Greg Gilbert out as Phantoms head coach; John Paddock takes over on interim basis

by Travis Hughes on Nov 8, 2010 8:18 PM EST in Philadelphia Flyers Farm System

Phantoms coach Greg Gilbert, pictured here back in 2002 when he was the head coach of the Calgary Flames.

UPDATE 8:20 PM - The Flyers have officially announced that Greg Gilbert has been relieved as head coach of the Phantoms. Assistant general manager John Paddock, who previously coached the Phantoms when they were in Philadelphia during the 2008-09 season, will take over on an interim basis. Paddock will continue in his role as AGM, which likely won't be an issue since his main responsibilities have involved oversight of the Phantoms.

The Adirondack Phantoms are just an absolutely terrible hockey team. They've lost nine straight games, they can't score goals, and there's really no hopes of things improving any time soon. Something has to change.

It appears as though one big change is coming tonight. According to Tim McManus, who covers the Phantoms for the Glens Falls Post-Star, it looks like head coach Greg Gilbert is about to lose his job. The Flyers, the Phantoms and general manager Paul Holmgren will hold an 8:45 p.m. conference call to likely announce this news.

Put all the clues together: according to Frank Seravalli, Flyers chairman Ed Snider's jet landed in Albany late this afternoon. That, coupled with the fact that it's a Monday night and the Flyers are holding a Phantoms-related conference call close to 9 o'clock at night make it pretty obvious that Gilbert is gone. What else would this be?

It makes sense. Hell, it makes more than sense. It's been a long time coming. There were rumors last year that the team wasn't exactly taking to Gilbert's style, and the chaos in Glens Falls that's circulated the team -- from the atrocious on-ice play to star players being thrown off the team without real explanation -- is something that has to fall directly on the coaching staff.

The Phantoms don't have a ton of talent. Holmgren himself has admitted that the blame for that falls on him. At the same time, their roster isn't worst-team-in-the-AHL bad.

No word on who will be replacing Gilbert. We'll obviously have more on this when the news becomes official.

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The Era of Cote begins.

by Snevik on Nov 8, 2010 8:23 PM EST reply actions

THIS DAY JUST KEEPS IMPROVING

"Want a donut go to dunkin donuts, want a linebacker go to Penn State."
- Cris Carter, NFL Draft, 4/25/09

twitter: @princessblueezy

by kmblue on Nov 8, 2010 8:25 PM EST reply actions

So what goes down next? Ilya gets some injury and is out for the season? Lieno is signed? Free pancakes rain down from the sky? Dan Carcillo shows up at my house? Carter is dumped or taken for less? Walker is dumped? CAN THIS GET ANY BETTER?!?

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Nov 8, 2010 8:28 PM EST reply actions

Actually yes, if the Ask a Flyer thing would be up. That’d be nice.

Will Cote be the assistant coach? I hope they get better, if thats where our future team is coming from.

Let's do it again

by Cillo stache on Nov 8, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Well Cote’s already an assistant coach for the Phantoms. I don’t think he or Kjell are in any danger of losing their jobs.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Nov 8, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions

"I met with Greg Gilbert earlier this evening and relieved him of his duties as head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms," Holmgren said. "The lack of success for the team of late is not acceptable and I believe this move became necessary under the circumstances. I think Greg is a good coach, but something needed to be done. We want to thank Greg for his service to our organization and we wish him well. John Paddock will take over as head coach immediately."

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Nov 8, 2010 8:36 PM EST reply actions

What does this mean for Cote?

by Phuck The Penguins on Nov 8, 2010 8:46 PM EST reply actions

Seravalli has his article up already: Holmgren fires Phantoms coach Gilbert

But the scariest part of that article is the part about trading partners for Pat Maroon:

Tampa Bay has been pegged as a prime candidate for a trade or loan, according to a team source.

I’m scared of what we’d get stuck with in exchange for them taking Maroon….

by DragonGirl0583 on Nov 8, 2010 8:52 PM EST reply actions

Maroon and a first for Randy Jones?

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Nov 8, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

Jones isn’t big enough. Ryan Malone and his 5 year, $4.5 million contract looks just about right though.

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 8, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

haha, what overpaid, long-term, useless player do they have?

Man-crushin' on Boucher since 1999
Broad Street Hockey - Makin' it look mean since 1967.
SB Nation Philly - Associate Editor

by Geoff Detweiler on Nov 8, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

I heard about a defenseman called Andrej Meszaros. Also a guy called Matt Walker they wanted to get rid off.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Nov 9, 2010 4:24 AM EST up reply actions

Former Red Wing Joe Paterson will come on as assistant coach.

Paterson also played 11 games for the Flyers in ’84-85 and ’85-86 and played 87 games during those two seasons for the Bears.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Nov 8, 2010 8:59 PM EST reply actions

Love it!!!!!

by ryan1 on Nov 8, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions

You were the first person I thought of when I read this.

Do you have any thoughts on what a change in coach could bring? Was Gilbert’s style or system really not good?

Mourning Gagne forever.

by ToddtheFox on Nov 8, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

I hate to see anyone lose their job, but I think the problems in Adirondack were going to continue until a change was made at the top. I’m a little surprised at Paddock taking the job, because I was convinced the Flyers would offer it to Tocchet. That may happen in the end.

by memphisbrando on Nov 8, 2010 9:46 PM EST reply actions