Flyers, I Choose You! 5 Pokémon that remind us of the Philadelphia Flyers
#4: Tyranitar
Tyranitar is a fearsome Rock and Dark-type pocket monster from the series’ 2nd Generation of games. Following the initial success of Pokémon Red and Blue, Nintendo and GameFreak released Pokémon Gold and Silver as sequel games in 1999 to much fanfare.
This Godzilla look-alike immediately separated itself from the pack and proved that it could hang with the OGs, and even outpace them at times.
This is similar to how the Flyers came onto the scene as an expansion franchise in 1967 and saw success relatively quickly. From the moment they entered the league, the Flyers were perennial playoff contenders and in just their seventh season of operation, took home Lord Stanley’s Cup.
While the Flyers haven’t won it all since the 70s, they still remain a playoff contender more often than not and sport the league’s third-highest winning percentage, behind the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens.
Similarly, Tyranitar remains a major player in Pokémon’s ever-growing online competitive scene and sees usage by many of the top players. While hundreds of new Pokémon have helped balance the game and restrain Tyranitar from being as dominant as it once was, it still shows that it deserves mention among the best of the best.
The aforementioned Rock typing is also a nod to Bernie Parent and the stifling defense of the Flyers of old, while the Dark typing mirrors the Flyers status as “villains” over the course of the franchise, but specifically in the 70s.
Like Tyranitar, the Flyers started as the new kids on the block but eventually grew into a staple of the league.
#3: Garbodor
In many respects, Garbodor represents everything wrong with the Pokémon franchise. This literal sentient bag of Poison-type trash is ugly, bloated, and uninspired. First seen in 2010 from Pokémon Black in White, Garbodor is pretty much a retread of the Pokémon named Muk from the original games.
Garbodor often gets used as an example by detractors and unhappy fans of how the series lost its creative edge in the latter part of the 2000s.
There’s certainly an argument to be made there. I mean…just look at this thing.
Garbodor lands on this list because it represents the very same ugliness that we sometimes see in the Philadelphia Flyers. We’re all fans here, but let’s not pretend that our relationship to the Flyers isn’t exactly toxic — poisonous if you will.
Despite staying relevant for the most part throughout their history, the team is still chasing the ghosts of its past and just can’t seem to win the big one.
Beyond that, the team is no stranger to recycling old ideas in the form of re-hires, re-signings, and trades for players they already once employed. The Flyers don’t exactly think outside the box when it comes to building their team. Sometimes it works out and you get a James van Riemsdyk, other times it doesn’t and you get R.J. Umberger.
Once a Flyer, always a Flyer — for better or worse.
That being said, Garbodor isn’t that bad of a Pokémon — statistically at least — and actually has somewhat of a devoted cult following surrounding it.
At the end of the day isn’t that how many of us see the Flyers? A toxic dumpster fire that is actually kind of lovable and endearing once you get used to the smell?
#2: Arctozolt
One of the newest Pokémon in the franchise, Arctozolt is a prehistoric monster brought to life by a scientist who mashed together two fossils of creatures that most likely didn’t go together. Simply put, this thing is a mistake.
An Electric and Ice-Type Pokémon, this dino/fish hybrid has a high attack great offensive typing that allows it to inflict serious damage on its opponents. Its speed stat is pretty paltry, but it has an ability that when it’s in icy terrain, it becomes significantly faster. Arctozolt would be right at home on a hockey rink.
However, its defense is lacking and is susceptible to taking significant damage if it isn’t utilized properly.
Sound familiar? Arctozolt is basically the current iteration of the Flyers. It’s a team constructed by three different general managers, featuring homegrown players and some key free-agent acquisitions. There were a lot of questions surrounding this team at the start of the Chuck Fletcher and Alain Vigneault era, and thus far, results have been…mixed.
Sure, the Flyers are one of the most offensively gifted teams in the league, but this season they’ve been prone to defensive gaffes and inconsistent goaltending that has burned them on more than one occasion.
Still, the team appears to have a bright future ahead of it, as Chuck Fletcher has shown his ability to maintain a solid prospect pool.
Arctozolt too proves that Pokémon is still coming up with sleek new designs that stand out creatively, keeping the franchise healthy and fresh. Also, it’s a big goofball in the new Pokémon Journeys television show, and between Kevin Hayes, Travis Konecny, Joel Farabee, Michael Raffl, and Scott Laughton, this modern Flyers squad is no stranger to cartoon antics.
#1: Lucario
Lucario, the Aura Pokémon, is a Steel and Fighting-Type Mon from the Diamond and Pearl games released in 2007. A fan favorite, Lucario boasts strong attacks, an iron will, and a spirit for justice. Ok, so that last part really doesn’t track with the whole “Broad Street Bullies” moniker, but whatever.
Lucario, and the games from which it originates, represents what many consider to be the peak in the franchise. The designs were fresh, the story was a step up from past titles and the gameplay was overhauled a bit.
In fact, during Friday’s Pokémon Presents conference which featured a trip down memory lane, it was announced that Lucario and the Diamond and Pearl games would be getting remakes.
What’s old is new, and the Flyers are no stranger to this tactic.
Throughout the team’s history, the Flyers have employed the use of former players and heroes of the franchise in order to appeal to the most hardcore portions of its fanbase. Currently, we’re seeing this with the aforementioned Reverse Retro jerseys that harken back to the Lindros days.
Similar to Lucario, Eric Lindros and the Legion of Doom era teams reached a level that no Flyers squad has come close to since. Sure, they didn’t capture the Cup and live up to the original Flyers greats, but that’s a task unlikely accomplished by any team.
The 90s Flyers were strong, physically imposing, and full of offensive firepower. Few teams could hang with them, and it took the historically great Russian Five of the Detroit Red Wings to halt them.
Lucario is in a similar boat as its high offense allows it to overpower most, but is held back by the defense. Even still, while it may not surpass the original 151 Pokémon in popularity, Lucario has become a franchise staple for many fans today.
This Pokémon also lands on this list because according to its description, it can sense emotions (both positive and negative) and feed off of them. I’ll call that a nod to the relationship between the Flyers and the Philadelphia faithful.
We’re always quick to bring the noise to the rink — whether it’s thunderous cheers, a reign of boos, or yelling “Shoot!” while the team is on the man-advantage. Either way, the Flyers seem to love it and acknowledge that the fans are always behind them.