Pitt lost 2 in a row by combined score of 9-2. Does that make them less of a contender? No, loses happen to all teams. The flyers will hit a skid before the season ends, it won’t make them a lesser team, they will still be the team we see.

Are they contenders? They could be but if not for the fact that the large part of the team is unproven in the playoffs.

Get in and you never know

Close to and actually being there are two different things. Playoff hockey is different than regular season hockey.
- MJL

I know that. I’m simply saying that we may need to adjust our expectations. None of that is to say they should be a stone cold lock for the SC or even the ECF. They’ve played very well at home, beaten Was, StL and Boston in the road, are one of the top teams at allowing shots on goal and have good depth throughout the roster. All this suggests a team that is closer to contending than we may have previously thought.

Bubble is relative to other teams. Most years they’d be sitting comfortably right now They are tracking at 102 points
- Just5

This isn't other years. This is this year.

As per the standings right now they are not playing like a bubble team but rather an legit playoff team.

That could obviously change as the rest of the season plays out but right now they are a damn fun team to watch.
- opeth_pa

All the other teams around them at the bubble are also playing like legit playoff teams.

Pitt lost 2 in a row by combined score of 9-2. Does that make them less of a contender? No, loses happen to all teams. The flyers will hit a skid before the season ends, it won’t make them a lesser team, they will still be the team we see.

Are they contenders? They could be but if not for the fact that the large part of the team is unproven in the playoffs.

Get in and you never know
- wcorvette

Are they contenders, who knows? But here are some Cup finalist who no one saw as contenders heading into the playoffs:

1986: Calgary & Montreal
1991: Minnesota
1998: Washington
2002: Carolina
2006: Carolina
2012: New Jersey & LA

And pretty few prognosticators had Vegas going to the finals in late Feb of 2018 or St Louis winning the Cup at this time last year.

You really never know. I do know this however, the 19-20 Flyers are the best team we’ve seen since 11-12.

I know that. I’m simply saying that we may need to adjust our expectations. None of that is to say they should be a stone cold lock for the SC or even the ECF. They’ve played very well at home, beaten Was, StL and Boston in the road, are one of the top teams at allowing shots on goal and have good depth throughout the roster. All this suggests a team that is closer to contending than we may have previously thought.
- Sublime55

It's obvious that the Flyers can compete with any team in the league. The gap between the elite teams and the good teams is never big. Continued growth of the young players is what is going to get them there. I just hope impatience and interference from the executive office doesn't get in the way.

All the other teams around them at the bubble are also playing like legit playoff teams.
- MJL

Not as well as the Flyers are again not saying they are a guaranteed lock but as of right now they are playing as good as any team in the league minus the top 2

I like the trend. But we all know the playoffs are a different animal. The young defense will be tested. Hart isn’t playoff tested. But it’s great if they get in and get some experience. And like they say anything can happen. Maybe they can catch a better team flatfooted and then get some momentum. Who knows?

Not as well as the Flyers are again not saying they are a guaranteed lock but as of right now they are playing as good as any team in the league minus the top 2
- opeth_pa

How do you explain how the point totals are so closely grouped then? An NHL season is ups and downs.

Are they contenders, who knows? But here are some Cup finalist who no one saw as contenders heading into the playoffs:

1986: Calgary & Montreal
1991: Minnesota
1998: Washington
2002: Carolina
2006: Carolina
2012: New Jersey & LA

And pretty few prognosticators had Vegas going to the finals in late Feb of 2018 or St Louis winning the Cup at this time last year.

You really never know. I do know this however, the 19-20 Flyers are the best team we’ve seen since 11-12.
- BiggE

Good stuff, was thinking the same thing but I was to lazy to look up

laughton laughton laughton yo

How do you explain how the point totals are so closely grouped then? An NHL season is ups and downs.
- MJL

The Flyers are currently closer to first in their division then they are to being out of the playoffs.

Right now, I dont view them as a bubble team and you do.

That could all change one way or the other but right now I just dont see them as playing like a bubble team.

The Flyers are currently closer to first in their division then they are to being out of the playoffs.

Right now, I dont view them as a bubble team and you do.
- opeth_pa

By his logic, it would seemTampa and Boston are the only contenders.

The Flyers are currently closer to first in their division then they are to being out of the playoffs.

Right now, I dont view them as a bubble team and you do.

That could all change one way or the other but right now I just dont see them as playing like a bubble team.
- opeth_pa

With how tight it is there are a lot of bubble teams or a lot of playoff teams.

Who are the contenders? A handful?

laughton laughton laughton yo
- 2Real

And you wanted Vegas to pick in the expansion draft

And you wanted Vegas to pick in the expansion draft

- KINGKENZO

i wanted vegas to pick someone like raffl

The Flyers are currently closer to first in their division then they are to being out of the playoffs.

Right now, I dont view them as a bubble team and you do.

That could all change one way or the other but right now I just dont see them as playing like a bubble team.
- opeth_pa

they're not a top echelon team if they make the playoffs but if they win the cup cool

Pitt lost 2 in a row by combined score of 9-2. Does that make them less of a contender? No, loses happen to all teams. The flyers will hit a skid before the season ends, it won’t make them a lesser team, they will still be the team we see.

Are they contenders? They could be but if not for the fact that the large part of the team is unproven in the playoffs.

Get in and you never know
- wcorvette

no but the losses of guentzel, dumoulin and marino does :/

Pitt lost 2 in a row by combined score of 9-2. Does that make them less of a contender? No, loses happen to all teams. The flyers will hit a skid before the season ends, it won’t make them a lesser team, they will still be the team we see.

Are they contenders? They could be but if not for the fact that the large part of the team is unproven in the playoffs.

Get in and you never know
- wcorvette

no but the losses of guentzel, dumoulin and marino does :/

If they make the trade straight up it would be on par with JVR for Schenn. I would not sell low on ghost and personally feel that Kapanen is overvalued. There is an emotional attachment to daddy on these boards that clouds judgment.
- corduroy

I think I have to agree. I like Kapanen but I think people are definitely overvaluing him.

With how tight it is there are a lot of bubble teams or a lot of playoff teams.

Who are the contenders? A handful?
- wcorvette

I think Boston and Tampa are currently the favorites.

I guess then everyone else is a bubble team.

The Flyers are currently closer to first in their division then they are to being out of the playoffs.

Right now, I dont view them as a bubble team and you do.

That could all change one way or the other but right now I just dont see them as playing like a bubble team.
- opeth_pa

I don't think you're considering games played. A couple of teams below them have played a couple less games than the Flyers have. They win those and the difference is a point or two. There are 20 games left. A small losing streak could have them out. The Flyers have by no means locked up a playoff spot. That is the definition of a bubble team.

no but the losses of guentzel, dumoulin and marino does :/
- stayinthefnnet

:c

no but the losses of guentzel, dumoulin and marino does :/
- stayinthefnnet

No doubt...
Im sure Columbus would love to talk to the Pens about the impact of injuries.

By his logic, it would seemTampa and Boston are the only contenders.
- BiggE

Not following my logic very well.