1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 14th season in the National Hockey League. After finishing second in the Patrick Division, the Flyers lost in the quarterfinals to the Calgary Flames in seven games.
Regular season
wore the number 16 throughout his entire NHL career except for two games during the 1980–81 season. Prior to a road game on February 27, 1981, Clarke's jersey was stolen. Clarke wore the only other jersey available, number 36, in the next two games. A month later, Clarke hit a personal milestone in memorable fashion. On March 19 during a game against the Boston Bruins, a Reggie Leach slapshot struck Clarke. After leaving the ice, he re-appeared moments later stitched up and with his jersey covered in blood. 31 seconds into the third period Clarke beat Bruins goalie Marco Baron for his 19th goal of the season and his 1000th career point.Season standings
Playoffs
After a tough, five-game preliminary round series win against the Quebec Nordiques, the Flyers moved on to face the Calgary Flames in the quarterfinals. After falling behind 3 games to 1, they managed to force a Game 7 by winning the next two games. The Flyers lost Game 7, 4–1, at the Spectrum.Schedule and results
Regular season
Playoffs
Player statistics
Scoring
- Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left Wing; RW = Right Wing
- = Joined team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
- = Left team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
Goaltending
- = Joined team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
- = Left team via a transaction during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
Awards and records
Awards
| Type | Award/honor | Recipient | Ref |
| League | NHL Second All-Star Team | Bill Barber | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Bill Barber | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Bob Dailey | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Paul Holmgren | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Pete Peeters | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Pat Quinn | |
| League | NHL All-Star Game selection | Behn Wilson | |
| Team | Barry Ashbee Trophy | Bob Dailey | |
| Team | Class Guy Award | Bill Barber |
Records
- Tied for NHL record
Individual
Team
Milestones
Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 25, 1980, the day after the deciding game of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 21, 1981, the day of the deciding game of the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals.Trades
Signings
Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.| Date | Player | Previous team | Term | Ref |
| July 2, 1980 | Ron Flockhart | Regina Pats | ||
| February 17, 1981 | Ilkka Sinisalo | HIFK | ||
| March 6, 1981 | Dave Logan | Vancouver Canucks |
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.| Date | Player | Term | Ref |
| May 28, 1980 | Thomas Eriksson | 3-year | |
| May 28, 1980 | Pelle Lindbergh | 3-year | |
| June 6, 1980 | Mark Taylor |
Waivers
The Flyers were not involved in any waivers transactions. The 1980 NHL Waiver Draft was held on October 8, 1980. The Flyers protected the following players: goaltenders Phil Myre and Pete Peeters, defensemen Norm Barnes, Frank Bathe, Mike Busniuk, Glen Cochrane, Bob Dailey, Jack McIlhargey, Jimmy Watson, and Behn Wilson, and forwards Bill Barber, Mel Bridgman, Bobby Clarke, Tom Gorence, Al Hill, Paul Holmgren, Reggie Leach, Ken Linseman, Rick MacLeish, and Gary Morrison. The Flyers left the following players unprotected: goaltender Robbie Moore, defenseman Terry Murray, and forwards Ron Areshenkoff, Gordie Clark, Paul Evans, Danny Lucas, and Yves Preston.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.| Date | Player | New team | Via | Ref |
| N/A | Dave Gardner | HC Ambri-Piotta | Free agency | |
| October 6, 1980 | Dennis Ververgaert | Washington Capitals | Free agency | |
| October 1980 | Danny Lucas | Colorado Rockies | Buyout |
Draft picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 11, 1980.| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 21 | Mike Stothers | Defense | Canada | Kingston Canadians | |
| 2 | 42 | Jay Fraser | Left Wing | Canada | Ottawa 67's | |
| 3 | 63 | Paul Mercier | Defense | Canada | Sudbury Wolves | |
| 4 | 84 | Taras Zytynsky | Defense | Canada | Montreal Juniors | |
| 5 | 105 | Dan Held | Forward | Canada | Seattle Breakers | |
| 6 | 126 | Brian Tutt | Defense | Canada | Calgary Wranglers | |
| 7 | 147 | Ross Fitzpatrick | Forward | Canada | Western Michigan University | |
| 8 | 168 | Mark Botell | Defense | Canada | Brantford Alexanders | |
| 9 | 189 | Peter Dineen | Defense | Canada | Kingston Canadians | |
| 10 | 195 | Bob O'Brien | Right Wing | Canada | Dixie Beehives | |
| 10 | 210 | Andy Brickley | Left Wing | United States | University of New Hampshire |