Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
Spoiler alert: This Flyers season could very well be something to get excited about.
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The bar has been raised. At the beginning of training camp Flyers general manager Danny Briere made no bones about it, “You set a standard, you set a culture last season and we’re very proud of that. Now that’s over unfortunately and it’s not good enough anymore. We have to take a step forward“.
Message sent: Last year’s surprise accomplishments are acknowledged but will not be accepted as laurels to be ridden upon. Translation: Anything less than the achievements of last season will be considered failure.
Now consider this. April 16th 2024 the Flyers went into the final minutes of game 82 with an outside chance of reaching the post season still mathematically possible. That being said, the only acceptable outcome for this season is the Flyers returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Right? If those are the ground rules then let’s get started. It’s playoffs or bust for this 2024-25 Flyers team and the journey officially begins Friday night in Vancouver.
Can it be done?
Sure, why not? For all intents and purposes it should have happened last year. Last March the Flyers were well on their way to a playoff berth with only weeks left to go in the regular season. This team took all the experts by surprise chugging through their schedule queitly stringing together their wins, one battle at a time.
In mid March the Flyers entered a chunk of their schedule that many were calling “The Gauntlet”. Seven games in a row against some of the top teams that the NHL has to offer. It was a “make it or break it” stretch and after that the rest of their games were going to be “gravy”.
The Flyers smoked their way through the gauntlet and at that point were considered a probable lock for a playoff spot. Then, in dramatic free fall fashion, the Flyers went on to lose eight consecutive games to some of the worst teams in the league.
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The other Metropolitan Division teams were surging as the Flyers could not stop the bleeding and floundered in total frustration as a “sure thing” slipped away from them. Valliant efforts in the season’s final two games kept the post season possibility alive until the last minutes of their final game against the Capitals. Head coach John Tortorella took responsibility for his team not being ready to step up to the next level.
Tortz
For such an outspoken guy John Tortorella sure keeps a lot of things to himself. Sometimes the questions he doesn’t answer will tell you almost as much as the ones that he does. Don’t get me wrong he can be very candid, forthcoming, and often brutally honest.
Tortorella came to Philly with a long term plan and strategy. He started reshaping the attitude of the organization the moment he put on “the logo”. An attitude is something you openly broadcast, a strategy is something you do not telegraph to your opponents. John Tortorella can be best judged by his actions and the results he produces.
This is his third year as the bench boss of the Philadelphia hockey club. The team and the organization overall have become revitalized during his brief tenure. If you remember, the old guard of the Flyers organization hired an outside entity to handle the process of finding a new coach.
The old guard did not pick Tortorella. His hiring shook the organization to the core. The new coach kicked off a chain reaction of new life’s blood coming in at a time when it was so desperately needed. Jones, Briere, Hilferty, the list goes on and on. Even the restructuring of the medical staff, all of these changes started showing results way ahead of schedule.
As things were melting down at the end of last season Tortorella passionately and candidly took responsibility for the team not being ready to take it to “the next level”. He said in part, “Make no mistake about it. I am extremely proud of our team, I love coming here and working with them, but it’s my job to take them to the next level“. “I haven’t done a good enough job to make them understand that we have to be different now, we have to be at a different level“.
In the coach’s defense, nobody expected the Flyers to be ready for a playoff run last season. Last October nobody was talking about the Flyers making the playoffs. …nobody.
Michkov
This year things are different. It’s felt different since the beginning of development camp. No one is asking for patience or understanding. This team is looking for results and the best possible effort from everyone involved. No excuses, no looking back. With the organization and attitude firmly in place the focus this year will be on the ice. The arrival of Matvei Michkov has surly been the biggest development of the off season.
So far Michkov has been everything we had been promised. His level of crafty talent may prove to be a gigantic contribution to the team. He’s looked great in the preseason and has been the difference in the games that he has played. Tortorella has been pragmatic and clear, “He’s not our savior, he’s 19. He’s going to be developed. He’s going to be taught“. …He’s also going to have a very bright future.
Luchanko
It’s looking like another young and very talented player is also getting a shot at the team straight out of camp. Baring any surprises Jett Luchanko will be part of the opening night line-up. At just barely 18 years of age Jett was drafted by the Flyers this year in the 1st round, 13th overall. He has done nothing but impress since he arrived.
His maturity level on and off the ice is much further along than his age might suggest. He’s fast, smart, and has his own unique approach to the sport. He sees options on the ice that others don’t. It may just be a nine game tryout thus protecting his entry level status, but that remains to be seen. As the final roster was submitted Monday Briere said, “He might be here for one day, or he could be here for the whole season. Nothing is guaranteed, we’re taking it day by day“. He truly has earned this opportunity.
Predictions
I’m not big on predictions, my crystal ball is on the fritz. I can only give you my informed opinions based on what I have seen and heard. We all know from experience that even the best laid plans can totally flame out. Potential and reality can sometimes take two completely different paths. That being said, this Flyers team seems to have their sights set on making the playoffs this season. And, in my humble opinion I would say that goal is not unrealistic.
The focus has been on the new additions and the future but this Flyers team has a deep list of solid components already in place. Travis Konecny has been trending upward the past two seasons. Aside from his speed and tenacity he has turned himself into an offensive threat in every situation. Defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Jamie Drysdale showed up to camp healthy and have looked very solid.
Owen Tippett is developing into a pure goal scorer which is always a valued asset. Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Cam York, Egor Zamula, and Morgan Frost all have another year under their belt. Goaltender Samuel Ersson who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders in his rookie season has been fantastic in the preseason.
You have your work-horses like Poehling, Hathaway, Laughton, and Seeler who show up and grind it out every night. Joel Farabee has been super sharp at camp. Travis Sanheim has looked more like himself again. Sean Couturier is healthy and will face his first full season as captain.
Prognosis
Based on the trajectory of where it seems this team is headed, their overall philosophy, their level of commitment, and the potential of all the key players involved. Considering the attitude, the talent, and the work ethic of everyone from the office to the ice. I have to say, this Flyers season could very well be something to get excited about.
Extra Credit: I’m excited to be here at The Flyers Nitty Gritty and look forward to breaking down all the twists and turns with you as another Flyers season officially gets under way. Finally, …it’s hockey season. LETS GO!!!
