The hockey world last year was blown away by the amazing comeback of the Philadelphia Flyers.
In my opinion, it all started with homegrown talent and the delicate work of new general manager Paul Holmgren. After a horrid 2006-07 season, we saw that in 2007-08 the orange and black were back as a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic division.
After the Flyers knocked off the young and talented Capitals in seven games, and then the Canadiens in five games, they faced the Penguins. Pittsburgh finished first in the Atlantic division, second in the conference below Montreal and above Washington.
A disappointing loss of the series then ensued in five games, finishing a comeback season for the second most winning franchise in NHL history.
Now to this year. The Flyers had high expectations coming into the season with deep playoff runs, possible upsets, and one of the great teams of the Eastern Conference. They started off the season with the issues from last season resolved, such as an injury free lineup and consistent goaltending, which Biron fixed during last season's postseason run.
The Flyers started off the season 0-3-0-3. They then won the next four, but only to drop the next three and bring their record to 4-6-0-3 in 13 games. Last year's problems were back, until...
The last game, a 2-1 loss, was against the pathetic Tampa Bay Lighting—newly acquired defenseman Matt Carle's former team. This was Matt Carle’s first game dressed in orange and black as well as many other young guns who came up from juniors and the Flyers minor league affiliate, the Phantoms.
And with Carle’s acquisition, the entire defense and the entire team has come together to start playing phenomenally. Andrew Alberts had a four game streak with an assist, and 18-year-old Luca Sbisa has been logging 20 minutes per game.
The special teams have been huge as well. Players from the Phantoms made huge impressions, such Andreas Nodl who had a strong presence on the penalty kill and an assist in his first game for the Flyers. Mike Richards is a special teams mastermind playing wherever coach John Stevens need him.
The Flyers penalty kill is currently in the top ten in the league at 82.3 percent, and their power play is third in the league at 22.2 percent.
Biggest contributions have been coming from the young guys on defense and even the third and fourth line. The fourth line has been doing its job better than any other fourth line in the league in my opinion, by drawing penalties and getting that top power play out there.
The Flyers are setting each other up for success for the most part. All cylinders are firing for such a young team with only two players over 35 years of age.
The minor adjustments such as adding Alberts and Carle, and the minor league adjustments bringing Andreas Nodl, Jon Kalinski, Josh Gratton, Ryan Parent, and Jared Ross, have been that extra push the Flyers needed.
John Stevens and Paul Holmgren are making themselves look like geniuses by the small moves they have been making for the team. With these minor adjustments the big names have been able to excel in their specific strengths.
For example, Jeff Carter is on pace for a 50 goal season. Simon Gagne is back from injury and on pace for a 40 goal season. And seven players are on pace for 20 goals seasons. That is offensive productiveness and depth that is unmatched not only in the division, but the league.
After the 13 game scare they had in the beginning, the Flyers are now 9-6-4. Although sitting fourth in a great division, they are five points out of second, and sitting in eighth place in the conference.
Granted, the recently added players with the “small” roles continue to their jobs. That will allow the Flyers to have a season like they have had for the past ten games (6-3-0-1).
It is clear that this young and talented team will only get better as young players mature and injured players such as Ryan Parent, Danny Briere, Braydon Coburn, and Ossi Vaananen come back.
The NHL is a quarter through the season, and the best of Flyers hockey is yet to come.
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