The 1997–98 Philadelphia Flyers season was the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

31st season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). The Flyers lost their quarterfinal series with the

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

in five games.

Off-season

Less than a week after losing game four of the

Stanley Cup Finals The Stanley Cup Finals in ice hockey (also known as the Stanley Cup Final among various media, ) is the annual championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). The winner is awarded the Stanley Cup, North America's oldest professional spo ...

, head coach

Terry Murray Terry Rodney Murray (born July 20, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and the former head coach of the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings. Playing career Murray was born in Shaw ...

was fired.

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

assistant coach

Wayne Cashman Wayne Cashman (born June 24, 1945) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played seventeen seasons for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) and helped them win the Stanley Cup twice, and was the last ac ...

was named his replacement on July 7, 1997. The Flyers made two major acquisitions during the summer. On July 14, unrestricted free agent defenseman

Luke Richardson Luke Glen Richardson (born March 26, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He most recently served as List of NHL head coaches, head coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was sel ...

, formerly of the

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, signed a five-year, $12.6 million contract. A month later the Flyers signed Group II restricted free agent centerman

Chris Gratton Christopher Allan Gratton (born July 5, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who last played with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the cousin of Josh Gratton, who had also briefly played i ...

of the

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

to a five-year, $16.5 million offer sheet which included a $9 million signing bonus. However, Tampa Bay claimed they had traded Gratton to the

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

before the Flyers had signed Gratton. An arbitrator dismissed this and another claim that the offer sheet was illegible because the contract figures were smeared. Fearing Tampa Bay would match, the Flyers agreed to send defenseman Karl Dykhuis and right winger Mikael Renberg to the Lightning in exchange for the four first-round picks Tampa Bay would receive if they did not match. 34-year-old forward

Dale Hawerchuk Dale Martin Hawerchuk (April 4, 1963 – August 18, 2020) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Drafted first overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Hawerchuk played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for ...

announced his retirement on August 25, 1997, due to a degenerative left hip.

Regular season

With the acquisitions of Gratton and Richardson, the Flyers were expected to make another Stanley Cup run. A 7–3–1 start came crashing down as the Devils posted a 5–0 road win on October 27. Although the club finished the calendar year with an 8–0 strafing of Vancouver on New Year's Eve and began 1998 with a 7–2 road win over

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

, there were signs of trouble for Wayne Cashman's team - notably bad shutout home losses to San Jose in November and Boston in early December. In a move which shocked many in Philadelphia and around the NHL, Cashman was reassigned as assistant coach and

Roger Neilson Roger Paul Neilson, (June 16, 1934 – June 21, 2003) was a Canadian professional ice hockey coach, most notably in the NHL, where he served with eight teams. Known as Captain Video because of his technological contributions to the game, he is ...

elevated to head coach following a 4–3 overtime victory against Pittsburgh on March 8. The decision didn't seem to pay off, and after a 5–4 overtime win over the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

on March 22, the team limped to a 6–8–0 finish, including back-to-back 2–1 losses to the Rangers and Bruins to end the year. On April 13 in a nationally televised 2–1 loss in Buffalo,

John LeClair John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1991 to 2006. W ...

scored his 50th goal of the season, becoming the first American-born player to score 50 goals in three straight seasons.

Season standings

Playoffs

In a season in which the Flyers – despite a hard fall to the

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

the previous year – were heavily favored to repeat as Eastern champs and return to the Finals, they never came close, as they were dominated in the first round by the

in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

, - , 1 , , October 1 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

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Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

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Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

, , Snow , , 2–1–0 , , 4 , , , - , 4 , , October 8 , , 1–4 , , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

, , Snow , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , , , - , 5 , , October 9 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

, , Hextall , , 3–2–0 , , 6 , , , - , 6 , , October 11 , , 6–2 , , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

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, , Snow , , 5–2–0 , , 10 , , , - , 8 , , October 15 , , 2–2 OT , , align="left", @

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

, , Hextall , , 5–2–1 , , 11 , , , - , 9 , , October 17 , , 1–5 , , align="left", @

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , Snow , , 5–3–1 , , 11 , , , - , 10 , , October 21 , , 7–1 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 6–3–1 , , 13 , , , - , 11 , , October 23 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

