PHILADELPHIA (AP) — As the Flyers enter the middle of the season and into the thick of the playoffs, Danny Brill keeps his eye on the big picture — a promising record that is part of an ongoing rebuild, not a sign that the end is imminent.
As the Flyers’ general manager and architect of a long-overdue organizational overhaul, Briere said he’s not yet willing to risk major changes that could mortgage the team’s long-term future, even if it could guarantee their first playoff berth since 2020.
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“It’s not going to change the vision,” Briere said before Tuesday’s game against Anaheim. “It doesn’t change what we’re trying to do. This is still about the future. It’s not just about the present. Don’t expect any rents or giving up assets. We’re not at that stage yet.”
After five vacant seasons, the Flyers entered the Eastern Conference playoffs as the first wild-card team and posted a winning record (21-12-7) in Rick Tocchet’s first season. They have young talent — none more so than 21-year-old Russian forward Matvey Michkov — and former Ducks forward Trevor Zegras around whom they can build a serious contender.
The Flyers’ enthusiasm for the playoffs has been tempered by a crowded Metropolitan Division, leaving them just four points behind first place and six behind the bottom.
There aren’t many good times in Philadelphia as the NHL playoffs begin – the Flyers haven’t played a home postseason game since 2018. Philadelphia hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since winning the title twice in 1974 and 1975.
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“We hope to be competitive. Honestly, maybe a little better than I expected. But I hope we can be competitive,” Briere said. “The funny thing is, we can win two games and be first, or we can lose three games and be last. There are no guarantees. Things can change quickly. I like that we’re in the mix at the halfway point. It’s exciting for me, and for a lot of our young players, to get that experience.”
Just one day ago, the Flyers signed forward Christian Dvorak to a five-year contract extension worth $25.75 million.
Dvorak, 29, has excelled in his first half of the season in Philadelphia after signing as a free agent in July. His salary this season is slightly reduced at $5.4 million, but he has long-term security through a contract through age 35.
Dvorak has nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 39 games, tied for third on the Flyers. He’s on pace to set a career high in points after scoring 38 points with Arizona in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season.
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“It’s a good sign that someone is betting on themselves and choosing us and wanting to stay here,” Briere said.
The Flyers failed to secure a playoff spot in 2023-24, and an eight-game losing streak late in the season eliminated them in the final game of the season.
For those players who remained on the roster from that collapse — guys like Travis Konecny, Cam York, Owen Tippett, Sean Couturier and Samuel Elson. –The Flyers hope to learn lessons on how to handle high-pressure games heading into the playoffs.
“I hope a lot of us here this year will be better prepared to face the odds when it matters most,” Briere said.
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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL