Are the Flyers for real?

[Vinh]

Seeler-Walker is the second pair, third is Zamula or Staal with Ristolainen. Risto and Staal were hurt much of the season so far, so Mete, Belpedio, and Andrae all also saw minutes down there.

And Couturier has missed several beats. His mobility is noticeably diminished (and was never his strong suit) and his offensive game has a lot of lag in it. He's just so, so smart that he'll never be anything less than a defensively-capable 2C as long as he can stand on skates.

Yeah, not sure why I wrote "third" there. You're right.

As for Couturier, he looks the same to me. Slow as always, but his positioning is just superb. About as responsible a three-zone player as there is in the league.

 

[DickSmehlik]

Currently 2nd in the Metropolitan in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.

By now the other shoe was supposed to drop and they were going to regress but here we are 30 games in.

Does this start change Briere and companies plans?

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Their advanced stats are really good and they have a lot of underrated players. Can't believe Couturier misses a year and just reverts back to his Selke ass self. What a player. Idk if they have the top end players to keep this up but they aren't fluky

 

[TheDoldrums]

Torts deserves some credit for their defensive turnaround. If you believe the underlying stats over the past year, he's actually turned Ristolainen into a proper shutdown defender.

 

[LOFIN]

Does this start change Briere and companies plans?

It shouldn't. Rebuild at least until Michkov comes over. They are playing well under a system, because that's what John Tortorella teams do. It's not sustainable over many seasons to be this tight, look at Seattle. Last season they looked good because of their system. This year they are coming down to Earth. It's kinda like Vegas was too when they entered the league, but then Vegas quickly got themselves star players via trades and free agency (Stone, Pieterangelo, Eichel).

The Flyers do need star players to become an actual good team. For them, hopefully Michkov will be one, and maybe they can land one via free agency or a trade.

 

[RANDOMH3RO]

They’re having an impressive season, basically nobody predicted it. If the devils can make the playoffs I’d love to see them play the flyers again, always makes for a good series.

 

[C0DITH]

Torts has turned Risto into a shutdown stud, probably should win coach of the year simply for that lol

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Anyone have Flyers possibly ahead on their rebuild over OTT, BUF and maybe even DET?

They have a decent mix of skill and playoff type guys along with young and old, still feel they're a year or two away from becoming a real threat but wondering if they're adding, subtracting or stay pat come trade deadline.

Their team defense [goaltending too] deserves the credit by outsider POV, solid GA/G and great PK but need some more finishing ability/luck on offense.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I’ve come to respect Torts more in recent years. It’s obvious that when he gets the right group of players, he gets results.

 

[Rich Nixon]

Anyone have Flyers possibly ahead on their rebuild over OTT, BUF and maybe even DET?

They have a decent mix of skill and playoff type guys along with young and old, still feel they're a year or two away from becoming a real threat but wondering if they're adding, subtracting or stay pat come trade deadline.

Their team defense [goaltending too] deserves the credit by outsider POV, solid GA/G and great PK but need some more finishing ability/luck on offense.

Ottawa has way more talent, and Detroit probably does too. The Flyers just have a better coach and a deep roster ofe rold players who are totally bought-in. In terms of "rebuild" in like, accruing young high-end talent, the Flyers have a ways to go.

 

[EdmFlyersfan]

Currently 2nd in the Metropolitan in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.

By now the other shoe was supposed to drop and they were going to regress but here we are 30 games in.

Does this start change Briere and companies plans?

Yes, Briere needs to change his plans in terms of supporting the current team and confidence and not jettisoning every vet... but also needs to consider building a contender and getting value of certain assets such as Walker, Risto and Laughton.

Best thing about yesterday's shutout was that their #1 dman and #1 goalie didn't even play.

It shouldn't. Rebuild at least until Michkov comes over. They are playing well under a system, because that's what John Tortorella teams do. It's not sustainable over many seasons to be this tight, look at Seattle. Last season they looked good because of their system. This year they are coming down to Earth. It's kinda like Vegas was too when they entered the league, but then Vegas quickly got themselves star players via trades and free agency (Stone, Pieterangelo, Eichel).

The Flyers do need star players to become an actual good team. For them, hopefully Michkov will be one, and maybe they can land one via free agency or a trade.

A best case scenario would be that Cutter, Michkov and Bonk are impact players. Errson is the real deal and Flyers can trade Hart for assets and round out the team... what are the chances of that happening to Philly though.

 

[JRichard]

G pipeline is pretty good in Philly.
Kolosov 21 in his 4th KHL season
Zavragin 2nd round 18 was dominating MHL (jrs) .945 6-1-2 and doing better when promoted to VHL .952 7-0.
Bjarnasson 18 even earlier 2nd rounder in 3rd jr season.

but i still dont see a Carter Hart trade happening.

 

[Aeroforce]

They are entertaining to watch. In the games I've seen, everyone bought in; there are no passengers. Right now their playoff chances are also bolstered by the unexpected mediocrity of Carolina, and the floundering Penguins.

I don't know if this helps psychologically, but I have a close friend in Philly who doesn't watch sports. If I casually ask her about the Flyers, her response is usually, "Who?"

The Eagles, Phillies, and Sixers have all had great runs recently, and the Flyers were somewhat forgotten. Seeing the city getting so passionate about the other teams likely inspires the players, at least a little.

 

[TheOrganist]

Krug for Sandheim? I beg of you.