Weakened power play proves costly for architect Mullen

VOORHEES, N.J. >> Joey Mullen, a Hockey Hall of Fame player and a quiet institution around the Flyers for the past 10 years, will not have his contract renewed for next season, general manager Ron Hextall said Thursday.

Mullen, the first United States born player to score 500 NHL goals, was the architect of a Flyers power play that has been one of the league’s most successful in recent seasons.

Despite the revelation that was Shayne Gostisbehere at the point last season, the success of the power play began to take a steady hit. It was back at the top of the league standings in the early days of this season, but by April was down to the middle of the league pack.

So someone had to take a fall?

“He’s a terrific human being, one of my favorite guys in the whole world,” Hextall said of Mullen. “My gut decided to make a change there.”

He added that when he made the final decision on Monday, it “was one of the worst days of my life because of it.

“I’m not laying anything on Joe Mullen,” Hextall added. “It was a gut call on my part . ... It’s not because of necessarily the power play. It’s just one of those things where I feel like we needed a change.

“I have an awful lot of respect for him. Please do not think that in any way I’m laying anything on him . ... He’s had a great run.”

The runs for fellow assistant coaches Ian Laperriere and Gord Murphy will continue, Hextall said.

As for what to do about a Flyers power play approach that had grown seriously stale, Hextall said he will work that out with head coach Dave Hakstol.

“Hak and I will work together on it,” Hextall said. “We need a little bit of an offensive mind (like) what Mully was. We’ll look in that direction. Whether we find the right guy, time will tell.”

“It’s what’s right for the staff,” Hakstol added. “How do you strengthen the abilities, the talents, the everyday workload of our staff? That’s going to be my beginning point.”