Flyers dump Barber

VOORHEES, N.J., April 30 (UPI) -- A nightmarish postseason performance and player unrest by the Philadelphia Flyers cost Coach Bill Barber his job Tuesday but long-time General Manager Bob Clarke survived.

With a payroll of $55.5 million, the Flyers were expected to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Instead, they scored only two goals in losing to the Ottawa Senators, four games to one, in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

"This was not an easy decision, given all that Bill Barber has meant to the Flyers organization over the years," Clarke said.

"Billy was a teammate, and he is a friend, and when we extended his contract last summer, we all hoped and expected that it would be a long-term relationship. We're all deeply disappointed that it didn't turn out that way."

A year after winning the Adams Trophy as coach of the year, Barber watched his team collapse late in the regular season and in the playoffs. Barber's fate was sealed when several players were openly critical of his coaching style.

Flyers Board Chairman Ed Snider met with the disgruntled players Monday before the decision was made to fire Barber.

"I met with the players and they were embarrassed," Snider said. "The expectations were high for this team. I know most of you (the media) picked this team to win the Stanley Cup in the beginning of the season and the end result was very disappointing.

"I am not happy that some of the players vented their frustration in public, but the frustration is boiling over for the entire organization. We let the city down and we let down the fans."

Flyers center Keith Primeau publicly criticized Barber, claiming the coaching staff was not open to suggestions and put the onus on the players to make the adjustments.

"He (Barber) wants the player to make the adjustment," Primeau said. "Our job is to play. I felt like I was having to make the adjustments on the bench. I don't feel that's part of my job description."

Snider again let Clarke off the hook, although he has now fired four coaches in the last five years.

"Is it the general manager's fault that all the players here had down years," Snider said. "He(Clarke) was applauded for the players he brought in here in the offseason."