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Michael Augello
MikeInBuffalo@THNew
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PHWA member, host of @OffThePostRadio & Leafs Convo podcasts, & Sabres Reporter/Site Manager for
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Nikita Grebenkin Continuing Torrid Start to Life in Flyers Organization
The Philadelphia Flyers knew Nikita Grebenkin was a stud prospect when they acquired him from the Toronto Maple Leafs, but were they expecting this?
Grebenkin, 21, failed to score a point in his seven NHL appearances with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.
In 39 AHL games with the Toronto Marlies, Grebenkin was averaging a goal every four games and joined the Flyers organization with nine goals, 12 assists, and 21 points under his belt.
But, since arriving from Toronto in the trade that saw the Flyers send Scott Laughton the other way, all Grebenkin has done is produce
The 6-foot-2 Russian winger has already shown his chops in front of the net, from both in tight and long range.
Already with three goals and two assists since joining up with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Grebenkin's latest exploits saw him dance a defender in the neutral zone before finding the middle of the ice, loading up, and ripping a shot past the glove of Laval goaltender Connor Hughes.
Known best for his enthralling blend of size and skill, Grebenkin still needs to work on skating through and navigating traffic and, sometimes, playing through contact, even for a bigger player.
Skill can only be taught to a certain point, especially at the NHL level, whereas strength and a more aggressive mentality can come with experience and further time spent in the gym.
Because the Flyers already used their fourth and final post-trade deadline call-up on rookie goalie Aleksei Kolosov, Grebenkin will only see NHL ice again this season if the squad suffers a rash of injuries.
Winger Garnet Hathaway just returned from a long layoff, so with the Flyers only getting the healthier, the chances of Grebenkin making his debut with the Orange and Black this season are virtually nil.
Flyers fans can, however, excitedly look towards the near future.
Grebenkin, Kolosov, Jett Luchanko, and others are all set to help lead the Phantoms in their Calder Cup playoff campaign.
Ty Murchison just joined the Phantoms on an amateur tryout offer, Alex Ciernik has yet to make his debut, and there's a chance Alex Bump can join the fold, too.
Grebenkin is already playing like a beast for the Flyers organization, and the excitement amongst fans is understandably reaching a fever pitch.
Extra seasoning in the AHL never hurt anybody, plus, this is the perfect opportunity for Grebenkin to build chemistry and familiarity with someone like Luchanko, for example.
Watch this space.
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Top 5 Candidates to Replace John Tortorella as Flyers Coach
No matter who it is, the Philadelphia Flyers must get their next coaching hire right after dismissing John Tortorella on Thursday morning.
Tortorella, 67, had one year remaining on his contract with the Flyers and finished his tenure in Philadelphia with a 97-107-33 record. Tortorella's .479 points percentage with the Flyers was his worst with a single team in his 23-year NHL career.
Further to that point, Tortorella's .445 points percentage this season was the third-lowest of his NHL career when coaching a full, 82-game season, trailing only his last season in Tampa Bay (31-42-9, .433 in 2007-08) and his first full season in Tampa Bay (27-40-11-4, .421 in 2001-02).
Essentially, Tortorella's 2024-25 Flyers team was his most underperforming team of the last 17 years, unless the 2020-21 Columbus team is included, despite the COVID-19-shortened season.
This decision leaves the Flyers at a crossroads, with no apparent in-house replacements young enough or experienced enough to replace Tortorella and spearhead the next phase of the rebuild.
Brad Shaw, who the Flyers named their interim head coach, will turn 61 on April 28.
When the Flyers play against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, Shaw will manage his first NHL game since the 2005-06 season, when he led the New York Islanders for 40 games , also as an interim coach.
No. 5: Ian Laperriere, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Though Shaw may be an unlikely option, one candidate that may offer more intrigue is none other than Lehigh Valley Phantoms bench boss Ian Laperriere.
Laperriere, 51, is a French-Canadian like Flyers GM Danny Briere, played for the Flyers with Briere at the end of his career, and served the Flyers as an assistant coach for eight seasons before taking the Phantoms' head coaching post.
If clichés like "the culture" and being a "Flyer" are still highly valued by the organization, there are few better options out there, aside from someone like Rick Tocchet, who may not even leave Vancouver but could be pursued regardless.
During his time as a Flyers assistant and as Phantoms head coach, Laperriere has overseen the development of players like Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Scott Laughton, Brayden Schenn, Shayne Gostisbehere, Travis Konecny, Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, and more.
There's not much to say that hasn't already been said about the Flyers and their ability, or lack thereof, to consistently develop players over the last decade, but Laperriere has also coached the best of them--a good number of which are still with the team today.
Plus, you can't really blame Laperriere for the Flyers' decisions to let players leave Philadelphia for better opportunities. Or, for trading players, like Gostisbehere, for literally nothing.
Expect Laperriere to at least get an interview.
No. 4: Jeremy Colliton, New Jersey Devils
Some could argue that Jeremy Colliton was dealt a bad hand when taking over the Chicago Blackhawks' bench nearly a decade ago.
In 2018, the then-34-year-old received the first NHL head coaching job of his career, taking on the unenviable task of replacing Joel Quenneville at the helm of a team that had been considered a dynasty only a few years prior.
Colliton, now 40, guided the Blackhawks to a 30-28-8 finish after Quenneville started the season 6-6-3.
Despite missing the playoffs, Alex DeBrincat had exploded for a career-high 41 goals and 76 points, with the latter being the second-best mark of his career to date.
An established superstar like Patrick Kane achieved high watermarks in assists (66) and points (110), while the Robin to his Batman, Jonathan Toews, enjoyed a personal-best 81-point campaign.
Colliton was ultimately undone by Chicago's defense, which ranked 30th out of 31 teams in goals against that season. He did, however, improve the offense to eighth in the NHL from 23rd the year prior.
From there, things only got worse for the Alberta native. Toews and Kane were getting older, and Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook began to break down.
He was ultimately fired after a 1-9-2 start in 2021-22, leaving the Blackhawks in the same transition period we see them in today, two head coaches later, despite many positive signs they saw--or neglected--during Colliton's tenure, especially early on.
Colliton spent the last two seasons serving as the head coach of the AHL Abbotsford Canucks before resurfacing at the NHL level as part of Sheldon Keefe's coaching staff with the New Jersey Devils this year.
Colliton already has 11 seasons of head coaching experience at various levels, and at 40 years old, is still a very young and appealing option. The former New York Islanders forward has managed veterans with big personalities and up-and-coming prospects alike, and his second chance at the NHL level could be right around the corner, be it with the Flyers or another franchise.
No. 3: Sergei Zubov, HK Sochi
KHL feeder club HK Sochi just fired Sergei Zubov for a second time, but there is reason to believe the Hockey Hall of Famer has the chops to coach an NHL team.
Zubov, 51, has parts of six seasons of experience as a head coach, which, of course, excludes some of the valuable experience he's gained as an assistant coach.
One of the best defensemen to ever grace the ice at the NHL level, Zubov has leveraged his elite playing career to pass on knowledge to players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Matvei Michkov, Pavel Buchnevich, Igor Shesterkin, Nikita Gusev, Alexander Nikishin, Ivan Demidov, and more.
As a defenseman, Nikishin's rapid development under Zubov, in particular, adds to the intrigue.
The 23-year-old prospect will walk into the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup the minute he signs a contract there. Imagine if Zubov could work the same magic with Flyers defensemen Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, for example.
Further, Zubov worked with current Canucks goalie coach Marko Torenius during his short time as the head coach of SKA St. Petersburg.
Torenius, of course, has coached goalies like Shesterkin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Yaroslav Askarov, and Pyotr Kochetkov in the KHL.
If Zubov and the Flyers could lure Torenius away from Vancouver, that just adds to the value he brings to an organization. We all know how the Flyers' goaltending situation is playing out.
Zubov is certainly a sleeper pick, but he has the player and coaching connections that matter and a Hall of Fame CV to back it up.
No. 2: Greg Brown, Boston College
Boston College head coach Greg Brown actually played under John Tortorella at the NHL level once, when the former was a young NHL prospect and the latter was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres back in 1990-91.
Brown, 58, has seen many different personalities despite his relatively unaccomplished playing career. The Hartford, Conn., native played alongside legends like Mario Lemieux, Teemu Selanne, Alexander Mogilny, Dale Hawerchuk, Dave Andreychuk, Pierre Turgeon, Eddie Olczyk, Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Zhamnov, Ron Francis, Keith Tkachuk, Markus Naslund, and Larry Murphy, among others.
Brown spent 14 years as an assistant coach at Boston College before joining the New York Rangers for three seasons, from 2018 to 2021, as an understudy to David Quinn.
Brown returned to BC in 2022 and has spent the last three seasons coaching talents like Cutter Gauthier, Drew Fortescue, Jacob Fowler, Gabe Perreault, Ryan Leonard, Will Smith, Teddy Stiga, Dean Letourneau, and some dude named James Hagens.
It's unclear if Brown, who captained BC during his playing days, would consider walking away from his home so late into his coaching career, but the opportunity to become an NHL head coach rarely knocks twice.
For the Flyers, landing a top collegiate name like Brown could do wonders for their outward appearance in some circles after the Gauthier debacle, too.
No. 1: David Carle: University of Denver
Sticking with the collegiate theme, the top choice, like most people's, is none other than David Carle, the head coach of the University of Denver.
Carle, 35, is arguably the hottest head coaching candidate out there, even though he has no prior NHL experience, even as an assistant.
