1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season

The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers season was the Philadelphia Flyers' 13th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). This team owns the longest unbeaten streak in major North American sports history in 35 consecutive games without a loss, from October 14 to January 6.^[2][3][4][5] The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in six games to the New York Islanders.

1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers
Campbell Conference champions
Patrick Division champions
Division	1st Patrick
Conference	1st Campbell
1979–80 record	48–12–20
Home record	27–5–8
Road record	21–7–12
Goals for	327 (2nd)
Goals against	254 (7th)
Team information
General manager	Keith Allen
Coach	Pat Quinn
Captain	Mel Bridgman
Alternate captains	None[a]
Arena	Spectrum
Average attendance	17,077[1]
Minor league affiliate(s)	Maine Mariners Toledo Goaldiggers Hampton Aces
Team leaders
Goals	Reggie Leach (50)
Assists	Bobby Clarke (57) Ken Linseman (57)
Points	Ken Linseman (79)
Penalty minutes	Paul Holmgren (267)
Plus/minus	Jimmy Watson (+53)
Wins	Pete Peeters (29)
Goals against average	Pete Peeters (2.73)
← 1978–79 1980–81 →

Off-season

On August 10, 1979, Bobby Clarke was named a player-assistant coach.^[6] In order to become an assistant coach, Clarke was required to give up the captaincy due to NHL rules.^[7] Mel Bridgman was named Clarke's replacement as team captain on October 11.^[8]

Regular season

The Flyers went undefeated for a North American professional sports record 35 straight games (25–0–10), a record that still stands to this day.^[2] In doing so, the Flyers wrapped up the Patrick Division title with 14 games to spare and the #1 overall seed in the playoffs.

Season standings

Patrick Division

	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
Philadelphia Flyers	80	48	12	20	327	254	116
New York Islanders	80	39	28	13	281	247	91
New York Rangers	80	38	32	10	308	284	86
Atlanta Flames	80	35	32	13	282	269	83
Washington Capitals	80	27	40	13	261	293	67

^[9]Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

League standings^[10]

R		Div	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
1	p – Philadelphia Flyers	PTK	80	48	12	20	327	254	116
2	y – Buffalo Sabres	ADM	80	47	17	16	318	201	110
3	x – Montreal Canadiens	NRS	80	47	20	13	328	240	107
4	Boston Bruins	ADM	80	46	21	13	310	234	105
5	New York Islanders	PTK	80	39	28	13	281	247	91
6	Minnesota North Stars	ADM	80	36	28	16	311	253	88
7	x – Chicago Black Hawks	SMY	80	34	27	19	241	250	87
8	New York Rangers	PTK	80	38	32	10	308	284	86
9	Atlanta Flames	PTK	80	35	32	13	282	269	83
10	St. Louis Blues	SMY	80	34	34	12	266	278	80
11	Toronto Maple Leafs	ADM	80	35	40	5	304	327	75
12	Los Angeles Kings	NRS	80	30	36	14	290	313	74
13	Pittsburgh Penguins	NRS	80	30	37	13	251	303	73
14	Hartford Whalers	NRS	80	27	34	19	303	312	73
15	Vancouver Canucks	SMY	80	27	37	16	256	281	70
16	Edmonton Oilers	SMY	80	28	39	13	301	322	69
17	Washington Capitals	PTK	80	27	40	13	261	293	67
18	Detroit Red Wings	NRS	80	26	43	11	268	306	63
19	Quebec Nordiques	ADM	80	25	44	11	248	313	61
20	Winnipeg Jets	SMY	80	20	49	11	214	314	51
21	Colorado Rockies	SMY	80	19	48	13	234	308	51

Divisions: ADM – Adams, NRS – Norris, PTK – Patrick, SMY – Smythe

bold – The top 16 teams in the league qualified for the playoffs, regardless of division or conference.
x – Won division; y – Won Conference (and division); p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and conference and division)

