Philadelphia Flyers
Bailey: Flyers Missing Playoffs is a Good Thing
With three games left in the 2023-24 regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers’ playoff hopes are virtually nil. And that’s OK.
The fact that the Flyers overachieved this season in the way they did speaks volumes about the team’s character and the organization’s direction. They haven’t lost sight of the rebuild, either.
By now, we’ve all grown accustomed to the word “meaningful” being thrown around by head coach John Tortorella and other members of Flyers management. Although their performances of late certainly don’t indicate it, the Flyers did play in meaningful games in March and April. That’s an accomplishment for a team that’s gone absolutely nowhere in the last few years.
After their last two losses, the last three Flyers games of the season are virtually meaningless. But, when we keep things in perspective, missing the playoffs is actually a good thing.
There are a few reasons for that.
First and foremost, regarding the rebuild, the Flyers currently hold the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft based on points percentage. If Seattle, which is 11th, wins some games to end the season, the Flyers will move up a spot.
That gives them a 3% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick after everything that happened this season. Imagine that.
Or, let’s say the Flyers stay put at No. 12. They can still draft a high-impact player despite not being in the top-10. Tij Iginla would be an excellent Cutter Gauthier replacement, while a center like Konsta Helenius could be a potential No. 1 center and two-way beast at the NHL level.
Then there are top defenders like Zeev Buium and Adam Jiricek, who can help the Flyers build a deep blueline, which is required by any Stanley Cup contender.
Oh, and the Flyers have Florida’s first-round pick this year and, potentially, two second-round picks, depending on the conditions of a trade with Columbus. Don’t let a few months of good hockey make you forget that.
As for the players on the team and the organization, missing the playoffs because of this monumental collapse should be fuel for next season. In theory, guys should be coming back next season pissed off and motivated to make the playoffs.
If they don’t? Well, they never had what it takes to win the Stanley Cup anyway.
Missing the playoffs should benefit the Flyers in the long run, but like with anything in life, there are no guarantees. It’s in the hands of the team now.
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Also an NHL team can buy out a player’s contract for two-thirds of the remaining amount if the player is 26 or older or for one-third if younger than 26. That figure is spread out over twice the number of years remaining on the contract. Signing bonuses are excluded from buyouts. The buyout amount for each year counts toward the team’s cap hit. Cam Atkinson should be a candidate for a buy-out….the 34-year-old winger is under contract through the 2024-25 season at a $5.875 million cap hit. So the Flyers cap hit for a Atkinson buy-out would be $1.9M each for the next two years.
What would Howie do!
According to NHL draft chart value system….Danny B can package the 12th pick and whatever the Panthers finish after the play-offs…..assume they lose in the conference finals…so drafting 30th……together the point value can get them to 6th pick if a team is willing to make that trade.
No team drafting 6 overall is going to trade for the 12th and 30th picks. It doesn’t happen.
Most podcasts and hockey websites point out that this is a LIGHT year for the draft -first top 10 are good, then talent drops off after that. You CONVENIENTLY leave that out !!
I know reading is hard, but did you read what I actually said about the draft-eligible players in the article?
Part of a rebuild is drafting well with some / a lot of luck. Teaching is important too. Time to fix this brutal power play. PK was awesome until recently. To me the D needs to be fixed. It was a strength especially the transition which we hadn’t seen here in years but injuries and trades and overplayed players has exposed the goalies.
Well said. The Flyers and their fans should not lose sight of the big picture. Before the season, I posted that if they were to finish a few games over .500, that would be an improvement and a step in the right direction as their young players continue to develop, and most of us would be happy with that. It is disappointing that, after playing above expectations for most of the season, they are finishing with this losing streak. However, this is a rebuild and it will take time. Focus now on the draft picks we hold and revamping the roster for next season.
Who cares about the draft picks obviously we can’t sign them
I respctfully disagree. I don’t think there is an going to be much of a difference between a draft pick in the 11 to 16 spots but the playoff experience will be invaluable to the kids.
“The fact that the Flyers overachieved this season in the way they did speaks volumes about the team’s character and the organization’s direction. They haven’t lost sight of the rebuild, either.”
THIS.
Despite various struggles (and under intense public scrutiny), these players as a group showed tremendous character, heart and yes- even guts. The future is bright, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Flyers’ progress next season.
It takes guts, character, and heart to collapse in the final month of the season?