You've Got Fail: Flyers Fire Peter Laviolette after Three Games; Blame Fax Machine

The news today that Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren had punted coach Peter Laviolette after a marathon 2013-2014 season tenure of three games was generally greeted with shock, awe and poorly spelt outrage.

The truth is the firing should've occurred earlier.

No, really: it should've occurred earlier.

"We actually fired Peter back in April when we missed the playoffs," confided a Flyers insider, cutting short his Betamax video film session to talk with The Daily Player. "He just didn't get the fax until today.

"I know the optics of ditching a coach after an 0-3 start is bad, but honestly, we've known this guy was terrible for a good while now. It's unfortunate how it turned out, but we had to follow due process. Technology, hey? Whatcha gonna do?"

During the offseason and training camp, did the organization ever consider, you know, telling Laviolette in person?

"Paul Holmgren isn't stupid. He wouldn't step outside of our long held, carefully constructed procedures to fire someone face-to-face. It's difficult and upsetting for Paul.

"And it's the reason Elvis Dumervil invented the fax machine in the first place."

So, how many games is new hire Craig Berube getting?

"Oh, I would imagine at least ten games, maybe a dozen. It takes at least that long for our carrier pigeons to get back from AHL scouting."

The Flyers play a short two-game homestand before setting out in their covered wagons for a tilt against Detroit.