VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) — Put those playoff plans on hold, Flyers fans.
And not just this season.
Philadelphia is stuck on the outside of the postseason for the fourth straight year after its fate was decided in Game 82. The Flyers’ acceleration from expected painful rebuild to the cusp of the playoffs was faster than expected — especially among those whose opinions matter most, coach John Tortorella and general manager Danny Briere — which made the late-season freefall all the more puzzling and gut-wrenching.
As far as next season? Even then, the playoffs aren’t necessarily a benchmark in the process.
“We are a ways away,” Tortorella said Friday. “We have so much work to do with this team. There are holes in the team. It’s going to take more time.”
Added Briere: “I know the expectation next year will be, oh, we’ve got to get in the playoffs. I don’t even know that we’re there yet. It was a great year. But there’s still a long ways to go.”
Pennsylvania cop and military veteran, 28, 'raped 13
Man, woman rescued after getting trapped for 10 hours at Australia's Jenolan Caves
Seagulls 'charismatic' not 'criminal', scientists say
'And so it begins': Inside Parliament during the uneasy transition of government
Larry David reunites with onscreen ex
Roaming dogs kill up to 30 cats in one suburb as residents live in fear
Ukraine war: Five dead and a million without power after wave of Russian strikes
coronavirus: Donald Trump defends 'China virus' term for covid
BNSF Railway says it didn't know about asbestos that's killed hundreds in Montana town
The iconic fantasy film that catapulted a 17
Woman's death after electric blanket fire triggers warning from Coroner