We are into the winter of 2026 and the Flyers are 40 games into the regular season. As we woke up on this brisk January morning the Flyers were just two points out of 1st place in the NHL Metropolitan Division. At this point can we at least start the conversation? …Are the Flyers for real?
The Conversation
I’m as cautious and as realistic as the next guy. But I also don’t believe that automatic pessimism offers instant credibility. So let’s try to take an honest look at the situation.
Not asking if they’re Cup contenders. Not suggesting that the rebuild is complete or that it’s time to sit back. In fact the fun part of the rebuild is just getting started.
All that being said… If the Flyers continue the pace that they’ve been on this season they may see their first trip to the playoffs since 2019-2020. They may even win a round. Yes, that’s a big “if” and there in lies the parameters of the conversation. Can they keep it up?
Details
The Flyers are currently in 3rd place in the division, 21-12-7 with 49 points. The Islanders are in 2nd place with 50 points but Philadelphia has two games in hand. The Carolina Hurricanes have been holding down 1st place, now with 51 points but the Flyers have a game in hand on them as well.
The NHL season has been playing a jam packed schedule leading up to the Olympic break in February. There are 14 more games packed into January. That’s a lot of hockey crammed into a short amount of time.
The Flyers season will pause after they host the Senators on February 5th. They will not return to action until February 25th in Washington. When the break arrives we will be picking up the needle and dropping it back down just in time for March. Over the past two years March has not been kind to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Recent history
By the end of February 2024 the overachieving Flyers were 31-22-7 and were clearly in the running for a playoff spot. They stumbled, then crumbled down the stretch. They went 6-9-0 through March.
March 24th started an 8 game losing streak that came to a merciful end after a 9-3 loss in Montreal on April 9th. Their season was essentially over.
I was in the locker room with the team after that loss in Montreal. Every player stayed in front of their stall in full uniform to share responsibility. It was intense and sincere, they had done their best, it was all they had.
Last season again March took it’s toll. The Flyers went 5-10-1 throughout the month leading up to the firing of head coach John Tortorella on March 27th.
Give the recent history it is more than understandable why Flyers Fans may be hesitant to have conversations about a possible playoff berth this season. It seems that “we’ll see” is the general consensus.
Why is this year different?
Two players who have been dominant this season for the Orange and Black seem to be making a world of difference. You would hate to see something happen to either of them going down the stretch. Trevor Zegras and goaltender Dan Vladar have been key to the Flyers success so far.
The Flyers are already dealing with the loss of Tyson Foerster who will miss the rest of the season due to injury. Foerster was iffy at training camp wearing a no contact jersey after coming back sooner than expected from an off season medical complication.
He was in the line-up opening night and was having a banner year. He was the team’s top scorer when he suffered a season ending injury on December 1st. The Flyers kept up their winning ways going 6-5-4 for the month.
Next Man Up
Denver Barkey was called up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in mid December and has been a spark plug for the team. Carl Grundstrom and Nikita Grebenkin have been positive parts of the “next man up” approach. Christian Dvorak is 4th highest in points behind Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, and Trevor Zegras.
Bobby Brink and Emil Andrae are playing some good hockey. Rasmus Ristolainen is back. Matvei Michkov is starting to climb up the points board after a slow start.
Trevor Zegras
Trevor Zegras has proven to be a gigantic addition to the Flyers roster. He has a new lease on his hockey life after being picked up in a trade for Ryan Poehling and two draft picks. Zegras was picked by the Anaheim Ducks 9th overall in the 1st round of the 2019 NHL draft. He hit a plateau out west and was in need of a different situation.
He has blossomed since arriving in Philly. He is the team’s highest scorer and points leader with 15 goals and 24 assists. He works hard and is taking this opportunity seriously.
Ever since arriving at camp this Fall he’s always among the last to leave the ice. He has made a world of difference to the Flyers offense. He’s fast, crafty, and very creative with the puck. He is at 68% on the shootout going 17 for 25 in his career making him the most successful in NHL history at this point. His resurgence has been beyond expectations.
Dan Vladar
Goaltender Dan Vladar who was picked up on free agency this Summer has proven to be the biggest improvement for the Flyers so far this season. Vladar came into camp and worked his way into the number one position on the goaltending tandem.
Dan Vladar last played for the Calgary Flames. As it turns out there’s another factor besides change of scenery at play here. In March of 2024 (there goes that month again) he had season ending hip surgery to address a problem that he had been dealing with for quite some time.
Now fully recovered and looking to prove himself the 28 year old netminder is doing exactly that. Vladar has played 24 games for the Flyers so far this season and is 15-6-3, with a GAA of 2.39, and a .910 SV%.
Compare that to his tandem partner Samuel Ersson. The veteran Philadelphia goaltender has played in 15 games this season. His record is 6-5-4 with a GAA of 3.09 and a .867 SV%. Vladar is ranked #10 among NHL goaltenders, Ersson is currently ranked at #53.
Last season the Flyers had the worst combined goals against average in the entire NHL. As we near the midway point of the regular season it’s undeniable. Dan Vladar has been key to the team’s success.
So back to the original question. Are the Flyers for real? Will this be the year that they finally make it back to post-season play? You hate to put all the pressure on one guy but if Dan Vladar can stay healthy and continue to be consistent between the pipes for the Flyers there is no credible reason why they couldn’t.
It’s January and they are two points out of 1st place in the Metro.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