, , Snow , , 7–3–1 , , 15 , , , - , 12 , , October 27 , , 0–5 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 7–4–1 , , 15 , , , - , 13 , , October 29 , , 2–3 , , align="left",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, , Snow , , 7–5–1 , , 15 , , , - , 14 , , October 31 , , 2–2 OT , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

, , Hextall , , 7–5–2 , , 16 , , , - , - , 15 , , November 2 , , 3–3 OT , , align="left",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

, , Hextall , , 7–5–3 , , 17 , , , - , 16 , , November 3 , , 5–1 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 8–5–3 , , 19 , , , - , 17 , , November 6 , , 6–2 , , align="left",

, , Snow , , 9–5–3 , , 21 , , , - , 18 , , November 8 , , 4–3 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 10–5–3 , , 23 , , , - , 19 , , November 11 , , 1–0 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 11–5–3 , , 25 , , , - , 20 , , November 13 , , 1–2 , , align="left",

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

, , Hextall , , 11–6–3 , , 25 , , , - , 21 , , November 14 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 12–6–3 , , 27 , , , - , 22 , , November 16 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 13–6–3 , , 29 , , , - , 23 , , November 19 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

, , Snow , , 13–7–3 , , 29 , , , - , 24 , , November 20 , , 0–3 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 13–8–3 , , 29 , , , - , 25 , , November 26 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 14–8–3 , , 31 , , , - , 26 , , November 28 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

, , Hextall , , 15–8–3 , , 33 , , , - , 27 , , November 29 , , 3–3 OT , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 15–8–4 , , 34 , , , - , - , 28 , , December 1 , , 1–1 OT , , align="left",

, , Snow , , 15–8–5 , , 35 , , , - , 29 , , December 3 , , 0–3 , , align="left",

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

, , Snow , , 15–9–5 , , 35 , , , - , 30 , , December 5 , , 4–4 OT , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 15–9–6 , , 36 , , , - , 31 , , December 11 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 16–9–6 , , 38 , , , - , 32 , , December 12 , , 3–2 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 17–9–6 , , 40 , , , - , 33 , , December 14 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 18–9–6 , , 42 , , , - , 34 , , December 15 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 19–9–6 , , 44 , , , - , 35 , , December 18 , , 2–2 OT , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 19–9–7 , , 45 , , , - , 36 , , December 20 , , 2–0 , , align="left",

, , Snow , , 20–9–7 , , 47 , , , - , 37 , , December 23 , , 4–2 , , align="left",

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

, , Hextall , , 21–9–7 , , 49 , , , - , 38 , , December 27 , , 2–5 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 21–10–7 , , 49 , , , - , 39 , , December 30 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 22–10–7 , , 51 , , , - , 40 , , December 31 , , 8–0 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, , Hextall , , 23–10–7 , , 53 , , , - , - , 41 , , January 3 , , 7–2 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 24–10–7 , , 55 , , , - , 42 , , January 8 , , 3–3 OT , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 24–10–8 , , 56 , , , - , 43 , , January 9 , , 1–4 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 24–11–8 , , 56 , , , - , 44 , , January 11 , , 5–2 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 25–11–8 , , 58 , , , - , 45 , , January 14 , , 3–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Snow , , 25–11–9 , , 59 , , , - , 46 , , January 20 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 26–11–9 , , 61 , , , - , 47 , , January 22 , , 4–3 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 27–11–9 , , 63 , , , - , 48 , , January 24 , , 0–1 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 27–12–9 , , 63 , , , - , 49 , , January 26 , , 3–1 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 28–12–9 , , 65 , , , - , 50 , , January 28 , , 1–6 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 28–13–9 , , 65 , , , - , 51 , , January 29 , , 2–3 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 28–14–9 , , 65 , , , - , 52 , , January 31 , , 2–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 28–15–9 , , 65 , , , - , - , 53 , , February 4 , , 0–1 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 28–16–9 , , 65 , , , - , 54 , , February 5 , , 6–2 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 29–16–9 , , 67 , , , - , 55 , , February 7 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 29–17–9 , , 67 , , , - , 56 , , February 28 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 30–17–9 , , 69 , , , - , - , 57 , , March 2 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 30–18–9 , , 69 , , , - , 58 , , March 3 , , 1–3 , , align="left", @

