A Flyers Christmas by Jesse Bell
Photo Credit - Philadelphia Sports Network (PSN)
The Flyers are firing off on all cylinders as of late, a week before Christmas and most fans are feeling the positive vibes from the boys in Orange and Black. The forming of the PHD line early in the season, proved to be one of the most productive lines in the NHL at the start of 2023/24. Is it Torts? Is it Danny B and Keith Jones attempting to bring back the mentality of old school Flyers play and a new sense of a Family organizational feel?
Photo Credit - Michael Mooney/Getty Images
All of the above can take credit for the current results of the Flyers success and the standings are there for reference. They’re 6-1 in their last 7 games so far in the month of December and although there are some overtime and shootout wins, it speaks volumes compared to the last couple seasons struggling in shootouts, for as far as any fan can remember. Young guns, veterans and a goalie tandem that took a bit to get rolling but is looking very promising for the future. The “Illness” bug has been a constant dark cloud over Carter Hart more times than anyone wants this season but it also gave light to Sam Ersson solidifying into a pretty stellar back up. Nic Deslauries and Garnet Hathaway have brought true grit back to South Philly, showing the ice can be policed again by players that can not only drop the gloves with a staggering result of success but have also become very crucial to bring back the physicality and secondary scoring the Flyers have been missing for some years.
With the trade deadline approaching, tons of rumors are circulating about who the Flyers are willing to part with. During an episode of “Missin’ Curfew” with former Philadelphia Flyer Scottie Upshall and former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Shane O’Brien, (highly recommend listening if you haven’t yet…absolute beauties) a couple players were mentioned to be “staying with the franchise for years to come” such as Travis Konecny, Travis Sanhiem, Nic Deslauries, Nick Seeler and Garnet Hathaway. Now, this also conflicts with Danny B’s comments saying they’re answering call on everyone. That doesn’t mean they’re willing to or not willing to trade everyone but it says they’re hearing what other owners prices are when it comes to the Flyers they’re calling about. You have to read between the lines here, in this “Rebuild” you have listen to every offer that comes to the table including Carter Hart. If the Flyers get a world shattering deal for Hart, regardless what the fan base thinks, they have to take it. If Sam Ersson stays on his positive trajectory, there are other goalies in the pipeline that could prove to be potential back ups for him if Hart is traded. (Alexei Kolosov, Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zaragin being those Prospect) Some obviously need some seasoning and baking in the AHL but you catch my drift, there are other options
Photo Credit - Chris Wedman (Olde City Sports Network)
Heading into the week of Christmas and a couple weeks before the new year, the Philadelphia Flyers are 2nd in the metro division with a record of 17-10-3 with 37 points, 6 points below the New York Rangers in 1st place. I’ve always been the optimistic host of Olde City Sports Network’s Flyers podcast Flyers Alley, along with Wayde O’Ruska Jr and Corey Welk, it’s easier to be that way when your team is doing as well as the Flyers are right now and I will accept this Christmas gift from the Philadelphia Flyers of success and would love some post season play because we all know……there’s nothing like Flyers Playoff Hockey!
Jesse Bell - Olde City Sports Network/Flyers Alley Podcast
Photo Creds - Chris Wedman (Olde City Sports Network) Michael Mooney(NHLI-Getty Images), Philly Sports Network.