Record vs. opponents

Patrick Division record vs. opponents

Vs. Campbell Conference Vs. Patrick Division 1979–80 NHL records[11] Team ATL NYI NYR PHI WSH Total Atlanta — 1–3 3–0–1 2–2 3–0–1 9−5−2 N.Y. Islanders 3–1 — 2–2 2–2 2–2 9−7−0 N.Y. Rangers 0–3–1 2–2 — 1–2–1 2–2 5−9−2 Philadelphia 2–2 2–2 2–1–1 — 2–0–2 8−5−3 Washington 0–3–1 2–2 2–2 0–2–2 — 4−9−3 Vs. Smythe Division 1979–80 NHL records Team CHI COL EDM STL VAN WIN Total Atlanta 0−2−2 4−0 2−1−1 3−1 2−2 4−0 15−6−3 N.Y. Islanders 2−1−1 3−1 1−2−1 3−1 1−2−1 2−0−2 12−7−5 N.Y. Rangers 1−2−1 1−1−2 3−1 4−0 4−0 2−2 15−6−3 Philadelphia 2–0–2 2–1–1 3–0−1 2−0−2 3−1 4−0 16−2−6 Washington 2−2 1−1−2 1−3 2−2 3−1 3−0−1 12−9−3 Vs. Wales Conference Vs. Adams Division 1979–80 NHL records Team BOS BUF MIN QUE TOR Total Atlanta 0–4 0–3–1 1–1–2 3–0–1 1–3 5–11–4 N.Y. Islanders 1–3 1–2–1 0–2–2 4–0 3–1 9–8–3 N.Y. Rangers 2–2 1–2–1 1–2–1 2–1–1 2–2 8–9–3 Philadelphia 1–1–2 3–0–1 3–1 3–0–1 1–1–2 11–3–6 Washington 1–2–1 0–4 0–3–1 1–1–2 1–3 3–13–4 Vs. Norris Division 1979–80 NHL records Team DET HFD LAK MTL PIT Total Atlanta 2–1–1 1–3 2–1–1 0–3–1 1–2–1 6–10–4 N.Y. Islanders 1–3 3–1 2–1–1 3–0–1 0–1–3 9–6–5 N.Y. Rangers 3–1 2–1–1 3–1 0–3–1 2–2 10–8–2 Philadelphia 3–0–1 2–0–2 4–0 1–2–1 3–0–1 13–2–5 Washington 1–2–1 2–1–1 3–1 1–2–1 1–3 8–9–3

Playoffs

The Flyers' regular-season success continued into the playoffs, as the Flyers swept a young Wayne Gretzky and his Edmonton Oilers in the first round, then went on to get revenge against Fred Shero and his Rangers by beating them in five before disposing of Minnesota in five to lock up a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals. Facing the Islanders for the Cup, the Flyers would ultimately lose in six games on Bob Nystrom's overtime Cup-winning goal. The result of the series was marred by controversy, as the Islanders were arguably offside on the play that resulted in their second goal in Game 6, but no call was made. Linesman Leon Stickle admitted after the game that he had blown the call.^[12]

