The Flyers Can’t Lose Sight Of Rebuild Amid Their Early Success
We assumed the Flyers would not win many games this year. Not because the people in power are incompetent, but because of the opposite. They finally have people in charge who realized what this team needed was a rebuild. And they tried to do just that by trading away or cutting a few veterans. But despite all of that, the Flyers have actually been good for the first few months of the season.
29 games into the season, they are in a tie for second in the Metropolitan division with 35 points. They have 16 wins, 10 losses in regulation, and 3 OT losses. Including their shootout win over the Capitals last night. In their last 10 games, they are 6-2-2. And while they are middle in the pack in terms of goals scored, they have given up the 11th fewest goals of any team this season.
It is great they are playing well. And it’s even better that long-suffering Flyers fans finally have something worth watching. The Chuck Fletcher era was a disaster, and it did what I thought was impossible and turned usually loyal Flyers fans on the team. But despite this success, they must remember they are in a rebuild. That does not mean blowing it up. But it does mean don’t sell out the future just to improve their chances this year. Because the truth is this team is still not ready to compete, and no one move is going to change that.
A big problem with the Flyers in the past was making short-sighted moves to try and get short-term gains. It’s why it often felt like they were behind the 8-ball. Thankfully it feels like they have the right people in power to avoid that mistake again. Danny Brierre and Keith Jones have been adamant that this is a rebuild, and that they do this the right way.
This team could have a bright future. They have smart people in charge who are building the team the right way. They already have one potential superstar waiting in the wings. Matvei Michkov. Cutter Gauthier also looks like a potential star. This team could be special in a couple of years. Avoiding those past mistakes, holding onto all future assets, and being patient, is key to making sure the future stays bright.
Watch Andrew Salciunas live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What The Flyers Would Look Like If They Only Had Local Players