, , Snow , , 30–19–9 , , 69 , , , - , 59 , , March 5 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 31–19–9 , , 71 , , , - , 60 , , March 7 , , 4–6 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 31–20–9 , , 71 , , , - , 61 , , March 8 , , 4–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 32–20–9 , , 73 , , , - , 62 , , March 10 , , 2–2 OT , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 32–20–10 , , 74 , , , - , 63 , , March 12 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 33–20–10 , , 76 , , , - , 64 , , March 14 , , 6–1 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 34–20–10 , , 78 , , , - , 65 , , March 16 , , 4–1 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 35–20–10 , , 80 , , , - , 66 , , March 19 , , 3–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 35–20–11 , , 81 , , , - , 67 , , March 21 , , 3–4 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 35–21–11 , , 81 , , , - , 68 , , March 22 , , 5–4 OT , , align="left",

, , Burke , , 36–21–11 , , 83 , , , - , 69 , , March 24 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 36–22–11 , , 83 , , , - , 70 , , March 26 , , 2–4 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , 36–23–11 , , 83 , , , - , 71 , , March 28 , , 2–4 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 36–24–11 , , 83 , , , - , 72 , , March 29 , , 3–1 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , 37–24–11 , , 85 , , , - , 73 , , March 31 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , 38–24–11 , , 87 , , , - , - , 74 , , April 2 , , 3–0 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , 39–24–11 , , 89 , , , - , 75 , , April 4 , , 1–4 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , 39–25–11 , , 89 , , , - , 76 , , April 8 , , 6–1 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , 40–25–11 , , 91 , , , - , 77 , , April 9 , , 2–3 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 40–26–11 , , 91 , , , - , 78 , , April 11 , , 4–3 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , 41–26–11 , , 93 , , , - , 79 , , April 13 , , 1–2 , , align="left", @

, , Hextall , , 41–27–11 , , 93 , , , - , 80 , , April 16 , , 7–3 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , 42–27–11 , , 95 , , , - , 81 , , April 18 , , 1–2 , , align="left",

, , Hextall , , 42–28–11 , , 95 , , , - , 82 , , April 19 , , 1–2 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , 42–29–11 , , 95 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Playoffs

, - , 1 , , April 22 , , 2–3 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , Sabres lead 1–0 , , , - , 2 , , April 24 , , 3–2 , , align="left",

, , Burke , , Series tied 1–1 , , , - , 3 , , April 27 , , 1–6 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , Sabres lead 2–1 , , , - , 4 , , April 29 , , 1–4 , , align="left", @

, , Burke , , Sabres lead 3–1 , , , - , 5 , , May 1 , , 2–3 OT , , align="left",

, , Burke , , Sabres win 4–1 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.''

Goaltending

* '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.''

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Among the team records set during the 1997–98 season was

tying the team record for most points in a single period (4) on October 11.

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 1997, the day after the deciding game of the

1997 Stanley Cup Finals The 1997 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1996–97 season, and the culmination of the 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers. The R ...

, through June 16, 1998, the day of the deciding game of the

1998 Stanley Cup Finals The 1998 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 1997–98 season, and the culmination of the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion and defending Stanley Cu ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft, which was held at the Civic Arena in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

on June 21, 1997. The Flyers traded their third-round pick, 77th overall, to the

for the Stars' 1998 second-round pick on June 21, 1997. They also traded their fifth-round pick, 130th overall, and Bob Wilkie to the

for Karl Dykhuis on February 16, 1995, and their seventh-round pick, 187th overall, to the

for Martin Cerven on June 18, 1997.

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the

Philadelphia Phantoms The Philadelphia Phantoms were a professional ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 1996 to 2009. The club was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and played most of its home games at the Spectrum (arena), Spectrum ...

of the AHL.

Notes

References

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Philadelphia 1997–98 NHL season by team

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

1997 in sports in Pennsylvania 1998 in sports in Pennsylvania 1997 in Philadelphia 1998 in Philadelphia