2011–12 record 47–26–9 Road record 25–13–3 | Home record 22–13–6 Goals for 264 | |
The 2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Flyers' 45th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers lost in the second round of the playoffs to the New Jersey Devils in five games.
Contents
Off-season
Following his penchant for making big moves, Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren pulled off perhaps the most stunning move of his tenure, trading captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings for Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and a 2012 second-round draft pick, as well as Jeff Carter to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their 2011 first-round pick (Sean Couturier) and Jakub Voracek, all within the span of an hour on June 23. Later that same day, Holmgren addressed the Flyers' long-standing goaltending issues by signing the Phoenix Coyotes' Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million contract. On July 1, the Flyers signed Jaromir Jagr to a one-year contract, Maxime Talbot to a five-year contract and Andreas Lilja to a two-year contract.
Regular season
Chris Pronger was named the Flyers' captain; however, 13 games into the season, he was lost for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs with severe post-concussion syndrome.
Bryzgalov's play ranged from spectacular to subpar, including being benched in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky for the Flyers' 3–2 loss to the New York Rangers in the 2012 Winter Classic. Twelve rookies suited up for the Flyers during the season, with the play of Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Matt Read standing out impressively.
The Flyers concluded the regular season with the most powerplay opportunities of all teams (335), the most powerplay goals scored (66) and the most powerplay opportunities against (319).
Season standings
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
bold - qualified for playoffs, y – Clinched division, z – Clinched conference (and division)
Playoffs
The Flyers drew the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs, a series in which the two teams combined for an NHL-record 45 goals in the first four games and a total of 309 penalty minutes in an intense, fight-filled series. The Flyers pulled off the upset in six games against a Pittsburgh team that was heavily favored to win the Stanley Cup. But in the second round against the New Jersey Devils, the Flyers' run-and-gun style of play was stymied by the Devils' forechecking and defense, and the Flyers were eliminated in five games.
Skaters
Suspensions and fines
Transactions
The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from June 16, 2011, the day after the deciding game of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, through June 11, 2012, the day of the deciding game of the 2012 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 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which was held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 24–25, 2011.