Under the direction of a new front office, the Philadelphia Flyers marketed the 2023-24 season as “A New Era of Orange” – an era that at long last, acknowledged the franchise’s commitment to rebuilding. This verbal agreement, coupled with various trades and signings during the offseason, left expectations for this season predictably low. Many fans and analysts alike both surmised that the Flyers would again be picking inside the top 10 of the draft for the third straight season. At this point, that seems highly unlikely as the Flyers have exceeded even the most optimistic fan’s expectations.
There’s just something about being the underdog that alters the chemistry around Philadelphia sports teams. “I don’t think anybody wants us to win, and I think that definitely fires us up and fuels the fire to prove everyone wrong”, goaltender Carter Hart said in a postgame press conference. Despite the organizational mantra of rebuilding, the Flyers currently sit at 19-13-6, good for 4th in the division and the first wild card spot but only two points behind the both the Hurricanes and Islanders. The players were well aware of the doubts surrounding them going into the season, and decided to take matters into their own hands. Travis Konecny has built upon his career year last season and is an All-Star, playing at nearly a point per game pace thus far with 35 points (20G, 15A) in 38 games. Travis Sanheim has also been exceptional and the team’s best defenseman, a massive improvement from his subpar 2022-23. Joel Farabee has experienced a renaissance as well, rattling off 29 points to start the year. Trade acquisition Sean Walker has been a revelation on the second pair, and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after trade deadline acquisitions due to his stellar play, affordable cap hit, and expiring contract. Sean Couturier looks nearly as good as he was before two major back surgeries. These resurgences have been the key to the Flyers’ success through the first half of the season.
But as the calendar has turned to 2024, the stakes have been raised. As the trade deadline and end of season approaches, teams are battling harder game in and game out for a playoff spot. The Flyers’ position in the standings is far from secure. The four teams directly behind them in the division standings are all right on their heels, within two points of them; they are also all in “win-now” mode, either just entering their contender prime or desperate to continue chasing playoff glory before their windows close. This playoff race is going to be a bloodbath for the rest of the season.
The Orange and Black have shown everyone thus far that they are better than they look on paper, and other teams should not underestimate them. They’ve been good, but are they good enough to make the playoffs, and maybe even win a round? It’s time to see if it’s all just smoke and mirrors; it’s time to figure out what the Flyers are really made of.
By: Katie Bogan (@cl4udegiroux)
Image credit to the Philadelphia Flyers.
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