Philadelphia Flyers fans read the first eight words of this article title and felt a moment of joy, hoping things were finally turning around and the league's most disappointing team this season was about to get something positive. Ehhh, not so fast, as this record they are rapidly approaching is reserved for the worst teams in league history.
The 1943-44 New York Rangers failed to win 15 straight games to start the season, setting a record for the longest winless streak in league history. No team has come close to that record; the next streak was 11 games, set by several teams, including the 2023-24 San Jose Sharks and the 2021-22 Arizona Coyotes.
There are two ways to look at this development: the pessimists might say the Flyers are on a path to relocation like the Coyotes, and with the way some fans are looking at the franchise right now, they may welcome the change.
Of course, the Flyers aren't actually going to relocate, so the real fans and optimists can look at the 2023-24 Sharks and see a team that secured Macklin Celebrini at the end of that season, which was the main building block for a team that looks like it may become contenders as early as this season if they find some better goaltending.
One problem with me trying to look at the glass half full: these Flyers made it to the second round of the playoffs last season and were supposed to be playoff contenders this year. Taking a step back to get the first-overall pick would be cruel and unusual punishment for a team with such high hopes.
How close are the Flyers to breaking the record?
The Flyers are now winless in nine games, two games shy of a tie for second place, and six shy of tying the 1943-44 Rangers. You have to believe one game will bounce their way soon, but seeing four playoff teams from last season on their schedule shouldn't do anything to promote optimism.
The next non-playoff team they'll see on the schedule is the Columbus Blue Jackets in their 14th game. The only head coach having a worse time than Rick Tocchet might be Rick Bowness, and if things continue to spiral in Columbus, that matchup could be an ugly one.
The Flyers could very well break the winless streak in one of the next four games, but if they don't, they'd better hope to do it against the Blue Jackets. Waiting for them in the game to tie the record is the revamped Washington Capitals, before the Minnesota Wild get the chance to help them break the record.
The onslaught continues with the New York Rangers in their 17th game before the schedule eases with back-to-back games against the other league bottom-feeders, the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. If the Flyers leave the Pacific Northwest still without a win, more fans might be on board with the relocation talk.
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