Flyers: What to expect heading into next season

We’ve got a confirmed start date as the Flyers season kicks off in less than a month.

The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to terms on next season. In less than a month, there will be Flyers hockey. January 13th is the exact date fans can expect to see the sport return.

The season will be 56-games long and will have a few different changes that will be specific to just this season. It took a while to agree to all of the specifications. And everything isn’t even quite figured out as of yet. But one of the biggest hurdles was climbed with the announcement on Sunday afternoon.

We don’t know exactly when the Flyers themselves will open their season. But there are a few things that we do know.

• The Flyers, as well as all of the playoff teams, will open training camp on January 3rd.
• There will not be any exhibition games
• Teams will be split into the East, West, North and Central Divisions.
• The Flyers will play each of their opponents approximately eight teams throughout the shortened season.

As previously reported, the Flyers opponents will consist of mostly Metropolitan foes. Buffalo and Boston are the only two who the Flyers typically see the least of throughout a regular season.

Philadelphia fared well against most of these teams last season. They posted an 11-5-3 record. Only Boston and the Islanders beat them in every matchup. Though, they only faced the Bruins one time. Their second matchup was cancelled.

It is still a tough division to be in despite the strong record last season. If they are able to make it to the playoffs, this is how it would look.

• Like a similar postseason, the top 16 teams will make it and each round will be a best of seven series.
• The opening two rounds will be divisional with the top seed facing the fourth seed. Second and third seeds will face off.
• Teams will be reseeding in the final rounds based on regular season points percentage.
• The playoffs are expected to finish in mid-July.

Another one of the biggest topics has to do with whether or not fans will be allowed to attend. The Florida Panthers have already announced that they will have fans in a limited capacity. Dallas is expected to allow fans as well.
With Philadelphia currently not allowing fans at football games, it is unlikely Flyers fans will be able to see the team as well.

Things can change, of course, but the expectation is that most teams will not be able to house fans to start the season. But hockey is back and that is the greatest feeling of all.