When Do The Flyers Know What They Are?

Photo Courtesy of, Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports

After a 7-3-2 start the Philadelphia Flyers have fallen back to earth. As many predicted based on how they started the season, their play was simply not sustainable for a lengthy period of time.

When you add in the wealth of injuries that the team has sustained recently, it only solidifies why the Flyers are in the midst of a 7 game losing streak at the moment.

Here is an injury update from the Flyers below:

Travis Konecny (upper body) is expected to be out approximately 10-14 days.

Wade Allison (hip pointer/oblique muscle strain) is expected to be out approximately 2-3 weeks.

Cam Atkinson (upper body) remains out on a week-to-week basis.

Sean Couturier underwent back revision surgery and is still expected to return in 3-4 months since his surgery on Oct. 27.

James van Riemsdyk underwent surgery on his left index finger and is expected to return in approximately six weeks from Oct. 28.

James van Riemsdyk underwent surgery on his left index finger and is expected to return in approximately six weeks from Oct. 28.

Scott Laughton was placed on Injured Reserve due to an upper-body injury. He is expected to be out approximately two weeks.

The wealth of injuries above certainly explains why the Flyers are in such a predicament currently. When the majority of your top 6 forward lineup is out injured it’s going to be difficult to win most games on a nightly basis. 

Despite that the Flyers are still playing hard and showing effort on the ice during their games. Unfortunately though, the lack of on ice talent is catching up to them and not allowing them to close out games and secure wins.

The encouraging factor would be that the Flyers are still staying competitive in these games. Many of these losses have typically been of the 1 goal variety. There is still resilience present within this group however, when you’re missing several NHL level talents there are only so many holes that can be filled before the depth runs thin.

That’s what has occurred to the Flyers with all of these injuries.

Which brings up the question when do the Flyers know what they are?

It’s a hard thing to pinpoint but it’s safe to assume that this whole season appears to be a fact finding mission of sorts. As the season continues to move along the Flyers will begin to identify pieces of their identity and how they want to shape their game as a whole. With that will come the realization of certain players that are going to fit the organization’s plans for the long haul and other players that will likely be shipped out.

One thing that’s evident is the Flyers are in an evaluative state right now during a season where the expectations are low. Making it the perfect time to see what they have with some of their current roster players. This includes identifying what players are a part of the future and who needs to be moved on from. It should be interesting to see that process unfold as the season continues to progress.

Gettin Gritty Wit It

We’re back for episode 135 of the Gettin Gritty Wit It podcast. On this episode we discussed a variety of topics including the ones listed below:

-Injury update

-Hayes moved to LW

-Close games despite L’s

-Do we expect the Flyers to get healthy

-Best case to bottom out 

-Draft talk/Phantoms update

Thanks for listening and for the support everyone.

Have a great week!