Carle, the younger brother of former Flyers defenseman Matt Carle, has spent the last 12 seasons leading Denver, seeing names like Will Butcher, Trevor Moore, Danton Heinen, Troy Terry, Logan O'Connor, Bobby Brink, Shai Buium, Massimo Rizzo, Carter Mazur, make the leap from the NCAA to turn pro.
A former disciple of Jim Montgomery, Carle has turned Zeev Buium and Jack Devine into NCAA stars, and he still has a host of other NHL talents on the upswing.
Before hiring Keefe, the Devils were interested in Carle last summer, and with their vacancy, the Flyers will assuredly be the next to inquire.
If the Flyers are truly aiming for a successful, long-term project that is profitable for both a coach and his players, Carle is the best option out there.
Carle, a three-time NCAA champion and the winner of back-to-back World Junior Championships, has won all there is to win at his current level, and the Flyers can present a new challenge with an equal reward.
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How Rookie Karsen Dorwart Fits into Philadelphia Flyers' Lineup
The Philadelphia Flyers officially announced the signing of top NCAA free agent Karsen Dorwart on Saturday night, and, interestingly, he will start his pro career in the NHL.
Dorwart, 22, agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers worth $1.95 million (975k AAV), according to PuckPedia, and the Flyers announced that the former Michigan State forward will report to them, not the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL.
For those curious, Dorwart, by signing a contract beginning this season, will become a free agent next summer and burn one of the two years off his ELC by playing this year.
So, with Dorwart officially set to join the Flyers in the coming days with a potential NHL debut on the horizon, where does he fit in the lineup? And who should he play with?
Flyers lineup with rookie signing Karsen Dorwart
Based on the Flyers' recent line combinations and Dorwart's skillset, here's where the 22-year-old could draw into the lineup in his abbreviated debut season:
Travis Konecny - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Jakob Pelletier - Karsen Dorwart - Owen Tippett
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Nick Deslauriers - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway (upper-body) OR Olle Lycksell
Scratched or re-assigned to Lehigh Valley: Rodrigo Abols
Thought process behind this Flyers lineup
If Dorwart is going to burn a year off his ELC immediately and the Flyers see him as a genuine potential piece for the future, he might as well play and get some valuable NHL experience, right?
Interim head coach Brad Shaw is coaching for a potential job next year, so it would be unwise for him to break up the Flyers' two most effective lines: the Michkov line and the Cates line.
Center Ryan Poehling has the speed and skillset to move up and down the lineup as needed, especially depending on his linemates.
Poehling has played well alongside Jakob Pelletier and Owen Tippett, but he's also experienced success controlling the run of play when lining up with Nick Deslauriers and the injured Garnet Hathaway.
Deslauriers and Rodrigo Abols have been out-scored 10-3 when playing together at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick, so that is a duo the Flyers could stand to split up with or without the addition of Dorwart.
That said, Abols could finish the season as the 13th forward, depending on Hathaway's health, or join the Phantoms for their playoff push and subsequent Calder Cup playoff run.
As for Dorwart, in particular, Pelletier and Tippett offer him adequate support in areas of weakness.
The Sherwood, Ore., native is not the fastest skater out there, and it remains to be seen how his offensive prowess translates to the highest level of hockey.
Tippett, with his speed, can take over as the primary play-driver if needed, and Pelletier is no slouch on the rush, either.
The latter is a feisty forechecker and has some untapped offensive potential himself, so this line can bring the Flyers a little bit of everything.
Dorwart was best known in college for his undying motor at both ends of the ice, which always kept him in position to make plays defensively and generate scoring chances for himself and his team.
Dorwart concluded his three-year NCAA career with Michigan State with one goal and one assist in each of his last three games and joins the Flyers after piling up 38 goals, 54 assists, and 92 points in 111 games with the Spartans.
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Flyers' Jett Luchanko Opens Phantoms Account with First Pro Point
Top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko has scored his first point as a professional hockey player.
After finishing his third season in the OHL with the Guelph Storm, Luchanko, 18, was reassigned by the Flyers to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The 2024 first-round pick made his AHL debut with the Phantoms on Saturday, centering wingers Garrett Wilson and Alexis Gendron in a 3-2 loss to the Belleville Senators.
While Luchanko took a minor boarding penalty and failed to record a point in his first game with the Phantoms, his second time was a charm.
Getting right back to it on Sunday night against the Laval Rocket, Luchanko finally opened his pro account, earning a primary assist on Wilson’s second-period goal for the Phantoms.
The 18-year-old collected Adam Ginning’s breakout pass at center ice, churning his legs and driving through the middle of the ice to create space.
From there, Luchanko quickly recognized he was out-numbered by Laval defenders and cut back, reloading at the Phantoms’ offensive blueline before driving again.
Luchanko used a feint to pull the puck from his forehand to his backhand and created more space, then backhanded a pass between a defender’s legs to find Wilson down low.
The rugged Phantoms captain did the rest, dispatching the loose change past Laval goalie Connor Hughes to take a 3-0 lead.
Luchanko and Helge Grans each earned one assist in the contest, while Ginning picked up two. Nikita Grebenkin and Zayde Wisdom joined Wilson as the goal-scorers in what was ultimately a 3-1 win over the Rocket on Saturday night.
Luchanko had previously played in four NHL games for the Flyers earlier this season, taking one penalty and a minus-3 plus-minus rating with him to Guelph after being reassigned in late October.
Fellow Flyers prospect Alex Ciernik, who joined the Phantoms alongside Luchanko, has yet to make his pro debut for the organization after signing an amateur tryout offer (ATO).
Luchanko, Ciernik, and the Phantoms have seven regular season games remaining before the Calder Cup playoffs, with the last scheduled for April 19 against the Hershey Bears.
Look for the two Flyers prospects to make some more noise before then.
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Flyers Reportedly 'Finalizing' Deal with Top NCAA Free Agent
According to multiple reports, the Philadelphia Flyers are closing in on a contract with Michigan State forward Karsen Dorwart, one of this year's best NCAA free agents.
Dorwart, 22, just finished his third collegiate season with Michigan State, scoring 13 goals, 18 assists, and 31 points in 35 games.
Dorwart's 31 points placed him second on the squad in scoring, trailing only Tampa Bay first-round pick Isaac Howard and his 52 points.
Notably, Dorwart out-produced NHL talents like Charlie Stramel, Minnesota's 2023 first-round pick, and Red Savage, Detroit's 2021 fourth-round pick, who scored 27 and 20 points, respectively.
For an undrafted forward they are getting, effectively, for free, the Flyers could make far worse bets than Dorwart.
On Friday afternoon, Cam Robinson of EliteProspects reported on X that the Flyers were "finalizing" a deal with Dorwart, and that a contract could be completed by the end of the day.
Robinson's report comes on the heels of a previous report from Anthony DiMarco of Daily Faceoff, who also stated that the Flyers were "closing in" on an agreement with the prized 22-year-old prospect.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported earlier in the week on his "32 Thoughts" column that "several teams suspect Philadelphia lusts after [Dorwart] like an Angelo's cheesesteak."
Friedman had added in the column, too, that Dorwart almost signed with the Maple Leafs a year ago. For the Flyers, signing Dorwart is a big win, if and when it happens.
For those unfamiliar with Dorwart, the Sherwood, Ore., native who is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none type of forward who profiles similarly to Flyers forward Noah Cates.
Required reading: Top 5 Candidates to Replace John Tortorella as Flyers Coach
Dorwart is always engaged in a play, no matter what end of the ice it's at, and has a propensity for taking over in the offensive zone. Dorwart, like most inexperienced pro players, will need to get faster and stronger, but there is reason to believe he can become a 40- or 50-point player at the NHL level if all goes according to plan.
Cates, for example, was a modest NCAA producer, reaching the 30-point threshold only once, but then going for 38 points in his first full NHL season in 2022-23. Cates is tracking for his second 30-point season this year, and this is including his current stretch of form that's seen him score one point, an assist, in his last 10 games.
Dorwart is a player Flyers fans can and should be excited about, but expectations should be tempered, especially early on.
Once signed, the 6-foot-1 center will join a budding group of NCAA standouts in Philadelphia that includes NCHC Forward of the Year Alex Bump and NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year Ty Murchison.
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'I Take Full Responsibility': Cam York Speaks On Benching, Tortorella's Impact & Flyers Future
Cam York didn't have to say much.
He could have let the moment pass in silence, ducking away from the growing crowd of reporters gathering at his stall. He could have given clipped, frustrated, answers. He could have refused to engage altogether.
But York, just 24 years old, stood up, greeted the group warmly, and answered every question with a calmness that belied the circumstances.
The young defenseman had dressed for the Flyers' game against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night but never touched the ice—a consequence of what interim head coach Brad Shaw described as a "disciplinary issue." Neither Shaw nor York provided details, but York didn't try to deflect responsibility. He owned it, fully and without hesitation.
"I'm not gonna get into the details," he said, steady and direct. "I take full responsibility for my actions. It's been addressed in the locker room. We've got eight games left here, and that's my focus right now."
There was no defensiveness in his voice, no frustration—just a quiet, professional resolve.
A Lesson in Accountability
Discipline in the NHL is often a murky topic, wrapped in team policies and unspoken codes of conduct.
The Flyers, under John Tortorella and now Brad Shaw, have been particularly steadfast in their belief that accountability isn't optional.
For York, this situation could have been a defining moment in the wrong way—an incident that led to embarrassment, awkwardness, or worse, a rift in the locker room. Instead, it became a testament to his character.
This isn't the kind of thing that players navigate alone. York acknowledged that his teammates had been instrumental in making a difficult situation easier to handle.
"The support has been great," he said. "Our locker room has always been great. They're huge in a situation like this."
