Flyers fire Stevens, captain change should be next

Flyers coach John Stevens took the fall today for something that is not completely his fault.

Stevens was fired by the Flyers after being named coach in October 2006.

Despite advancing to the Eastern Conference finals two years ago, the Flyers ups and downs over the past couple of years have been both confusing and absolutely maddening.

The Flyers have lost six out of their last seven to fall to 10th place in the Eastern Conference (13-11-1). This streak came on the heels of winning seven of eight.

The inconsistency of this team has been far too common. Stevens has been through two 10-game losing streaks in his time here.

Coaches often are the first to go when a team consistently struggles. And yes, Stevens is part to blame. This is his team and they are not winning.

But a coach can only do so much and the struggles of this team are on the players.

The team needs to look no further than the players, all starting with captain Mike Richards.

Richards is an excellent player, but it is often mentioned that he is still learning how to be a captain. This is understandable. He is a young guy who basically had the captaincy forced on his a couple of years ago.

Along with making a change in coaches, it's also time to make a change in the player leadership.

And the man who fits the bill perfectly is here - Chris Pronger.

In an article on csnphilly.com on December 1, Pronger talked about not wanting to step on Richards toes.

Who cares about stepping on toes? The Flyers need better leadership.

Just take a look at some of the things Pronger said.

According to the article, Pronger told CSNPhilly.com that Richards has not asked for his help and that he is wary of stepping on Richards’ toes and that he is walking a tightrope in the dressing room right now.

He went on to say "[Richards] hasn't come to me [to] ask me anything, and it's delicate because at the end of the day, it's his team." "He's the captain. He needs to show the rest of the players that it is his team. I don't want to be the guy that has to stand up every day and tell ourselves to look into the mirror and play better and all this stuff."

After a 1-0 loss to Atlanta, Pronger said, "How could we have won that game in Atlanta? Could it have been that [3-minute] power play? Absolutely! Could it have been not to take that bleeping penalty-and go down 5-on-3? Absolutely! How about scoring some goals 5-on-5? We need to make it [bleeping] happen on Thursday. It needs to [bleeping] happen now, so we can get over that hump and get this ship headed into the right direction."

Now that's the leadership I want to see and that's the leadership the Flyers need. Someone has got to step up, get is guys faces, and get things turned around.

Pronger is perfect for that.

Maybe Richards will be a great captain some day, but right now, the Flyers need a change - someone who will not let the team get in these long funks.

It's time for more than a coaching change. It's time for Pronger to take this team on his shoulders and show Richards how to be a captain who leads.

[Update: The Flyers will announce that Peter Laviolette, who coached Carolina to a Stanley Cup, will be named the new coach.]