Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers ended their long playoff drought by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round before being promptly swept by the Carolina Hurricanes. For a team that had just barely secured a playoff spot, simply getting back into the postseason and winning a series was a major step forward.
However, the loss to Carolina should serve as motivation heading into this season. Despite being swept, the Flyers showed in stretches that they could compete with a Hurricanes team that ultimately went on to win the Stanley Cup. That experience should not only give this young Flyers team confidence, but leave them hungry for more.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Philadelphia can take another step. Travis Konecny once again led the team in scoring with 68 points, while Trevor Zegras had a career year in his first season with the Flyers, recording 26 goals and 67 points. Matvei Michkov also continued to show why he is such an important part of the team’s future, finishing with 63 points, including 26 goals. The trio gives Philadelphia a strong offensive foundation heading into the new season.
Zegras, in particular, showed up when the games mattered most, leading the Flyers with six points in 10 playoff games. Michkov’s continued development should also be a major storyline, while Konecny provides the veteran leadership this young group needs.
Now, the goal isn’t simply to end another playoff drought. The Flyers need to establish themselves as a team that expects to be in the postseason every year. They got a taste of playoff hockey last season and saw firsthand how close they are to competing with a Stanley Cup-caliber team.
Getting swept by Carolina should sting. But if the Flyers use that disappointment as fuel, rather than being satisfied with simply making the playoffs, this team has an opportunity to take another significant step forward in 2026-27.