1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season


The 1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 22nd season in the National Hockey League. The Flyers lost in the Wales Conference Finals to the Montreal Canadiens in six games.

Regular season

With Mike Keenan's firing, the reins were handed off to Paul Holmgren, who presided over a club in flux with young players promoted to larger roles. The defense underwent a major overhaul, as Brad Marsh was let go to Toronto, and Doug Crossman was dealt to Los Angeles for Jay Wells. Gord Murphy and Jeff Chychrun cracked the lineup on the back line as well.
Tim Kerr was fully healed from his shoulder surgeries and subsequent infections, while Rick Tocchet, Scott Mellanby, Murray Craven, Pelle Eklund and Peter Zezel were counted on to carry the offense. After a promising 5–1–0 start, a 4–15–1 slide cost Zezel his job, shipped off to St. Louis for Mike Bullard after Thanksgiving.
Following the deal, the Flyers went 13–2–1 to climb back over.500 and into solid playoff footing. However, youth and inconsistency constantly derailed much progress to the top of the standings, and the team never went higher than three games above even. Mark Laforest was replaced in March as backup by Maple Leafs castoff Ken Wregget with the team reeling.
On the last day of the season, they fell 6–5 in overtime to the Penguins and into fourth place, as Mario Lemieux scored into an empty net. If the Flyers had won using the extra attacker, they would have leapt over the Rangers into third place in the Patrick Division. Despite their mediocre record, their positive goal differential was a positive indicator that the team still had some life left.
The Flyers finished the regular season with the league's best power-play percentage, at 26.70%.

Season standings

Playoffs

Facing the first-place Washington Capitals in the first round, the Flyers pulled off the upset in six games. Ron Hextall managed to score another empty-net goal in the waning moments of Game 5, becoming the first NHL goalie to score a goal in the playoffs. The Flyers then came back from a 3 games to 2 deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games to make the Wales Conference Finals before bowing out to the Montreal Canadiens in six games. This would be the Flyers last playoff appearance until 1995.

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Awards

Records

Team

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 27, 1988, the day after the deciding game of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 25, 1989, the day of the deciding game of the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Signings

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.
DatePlayerPrevious team TermRef
June 21, 1988Jocelyn PerreaultSherbrooke Canadiens
September 30, 1988Marc D'AmourSalt Lake Golden Eagles
May 16, 1989Bill ArmstrongWestern Michigan University

Internal

The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry Draft, signed to contracts.
DatePlayerTermRef
July 25, 1988Terry Carkner3-year
September 1, 1988Jeff Harding
September 1, 1988Bruce Rendall
September 12, 1988Scott Mellanby3-year
September 12, 1988Rick Tocchet4-year
September 27, 1988Claude Boivin
October 24, 1988Tim Kerr4-year
March 7, 1989Murray Baron
May 19, 1989Ilkka Sinisalo2-year

Waivers

The Flyers were involved in the following waivers transactions. They were involved in two selections during the 1988 NHL Waiver Draft, which was held on October 3, 1988. The Flyers left the following players unprotected: Don Biggs, Marc D'Amour, Warren Harper, Willie Huber, Chris Jensen, Mark Lofthouse, Gord Paddock, and Mike Stothers.
DatePlayerTeamRef
October 3, 1988Doug Sullimanfrom New Jersey Devils
October 3, 1988Brad Marshto Toronto Maple Leafs

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.
DatePlayerNew team ViaRef
June 21, 1988Kevin McCarthy—Retirement
July 1988Steve SmithCalgary FlamesFree agency
October 10, 1988Nick FotiuEdmonton OilersFree agency
1989Magnus Roupe*Farjestads BK Release
N/AWillie Huber—Retirement

Draft picks

NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia's picks at the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 11, 1988.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityTeam Notes
114Claude BoivinLeft WingCanadaDrummondville Voltigeurs
235Pat MurrayLeft WingCanadaMichigan State University
356Craig FisherLeft WingCanadaOshawa Legionaires
363Dominic RousselGoaltenderCanadaTrois-Rivières Draveurs
477Scott LaGrandGoaltenderUnited StatesHotchkiss School
598Edward O'BrienLeft WingUnited StatesCushing Academy
6119Gord FranttiDefenseUnited StatesCalumet High School
7140Jamie CookeRight WingCanadaBramalea Blues
8161Johan SalleDefenseSwedenMalmo IF
9182Brian ArthurDefenseCanadaEtobicoke Capitals
10203Jeff DandretaRight WingUnited StatesCushing Academy
11224Scott BilleyRight WingUnited StatesMadison Capitols
12245Dragomir KadlecDefenseCzech RepublicDukla Jihlava

NHL Supplemental Draft

Philadelphia's picks at the 1988 NHL Supplemental Draft.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
219Paul ConnellGoaltenderUnited StatesBowling Green State University

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears of the AHL.