PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The “new era of orange” continues as the Flyers begin their 2025-26 season and hope to make a case to play for the Stanley Cup in April.
As the Flyers gear up for their 2025-26 campaign, fans are seeming more optimistic about their chances this year than the team’s previous season.
“I feel better this season than I did last season,” lifelong Flyers fan Ed Hartman said. “I think they made some good trades and they’re playing well.”
Last season, the Flyers had lots of problems that needed to be fixed, leaving holes that needed to be filled going into the offseason, with a major one being the goaltending.
“I think goaltending is a big deal,” Hartman said. “I think they need to trust one of the goaltenders and let them do their thing. And I think they need to stay healthy. We had people that were hurt for most of the season last year, so if they can stay healthy, they have a chance.”
As well as addressing the man guarding the net, the Flyers also needed to address the man leading the team. During the offseason, the team replaced previous head coach John Tortorella with former Flyer Rick Tocchet, and another former player for the team hired in the front office, and fans have mixed opinions on whether or not these people were hired for their alumni status or managing expertise.
“I think it’s a little bit of both,” Hartman said. “I don’t think they’re gonna hire someone they don’t think is qualified, but I do think that it looks better and makes the fans happier when they see people that they know. Guys like me who grew up watching those guys, I have a connection already, whereas, you know, if they hired someone I never heard of, I have no connections.”
Tocchet’s resume includes being the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008 to 2010, the Arizona Coyotes from 2017 to 2021, and the Vancouver Canucks from 2022 to his current tenure in Philadelphia. In 2023, the Canucks ranked first in the Pacific Division and reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I think Rick Tocchet has had success as a coach, and he also is someone who is like a no-nonsense coach, and I think the Flyers need that right now,” Hartman said.
Next to Tocchet, the Flyers also acquired center Trevor Zegras, and fans are hopeful that he’ll be the missing piece the team has been looking for.
“I’m very excited … I think [Trevor Zegras] will do really well here and, who knows, maybe he’ll be the key that we needed.”
The Flyers are also drawing in fans who are just getting exposed to and enjoying hockey. The new players are a big reason for this recent surge in popularity. From the captain and goalies to the younger and less experienced players, fans are loving the men now repping the orange and black.
“Well, I first went to the game [Owen Tippett] first played at, and I noticed his red hair, and it really stuck out to me, and I thought he was a really good player,” Maggie Hartman said.
Another reason for the Flyers’ increasing popularity is their home turf, now known as Xfinity Mobile Arena, which has been under heavy renovation for the last few years. The current arena is filled with tons of amenities and new places for fans to explore while keeping the memories floating in the cold air from the nearly 30-year-old rink.
“My favorite part about going to a Flyers game is to spend time with my Dad because he’s a big fan,” Maggie Hartman said. “And also the milkshakes on the second floor.”
The Flyers will begin their campaign for their first playoff berth since 2020. From new signings to returning greats, fans from across the city of brotherly love are hoping for the orange and black to join the city’s teams in finding playoff success, leading to their ultimate goal of winning the city’s first Stanley Cup in over 50 years. Despite whatever happens, however, fans are excited for the ‘new era of orange’ and are excited to cheer on their Flyers for a new season of hockey.
“It’s just like a rush of energy,” Maggie Hartman said. “It’s so entertaining to watch.”
