Many expected the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline to impact the Philadelphia Flyers (27-29-8). On Thursday, they looked very disconnected versus the Winnipeg Jets. Then, after Andrei Kuzmenko, Scott Laughton, and Erik Johnson departed on Friday, the new lineup struggled versus the Seattle Kraken (27-33-4).
The Flyers weren’t super in the ‘Marvel Superhero Game’ versus the Kraken. Similar to when Thanos snaps his fingers, Seattle destroyed Philadelphia, 4-1.
Outcomes of this type could happen more frequently. Daniel Brière showed a deep commitment to the rebuild at the NHL Trade Deadline, gathering more assets. Garnet Hathaway was the only skater missing from the lineup, meaning this could be what the Flyers look like throughout the remainder of the season sans Olle Lycksell or Rodrigo Ābols when Hathaway returns. The upcoming 18 games will be less about the NHL Wildcard hunt and more about the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
It’s not an official tank, though that’ll be how it’s referred to by most, but expect the two originally owned picks by Philadelphia in the first two rounds of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to rise in value.
First Period
Shots: 11-7, Flyers
Score: 1-0, Flyers
Unlike the total dreck versus the Jets, the Flyers started well. Egor Zamula fired the first shot on goal for Philadelphia, forcing a save by Philipp Grubauer. Then, the Kraken lost discipline.
Matty Beniers served a minor penalty for high-sticking. Noah Cates hit the crossbar, and Tyson Foerster swiped a puck through the crease. Grubauer robbed Sean Couturier in the splits. The Flyers finished 0/5 (0%) on the powerplay, but this was the best opportunity for a conversion. Things got progressively worse for Philadelphia on the powerplay, and Seattle survived two more minor penalties by Jamie Oleksiak and Andre Burakovsky in the first period.
Owen Tippett drove the net to score, 1-0, with 0:31 remaining in the first period. Couturier won a board battle in the neutral zone, and then Matvei Michkov dished the puck to Tippett. Tippett scored the lone goal for the Flyers. Philadelphia led at the first intermission.
Second Period
Shots: 23-20, Kraken
Score: 3-1, Kraken
Lycksell served a minor penalty for holding to begin the second period. Shane Wright managed the only shot. The Flyers finished 3/3 (100%) on the penalty kill, one of just a few silver linings from this game.
In the defensive zone, Philadelphia slumped. The Flyers couldn’t afford to turn the puck over, fail their clearances, or slow their pace after a successful penalty kill, but the Kraken began to find shooting lanes. Kaapo Kakko and Josh Mahura missed opportunities on open looks against Sam Ersson. However, Seattle was about to go on a run.
“We’re sloppy, and that’s my job; try to get us into some structure to at least give us an opportunity to compete in these games. That’s what this coaching staff is going to do. Try to get us back to some structure; maybe something happens for us the right way and hopefully we gain some confidence.” – John Tortorella; 3/8/2025
Tye Kartye chased the puck deep into the attacking zone, swooped around the back of the net, and then executed a turn-and-shoot from above the faceoff circle, 1-1, with 9:49 remaining in the second period. Ersson never saw the puck with Travis Sanheim and Lycksell caught in traffic.
Ryan Poehling collided with Lycksell but would return to the bench almost immediately. He suffered a concussion earlier this season after Maxim Tsyplakov finished high on a hit before facing a three-game suspension as his punishment.
Beniers skated circles around Emil Andrae before dunking the game-winning goal on Ersson, 2-1, with 1:03 remaining in the second period. Michael Eyssimont and Couturier were in the penalty box, creating a four-on-four even-strength scenario.
Chandler Stephenson intercepted a pass by Rasmus Ristolainen. Stephenson scored shorthanded on the breakaway, 3-1, with 0:22 remaining in the second period. Brandon Montour served a minor penalty for slashing when Stephenson scored. I meant it when I said Philadelphia was progressively worse on the powerplay as the game continued.
Third Period
Shots: 32-24, Kraken
Score: 4-1, Kraken
Before the Flyers were officially 0/5 on the powerplay, they had the first 1:11 of the third period with a man advantage. However, like the second period, the Kraken stood tall on the penalty kill. If Philadelphia was hoping to get back into the game, it was paramount to salvage the 1:11 remaining on the powerplay to begin the period.
Montour slapped the puck past Ersson from the blue line, 4-1, with 16:05 remaining in the third period. Seattle hemmed the Flyers in the defensive zone and prevented their attack to close out a win on the road.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New Jersey Devils (33-25-6) tomorrow at 1:00pm/ET.
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