Flyers to keep interim coach Mike Yeo through rest of season

The Philadelphia Flyers dismissed head coach Alain Vigneault on Dec. 6 amid a frustrating losing streak but haven't righted the ship under interim head coach Mike Yeo. Per Adam Kimelman of the NHL's website, the Flyers have gone 5-11-4 since the coaching change but have also endured 12 consecutive defeats (0-9-3) coming off Monday's 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. 

Nevertheless, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced ahead of Tuesday's game at the New York Islanders that Yeo will remain in his role through the remainder of the season. Additionally, the Flyers appointed John Torchetti as a new assistant coach to work with Yeo. 

Somewhat ironically, Torchetti replaced Yeo as Minnesota Wild interim coach during the 2015-16 NHL season after he was appointed by Fletcher. It seems, however, a similar change won't be coming for the Flyers this winter. 

As Jordan Hall noted for NBC Sports Philadelphia, the last-place Flyers have been decimated by injuries and illness issues under Yeo, who is merely a caretaker boss at this stage of what is a lost season for Philadelphia even before next month's All-Star Game.

"The last thing that I want to do is sit here and say it's OK that we lost a hockey game, that's for sure," Yeo remarked shortly after Monday's result. "None of us accept this. But there is a certain reality to it, too. We've got eight guys out of the lineup and obviously we're feeling the effects of that."