Flyers Are Back On Track

There’s hope, at least. After a horrible start, The Flyers are 9-0-1 in their last ten games. 

Have the Philadelphia Flyers finally figured it out? If the results of recent action are any indication, the answer is DEFINITELY YES!

There’s lingering doubt, though. This proud franchise has shown greatness before–only to disappoint fans later. On the one hand, Flyers’ fans are still basking in the memorable 2010 Stanley Cup run. But since 2012, the Flyers haven’t been able to get past the first round of the playoffs.

This year could be different. After an abysmal first half of the season, which included general manager and head coach changes, and using seven different goaltenders, the Flyers are now showing how good they can be. Starting in mid-January, Philadelphia went on a month-long, eight-game win streak.

Carter Hart (photo, Broad Street Hockey)

One reason for the turnaround is 20-year-old goaltender Carter Hart, a December call-up. For his efforts, Hart was named January Rookie of the Month. Another key player is Sean Couturier, a Philly favorite, who’s better known as “Coots.” During the streak, “Coots” tallied 10 points with a plus/minus of +8. Five of those points were goals–three coming on the power play.

Those two players aren’t alone. They’re joined ably by Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Konecny, Shayne Gostisbhere, and Ivan Provorov.

But good players alone aren’t enough. What the Flyers lacked was good coaching. So Philadelphia’s management brought in Scott Gordon, who had been coaching the franchise’s AHL team at Lehigh Valley. Gordon has made a difference, too. And so has new GM Chuck Fletcher. Since taking over the GM role in mid-year, Fletcher has made important moves. He traded Jordan Weal and Taylor Leier, waived Dale Weise and Jori Letheraand, and called up Hart.

Scott Gordon (photo, The Athletic)

Yes, fans, there’s a lot to cheer about in Philadelphia these days. And that includes reaching a milestone. The Flyers are the first non-Original Six team to win 2,000 games, and the second fastest team (overall) to reach 2,000 wins.  Only the Canadiens achieved that plateau faster.

Now the goal is making the playoffs and advancing beyond round one. Currently, Philly is on the outside looking in,  standing #11 in the Eastern Conference as of February 10. But the hopeful news is that they’ve gone 9-0-1 in the last ten contests.

With a solid mix of young guns and vets, together with solid coaching, I think the Flyers have a real shot at making the playoffs and competing for the Stanley Cup.