Philadelphia Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw during exit interviews. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/379abd54-7d26-4910-be87-de6952e74269.jpeg] Philadelphia Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw during exit interviews. (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News) As first reported by PHLY's Charlie O'Connor [https://allphly.com/brad-shaw-will-not-return-flyers-assistant-tocchet/], Brad Shaw, once considered a leading candidate for the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers]’ head coaching vacancy, will reportedly not be returning to the team’s coaching staff under newly-appointed head coach Rick Tocchet. According to the report, this was Shaw's decision. Shaw served as an assistant coach for three seasons under former Flyers head coach John Tortorella, overseeing the team’s defensive structure and penalty kill. When Tortorella was let go from bench duties late in the 2024–25 season, Shaw took over as interim head coach and was widely viewed as a legitimate contender for the full-time role. Previously, Shaw had expressed a willingness to remain with the Flyers in a supporting role if he didn't land the permanent head coaching gig. He cited his strong relationship with the defensive group and his interest in helping continue their development. However, it now appears that Tocchet, who was officially named head coach this week, will be moving in a different direction with his staff. It’s not yet clear whether Shaw is seeking opportunities elsewhere or if another role within the Flyers organization could be in discussion, but for now, the longtime coach appears to be on his way out of Philadelphia. Shaw leaves behind a clear mark on the Flyers’ back end. Under his guidance, players like Travis Sanheim and Cam York took noticeable steps forward. "He's been great to me," York said of Shaw during the team's exit interviews back in April [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/cam-york-reflects-on-a-tumultuous-flyers-season-i-know-i-can-be-better]. "I would say he's an overthinker—in a good way—of the game. He's really good at sitting down with guys, going over video; he tells you how it is in a good, honest way...He's done a lot for me and helped develop my game in a good way and taught me things that I didn't even think of prior to him." "He has meant so much to my game personally," Sanheim said in his exit interview [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/players/the-evolution-of-travis-sanheim-a-flyers-leader-emerges-amid-the-grind]. "I think a lot of guys on the D core could probably say the same thing...I'm just super thankful for where he has taken my game and I really enjoyed my time working with him." As Tocchet begins assembling his coaching staff, all eyes will be on who he taps to oversee the next generation of Flyers—and how his vision will build upon the foundation that Shaw helped lay.