During postgame media last night, York's teammate and defensive partner Travis Sanheim noted that he had "been through situations—maybe not the same, but difficult times" and that he was trying to "keep [York's] mind straight and try to see the positives and try to help him out as best as I can."
In a team that has consistently advertised a team-first mentality, these comments show that they practice what they preached. York wasn't an outcast. He wasn't left to stew in isolation. The Flyers are a group that prides itself on togetherness, and that unity doesn't waver because of one misstep.
A Reflection on Growth and Leadership
York is an interesting position within the Flyers' ecosystem. He's young but not inexperienced, talented but still evolving. He carries himself with the maturity of a veteran, even as he continues to establish himself in the league.
"I've been here a pretty good amount of time, so I feel like I'm well-respected in the room," he said. "Guys listen to what I say. Just because I'm a younger guy doesn't mean I can't have a voice. It's important, but everyone in this room is a leader and leads in different ways, and that's what makes it a special room."
There's a quiet confidence in that statement, an understanding that leadership isn't just about age or games played. It's about how you carry yourself, how you respond to adversity, how you own your actions.
This wasn't the first challenge York has faced, and it won't be the last. But the way he handled it—with grace, accountability, and professionalism—only reinforced the kind of player and person he is.
Lessons From Tortorella
York also took a moment to reflect on John Tortorella, the now-former head coach who had been a key figure in his development.
"He taught me a lot of really good things," York said. "I'm gonna use a lot of things he taught me down the road in my career. He's a really good coach, and I wish him the best of luck down the road."
By all accounts, that's not lip service. Tortorella, for all his fiery intensity, has a deep respect for players who show up and take responsibility. He pushed York hard. He challenged him. And in moments like this, when the young defenseman had to stand in front of cameras and microphones and own his actions, those lessons shone through.
Looking Ahead
At the end of the day, this moment—uncomfortable and unexpected as it was—won't define Cam York. What will define him is what happens next.
He didn't sulk. He didn't make excuses. He accepted the consequence, addressed it, and made it clear that his focus is on the future—for the remaining eight games of the season and beyond.
"This is where I want to be," he said of the impending contract talks with the Flyers (he will become an RFA after this season). "I love what's going on here, and I love what we're building. It hasn't been our best year, but this is where I want to be for the future."
Hockey is a game of mistakes. The best players aren't the ones who never make them—they're the ones who take them on the chin and use it as an opportunity to grow. And in this particular moment, York proved that he understands that better than most.
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Philadelphia Flyers Should Sign Lane Hutson's Older Brother
If the Philadelphia Flyers want to continue stockpiling young, dynamic collegiate talent, they should look no further than Boston University winger Quinn Hutson, the older brother of Montreal Canadiens starlet Lane Hutson.
Hutson, 23, surprisingly went undrafted, but since being passed over, all he’s done is produce elite numbers for BU, showing significant improvement year over year.
The 5-foot-11 winger started his NCAA days with 15 goals, 13 assists, and 28 points in 39 games, improved to 18 goals, 18 assists, and 36 points in 40 games last year, and has exploded for 23 goals, 27 assists, and 50 points in just 36 games this season.
Average size and stature notwithstanding, Hutson leads BU in scoring this year, with 13 NHL-drafted players trailing him, including another younger brother, Cole Hutson, and Flyers prospect Devin Kaplan.
This kind of determination and delta of growth is perfect for a young, rebuilding Flyers team in need of more players at Hutson’s age and skill level.
Even better is that Hutson just came up big for his team, scoring the overtime game-winning goal, in addition to a prior assist, against Cornell to send BU into the Frozen Four.
Indeed, the Flyers already have an overabundance of right wingers, headlined by stars Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink.
The good news is that Michkov and Konecny and Foerster and Brink play on the same lines, so interim head coach Brad Shaw and the Flyers could reasonably slot Hutson into a third-line role right away if signed to an entry-level contract.
Another part of the appeal, of course, is the budding rivalry between Flyers fans and Canadiens fans.
The Canadiens, of course, passed on Michkov in the 2023 NHL Draft, and Michkov and Lane Hutson are currently going head-to-head for the 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy.
Could you imagine the fanfare and online discourse if the Flyers were to add Quinn Hutson to their ranks alongside Michkov?
Purely from a hockey standpoint, though, Hutson would be the perfect follow-up addition to Karsen Dorwart, who signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers on Saturday night.
Hutson already has an established feel for finding soft spots in defensive zone coverages and has an array of shots and release points in his arsenal already.
As a smaller player, the undrafted winger will have to continue to build up his play strength, wall play, and defensive details, but the same was true of Michkov at the start of this season.
By all accounts, things have worked out well for the feisty Russian star.
Hutson will assuredly have a mass of suitors lining up to secure his services when BU’s season ends, but the Flyers would be mistaken to not be among them, at the very least.
Joining brother Lane in Montreal would have the most appeal, given Lane is already an established NHL player, but never say never.
The Flyers should be all over this.
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Three Takeaways From Flyers Win vs. Sabres
The Philadelphia Flyers are rolling, and they’re having fun doing it.
Saturday afternoon’s 7-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres wasn’t just another two points in the standings—it was a continuation of a team playing with energy, confidence, and a looseness that has been sorely missing at times this season.
Matvei Michkov added another two goals to his growing highlight reel, cementing himself as the NHL’s top rookie scorer. Jakob Pelletier finally got his first goal in a Flyers sweater, a moment his teammates—and even his coach—said was long overdue and well-deserved. And through it all, there was no panic, no hesitation, no fear of things spiraling when the Sabres made their push.
It was just good hockey, played with the kind of joy and belief that has become infectious in the Flyers' locker room.
1. Matvei Michkov Is Leading the Rookie Race—and He’s Not Slowing Down
Matvei Michkov isn’t just in the rookie scoring race—he’s leading it, and he looks poised to run away with it.
His two goals against Buffalo brought his season total to 24, moving him ahead of all other rookies. He’s now tied with Lane Hutson for the rookie points lead at 56, and with the way he’s playing, it feels like only a matter of time before he takes sole possession of that title.
What’s most impressive isn’t just the numbers, though—it’s how he’s scoring. His instincts, his ability to find space, his quick release—it’s all coming together at the right time. And the confidence he’s playing with? It’s undeniable.
Michkov is the kind of player who makes things happen every time he’s on the ice. Whether it’s a goal, a slick setup, or a play that simply sparks momentum, he’s been a game-changer. And right now, he’s showing exactly why he was worth the wait.
With seven games left, there’s no reason to believe he’ll slow down. If anything, he’s just getting started.
2. Jakob Pelletier’s First Goal Was a Long Time Coming—and It Meant Everything
It’s been a tough road for Jakob Pelletier. Traded to Philadelphia in January, he had to deal with visa issues that kept him out of game action for three weeks. When he finally got into the lineup, the points didn’t come right away. But he kept grinding, kept bringing energy, kept staying positive.
And then, finally, he found the back of the net.
The reaction from his teammates said it all. Everyone knew how much he wanted that first goal, how hard he’d worked for it. And for a player who has been such a light in the locker room, always celebrating others, it was special to see the team rally around him for a change.
“He’s such a positive guy on the bench,” Brad Shaw said after the game. “He’s more happy than the guy that scored the goal when the other guy scores. He’s a real breath of fresh air, and he’s an energizing guy.”
Owen Tippett, who knows what it’s like to be a young player finding his way in a new city, was thrilled for him too.
“I think I was around his age when I got traded too, and I know how tough it can be coming in and waiting a while to get that first one,” Tippett said. “We were all happy for him and he’s a great player and hopefully it kick starts him.”
For Pelletier, the moment was more about the team than himself.
“I don’t think about the contract, to be honest,” he said when asked about his pending free agency. “I just want to win hockey games, and I think if you play the right way and you win games, I think it helps the guys that gotta sign.”
He’s been playing the right way. And now, with that first goal behind him, maybe there’s even more to come.
3. The Flyers Are Playing Free, Loose, and Confident—and It’s Working
For much of this season, the Flyers have prided themselves on their structure, their discipline, and their ability to grind out wins. But something shifted recently. Maybe it was the coaching change. Maybe it was just the reality of where they are in the standings.
Whatever the reason, this team feels different.
Noah Cates summed it up well, saying, “We were kind of having a tough home stand earlier, so it’s been nice to just kind of reset after Thursday.”
There’s a noticeable difference in how they’re playing. They’re thinking less, reacting more, trusting their instincts. They’re letting the game come to them, rather than forcing things. And as Cates pointed out, that mental reset has made a huge difference.
“I think it’s just a mental reset,” he said. “We have a little more clarity and mental focus. We’re just executing our forecheck well and just maybe thinking a little less.”
Tippett echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that the team took the coaching change as a wake-up call.
“We’re realizing here that we were part of the problem, and if we perform better then maybe those circumstances don’t happen,” he said. “I think it was kind of a wake-up call for all of us. We just want to finish our season strong here.”
And Brad Shaw? He’s just letting them play.
“We haven’t really tried to make it lighter,” Shaw said. “I think my personality is lighter than Torts, and I have a lighter hand in how I go about my business. I think, inherently, it might be lighter on the bench. I think that’s just natural that would be the feeling.”
It’s working. The Flyers look like a team enjoying themselves. They’re playing with pace. They’re feeding off each other’s energy. They’re winning.
And perhaps most importantly—they’re having fun.
“Obviously, winning is fun,” Shaw said with a smile. “I’m having fun on the bench! It’s a blast.”
Final Thoughts
There are only seven games left in the regular season, and the Flyers are making the most of them.
