Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Locker Room: ‘Any Change is Welcome’
If one thing has become more clear about the Philadelphia Flyers in the post-John Tortorella era, it’s that the team is playing much freer on offense. There has definitely been a lapse defensively, but there has been a noticeable difference in their offensive game.
This was evident during Saturday’s matinee matchup with the Buffalo Sabres.
Read More: Flyers Explode for Seven Goals, Beat Sabres 7-4 on Saturday
Flyers Playing More Loosely and with Clarity
“When you’re in a season like that (this year), and in tough spots, you know, any change is welcome. Unfortunately, it’s a coach and a well-respected guy. But (you) just kind of reset after it. And, you know, to have the efforts that we’ve had have been nice,“ said Noah Cates after Saturday’s win.
The offensive explosiveness has greatly improved in the previous two games. The Flyers were a team struggling to score goals no longer than a week ago. Now, the change has brought a whole new level of offense to the team.
Cates was later asked if the coaching change has the team feeling looser. Rather than saying yes, he doubled down, welcoming the change.
“Yeah, maybe a little bit. Like I said, I think it’s just a mental reset and a little more mental clarity, mental focus. We’re just executing, forechecking well, just thinking a little bit less. So, yeah, could be a little bit of that. But just any change at this point in time is welcome.”
The Change was a Wake-Up Call
When asked if things felt different in the locker room the past two days, and if the change has brought the team some life, Owen Tippett said it was a wake-up call for the team.
“We realized in here that we were part of the problem. If we perform better, then those circumstances don’t happen (Tortorella being fired). I think it was kind of a wake-up call for all of us, and we just want to finish the season strong here.”
Before the big change, the Flyers had been struggling mightily on offense. It was not easy for the team to score, and their downward spiral was partially charged by poor offensive efforts.
The Flyers had only scored more than three goals in three of the final 13 games of the Tortorella era.
The offense has certainly woken up since, scoring 13 combined goals in their first two games under Brad Shaw.
Read More: Daniel Briere Talks Firing John Tortorella
Is Shaw Keeping Things Lighter?
After the game, Brad Shaw was asked if he had felt more energy on the bench now that Tortorella is no longer coaching the team. His response:
“We haven’t really tried to make it any lighter. I just think my personality is lighter than Torts’ and I have a lighter hand in how I go about my business. So I think inherently it might be lighter on the bench. I think that’s just natural that that would be the feeling.“
Aside from that, Shaw believes that energy is not particularly anything he is doing differently; rather, it’s a snowball effect from the team’s scoring.
“When you score, scorers get energized by putting pucks in the net and being part of an offensive push,” said Shaw.
The Flyers have certainly found that snowball effect, especially in Saturday’s win, scoring four consecutive goals between the second and third period.
Philly will be back at it on Monday when they host the Nashville Predators.
Read More: OPINION: Tortorella is Gone, David Carle Should Be the Next Flyers Coach
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Absolutely the worst thing that happened this season was the timing of the firing. I understand why it happened and the speech after the Toronto game by Torts combined with the confrontation with York was the thing that tipped DB’s hand.
The freeing of the team and how they have reacted could not have come at a worse time. It’s difficult to root against your team, but they really need to lose to get the best draft pick they can get. They were all ready to possibly have Buffalo leapfrog them, but they shoot themselves in the skate and now have a three point separation. It was a four point swing. They are fifth and if they stay hot, they could drop to 8 or 9. I want them to fall flat and finish fourth.
I completely agree, but I don’t know how long this “hot streak” will last. The flame will burn out eventually. I mean, they did just play two bad teams, with a worse team coming on Friday. Despite the crappy year, the Flyers still have a lot of talent. It’s showing now, but it won’t win EVERY game down the stretch. I’m still fairly confident they will end the year at No. 4 (assuming Lottery doesn’t pull any surprises), which would guarantee one of Schaefer, Misa, Martone, and Hagens, which is a win in my book.
If not, they’ll still be in range for Frondell, McQueen, Eklund, Desnoyers, and O’Brien, which still leaves them with a solid prospect.
Honestly, I think seeing Michkov truly breakout, along with Foerster, Coots, and even Pelletier showing flashes of their true game as a positive headed into next year.
Boston has been so bad with the 8th lost in a row and Pittsburgh has stalled. Now they are tied with them even though they played a few more games . I worry about Boston and kraken won’t win many if any more . Even if the sabers jump them I don’t know if they will lose more they Boston to keep the 4th or 5th spot. Frondell would be great but only if we stay with the 5th we would get him.