From Oct. 11 to Oct. 17, the Philadelphia Flyers accomplished a difficult four-game highway journey during which they went 1-2-1. Late-night bouts with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Seattle Kraken had combined outcomes, because the group was outscored 18-13 however had some good moments. What are the most important positives and negatives from the seven-day stretch?
Optimistic One: Jett Luchanko
The primary optimistic of this season’s motion needs to be Jett Luchanko. His efforts haven’t paid off within the plus/minus division (minus-3), however an on-ice save share of .826 mixed with a 6.3 on-ice capturing share isn’t doing him any favors. The fact right here is that, whereas he hasn’t been excellent, he is kind of indistinguishable from a daily NHLer. Simply 18, he could also be a key heart for the Orange and Black in 2024-25.
Head coach John Tortorella has raved about Luchanko’s recreation this season. Because the teen will get extra snug with what the NHL calls for out of its gamers, he ought to develop into extra balanced. He has elite velocity, has proven some chemistry with fellow teenager Matvei Michkov, and is able to dealing with varied conditions. Proper now, it appears as if his spot is secure on the group.
Damaging One: Ivan Fedotov
After a rocky three-game stint in 2023-24, the hope was that lately prolonged Ivan Fedotov may enhance in 2024-25. With a $3.275 million common annual worth (AAV) over two seasons, expectations have been excessive. He had some spectacular campaigns within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) however subsequent to zero NHL expertise, so this was a boom-or-bust transfer. To this point, it has been the latter.
In his season debut versus the Flames, he allowed 5 targets on 31 pictures and didn’t look snug within the internet. Given a chance at redemption versus the Kraken, it was affordable to suppose that he had nowhere to go however up—he had the worst recreation of his profession. Sacrificing 5 targets on 24 pictures and pulled on the finish of the second interval, a relaxation day for starter Sam Ersson grew to become his thirty fifth look within the Flyers’ final 42 video games.
Although I lately argued Fedotov ought to have a decent-sized leash, I additionally didn’t count on him to get worse following an uninspiring first 4 NHL video games. The entire level of placing him within the internet is to see what he can present and get Ersson relaxation, however that final half didn’t occur. Fedotov perhaps has one last probability to show his value, in any other case, the 27-year-old should regain his confidence within the American Hockey League (AHL).
Optimistic Two: We May See Alexei Kolosov
With Fedotov’s struggles, there’s a glass-half-full method. Goaltender Alexei Kolosov was set to hitch the Lehigh Valley Phantoms within the AHL, however rumors over the summer season urged he would somewhat play within the KHL. He didn’t arrive on the Flyers’ coaching camp when it started (by no means a superb signal), resulting in commerce hypothesis with a second-round decide rising because the rumored price per Elliotte Friedman. Over a month later, he’s nonetheless a member of the Orange and Black. With the massive membership’s backup not taking part in effectively, Kolosov may quickly debut within the NHL.
Kolosov joined the Flyers’ camp in its late levels and even suited up for the Phantoms in a 4-3 win. If the Flyers hand over on the Fedotov experiment for a bit, the 22-year-old may very well be subsequent in line. His youth coupled with a superb chunk {of professional} expertise make him an intriguing possibility between the pipes.
That is the proper state of affairs for Kolosov, because it’s what he wished from the get-go. Basic supervisor (GM) Daniel Brière said that the younger netminder wished prompt NHL time somewhat than serving within the AHL. With Fedotov blocking that, Kolosov felt it might be a greater use of his time to return to the KHL. Proper now, a stint with the Flyers seems to be on the desk.
Damaging Two: Flyers’ Protection
The Flyers’ profitable formulation final season boiled down to a couple issues, however a rock-solid protection was one of many main keys to almost making the postseason. In 2024-25, their protection has not been as profitable.
With out Nick Seeler on account of damage (and Sean Walker on account of a commerce), the Flyers aren’t shutting down opponents like they used to. It hasn’t been disastrous, however their defensive core appears to be extra middle-of-the-road than good. The forwards and defensemen alike have blown a couple of coverages that led to both high-danger possibilities or targets at the back of their internet.