They have young stars stepping up. They have role players finding their groove. They have a team that is playing for each other, and for the sheer joy of the game.
Tuesday night was just another example of that. And if they keep playing this way, they’re going to make these last seven games very, very interesting.
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Aleksei Kolosov's Flyers Return Creates More Questions Than Answers
The Philadelphia Flyers recalled Aleksei Kolosov from the AHL exactly one week ago, and he has yet to do so much as to dress as a backup goalie for even one game so far.
Kolosov, 23, has not appeared in an NHL game since Jan. 2, when he allowed four goals on 26 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Belarusian was subsequently reassigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, though he returned to the Flyers on Jan. 31, sat for a month, then returned to Lehigh Valley again on March 6.
Kolosov has played eight games for the Phantoms since Jan. 2, stopping 192 of 216 shots for a .889 save percentage and posting a 4-4-0 record.
Kolosov's numbers were actually tattered by a rocky start that saw him allow 10 goals in his first two AHL starts since October, and he's been much improved since returning to the AHL in early March.
The 23-year-old has won four of his last six starts for the Phantoms, stopping 136 of 150 shots for a .907 save percentage, which is a drastic improvement over his career .884 save percentage in the AHL.
So, when current Flyers backup goalie Ivan Fedotov allowed nine goals on 32 combined shots in games against Dallas and Chicago last weekend, Kolosov's return to the Flyers at least made some sense.
In a lost season where your backup is not playing well (again), give the kid a shot and see what he does in the last handful of games, right?
And yet, at least so far, all Kolosov has done is watch from the press box.
Perhaps the firing of head coach John Tortorella has played a role in this, though it's impossible to be certain.
Tortorella started the 2024-25 season insisting that Sam Ersson was the undisputed starter and Fedotov was the backup.
Then, Kolosov commandeered the backup role by November, just to hand it back over to Fedotov after a series of poor showings at the end of December.
Leading up to his dismissal, Tortorella then referred to Ersson and Fedotov as a "tandem" with both goalies struggling with consistency equally.
Then, the 28-year-old Fedotov had those two dreary outings, and up came Kolosov again.
The Flyers' evaluation of the goaltending situation changes almost monthly, which is understandably unsettling for many fans.
What we can say about Kolosov - and this is true for any developing player - is that there is little benefit to spending swaths of games in the press box instead of being on the ice gaining experience firsthand.
Another thing to note is that, because Kolosov is signed to a two-way contract, his salary while playing in the AHL is just $80k.
This pales in comparison to his $832.5k base salary, and we must also consider that Kolosov has to take care of his girlfriend as well as himself while shuttling back and forth between Philadelphia and Allentown as frequently as he has.
While Kolosov did play in the KHL for parts of four seasons, the league's salary cap is only $10 million in U.S dollars, and the Belarusian ruble is equivalent to only 0.31 USD at the time of this writing.
By spending time in the NHL with the Flyers, Kolosov makes substantially more money, which is undoubtedly a huge help for a player who is still acclimating to life in North America and speaks and understands a very limited amount of English.
It's unclear whether the Flyers are doing this as a favor to their young prospect or if they really do want him on the NHL roster for hockey reasons, but if it's the former, it makes plenty of sense.
Players are human and have lives away from the rink, too.
On that note, though, it would be strange to see Kolosov spend the rest of the NHL season with the Flyers without appearing in any games, then return to Lehigh Valley ice cold ahead of the Calder Cup playoffs.
Ideally, Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov each play two of the team's final six games before the latter returns for the Phantoms' postseason campaign.
That decision, of course, is ultimately up to interim head coach Brad Shaw and the Flyers brass. Expect more clarity on the situation soon.
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Three Takeaways From Flyers Win vs. Canadiens
There's nothing like a Philadelphia Flyers game that makes you feel every emotion under the sun. Joy, frustration, relief, heartbreak, elation—it was all there in the leadup to and during the Flyers' 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
But it wasn’t just about the hockey. The game came on the heels of a bombshell morning: John Tortorella, the fiery, demanding, and often polarizing head coach, was relieved of his duties. Assistant coach Brad Shaw was suddenly thrust into the lead role, tasked with keeping the Flyers steady amid the storm.
Then, there was the curious case of Cam York—dressed but not playing, due to a "disciplinary issue." It all made for a bizarre, tension-filled day that could have easily unraveled the Flyers.
Instead, it was a night where Matvei Michkov nearly had his first NHL hat trick, the Flyers played with a renewed sense of energy even after a tough stretch of losses, and, despite all the chaos surrounding them, finally got a result that matched the effort they've been putting in.
1. Matvei Michkov Almost Had His Moment
It felt like the entire Wells Fargo Center was ready to explode. Matvei Michkov had already lit the lamp twice and was hunting for his first career NHL hat trick. Every time he touched the puck, you could feel the anticipation in the building.
For a brief moment, it looked like he had it. His second goal of the night was originally credited to him, but after a closer look, it was determined that Sean Couturier got a piece of it in front. No hat trick—yet.
Then came the final minutes, when the Canadiens’ net was empty. The puck found Travis Konecny, who had a clear shot at an easy goal but instead opted to dish it to Michkov, wanting to set up the rookie’s milestone moment. It was the perfect storybook ending… until the puck clanked off the post.
It was a moment that summed up everything about Michkov’s rise—electrifying, dramatic, and just the tiniest bit cruel. The hat trick didn’t come, but it’s only a matter of time before it does. The kid is special, and everyone—his teammates, the fans, the entire organization—knows it.
"I had my hands up [ready to celebrate]!" Konecny laughed postgame when asked about Michkov's shot not going in. "I'm laughing. It is what it is. I feel bad for him. I don't think he has [a hat trick] yet, so I'm sure he was upset about it. But he'll have plenty more opportunities."
2. Brad Shaw Steered the Ship Through a Chaotic Day
Nobody wakes up expecting to be an NHL head coach by the time they go to bed, but that was Brad Shaw’s reality.
With John Tortorella dismissed, it fell on Shaw’s shoulders to rally a team that had just lost its leader. It was an emotional day, no matter how you slice it. Love him or hate him, Tortorella set a tone in that room. His presence was massive, and adjusting to life without him wasn’t easy.
"A really good friend of mine lost his job," Shaw said postgame. "He's been a real mentor to me in my career as a coach, so it was very bittersweet. But once the day starts rolling...I got a lot of support from the staff and we kept most things status quo. We weren't interested in doing a lot of tinkering."
And to their credit, the Flyers responded the right way. They played a fast, determined game—one that mirrored the style they’ve been trying to execute all season. There was no panic, no sign of a team unraveling under the weight of the news. If anything, they looked sharper, more energized.
"I thought the guys played hard and played smart and obviously we finished more plays at the net and reaped the benefits," Shaw continued. "We got a big enough lead that we could take it home and get the win."
Shaw didn’t overhaul anything overnight, but his calm, measured presence clearly had an effect. He made sure his players knew the mission hadn’t changed. And after a string of frustrating results, finally getting a win—especially under these circumstances—felt like a weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders. The collective sigh of relief in the postgame interviews was palpable.
For now, Shaw is the guy behind the bench. Whether he’s the long-term answer remains to be seen, but if his debut as head coach proved anything, it’s that the Flyers aren’t about to let this season slip away.
"I came to Philly to be an assistant coach with [Tortorella]," he explained of the whirlwind of suddenly undertaking head coach responsibilities. "I never really put a lot of thought into the head coaching because I never really planned on it. But now that it's here and I have these nine games...[we're] gonna see how good we can get those nine games to be."
Across his career behind the bench, Shaw has served as head coach twice—with the Detroit Vipers in the IHL during the 2000-01 season, and with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the AHL from 2002-2005.
3. Cam York Was Benched, but the Flyers’ Defense Held Firm
There was an odd sight during warmups: Cam York, in full gear, going through his routine like any other night. But when the game started, he never hit the ice. The official word? A "disciplinary issue."
There was no elaboration from Shaw, but whatever happened, it was serious enough for York to get a front-row seat to the action without actually playing. Given how much responsibility he carries on the blue line, it was a bold move—especially considering the Flyers were already facing a tough workload against a fast Canadiens team.
But credit where it’s due: the rest of the defense stepped up. With one fewer body in the rotation, every blueliner had to log heavier minutes, and they handled it well. The pairing of Nick Seeler and Travis Sanheim held things down, while Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae, and Egor Zamula all did their part to keep the defensive wall solid. And despite some inevitable breakdowns, the Flyers’ defense did enough to keep the game from slipping away.
"I think I played with everyone!" Sanheim joked postgame. "The D-core stepped up huge. It's not easy to have five guys and have to play more minutes than they're used to...I'm just really proud of the guys sticking together. We made mistakes, had tired legs, but we battled through and I'm really happy about it."
Final Thoughts
Some wins feel routine. Others carry a little extra weight. This one? It felt downright cathartic.
After everything that happened—the firing of their coach, the questions surrounding York, the gut-punch of Michkov’s near hat trick—the Flyers emerged with a well-earned victory. It was the kind of game that proved that even without playoffs, every guy on this team has something to play for.
"We have eight games left," Nic Deslauriers said postgame. "There's some people playing for contracts, some people playing to stay in the league. We all have something to play for, and if it's not just for yourself, it's for the guy beside you. We stick together."
