Flyers shake things up, fire GM Fletcher

With the Philadelphia Flyers in need of a complete franchise overhaul, Chuck Fletcher called the shots at the NHL trade deadline and came up empty.

A day later, the Flyers sent Fletcher to represent the team at a town hall meeting for season-ticket holders, where he was about booed off the stage. His week only got worse. A series of bad contracts, unfortunate injuries, sagging attendance and one of the worst records in the NHL ultimately doomed Fletcher, whom the Flyers fired Friday from his position as general manager and president of hockey operations.

The team promoted franchise great Danny Briere to interim general manager, the latest front-office shakeup for an organization that has not won a Stanley Cup since 1975. Briere, who served as special assistant to the GM, is considered a rising star in the front office.

“The Philadelphia Flyers organization has always been defined by grit, determination, and a standard of excellence. Over the past several seasons, our team simply has not lived up to that standard, so today, we will begin to chart a new path forward under a new leadership structure for hockey operations,” Flyers Chairman Dave Scott said.

The Flyers went 141-14543 under Fletcher, including 24-30-11 this season under first-year coach John Tortorella.

PANTHERS RALLY FOR VICTORY » Brandon Montour scored at 2:43 of overtime to give Florida a 4-3 comeback win over Chicago.

Eetu Luostarinen had a goal and an assist, Sam

Bennett and Sam Reinhart also scored, and Matthew Tkachuk had three assists for the Panthers, who have won three straight after rallying from down 2-0 in the third period.