1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers season


The 1987–88 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 21st season in the National Hockey League. The Flyers lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Washington Capitals in seven games.

Regular season

The season was one of many ups and downs. With Ron Hextall lost to an eight-game suspension to start the year after slashing Kent Nilsson in the Stanley Cup Finals, Tim Kerr lost indefinitely with a shoulder problem, and Brad McCrimmon traded to Calgary over a salary dispute, the club limped to a 3–6–2 record in October.
The free-fall continued until late November. After blowing a 4–1 lead into a 6–4 loss to the Islanders at home on November 21, the Flyers were at 6–13–3 and last in the division. However, just as quickly, the club rebounded with a 14-game unbeaten streak from November 25 to December 26 – despite losing out to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Paul Coffey sweepstakes. The run was highlighted by Hextall becoming the first goaltender to shoot the puck into the opposing team's net on December 8, a game-winning two-man short tally by Murray Craven in Winnipeg on December 13, and a post-Christmas comeback win against the Capitals.
A 6–0–1 run through late February and early March saw Rick Tocchet post three hat tricks in a span of four games. On February 23, the club set a still-standing franchise road record with 11 goals in an amazing 11–6 win in Detroit, including a team-record 7 third-period tallies.
After a 7–3 win over the Canucks March 1, the Flyers finished the year in free-fall due to almost daily injuries, going 4–11–2, ending up the lower seed in a second-place tie with Washington. Kerr returned to the lineup finally on March 10, but was unable to find his range before the playoffs began.

Season standings

Playoffs

In their first round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, the Flyers blew a 3–1 series lead as Washington forced a Game 7. They then blew a 3–0 lead in Game 7 as Washington won 5-4, in overtime.
Afterwards, general manager Bob Clarke fired head coach Mike Keenan citing a lack of enthusiasm from the club to continue playing for him.

Schedule and results

Regular season

Playoffs

Player statistics

Scoring

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Team

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 1, 1987, the day after the deciding game of the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 26, 1988, the day of the deciding game of the 1988 Stanley Cup Finals.

Trades

Signings

Free agency

The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.
DatePlayerPrevious team TermRef
July 21, 1987Don BiggsEdmonton Oilers
August 19, 1987Mark LofthouseLos Angeles Kings
October 30, 1987Nick FotiuCalgary Flames1-year
April 20, 1988Michael BoyceMerrimack College

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
November 17, 1987Ron Hextallmulti-year

Waivers

The Flyers were involved in the following waivers transactions. They were involved in three selections during the 1987 NHL Waiver Draft, which was held on October 5, 1987. The Flyers left the following players unprotected: Ray Allison, Thomas Eriksson, Ross Fitzpatrick, Al Hill, Ed Hospodar, Mitch Lamoureux, Mark Lofthouse, Kevin Maxwell, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Smith, and Tim Tookey.
DatePlayerTeamRef
October 5, 1987Tim Tookeyto Los Angeles Kings
October 5, 1987Ed Hospodarto Buffalo Sabres
October 5, 1987David Fenyvesfrom Buffalo Sabres
November 26, 1987Bill Rootfrom St. Louis Blues

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
June 1987Glenn Resch—Retirement
October 3, 1987Steve MartinsonDetroit Red WingsFree agency
N/AJere GillisBrunico SG Free agency

Draft picks

NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia's picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, on June 13, 1987. The Flyers traded their second-round pick, 41st overall, to the Detroit Red Wings for Mark Laforest on June 13, 1987.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityTeam Notes
120Darren RumbleDefenseCanadaKitchener Rangers
230Jeff HardingRight WingCanadaSt. Michael's Buzzers
362Martin HostakRight WingCzech RepublicSparta Praha
483Tomaz ErikssonLeft WingSwedenDjurgardens IF
5104Bill GallDefenseUnited StatesNew Hampton School
6125Tony LinkDefenseUnited StatesDimond High School
7146Marc StraponDefenseUnited StatesHayward High School
8167Darryl InghamRight WingCanadaUniversity of Manitoba
9188Bruce MacDonaldRight WingUnited StatesLoomis Chaffee School
10209Steve MorrowDefenseUnited StatesWestminster School
11230Darius RusnakCenterSlovakiaSlovan Bratislava
12251Dale RoehlGoaltenderUnited StatesMinnetonka High School

NHL Supplemental Draft

Philadelphia's picks at the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityTeam
221David WhyteLeft WingUnited StatesBoston College

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Hershey Bears of the AHL and the Flint Spirits of the IHL. Led by the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award winner as coach of the year, the Eddie Shore Award winner as top defenseman, and the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as top goaltender, Hershey finished first in their division and swept their way through the playoffs with a 12–0 record to a Calder Cup championship. Young was given the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP. In their only season as a Flyers affiliate, Flint finished fourth in the playoffs and lost in the finals to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in six games.