Schedule and results

Regular season

1979–80 regular season[13]
October: 6–1–1 (home: 5–0–1; road: 1–1–0) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 1 October 11 5–2 New York Islanders Myre 17,077 1–0–0 2 W 2 October 13 2–9 @ Atlanta Flames Myre 13,358 1–1–0 2 L 3 October 14 4–3 Toronto Maple Leafs Peeters 17,077 2–1–0 4 W 4 October 18 6–2 Atlanta Flames Peeters 17,077 3–1–0 6 W 5 October 20 7–3 @ Detroit Red Wings Myre 15,417 4–1–0 8 W 6 October 21 6–6 Montreal Canadiens Myre 17,077 4–1–1 9 T 7 October 25 5–2 New York Rangers Peeters 17,077 5–1–1 11 W 8 October 28 5–4 Detroit Red Wings Myre 17,077 6–1–1 13 W
November: 11–0–2 (home: 6–0–0; road: 5–0–2) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 9 November 1 3–1 St. Louis Blues Peeters 17,077 7–1–1 15 W 10 November 3 5–3 @ Montreal Canadiens Myre 17,012 8–1–1 17 W 11 November 4 3–1 Buffalo Sabres Peeters 17,077 9–1–1 19 W 12 November 7 4–3 @ Quebec Nordiques Myre 11,899 10–1–1 21 W 13 November 10 5–2 @ New York Islanders Peeters 14,995 11–1–1 23 W 14 November 11 5–4 Vancouver Canucks Myre 17,077 12–1–1 25 W 15 November 15 5–3 Edmonton Oilers Myre 17,077 13–1–1 27 W 16 November 17 3–3 @ St. Louis Blues Peeters 12,723 13–1–2 28 T 17 November 21 6–4 @ Los Angeles Kings Peeters 10,030 14–1–2 30 W 18 November 23 5–2 @ Vancouver Canucks Myre 16,413 15–1–2 32 W 19 November 24 2–2 @ Edmonton Oilers Peeters 15,423 15–1–3 33 T 20 November 27 6–2 Hartford Whalers Myre 17,077 16–1–3 35 W 21 November 29 6–4 Minnesota North Stars Peeters 17,077 17–1–3 37 W
December: 7–0–7 (home: 4–0–4; road: 3–0–3) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 22 December 1 4–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs Myre 16,485 17–1–4 38 T 23 December 2 4–4 Detroit Red Wings Peeters 17,077 17–1–5 39 T 24 December 4 2–2 Boston Bruins Myre 17,077 17–1–6 40 T 25 December 6 9–4 Los Angeles Kings Peeters 17,077 18–1–6 42 W 26 December 9 4–4 Chicago Black Hawks Myre 17,077 18–1–7 43 T 27 December 13 6–4 Quebec Nordiques Peeters 17,077 19–1–7 45 W 28 December 15 3–2 Buffalo Sabres Peeters 17,077 20–1–7 47 W 29 December 16 1–1 @ New York Rangers Myre 17,404 20–1–8 48 T 30 December 20 1–1 Pittsburgh Penguins Peeters 17,077 20–1–9 49 T 31 December 22 5–2 @ Boston Bruins Myre 14,673 21–1–9 51 W 32 December 23 4–2 Hartford Whalers Peeters 17,077 22–1–9 53 W 33 December 26 4–4 @ Hartford Whalers Myre 7,627 22–1–10 54 T 34 December 28 5–3 @ Winnipeg Jets Peeters 16,038 23–1–10 56 W 35 December 29 3–2 @ Colorado Rockies Myre 16,452 24–1–10 58 W
January: 10–2–2 (home: 4–0–1; road: 6–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 36 January 4 5–3 @ New York Rangers Myre 17,398 25–1–10 60 W 37 January 6 4–2 @ Buffalo Sabres Peeters 16,433 26–1–10 62 W 38 January 7 1–7 @ Minnesota North Stars Myre 15,962 26–2–10 62 L 39 January 10 5–4 Winnipeg Jets Peeters 17,077 27–2–10 64 W 40 January 12 3–4 @ Montreal Canadiens Myre 18,091 27–3–10 64 L 41 January 13 1–1 St. Louis Blues Peeters 17,077 27–3–11 65 T 42 January 15 7–4 Washington Capitals Myre 17,077 28–3–11 67 W 43 January 17 5–1 Chicago Black Hawks Peeters 17,077 29–3–11 69 W 44 January 19 4–4 @ Washington Capitals Myre 18,130 29–3–12 70 T 45 January 22 3–1 @ St. Louis Blues Peeters 17,453 30–3–12 72 W 46 January 23 4–1 @ Chicago Black Hawks Myre 17,160 31–3–12 74 W 47 January 25 5–4 @ Winnipeg Jets Peeters 15,122 32–3–12 76 W 48 January 27 5–3 @ Edmonton Oilers Peeters 15,423 33–3–12 78 W 49 January 31 4–2 Minnesota North Stars St. Croix 17,077 34–3–12 80 W
February: 7–2–2 (home: 3–1–1; road: 4–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 50 February 2 4–0 @ Pittsburgh Penguins Peeters 16,033 35–3–12 82 W 51 February 3 3–3 Boston Bruins Myre 17,077 35–3–13 83 T 52 February 7 1–4 Vancouver Canucks Myre 17,077 35–4–13 83 L 53 February 9 6–5 @ Detroit Red Wings Peeters 19,353 36–4–13 85 W 54 February 10 5–2 Los Angeles Kings Myre 17,077 37–4–13 87 W 55 February 14 5–1 Winnipeg Jets Peeters 17,077 38–4–13 89 W 56 February 17 6–5 Pittsburgh Penguins Myre 17,077 39–4–13 91 W 57 February 19 6–8 @ Colorado Rockies Peeters 11,563 39–5–13 91 L 58 February 22 7–3 @ Vancouver Canucks Myre 16,341 40–5–13 93 W 59 February 23 5–1 @ Los Angeles Kings Peeters 16,005 41–5–13 95 W 60 February 27 1–1 @ Buffalo Sabres Myre 16,433 41–5–14 96 T
March: 6–6–5 (home: 4–3–1; road: 2–3–4) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 61 March 1 3–3 @ Toronto Maple Leafs Myre 16,485 41–5–15 97 T 62 March 2 1–5 Montreal Canadiens Peeters 17,077 41–6–15 97 L 63 March 4 4–1 Colorado Rockies Peeters 17,007 42–6–15 99 W 64 March 6 2–5 New York Islanders Myre 17,077 42–7–15 99 L 65 March 8 6–2 @ Minnesota North Stars Peeters 15,701 43–7–15 101 W 66 March 9 5–3 Edmonton Oilers Myre 17,077 44–7–15 103 W 67 March 11 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins Peeters 9,972 45–7–15 105 W 68 March 12 6–6 @ Chicago Black Hawks Myre 17,306 45–7–16 106 T 69 March 15 3–4 @ Atlanta Flames Peeters 15,156 45–8–16 106 L 70 March 16 4–4 Colorado Rockies Myre 17,077 45–8–17 107 T 71 March 20 0–3 Toronto Maple Leafs Peeters 17,077 45–9–17 107 L 72 March 21 5–5 @ Hartford Whalers Myre 14,460 45–9–18 108 T 73 March 23 2–7 @ Boston Bruins Peeters 14,673 45–10–18 108 L 74 March 25 2–5 @ New York Islanders Myre 14,995 45–11–18 108 L 75 March 27 5–2 Quebec Nordiques Peeters 17,077 46–11–18 110 W 76 March 29 3–3 @ Washington Capitals Myre 18,130 46–11–19 111 T 77 March 30 4–2 Atlanta Flames Peeters 17,077 47–11–19 113 W
April: 1–1–1 (home: 1–1–0; road: 0–0–1) Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Record Points Recap 78 April 1 3–3 @ Quebec Nordiques Myre 10,706 47–11–20 114 T 79 April 3 4–2 Washington Capitals Peeters 17,077 48–11–20 116 W 80 April 6 3–8 New York Rangers Myre 17,077 48–12–20 116 L
Legend: W Win (2 points) L Loss (0 points) T Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

1980 Stanley Cup playoffs[13]
Preliminary Round vs. Edmonton Oilers - Flyers win 3–0 Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 April 8 4–3 OT Edmonton Oilers Peeters 17,077 Flyers lead 1–0 W 2 April 9 5–1 Edmonton Oilers Peeters 17,077 Flyers lead 2–0 W 3 April 11 3–2 OT @ Edmonton Oilers Myre 15,423 Flyers win 3–0 W
Quarterfinals vs. New York Rangers – Flyers win 4–1 Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 April 16 2–1 New York Rangers Peeters 17,077 Flyers lead 1–0 W 2 April 17 4–1 New York Rangers Peeters 17,077 Flyers lead 2–0 W 3 April 19 3–0 @ New York Rangers Peeters 17,374 Flyers lead 3–0 W 4 April 20 2–4 @ New York Rangers Peeters 17,368 Flyers lead 3–1 L 5 April 22 3–1 New York Rangers Peeters 17,077 Flyers win 4–1 W
Semifinals vs. Minnesota North Stars – Flyers win 4–1 Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 April 29 5–6 Minnesota North Stars Peeters 17,077 North Stars lead 1–0 L 2 May 1 7–0 Minnesota North Stars Myre 17,077 Series tied 1–1 W 3 May 4 5–3 @ Minnesota North Stars Myre 15,706 Flyers lead 2–1 W 4 May 6 3–2 @ Minnesota North Stars Myre 15,650 Flyers lead 3–1 W 5 May 8 7–3 Minnesota North Stars Myre 17,077 Flyers win 4–1 W
Stanley Cup Finals vs. New York Islanders – Islanders win 4–2 Game Date Score Opponent Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 May 13 3–4 OT New York Islanders Peeters 17,077 Islanders lead 1–0 L 2 May 15 8–3 New York Islanders Peeters 17,077 Series tied 1–1 W 3 May 17 2–6 @ New York Islanders Myre 14,995 Islanders lead 2–1 L 4 May 19 2–5 @ New York Islanders Peeters 14,995 Islanders lead 3–1 L 5 May 22 6–3 New York Islanders Peeters 17,077 Islanders lead 3–2 W 6 May 24 4–5 OT @ New York Islanders Peeters 14,995 Islanders win 4–2 L
Legend: W Win L Loss

Player statistics

Scoring

• Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
• † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.
• ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Flyers only.

No.	Player	Pos	Regular season						Playoffs
			GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM
14	Ken Linseman	C	80	22	57	79	26	107	17	4	18	22	13	40
27	Reggie Leach	RW	76	50	26	76	40	28	19	9	7	16	8	6
26	Brian Propp	LW	80	34	41	75	45	54	19	5	10	15	12	29
7	Bill Barber	LW	79	40	32	72	39	17	19	12	9	21	10	23
16	Bobby Clarke	C	76	12	57	69	42	65	19	8	12	20	10	16
19	Rick MacLeish	LW	78	31	35	66	23	28	19	9	6	15	1	2
17	Paul Holmgren	RW	74	30	35	65	35	267	18	10	10	20	15	47
10	Mel Bridgman	C	74	16	31	47	13	136	19	2	9	11	8	70
2	Bob Dailey	D	61	13	26	39	30	71	19	4	13	17	9	22
9	Bob Kelly	LW	75	15	20	35	19	122	19	1	1	2	−1	38
3	Behn Wilson	D	61	9	25	34	21	212	19	4	9	13	6	66
11	Dennis Ververgaert	RW	58	14	17	31	9	24	2	0	0	0	−3	0
15	Al Hill	LW	61	16	10	26	14	53	19	3	5	8	3	19
25	Norm Barnes	D	59	4	21	25	23	59	10	0	0	0	−2	8
20	Jimmy Watson	D	71	5	18	23	53	51	15	0	4	4	16	20
22	Tom Gorence	RW	51	8	13	21	7	15	15	3	3	6	6	18
28[b]	Mike Busniuk	D	71	2	18	20	39	93	19	2	4	6	17	23
12	John Paddock	LW	32	3	7	10	−4	36	3	2	0	2	0	0
6	Andre Dupont	D	58	1	7	8	37	107	19	0	4	4	21	50
5	Frank Bathe	D	47	0	7	7	7	111	1	0	0	0	−1	0
29	Jack McIlhargey†	D	26	0	4	4	7	95	9	0	0	0	1	25
23	Dave Gardner†	C	2	1	1	2	1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
21	Gary Morrison	RW	3	0	2	2	0	0	5	0	1	1	2	2
21	Don Gillen	RW	1	1	0	1	1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
34	Dennis Patterson	D	3	0	1	1	−1	0	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Blake Wesley	D	2	0	1	1	−3	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
31	Phil Myre	G	41	0	0	0		37	6	0	0	0		0
33	Pete Peeters	G	40	0	0	0		28	13	0	0	0		2
30	Rick St. Croix	G	1	0	0	0		0	—	—	—	—	—	—

Goaltending

No.	Player	Regular season											Playoffs
		GP	GS	W	L	T	SA	GA	GAA	SV%	SO	TOI	GP	GS	W	L	SA	GA	GAA	SV%	SO	TOI
33	Pete Peeters	40	39	29	5	5	1061	108	2.73	.898	1	2,370	13	13	8	5	377	37	2.79	.902	1	797
31	Phil Myre	41	40	18	7	15	1127	141	3.58	.875	0	2,363	6	6	5	1	201	16	2.50	.920	1	384
30	Rick St. Croix	1	1	1	0	0	25	2	2.00	.920	0	60	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Awards and records

Awards

Type	Award/honor	Recipient	Ref
League (annual)	Jack Adams Award	Pat Quinn	[14]
	Lester Patrick Trophy[c]	Bobby Clarke	[15]
		Ed Snider
League (in-season)	NHL All-Star Game selection	Bill Barber	[16][17]
		Norm Barnes
		Reggie Leach[d]
		Rick MacLeish
		Pete Peeters
		Brian Propp
		Jimmy Watson
Team	Barry Ashbee Trophy	Norm Barnes	[18]
	Class Guy Award	Andre Dupont	[18]

Records

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers records

The 1979–80 Philadelphia Flyers set the NHL record and North American pro sports record undefeated streak of 35 games, 25 wins and 10 ties, from October 14 to January 6.^[19] Likewise, they set team records for longest home undefeated streak at 26 games (October 11 to February 3) and longest road undefeated streak at 16 games (October 20 to January 6).^[20][21] Among other team records set during the regular season was the most powerplay goals allowed in a single game (6 on February 19) and the most penalties in a single game (38 on February 22).^[22][23] Their twelve losses and seven road losses on the season are the fewest in franchise history.^[24]

The Flyers set a number of franchise records during their semifinal playoff series with the Minnesota North Stars. On May 1, Bob Dailey tied a team record for most assists during a playoff game (4) and set the team record for points by a defenseman during a playoff game (5).^[25][26] Team records were also tied for most powerplay goals in a single game (4) and single period (3) during the same game.^[27][28] Bill Barber's three shorthanded goals during the series is tied for an NHL record, as is the same total for most shorthanded goals in a playoff year.^[29][30]

Another series mark which tied the NHL record was the 15 powerplay goals allowed against the New York Islanders during the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals.^[31] Barber’s four game-winning goals is also tied for a team playoff year record and defenseman Andre Dupont’s +21 plus-minus rating is the team record.^[32][33] The Flyers nine home wins during the playoffs is tied for the most in team history.^[24]

Milestones

Milestone	Player	Date	Ref
First game	Brian Propp	October 11, 1979	[34]
	Blake Wesley	October 13, 1979
	Mike Busniuk	October 20, 1979
	Don Gillen	January 27, 1980
	Gary Morrison	February 17, 1980
600th assist	Bobby Clarke	October 14, 1979	[35]

Transactions

The Flyers were involved in the following transactions from May 22, 1979, the day after the deciding game of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, through May 24, 1980, the day of the deciding game of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals.^[36]

Trades

Date	Details		Ref
June 7, 1979 (1979-06-07)	To Philadelphia Flyers Phil Myre	To St. Louis Blues Blake Dunlop Rick Lapointe	[37]
August 16, 1979 (1979-08-16)	To Philadelphia Flyers 3rd-round pick in 1981	To Washington Capitals Wayne Stephenson	[38]
September 4, 1979 (1979-09-04)	To Philadelphia Flyers Conditional 3rd or 4th-round pick in 1981[e]	To Detroit Red Wings Dennis Sobchuk	[39]
January 2, 1980 (1980-01-02)	To Philadelphia Flyers Jack McIlhargey	To Vancouver Canucks cash	[40]