They’ve played good hockey lately without getting rewarded. This time, they got what they deserved.And if nothing else, it showed that this team isn’t going anywhere. They’re still here. They’re still battling. And when they're playing their brand of free, creative, energetic hockey, they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
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Danny Briere Speaks On Flyers Parting Ways With John Tortorella: 'It Was Time'
When Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Danny Brière took the podium for his press conference on Wednesday, it wasn't to celebrate a trade acquisition or a contract extension. It was to mark the end of an era—one that had defined the early stages of the Flyers' rebuild.
The team officially relieved John Tortorella of his coaching duties, and Brière, with the weight of the decision clearly visible on his face, made it clear that this wasn't a move made lightly.
"I felt it was time," Brière said. "It's not one thing. It's a series of things that have happened, and probably a little bit more in the last three weeks and has escalated around the trade deadline."
Tortorella was never just a coach. He was a statement—what the Flyers hoped would be a declaration that they weren't going to limp through a rebuild without accountability.
From the moment he stepped behind the bench in 2022, he set the tone. His impact was immediate and undeniable, instilling a level of structure, discipline, and pride that certainly shook up the old ways of life in the Flyers locker room. He raised expectations and helped define a new cultural standard.
So why let him go now, with nine games left in the season and, by Brière's own admission, no list of coaches that could be the long-term replacement?
A Tough Decision, But a Necessary One
Brière made it clear that this was not about a single incident, a single game, or even a single losing streak. It was about evolution. The Flyers had entered a different phase of their rebuild, and as painful as it was, they felt a coaching change was necessary to take the next step.
“Torts is a complicated man, and he’s a complicated coach,” Brière admitted. “He’s a blast to work with because he challenges you. I truly believe he made me a better GM. I loved working with him and I think he loved working with me.
“He’s not a yes man, and he earned the right to share his opinion and we listened to him. But at this time, myself, [Keith Jones], and Dan Hilferty—we felt it was time to move in a different direction.”
The Flyers have been in a delicate balance all season. The goal has never been to tank, but it also hasn’t been about chasing a quick fix. The franchise has been committed to a long-term plan, one that requires painful decisions and an unwavering focus on the bigger picture.
That focus, Brière suggested, had started to diverge between the front office and the coaching staff.
“We both have opinions, and it doesn’t mean that mine is better than his,” Brière said. “But we had some different opinions on different things. We always had them along the way.”
Tortorella is known for his strong beliefs, his unwavering approach to coaching, and his demand for structure. That’s exactly what made him such an effective leader in the early days of the Flyers’ rebuild. He weeded out passengers. He made players accountable. He re-established a standard.
But as the Flyers moved into this next phase—a phase that likely requires a greater emphasis on developing young talent, implementing new systems, and accepting some short-term pain for long-term gain—the disconnect became more pronounced.
Not Blaming Torts, But Acknowledging the Reality
One thing Brière wanted to make absolutely clear: Any opinions the players might have had about Tortorella didn't influence the front office to make this decision.
“This had nothing to do with the players,” Brière stated. “We didn’t get any input from the players, but at the same time, we’re very close to the room. Jonesy and I are always around. We know what’s going on—maybe not everything, but we’re pretty aware of what’s going on and how things are going.”
Even as the Flyers struggled in recent weeks, the compete level never disappeared. They still played with fire. They still fought through adversity. But results matter, and after a particularly brutal stretch, it became clear that a shift was needed.
The Flyers were on a downward trajectory, and despite Tortorella’s best efforts, the team structure started to crack.
“I’m not ready to blame Torts for that,” Brière said. “The reality is we’ve made some tough trades that we feel are gonna set us up for the future, but in the present time, it puts us at a disadvantage. It’s not fair to blame our coaching staff for that.”
That’s an important acknowledgment. The Flyers had moved players like Sean Walker, Joel Farabee, and Morgan Frost, and, in some ways, that made them less competitive in the short term. It wasn’t about winning now. It was about positioning themselves for the future. And as much as Tortorella was an architect of the rebuild’s foundation, Brière and the front office believed a different voice was needed to take the next step.
The Toll of Losing
Perhaps the most telling moment of the press conference came when Brière was asked whether the recent stretch of losses had worn on Tortorella. The answer was obvious.
“He’s a pretty competitive guy. It’s not easy—it’s probably the toughest part of the rebuild,” he admitted. “I really hope that this is rock bottom for us, and today is the turnaround…It’s taken a toll on all of us, Torts being included. He hates losing more than probably anybody we know.”
That’s part of what made Tortorella such an effective coach in the first place. He despised losing. He refused to accept mediocrity. He demanded the absolute best from his players, and for a long time, that’s exactly what the Flyers needed.
But that kind of intensity, that kind of relentless fire, can only carry a team so far in a rebuild. There comes a point where frustration outweighs progress, where the burden of constant losing becomes too heavy to bear. The Flyers weren’t just losing games—they were grinding against the reality of a slow, methodical process that couldn’t be rushed.
And as much as Tortorella had helped define this era of Flyers hockey, Brière and his team felt that it was time to turn the page.
A Complicated Legacy, But a Meaningful One
Brière made it clear: This wasn’t about erasing what Tortorella had built. The Flyers aren’t abandoning the identity he helped forge. In fact, much of what he instilled—accountability, structure, work ethic—will remain central to the team’s philosophy moving forward.
Tortorella wasn’t necessarily the wrong coach for the Flyers. He was believed to be the right coach for the time in which he was hired. And now, the belief is that it's in the best interest of the rebuild for both parties to move on.
“This isn’t an overnight thing,” Brière said. “It’s gonna take time, but I feel we’re stepping into a different phase of the rebuild. It’s still a rebuild.”
John Tortorella gave the Flyers exactly what they needed when they needed it. And now, as the team shifts into its next phase, it’s up to Brière and the front office to find the right voice to carry it forward.
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How Flyers' Coaching Change Bounce Affects Draft Lottery Chances
The Philadelphia Flyers are a perfect 2-0-0 in the Brad Shaw era following John Tortorella's dismissal, which is great for the players, but bad for their 2025 NHL Draft lottery chances.
At the time of this writing, the Flyers are 27th in the NHL in points percentage at .460, putting them narrowly behind the likes of Seattle and Nashville and just ahead of Buffalo, Boston, and Pittsburgh.
The .001 difference between Seattle (.459) and Philadelphia (.460) actually represents a 0.7% increase in odds to land the No. 1 overall pick. MoneyPuck, the wildly popular public analytics site, gives the Flyers a 8.4% chance of landing the top draft selection this summer, while the Kraken, who are marginally worse, have a 7.7% chance of doing this.
With and without Tortorella, the Flyers have insisted they are not in the business of throwing games away to improve their draft positioning. Matvei Michkov, who was a top draft pick himself, is driving the bus away from the bottom.
The 20-year-old Russian phenom has four goals and an assist in two games since Tortorella's abrupt firing, and the Flyers have scored 13 goals across this span overall.
Indeed, the Flyers were buoyed by Buffalo's shocking 8-5 win over Washington on Sunday afternoon, but they may want to be careful with their results with so few games remaining.
Philadelphia is in pole position to land a top-5 pick, and potentially a No. 1 pick, for the first time since 2022, when they drafted Cutter Gauthier with the fifth pick.
Who could the Flyers draft inside the top-5?
Assuming the Flyers stay put in the lottery and the standings and pick fifth in the 2025 draft, Tankathon predicts they draft Swedish center Anton Frondell, missing out on top forwards Porter Martone, James Hagens, and Michael Misa.
In this instance, the Flyers pass on forwards Caleb Desnoyers, Roger McQueen, Jake O'Brien, and Victor Eklund, among others.
Frondell, 17, is a versatile two-way center who thinks the game at a high level and has some serious skill, but struggles to impose himself in games consistently.
The 6-foot center is capable of playing wing if needed, though the Flyers will assuredly require his services in the middle of the ice.
Frondell has bounced back from a slow start to post 11 goals, 14 assists, and 25 points for Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan this season, but his draft projections currently peg him as high as second and as low as 18th on the given draft boards.
So, while Frondell could stylistically be a strong fit with Michkov due to his shot, hockey IQ, and willingness to play a power game, it is evident that the Swede is no sure thing to be a stud in the eyes of many draftniks.
Can the Flyers take a risk like that with such an important draft selection? Maybe, but they already did it once with Jett Luchanko in the 2024 draft.
MoneyPuck currently projects the Flyers to finish with 75.5 points; they have 69 points with seven games left on their schedule.
Remaining games for the Flyers include a matchup with big draft implications with Nashville, Montreal, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Columbus, then Buffalo again.
For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News Flyers team site and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey, @SGNolan, @TheHockeyNews
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Three Takeaways From Flyers Win vs. Predators
It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly the kind of game the Philadelphia Flyers have learned to win.
In a battle against a physical Predators team, the Flyers managed to grind out a 2-1 victory— their third straight win—by relying on timely scoring, improved goaltending, and a relentless work ethic that has defined their season.
This was not a high-flying offensive showcase. It was a scrappy, hard-fought, playoff-style game where every shift mattered, every blocked shot counted, and every battle along the boards felt like it could tilt the outcome. And in those conditions, the Flyers proved once again that they can handle themselves.
1. Ivan Fedotov Delivered When the Flyers Needed Him Most
After a couple of rough outings, Ivan Fedotov needed a game like this. So did the Flyers.
While it wasn’t the busiest night for him in terms of overall shots faced, Fedotov came up big in key moments—especially in the second period when the Predators started to tilt the ice in their favor. He was particularly sharp with his pads, making several critical stops in tight to keep the Flyers in control.
“I feel good. Hopefully everybody feels good right now,” Fedotov said postgame. “It was a great win for us. Everybody played well and stayed with the structure.”
