Reality Check: Flyers Facing Frustrating Yet Predicted Growing Pains Danny Briere Predicted About Last Season

However, they tend to experience difficulty when the time comes for them to change careers or relocate altogether. Danny Briere has always been honest in communicating the reality facing his Philadelphia Flyers squad to both fans and players alike. Even after an impressive 2018-19 campaign and Matvei Michkov’s signing this summer, Briere made clear: The Flyers remain deep within a rebuild process. As Briere warned at the outset of their rebuild, regression is both possible and likely. Now as the Flyers struggle to produce positive results, many fans are wondering whether their current slump represents something unexpected or simply part of an inevitable path towards something greater.A Season with Reducing ExpectationsBriere made clear early in his tenure with Philadelphia that last season’s astonishing run was no indication they had arrived as legitimate contenders. “This has been an impressive season,” he noted back in April, “and I am immensely proud of our players’ battle efforts, even after being told they wouldn’t compete this season… They battled as one and I am immensely proud to see our guys compete at such high levels – something which truly deserves praise and admiration from me and others in the field. That is something which truly deserves praise!” “Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella (pictured below) watches players react after scoring with just nine seconds remaining against New York Islanders during a third period game at Wells Fargo Center.” Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports”I still can’t say we are contenders yet… There have certainly been numerous players that have given optimism that we are moving in the right direction.” Next season will undoubtedly come with expectations that we are in position to qualify for playoffs – I don’t even think that’s been determined yet! But we must proceed cautiously until our time arrives. “Philadelphia displayed flashes of unity and ability that gave reason for hope, yet failed to mask that it still lacks the foundation necessary for sustained success. Briere quickly dispelled any excitement over their impressive form, reminding everyone that this year’s goal wasn’t to create an immediate playoff powerhouse with Michkov’s inclusion. Briere remains committed to building an ecosystem for young talent with development, patience and commitment at its center. It could lead to further losses, frustration and regression; all in service of long-term Flyers success.Is This Slump Causing Concern?A team in its early rebuild stage typically experiences slumps as part of its transformation process. Philadelphia’s recent struggles have some fans questioning: is Philadelphia’s regression too great, even for a team in transition? While John Tortorella opened with promising glimpses, showing scrappy yet determined play under John Tortorella but failing to produce tangible results; with their current ranking of 32nd in NHL this reveals several cracks both offensively and defensively that need fixing immediately. Morgan Frost had shown promise, yet seems unable to reach his potential. Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster have yet to find their foothold within their respective teams either. John Tortorella expressed his displeasure with players’ efforts to find rhythm on his team and how that has resulted in unproductive cycles that simply cannot afforded. Goaltending also has been compromised recently with Sam Ersson out with minor injury. Ersson is expected to return shortly, yet his absence highlights a lack of reliable backup goaltenders such as Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov who remain unfamiliar with NHL standards. As such, their struggles reflect those of an unfamiliar group coming together. Briere and his front office colleagues may feel frustrated, yet this level of regression highlights weaknesses he anticipated and intended to address in coming years.A Frustrating But Necessary Stepping StoneBriere’s credibility should make us realize this slump may not be as alarming as initially perceived. But rather, this process should be seen as part of growth’s journey. However, unlike teams which aim to win titles quickly and view slumps as red flags, the Flyers are building from within and must allow young players to develop; sometimes this involves suffering through some lean times until their responsibilities change and grow with them. At times, Flyers slumps can serve their long-term interests by drawing attention to areas needing improvement and encouraging players to overcome difficulties.John Tortorella’s system demands accountability while simultaneously seeking out weaknesses within players’ game play and expose any weak areas within. When combined with Briere’s vision of an all-out rebuild, accountability can become a two-edged sword: while fans may become disheartened when losses mount up, players have no option other than adapting or falling behind the competition. Thus far, however, the Flyers have shown flashes but don’t possess enough consistency required for sustained NHL success. Every slump should be seen as an opportunity for young players to adjust and learn the required level of play, while for members of the Flyers core group looking to establish themselves as mainstays, any rough patch should be seen as an invitation to rise up to meet it and rise above it. Briere’s rebuild may not bring instantaneous satisfaction but rather represents gradual steps toward creating an identity rooted in resilience, skill and accountability for his team. Learning From RegressionBriere’s honest take on rebuild may not make these struggles any less arduous to bear, but at least provides them with context. This team doesn’t fall short of lofty expectations but rather seeks to establish a foundation for future success. While their slow start might appear detrimental at first glance, lessons from such difficult circumstances could ultimately strengthen their foundation as an organization. At the conclusion of last season, Tortorella stated it would be extremely valuable for his up-and-coming players to experience even just one round of playoff hockey to gain insight into what playoff hockey feels like and gain knowledge on how best to perform under pressure situations. One could make the case that students benefiting from experiencing initial failure are just as important in learning to overcome difficulties and turn around results. Philadelphians will likely find their patience tested as this season progresses, especially since Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Poehling (25), defensemen Travis Sanheim (6), Cam York (8) and right wings Travis Konecny (11) and Tyson Foerster (71) will all likely face frustration during national anthem against Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on Oct. 11. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Fans often demand more from teams with such tremendous promise as Philadelphia has done thus far. But according to Briere’s roadmap, Briere believes this period of regression should not be seen as the end-all be-all; rather it serves an integral part in his narrative. The Flyers may not yet have reached their intended potential, yet every setback and challenge are building blocks toward future strength and resilience. According to Briere’s vision, each setback and struggle–no matter how tough–is seen as a teaching moment that helps position them for sustainable success; for now however, patience remains key.