A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press of Friday's moves on condition of anonymity because they had not been made public.
The Flyers called an 8 p.m. press conference at the Wachovia Center.
A Carolina Hurricanes spokesman said they had granted the Flyers permission to talk to Laviolette, who led the team to its only Stanley Cup title in 2006. He was fired in December 2008 and was still under contract.
Laviolette, who also coached the New York Islanders for two seasons, was 167-130-30 in his four-plus seasons with Carolina.