The Philadelphia Flyers just wrapped up a brutal 0-3-1 stretch, and with that, any realistic hope of a playoff run may have gone out the window. The math isn’t just discouraging-it’s downright unforgiving. Let’s break down where things stand for the Orange and Black, and what the next week might (or might not) bring.
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
At this point, the Flyers are facing playoff odds that sit at a grim 9%, according to Hockey Stats. That’s not just a cold number-it’s a reflection of how steep the climb has become. Let’s put it into context.
To have a shot at sneaking into the postseason, the Flyers likely need to hit the 98-point mark. Why 98?
Because the current playoff cutoff in the Eastern Conference is being set by the New York Islanders, who are pacing for 97 points. But here’s the kicker: because the Flyers lag behind in regulation wins (just 17 so far), they lose out in tiebreaker scenarios.
So even matching that 97-point pace might not be enough. They’ll probably need to clear it.
Now for the real gut punch: to reach 98 points, the Flyers need to collect 40 points over their final 28 games. That means going 12 games over .500 the rest of the way.
For a team that’s lost 11 of its last 13? That’s not just unlikely-it’s borderline impossible unless something dramatic changes overnight.
Could the playoff bar drop below 98 points? Sure, it’s possible.
But not by much. The Flyers would still need a scorching finish to even sniff contention.
Right now, the numbers-and the eye test-are telling the same story: this team is running out of runway.
Trade Deadline: Sellers or Standing Pat?
With the postseason slipping away, attention naturally turns to the March 6 trade deadline. The question is simple: will the Flyers be sellers?
The answer? Not so simple.
On paper, the Flyers don’t have a lot of obvious trade chips. Christian Dvorak-one of the players who might’ve drawn interest-was taken off the board when the team locked him up with a five-year, $25.75 million extension on January 5. That deal signaled a level of commitment to the current core, or at least to Dvorak’s role in it.
The one name that might raise some eyebrows is Rasmus Ristolainen. But with two years remaining on his contract, he’s not exactly a rental, and that could limit his market. Unless a team is specifically looking for a physical, right-shot defenseman with term, it’s hard to see a blockbuster brewing there.
So while a fire sale seems unlikely, don’t expect fireworks either. The Flyers might make a move or two around the edges, but the big shake-up? That doesn’t seem to be on the horizon-at least not yet.
What’s Ahead: Feb. 2-8
The Flyers will look to regroup and find some semblance of momentum in the coming week. Whether that’s about salvaging pride, evaluating younger talent, or just trying to stop the bleeding, this stretch still matters-even if the playoff picture doesn’t.
Because if there’s one thing we know about hockey in Philadelphia, it’s that even when the stakes are low, the intensity never really dips. The fans demand effort.
The team knows that. And while the postseason may be slipping away, the work of building something better doesn’t stop just because the standings say so.
Stay tuned.