1980–81 record 41–24–15 Road record 18–15–7 | Conference 3rd Campbell Home record 23–9–8 Goals for 313 (11th) | |
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The 1980–81 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 14th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). After finishing second in the Patrick Division, the Flyers lost in the quarterfinals to the Calgary Flames in seven games.
Contents
Regular season
Bobby Clarke 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
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
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.
Skaters
Goaltenders
Records
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.
Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency.
Draft picks
The Flyers signed the following of their draft picks.
NHL Waiver Draft
The 1980 NHL Waiver Draft was held on October 8, 1980. Each NHL team placed 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders on a protected list from which the other teams could not select. First-year professional players were exempt. The Flyers were not involved in any selections during the draft.
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 (*).
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.
Farm teams
The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL and the Toledo Goaldiggers of the IHL.