Why Brad Shaw Chose to Leave the Philadelphia Flyers?

Brad Shaw has left the Flyers after three seasons with the organization. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

Upon the hiring of Rick Tocchet, interim head coach Brad Shaw made the somewhat surprising decision to leave the Philadelphia Flyers after three seasons, even after initially being willing to stay on under a new head coach in his previous role of associate coach.

So, what was it that led to Shaw ultimately pulling out of the Flyers organization altogether this late in the hiring cycle?

"With Brad, you all know he was in the running. He was strongly considered all the way to the end. It was tough," Flyers general manager Danny Briere began to explain to attending media during Tocchet's introductory press conference Friday.

"We're really appreciative of what Brad has done. He's helped a lot of our young guys on defense, especially, and he was considered. He called me yesterday and said he didn't feel like he could fully invest himself going through the [interview] process again to see if he was to be part of [Tocchet's] staff moving forward.

"I totally understand and respect that and we wish him the best."

In other words, Shaw's heart was not in it anymore after coming in second to Tocchet to be in charge of the Flyers.

And then, of course, the guy who he lost to would have to interview him again, and Shaw would have to make his case again.

There have been some reports, including one from St. Louis reporter Andy Strickland, that Shaw, 61, will be highly coveted around the NHL as he seeks his next journey in coaching

It is worth noting that the Metropolitan Division rival New Jersey Devils just cut assistant coach Ryan McGill loose, so that is one of potentially many landing spots for Shaw, and one that is reasonably close by if he is to pack up and move.

As for head coach openings, teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Seattle Kraken are still without permanent head coaches as we rapidly approach June.