That structure, especially in the defensive zone, helped ease some of the pressure on Fedotov, but he still had to battle through some difficult situations—including a moment where he was forced to play without his stick for an extended stretch.
“It’s a tough situation,” he said. “We have to speak more. I understand the defensemen have to think about how to play the puck and not about talking with the goalie. I understand that. Everybody wants to do better for everybody. Of course, not a very good couple of moments, so we have to figure out how to have better communication for each other.”
Fedotov’s performance earned praise from interim head coach Brad Shaw, who highlighted his ability to make the kinds of saves that allow the Flyers to absorb mistakes without immediately paying for them.
“It kind of reminded me of the game in Winnipeg where he made some real tough, big-moment saves that gave us a chance to make a mistake and not have to pick it out of our net,” Shaw said. “For a team that’s where we are right now, that can really go a long way.”
2. Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny Are Clicking in a Big Way
There’s a certain kind of chemistry that just happens between two players—where they see the game the same way, anticipate each other’s movements, and instinctively know how to make plays together. Michkov and Konecny are finding that rhythm, and it’s making a difference.
“They’re certainly looking for one another, and I think they’re feeding off of one another’s success,” Shaw said.
One of the game’s highlight moments was an absurd aerial pass from Konecny that sent Michkov in on a breakaway. The finish didn’t quite happen—Michkov joked that “the lights were too bright” and blinded him for a second—but the sequence itself was a testament to their growing connection.
“That’s a high-grade, quality offensive play on both ends,” Shaw said. “To conjure that up and then to actually execute it…They get a little unlucky that it doesn’t roll in the net, but I just think they realize that they’re a little bit on the same wavelength on how they think they’re gonna create offense.”
Michkov, who has now had three consecutive multi-point games, was his usual humble self about his individual production.
“The [individual] points aren’t important,” he said. “What’s most important is that the team keeps winning. But the points are nice as well!”
As the season winds down, Michkov is only getting better and more productive, and his ability to make something out of nothing—whether it’s extending offensive zone possessions or finding a passing lane no one else saw—is making the Flyers a much more dangerous team.
3. Winning Ugly? The Flyers Will Take It.
The Flyers have been saying it all season—there’s no magic formula to this. They just play hard, stick to their identity, and keep finding ways to pick up wins, even when things aren’t perfect.
This game was proof of that. It wasn’t always dominant, but it was another example of how the Flyers can impose their will, force teams into mistakes, and outwork their opponents over 60 minutes.
“We make a ton of mistakes in lots of different areas,” Shaw admitted. “But when you can score at the rate we’ve scored…those two guys [Michkov and Konecny] are leading the charge that way.”
Ryan Poehling continued his hot streak as well, scoring the Flyers’ opening goal and adding another strong two-way effort.
“Since I’ve seen him play here for our team, when he gets one, they tend to follow with a second and a third and a fourth, and some guys are just like that,” Shaw said. “Hopefully he can keep it going a few more games and really finish on a nice line.”
Winning three straight games at this time of year is no small thing. The Flyers are making a real push, and their belief in themselves hasn’t wavered.
“There’s certain difficulties,” Michkov said of his first NHL season. “The whole season, you’re basically fighting with yourself. Hopefully the second season will be a lot easier, but [I] shouldn’t be relaxed at any point.”
That’s the mindset that has gotten the Flyers to this point. Nothing is guaranteed in this playoff race, but they’re embracing every challenge, every messy game, and every opportunity to keep proving people wrong.
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BREAKING: John Tortorella Relieved Of Head Coach Duties
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has officially been relieved of his duties.
On Thursday morning, the Flyers announced that "the team has relieved John Tortorella of his duties as head coach. Philadelphia Flyers Associate Coach, Brad Shaw, has been named interim head coach and will assume duties immediately."
“Today I made the very difficult decision to move on from John as our head coach," said Flyers GM Danny Briere. “John played a vital role in our rebuild. He set a standard of play and re-established what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer.
"John's passion on the bench was only equaled by his charitable work in our community. As we move into the next chapter of this rebuild, I felt this was the best for our team to move forward. I'd like to thank John for his tireless work and commitment to the Flyers."
Tortorella assumed the role of head coach in 2022. During his tenure, he reached 1,500 NHL games coached—the first American-born coach to reach the milestone.
The Flyers have nine games left in the season, including tonight's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
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Gameday 74 Preview: Flyers vs. Canadiens
It's been a wild, tumultuous, and frankly exhausting stretch of games for the Philadelphia Flyers, but no storyline looms larger than what happened this morning—John Tortorella is out.
After nearly three full seasons behind the bench, the fiery head coach was relieved of his duties, sending shockwaves through the fanbase. And now, with just nine games left in the season, the Flyers find themselves in a strange, limbo-like state.
Associate coach Brad Shaw steps in as interim head coach, tasked with guiding the team through the final push. It's a tough spot to be in, and how the team responds to this shake-up will be interesting to watch.
But regardless of the chaos, they still have a game to play tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, and with a win being badly needed, the Flyers have to find a way to snap their losing skid and get back on track.
1. The Post-Tortorella Era Begins (At Least for Now)
When a coach is fired this late in the season, it raises a ton of questions—many of which won’t be answered until the offseason. But in the short term, all eyes will be on how the Flyers respond under Brad Shaw.
Shaw, who has been with the team as an associate coach since 2022, has earned the players’ respect. He’s known for his structured approach and ability to connect with his players without the volatility Tortorella often brought. That said, taking over with nine games left doesn’t give him much time to reinvent the wheel. Instead, his job will likely be to refocus and recalibrate the group, especially after the emotional rollercoaster they’ve been on.
The immediate question is whether we’ll see a different energy from the team tonight. Coaching changes can sometimes lead to a short-term boost—whether out of relief, motivation, or simply the shock of the situation. Given how demoralizing the last string of results have been, a jolt of fresh energy might be exactly what they need.
Expect to see small but important tweaks, particularly in how they approach in-game adjustments. Shaw might take a more fluid approach than Tortorella, especially with how he manages ice time and deployment.
2. All Eyes on the Defense
For much of the season, the Flyers’ defensive play has been their identity. They were stingy, structured, and committed to the hard areas of the ice. Lately, though, that hasn't always been the case.
If there’s one area where Shaw’s influence could be felt immediately, it’s here. As the team’s defensive overseer, he’s already had a major hand in shaping their systems, and now, as the head coach, he might have the freedom to implement some adjustments.
One issue that’s plagued them recently is their struggles in defensive-zone exits. Too often, they get hemmed in their own end, either failing to make a clean first pass or losing board battles along the walls. Against a Canadiens team that thrives on aggressive forechecking and transition play, that could be a major problem if not addressed.
The other key factor will be how the defensemen are utilized. Will Shaw lean more heavily on his shutdown guys, or will he encourage a more balanced approach, perhaps giving younger players more opportunities? That remains to be seen, but given his background, expect a more detail-oriented defensive effort from the Flyers tonight.
3. The Canadiens’ Speed Will Be a Problem If the Flyers Aren’t ReadyM
Montreal won't be an easy opponent for the Flyers in their first game of this new era. The Canadiens are a classic example of a team that plays loose and fearless —and that makes them dangerous.
The biggest threat they pose? Speed.
The Canadiens play a fast, aggressive style, with young, skilled forwards who thrive on quick transitions. Players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield don’t need much space to make an impact, and if the Flyers aren’t sharp in their positioning, they’ll get burned in transition.
One area where Montreal excels is forcing turnovers in the neutral zone. They clog passing lanes, pressure puck carriers, and look for quick-strike opportunities the other way. If the Flyers aren’t making smart, decisive plays through the middle of the ice, they could find themselves scrambling to defend odd-man rushes all night long.
The key for the Flyers will be dictating the pace of play. If they can establish their forecheck early, slow the game down when needed, and avoid careless turnovers, they’ll have a much better chance of controlling the game. But if they get caught chasing, Montreal has the firepower to make them pay.
Final Thoughts
This is a pivotal moment for the Flyers. The loss of Tortorella, no matter how one feels about him, is a major shake-up. The team is reeling from a tough stretch of games, and the pressure of the playoff race isn’t getting any lighter. But with all that said, they still have a chance.
Tonight’s game against Montreal isn’t just about getting two points. It’s about showing that they’re still locked in, still fighting, and still capable of making a push. The response to adversity will tell us a lot about this group’s character.
With a new voice behind the bench, some potential defensive adjustments, and a fast, skilled opponent coming to town, the Flyers have their work cut out for them. But if they can rise to the occasion, shake off the recent turbulence, and play to their strengths, this could be the start of a much-needed turnaround.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Mate Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier
Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Owen Tippett
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae
Goalies:
Samuel Ersson
Ivan Fedotov
Montreal Canadiens
Forwards:
Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Juraj Slafkovsky
Joshua Roy - Alex Newhook - Patrik Laine
Josh Anderson - Christian Dvorak - Brendan Gallagher
Emil Heineman - Jake Evans - Joel Armia
Defense:
Mike Matheson - Alexandre Carrier
Jayden Struble - Lane Hutson
Arber Xhekaj - David Savard
Goalies:
Jakub Dobes
Sam Montembeault
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Garnet Hathaway Returns To Flyers From Injury; Ready To Play His Game
For Garnet Hathaway, the past several weeks have been anything but easy.
After taking a dangerous hit against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 27, he was sidelined with an upper-body injury, forced to watch as his team navigated the chaos of a trade deadline, some disappointing stretches of games, and a coaching change—all from a frustrating distance.
Now, finally, he's back. And more importantly—"I feel like myself," he said simply.
But getting to that point wasn't as straightforward as it might seem.
