When a team shows an unexpected push that not only gains a playoff berth, but actually wins a round, there is an expectation for the trajectory to continue the next season.

In Philadelphia, it's been the opposite with the Flyers off to a start of historically bad proportions which has them in danger of becoming an afterthought early in the 2026-27 season.

Beat writer Jackie Spiegel from the Philadelphia Inquirer joins Vic to share how things have gone south so quickly...and what has to happen to reverse fortune before the season is lost.

We'll also wrap up the Frozen Frenzy with special focus on a few games played not only Tuesday but Wednesday as well. There's the usual injury update and TheLineup Stat of the Week Featuring the surprining start by the New York Rangers.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] - Jackie Spiegel from the Philadelphia Inquirer is welcomed to the show and speaks to her experience as a beat writer compared to being in television prior.

[02:43] - Coming off a playoff appearance and a series win last spring, the upward trajectory was expected to continue. What's gone so wrong early in 2026-27?

[06:03] - More specific to the alarm bells, is the lack of connection and rudimentary hockey.

[10:24] - So atypical to the history of the Flyers, addressing how easy it has been for the opposition to play against them in the early going.

[13:57] - Continuing on the theme of the characteristics of the Flyers and the management role in the team not living up to its identity.

[18:30] - Opportunities for younger players having to step into leaderships and simply haven't...at least not yet this season.

[22:09] - The potential fallout of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet being matched by Anaheim and the residual effect. Neil speaks from experience three decades ago.

[27:56] - Wrapping up the discussion with Jackie Spiegel and the reality of the math if Flyer fortunes don't improve quickly.

[30:32] - Recapping the Frozen Frenzy experience and other notable events from the past two nights.

[40:22] - Injury and other personnel news.

[45:31] - TheLineup.pro stat of the week.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/

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