The Philadelphia Flyers aren't looking half-bad to kick off what should be a season of growth. But the last thing they need to do is squander this opportunity, something Flyers fans probably see happening in places like Buffalo and Columbus, where both the Sabres and Blue Jackets look like they're taking a step back.
One way to keep things trending north? Keep your seasoned veterans around for as long as they can play. Through six games, Sean Couturier is playing like a man on a mission, with seven points and two goals in six games. Even if he's in his age-33 season, Couturier must remain a pivotal part of this rebuild as he's the undisputed leader on the Flyers.
They also need to keep going with the hot hand while in the crease. Dan Vladar has been on a tear, with a 0.929 save percentage and a 1.75 GAA through four starts. While he's not the long-term answer, rolling with the hot hand when applicable sends a message to the netminders. Either you put in consistent performances or you're getting your ice time cut.
Philadelphia Flyers rebuilding effort is showing results early in the 2025-26 season
Trevor Zegras may not have found the net yet, but he's looking like one of the top playmakers on the team with five assists in six games. Zegras is no homegrown talent, but he's young enough for fans to call him a core player.
And it's telling, because it implies Daniel Briere can locate good, young talent that other teams may have mishandled. That's almost a certainty in Zegras' case, given his early-season resurgence in Philadelphia.
So, when the trade deadline rolls around, the Flyers need to be buyers if teams are shopping young talent with high upside. It shouldn't matter if they're first, third, or last in the Metro. They need to buy and keep stockpiling youngsters with potential to excel in the NHL.
Fleece other teams with trades if players aren't working out
Honestly, this one doesn't need to be said these days, not with Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams dishing JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for two mid-tier players, regardless of how well Josh Doan is faring in Buffalo.
Then, there's the entire Logan Mailloux fiasco in St. Louis, where the Blues acquired him for Zack Bolduc, who is lighting up the scoreboard in Quebec. And who can forget about Daniel Briere himself trading away Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to the lowly Calgary Flames?
Once again, trades like the one involving Farabee and Frost send a message to the entire team. Either you play at a high-octane level you're capable of, or you're going elsewhere. Under head coach Rick Tocchet, there's accountability, and Briere needs to be the deciding factor in enforcing that accountability.
Right now, the Flyers have an outstanding core brewing, and it's showing in their record and points total early. No, they haven't been outstanding, but nobody expected outstanding. If they keep their veteran leadership, keep unearthing young talent, and trading away bad fits, the Flyers will keep trending north.