As we woke up on the 20th of December, the Philadelphia Flyers’ recent surge had put them 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division behind only the New York Rangers with an impressive 18-10-3 record. This time last season, the Flyers slumped to the tune of an 11-15-7 record in John Tortorella’s first season as head coach – without Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson.
What a difference a calendar year can make, let alone since March of this year after the Flyers finally relieved Chuck Fletcher of his duties as both President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. The veteran architect had lost the plot after a resurgent 2019-20 season and with tempers boiling over, the Flyers upper management had no choice but to let him go before the fans truly rioted.
In his stead the Flyers promoted Daniel Brière to the interim position until the off-season but after being groomed over the last couple of seasons, it was his job to lose. With Dave Scott and Valerie Camillo following suit, the Flyers ushered into a new era with Dan Hilferty as the CEO, Keith Jones as the President, and Brière officially becoming the General Manager.
Most of the fan base were ecstatic or at the very least understanding of the new hires. However, as is usually the case, the belly-aching was present with a faction – albeit a small one – claiming that the inexperience from both Jones and Brière will rear it’s ugly head or that Brière being groomed by Fletcher is going to continue the nasty trend of GMs in Philadelphia among other issues.
Brière teamed up with Tortorella when it came to the NHL roster and found a way to uproot the negativity by getting rid of Kevin Hayes, Tony DeAngelo, and Ivan Provorov. The rebuild as the Flyers announced it to be, wasn’t going to be your typical tear-it-all-down rebuilds. The Flyers were going to be intricate in detail but also making sure that they’re playing for the present just as much as the future – and vice versa.
The core was already in place with Joel Farabee, Owen Tippett, Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, and Cam York all being under the age of 25. Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim were going to be turning 27 and 28 respectively, Carter Hart only just turned 25, and Samuel Ersson had sprung out of nowhere to give the Flyers the youngest tandem in the league.
With Couturier and Atkinson returning to the lineup, the aforementioned veterans traded or bought out, and Brière drafting brilliantly in his first attempt, the Flyers were looking a lot better in just a matter of months.
For Provorov, the Flyers essentially received Sean Walker, the contract of Cal Petersen, prospect Helge Grans, and a second round pick from Los Angeles, and a first and second round pick from Columbus. For DeAngelo, the Flyers essentially got an impressive prospect in Massimo Rizzo, and while Hayes had to be retained at 50%, the Flyers were able to uproot the biggest obstacle in the locker room – in terms of coach-player relationship.
There were concerns that perhaps Tortorella’s ego got in the way of some of the top performers at their respective positions but I think all of that can be forgotten as we near the Christmas Break on a 9-game point streak and owning the best record since the disappointing loss to San Jose back in November – 13-3-2.
| As of December 20th |
2022-23 Flyers |
2023-24 Flyers |
| Record |
11-15-7 |
18-10-3 |
| Goals Scored |
82 |
93 |
| Goals Against |
109 |
81 |
| Shots For |
975 |
1011 |
| Shots Against |
1059 |
877 |
| Power Play |
15/98 (15.3%) |
10/98 (10.2%) |
| Penalty Kill |
74/94 (75.5%) |
83/97 (85.6%) |
| CF% |
46.4 |
50.0 |
| FF% |
47.8 |
51.6 |
| PDO |
98.3 |
99.9 |
Just from the most basic statistics, the 2023-24 Flyers are outpacing their previous counterparts out the water. The biggest difference comes in goal and through their defense because they went from allowing 3.30 goals per game in 2022-23 to 2.61 in 2023-24. In 2 less games played they have allowed 182 less shots – 32 shots against per game versus 28.2.
Special teams have been an issue over the years and the power play has struggled even more this season than last by a margin of 5 goals or 5.1%. However, their penalty kill has been outstanding as they sit 4th in the entire league behind just Boston (87.50%), Dallas (86.73%), and Los Angeles (86.36%). The paltry penalty kill of the Flyers in 2022-23 allowed 9 more goals on 3 less opportunities and were sitting at or near the bottom.
Possession numbers are also through the roof this season with their CF% and FF% being 4% higher than 2022-23. That goes hand in hand with their shot prevention on defense, more offensive chances being created, and just a better all-round game from everyone throughout the lineup.
Even their play on the road has been exceptional as they have set a new franchise record for the longest streak allowing 3 or fewer goals at 13 games – and currently ongoing. They have allowed 3 goals in just 5 of those 13 games and on 4 separate occasions they’ve allowed 1 goal or less.
The Tortorella system is in full fledge this season and the top players that should be producing have helped all throughout. The Flyers have 11 players in double digit points, 4 of them have 20+, an additional 2 players have 16+, and their well balanced attack has a trio of 10+ goal scorers with a few more inching their way closer.
There have been a few players who have struggled offensively with Morgan Frost having 3 goals and 8 points in 21 games and Cam Atkinson at 8 goals and 16 points through 31 contests. Frost was a press box visitor more times than anyone anticipated and struggled whenever he was given the rare opportunity.
He didn’t score his first point until his 7th game which was against the Anaheim Ducks on the 10th of November and scored his first 2 goals the following night in Los Angeles. He’s done marginally better in his last 15 games with 3 goals and 8 points but more is expected from the young pivot.
As for Atkinson, he started the season at a blistering pace before hitting an expected stall after having missed over a full year of hockey. He scored 6 goals and 9 points in his first 10 games with 2 game-winning goals while averaging 17:31 before succumbing to 2 goals and 7 points in his last 21 games.
That includes his current drought of 0 goals and 4 points in his last 16. The shots are still there, the ice-time is still relatively high, eventually he will start cashing in but his teammates have been able to back it up as they have gone 11-3-2 in those 16 games.
Based on their track record, it might be very difficult to believe this hot-streak is real or that the playoffs are in sight but since 1979-80, 84.6% of teams that are in a playoff spot by the 24th of December have clinched a berth.
The Flyers are currently 2nd in the division and 6 points back of the New York Rangers, are tied with the New York Islanders, 2 ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes, 3 ahead of the Washington Capitals, 5 ahead of the New Jersey Devils, and 8 ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As of the 20th of December, Philadelphia is 3rd in the Eastern Conference where they are 1 point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers as well and 4 ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Hurricanes and Lightning currently hold the 2 Wild Card spots so the Flyers are in good spirits and for good reason.
With their 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, the Flyers are now 7-0-1 in December.
Brière and company have essentially done a full 180 in a matter of mere months, so much so that a faction of the fanbase are claiming the Flyers should be buyers at the trade deadline. Sam Carchidi among others believes that the Flyers should be targeting Johnny Gaudreau with the Columbus Blue Jackets languishing yet again.
That’s the Brière and Jones effect in action and we’re only 7-8 months into their development.
2024 Stadium Series Trip
Flyers Nation and Philly Sports Trips have teamed up to bring you on an amazing bus trip to the 2024 NHL Stadium Series between the Flyers and Devils. Place an early deposit to reserve your spot at the ultimate tailgate experience at MetLife Stadium before the game. The package includes a game ticket, round-trip charter bus, an all-inclusive tailgate party with unlimited cold beverages, “Philly Style” catered food, live entertainment, and more.