A Long, Unpredictable Road Back
Hathaway is no stranger to playing through pain. His game is built on grit, on heavy forechecking, on being the guy who makes life miserable for opponents. But this wasn't the type of injury he could just push through.
"There wasn't any set time," Hathaway said when asked how long it took him to feeling right. Recovery wasn't about following a calendar—it was about listening to his body, even when his instincts told him to push harder.
Patience is not something that comes naturally to a player like Hathaway, whose career has been defined by relentless work. But patience was exactly what he had to learn.
"I think, if anything, this is showing me that you may fall into the understanding that a lot of things are in your control," he admitted. "Especially in this league, preparing for a game is in your control. So many things start creeping in and you think you have control over them, and then one thing happens that you don't have control over, and you start realizing...there's a lot more that you don't have control over than you do."
It was a humbling realization, one that forced him to slow down and take things day by day. "It's just the perspective and trying to get back to where I was—trying to be patient and really be in that moment."
Watching from the Sidelines
As if being injured wasn't hard enough, Hathaway had to sit back and watch as his team went through some of the most dramatic weeks of the season without him. The Flyers made moves at the trade deadline, lost key pieces, and most significantly, saw John Tortorella step away from the bench and Brad Shaw assume interim head coaching duties.
For a player as invested in the room as Hathaway, not being able to be in the thick of it was a challenge."It's always tough for how close this room is," he admitted. "There were a lot of moments that I wanted to be a part of. The losses, the trades, the coaching change. I wasn't in the room for that; I couldn't really see stuff firsthand."
Instead, he was left to observe from the outside, itching to get back, but knowing he had to be smart about his recovery.
No Hesitation in His Game
Now that he's back, the question is whether Hathaway will be able to play the physical, hard-nosed style of hockey that defines him. Some players, after an injury, hesitate when it comes to throwing their bodies around again. Hathaway insists that won't be the case for him.
"I'm back and I'm ready to be back and I'm gonna play that way," he said with conviction. "I think with any injury, you may see guys that have that mental battle of how to get back into it. It's something I'm working through and it's something I've been working through for the last month or so. But I wouldn't be playing if I wasn't ready to play the game I've always played."
That’s the key: Hathaway doesn’t just want to return—he wants to return as himself. Not a tentative version, not someone playing cautiously, but as the player who throws punishing hits, grinds down opponents, and brings the type of relentless energy that makes him invaluable to the Flyers.
Of course, it won’t necessarily be seamless. He acknowledges that it’ll take some time to fully get back into rhythm.
“I’d be surprised if I jumped back in,” Hathaway said. “We had the 4-Nations break and then I played three games, then I missed…I don’t even know how many, so it kind of feels like I had about a third of the summer break right there. It wasn’t the same, but I think it’s understanding what I have control over and trying to go into it with the perspective of getting up to speed.”
Still, he’s optimistic. He credits the Flyers’ training staff, skills coaches, and coaching staff for helping him stay prepared. “Luckily, I’ve had the amazing training staff, skills coaches, coaches, and the benefit of watching the games, and being able to practice too. So I’m going into it optimistic—there’s no other way to do it.”
A Boost for the Flyers
For a Flyers team that is still scrapping for every point, Hathaway’s return is a welcome one. His presence in the bottom six brings a level of physicality, leadership, and intensity that is hard to replicate. Brad Shaw, now leading the bench, emphasized just how valuable Hathaway is to the team.
“It’s great,” Shaw said. “It’s always tough with that type of injury. He plays a very physical style, so when you put him in, there’s gonna be a lot of contact. He’s comfortable with it and that’s a real important thing. We’re happy to see him.”
The Flyers, more than anything, need their identity players. They need the guys who drive the forecheck, win battles in the dirty areas, and keep the team difficult to play against. Hathaway is one of those guys.
Going Forward
Hathaway’s return doesn’t just bring a veteran presence back into the lineup—it restores a key part of the Flyers’ DNA. They’re a team that thrives on effort, on energy, on making life difficult for opponents. With Hathaway back, they regain a player who embodies that philosophy.
And while the past several weeks have been frustrating for him, he’s not looking back anymore. He’s back where he belongs, and he’s ready to play his game.
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Gameday 75 Preview: Flyers vs. Sabres
With just a handful of games left in the season, the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a similar position—out of the playoff race but still with plenty to prove.
For Philadelphia, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind. An exhausting losing streak, the firing of John Tortorella, and an overall sense of fatigue, seemed to drain the team's spirit. But in the last game, it looked something had shifted.
The Flyers look like they've found their spark again. They're playing with more energy, more creativity, and more of the aggressive, relentless style that defined their best stretches of the season.
Buffalo, meanwhile, continues to be a team brimming with young talent but struggling to turn that potential into results. They'll be hungry to finish their season strong, and with nothing to lose, they'll come into Philadelphia ready to play spoiler.
1. Cam York’s Return Will Help Settle the Defense
For all the talk about the Flyers’ offensive resurgence, their defense has been under serious strain lately.
The absence of Cam York has forced other blueliners into bigger minutes, and while guys like Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale have stepped up, the overall workload distribution hasn’t been ideal.
York’s expected return is a much-needed boost. He’s not just one of the Flyers’ best puck-moving defensemen—he’s also a stabilizing presence who can eat up tough minutes and allow the rest of the defense corps to settle into more natural roles.
His ability to transition the puck cleanly will be especially valuable against a Sabres team that thrives on counterattacks. If the Flyers can exit their zone efficiently and limit Buffalo’s ability to generate rush chances, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to dictate the pace of play.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, York’s return also gives the Flyers a mental lift. This is a team that’s been through the wringer lately, and getting a key player back in the lineup sends a message that they’re not done fighting.
2. The Flyers’ Offense Looks Unleashed—And It’s Fun to Watch
For much of the season, the Flyers’ offensive identity has been built on hard work, forechecking pressure, and grinding teams down. But in the past couple of games, something has shifted. The Flyers are playing looser, more creatively, and with a sense of freedom that’s made them downright fun to watch.
Maybe it’s the weight of the playoff race being lifted. Maybe it’s players feeling like they have a little more leash to take risks and make plays. Whatever it is, it’s working. The offense has looked more dynamic, with players attacking in waves, taking chances, and trusting their instincts rather than overthinking every decision.
A big part of this has been the resurgence of guys like Ryan Poehling, Matvei Michkov, and Travis Konecny. Poehling, in particular, has been noticeable, using his speed and shot to generate high-danger chances. Michkov’s vision and playmaking have shined, and Konecny, who’s had stretches of bad puck luck, is finally seeing some of those chances turn into goals.
Against the Sabres, who have struggled defensively all season, this is the exact type of approach that could lead to another offensive explosion. The Flyers’ ability to sustain pressure and attack in waves will be key to breaking Buffalo down.
3. The Sabres Can Be a Wild Card—And the Flyers Need to Be Ready
On paper, the Sabres haven't had a stellar season by any stretch of imagination, but they have been known to pull out huge performances against some of the league's best teams (something the Flyers have been known to do this year as well). No game is a surefire win, but Buffalo can be unpredictable—and the Flyers really have to be on their toes.
The Sabres have some dangerous offensive weapons—Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Jack Quinn can all change a game in an instant. But if the Flyers can control possession, put pucks on net consistently, and keep the pressure high, Buffalo’s goaltending could crack.
The key will be sustaining that energy for a full 60 minutes. The Flyers have had stretches this season where they’ve looked dominant for 40 minutes, only to let things slip away late. If they want to keep their recent momentum going, they’ll need to stay aggressive from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Neither team is fighting for the playoffs anymore, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing on the line. For the Flyers, these last few games are about proving that their identity remains intact, even in the face of adversity.
They’ve looked more like themselves lately—faster, more creative, and harder to play against. Getting Cam York back should help steady the defense, while their newfound offensive swagger gives them a real shot at picking apart Buffalo’s weaknesses.
The Sabres, meanwhile, will want to play spoiler. They have nothing to lose, and their young stars are always a threat. But if the Flyers stick to what’s been working, keep their energy high, and take advantage of Buffalo’s goaltending struggles, they have a great chance to keep their late-season surge rolling.
Expect a fun one.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier
Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Olle Lycksell
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae
Goalies:
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards:
Zach Benson - Jiri Kulich - Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Jason Zucker - Peyton Krebs - Alex Tuch
Beck Malenstyn - Tyson Kozak - Isak Rosen
Defense:
Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power - Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bowen Byram - Connor Clifton
Goalies:
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
James Reimer
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'It's Pretty Special': Karsen Dorwart Speaks After First Flyers Practice
Karsen Dorwart has had a whirlwind few days.
The 22-year-old center signed with the Philadelphia Flyers over the weekend, attended Monday night's game against the Nashville Predators, spent time undergoing medical testing, and finally, on Wednesday morning, hit the ice for his first NHL practice.
"It's pretty special," Dorwart said about the process. "It's kind of been a quick few days, but I'm just super excited. Everyone here has been great and made the transition for me really easy, so I'm just excited."
There's a lot to take in when jumping into the NHL, especially so late in the season, but once he was out there, everything clicked into place.
"That was probably the easiest part, just feeling some normalcy playing," he said. "It was a good day."
Dorwart, a two-way center out of Michigan State, had options when it came to choosing where to start his professional career. But it was the Flyers' commitment to him—and the opportunity they presented—that made Philadelphia the right choice.
"I did have some other options, but I think just the interest from the brass, from [Keith Jones and Danny Briere]—they were unbelievable with me all year. They showed a lot of interest, and I think one thing they had mentioned was opportunity up the middle. So for me, as a center, that was exciting," he explained.
