 4 0 0 0 0 4
26 Druce, JohnJohn Druce 31 RW 23 1 2 3 0 2 2 0 0 0 −1 2
28 Samuelsson, KjellKjell Samuelsson 39 D 49 0 3 3 9 28 1 0 0 0 1 0
21 Kordic, DanDan Kordic 26 LW 61 1 1 2 −4 210
24 Joseph, ChrisChris Joseph 28 D 15 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
14 Darby, CraigCraig Darby 25 C 3 1 0 1 0 0
27 Hextall, RonRon Hextall 33 G 46 0 0 0 N/A 10 1 0 0 0 N/A 0
30 Snow, GarthGarth Snowdouble-dagger 28 G 29 0 0 0 N/A 18
18 Myhres, BranttBrantt Myhresdaggerdouble-dagger 23 RW 23 0 0 0 −1 169
33 Burke, SeanSean Burkedagger 31 G 11 0 0 0 N/A 0 5 0 0 0 N/A 0
44 Babych, DaveDave Babychdagger 36 D 6 0 0 0 2 12 5 1 0 1 2 4
38 Healey, PaulPaul Healey 22 RW 4 0 0 0 0 12

Goaltenders

Regular season Playoffs
No. Player Age GP W L T SO GA SV% GAA MIN GP W L SO GA SV% GAA MIN
27 Hextall, RonRon Hextall 33 46 21 17 7 4 97 .911 2.17 2688 1 0 0 0 1 .875 3.00 20
30 Snow, GarthGarth Snowdouble-dagger 28 29 14 9 4 1 67 .902 2.43 1651
33 Burke, SeanSean Burkedagger 31 11 7 3 0 1 27 .913 2.56 632 5 1 4 0 17 .860 3.60 283

Awards and records

Awards

League awards and honors
Award or honor Recipient Notes Ref
NHL First All-Star Team John LeClair (Left Wing) [12]
NHL Player of the Week John LeClair (November 10) [13]
Selected to NHL All-Star Game John LeClair Voted starting Wing of North American team [14][15]
Eric Lindros Voted starting Center of North American team
Team awards[16]
Award Recipient
Barry Ashbee Trophy Eric Desjardins
Bobby Clarke Trophy John LeClair
Class Guy Award Trent Klatt
Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy Colin Forbes

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 1997, the day after the deciding game of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 16, 1998, the day of the deciding game of the 1998 Stanley Cup Finals.[17]

Trades

Date Details Ref
June 18, 1997 To Philadelphia Flyers
rights to Martin Cerven
To Edmonton Oilers
7th-round pick in 1997
[18]
June 21, 1997 To Philadelphia Flyers
2nd-round pick in 1998
To Dallas Stars
3rd-round pick in 1997
[19]
August 20, 1997 To Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia's 1st-round pick in 1998
Philadelphia's 1st-round pick in 1999
Philadelphia's 1st-round pick in 2000
Philadelphia's 1st-round pick in 2001
To Tampa Bay Lightning
Karl Dykhuis
Mikael Renberg
[7]
October 15, 1997 To Philadelphia Flyers
rights to Brantt Myhres
To Edmonton Oilers
Jason Bowen
[20]
October 21, 1997 To Philadelphia Flyers
Mike Maneluk
To Ottawa Senators
future considerations
[21]
January 17, 1998 To Philadelphia Flyers
Alexandre Daigle
To Ottawa Senators
Pat Falloon
Vaclav Prospal
2nd-round pick in 1998
[22]
February 5, 1998 To Philadelphia Flyers
Mike Sillinger
To Vancouver Canucks
conditional 6th-round pick in 1998[a]
[23]
March 4, 1998 To Philadelphia Flyers
Sean Burke
To Vancouver Canucks
Garth Snow
[24]
March 9, 1998[b] To Philadelphia Flyers
Roger Neilson
To St. Louis Blues
conditional 6th-round pick in 1999
[25]
March 24, 1998 To Philadelphia Flyers
Dave Babych
Philadelphia's 6th-round pick in 1998
To Vancouver Canucks
3rd-round pick in 1998
[26]
March 24, 1998 To Philadelphia Flyers
Dan McGillis
2nd-round pick in 1998
To Edmonton Oilers
Janne Niinimaa
[26]
Trade notes

Signings

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).