Players acquired

Date	Player	Former team	Term	Via	Ref
June 9, 1979 (1979-06-09)	Dennis Sobchuk	Edmonton Oilers		Reclamation[f]	[39][41]
August 8, 1979 (1979-08-08)	Dennis Patterson	Maine Mariners (AHL)		Free agency	[42]
September 4, 1979 (1979-09-04)	Fred Williams	Philadelphia Firebirds (AHL)		Free agency	[43]
September 28, 1979 (1979-09-28)	Greg Adams	Victoria Cougars (WHL)		Free agency	[44]
October 10, 1979 (1979-10-10)	Sam St. Laurent	Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)		Free agency	[45]
October 25, 1979 (1979-10-25)	Tim Kerr	Kingston Canadians (OMJHL)		Free agency	[46]
October 28, 1979 (1979-10-28)	Marc-Andre Marchand	Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)	3-year	Free agency	[47]
October 31, 1979 (1979-10-31)	Dan Barber	Toronto Marlboros (OMJHL)		Free agency	[48]
January 21, 1980 (1980-01-21)	Dave Gardner	Binghamton Dusters (AHL)		Free agency	[49]

Players lost

Date	Player	New team	Via	Ref
May 31, 1979 (1979-05-31)	Bernie Parent		Retirement	[50]
June 9, 1979 (1979-06-09)	Serge Beaudoin	Atlanta Flames[g]	Reclamation	[41][51]
	Ron Chipperfield	Edmonton Oilers	Reclamation	[41][52]
	John McKenzie[h]		Reclamation	[41][53]
	Michel Parizeau[i]		Reclamation	[41][55]
June 13, 1979 (1979-06-13)	Jim Cunningham	Winnipeg Jets	Expansion draft	[41][56]
	Dave Hoyda	Winnipeg Jets	Expansion draft	[41][56]
	Bernie Johnston	Hartford Whalers	Expansion draft	[41][56]
	M. F. Schurman	Hartford Whalers	Expansion draft	[41][56]

Signings

Date	Player	Term	Ref
June 18, 1979 (1979-06-18)	Frank Bathe	multi-year	[57]
September 4, 1979 (1979-09-04)	Lindsay Carson		[43]
	Don Gillen		[43]
	Brian Propp	multi-year	[43]
	Blake Wesley		[43]
	Gord Williams		[43]

Draft picks

See also: List of Philadelphia Flyers draft picks

Philadelphia's picks at the 1979 NHL entry draft, which was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, on August 9, 1979.^[58]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	Team (league)	Notes
1	14	Brian Propp	Left wing	Canada	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2	22	Blake Wesley	Defense	Canada	Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)	[j]
	35	Pelle Lindbergh	Goaltender	Sweden	AIK (Elitserien)
3	56	Lindsay Carson	Center	Canada	Billings Bighorns (WHL)
4	77	Don Gillen	Right wing	Canada	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5	98	Thomas Eriksson	Defense	Sweden	Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
6	119	Gord Williams	Forward	Canada	Lethbridge Broncos (WHL)

Farm teams

The Flyers were affiliated with the Maine Mariners of the AHL,^[60][61] the Toledo Goaldiggers of the IHL,^[62] and the Hampton Aces of the Eastern Hockey League.^[62]

Notes

1. The alternate captain position was abolished from the 1975–76 season through the 1984–85 season.
2. Busniuk wore number 21 in his first game.
3. Former Flyers coach Fred Shero also given award
4. Named All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
5. Received 4th-round pick.
6. Originally drafted by the Flyers in the fifth round of the 1974 NHL amateur draft, Sobchuk was reclaimed from Edmonton prior to the Expansion draft.
7. Since Beaudoin's 1978–79 WHA team, the Birmingham Bulls, was not one of the four teams accepted into the NHL, he became a free agent and signed with Atlanta on August 15.
8. McKenzie was not reclaimed from the Hartford Whalers and retired.
9. Parizeau was not reclaimed from Edmonton and retired. He was named the head coach of the Syracuse Firebirds on September 5.^[54]
10. The Flyers traded the 1978 second-round pick acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in the 1976 Dave Schultz trade to the Colorado Rockies for the Rockies' 1979 second-round pick, 22nd overall, on June 15, 1978.^[59]