Time flies, at least for the Flyers, as it feels like this will be the season they finally return to Stanley Cup playoff action.
The team will reach the halfway point in its season when it completes Tuesday night’s home game against the Anaheim Ducks.
It’s safe to say this season’s Flyers have performed above expectations. Think of it: Heading into Saturday night’s game at Edmonton, they had lost back-to-back games in regulation time only once all year.
There have been a number of factors in this somewhat unexpected renaissance.
The coaching has been exceptional, several additions to the roster have all stood out and a few “kids” are starting to make key contributions.
They all add up to an outfit which should be exciting to watch down the stretch and into April.
Without further ado, here’s our Flyers report card for the first half of the 2025-26 season:
>*FORWARDS*
Coming into this season, not too much was expected of players such as Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak.
After all, the Anaheim Ducks let Zegres go for Ryan Poehling and a couple draft picks while Montreal didn’t think enough of Dvorak to even get into a bidding war for the free agent’s services.
Both have played well beyond what anyone could have reasonably hoped for. Zegras leads the team in goal scoring and Dvorak has proven to be one of the Flyers’ best all-around players, including penalty killing and faceoffs.
Plus the duo works well together in all situations.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Veteran Travis Konecny is having a big turnaround season, not only with his offense but his glowing plus-minus number, which has hovered around plus-10. He’s fitted in well with Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett.
The renovated fourth line has made headlines, too. Carl Grundstrom has come out of the blue to score seven goals through his first dozen games, Rodrigo Abols is starting to find the net and Nikita Grebenkin is doing all the little things well.
One disappointment has been Matvei Michkov. Reportedly he showed up to training camp not in the best of shape. But he’s been working his way back and seems to be clicking with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink.
The Brink-Cates pairing appears to be working well even after the departure of the injured Tyson Foerster for the remainder of the regular season.
The Flyers already have at least five active players on pace for 20-goal seasons.
>GRADE: *A-*
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>*DEFENSE*
There were quite a few changes in the team defense over the first 40 games, some of them due to injuries and others just sorting out the top six.
Canada Olympian Travis Sanheim might be having the best year of his career and some of that is due to a steady partnership with Cam York, who is really coming into his own. Both are exceptional in tight situations and also have shown a flare on offense when opportunities present themselves.
For steady defensive play, look to veterans Rasmus Ristolainen and Nick Seeler. Their physical attitude and ability to keep the puck out of danger zones for Philly goalies is exceptional.
Jamie Drysdale has taken a big step forward this season, particularly as point man on the power play. While the man advantage numbers have been sinking lately, blame can’t be placed on Drysdale.
Emil Andrae might be the most pleasant surprise of all. Until his benching the other night, the callup from Lehigh Valley had been contributing at both ends of the rink. His physical play makes up for his lack of size and he’s not timid about pinching in the offensive zone to keep a play alive.
Noah Juulsen has been a valuable seventh man to fill in when others were injured.
>GRADE: *B+*
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>*GOALTENDING*
What a crezy first half this has been in terms of goaltending.
Going into preseason, Samuel Ersson was thought by many to be the No. 1 backstop.
But it didn’t take long for Dan Vladar, one of those aforementioned newcomers, to take over. He started on opening night and hasn’t looked back.
In all fairness, Ersson has been put in some pretty tough spots, be it the second half of a back-to-back or on the road against a legitimate Cup contender.
He was thought to be a candidate for the Sweden Olympic team but didn’t make the final cut.
That said, if Vladar can continue to provide steady work in goal, the Flyers look like they can break a five-year playoff drought.
>GRADE: *B*
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>*COACH*
The most impressive thing about Rick Tocchet’s achievement really isn’t about the fact he’s gotten the Flyers back into contention.
It’s how fast he’s done it.
Right from the first week of the season, with competitive games against powerhouse teams such as Carolina and Florida, the Flyers haven’t backed down from anyone.
Tocchet’s commendable communication skills make him a popular figure in the locker room. In the long run, those are going to pay off.
>GRADE: *A*
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>*GENERAL MANAGER:*
Daniel Briere has made his season three a charm.
Give him high marks for Zegras, Vladar and Dvorak. But also for the development of young players such as Brink, Andrae and newcomer Denver Barkey.
Briere was savvy as a player. He’s even more so as a GM.
>GRADE: *A-*
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