2010–11 record 47–23–12 Road record 25–11–5 | Home record 22–12–7 Goals for 259 | |
The 2010–11 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 44th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost in the second round of the 2011 playoffs to the Boston Bruins in a four-game sweep.
Contents
Off-season
Coming off a close loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Flyers traded Simon Gagne to the Tampa Bay Lightning to clear up cap space, acquired Andrej Meszaros from Tampa Bay in a separate trade and signed free agent Sean O'Donnell to shore up the defense.
Regular season
The Flyers started the season with rookie goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, who recorded an opening-night win in his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins and had steady numbers throughout the season. Brian Boucher remained as the backup goaltender while Michael Leighton played one game in December after recovering from a back injury and was sent to Adirondack in the AHL. The Flyers led both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference for the majority of the season, and challenged the Vancouver Canucks for the overall NHL lead. Kris Versteeg was brought in from the Toronto Maple Leafs to add additional offense for the stretch drive and playoffs. However, lackluster play throughout March and April, coupled with a broken hand suffered by Chris Pronger in late February that ended his regular season, cost the Flyers the top seed in the East during the last week of the regular season, although the Flyers hung on to win their first Atlantic Division title since 2003–04 and clinched the second seed in the East.
Season standings
bold - qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; z – Placed first in conference (and division)
AT - Atlantic Division, NE - Northeast Division, SE - Southeast Division
Playoffs
The Flyers drew the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. Sergei Bobrovsky played well in a 1–0 Game 1 loss, but was replaced in Game 2 for Brian Boucher, who held on for a 5–4 Flyers win. Boucher played well in a Game 3 win and a Game 4 loss, but was replaced himself in a favor of Michael Leighton during a poor first period in Game 5, and Buffalo won in overtime. Pronger returned to the lineup and Leighton started Game 6 but was replaced by Boucher after a sub-par first period, but the Flyers went on to win in overtime and forced a Game 7, which Boucher started. The Flyers dominated Buffalo, winning 5–2, and became the first team to win a playoff series starting three different goaltenders since 1988.
The Flyers then drew a rematch with the Boston Bruins in the second round. Boston dominated the Flyers in Game 1, where Boucher was again replaced, this time by Bobrovsky. Pronger again left the lineup with an undisclosed injury, while Boston won Game 2 in overtime and again dominated the Flyers in Game 3 to take a 3–0 series lead. Bobrovsky started Game 4, but there would be no such comeback like their previous meeting as Boston completed the sweep of the Flyers. The Flyers tied an NHL record with seven playoff in-game goalie changes, and were the only NHL team not to record a shutout in either the regular season or playoffs.
Skaters
Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2010, the day after the deciding game of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 15, 2011, the day of the deciding game of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.
Trades
Free agency
The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).
Re-signed
The following players were re-signed by the Flyers. Two-way contracts are marked with an asterisk (*).
Entry level contracts
The following players — Flyers draft picks, undrafted free agents, and the unsigned draft picks of other teams — were signed by the Flyers to entry level contracts.
Waivers
The Flyers were involved in the following waivers transactions.
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 2010 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 25–26, 2010.