1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season


The 1977–78 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 11th season in the National Hockey League.

Regular season

The Flyers lost their hold on the Patrick Division in 1977–78 and settled for second place.
Tom Bladon's 8 points in a game against the Cleveland Barons on December 11 set an NHL record for a defenseman.

Season standings

Playoffs

After sweeping the Colorado Rockies in 2 games in the preliminary round, the Flyers moved on and beat Buffalo in five games. They faced Boston in the semifinals for the second consecutive season, and lost again, this time in five games.

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Team

Milestones

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 15, 1977, the day after the deciding game of the 1977 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 25, 1978, the day of the deciding game of the 1978 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Signings

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.
DatePlayerPrevious team TermRef
August 17, 1977Brian BurkeProvidence College
September 1977Jim CunninghamMichigan State University
September 1977Guy DelparteOklahoma City Blazers
September 7, 1977Wayne SchaabVEU Feldkirch
September 15, 1977Larry RomanchychAtlanta Flames
September 28, 1977Bernie JohnstonSyracuse Blazers
October 7, 1977Frank BathePort Huron Flags
October 23, 1977Mike BusniukNova Scotia Voyageurs
October 27, 1977Grant ColeSpringfield Indians
November 6, 1977Rudolf TajcnarHC Slovan Bratislava

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
June 30, 1977Kevin McCarthy 3-year
August 2, 1977Tom Gorence
August 2, 1977Dave Hoyda

Waivers

The Flyers were not involved in any waivers transactions. The 1977 NHL Waiver Draft was held on October 10, 1977. The Flyers protected the following players: goaltenders Bernie Parent and Wayne Stephenson, and skaters Bill Barber, Tom Bladon, Mel Bridgman, Bobby Clarke, Bob Dailey, Barry Dean, Gary Dornhoefer, Paul Holmgren, Bob Kelly, Orest Kindrachuk, Rick Lapointe, Reggie Leach, Ross Lonsberry, Rick MacLeish, Don Saleski, Jimmy Watson, and Joe Watson.

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
September 1977Gary InnessIndianapolis Racers Free agency

Draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1977 NHL amateur draft, which was held at the NHL's office in Montreal, Quebec, on June 14, 1977.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityTeam Notes
117Kevin McCarthyDefenseCanadaWinnipeg Monarchs
235Tom GorenceRight WingUnited StatesUniversity of Minnesota
353Dave HoydaLeft WingCanadaPortland Winter Hawks
467Yves GuillemetteGoaltenderCanadaShawinigan Dynamos
471Rene HamelinRight WingCanadaShawinigan Dynamos
589Dan ClarkDefenseCanadaKamloops Chiefs
6107Alain ChaputCenterCanadaSorel Black Hawks
7123Richard DalpeCenterCanadaTrois-Rivières Draveurs
8135Pete PeetersGoaltenderCanadaMedicine Hat Tigers
8136Clint EcclesCenterCanadaKamloops Chiefs
8139Mike GreederDefenseUnited StatesSt. Paul Vulcans
9150Tom BauerWingUnited StatesProvidence College
9151Michael BaumanDefenseCanadaHull Olympiques
9153Bruce CrowderForwardCanadaUniversity of New Hampshire
10158Rob NicholsonDefenseUnited StatesSt. Paul Vulcans
10159Dave IsherwoodCenterCanadaWinnipeg Monarchs
10161Steve JonesGoaltenderCanadaOhio State University
11165Jim TrainorDefenseUnited StatesHarvard University
11166Barry DuenchCenterCanadaKitchener Rangers
11168Rod McNairDefenseCanadaOhio State University
12172Mike LaycockGoaltenderCanadaBrown University

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL and the Philadelphia Firebirds of the NAHL.