Philadelphia Flyers' Modestly Encouraging Start Is Not Deceiving

The Philadelphia Flyers' start to this regular season through just past the quarter mark is modestly encouraging. They were in playoff position by Thanksgiving, which is a predictor more often than not of which teams will make the postseason by the season's end. 

However, if I were a betting man, I would not wager or wager much on John Tortorella's team returning to the playoffs this coming spring. While the team's overall play is good, official year 2 of the rebuild reconfirms more subtraction is needed, holes still abound, and various impact players still need to be added to the National Hockey League roster. 

The goaltending has been generally good. The defensive group is better than expected and a nice surprise. Offensively, well, that is the issue. 

No team can win regularly with a power play that produces a paltry ten percent efficiency rate. While breakouts from the defensive zone are markedly improved, a lack of finishers is a team weakness. John Tortorella implemented an up-tempo offensive push. That was understandable because he and his coaching staff wanted to squeeze every last opportunity out of a group that was obviously going to have trouble scoring. 

Keith Jones and Danny Briere have good heads on their shoulders. They know this team is far from a playoff threat, let alone a Stanley Cup contender. So, some players who are performing well seem bound to be dealt by the trade deadline, which would impact playoff chances this season while strengthening the organization for more realistic future campaigns.   

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Decision Looms

Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher is said to be conducting a thorough review of available coaching candidates. Buzz involving Barry Trotz, John Tortorella, Rick Tocchet, Jim Montgomery, Kirk Muller, Mike Vellucci, and others exists.

Interviews are said to have taken place with other suitors for various candidates impacting every team's ability or desire to finalize a contract. Also, the National Hockey League playoffs have yet to fully play out, meaning that other potential candidates could become available shortly. 

Fletcher and his staff will telegraph the direction they intend the organization to go through the hire that is made. A need to re-energize the fan base is part of the consideration as well. 

Label the state of the Flyers as a rebuild, retool, or anything else. The NHL roster and organizational depth do not appear to be near that of the remaining Stanley Cup contenders. A decision shortly after the Cup is raised seems most practical.

The best fit will be a subjective choice that will not be testable until a reasonable amount of time passes to fairly gauge the effectiveness of the new top bench boss.

 

Philadelphia Flyers Set To Battle New York Islanders - NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round 2

Per the Flyers media relations department following the First Round series victory over the Habs...

 Philadelphia Flyers Postgame Notes

Friday, August 21, 2020

First Round, Game 6

Flyers 3, Montreal 2 at Scotiabank Arena

 

Game Summary: The Flyers scored twice in the first 5:23 of the game and were able to outdistance the Canadiens from that point to earn a 3-2 win and a 4-2 series victory in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ivan Provorov started the scoring 28 seconds into the game when his shot from the left point cut through traffic and beat Carey Price. Then just past the five-minute mark, Kevin Hayes picked up his first of the playoffs to make it a 2-0 advantage. Montreal got one back halfway through the period from Nick Suzuki on the power play, making it 2-1 at the end of the first period. The eventual game-winner came 4:26 into the second period when Travis Sanheim fired a shot from the point that hit Michael Raffl, then the post, then the back of Price’s leg and fell over the line. Suzuki restored the one-goal deficit just under two minutes later, but nothing else got by Carter Hart on the evening. He earned the win with 31 saves, while Price stopped 14 in the loss. Stars of the Game: 1 – Carter Hart; 2 – Nick Suzuki; 3 – Ivan Provorov.

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The New York Islanders are next up, with the Second Round series starting on Monday, August 24. The Isles play a style that's generally similar to the Canadiens. So, the Flyers will have another strong test as the organization strives for that ever-elusive third Stanley Cup in its storied history. Alain Vigneault (AV), his coaching staff, Hart, and team defense give this group a chance to advance. But it projects as another battle, with attrition a clear factor.