Around the Boards: Flyers fire Stevens … DiPietro returns, to minors … Gustavsson surgery and Kessel’s return to Boston
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Philadelphia Flyers have fired head coach John Stevens and replaced him with Peter Laviolette. Laviolette last coached in Carolina and led them to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2006. Look for the Flyers scoring to increase a bit.

    “Laviolette’s] more of an offensive coach. His teams play a real aggressive, pursue-the-puck type of game. I think that’s going to suit us real well.”

  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Rick DiPietro will be making his first start in almost a year today, albeit it in the AHL.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Jonas Gustavsson second heart ablation surgery went well, and he’s expected to miss 7 to 10 days.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Phil Kessel makes his return to Boston tonight, and I’m guessing it won’t be a friendly return.