1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers season
The 1971–72 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' fifth season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Off-season. The Flyers fired head coach Vic Stasiuk on May 27, 1971, after heavy criticism by Flyers players. On June 2, the Flyers hired Fred Shero to replace him. In the previous two seasons Shero had guided two teams to league championships, the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League and the Omaha Knights of the Central Hockey League. Regular season. Bobby Clarke continued to progress  as he led the team in goals (35), assists (46), and points (81) in 1971–72 and he became the first Flyer to win an NHL award, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. However, in the season's final game, the Flyers needed a win or a tie against the second-year Buffalo Sabres to beat out the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot. The score was tied late in the game, but with just four seconds on the clock, former Flyer Gerry Meehan took a shot from just inside the blue line that  eluded Flyers goalie Doug Favell. With identical records the playoff berth was determined by 'goals for' and went to the Penguins. Transactions. The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 19, 1971, the day after the deciding game of the 1971 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 11, 1972, the day of the deciding game of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals. Signings. Free agency. The following players were signed by the Flyers via free agency. Internal. The following players were either re-signed by the Flyers or, in the case of the team's selections in the NHL Entry  Draft, signed to contracts. Drafts. Intra-League. The 1971 NHL Intra-League Draft was held on June 8, 1971. Each NHL team placed 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders on a protected list from which the other teams could not select. It cost $40,000 to make a claim. Reverse. The 1971 NHL Reverse Draft was held on June 9, 1971. The Reverse Draft featured American Hockey League (AHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) teams selecting unprotected players from NHL teams. It cost $15,000 to make a claim. 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 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, on June 10, 1971. Farm teams. The Flyers were affiliated with the Richmond Robins of the AHL, the San Diego Gulls of the WHL, and the Jersey Devils and Salem Rebels of the EHL.