The Questions We Didn’t Ask About The Flyers

Yesterday, I wrote a story on the five biggest questions facing the Philadelphia Flyers. 

I took a deep look at the team — where they were, where they are, where they might be going — to come up with relevant questions.

As I researched the Flyers, something jumped out at me. What normally would be important questions on many franchises just aren’t issues right now with the Philadelphia Flyers.

For example, here are three questions not asked: 

John Tortorella

The Flyers coach is going into his second season in Philadelphia. He arrived with a pedigree — and a Stanley Cup championship 20 years ago with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

His first season as a head coach was 1999-2000 with the New York Rangers. He has coached 1,465 NHL games, with a 704-579-145 record, with 37 ties.

He took over a 25-46-11 Flyers team and improved it to a 31-38-13 record last season.

At the New Era of Orange news conference, CEO Dan Hilferty said: “Coach Torts is the bench boss, and he decides what happens on the ice.

“Make no mistake about it — John Tortorella is our spiritual leader.”

Tortorella is 65 years old. His reputation is a win-now coach. But he seems very much on-board with the Flyers’ rebuild.

At the New Era of Orange news conference, Tortorella talked about working with general manager Daniel Briere and president Keith Jones: 

“We’re going to have those discussions as men,” Tortorella said. “Whatever problem or maybe good stuff’s going on, we’ll discuss it.

“It’s trust … We’ve already started scratching the surface on a few things and what needs to be done this summer.

“Danny and I have had some really major conversations on that. Meetings, you strip your symbol off. You’re talking as men and talking about the Philadelphia Flyers, how we improve the team.”

The Front Office

Briere, with no experience as an NHL general manager, has enjoyed a productive offseason. He has handled his many job duties with deftness and confidence. He hasn’t been perfect but no one is in that job.

Some of his free agents might help the Flyers; some might not.

The real results of Briere’s moves will be seen next season and also down the road with the Matvei Michkov-led draft class.

Critics might say you’re only as good as your last draft class, and that’s valid. For now, Briere’s first draft class has potential and star power.

Special Teams

This is the question that was borderline as No. 5 yesterday.

I decided the issue of special teams was more of an in-season situation. We don’t know the roster yet, so we don’t know who will line up on special teams.

What happens if one of the young players turns out to be a force on the power play? Or, Noah Cates continues to improve on the penalty kill?

What we do know: If Sean Couturier returns, the penalty-kill will improve. Same with Cam Atkinson.

Special teams were a mess last season — 32nd on the power play, 26th on the penalty-kill. These essential elements of the game must improve for the Flyers to improve.

The Flyers simply can’t give up power-play goals and get locked out on their own power play.