The Philadelphia Flyers fell to 1-3-1 of their dwelling opener, blanked 3-0 by the Vancouver Canucks to shut out their season sequence. What have been some takeaways for the Orange and Black?
Are the Flyers… Dangerous?
Personally, I had some expectations for the Flyers this season. I used to be extra inclined to consider that they might channel the model of themselves that was on tempo for round 100 factors by way of the center of final January than the model that misplaced 9 of its final 11 video games. Clearly, it has been the latter up to now.
The Flyers haven’t felt this helpless to begin a season in a really very long time. They have been technically the higher workforce by way of anticipated objective share (3.01 to 1.59 benefit), however it didn’t really feel that method. Prime scoring probabilities have been despatched huge of the online on numerous events, giving the Canucks a somewhat straightforward victory. The hope was that the Flyers may’ve simply been sluggish on a protracted highway journey, however they regarded fully misplaced at dwelling, too—as a collective, there haven’t been many redeeming qualities about this membership.
Based mostly on their offseason strategy, it’s not clear precisely what the Flyers are going for. In the event that they have been rebuilding, why did they prolong Travis Konecny to an eight-year contract, a participant who turns 28 when the deal begins? As quickly as he was eligible for a brand new contract, basic supervisor (GM) Daniel Brière had no hesitations about this resolution. Most gamers are inclined to tail off by their early 30s, and that particularly applies to a participant who depends on his legs to create scoring probabilities like Konecny—it looks as if a win-now transfer. Even when it’s not, it’s value mentioning the hastiness of the negotiations, nearly as if the Flyers have been a contender.
Quite the opposite, Philadelphia has six alternatives within the first two rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft. With two youngsters on the present roster, it is sensible how they is likely to be known as a rebuilder. The Flyers look like a workforce that doesn’t know what they’re—they’ve prolonged their veteran roster gamers on the frequency of a contender, but are younger and struggling like a rebuilder.
It might be too early to inform if the Flyers are going to be dangerous this season, however the indicators have been worrying. They don’t seem like the identical workforce as they have been of their earlier marketing campaign, and the numbers again it up. During the last 10 seasons, solely 28 of the 100 groups to have a bottom-10 document by way of factors proportion through the first month of the season have made the playoffs. Until the Orange and Black can flip it round, they’ll must defy some critical odds.
Sean Couturier’s Milestone
Dropping 3-0 and all, there aren’t a whole lot of constructive takeaways right here. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that captain Sean Couturier appeared in his 800th contest as a member of the Orange and Black. That’s one critical accomplishment!
Whereas Couturier’s performances perhaps haven’t been the most effective this season, he has given every little thing he has to the Flyers. For the reason that 2011-12 season, he has gathered 191 targets and 308 assists for 499 factors, a Selke Trophy victory, and a number of other votes for a similar award. He’s been a two-way wizard for a lot of seasons in Philadelphia—he’ll go down as the most effective gamers within the historical past of the franchise.
Associated: The Invaluable Flyer Sean Couturier
Proper now, Couturier is fourth all-time in video games performed within the historical past of the Flyers franchise. With 345 extra, he’d rank first. Although he has had some well being points within the current previous, it’d be possible to perform this previous to the expiration of his present contract (following the 2029-30 marketing campaign). Nonetheless simply 31, he hopefully has chunk of seasons forward of him.
May a Michkov-Luchanko Duo Be the Reply?
Now that the Flyers have misplaced 4 video games in a row, they’re in a spot the place they need to be making an attempt some new issues. To go coach John Tortorella’s credit score, he did—he modified up the lineup. Subsequent, I believe it is likely to be a good suggestion to see what youngsters Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko can do by one another’s facet.
Luchanko noticed simply 12:23 of ice time in opposition to the Canucks, however don’t get it twisted—Tortorella has had reward for the 18-year-old’s sport. Whereas he has seen just a few shifts subsequent to Michkov, arguably the workforce’s high participant proper now, the 2 have been terrific in that restricted motion. Is it time to make a dedication?
In 6:34 of ice time at even energy, Michkov and Luchanko have an 85.6 anticipated objective share with three high-danger probabilities of their favor and 0 in opposition to. They haven’t gotten on the board within the scoring division, however they’ve come oh-so-close—that duo may simply be the juice the Flyers want.
Each of those gamers can create on the fly, which is a ability that not each Flyer has. Making an attempt them out collectively for a full sport wouldn’t solely excite followers, however maybe present fruitful outcomes on the ice. On the very least, it’s value contemplating.
Subsequent up, the Flyers will tackle the Washington Capitals at dwelling on Oct. 22. One of many best gamers in NHL historical past and an iconic Russian, Alex Ovechkin, will tackle the Russian of the brand new technology in Michkov.
