In a season where low expectations were given, due to it being more of a rebuilding year under new general manager Danny Briere and new president Keith Jones, the Philadelphia Flyers are in third place and have a good chance of making the playoffs.
There are several reasons for the Flyers being in this position. Their coach, John Tortorella, has all of the players willing to play for each other. Even during the middle of the year, when goalie Carter Hart was being investigated and the Flyers started to drop more games, the team never grew up. They seem to all be connected.
Recently, the Flyers named Sean Couturier as their captain, and Travis Konency and Scott Laughton as alternate captains, which is all well deserved. Another big reason why they’re in the spot they are is because of their ability to play well against tough competition, like the Florida Panthers, who are one of the best teams in the league.
This Flyers team loves to fight and stand up for their players and coaches, so it’s safe to say that this team would be enjoyable to watch in the playoffs. Philadelphia has been wanting playoff hockey back at Wells Fargo Center for the longest time, and the city may finally get its wish this season.
Many people never thought the Flyers would even touch the playoffs this year and possibly next year as well. This team is a great underdog story. They’ve exceeded expectations, proved people wrong, and now as a result, are on the verge of making the playoffs.
For many years, Flyers management got a lot of hate and didn’t make the best decisions for players and the city. Briere and Jones stepped in and their goal was to get the fans back and get this team in the right spot, and they both have done that.
They also had a good first draft, acquiring a talented prospect in Matvei Michkov. They also have made some good trades and have acquired first-round picks and set them up for the future.
The Philadelphia Flyers are in a very good position to not only make the playoffs this season but potentially be a staple in the postseason for years to come. And watch out, because this Flyers team can be a sleeper and upset some teams in the playoffs.
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