FLYERS ON THE CUSP
SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE
Could it be the Stanley Cusp?
You never know - not in the crazy sport of hockey.
Over the past 20 seasons, the once-phenomenal Flyers have been hopelessly mediocre, finishing above 3rd place only 3 times and missing the playoffs 11 times. And when they have made the playoffs, they have usually been eliminated in the opening round. Flyers fans under the age of 25 don’t even know what a contender looks like.
But ever since the NHL's winter break, there has been a new wind blowing in town.
Can you feel it?
The Flyers are one of the league's hottest teams of late. Foerster's back ahead of schedule. Martone's here. And maybe, somewhere up in heaven, Bernie Parent is busily helping to guide the team's fortunes.
With four games to go, the Flyers have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.
That's right - the playoffs.
No, it's not time to celebrate... yet. Or map out the parade route. Or set a date for the ceremonial return and unveiling of the Kate Smith statue.
But if you make the Stanley Cup playoffs, anything is possible.
Did you know that since the Flyers' last Stanley Cup in 1975, THERE HAVE BEEN 11 DIFFERENT LAST PLACE TEAMS WHO THEN WENT ON TO BECOME STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS IN 4 SEASONS OR FEWER:
And let’s not forget a 12th team, the most amazing of all – the 2018-19 Blues, who had the worst record in the NHL in January 2019 and then won the Stanley Cup 5 months later.
The Flyers themselves went from being an expansion team in 1967-68 to Stanley Cup champions in just 7 seasons.
The Flyers finished last in 2024-25 and maybe that will turn out to be a good thing. We will know soon enough. It is at least nice that Flyers fans still have something to cheer about in April besides a shaggy orange muppet.
