Len Redkoles/NHLI via It's a funny thing that happens when we assume things based on the previous season. Sometimes it helps us get totally blindsided by teams adapting and progressing with a coach that was brand new to them a year ago. That's precisely what's happened with the Philadelphia Flyers and Arizona Coyotes this season. Last season under John Tortorella, the Flyers were dealing with a lot of injuries and a little bit of drama surrounding guys that weren't meeting the demanding coach's expectations (see: Kevin Hayes). Philly wasn't winning a lot of games and a lot of nights it looked like it was a big time struggle for them to get anything going. But one thing they didn't lack was effort, and that mindset carried over to this season. The Flyers don't make any game easy, and that kind of persistent play can wear out teams that aren't ready for it really fast and that's something they've been able to take advantage of all while welcoming veterans Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson back to the lineup. The Flyers are third in the Metropolitan Division and with Travis Sanheim having a great start to his season on the blue line, they look like a team that might be able to stick around and make a lot of teams miserable in the playoffs.
Norm Hall/NHLI via The same can be said for the Coyotes who in their second season under coach André Tourigny are showing they won't just roll over for anyone. Rookie Logan Cooley has been a major spark plug for their offense as has new arrival Sean Durzi on defense. With established guys like Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz and Matias Maccelli leading the attack while Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram hold it down in goal, the relentless Coyotes are able to take advantage of a weaker Western Conference. We know it's early and stuff can happen to make all of these points moot, but seeing the Flyers and Coyotes in the mix for the playoffs a quarter of the way into the season is a very fun development.