That opportunity won't be handed to him, though, and he knows it.
"You've gotta work for everything you're gonna get, but it reminded me a lot when I first got to MSU, so it was exciting for me."
A Debut on the Horizon
Now that he's officially part of the team, the next big milestone is his NHL debut. The Flyers hit the road this weekend, with games in Montreal on Saturday and at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers next Wednesday. Could Dorwart be in the lineup for one of those?
"Yeah, that's what everyone keeps saying!" he said with a grin. "I've never been to Montreal before, and MSG would be speical too. I mean, anywhere you do it is gonna be a dream come true. It's all I've wanted to do since I was a little kid. I'm just very fortunate and blessed to be in the position I am."
His parents Gregg and Janelle, and sister Kalli will be flying to Montreal to watch him play.
Regardless of when it happens, one thing is certain: it will be a historic moment. Dorwart is set to become just the ninth player from Oregon to play in the NHL.
"Obviously not a lot of guys have done it," he said. "Hockey's not very popular out there. Hopefully it grows with the team in Seattle now, but it's just cool. I was blessed to have so many influential people that helped me during my time there and growing up, so they deserve all the credit in the world to help me get to the next point."
From Oregon to Philadelphia
Dorwart's journey to the NHL has taken him across the country, from the Pacific Northwest to California, Connecticut, South Dakota, Michigan, and now Philadelphia.
"I lived in Oregon until I was 14, and then I billeted in San Jose when I played for the Junior Sharks for two years. I lived with [then-Jr. Sharks head coach] Curtis Brown and his family, and that was just an unbelievable experience. They were awesome for me," he recalled.
"After that, two years in Connecticut at boarding school; that was great. Then juniors [with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede] before heading up to MSU. It's kind of been all over, but so many great people helped me in all those spots and I'm very thankful for them."
Through all those moves, he admitted that he didn't have one specific team he cheered for (although he did say that both of his parents were Minnesota Wild fans), but noted Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon as a player he always looked up to.
"I liked him a lot," Dorwart said. "I watched him when he was in juniors [with the Halifax Mooseheads] when they played Portland in the Memorial Cup."
Settling In
Dorwart is still getting to know his new teammates, but he knows there are a few guys who can offer some advice on transitioning from college hockey to the NHL. Bobby Brink, who played for the University of Denver, and Cam York, who played for the University of Michigan, have both made that jump successfully, and Dorwart plans to lean on them when he gets the chance.
"Not a ton, to be honest," he admitted when asked if he'd talked with them yet. "I kind of left the guys alone the other game day, let them do their thing, and then yesterday was the off day and I was in here getting my medical stuff. I'm sure I'll definitely pick their brain for a bit just to get any advice I can."
One topic that hasn't come up yet? His UMich-Michigan State rivalry with York.
"Yeah, we haven't talked about that yet, but I'm sure it'll come up," he said with a laugh.
One unexpected topic that did come up, though, was his chess-playing ability. Dorwart's Michigan State bio has him self-described as "sneaky good" at chess, and that tidbit has followed him to Philadelphia, much to his amusement.
"If I knew that was gonna come up as much as it has, I probably wouldn't have put it!" he said, clearly a little flustered but taking it in stride. "I used to be good, but I'm not good anymore."
What's Next?
With his first practice behind him, Dorwart's focus now shifts to what's ahead. His first NHL game is looming, and whether it happens in Montreal or New York, it's clear that he's ready for the challenge.
He describes himself as a "two-way center," someone who prides himself on responsibility at both ends of the ice. When Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw was asked about his early evaluations on Dorwart, he had nothing but positive things to say.
"The first time I met him, I asked him, 'What's your best asset?'" Shaw said. "He said his head, his brain; he really thinks the game well. That's a great answer for me. I like guys that are aware on the ice, but I was impressed with how he got around today. It's not easy on your first day, a lot of nerves out there, but he seems like a really centered and focused and humble young man.
"It's always different from practice to game, and there'll probably be some nerves again there for them, but he seems like a really good young man, a real high-character type of guy...He'll probably play a little bit of everything...We'll talk and sort it out and put him in the best situation possible to show us what he can do."
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Gameday 76 Preview: Flyers vs. Predators
The Philadelphia Flyers have found their groove lately.
After dropping some tough games earlier in the month, they've responded with two explosive offensive performances, racking up 13 goals over their last two outings. It's the kind of hockey they've wanted to play all season—fast, creative, and instinctual—and right now, everything is clicking.
Players like Matvei Michkov and Ryan Poehling have been surging, while the new defensive pairings of Travis Sanheim with Nick Seeler and Cam York with Jamie Drysdale have added stability and puck-moving ability to the back end.
The playoffs may not be in the cards in this year, but that hasn't stopped the Flyers from playing with purpose. They're continuing to build their identity, find what works, and set the foundation for the future. Tonight, they'll look to keep the momentum rolling as they take on the Nashville Predators at home.
1. Offense Unleashed: Flyers Playing Freer, More Dynamic Hockey
The Flyers’ recent scoring outburst has been a welcome sight. It’s not just the number of goals they’re putting up—it’s the way they’re generating offense. The creativity, the quick puck movement, the willingness to take risks and make plays—this is a team that looks confident with the puck on their sticks.
Interim head coach Brad Shaw has enjoyed watching the offense come to life but knows sustaining it is another challenge entirely.
“It’s been fun to watch guys find their scoring touch again,” Shaw said. “We’ve obviously scored at a much higher rate the last couple of games, but that’s really hard to sustain.”
That said, when plays like Owen Tippett’s jaw-dropping assist to Jakob Pelletier happen, it’s hard not to get excited.
“That Tippett play to go around and set up Pelletier—that’s ridiculous, right? That’s the stuff you try in practice and it never works, and then he does it in a game.”
The Flyers are in a unique stage of the season. They’re not playing for a playoff spot, but they’re playing for something—growth, development, pride. Shaw recognizes that, and his message to the team is clear: make the most of these moments.
“We can salvage something positive out of this as individual players," he said. "We’re trying to pump as much energy into the room as we can.”
Tonight, against a Predators team still in the thick of a playoff push, the Flyers’ offensive creativity will be tested. Can they keep up the same pace? Can they maintain their structure while still allowing that offensive freedom? That balance will be key.
2. Defensive Chemistry: New Pairings Getting a Look
The Flyers have shaken things up on the blue line, and so far, the results have been promising. The duo of Travis Sanheim and Nick Seeler has brought physicality and defensive reliability, while Cam York and Jamie Drysdale have provided smooth puck movement and offensive upside. With the team out of the playoff picture, now is the time to experiment with different combinations and see what sticks.
“I guess we liked Seeler and Sanheim enough to take a look,” Shaw said. “I think now is also a time to maybe look at combinations you might not have considered if we’re going down this stretch in a different scenario.”
The York-Drysdale pairing, in particular, is an intriguing one. Both are mobile defensemen who excel at transitioning the puck, and while they’ve spent time together situationally, this is their first extended run as a pairing.
“I’ve played them a little when I was right on the D, in scenarios where we’re down late, in the last six, seven minutes when we were trailing," he recounted. "Across 60 minutes, you see where maybe some of the shortcomings might come in any combinations. We’re probably gonna go back with it again tonight and see what it looks like and see if they can create a little bit more chemistry.”
With Nashville bringing a hard-nosed, structured game, this will be a good test for these new pairings. The Flyers want to play a more free-flowing style, but they’ll need to be smart defensively to prevent the Predators from grinding them down.
3. Garnet Hathaway’s Return Brings Physicality Back
Garnet Hathaway is back in the lineup, and the Flyers couldn’t be happier to have him.
The veteran winger missed a long stretch with injury, and while the Flyers managed in his absence, there’s no replacing the grit and intensity he brings to the ice. Hathaway is one of those players whose impact isn’t always measured on the scoresheet—his physicality, forechecking, and leadership set the tone for the entire team.
“It’s great. It’s always tough with that type of injury,” Shaw said. “He plays a very physical style, so when you put him in, there’s gonna be a lot of contact. He’s comfortable with it, and that’s a real important thing. We’re happy to see him.”
There’s an undeniable edge that Hathaway brings when he’s in the lineup. His ability to shift momentum with a big hit, a strong board battle, or an energy shift makes a real difference.
Final Thoughts
The Flyers may not be fighting for a playoff spot, but they’re still fighting for something. Over the last couple of games, they’ve rediscovered their offensive spark, experimented with defensive pairings, and welcomed back a key veteran presence. That’s all part of the bigger picture—figuring out what works, who fits where, and what kind of team they want to be moving forward.
Tonight’s matchup against Nashville presents another opportunity to build on that momentum. Can the offense keep rolling? Will the new defensive pairings hold up? Can Hathaway’s return help set the physical tone?
There are still plenty of questions to be answered. But one thing is clear—the Flyers are making the most of this stretch, and they’re doing it on their own terms.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier
Olle Lycksell - Rodrigo Abols - Garnet Hathaway
Defense:
Nick Seeler - Travis Sanheim
Cam York - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae
Goalies:
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson
Nashville Predators
Forwards:
Filip Forsberg - Ryan O'Reilly - Luke Evangelista
Michael Bunting - Steven Stamkos - Zachary L'Heureux
Cole Smith - Fedor Svechkov - Jakub Vrana
Jordan Oesterle - Michael McCarron - Kieffer Bellows
Defense:
Brady Skjei - Nick Blankenburg
Marc Del Gaizo - Justin Barron
Spencer Stastney - Andreas Englund
Goalies:
Juuse Saros
Justus Annunen
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