Aside from Cam York, it’s laborious to search out a formidable participant on the again finish. Even he hasn’t been excellent, so some new mixtures may be in retailer. The group had some dangerous moments firstly of their earlier marketing campaign, so all hope shouldn’t be misplaced. Nonetheless, this isn’t precisely very best.
Optimistic Three: Flyers’ Energy Play
One of many greatest undoings for the Flyers over the previous few seasons has been their energy play, nevertheless it has reached new ranges with Michkov. The 19-year-old is tied for fifth within the NHL with 4 power-play factors, giving the group a 26.3 % effectivity fee. As I suspected following the preseason, it may very well be a stable season for the person benefit.
Associated: Matvei Michkov Can Take Flyers’ Energy Play to the Subsequent Stage
It’s not an exaggeration to say that there was by no means a four-game stint in 2023-24 the place the Flyers’ energy play regarded nearly as good because it did in the previous few days. There are small quirks to determine, as established zone time has been a difficulty for the primary unit at instances, however that’ll include extra expertise. By season’s finish, this may very well be a top-10 unit.
Damaging Three: Daniel Brière’s Current Contracts
Brière hasn’t precisely been lively when it comes to including and subtracting expertise for the reason that 2023 offseason concluded, however he has definitely dedicated to gamers. In the course of the highway journey, among the bets he positioned aren’t precisely dwelling as much as their contracts. It’s early, after all, however a GM needs to see his selections repay instantly—they haven’t fairly performed that.
Getting Fedotov out of the best way, Brière made an enormous gamble to amass the Russian netminder and it simply hasn’t labored out. Whereas an AAV of $3.275 million isn’t crushing, it may forestall the Flyers from making a transfer sooner or later. They’re cap-strapped, and a deal that appears much more more likely to be buyout-bound than legitimately helpful isn’t very best. Some followers criticized this contract when the pen was put to paper—there’s nonetheless a number of time, however these individuals may find yourself being proper.
Brière additionally introduced again depth gamers akin to Seeler, Garnet Hathaway, Ryan Poehling, and Egor Zamula on multi-year offers. Saving cash may need been the very best plan of action, however that’s nitpicking territory. These selections are satisfactory.
The actual considerations right here lie with Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny. Signed to eight-year extensions that may take them till they’re 33 and 36 respectively for a mixed $14.95 million AAV, these have been big dangers to take for a group explicitly in a rebuild. It’s means too early within the course of to make a conclusive judgment on both participant, however the two haven’t performed significantly effectively.
Tippett has all the time been iffy on his accuracy, however that has price the Flyers in some ways this season. He has let grade-A alternatives slip up, which has reached the purpose of wounding the group. Although his on-ice metrics are advantageous, if he’s a $6.2 million participant, he has to begin scoring targets after they’re being fed to him. Amongst gamers with 50 minutes of ice time, his particular person Corsi per 60 minutes (iCF/60) is the second-highest within the league. He’s trying extra pictures than Nikita Kucherov, Auston Matthews, and David Pastrnak, but he nonetheless has zero targets. Whereas there ought to be hope for the 25-year-old, he has returned to some dangerous habits.
As for Konecny, he hasn’t precisely struggled however he positively isn’t dwelling as much as the huge $8.75 million AAV he’ll obtain in 2025-26 and past. On-ice metrics aren’t completely helpful simply 4 video games right into a season, so he deserves some grace there, however Konecny hasn’t been a significant contributor like he normally is. He has been helpful on particular groups and remains to be a key top-six participant, however this looks as if a step under what he was a season prior. Maybe he simply wants time to get right into a groove—he tends to be fairly streaky.
It’s finest to present the Flyers a while earlier than figuring out how this season will go. 4 of among the hardest video games on the schedule might not be the very best pattern for long-term assertions, however their play remains to be value discussing. Does this roster have what it takes to make the playoffs?
Stats courtesy of Pure Stat Trick
