1981–82 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1981–82 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 15th season in the National Hockey League. The Flyers lost in the Patrick Division Semifinals to the New York Rangers in four games.
Regular season
The Flyers were unable to reach a long-term contract with team captain Mel Bridgman for the second consecutive off-season. Prior to opening night head coach Pat Quinn replaced Bridgman as captain with Bill Barber. On November 11, Bridgman was traded to the Calgary Flames for defenseman Brad Marsh.Darryl Sittler was acquired in January from Toronto.
After winning only six games in a span of 29 games, head coach Pat Quinn and assistant coach Bob Boucher were fired on March 19. Bobby Clarke was also relieved of his duties as an assistant coach. Replacing Quinn was Bob McCammon, who had been coaching the Maine Mariners ever since being replaced as Flyers coach by Quinn in 1979.
Season standings
Playoffs
After a third-place finish the Flyers lost in four games to the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. For the first time in nine years they failed to make it past the first round.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
Awards and records
Awards
Records
Individual
Team
Milestones
Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 22, 1981, the day after the deciding game of the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 16, 1982, the day of the deciding game of the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals.Trades
Signings
Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.| Date | Player | Previous team | Term | Ref |
| June 18, 1981 | Bob Froese | Saginaw Gears | ||
| October 9, 1981 | Daryl Stanley | Saskatoon Blades | ||
| November 22, 1981 | Bob Hoffmeyer | Maine Mariners |
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 |
| June 11, 1981 | Brian Tutt | ||
| June 16, 1981 | Dan Held | ||
| August 18, 1981 | Tom Gorence | multi-year | |
| August 21, 1981 | Mel Bridgman | multi-year | |
| September 29, 1981 | Reggie Leach | multi-year |
Waivers
The Flyers were involved in the following waivers transactions. They were involved in one selection during the 1981 NHL Waiver Draft, which was held on October 5, 1981. The Flyers protected the following players: goaltenders Pete Peeters and Rick St. Croix, defensemen Reid Bailey, Frank Bathe, Glen Cochrane, Bob Dailey, Jimmy Watson and Behn Wilson, and forwards Ray Allison, Bill Barber, Mel Bridgman, Bobby Clarke, Tom Gorence, Al Hill, Paul Holmgren, Tim Kerr, Reggie Leach, Ken Linseman, Gary Morrison, and Brian Propp. The Flyers left the following players unprotected: defensemen Mike Busniuk and Terry Murray, and forward Paul Evans.| Date | Player | Team | Ref |
| October 5, 1981 | Terry Murray | to Washington Capitals |
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 |
| June 29, 1981 | Robbie Moore | Minnesota North Stars | Free agency | |
| August 11, 1981 | Dave Logan | Toronto Maple Leafs | Free agency |
Draft picks
Philadelphia's picks at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 10, 1981.| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Team | Notes |
| 1 | 16 | Steve Smith | Defense | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | |
| 2 | 37 | Rich Costello | Forward | United States | Natick High School | |
| 3 | 47 | Barry Tabobondung | Defense | Canada | Oshawa Generals | |
| 3 | 58 | Ken Strong | Forward | Canada | Peterborough Petes | |
| 4 | 65 | Dave Michayluk | Left Wing | Canada | Regina Pats | |
| 4 | 79 | Ken Latta | Right Wing | Canada | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | |
| 5 | 100 | Justin Hanley | Center | Canada | Kingston Canadians | |
| 6 | 121 | Andre Villeneuve | Defense | Canada | Chicoutimi Saguenéens | |
| 7 | 137 | Vladimir Svitek | Forward | Slovakia | HC Kosice | |
| 7 | 142 | Gil Hudon | Goaltender | Canada | Prince Albert Raiders | |
| 8 | 163 | Steve Taylor | Left Wing | United States | Providence College | |
| 9 | 184 | Len Hachborn | Center | Canada | Brantford Alexanders | |
| 10 | 205 | Steve Tsujiura | Center | Canada | Medicine Hat Tigers |