Date Player Previous team (league) Contract details Notes Ref
July 10, 1997 Jamie Heward Toronto Maple Leafs 1 year* [27]
July 14, 1997 Luke Richardson Edmonton Oilers 5 years, $12.6 million [5]
September 4, 1997 Chris Joseph Vancouver Canucks 1 year Option for second year [28]
May 18, 1998 Ryan Bast Saint John Flames (AHL) 2 years, $1.85 million* [29][30]

Offer sheets

The Flyers signed the following restricted free agents to offer sheets.

Date Player Team Contract details Result Ref
August 12, 1997 Chris Gratton Tampa Bay Lightning 5 years, $16.5 million Not matched [6][7]

Re-signed

The following players were re-signed by the Flyers. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).

Date Player Contract details Notes Ref
June 12, 1997 Jim Montgomery 3 years* [31]
June 18, 1997 Kjell Samuelsson 1 year, $1.22 million [32]
July 15, 1997 Craig Darby 2 years* [33]
July 15, 1997 Neil Little 1 year* [33]
July 18, 1997 Brett Bruininks 1 year* [34]
August 18, 1997 Garth Snow 1 year, $675,000 Salary arbitration award [35]
September 3, 1997 Dan Kordic 2 years, $950,000 [36]
September 12, 1997 Chris Therien 3 years, $3.7 million [37]
October 16, 1997 Brantt Myhres 1 year* Acquired in October 15 trade
October 17, 1997 John LeClair 3 years, $10 million Replaced remaining 3 years on previous contract [38]
December 17, 1997 Eric Lindros 1 year, $8.5 million extension Included $3.8 million signing bonus [39]

Entry level contracts

The following players — Flyers draft picks, undrafted free agents, and the unsigned draft picks of other teams — were signed by the Flyers to entry level contracts.

Date Player Previous team (league) Draft Contract details Ref
July 9, 1997 Jean-Marc Pelletier Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) 1997 2nd-round pick [40]
July 10, 1997 Martin Cerven Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) 1995 7th-round pick (Edmonton) 3 years [27]
July 16, 1997 Travis VanTighem Michigan Technical University (WCHA) Undrafted free agent 1 year [41]

NHL Waiver Draft

The 1997 NHL Waiver Draft was held on September 28, 1997.[42][43] Each NHL team placed 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders on a protected list from which the other teams could not select.[42] First-year professional players were exempt.[42]

The Flyers left the following players unprotected:[44] goaltenders Neil Little and Dominic Roussel, defensemen Jason Bowen, Aris Brimanis, Jamie Heward, and John Stevens, and forwards Frank Bialowas, Bruce Coles, Scott Daniels, Craig Darby, John Druce, Dale Hawerchuk, Patrik Juhlin, Shawn McCosh, Jim Montgomery, and Peter White.

Selections involving the Philadelphia Flyers at the 1997 NHL Waiver Draft[42]
Pick Player Selected by Selected from
2 Scott Daniels New Jersey Devils Philadelphia Flyers

Departures

The following players left the team via free agency, release, or retirement. Players who were under contract and left the team during the season are marked with an asterisk (*).

Date Player New team (league) Via Notes Ref
August 25, 1997 Dale Hawerchuk Retirement [8]
N/A Patrik Juhlin Jokerit (Liiga) Free agency [45]
November 25, 1997 Michel Petit Phoenix Coyotes Free agency [46]
April 14, 1998 Brantt Myhres* Release Signed with San Jose Sharks on September 11, 1998[47] [48]

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 21, 1997.[49]

Players drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1997 and their NHL career regular season statistics
Round Pick Player Position Nationality Team (league) GP G A Pts PIM W L T GAA Notes
2 30 Pelletier, Jean-MarcJean-Marc Pelletier Goaltender  United States Cornell University (ECAC) 7 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 3.90 [a]
2 50 Kavanagh, PatPat Kavanagh Right Wing  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL) 14 2 0 2 4 &
&
&
&
3 62 Mallette, KrisKris Mallette Defense  Canada Kelowna Rockets (WHL) &
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
[b]
4 103 Chernov, MikhailMikhail Chernov Defense  Russia Torpedo Yaroslavl (RUS) &
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
6 158 Flodell, JordonJordon Flodell Defense  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) &
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
7 164 Fedoruk, ToddTodd Fedoruk Left Wing  Canada Kelowna Rockets (WHL) 545 32 65 97 1050 &
&
&
&
[c]
8 214 Kauppinen, MarkoMarko Kauppinen Defense  Finland JYP Jr. (FIN) &
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
9 240 Styf, ParPar Styf Defense  Sweden Modo Hockey Jrs. (SWE) &
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
Draft notes[50]

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL.[2][51]

