Good-bye to the West Coast by: Jesse Bell
Photo Credit - Kyle Ross / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Philadelphia Flyers did not have the start to the 2024-25 season everyone was hoping for. They started out with a shootout win over Vancouver 3-2 but dropped the 3 following games to Calgary, Edmonton and Seattle.
There are a couple things, in my opinion, that went wrong but also alot that went right! Let’s break them down!
Positive lights - the schedule is absolutely ridiculous every year at the beginning. We’re always on the road, on the west coast and travel makes the players weary. Also, playing a top notch team like Vancouver, winning literally by the skin of your teeth then dropping the 2nd half of the back to back to Calgary, who’s also not as bad as everyone thinks, sounds about right. So fanbase, BREATHE! We finally have Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko in regular season nhl hockey. Obviously, Matvei will be staying up with the big club but I think Jett does as well. He’s already broken the record for Youngest player to ever play for the Flyers in history and the front office as well as every development coach the franchise has, is praising him for his hockey IQ, always keeping the puck moving, always being in the play and of course, his speed. So that's a positive nugget for you all, as well as Matvei nets his first 2 goals in the NHL so you can’t be anything but happy for the kid and can’t wait for what’s to come from both of these youngsters!
Photo Credit - Philadelphia Flyers
Negatives lights - the defense is already in absolute disarray, the turnovers at the worst time possible, clearing the zone of the opposing teams offense doesn’t seem to be something they’re interested in doing and finally leaving our goalie out to dry.
These are things that have been issues in the past for a LONG time! So it’s a chain reaction of HELL when this is how the defense plays for an entire season. When the D doesn’t do their job, the offense has to play back more than usual, leading to injuries for our scoring select. Also, if the D doesn’t do their job, the goalie doesn’t trust them, if the goalie doesn’t trust the defense, all bets are off. Now, I'm not sure if the defense is missing Nick Seeler, which could be a possibility but things need to change here and fast. Ivan Fedotov is already being torched by the fanbase and it’s only been 4 games, the defense has to respond and stop leaving their net minder out to dry.There obviously were a couple goals that, as the goalie, you have to save but Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen are the guilty parties, not going to sugar coat it…..EARN YOUR PAYCHECKS!
Speaking of earning your paychecks, we all need to see more from Owen Tippett. Ever since signing his big contract, you’d have a better chance with McDavid sign in Philly than Tipps doing, pretty much anything on the ice. The kid is capable of great things just hope he doesn’t fall into a bad category that involves just collecting a paycheck!
Photo Credit - Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
We face off on home ice against Vancouver for the Philadelphia Flyers Home Opener tonight at 7pm et everywhere you catch your games, so let’s clean the slate and start fresh here and see if the Flyers can net a win!
Photo Credit - Philadelphia Inquirer
Cover Photo Credit - Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Jesse Bell - Olde City Sports Network
