Broad Street Buzz
Fansided

Flyers Don’t Change Identity: Lose 7-5 to Avs

By Collin Coyne

Dec 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) is knocked to the ice by Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) is knocked to the ice by Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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After firing head coach Alain Vingeault, the Philadelphia Flyers met the Colorado Avalanche in a Monday night game set to test the mettle of Nic Aube-Kubel’s new team against the newly Mike Yeo lead Flyers.

THE GOOD:

GIROUXSALEM: As the team faces down a potential re-build, the future of captain Claude Giroux has become even more of a question. Regardless of whether he is padding his trade value, or pumping his extension AAV, Giroux had a night, showing that he is somehow still the best player on this Flyers team.

HANGING IN: While the AV Flyers teams had a tendency to roll over when bullied by a better team, tonight the Flyers held in there against a team that theoretically should outclass them at every position. Nick Seeler looked like a competent piece of the defense, while the forward core finally discovered how to score goals, though both would be wasted in the third period.

THE BAD:

STILL LOSING: Mike Yeo has only been the interim head coach for a handful of hours, but he has failed to make any significant changes. This statement is ironic, but it is clear that simply firing Alain Vingeault isn’t going to fix this Flyers team, and if winning now is in the picture, the entire identity of the team needs to change.

JONESING FOR SOME SAVES: While Martin Jones has looked incredible in the early goings of this season, tonight has made it clear that his performances are more the exception than the rule. Jones was far from the issue tonight, but he certainly didn’t help.

THE UNFORGIVABLE:

TRADE STOCK: Players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Claude Giroux are going to become clear trade bait when the deadline comes along. Neither player has a deal beyond the current season, and it seems pretty apparent that unless the team turns around neither will choose to re-sign with the orange and black. However, as many tears as it may bring from me, Giroux’s white hot start has continued, benefiting the team should he be moved.

LOSING: The Flyers have been able to pull from every excuse in the book, but they still can’t win. Yeo’s term has started in about as unfavorably as a tenure could, but the team still can hardly compete with a top team in the league, raising all sorts of questions.

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