References

General
Specific
  1. "All Time Team Attendance". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "AHL Franchise Statistics". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  3. Bowen, Les (June 14, 1997). "Where There's Choke There's Fire". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  4. Moran, Edward (July 8, 1997). "Wayne Manner". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Panaccio, Tim (July 15, 1997). "Flyers Get Their Man: Richardson". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 Panaccio, Tim (August 14, 1997). "Flyers In A Fight For Gifted Forward". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Panaccio, Tim; Jensen, Mike (August 21, 1997). "Trade Seals Flyers' Deal With Gratton". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Panaccio, Tim (August 26, 1997). "Hip Injury Forces Hawerchuk To Retire". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. Panaccio, Tim (March 10, 1998). "All The Right Moves? All Sides Endorse Flyers' Changes". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  10. "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  11. "1997-1998 Regular Season Schedule/Results - Philadelphia Flyers - Schedule". Philadelphia Flyers.
  12. 2014–15 NHL Official Guide & Record Book, p. 230–32
  13. Panaccio, Tim (November 11, 1997). "At Last, Richardson Settles In At Blue Line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  14. "48th NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  15. "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  16. "Flyers History – Team Awards". P.Anson. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  17. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  18. Bowen, Les (June 19, 1997). "Cashman To Make His Pitch?". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  19. Panaccio, Tim (June 22, 1997). "Backup Goalie From Cornell Is Flyers' Top Draft Choice". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  20. Bowen, Les (October 16, 1997). "Forbes Answers Call For Beat-up Flyers". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  21. Bowen, Les (October 22, 1997). "Ulanov Sticks It To Lindros One More Time". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  22. McKee, Don (January 18, 1998). "Flyers Acquire Speedy Daigle From Senators". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  23. Panaccio, Tim (February 6, 1998). "Flyers Get Sillinger In Deal With Canucks". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  24. Bowen, Les (March 5, 1998). "Flyers Net Burke In Trade For Snow". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  25. Luecking, Dave (March 10, 1998). "BLUES HIT WITH A `CURVEBALL' AS NEILSON LEAVES TO TAKE OVER AS HEAD COACH OF FLYERS". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  26. 1 2 3 Panaccio, Tim (March 25, 1998). "Flyers' Niinimaa Traded To Edmonton". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  27. 1 2 Panaccio, Tim (July 11, 1997). "Six Flyers Cash In On Pay Incentives". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  28. Bowen, Les (September 5, 1997). "Vet Defenseman Joseph Signed By Flyers". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  29. Bowen, Les (May 19, 1998). "Flyers' Signing Sparks Debate". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  30. Panaccio, Tim (October 14, 1998). "Klatt Clears Waivers But Is Still In Limbo". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  31. Bowen, Les (June 13, 1997). "Today's The Day? Flyers' Murray Expects To Get Answer". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  32. Panaccio, Tim (June 19, 1997). "Cashman, Clarke Are Likely To Meet". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  33. 1 2 "Crawford To Coach Canada In Olympics". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 16, 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  34. "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. July 19, 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  35. Miles, Gary (August 19, 1997). "Gratton Decision Promised Today". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  36. Panaccio, Tim (September 4, 1997). "Father-agent Of Lindros Putting Libel Issue First". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  37. Panaccio, Tim (September 13, 1997). "Flyers Sign Therien To $3.7 Million Deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  38. Panaccio, Tim (October 18, 1997). "Sloppy Flyers Bow To Kings". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  39. Panaccio, Tim (December 19, 1997). "Eric Lindros: 'I Can Finally Relax Now'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  40. "TRANSACTIONS". The New York Times. July 10, 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  41. "Agassi Quickly Ousted In Return From Injury". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 17, 1997. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  42. 1 2 3 4 Parsons, Mark (December 1, 2013). "1997 NHL Waiver Draft". Historical Hockey Stats & Trivia. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  43. Bowen, Les (September 29, 1997). "Daniels Is Lost In Waiver Draft". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  44. "NHL Waiver Draft 1997 rules". The HockeyNut.com. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  45. Patrik Juhlin's biography at Legends of Hockey, retrieved April 5, 2015
  46. "Michel Petit - Notes". NHL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  47. Brantt Myhres's biography at Legends of Hockey, retrieved November 26, 2014
  48. Panaccio, Tim (April 15, 1998). "Flyers Won't Turn `Animal' Loose". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  49. "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". hockeyDB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  50. "1997 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  51. "AHL Season Overview: 1997–98". P. Anson. Flyers History. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
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