Hart Suffers His First Regulation Loss: Philadelphia Flyers vs Columbus Blue Jackets: Observations - Insights - Highlights & More

Johnny Gaudreau was supposed to be the heir apparent to Claude Giroux in Philadelphia; the offensive wizard and the new face of the franchise for the next seven years. That didn't happen.

Wisely, Chuck Fletcher allegedly did not even make a play for Gaudreau. Whether that was because Fletcher and the organization didn't want Johnny Hockey, or Fletcher handcuffed himself and couldn't afford him, we will likely never know.
Gaudreau rejected a more lucrative offer from the Calgary Flames, than the deal he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets and joined a team that has wallowed in futility and mediocrity since its inception to the league in 2000. In their 21-year history, Columbus has made the playoffs six times and won two rounds in the playoffs; a perfect fit for Gaudreau, who hasn't experienced any measure of playoff success in his career either.

In 12 regular season games with Columbus, Gaudreau has compiled 5 goals, 4 assists, for 9 points, with a -5 rating. Gaudreau has quarterbacked the Jackets to a league worst power play, 32nd overall at 6.1% and Gaudreau has yet to register a point on the man advantage.

Is Johnny Hockey the player you offer a seven-year, $9.75 million-dollar contract to and build a franchise around? Or were the Flyers wise to withhold the money and attempt to sign a more complete player, with a winning pedigree?

Chuck Fletcher may have passed on one local talent in Johnny Gaudreau, but he secured another in New Jersey born Tony DeAngelo. DeAngelo, who stated the majority of his family is from Philadelphia and he grew up a Flyers fan, was traded for and re-signed by the Flyers this past summer. DeAngelo inked a two-year, $10 million-dollar contract, with a $5 million cap hit per season.

With the uncertainty of Ryan Ellis' future, the Flyers were in dire need of an offensive minded, puck moving defenseman, who could run a power play. The Flyers were coming off one of their worst statistical seasons on the power play, ranking 32nd in the league in 2021-22, at an abysmal 12.6% success rate. DeAngelo posted 20 power play points for the Hurricanes in 21-22 and registered 51 points in 64 games; with 10 goals and 41 assists. DeAngelo offers a significant upgrade on the Flyers power play, over Keith Yandle, who was previously brought in to produce offense.

In his first 12 games with the Flyers, DeAngelo has 2 goals, 6 assists, with 5 of his points coming on the man advantage. DeAngelo is a high-risk, energetic defenseman, who makes aggressive reads and activates on the rush and in the offensive zone. DeAngelo's game has been well complimented by Ivan Provorov, who has been revitalized under John Tortorella's aggressive system and the two have developed a legitimate top NHL pairing on D for the Flyers.

Gaudreau won the matchup, with a goal and two assists on the night. Gaudreau was buzzing and did his damage early. The three point night will give Flyers fans plenty to debate after he was snubbed by the Flyers in Free Agency.

1. Carter Hart Let Down:

It would be hard to argue the player who has benefited the most from the hiring of John Tortorella is Carter Hart. Hart started the season on fire; going 6 - 0 - 2.

Unfortunately Hart was not given the support early in Columbus, as three soft turnovers resulted in quick transitions. The odd man rushes were finished off by Gaudreau, Zach Werenski, and Boone Jenner.

Hart suffered his first regulation loss of the season.

3. Disastrous Puck Management:

Owen Tippett tried to spring Konecny on a breakaway, but he telegraphed a soft backhand pass through the middle, that was easily read and picked off by Werenski. Braun was caught flat footed skating up ice and couldn't recover to square up on Gaudreau or take away his clean look on Hart.

Tippett was guilty of a second questionable decision, opting to try and hit the trailer on the weak side instead of filtering the puck towards the net to the two streaking Flyers forwards. Gaudreau made an easy interception and quickly lead an odd man rush into the Flyers zone for the second goal.

If John Tortorella wasn't already fuming after the first period, the second period didn't start any better. Travis Konecny got handcuffed on a pass by DeAngelo and in a panic to get the puck back to DeAngelo, TK put the puck on a platter for Johnny Hockey.

4. Defense On The Offensive:

Much like the game against the St. Louis Blues, the offense was generated from the D.

Tony DeAngelo opened the scoring for Philly, from an oddly familiar place; in the paint. DeAngelo is never shy about dropping below the dots to try and generate goals and his aggressive nature paid off, digging in a puck that rang off the post.

Ivan Provorov scored his first goal of the year standing in the paint too. Provorov drove the weak side post on the rush and Konecny made a perfect tape to tape pass for the tap in.

The goal was Provorov's 60th as a Flyer, tying him with Shayne Gostisbehere for forth all time in Flyers history for goals by a defenseman.

The Flyers are going to need their offensive forwards to start burying their open looks. Columbus gave up plenty of quality opportunities, as the their zone coverage looked loose and they scrambled defensively throughout the game.

5. Nicolas Deslauriers Attempted To Spark The Flyers Early:

Deslauriers saw the slow start by the Flyers and tried to shift the momentum with a fight against Mathieu Olivier, but all it seemed to do was leave his knuckles bloody.

The Ottawa Senators and Claude Giroux visit Philadelphia on Saturday, for the Flyers next contest. The night will be an emotional one, as it marks Giroux's first game back in Philly.