The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[zambonir]

Bump. Andrae. Hathaway. Barkey during the season.

Very few Flyers forwards played well in Games 4 and 5. Michkov just happens to be the worst defender and most penalty-prone of the young ones. But he was probably the best of them in Game 6. That seems like good coaching. Lesson learned, motivation instilled.

I don't think Martone is untouchable for a game off in this series if things get tough. Zegras and Tippett probably are but they could use a shake-up, which might mean skating with Michkov, even. But none of the more or less one-way players are getting the most ice time. The "fourth line" is the second line right now.

[LegoDoom]

Lesson learned, motivation instilled.

It's motivation to leave... hence why I am trying to bet on it.

[LegoDoom]

I'm actually not sure if anyone watched the last game. Michkov had the best 3 chances despite him being on the wing in the middle of nowhere with nothing much going on. He needs to be given the puck or at least a chance to do something with it.

But hey, let's give Zegras too many minutes when he's not conditioned for it or let Martone make idiotic passes.

Good coaching!

[xogfog]

LD, are you actually Michkov and just trolling us? Michkov is going nowhere unless he's part of a trade to get Matthews or McDavid. Stop the gloom and doom and just root for the team like the rest of us do.

[zambonir]

I assume Michkov is on his fantasy team. We are all well-practiced negadelphians here but I have never seen anyone take less pleasure in what is currently TEAM success.

[bigegypt0417]

Yeah...this is meant to be fun.

Mitchkov is going to be fine...everyone should understand how important he is to the future.

[Austinfan]

Most players don't hit their peak until 24-26. Some like Tippett and Sanheim, even later.
Michkov (21), Martone (19), Barkey (20), Foerster (23), Bump (22), Drysdale (23), Andrae (23).

Next season (2026-27 ages): Bonk (21), Jiricek (23), Murchison (23), McDonald (24), Knuble (22), Jett (20), Grebenkin (23)

[zambonir]

Sounds like Tippett is out tonight - more about him being injured and struggling than a scratch.

[VoteForKalas]

Pretty big loss, Tippett has become more of a leader, physical presence and PK asset to go along with his scoring this season. We'll miss him.

[zambonir]

I don't think he's out necessarily out for an extended period. Officially it's a game-time decision still too.

[VoteForKalas]

But the key was to grab Game 1, get home ice and put doubt in Carolina's mind before they shake off the rust of sitting for 7 days.

Without Tippett, that plan becomes much harder. If we lose Game 1 and Tippett comes back in Game 2, we still have a chance to turn the tables, but Carolina will be harder to beat.

If we lose both games, we are likely on the road to elimination. Carolina excels at playing ahead both in score during games and in a series. The best way to shake them up is to take that away and make them play from behind.

[zambonir]

Yeah but he wasn't that big a factor in the PIttsburgh series, especially as it wore on, likely because he's hindered. His only goal was EN. He had the one great SHG assist in Game 2. He and Zegras were both pointless 5-on-5. If he doesn't play it's to take advantage of a longer rest period. Whether he plays or not, he is probably not a gamebreaking threat in his current state.

It's a chance for Michkov and Foerster to step up, though Bump is the one who moved up onto the Zegras line this morning (with Hathaway returning to the 4th line).

I agree you have to hope the Flyers have some jump and energy while Canes are rusty. But being stiff and hurt is the same as being rusty.

[zambonir]

It was a good run. Great to knock off the Pens and see the city come alive for hockey. Great experience for a lot of very young players (including their mistakes). Also a great job by Risto after the deadline but I bet he's gone in July.

(I guess if I say it's reverse jinx that spoils it. But I dunno that I really mean that. They do have a tendency to come back but now the frustration is already showing).

[VoteForKalas]

It was going to be hard anyway, but without Tippett who is one of our fastest skaters and best offensive and PK players, it is even more daunting.

Our PP continues to suck and blow as Bart Simpson would say and we just have no offensive players who can scare the Canes.

[zambonir]

Hopefully giving him this time off gets him back in the line-up. And that he's not out too long next season after the inevitable surgery is announced. That's just part of the Cup playoffs, healthiest team generally wins, but Flyers are not a deep enough team to survive injuries.

I don't think it's "one of" when it comes to fastest.

I bet we find out he's been injured since the hat trick against Detroit, or soon after. He's still been an important piece, but he had just 1 goal and 2 assist in the last nine regular season games, and only two points in the Pittsburgh series, and the team still got it done.

[VoteForKalas]

Flyers with a much better performance tonight, up 2-1 headed into the 3rd period.

Goals by Drysdale and Coots, but the PP continues to be inferior and they are still struggling with Carolina's speed and physicality.

[Pat_Burrell]

That’s unfortunate. Flyers had a lot of quality scoring chances in OT but just can’t score. 2 goals in 2 games isn’t good enough. Canes are simply a better team

[zambonir]

They just are. The no-show in Game 1 just put the Flyers behind the eight-ball. Tonight was pretty much the same as the entire regular season,when all four games were tied after regulation. Some great effort and standouts tonight but Flyers don't have the depth (especially with no Tip). PP was actually pretty good eventually but no finish. The better team is the one that puts mistakes and lucky bounces in the net.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

They need Tippett badly. However, the Flyers are improving and will learn from this.

[zambonir]

Pretty nice to be thinking about the next game instead of the lottery. There's still some intrigue though, if a year away. Leafs got the first pick. Maybe we can just trade this one back in the Matthews deal.

if Toronto’s pick lands within the top 5, that’s where things get confusing. Puck Pedia states that the 2027 pick will go directly to Philadelphia only if it is outside of the top 10. If it falls within the top 10, Toronto gets to choose to send it to either Philly or Boston, with the other getting a 2028 unprotected first.

The Flyers do not believe that to be the case and have told The Inquirer that they will receive Toronto’s first in 2027, no matter what, based on their trade with the Leafs being completed first.

NHL draft lottery: Flyers still a very interested party despite making the...