Positive Steps

After an 0-2-2 start, just about anything would be an improvement.  A 2-1-0 road trip against quality teams however is a success under any circumstance.

I already wrote about all the good to take from the Dallas game.  Since then, the Flyers were thoroughly worked over by Chicago, and had a nice win over Pittsburgh.

My first takeaway is that there is still a considerable chasm in quality between the Flyers and a true cup contender like Chicago.  The Flyers simply couldn't keep up.

The second takeaway is that the East is generally well behind the West.  The Penguins may ultimately be one of the better teams in the East, and the Flyers simply beat 'em.  The Flyers have a great record in Pittsburgh, and sometimes rivalry games have a life of their own outside general team trends, but the conclusion I lean towards is that the Flyers can make noise in a mediocre Eastern Conference.

Already with the Trade Rumors:
There is already some fleeting trade talk around the Flyers, principally around Brayden Schenn.  While there are no specifics to consider at this point, I can make some general comments about Schenn.

I haven't been impressed with the way he is developing the last few years, and it appears the Flyers aren't either.  When they acquired what many seemed to rank as one of the best prospects in hockey, I think the Flyers expected to get a high quality second-line center, if not a guy who could be the #1 for many teams.

Right now, I think there is some question is if Schenn can even be a second line center.  He gets some chances, he pops up in good places in the offensive zone, but he rarely makes a significant contribution scoring or creating for others.

While Schenn is off to a bad start this season, underwhelming on Giroux's wing and on the top PP unit, it's too early to cash him out.  It's not impossible that he find his niche as a second line player, and it's still early days of the season.  What should make Schenn sweat long term is if Couturier shows offensive ability this season, and Laughton keeps killing it in the AHL.  At that point there is no need for under-performing young center on the club.