The 2019-20 Philadelphia Flyers: Meet Them Again, For the First Time!
With the NHL’s recent announcement of its plan for a return to the ice with an unprecedented 24-team playoff format, the excitement of hockey fever is running wild for Flyers fans everywhere.
With that in mind, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with the team we all love so much.
Let’s take a look at who we’ve missed so much and what we have to look forward to.
Coaches & Management
We can easily say that since being hired, every move Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher has made, has turned to gold. From acquiring Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun to solidify the defense to acquiring Pitlick and Grant in order to turn the bottom 6 forwards into one of the very best in the NHL.
From acquiring the rights to and signing one of the very best UFA-to-be 2-way centers in the NHL in Kevin Hayes to resigning RFA Travis Konecny to one of the best bargain deals in the NHL.
From drafting top-end defensive prospects in Cam York to drafting one of the best young scoring prospects in Bobby Orr Brink! Plain and simple: Fletcher has done a phenomenal job as the Flyers GM. Alain Vigneault has proven over and over again this season that he and his assistants Mike Yeo and Michel Therrien were the best offseason coaching hires.
No team has scored more goals than the Flyers since the calendar changed to 2020.
They have the young defense playing like a bunch of seasoned veterans and they’ve given stud defenseman Ivan Provorov and Robert Hagg all the tools they needed in order to bounce back from sub-par seasons last year. The use of goaltenders Carter Hart and Brian Elliott, keeping them fresh and in top physical condition has been magnificent. This coaching staff continues to be very impressive, to say the least.
The Forwards
I really can’t ever remember a time when the Flyers had this much depth at the forward position. If Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Kevin Hayes aren’t the best collections of 3 players who play the most complete game on 1 team, then I don’t know who is. All three score big goals and limit the opposition’s chances both 5-on-5 and on the penalty-kill like no one else. Travis Konecny has taken a huge step forward in his development. As good as he’s been since entering the NHL, he has been that much better this season, shattering his career highs in point totals and tying his career-high goal totals from the last couple of seasons with 24, but he was well on his way to the first of many 30-goal seasons of his young career at the work stoppage.
JVR and Jake Voracek have never played more complete games, with and without the puck, in their entire careers. The bottom 6 forwards are by far the best in the entire NHL with the likes of Grant, Pitlick, Raffl, and Aube-Kubel all playing an important role with their high energy and a tenacity that is second to none.
The Defense
The youth movement is finally here folks! And it can’t be more apparent than by looking at this season’s defense. After a down season a year ago, Ivan Provorov is back to playing a top-notch game, reminiscent of a young Nick Lidstrom. With his all-round game, Travis Sanheim has proven he can be a top-pairing defenseman in the not too distant future.
And if you’re not excited to see Phil Myers back there making a ton of important plays look easy, then I suggest you check your pulse. Robert Hagg has surprised everyone with his defensive play all year. He’s been a real bright spot back there. Add to them veterans Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun whose careers have been rejuvenated by playing with the youngsters and are both having one of the best seasons of their careers.
And please, let’s not forget about Shayne Gostisbehere who is just chopping at the chance to get back into game action. A player with Ghost’s talents starving for a chance to get back into the game and impress his coaches is what you want to have.
The Goaltending
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Carter Hart. Yes, Carter Hart. At just 21 years of age, Hart posted the 8th best GAA (2.42) this season.
That was better than Carey Price, Jordan Billington, Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Pekka Rinne, Ben Bishop, and a bunch of other goalies who are considered “top-notch” goaltenders. He is already one of the most positionally sound goaltenders in the entire league.
Think about that for a moment. The kid just seems to always be at the right place at the right time. He already has countless amounts of highlight-reel saves just like this one.
Yes, at just 21 years of age, Carter Hart alone is worth the price of admission to a Flyers game.
Now let’s not forget about Brian Elliott who has been so solid when called upon. He’s been healthy and it looks like he relishes the role of mentor for young Hart.
And Finally…
You can watch the entire episode right, below.
This 2019-20 Philadelphia Flyers team is just so exciting to watch. There’s just something special about this team. Just as Kurtis Gabriel told me on our PHLSportsNation podcast not too long ago.
The Flyers are just an incredible, tight-knit group”.
Well said Kurtis, well said.
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