Flyers qualify for Playoffs, look to retain Stanley Cup

Defending Stanley Cup champions finish regular season with 3^rd place in the highly competitive Metropolitan division – will face their arch rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the Battle of Pennsylvania.

1. The regular season is over.  The Flyers finish with a 45-28-9 record and 99 points. David Perron, who was re-signed in UFA to a hefty 3 year $9.75m contract) finishes as the team's top goal-scorer with Sean Couturier (31 goals) and point-getter (73 points). Couturier finished with 67 points in 71 points highlighting his importance to the team. 

2. Flyers clinched playoff spot early and it showed. Team qualified with a number of games to play but took their foot of the pedal and finished with a 4 game losing streak that killed any hopes of retaining their Metropolitan title or even home ice advantage. Questions will need to be asked of the team and coaching staff heading into the playoffs with the Penguins.

3. Special Teams Suck. The teams playoff qualification was not aided by their play on the special teams finishing 31^st (13.0%) in powerplay and 29^th (79.5%) on the penalty kill. Those are not numbers that win playoff games and changes will be required if the team hopes to go on a long run.

4. Big year for rookie development. There were lots of positive development from the rookies this year with Trevor Zegras, Jack Hughes and Alex Newhook taking huge steps at the NHL level as well as Bowen Byram leading the Phantoms with 51 points. The club and fans are expecting huge things from these guys going forward.

5. 2022 Draft. Rumours are coming from within Hockey Ops that the team is looking to trade their upcoming 1^st round pick and prospects to continue to make improvements in the roster, particularly at LW. The organisation believe they have a core of high end players locked up for the next 4-6 years and want to build a dynasty contender for Lord Stanley’s cup.