Flyers Decide Murray Doesn’t Have Right Stuff To Solve Their Problems Coach Fired After Losing Stanley Cup In Sweep, But Gm Says Finals Were Not A Factor
The Philadelphia Flyers fired head coach Terry Murray, citing a rift between him and players that General Manager Bobby Clarke said was irreparable.
Murray’s dismissal comes less than a week after the team was swept in four games by the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals. Murray was criticized during the series for rotating goaltenders Garth Snow and Ron Hextall and for saying the team was “in a choking situation” after losing Game 3.
Clarke said the loss in the finals wasn’t the main reason for the firing and that he didn’t consult the players before making the decision.
“If you get beat four straight, the other team is better,” he said. “The problems we have didn’t just surface, they’ve been here for the past couple years. We solved some and we haven’t been able to solve others.”
Clarke, who refused to elaborate on the team’s problems, said his personal relationship with Murray made the decision more difficult.
“He has a right to hate me for what I’ve done. It was the worst thing I ever had to do as a manager,” he said. “It was horrible.”
Murray’s “choking” comments upset many of his players, including team captain Eric Lindros, who refused to endorse Murray when questioned about the coach’s future after the finals.
Before the series against Detroit, Clarke said that Murray, who had been the Flyers’ coach since the start of the 1994-95 season, would be back next season “if he wants to be.” At the time, Murray said that he did.
Clarke said his comments were made primarily to keep the attention on the series and not on his coach’s future. Murray has been offered an unspecified position in the organization.
The Flyers finished the season with a 45-24-13 record, second only to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference. Murray, 46, joined the Flyers after four seasons as coach of the Washington Capitals. His career coaching record is 281-198-58.