As the Philadelphia Flyers enter the post-All-Star-Break stretch with a 21-21-9 record, playing surprisingly competitive hockey and only six points out of a wild-card spot, it seems natural to wonder, “What we can expect from the post All-Star break Philadelphia Flyers?”

This article addresses several pertinent questions regarding the post-All-Star Break orange-and-black.

Will the Flyers be “buyers” ahead of the March 3, 2023 NHL trade deadline?

Simply put, no. Do not expect the Philadelphia Flyers to be in the market for expiring- contract veteran players to bolster their chances at a wild card playoff bid.

John Tortorella has been clear from the outset that this season is about building a foundation for long-term success, not winning now. Throughout the season Torts has reinforced the need to “weed out” players who don’t fit as part of the solution, and the importance of evaluating how players react when games become more important. Adding short-term veterans would impede his assessment of the Flyers’ current roster and the determination of which players should stay and go for 2023-24.

Torts, in fact, had the opportunity in a February 1 radio interview with 97.5 to indicate if his priorities had shifted toward making the playoffs. Instead, he reiterated that the Flyers are a work in progress, must continue to add youth and remove veterans, and should not skip any steps in the process of becoming a legitimate contender.

In other words, this remains a longer-term project and don’t expect any hired guns or even Derek Grants and Nate Thompsons at the trade deadline. When you consider Tortorella’s early-season comments about the timing not being right for signing Johnny Gaudreau, this should come as no surprise.

If the Flyers aren’t adding before the trade deadline, does this mean they will be looking to sell?

Yes. Perhaps more than anything, what stands out from Tortorella’s February 1 radio interview is his comment that the Flyers need to “get rid of veterans”. One cannot help but think that the pathologically blunt Tortorella has specific players in mind. My guess is that he has already made his decision on several veterans and now would prefer to use their roster spots to assess younger players, such as Olle Lycksell, who are in the AHL.

James van Riemsdyk and Justin Braun are the obvious veterans on the trade block considering their pending free-agent statuses. However, I also would not be shocked to see Kevin Hayes and/or Tony DeAngelo dealt before the deadline as both players’ low-percentage puck decisions and defensive lapses seem to be wearing thin with minimal improvement.

Additionally, it will be interesting to see if the Flyers trade Nick Seeler, who has exceeded expectations on the third pair to become arguably the best bargain blueliner in the NHL. With a year remaining on a league minimum cap hit, he may garner third-round type interest around the league, that is if the Flyers don’t decide he is more valuable as a team leader and depth defenseman next season.

Can the Flyers make the playoffs?

As enjoyable as it has been to watch this young and improving Flyers team progress throughout the season, it is unlikely they will find a way into the playoffs. Unfortunately, they don’t play in the West and the East remains too deep. The Flyers are battling for two wild-card spots with seasoned, star-led, perennial contenders in Pittsburgh and Washington; not to mention last season’s President’s Trophy champion in Florida; an Islanders team that just added Bo Horvat; and a talented up-and-coming Buffalo.

Don’t forget that the Flyers are playing without their best player and #1 center in Sean Couturier, last season’s leading scorer in Cam Atkinson, and don’t have a #1 defenseman due to the Ryan Ellis saga. The lack of top-of-the-lineup talent will hurt as the games grow more important.

Therefore, the realistic goals for the rest of the season are to move on from the veterans that do not fit into the club’s future; develop and assess the younger players who remain; and continue to build upon the relentless hard-working foundation that has provided fun watchable hockey on a nearly nightly basis for the first time since 2019-20.

If the youthful Flyers’ progression continues post-break, they may miss the playoffs this season, but I will like the O&B’s chances against some aging Eastern stalwarts in 2023-24.

Joe Kania is a Contributor for HW Hockey
Photo: Getty Images
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James Iacovone

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