97.5 The Fanatic Flyers Roundup: Reeling Through A Losing Streak Already?
Will all hope for a playoff appearance in 2024-25 season disappear before fans have a chance to get excited? The Philadelphia Flyers have dropped six consecutive games.
A rough start isn’t completely outside the realm of expectations for a franchise in salary cap jail focused on developing a young core.
“We’re young. We’re rebuilding. We are going to take some gut punches, but we’re better than this. Easy.” -John Tortorella
However, underwhelming starts from Ivan Fedotov, Tyson Foerster, and Owen Tippett (among others) won’t provide much confidence for the fan base.
- Saturday 10/19: Vancouver Canucks 3, Flyers 0
- Tuesday 10/22: Washington Capitals 4, Flyers 1
- Wednesday 10/23: Washington Capitals 6, Flyers 3
6-Game Losing Streak
A shootout win in Vancouver to open the season inspired some optimism. It ended quickly. Maybe an unfavorable schedule on the West Coast contributed. Maybe an awkwardly-timed home opener was a misstep by the league.
Rationale doesn’t carry all the way through a six-game losing streak. The Flyers sit last in the Metropolitan Division eight points behind the New York Rangers. They have the league’s second worst goal differential at -14.
John Tortorella hasn’t yet successfully identified working line combinations. The Flyers haven’t played with rhythm and confidence outside a failed comeback attempt in Washington on Wednesday.
Sean Couturier has a history of season momentum swings to think back on. The 2013-14 Flyers lost seven of their first eight games in regulation and rallied to earn a playoff spot.
The ironic turns of a long winning streak in 2016-17 and a long losing streak in 2017-18 also shape the captain’s thinking about a franchise that’s seen its fair share of chaos since drafting him in 2011.
“I’ve had seasons too where we lost 10 in a row, and we made the playoffs. It’s still early to press the panic button, but I’ve been on other teams where we won ten in a row and we didn’t make the playoffs.” -Sean Couturier
NHL teams can’t lock up playoff positions in the early weeks of the season. However, they can lose them. A team with clear talent deficiencies compared to the division favorites doesn’t have much runway to struggle early if they expect to stay in the race during the second half of the season.
Ivan Fedotov
The towering Russian netminder struggled in his first two games of the 2024-25 season. The Flames torched Fedotov for five goals in his first start on October 12. He only lasted two periods in Seattle five days later.
A small sample size after a transition from the KHL doesn’t define a goaltender’s entire NHL future. However, Tortorella even indicated a possible fading commitment to starting his backup once in a home-and-home against the Capitals on consecutive days.
“I don’t know. We’re going to have to see. Whether it’s him (Fedotov starting the second game), I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m going to do.” -John Tortorella
His lack of conviction came after he passed on a postgame media question in Seattle asking for an assessment of how Fedotov played.
Ivan Fedotov ranks in the bottom tier of NHL goaltenders in most major categories. He’s struggled to handle traffic in front of his crease, and it’s led to goals against on shots from higher points in the Philadelphia zone.
Fedotov allowed four goals on 10 shots to begin his third start in Washington. He recovered as the Flyers rallied from a 4-0 deficit, but a few good saves didn’t result in a victory or make up for his early-season issues.
Danny Briere inked Fedotov to a two-year contract worth $3.275 million in average annual value entering 2024-25. The Philadelphia GM already faces the pressure of goalie prospect Alexei Kolosov pushing the organization for a faster track to the NHL.
He also needs to ride out the final season of a $5 million dead weight contract for AHL goaltender Cal Petersen.
Ivan Fedotov hasn’t erased hope for NHL success already. However, a goaltender beginning his first true NHL season less than two months before his 28th birthday doesn’t have much time to figure things out in an unforgiving, result-based business.
97.5 The Fanatic Matvei Michkov Roundup
The biggest story of the 2024-25 Flyers has progressed nicely. Seven points in seven games breeds optimism for the future of Matvei Michkov.
The 19-year-old has shown the vision and anticipation that drew comparisons to Nikita Kucherov. His quick wrists have especially helped an improved power play clicking at 24% (17.2% NET).
Related Content: The Real Appeal of Matvei Michkov For Flyers Fans
Michkov still has plenty of room to grow at 5-on-5, however. He’s registered all three of his goals and three assists with the man advantage. His only other point was a secondary assist at 4-on-4.
His 48.06% expected goal share at 5-on-5 falls below league median but above Philadelphia’s team share of 46.09%, which ranks 27th in the NHL.
Briere spoke during the offseason about how playing for Tortorella will benefit Michkov’s long-term development. His lack of offensive production at 5-on-5 provides a clear opportunity for the impact of the head coach to deliver results.
- Saturday 10/26 vs. Minnesota Wild, 1pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Sunday 10/27 vs. Montreal Canadiens, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Tuesday 10/29 @ Boston Bruins, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Thursday 10/31 vs. St. Louis Blues, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
All advanced stats at 5-on-5, courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted